"Hello, big sis!"
At this moment, Rushaka felt the warmth of humans. Over a hundred people wearing identical suits were lined up to welcome them. Mandfeish had previously informed them of their arrival time, though he only asked them to prepare some new clothes.
Even mermaids hope to keep their bodies dry when they leave the water. This is one of the reasons they live on Fishman Island.
Due to the Alqimia Red Tree and Eve, Fishman Island is the only relatively safe place for mermaids with sunlight and dry air.
Mandfeish felt the same way. Although he could go underwater with his ability, it didn't mean he liked being constantly wet. However, his subordinates seemed to have read more into his instructions.
"Big brother, is this okay?"
"Pierman, didn't I tell you not to make such a big fuss?"
"Don't worry about it, big brother. You've gone through so much to bring them back; of course, you need to have enough face. According to my hometown's customs, a subordinate would have to cut off a finger if the boss loses face. Besides, everything you asked for is ready."
Pierman hails from an island in the West Sea, where gang culture thrives. There are a dozen gangs scattered around, and every year they fiercely compete for the position of town leader.
While talking, Mandfeish saw a few female pirates bringing towels and shoes. Someone even wheeled over a wheelchair from the island's hospital, which was prepared for Sharley.
She wasn't even thirty and couldn't split her tail like Rushaka did.
Moreover, this was beyond the range of bubble usage; she'd either have to be carried or use a different means of transportation.
The island's infrastructure is comprehensive, catering to the inhabitants. Apart from the pirates stationed there, the main island is dotted with four or five villages, totaling a few thousand people.
This is the norm within a Great Pirate's territory. Islands with capabilities strive to be self-sufficient; they protect the island's safety while the residents, like paying taxes, offer resources.
Since the collection quota is manageable for them, they've long grown accustomed to this life, which is far better than being plundered by passing pirates.
"But big brother, did you bring back two of them?"
"Shut up, don't talk nonsense. That girl is Ah Long's sister; I'm just helping to take care of her."
"Ah Long? That shark bastard has such a cute sister?"
Pierman knew about Ah Long but didn't like him. Despite having no ability, he's so arrogant. If it weren't for Mandfeish's disguised friendship with him, Pierman probably wouldn't have known such a person.
He was an aide to a cadre under Kaidou and also a Prodigy. Outside the sea, as long as he wasn't fighting in water, he wasn't afraid of Fishmen.
"Isn't that normal? Could you ever imagine Miss Yamato being Kaidou's biological daughter?"
"Um..."
"Stop thinking about useless things. How's everything on the island recently?"
"Everything's fine. Also, Lord Arceus sent a big thing over from Ghost Island. Though it's yet to be tested in battle, it seems reliable based on the data. But Brother Mandfeish, she's currently stationed on your private island."
"Wait... what do you mean by 'she'?"
"It means exactly that. Oh, that too is a Pokemon created by Lord Arceus. It just seems she prefers the environment on your private island."
Pierman was referring to Genesect, number GT-2. Even though Genesect looks like a robot, they possess their own consciousness.
So, when they rest, they don't recharge like a robot but build nests like a swarm of insects. Genesect prefers warm environments with water, and Mandfeish's private island fits this condition perfectly.
This is the biggest difference between Genesect and Peacekeepers. Peacekeepers follow orders from any authorized Navy member, while Genesect obeys only Arceus.
For instance, GT-2's instructions were to protect the island and follow commands during battles, while she usually moves freely.
"Where is she?"
"At a swimming pool on the edge. It doesn't really affect anything."
"That's good. In that case, that island will be even safer."
Mandfeish quickly accepted this fact. Coexisting with Pokemon was nothing unusual; most members of the Hundred Beasts were already used to this. Besides, the private island wasn't inhabited by just three people; there also needed to be people for chores and the like.
He had heard about Genesect's "War Machine Soldier" designation, so he thought from another angle, seeing it as a long-term bodyguard for the island.
"Alright, let them get back to what they were doing. Don't waste any more time here."
"Don't worry, big brother. Everything that needed handling has been taken care of, and utilities to your place are already connected."
"Well done. Remember to wash your face more often these days."
"Huh?"
"You've accumulated enough achievements. I estimate this year's Divine Grace ceremony will be your turn."
Wordlessly, the slightly excited Pierman followed Mandfeish's instructions, leading away the excess manpower, leaving Mandfeish enough personal space. He then wheeled Sharley toward the island's small canteen.
Though this canteen couldn't compare to the one on Ghost Island, it sufficed to satisfy hunger.
"Humans are so warm-hearted. They don't seem as scary as the rumors say?"
Sharley, from her wheelchair, was somewhat shocked by these people's warmth. Her beliefs already differed from Ah Long's; now she felt even more that Ah Long was wrong.
"Don't be too naive, little Sharley. While without me, they wouldn't engage in human trafficking, it's only some of them. Ah Long may talk much crap, but he's not entirely wrong. Some people can be very dangerous for you.
In other places, you must still be cautious when encountering humans."
Human nature is far more complex than you can imagine. Compared to encountering good people first, meeting bad people first is actually better for non-human races. It keeps them more vigilant.
If they first meet kind-hearted people and lose their caution against humans, encountering bad people afterward could be truly troublesome.
"Human nature is more complicated than you think. The life Princess Otohime has envisioned sounds wonderful, but unfortunately, such naive thoughts can't be realized in this world. Anyway, why talk about it? Let me show you something nice."
With that, he led them to the second floor of the canteen, from where they could see his private island through the window. Under the reflection of the setting sun, a small amusement park appeared in their sight.
"Here, a private amusement park I prepared for you. Now you can play as long as you want."
This is what he used all his savings to build, a private amusement park modeled after Soap Bubble Park...