The Ninja Academy's Incredible Legends (79) A Spontaneous Trip Still Requires Conditions

With plenty of time to spare, Mizuki's family leisurely rowed their boat toward the whales basking on the water's surface.

The approach of these tiny creatures did not attract the attention of the animals, which had virtually no natural predators.

Lazily spouting columns of water, the whales watched Mizuki's family with curiosity.

"Are these big fish dangerous?"

Miyuki hesitantly reached out and touched the whale's enormous head.

The brutal impression left by the ferocious sharks not long ago had not yet faded. Judging by the whale's huge mouth, though, it did not have those sharp, serrated teeth.

"Don't worry. These big fellows swallow entire schools of fish in one bite. They won't bite people at all."

The family of three took photos with the whales from different angles, and the whales cooperated very well, remaining still.

Not quite satisfied, Mizuki took Miyuki by the hand and jumped onto the whale's broad back.

All of Miyuki's fear and caution vanished. She mischievously poked the whale's nostril with her finger, making it sneeze repeatedly and spray bursts of water now and then, much to her delighted screams.

Tsubaki also jumped onto the whale's back and grabbed the dancing Miyuki.

"Don't make the whales too uncomfortable. They're being so good and playing with you, so don't tease them."

"Okay!"

Miyuki stroked the whale's smooth skin.

"Father, why doesn't a whale have a dorsal fin?"

"Because whales aren't actually fish!"

Mizuki took out a handkerchief and wiped the little girl's wet, slimy palms.

"Look, they have nostrils. Like us, they need air to survive. After staying underwater too long, they have to surface for air. When they spout water, they're breathing!"

"I see. So they aren't fish after all!"

Mizuki smiled and added, "Whales only look like fish. Their close relatives are actually hippos