Published: September 10, 2025
It's a bit long, so I split it into two parts.
“I have a great idea, Pochi!”
On the beach where Red Smoke Island was visible, Pochi told the companions, including Usasa.
“But, Pochi-san, how can we get to the island without a ship...?”
The rabbit humanoid Usasa said with a confused look.
They were searching for a way to reach Red Smoke Island to defeat the villains who had been terrorizing nearby villages.
“Usasa, raise your hands—banzai!”
“Huh?”
“Banzai, okay?”
“O-okay.”
Although Usasa looked puzzled, she raised both hands as Pochi encouraged her.
“Lift-up (……) it is.”
Pochi lifted Usasa up with both hands.
“P-Pochi-san, you’re not going to say ‘throw me to the island,’ right?”
“Of course not.”
Pochi shook her head as if to say “how rude.”
“Y-yeah, that’s right.”
Usasa breathed a sigh of relief, but it was premature.
“We’re going to run there!”
“Huh? W-wait—”
Before Usasa could voice her protest, Pochi, carrying her, dashed into the sea with acceleration like a drag race sports car.
Scattering a tremendous amount of sand and seawater, Pochi ran atop the sea surface.
Over the roar, Usasa’s screams could be heard.
“As expected of Pochi’s big sister, Gau!”
“Sis is amazing, Kuma!”
The dog humanoid Gaugal and bearfolk Kubea praised Pochi with sparkling smiles.
“Well, I don’t think she can maintain that all the way to the island...”
“…Usasa.”
The human tribe Ninin muttered in disbelief, while Labibi prayed for her childhood friend’s safety.
“Oh no, she fell!”
At the sight of Hitona, Pochi caught her foot on a wave and tumbled violently on the water.
“U-Usasa aaaaaaaaah!”
“Sisssssss!”
Labibi and others ran to the shoreline, just as they were about to dive into the sea. Then Hitona shouted, “Wait!”
“Look, that!”
Pochi and the nearly drowning Usasa floated unnaturally to the surface.
“A rock appeared from the water, Kuma!”
“And plants too, Gau!”
The rocks and plants that lifted Pochi and Usasa soon began to take on the shape of a small island.
“Th-that’s...!”
“The Island Turtle-sama?”
“That’s right! It’s Island Turtle-sama!”
Villagers watching the situation behind Usasa shouted upon seeing the islet.
“It really is a turtle.”
“That’s the ‘Island Turtle-sama,’ our fishermen’s guardian deity.”
Hitona whispered after seeing the turtle’s head emerge from the water.
Hearing this, an elder explained about the Island Turtle.
The Island Turtle came ashore.
On its head, Pochi and Usasa waved energetically.
Well, Pochi waved cheerfully, but Usasa clung hesitantly to Pochi’s waist.
“I messed up a bit.”
Pochi jumped down from the turtle’s head stretched onto the beach.
“Thank you, Turtle-san, for saving us. This is a token of gratitude.”
Pochi offered a giant piece of dried meat taken from the Fairy Bag, which the Island Turtle skillfully received with its beak and slowly chewed.
“Ah, so the trip to the island was from the start...”
“Maybe it’s better to look for a ship after all.”
Ninin and Hitona frowned.
“That’s right! I have a great idea!”
At Pochi’s words, everyone recalled the earlier water dash.
“Sis, running on water to the island is...”
“No, no!”
Pochi pointed firmly at the Island Turtle.
“We’ll have Turtle-san take us to Misty Island.”
With eyes full of expectation, Pochi gazed at the Island Turtle.
The Island Turtle silently looked at Pochi, then stared elsewhere for a moment before slowly nodding.
It was as if it was asking someone only the Island Turtle could see for approval.
The Island Turtle turned its body around.
It stretched its large fins onto the sand to act as a pier, guiding Pochi and the others onto its back.
With beaming smiles, they climbed onto the Island Turtle’s back.
“All aboard, complete!”
Declaring so, the Island Turtle leisurely swam toward Red Smoke Island.
Whether due to some assistance or luck, the Island Turtle safely reached the uninhabited area of Red Smoke Island without encountering monsters or pirate ships.