The group moved in the direction Kuri pointed out. The surrounding scenery gradually became more vibrant and colorful, and the coral architecture grew significantly more exquisite.
"Hey! Linlin! Look! Is that a Mermaid?" Ripley suddenly pointed forward with an excited expression.
Four beautiful Mermaids with graceful upper bodies and brilliant fish tails were swimming toward them, wearing only brightly colored seashell bikinis.
As for why they were swimming toward them, it was because they had a ring of transparent film wrapped around their waists. This film was a specialty of Fish-Man Island, made from a special kind of coral. Besides allowing Mermaids to move on land, it also enabled ordinary people to enter the ocean floor without coming into contact with seawater.
Charlotte Linlin looked in the direction she pointed and nodded. "Hmm, based on the characteristics, they are indeed Mermaids. It seems we're going the right way; we're very close to the Mermaid settlement."
At that moment, the four Mermaids noticed them and took the initiative to approach, their faces wearing curious and friendly smiles.
"Are you the humans who just arrived at Fish-Man Island today?" one of the Mermaids with long, sea-blue curly hair asked, her voice crisp and pleasant.
"This lady is truly beautiful; even many of us Mermaids would feel inferior in comparison." Another Mermaid with short purple hair and a lively aura cast an admiring gaze at Charlotte Linlin.
"Yes, we just arrived. So you're Mermaids? That's truly amazing!"
Gölz crouched her massive body down, her golden eyes sparkling with curiosity as she observed these fairytale creatures up close.
After a brief exchange, Charlotte Linlin learned the names of the four Mermaids:
Seli (blue hair, gentle temperament)
Nelly (brown hair, lively and cheerful)
Aofi (blonde hair, slightly shy)
Ersha (green hair, sweet smile)
Kuri, also full of curiosity, couldn't help but ask, "Mermaid sisters, do you have any witches who know magic here? Like the ones who can cast a spell to turn your fish tails into legs so you can walk on land?"
The blonde Mermaid named Aofi chuckled while covering her mouth. "We haven't heard of any witches who use magic, but Fish-Man Island does have the Makka Pakka witch who can perform divination. Besides, when we Mermaids reach adulthood at age 30, our tails naturally split into legs; we don't need magic for that."
"Wow! That's so amazing!" Kuri exclaimed with sincere wonder.
However, Charlotte Linlin, standing to the side, frowned slightly.
Something's not right... Why did those Fishmen avoid them like the plague, yet these four Mermaids are so warm and proactive?
A trace of suspicion rose in her heart, so she spoke up to test them: "From the look of it, you don't seem to fear or dislike humans?"
Aofi, who had been chatting happily, stiffened for a moment, not knowing how to respond.
Seli, standing next to her, immediately took over the conversation, her face piling on a somewhat naive smile:
"Mermaid Cove is quite far from the port. Although our father and friends often warn us to be careful of humans, the four of us... just couldn't help but feel curious about humans from the surface world."
She stuck out her tongue, putting on the act of an innocent'sweet-but-clueless' girl.
Charlotte Linlin's suspicion deepened.
True innocence isn't like this. Knowing that humans could be dangerous, would they still approach several unfamiliar outsiders with such oppressive physiques so defenselessly and proactively?
Moreover, this acting was a bit too flamboyant! They might be ignorant of the world, but there was definitely something wrong with this 'innocence'!
While she couldn't see the flaws in the four Mermaids' acting, her Observation Haki was a special type that could perceive emotions! She could clearly sense the obvious disgust these four felt toward her.
However, she didn't call them out for now; after all, she still needed them to lead the way.
"Oh, so that's how it is. Then could I trouble you to take us to Mermaid Cove?"
Charlotte Linlin played along, her face also showing a seemingly friendly smile.
She wanted to see what these Mermaids were really up to.
"Sure~ But what do you want to do there?" Seli, leading the way, turned back and asked with a smile.
The blunt Gölz blurted out, "We want to recruit some Mermaid companions to join our Pirate Crew!"
*That* is what a real'sweet-but-clueless' person looks like.
Watching Gölz's performance, Charlotte Linlin complained inwardly.
Hearing this, the four Mermaids quickly exchanged glances, the fleeting gloom and disgust in the depths of their eyes deepening.
Seli maintained a smile on her face, but her nails were nearly digging into her palms.
'Recruit companions? How nice that sounds!'
Nelly sneered in her heart.
How could humans sincerely recruit Mermaids as companions? If they were to recruit anyone, it should be a Fishman as powerful, handsome, and affectionate as Boss Jondy! These humans clearly want to trick the beautiful Mermaids away and sell them on the surface for filthy Berries! Utterly despicable!
They looked at each other, becoming even more determined in their previous plan: this time, they had to get Hachi to cooperate and drug these three Female Giants and that brat, then sell them all to Mary Geoise! Let these arrogant humans taste what it's like to be Slaves to the Celestial Dragons!
"Oh, so you want to recruit companions! That's a good thing!" Cecilia's face broke into an even warmer, almost exaggerated smile.
"Mermaid Cove is just ahead. However, you must be tired after walking so far, right? Why don't we rest at the 'Coral Bubble' Cafe ahead and try some of our Fish-Man Island's specialty food and drinks? The owner, Hachi, is famous for his skills!"
She pointed to a cafe built under a massive coral reef nearby. The other three Mermaids also chimed in, ushering Charlotte Linlin and the others toward the establishment.
Upon arriving at the establishment, a Fishman with eight octopus tentacles for a lower body—Hachi—was busy working. He looked honest and simple, wearing a clean apron.
Seeing the Mermaids bringing guests, he showed a gentle and even slightly timid smile. "Hello, guests from afar. Welcome to my shop."
"Hello." Charlotte Linlin's gaze swept over the Fishman called 'Hachi' and then glanced at the four unusually enthusiastic Mermaids, responding politely without showing any emotion. Gölz and Ripley also gave their greetings.
"Hachi, hurry and bring out our best snacks and juices to entertain our honored guests!" Nike commanded loudly, while saying to Charlotte Linlin and the others,
"You guys sit down first and have a taste. The four of us need to go down for a bit; we'll be right back."
"Go down?" Charlotte Linlin asked, raising an eyebrow.
Ophelia quickly pointed to the crystal-clear water next to the establishment, where the outlines of buildings below could be vaguely seen, and explained:
"Down there is where the Mermaids live, the entrance to the Mermaid dormitory. Didn't you want to recruit companions? We're going down to help you invite Granny Qi, the dormitory manager, up here! She definitely knows which Mermaids want to go to sea. With her help, it'll be much easier than searching on your own!"'
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