#621 Professional Sumo Wrestling: At the Merfolk’s Spot

“A sumo tournament?!”

What are you talking about, Arowana?!

Wasn’t the primary reason for your visit to introduce your baby to us?!

“Organizing sumo tournaments is one of the most important reforms I’ve undertaken since I became king of the Mermaid Kingdom. It’s one of the things I really wanted to do.”

“And there was nothing else?!”

But why a sumo tournament, of all things?

...Come to think of it, there was a time when sumo was popular on the farm, and Arowana was part of that craze when he was a prince. 

Merfolk has a tenacious lower body, perhaps because they endure swimming through rough seas. This strength is still evident even after transforming their tailfins into human legs through a potion.

The then-Prince Arowana always emerged on top of our farm’s sumo matches.

At that time, he often reminded me of a kappa who would challenge humans to sumo. 

The seeds I sowed have sprouted now...!

“I wanted to share this wonderful culture with my people. That is why I had the Sumo Tournament organized using my authority as king!”

Are you sure, Arowana?

You’re not turning into a tyrant from this, are you?

“I left the specific procedures of the event entirely in the hands of Prime Minister Zoth Syra. I have full faith that she will make it perfect!”

“Please don’t work Zoth Syra too hard!”

She’s already under a lot of pressure!

Don’t assign her any more extra work, please! 

“Thanks to her strenuous efforts, we are going to hold the sumo tournament right after the Martial Swimming Competition. All of this is thanks to Zoth Syra!”

Isn’t that a pretty tight schedule?

The Martial Swimming Competition is a major event representing the Mermaid Kingdom, right?

Just imagine the organizers’ burden of preparing for two events without a moment’s delay!

“I’m sure Zoth Syra will be fine!”

“Please don’t treat Zoth Syra like an all-purpose item!”

“Oh, and! I would like to invite you to the upcoming sumo tournament! As a participant, of course!”

Arowana aggressively presses on.

As I thought, he has a different energy when sumo is involved.

“This tournament is not only to satisfy my sumo spirit. I also want to deepen our relationship with various races on land!”

What even is a sumo spirit?

“I have reflected on your participation in the Martial Swimming Competition. In the usual underwater competitions, land dwellers are at a great disadvantage. But for the Neo Mermaid Kingdom, which aims to have a wider contact with the outside world, things cannot continue to be this way!”

“And that’s how sumo came into the picture...?”

“That’s right! If sumo is played on land, land dwellers will have no disadvantage. The ring’s limited space also makes it easier for merfolk, who are not used to having feet, to maneuver! Sumo can indeed be the tangent point between the land and the sea!”

The way he advocates things is almost like a kappa.

“Therefore, I urge you, the originator of sumo wrestling, to join us! In fact, in the Mermaid Kingdom, your popularity is secretly rising, and the demand to see your heroic figure again is getting louder every year. You left an impression of a fierce fighter from the land who finished in the runner-up position!”

My cause of defeat was pathetic, though... drowning and suffocating underwater...  

“You won’t have to worry about drowning in sumo! Furthermore, we have invited guests from the Demon Kingdom! If all goes well, we may have another harmonious event where the three major races intermingle!”

“No, but you see...”

Everyone tends to misunderstand and think of me as a character apt at battling.

I’ve never undergone rigorous training or been on the battlefield. 

That’s why I feel embarrassed to be invited to such a shounen manga-typical event!

“No, Dear. You have to participate in this one,” says Platy. 

But why, my wife, who has just accomplished the great task of giving birth?

“Don’t you get it? This is your chance to show Junior and Norito your fatherly dignity. Show them their father is stronger than anyone else, and they will respect you!”

Fatherly dignity...?

Respect from my kids...?!

That sounds so intriguing!

“Isn’t that what you’re also planning to do, brother? You’re not satisfied with four consecutive wins in the Martial Swimming Competition, so you want to boast your strength in a competition involving even land dwellers and earn your son’s respect!”

“As expected of my sister...Brilliant insight! Yes, my dream is to wrestle with my son in the near future! To achieve this, I want to make sumo popular now and create an environment where Moby will naturally have an interest in sumo!”

The king has very much involved his personal feelings in his policies.

Is this young king really okay?

He tends to be indiscriminate when it comes to his son, huh?

“In that case...! Mermaid Queen! It’s your role to advise your husband!”

I’m sure Puffer can bring Arowana back to his senses with her composed opinion!

Holding her newborn baby in her arms, Puffer says...

“To tell you the truth, I was asked to relay a message to you...”

A message? From who?

“She said you must bring Orkubo to the Sumo Tournament and make him participate at all costs.”

“Was it Zoth Syra?!”

“Apparently, her Orkubo dose has run out since Orkubo’s Castle last winter. This sumo tournament will be vital in getting her to continue as Prime Minister. Please, accept our invitation and join the tournament with Orkubo.”

Who would’ve thought that Zoth Syra was actually looking forward to the sumo tournament...?!

Well, she did need to meet Orkubo regularly to replenish her supply.

...Besides, Platy made a good point; a part of me wants to be respected by my kids.

If so, I have to strengthen my resolve...

And participate in the Mermaid Kingdom’s sumo tournament!

* * *

The day of the sumo tournament arrived a few days later.

We’re here at the main venue.

Thanks to the teleportation waypoint the organizers set up in advance, it didn’t take much time and effort to get here. 

“Praise teleportation magic!”

It’s so convenient, especially when we’ve got kids with us.

Normally, a long trip would be scary with babies, but through teleportation, we can return home immediately if something happens.

In addition to our family, Veil, Orkubo, and Gobukichi came along.

Since this visit’s purpose is also to introduce the newborn Norito to his grandparents, we brought him with us.

In case you were wondering, the former king and queen are present as guests. This event is hosted by their nation, after all.

Junior is already two years old and requires less care and attention, but it’s like...

He’s almost not as a hassle as he should be at his age...!

I trust Veil and Platy to look after him, and we should be all good.

And with the special request we received, we can’t leave Orkubo behind.

I want Orkubo to play a significant role today to keep Zoth Syra’s heart from falling apart.

“...Um, so, where are we exactly?”

“We’re at a reef zone used by the mermaids as a recreation area. It’s too rocky for land dwellers’ boats to enter and dock, but it’s convenient for us,” explains Platy. “These rocky walls help us go on shore and stay in our mermaid forms... Anyway, it seems the event organizers set up the ring on a relatively large rocky area. Our seats have also been built on the rocks, so let’s go there.”

“O-Okay...!”

There are pier-like structures set up at the venue that allow us to traverse through the rocky areas. 

I guess it’s only for the terrestrial guests since the mermaids can just swim normally.

When we arrived at our seats, we met a familiar face.

“Demon King?!”

“I knew you’d be here, Lord Saint!”

The ruler of the Demon Kingdom, the Demon King, is here.

I wonder if he was invited as a guest for the Mermaid Kingdom’s national event.

“I’m also a participant.”

“You are?!”

“Of course, I am one of the people to whom you first exposed the wonders of sumo! When I heard that we’d be competing in public, I put aside my political duties and came here!”

I can’t believe the Demon King is this eager.

Demon Queen Astres, with two children by her side, sits beside him. 

She’s finally back to appearing in official business, huh?

...Wait, can this even be considered official?

“I’m looking forward to seeing you and Lord Arowana in the ring. Once we meet there, I will give it my all, irrespective of our nation’s friendly relations!”

The Demon King is really serious about this; it’s incredible.

The sumo tournament hosted by the Mermaid Kingdom lifts its curtains without giving us signals that it’ll end peacefully.