Early the next morning, Sami followed his usual routine and had breakfast with his crew at a restaurant in Coral Hill.
After the meal, the officers led their respective groups ashore for their daily activities, while Sami strolled alone toward the secluded training bay.
The sea was calm, its surface shimmering beneath the gentle light.
He sat down on his usual coral reef and gazed quietly at the rippling water.
Minute after minute passed.
Neither the towering, hearty figure he expected nor the impatient red silhouette appeared.
"That's strange..."
Sami frowned slightly.
Although Neptune was usually busy with official duties, he had never once missed one of their scheduled training sessions without reason.
As for Tiger, that kid always arrived earlier than anyone else, eager to begin.
So what happened today?
After waiting for another half hour, a Ryugu Kingdom guard rode over on a fish mount.
Stopping at the shore, the guard bowed apologetically.
"Captain Sami, my deepest apologies. His Highness sent me to inform you that an urgent matter has arisen, and he won't be able to train with you today."
"The prince asked me to tell you... there's no need to wait any longer."
"Oh? An urgent matter?"
Sami stood up and brushed the moisture from his clothes.
"Another slave crew?"
That wouldn't have been unusual.
Whenever a slaving crew caused trouble, Neptune always led the guards personally to deal with it.
The guard's expression immediately darkened.
His face became extremely grim.
"No... this time it's different."
"We haven't even located those scum yet."
"This is far worse..."
"Those beasts abducted nearly two hundred children from Fish-Man District last night!"
"Two hundred children?!"
Sami's eyes narrowed.
Even he felt a chill at hearing that number.
"Need any help?"
He barely hesitated before asking.
The guard was visibly taken aback.
Something complicated flickered across his face before he nodded heavily.
"If... if you're willing..."
"...that would be more help than we could ask for."
"His Highness is at Fish-Man District."
"Lead the way."
Guided by the guard, Sami set foot in Fish-Man District for the first time.
The moment he entered, it was as though an invisible curtain swallowed half the light around him.
He looked around.
The dim streets, crooked and dilapidated buildings, and the desolate atmosphere stood in stark contrast to Coral Hill.
"So this is Fish-Man District?"
"And those children... live in a place like this?"
The guard walking ahead didn't look back.
He merely answered in a low voice,
"His Highness is just ahead."
It wasn't long before Sami spotted Neptune.
The towering prince stood with furrowed brows, issuing rapid orders to several subordinates.
"...Search every suspicious vessel around Fish-Man District. Don't overlook the docks or the reefs."
"Organize search parties."
"Conduct a thorough sweep of every abandoned house and cave within the district that could be hiding or transporting people."
"Your Highness, Captain Sami has arrived," the guard reported.
Neptune turned at the sound of his voice.
Seeing Sami, the heaviness on his face eased slightly.
"You came."
"I heard about the two hundred missing children, so I thought I'd see if I could help."
Sami walked over without wasting words.
"What's the situation?"
"Found anything?"
Neptune shook his head.
Even his orange-red hair seemed to have lost some of its usual vibrancy.
"It's strange, Sami."
"There are almost no signs of forced entry or fierce resistance."
"The children... along with more than a dozen adult fish-men who were looking after them..."
"...simply disappeared."
"As though they vanished into thin air."
"The people in the district didn't realize anything was wrong until this morning."
"What about Tiger?"
Sami thought of the red-skinned youth.
"He immediately organized the able-bodied people of Fish-Man District and began searching."
"He's helping us comb the area as well."
"But so far..."
"...nothing."
Neptune rubbed his brow before continuing,
"I've already ordered every exit sealed and every departing ship inspected."
"Several ships left during the time of the incident, but the guards boarded and searched every one of them."
"They found nothing unusual."
"Now all we can do is hope we find them before the lockdown ends..."
"...but we can't keep the entrances closed forever."
"At most, another two days."
"After that, the pressure will become too great."
Sami listened silently, his gaze slowly sweeping across the gloomy district.
"Come on."
He finally spoke.
"Take me to where they disappeared."
"I've spent much longer living in the surface world."
"Maybe..."
"...I'll notice clues that you fish-men might overlook."
Meanwhile, at another dock in Coral Hill...
Inside the Golden Dice, a small celebration banquet was underway.
The table was filled with specialty food and drinks purchased from Fish-Man Island.
"Hahaha!"
"As expected of the boss!"
"The plan worked perfectly!"
The scar-faced officer raised his glass excitedly, his face flushed red.
"In just one night, we packed nearly two hundred fish-man slaves into the hold!"
"Yeah, Boss!"
"Our cargo hold's finally looking nice and full!"
Several other subordinates enthusiastically echoed him, their faces overflowing with greed and satisfaction.
Gillian reclined comfortably in his luxurious chair, leisurely swirling a glass of amber-colored liquor.
A faint smile rested on his face, as though everything remained under his complete control.
"Keep it down."
"Keep it down."
"This was only a little warm-up."
He took a sip of his drink, his eyes remaining perfectly clear.
"I just didn't expect Fish-Man District to react so quickly."
"Looks like the Ryugu Kingdom guards aren't completely useless after all."
"Boss."
The scar-faced man leaned closer and lowered his voice.
"So when do we start going after the mermaids?"
"The boys can hardly wait."
"What are you so anxious for?"
Gillian glanced at him while lightly tapping the tabletop.
"The entire island is under lockdown."
"The exits are sealed."
"Ships can enter, but none can leave."
"If we strike now, even if we succeed..."
"...how exactly are we supposed to transport them out?"
"Swim all the way back to the Sabaody Archipelago carrying them?"
He set down his wine glass and leaned forward.
His voice remained quiet, but every word carried unquestionable authority.
"We wait."
"Be patient."
"This kind of total lockdown won't last long."
"Fish-Man Island itself won't be able to sustain it."
"When the heat dies down a little..."
"...when the restrictions are lifted and traffic returns to normal..."
"...that will be the perfect time for us to strike."
"We still have six days."
"That's more than enough time to make it back to the Sabaody Archipelago."
He turned and swept his gaze across everyone present.
"Until then..."
"Keep your guard up."
"Play the role of respectable merchants."
"Go shopping."
"Wander around."
"But keep your eyes open."
"Don't do anything that might attract suspicion."
A cold smile slowly spread across his face.
"And while we're waiting..."
"...memorize every inch of Coral Hill."
"Find out where the mermaids gather."
"Which places have the weakest guards."
"Which ones are the finest quality."
"I want every last detail."
"The moment the lockdown is lifted..."
"...we'll load the very best merchandise into our hidden hold in the shortest time possible."
The men exchanged glances.
Each saw the same unmistakable greed reflected in the others' eyes.
"Yes, Boss!"
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