The deep sea.
A transparent space, flattened and oval like a UFO, glowing silver, rapidly passed through a deep fissure and appeared in a pitch-black sea.
"This must be the New World, right!"
Beside Kong Tai, Kuina's eyes flashed with electricity. She gazed back at the dark, red-line continent that resembled a towering wall, a grin spreading across her face.
After leaving Fish-Man Island, they followed the current and traversed a long underground passage.
During this journey, they witnessed many beautiful sights not found even on Fish-Man Island, as well as dreamt of mythical creatures.
Along the way, they encountered a colossal sea king they had never seen before.
Its size was so immense that they initially mistook it for an island, an island the size of Fish-Man Island itself.
When they realized it was alive, a sea king, they thought a monumental battle would unfold in the deep sea. However, what happened next surprised them.
This overwhelmingly large sea king did not attack them immediately as other sea kings would. Instead, it emanated a sense of goodwill.
Yes, goodwill. Ah Hua and the others might not have perceived it.
But she and Kong Tai certainly did.
From that goodwill, she could sense that this sea king was different from any other sea king they had encountered.
This sea king seemed to possess intelligence. In its ancient vastness, and within its slightly glowing blue eyes, she saw wisdom, like that of an old man.
It was a sea king with intelligence comparable to that of a human.
The world is vast indeed, full of wonders.
To think that among the sea kings, always regarded as beasts, there existed one with such profound intelligence.
They coexisted peacefully with this sea king and soon left its domain.
She surmised that if it hadn't sensed the faint aura of power from her and Kong Tai, it might not have awakened.
If it hadn't awakened, no one would have known of such a colossal being's existence.
It was not far from Fish-Man Island, and the sea king seemed to be guarding it.
Later, she learned from Robin that Robin had deduced that the Sea King Poseidon was likely on Fish-Man Island.
She knew the information from the Poneglyph on Skypiea, and combined with the Poneglyph on Fish-Man Island, it wasn't difficult to infer that the Ancient Weapon, Sea King Poseidon, was likely the Mermaid Princess.
Whether it was the mermaid princess of this generation, they did not know.
After all, they had not met Shirahoshi, nor were they aware of Shirahoshi's unconscious summoning of sea kings in her childhood. Thus, they didn't know that the mermaid princess of this generation, Shirahoshi, was indeed the Sea King Poseidon.
She could communicate with sea kings, control them, and was recognized by sea kings as their queen.
If she wished, an adult Shirahoshi could possess the power to destroy the world.
However, it was a pity that Shirahoshi was still a crybaby, and though she possessed the power of a queen, she lacked the disposition of one.
She still had much to grow before she could become a true Sea King and truly protect her home, Fish-Man Island.
At the bow of the ship, Kong Tai looked down and said gently to Kuina, "Here, we have truly arrived in the New World. The adventures ahead will be even more spectacular."
"Oh! Right."
As if remembering something, Kong Tai turned and looked at Sophie, who stood gracefully beside Robin, and asked, "Miss Sophie, do you know how to return to your country?"
"Yes! I do."
Sophie nodded, no longer as reserved with Kong Tai as she was at first.
Although they hadn't known each other for long, Kong Tai and the others were her saviors. And throughout their journey, she had witnessed their strength firsthand.
While feeling grateful, she also gained more confidence in returning to Kokodoro and solving Kokodoro's predicament.
Lowering her head, she retrieved a corner of paper from a hidden pocket in her clothing.
Then, she raised her hand, holding the paper in her palm, and smiled at Kong Tai, "This is a piece of my father's Vivre Card. As long as we keep moving in the direction it indicates, we will reach Kokodoro."
"Vivre Card?"
Ah Hua, the other two, Brook, and Kuina looked at the white paper in Sophie's palm, which was slowly moving in one direction, with curiosity.
They had never seen or heard of such a thing.
As if sensing their curiosity, Sophie looked down at the paper and smiled, "This is a special item from the New World."
"It's a special kind of paper made by merging fingernails with a special material. It represents a person's life force."
"When the owner is weakened, the Vivre Card shrinks, and when the owner recovers, it returns to its original size."
Sophie looked at the Vivre Card, which had shrunk by a circle since her father gave it to her, a hint of worry flashing in her eyes.
Her father had always been healthy. It must be that after she was captured, the situation in Kokodoro worsened, causing her father's Vivre Card to be in this state.
However, thinking that she was about to return and that she was bringing Kong Tai and his crew with her, the worry in her eyes quickly vanished.
Then, she looked up and smiled at Kuina, who was looking at her curiously.
"Usually, people tear it and give it to relatives or friends who are about to part ways, and the torn pieces will collectively point to the owner of the paper."
"Oh..."
After Sophie's explanation, Kuina and the others looked enlightened.
"How fascinating."
Alo stepped forward, took the Vivre Card from Sophie, and smiled, "So, as long as we follow this, we can reach Miss Sophie's hometown."
"Yes!" Sophie nodded and bowed to Alo, "Thank you, Mr. Alo."
She knew Alo was the navigator on the ship, and once they were at sea, Kong Tai would hand over control of the ship to Alo.
"Haha! No problem."
Alo waved his hand.
"Oh! Right," Alo said, returning the Vivre Card to Sophie. He then asked curiously, "Miss Sophie, we still don't know what fun places or beautiful scenery Kokodoro has."
"Beautiful scenery?"
Sophie crossed her arms, propping her chin with the back of her right hand. After thinking for a moment, she proudly continued, "Don't underestimate Kokodoro, even though it's remote. It's a large island."
"It has waterfalls that reach the heavens."
Sophie spread her hands, gesturing as she spoke, "There are also hot springs, and even an amusement park that is famous even in the New World."
"Amusement park?"
"Yes!" Sophie nodded and continued, "It has all sorts of attractions, and a circus that is very famous in our country. Many tourists from other islands visit Kokodoro every year for tourism!"
"Oh! I'm really looking forward to it."
Everyone looked at the smiling Sophie and smiled along with her.
They had sensed the fleeting worry that passed over Sophie's face, but they did not pry further.
Indigo looked at Sophie, a flicker of memory in his eyes.
"Gus, are you okay?"