The Dodo Advance, bearing the sign "Felynes' Ocean Mobile Restaurant," had been sailing the North Sea for some time now.
Since Sherwin philosophy had always been "charge the rich, not the poor," the initial pricing was set rather high.
This led to many customers who had come out of curiosity—drawn by that soft advertisement—to simply look around without actually dining.
However, there were always a few who weren't short on money and chose to give it a try. They soon became captivated by Sanji Meow exquisite culinary skills and Klee Meow spectacular fish-frying performances.
As time passed, the reputation of the Felynes Ocean Mobile Restaurant gradually spread. Many wealthy people who had been on the fence started coming to dine, and as a result, the Investigation Team income increased significantly.
The Felynes also enjoyed this "leisurely activity." Since Sherwin didn't want to overwork them, the ingredients each day were strictly limited—just enough to let them have fun without getting bored.
Because of this, even the noise-averse Haibara Meow and Huamei Meow found it acceptable.
The only one whose mood suffered from all this was probably Sanji Meow…
"Damn it! Why is Klee-chan grilled fish more popular than the dishes I make, meow?!"
(=`н=)
Once again defeated in popularity by the little ragdoll, Sanji Meow pounded the ground, muttering in frustration.
There was nothing he could do about it. Not to mention this broken and chaotic world of pirates—even back before Sherwin had crossed over, the "Klee Fish Fry" show would have definitely been more popular.
After all, true food connoisseurs were rare, while the urge to watch a lively spectacle was human nature for the vast majority.
"Sanji-nii, don't be sad, meow." The little ragdoll padded over to the yellow cat pounding the ground, patted his shoulder, and said, "If you want to learn, Klee can teach you how to fry fish, meow."
At that, Sanji Meow let out a wail and burst into tears.
Sherwin forehead was covered in dark lines as he glanced at Haibara Meow nearby…
"It wasn't me, okay? I totally didn't teach Klee to say that, meow," the little kitten confessed without being accused.
Huamei Meow knocked the guilty Haibara Meow and her accomplice Klee Meow on the head with her sword sheath, motioned for Sherwin to take the two mischievous kittens away, and then stepped forward to comfort Sanji Meow.
"Why are you comparing yourself to Klee, meow? A man crying like that isn't a good look, meow."
"Huamei-neesan!" Sanji Meow instantly revived, leaping toward Huamei Meow. "You're the only one who treats me well, meow!"
(=`=)
Huamei Meow sidestepped Sanji Meow, letting him land on the deck with a "thud," then calmly called out to Seijuro Meow and Link Meow, "Raise the sails, meow. It time we head for the next island, meow."
"I'll help too, meow~" Sanji Meow immediately scrambled up from the deck and eagerly followed along.
While the older cats were busy working, Sherwin found a spot on the deck to sit down with the two kittens.
He pulled out the collector edition of Warriors of the Sea: Sky, which he had obtained earlier while harvesting materials, and began reading it with them.
It had to be said, there was a reason Warriors of the Sea: Sky had become so popular in the world of pirates.
Though its story wasn't exactly groundbreaking, it was a very classic, straightforward shonen manga.
If it were published on Earth, it would likely sit comfortably in the mid-tier range—neither a masterpiece nor a flop.
But in the world of pirates, where entertainment wasn't as developed as Earth, its popularity was naturally much higher.
As for its actual content… it was somewhat reminiscent of a mix between Kamen Rider and Getter Robo.
After all, the Germa villains could all transform, and the protagonist piloted a combining robot that could change into various vehicles.
The only thing that puzzled Sherwin was—wasn't Germa supposed to be a member nation? They could even influence the issuing of bounty posters,
so why were they written as major villains? And not only were they made out to be villains, but they even brazenly leaked all their technological achievements…
No wonder Judge had such advanced scientific technology, yet couldn't even take control of the North Blue. And later, when he found out he had been tricked by Big Mom, he even cried from anger…
His brain really has holes in it!
Just as Sherwin was silently criticizing Judge, that fool who only cared about scientific research but didn't know how to leverage his own advantages,
the little plush kitten in his arms twisted around. Her tiny paws clung to Sherwin chest as her eyes sparkled.
She cried out, "Sherwin-nii! The flying ship is so amazing, meow! Klee also wants the Dodo Advance to transform into a robot! No! Even better if it can become a robot cat!"
(=ω=)
"…I can't do that. Even Uncle Iceburg wouldn't be able to build a ship that could transform into a robot," Sherwin shrugged, then rubbed Klee Meow little head to comfort her.
"If we summon a Felyne who skilled at shipbuilding in the future, I'll have him build you your very own, okay?"
"Alright then…" Klee Meow twitched her whiskers, knowing it wasn't realistic to make their ship transform right away.
She could only stretch out her tiny paw to Sherwin. "Then let pinky promise, meow~"
"Hmph! So childish!" Haibara Meow, watching the two childish ones linking pinkies, spoke disdainfully, enunciating each word clearly: "I want to as well, meow!"
"…" Sherwin looked at the proud little kitten with both exasperation and amusement, extending his pinky finger. "Want to link pinkies too?"
Haibara Meow flicked her tail, awkwardly turning her head to the side, but still extended her little paw. "Since you said so, then… I guess we can link once, meow…"
After hooking pinkies with Sherwin, Haibara Meow, unwilling to show her embarrassment, quickly found an excuse about needing to research medicine and darted off out of sight in a flash.
"Sherwin-nii," once Haibara Meow slipped away, the restless little plush kitten started tugging at him again,
"Does Panda shop sell the magical clothes from this book, meow? Klee wants one too~"
"You can't buy those clothes from Panda shop." Sherwin chuckled helplessly and ruffled her little head. "If you want them, you'd have to go to Germa."
"But isn't Germa the evil army from the storybook, meow?" The little plush kitten tilted her head in confusion, then muttered softly, "Come to think of it, didn't Klee hear Sherwin-nii mention Germa name before, meow?"
Sherwin tugged at the corner of his mouth. He had casually mentioned it before when asking about the village where Sanji Meow came from,
but he hadn't expected Klee Meow to have such a good memory. Not knowing how to explain, he quickly changed the subject: "The Germa in the storybook is based on something real, and it in the North Blue."
As soon as he said that, Sherwin suddenly realized something and turned a strange look toward Klee Meow…
Could it be that before long, they might actually run into Germa 66? No, looking at the expectant little expression on Klee Meow face, even if Germa 66 usually roamed around the world riding giant snails, they were bound to encounter them sooner or later.
But thinking about it another way, even if they did, it wasn't a big deal. Unlike the comic portrayal of them as villains,
the real Germa 66—though certainly not a group of good people—was essentially just a mercenary organization.
Sherwin had no conflict with them, and even if one broke out, Sherwin wasn't afraid of them.
Besides, those massive snails carrying the entire Germa Kingdom could probably be considered large monsters from the storyline, right?
Thinking about it like that, running into Germa 66 might actually turn out to be a good thing.