After leaving the Ant Nest Hell, it wasn't long before Sherwin and the others arrived at a place called the Gecko Islands.
At first, the name didn't ring any bells for Sherwin. He just assumed it was one of the many ordinary islands in the East Blue—until he was wandering around town with the Felynes and happened to overhear a piece of intel:
The wealthiest tycoon on the island didn't live in the most prosperous town, but instead resided in a small village called Syrup Village.
The reason? Their daughter had been frail and sickly since childhood and needed a quiet place to recuperate.
So this was Usopp hometown...
Sherwin immediately understood.
Although he couldn't quite remember the exact name of Usopp village, he did recall Kaya condition.
Plus, considering how close this island was to Mirrorball Island, everything lined up pretty well.
That said, since he had already taken care of Kuro, there didn't seem to be much value in Syrup Village beyond unlocking the map.
Still, getting to meet a character from the original story was reason enough.
Sherwin mindset was a bit like running into a celebrity at the airport—not a fan, not someone who followed stars, but that didn't stop him from going over to join the excitement.
So after finishing up his stroll around town, when it came time to choose a nearby village to visit, Syrup Village naturally became his first choice.
It was a bit of a distance from the town, but since most villages in this world were built along the coast, Sherwin decided to sail over, taking the boat around the shoreline.
"Oh! Let dock right here!"
After steering the ship around to the coast near Syrup Village, Sherwin immediately recognized the long slope ahead. A flood of memories surged forth, triggered by this familiar terrain...
In the manga, Luffy and the others had confronted the Black Cat Pirates here. Though, there was another similar-looking slope, the original planned ambush site they ended up mistaking. Zoro even served as a human stepping stone there.
He wasn't sure which of the two locations they were at now.
"Pi-PIRATES ARE HERE!" Just as Sherwin stood at the bow surveying the area, a few childish cries rang out from the hillside in the distance.
The voices quickly faded as the kids ran off yelling, "Captain Usopp! Real pirates are here!"
Uh... Judging by the voices, it must be Usopp little followers. They were probably around the same age as Klee Meow, weren't they? And they were already tagging along with Usopp?
Still, their panicky antics really were just like Usopp.
Sherwin ignored the little kids and disembarked with the Felynes, making his way inland along the long slope.
Halfway up, a long-nosed boy suddenly jumped out from a clump of bushes, blocking their path.
"Don't come any closer!" Usopp shouted with forced bravado, his legs shaking like leaves in the wind.
"This land belongs to the great pirate Usopp! I suggest you turn back immediately, or his one hundred thousand men won't go easy on you!"
"Wow! One hundred thousand pirates, meow!" Among Sherwin group, the only one who actually believed Usopp was the naive Klee Meow.
But the little ragdoll wasn't scared in the slightest — in fact, she was excitedly tugging on Sherwin ear, shouting,
"Brother Sherwin! If there are that many pirates, can I throw my bombs now, meow?"
(=ω=)
"A-A talking cat!"
The one who cried out wasn't the nervous Usopp trying to act tough in front of them, but the three little ones hiding nearby—who had already long been noticed by Sherwin and his group.
"You silly kitten, that guy is obviously lying." Sherwin chuckled as he ruffled Klee Meow hair, pointing at Usopp.
"No way?! We've been found out?!" Usopp and the three kids beside him were all shocked, genuinely thinking Sherwin might have fallen for their act.
Sherwin: "..."
On Sherwin other shoulder, Huamei Meow was laughing so hard she nearly fell over. "Kukuku, everyone here is so funny, meow."
Meanwhile, Klee Meow was fuming, baring her teeth and flailing her tiny claws. "You actually tricked Klee! Klee gonna blow all of you sky-high, meow!"
(=`н=)
"Waaaah! The pirates are gonna kill us!"
"I don't wanna die, waaahhh!"
The three culprits behind this chaotic scene immediately dropped to the ground and burst into tears, much to Sherwin helpless dismay…
He hadn't even said anything yet, and these three little kids had scared themselves into crying. He hadn't even had time to explain.
At the same time, Usopp, who also had tears on his face, suddenly pulled out his slingshot and launched a surprise attack on Sherwin.
Whether that made him brave or foolish was anyone guess… but that was exactly the kind of guy Usopp was.
"Special Attack: Lead Star!"
Never mind the power, but the aim was actually pretty good — the lead pellet fired from the slingshot flew straight toward Sherwin eye.
Of course, Sherwin wasn't going to get hit by something that looked like a toy. He casually reached out and caught the pellet in his hand, then sighed and said,
"Seriously, you little brats... do you always attack people without even understanding the situation?"
"Eh?"
Usopp, at least, was a bit more reliable than his three lackeys. He finally started to realize that Sherwin and the others might not be pirates after all…
After all, what kind of pirate goes around with four "non-combat" Felynes in tow? Plus, Sherwin didn't even look much older than him.
Seeing that he was finally catching on, Sherwin pointed behind him to further explain, "Our ship docked right over there. Go ahead and see for yourself—do you see any pirate flag flying?"
"Hey! You three!" Usopp, finally recovering his composure, shouted at his three subordinates, "Next time you go running off with a warning, make sure you've got the facts straight first!"
Then, turning back to Sherwin, he bowed deeply. "I'm so sorry! It was a misunderstanding on our part! If someone has to get bombed, then bomb me! Just spare the other three!"
"C-Captain Usopp!" The three little ones ran up, fighting to speak first. "We're the ones who made the mistake! If anyone getting bombed, it should be us!"
"You guys…" Usopp looked at his crew, eyes full of emotion. Then he braced himself and barked firmly, "Cut the nonsense! I'm your captain, this is my responsibility!"
"Captain Usopp!"
"Carrot-head! Onion-head! Green Pepper-head!"
"Waaahhhh—!"
The four idiots clutched their heads and sobbed loudly.
Sherwin mouth twitched as he helplessly watched the four fools clowning around and talking nonsense to themselves.
On his shoulder, the Beautiful big sister Felyne Huamei Meow was laughing even harder. "Meow hahaha! These guys are just too funny, meow!"
Seijuro Meow gave them high praise: "Admirable loyalty and righteousness, meow."
Sanji Meow curled his lips disdainfully. "A bunch of idiots, meow."
As for Klee Meow, who had earlier shouted about "blowing them sky-high," she now frowned in frustration. "Ugh, meow... why does it feel like Klee turned into the bad guy, meow…"
(=ω=)
"Sherwin-nii, did Klee cause trouble again, meow?" the little plushie turned its head and looked over.
"No, it just these brats being too dumb…" Sherwin rubbed his cheek against Klee Meow on his shoulder, then raised his voice, cutting off the howling sobs of the four fools in front of him.
"Alright! I'm not so petty that I'd seriously hold a grudge against a few kids like you!"
"R-Really?" Usopp wiped the tears off his face, thrilled, and handed Sherwin a "good guy card." "Turns out you're such a great guy!"
"..."
A thoroughly exhausted Sherwin didn't even want to speak.