"...After that, we left Baratie. If nothing unexpected happened, Sanji should still be working there as a chef."
Sherwin, who knew that Reiju was different from the other Germa members, naturally didn't intend to brush her off. He simply told her about the process of how they met Sanji.
The other Felynes also crowded around. After all, besides Seijuro Meow, the other three Felynes had never been to the Baratie sea restaurant, so they were very curious about this human who shared the same name as Sanji Meow.
"He working as a chef in the East Blue?" Reiju, after listening to Sherwin story, revealed a relieved smile.
"That wonderful. Sanji has loved cooking since he was little. Being able to become a chef must make him very happy..."
After sighing with emotion, she thanked Sherwin: "Thank you so much for this news. While you're staying in Germa, I'll try to fulfill any requests you have."
Sherwin nodded, not thinking much of it.
After all, there wasn't much in Germa that he coveted. Judge earlier assessment wasn't wrong; he really was just here to buy a few toys for himself and the Felynes.
Besides, although Reiju was Germa princess, this place was essentially Judge domain, so the things Reiju could offer were mostly small matters related to food, drinks, and comfort.
As for the Felynes, they were even less interested in interacting with Reiju, because what fascinated them far more was the fact that there was a human who looked so much like Sanji Meow.
"This world really is mysterious, meow…" Haibara Meow thoughtfully studied Reiju and Sanji Meow, then speculated,
"That masked old man just now… could he have experimented on Sanji before?"
Her guess wasn't completely baseless. According to Sherwin and Sanji Meow own words, among all the Felynes, he was the only one who wasn't summoned by Sherwin. Instead, he had appeared together with Sherwin on a remote island in the West Blue.
Although Sanji Meow also had memories of living in Cocoyashi Village, the idea of Judge picking up a Felyne who had crossed worlds and casually taking a genetic sample… wasn't impossible!
As a scientist and a prototype of the Detective Boys, Haibara Meow imagination was quite active.
"I've never seen that old man, meow!" Sanji Meow angrily refuted, "And I'm nothing like that dumb human who lost to me, meow!"
"That right, that right, little Sanji is way cuter than my runaway little brother~"
Reiju scooped up the puffed-up little yellow cat, affectionately rubbing her cheek against his small head as she agreed.
She had already liked these adorable Felynes, and now that she discovered one not only shared Sanji name but also had a similar personality and hobbies, she couldn't help but like him even more.
Sanji Meow, sensing the kindness radiating from Reiju, surprisingly didn't struggle much. He only grumbled in slight dissatisfaction a few times while letting her hold and pet him for a bit. After a while, he wriggled free from her arms.
As Sanji Meow darted away, Reiju looked a little lost for a moment before collecting herself and continuing to ask,
"Could you tell me more about Sanji? I'd like to know more about how he doing now."
Since there was nothing else to do, Sherwin readily agreed. Klee Meow, perched on his shoulder, and Sanji Meow, who was nearby, would occasionally chime in as well.
"Sherwin, I'm curious about something," Haibara Meow, perched on his other shoulder, tugged on his ear after listening for a while and asked,
"Is that human Sanji just as durable as those other curly-browed ones, meow?"
"No, Sanji physique shouldn't be any different from that of an ordinary person." Reiju answered with a bitter smile.
"That why Yonji and the others called him a 'failure.' Father didn't even bother to ask about him just now, because in their eyes, Sanji, a normal human, is the 'stain' of the Vinsmoke family."
"Really, meow? But I don't think that idiot is weak at all…" Sanji Meow couldn't hold back from speaking up for Sanji. "Compared to those other curly-brows, that dumb human may not take kicks as well, but strength-wise, I don't think he that far behind, meow."
"Is that true?" Reiju expression brightened for a moment, but then she quickly reined in her smile, muttering,
"No… it better to let him stay in the East Blue. Sanji is different from Ichiji and the others. Even if he becomes stronger, he still shouldn't come back."
"You're different from your brothers too, aren't you?" Haibara Meow asked curiously.
"Haven't you thought about leaving here, meow?"
"That impossible…"
Reiju shook her head with a bitter smile, then spoke openly, without holding back, telling Sherwin and the others about herself, Sanji, and Ichiji situation.
Judging by the way she occasionally glanced at Sanji Meow, it was clear that her willingness to open up so much likely stemmed from the presence of the little yellow cat.
First it was Kizaru, and now it was Reiju… Why did it feel like after coming to the North Blue, Sanji Meow had suddenly become quite the popular one?
Sherwin rubbed his chin, smiling wryly at the thought.
And upon learning about the Vinsmoke family for the first time, all the Felynes were outraged.
"Truly unworthy of being a father, meow!" Seijuro Meow instinctively placed his paw on his sword hilt, ears flattened, and growled angrily.
(= *)
Link Meow even directly drew the Master Sword, waving it around to show he was ready to beat up Judge...
But he was stopped by Hua Mei Meow.
Although she also didn't like Judge actions, this was someone else family matter, and the other party was still the king of an allied nation.
The thoughtful Huamei, naturally, wouldn't cause Sherwin any additional trouble.
"So that guy was actually this pitiful, meow?" Sanji Meow felt a bit regretful about bullying Sanji so much back then.
"No wonder Klee always felt something strange about those curly-brow guys' emotions, meow..."
The little ragdoll kitten leaned over, rubbed her head against Sherwin cheek, and said softly, "Sherwin-nii, Klee doesn't like that uncle. Can we not take the things he made for us, meow?"
"Why not, meow?" Haibara Meow flicked her tail.
"Sherwin already paid him. It not like we owe that masked bastard anything, meow."
Although she was equally displeased with Judge, Haibara Meow thinking was much more practical, unlike the emotional Klee Meow.
However...
After rolling her eyes, the little kitten suddenly turned to Reiju and asked, "Can I wander around here a bit, meow?"
"Of course, but there are some places you're not allowed to enter. I'll have someone accompany you," Reiju replied casually, not thinking much of it.
She then used some unknown means to summon back a maid who had been dismissed earlier.
But Sherwin and the other cats were completely startled.
Haibara Meow! The little homebody Felyne who could sit in a corner all day with a book, or lock herself in a lab for days on end if no one bothered her! She was actually asking to go out and wander around?!
Something wrong! Something is definitely very wrong!
However, Haibara Meow completely ignored the scrutinizing looks from Sherwin and the others. She tilted her head toward Klee Meow and invited, "Want to come along, meow? Klee."
The little ragdoll, who had been torn between "clinging to Sherwin-nii" and "castle adventure," immediately agreed, "Klee wants to go too, meow!"
(=`=)
Sherwin: !!!
This isn't right! This is twelve levels of not right!
Just as he was racking his brain, trying to figure out how to stop Haibara Meow—who clearly had some unknown plans—Hua Mei Meow spoke up first,
"I'm also quite interested in this castle. How about taking your big sister along, meow?"
Perfect! As expected of the most trustworthy Huamei in our research team!
"Then I'll also—"
Sanji Meow lifted a paw to follow, but Sherwin swiftly caught him with a feline grappling move.
No way! If Hua Mei Meow gets stuck dealing with you, how will she keep an eye on those two mischievous little troublemakers?!
"Girls are going out together to have fun—what are you, a tomcat, doing trying to tag along?!"
Sherwin casually threw out the excuse while squishing Sanji Meow little face into all sorts of shapes.
"Meowaaaaahhh—! Sherwin, you idiot! I'll never forgive you, meow!!!"
(=`Д=)