Tiger stared at Carl for a long time, finally confirming: Carl really didn't have gills!
Carl grew a little impatient, wanting Tiger to show him the way, but Tiger just stood there, lost in thought.
Ignoring him, Carl's lips moved slightly, sending out an invisible wave centered on himself.
As a Fishman, Tiger was highly sensitive to changes in the sea. Though it was only for a moment, he noticed the water temperature rise around them.
Just as Tiger was about to tell Carl the location of Fishman Island, Carl had already picked up the signal from the ultra-large ultrasonic wave he'd sent out.
Without waiting, Carl pushed off with his legs, adjusted the bow, and darted into the depths of the sea.
Tiger had to grip both sides of the speedboat tightly, stunned by Carl's accuracy—as if he had made this journey many times before.
The 10,000 meters of sea depth posed no challenge for Carl, and soon, Fishman Island, wrapped in its protective bubble film, appeared in his sight.
This kind of bubble film was ingeniously designed, preventing ships coated with the film from sneaking in illegally. If they tried to break through the first layer, their coating would be absorbed, resulting in destruction of the ship and loss of lives.
But Carl didn't plan on taking a detour. He didn't even have a coating and could move freely underwater, rendering Fishman Island's defenses useless to him.
He sped up, charging directly toward Fishman Island.
However, just as he was about to break through, Carl abruptly halted. He sensed a gathering of large sea creatures closing in on him.
Carl narrowed his eyes, temporarily hovering above the bubble film. Tiger looked puzzled and asked,
"Carl, why did you stop?..."
Before he finished, Tiger's face changed. Not only him, but the residents of Fishman Island below looked up, astonished.
Carl's small speedboat alone wasn't enough to draw attention from the crowd. What captured their gaze were several enormous Sea Kings, each over 500 meters long, with their sights set on Carl.
Yet in Carl's eyes, even these massive Sea Kings were nothing more than "ants."
Tiger and the island's residents didn't share Carl's perspective. This massive Sea King group's appearance had even the seasoned Fishmen in shock.
The Sea Kings' red eyes and open mouths revealed a clear hostility.
Tiger rose from the cabin, pressing his hands to the surrounding water, ready to fight.
But Carl only let out a cold snort. A dark tornado erupted from behind him, spreading like a dark veil.
The Sea Kings, once charging in aggression, froze as the darkness spread, their eyes clearing. Then, a look of human-like fear appeared in their gaze.
Under the horrified stares of all present, the Sea Kings tried to flee, but the darkness spread too quickly, pulling them all into its grasp with a powerful gravity.
When the darkness finally withdrew back into Carl's body, a large vacuum zone formed around him, causing the speedboat to plunge downward.
Carl, one hand casually in his pocket, fell with the speedboat toward Fishman Island, effortlessly breaking through the bubble membrane.
Just as the speedboat neared the crowd below, Carl's broad, black wings unfolded, scattering dark feathers into the water.
With a slight movement, Carl stored the speedboat within the Dark Bible, grabbed Tiger with one hand, and gently descended before a gathering of mermaids and Fishmen.
The crowd below stood in awe, gazing up at Carl with reverence, as if he were a god.
Tiger, no less stunned, observed the scene up close. Seeing Carl's dark wings spread wide, Tiger could hardly believe this man was human.
Carl gradually descended, his wings casting a powerful shadow. The crowd instinctively parted to make way until he landed.
Once he touched the ground, his wings dissolved back into a flowing darkness that seeped into his body. Carl smiled warmly, and said,
"Hello."
No one responded.
The whole scene was hushed, with only the sound of nervous breathing echoing.
"Clear the way!"
A group of uniformed Fishmen and Mermen pushed through the crowd. One blue-skinned Fishman with a slightly round build spotted Tiger and shouted in surprise,
"Tiger!"
Tiger's eyes widened. "Jinbe?"
Jinbe's crew approached Carl and Tiger, led by a seahorse mermaid with a serious expression.
Normally, he would have arrested any human entering Fishman Island without permission, but he'd just witnessed Carl's display of power. He understood that this was no ordinary man.
In fact, it would be difficult to find anyone on Fishman Island capable of matching him.
The Right Minister steadied himself and spoke calmly,
"Hello, I am the Right Minister of the Ryugu Palace. May I ask who you are?"
Carl smiled, replying,
"My name is Carl, and I'm here to travel."
Just…travel?
The Right Minister looked taken aback. Jinbei stepped forward, grinning as he joined Tiger.
Tiger looked him over and said,
"You've grown strong, Jinbe! When did you become a guard at the Ryugu Palace?"
Jinbe scratched his head proudly. "Tiger, I couldn't just stay here forever. After you left, I passed the assessment and now I'm a guardian!"
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+115 chapters on p@treon/tambeerg