Saint Poplar, also known as the City of the Queen of Spring.
Just from the name, one might think it a city built on an island of eternal spring. But in reality, although Saint Poplar Island enjoys pleasant weather most of the time, it still has distinct seasonal changes.
It just that there are only three seasons here—spring, summer, and autumn—missing the coldest one, winter.
As for why it called the "City of the Queen of Spring," anyone who sets foot on this island will naturally understand without needing it explained.
"Sherwin, the people here are so happy, meow! That means this place must be super fun, right?"
Klee Meow, using her Observation Haki, sensed the joyful emotions drifting through the surroundings. Excited, she tugged at Sherwin ear—this little ragdoll was already eager to explore the place.
Sherwin was actually quite looking forward to it as well. Not that he was planning to experience the island… unique industries.
After all, with so many underage Felynes around him, at most he could sneak a look or two—just like back before he crossed over, scrolling short videos to catch glimpses of pretty girls.
But even for just a look, it wasn't exactly appropriate to wander near those areas with Klee Meow in tow…
Maybe…
This time he could split up from the Felynes?
Sherwin shook his head, quickly snuffing out that thought.
Unlike other places, this was CP agent Stussy home turf. There was no way he'd dare let the Felynes roam around on their own—especially not Klee Meow, that unpredictable little "explosive device."
Although Stussy would later defect because of Vegapunk, before that happened, she was nothing more than a loyal lapdog of the World Government.
Sigh… After looking forward to this for several days, in the end, it turned out to be nothing but empty anticipation…
Sherwin let out a regretful sigh, then reached over to grab Haibara Meow, who had been glaring at him with a look of pure disdain, and placed her onto his other shoulder.
"Let go. We'll have a proper stroll around the city and, along the way, find out more about the auction." Sherwin, enduring Haibara Meow little cat punches, said this to the other Felynes.
Although he couldn't go to the Pleasure Street just for a glance, as a city famous for its special industry, the City of the Queen of Spring had residents who were, to some extent, influenced by it.
Not only was the local clothing style rather revealing, but most people here were also very straightforward.
Even just walking down the street, Sherwin would have scantily dressed young ladies coming up to tease him…
Of course, their real aim was to lure Sherwin into patronizing their businesses.
And it wasn't just the enthusiastic young ladies—every now and then, Sherwin would also spot handsome men doing similar work.
In fact, judging by their success rate in attracting customers, they might even be doing better than the women…
From this alone, it was clear that the Pleasure Street Sherwin deliberately avoided wasn't just a place that served male customers.
No wonder there were so many female tourists here, and the expressions on their faces were just as delighted and flushed as those of most male tourists…
Sherwin twitched the corner of his mouth. Up until now, he had naively assumed that these female tourists were only here for the clothing shops.
Aside from these ordinary tourists coming to experience the city special industry, there were naturally also plenty of greedy eyes coveting the Felynes.
Unlike on Explosive Island—where they hadn't run into a single pirate—Saint Poplar harbor had quite a number of pirate ships docked. It was only natural that some of them would start getting ideas about the Felynes.
However, although those pirates were clearly itching to make a move, not a single one of them actually dared to act—because at the highest point of the City of the Queen of Spring, a flag of the Big Mom Pirates was flying.
This generation of pirates is pretty pathetic…
Sherwin let out a scornful chuckle. Compared to Luffy generation of the Worst Generation, who had the guts to fight the Yonko, these pirates didn't even dare cause trouble in a Yonko territory.
The difference was obvious. That so-called "Worst Generation" really had lived up to the name.
Still, their cowardice was a good thing—it saved him a lot of trouble.
Pulling his attention away from those would-be troublemakers who lacked the guts, Sherwin led the Felynes into a branch store of "Hey Show Panda." This shop could be considered an old acquaintance of his… he even still had a membership card.
This time, the main reason for visiting Hey Show Panda was to order some custom clothes for Haibara Meow.
Although he had bought her some clothes before, this little cat—just like her original counterpart—loved collecting all sorts of fashionable luxury items.
The moment Sherwin stepped into the store, the Haibara Meow on his shoulder immediately straightened her posture, instinctively leaning closer to his head.
Her two front paws clung tightly around his head, and she was so excited that her claws even popped out, pricking Sherwin scalp before he could react, making him feel a sudden sting…
Wait—no! No matter how much Haibara Meow loved luxury goods, there was no way she should be reacting this strongly.
Sherwin shielded his scalp with Armament Haki while glancing at Haibara Meow in puzzlement.
He saw the fur on the mixed-blood little cat bristle slightly, her ears pressed tightly against her head, and her pair of icy blue eyes warily fixed on a corner of the shop.
Following her gaze, Sherwin spotted only a Heyshoo Panda shop clerk in that direction, along with a plain, ordinary-looking door — probably a fitting room.
Before Sherwin could ask, the fitting room door opened, and out walked a stunning beauty with short, wavy golden hair…
This was likely the most beautiful woman Sherwin had seen since coming to the One Piece world.
No — even if he counted all the idol celebrities, artificial beauties, and Photoshop queens from before he transmigrated, this young lady before him was in no way inferior, and perhaps even far surpassed them.
As the woman appeared, Haibara Meow scratched her head harder, and the tail behind her began swishing back and forth…
Although the woman didn't display any obvious features, Sherwin had already guessed her identity — Stussy, the so-called Queen of the Pleasure District, and also a CP0 agent.
Looking at her face, Sherwin suddenly found it a bit easier to believe that Edward Weevil was Whitebeard son…
Of course, that wasn't important. What was important was…
Had Haibara Meow inherited her original form "radar" as well?
Other than that explanation, Sherwin couldn't think of another reason. After all, Stussy hadn't shown them any hostility at all, and Haibara Meow had never had any dealings with CP agents.
Sherwin gently reached out and patted the bristling fur of Haibara Meow, calming her down from her sudden stress reaction, while muttering in his heart…
Considering Haibara Meow original self and her reaction just now… could this little one have just awakened Observation Haki? And not just any Observation Haki — one specialized in detecting intelligence agents…
While he was lost in thought, the Heyshoo Panda staff member and Stussy both walked over.
"Welcome. Is there anything you need?"
"You've been looking at me this whole time. Is there something you want? If you're trying to hit on big sister, just staring won't work, you know~" Stussy winked at Sherwin with a sultry charm, then looked at the cats beside him.
"Such a group of adorable little kittens."
The moment Sherwin, still a bit dazed from that playful wink, came back to his senses, he quickly stepped back two paces and instinctively refused,
"Sorry, they're all my partners. No matter how much you offer, I won't sell them."
Stussy covered her mouth and chuckled softly. "Hehehe… I never intended to buy them. They're just from the Mink Tribe — not many of my clients are interested… but…"
She pointed at Klee Meow, Haibara Meow, and Huamei Meow, speaking with a meaningful tone. "If they grow up a little more, well… who knows."
"Klee will never go with you, meow!"
(=`=)The little ragdoll cat stuck her tongue out at Stussy, which made Sherwin a little surprised…
Because Klee Meow reaction meant she didn't sense any malice from Stussy at all. Otherwise, instead of just making a face, the little ragdoll would have gone full bristle-tail, airplane ears, and bomb-throwing mode.
"All right, I won't tease you anymore." Stussy, with a playful yet suggestive air, reached into her neckline and drew out a small card.
She pouted slightly, kissed the card, leaving a lipstick mark, then lightly pressed it against Sherwin chest.
"If you get the chance, you must come and give big sister business some attention~"
She threw Sherwin another flirtatious wink, then took the packaged clothes from the staff member, and left the Heyshaw Panda shop with a stride full of allure yet still graceful.
"…Hey! What are you two doing?!"
Sherwin looked baffled at Haibara Meow and Huamei Meow, who had both suddenly taken a bite at him.
"Hmph!"
"Admiral, your drool was about to come out, meow!"
Sanji Meow walked over and patted Sherwin thigh. "Sherwin, I get you, meow."
(ω)
Tch! Who needs you, you little pervy cat!