Because the pirates of the North Blue always avoided crossing paths with Sherwin and his crew, the time they spent going to the Navy bases to exchange bounties was greatly reduced.
On top of that, after defeating Cracker, their fame skyrocketed. Even their floating restaurant on the sea saw a sharp drop in customer flow…
In the end, it was still a huge loss!Just thinking about how all he got from Cracker was that pretzel-shaped shield—and without even obtaining a shard—made Sherwin chest ache badly.
But on the other hand, this also made their map-clearing speed increase dramatically, and the progress on the handbook map soon reached seventy-five percent.
Sherwin didn't hesitate and directly tapped the upload icon. Very quickly, a sea-blue summoning ticket shard appeared in the insert page…
Now, he already had two map pool shards in hand. The only thing he wasn't sure of was how the Grand Line map shards would be calculated.
If the first half and the second half were counted separately, then there would be one more shard. In that case, if he wanted to gather enough for a third sea-blue summoning ticket, he might have to unlock the maps of the Red Line and the Calm Belt.
If the entire Grand Line was counted as one, then the map pool would probably only have these two shards.
But no matter which case it was, Sherwin couldn't possibly complete the set in a short time, so he wasn't anxious. Instead, he started thinking about how to plan their route once they entered the Grand Line.
According to the approach he used in the Four Seas, the most efficient way to clear the map would actually be to travel in a zigzag, slowly covering most of the routes. But Sherwin had no intention of doing that anymore.
Because until he found the four red Poneglyphs, even if he traveled all over the other places, he most likely wouldn't be able to fully unlock the Grand Line map.
Although he could let Klee Meow try her luck, considering the bizarre climate in the latter half, Sherwin felt that Raftel wasn't something that could be found so easily.
After all, with the power of the Four Emperors, if the Final Island were just an ordinary island, then even without the so-called Road Poneglyphs, a carpet-style search should have stumbled upon it, or it would have already been discovered by the World Government and sealed off.
But so many years had passed, and the only ones who found it were Roger and his crew. So, in all likelihood, there must be some special method of opening or entering it.
Adding to that the islands occupied by the Four Emperors and the World Government that barred outsiders, as well as the scattered islets outside the seven main routes—even if Sherwin only wanted to reach seventy-five percent, it still wouldn't be something he could accomplish in a short time.
That being the case, Sherwin no longer felt it was necessary to stubbornly grind out map progress.
It would be better to first follow the route that Luffy and his crew had taken, collecting the weapons and other items that appeared in the story.
The efficiency of obtaining shards would actually be higher that way. Besides, with the Grand Line ever-changing climate and tangled web of powers, Sherwin wouldn't necessarily be able to act strictly according to plan.
So this time, Sherwin didn't have Huamei Meow help plan out a detailed route. He simply set a general sailing goal and headed toward Reverse Mountain.
…
When Sherwin and his crew piloted the Dodo Advance back to Reverse Mountain once more, everyone mood was fairly calm.
After all, even the most recent addition, Link Meow, had already experienced the wonder of the upstream river once.
As for Sherwin, Sanji Meow, and Klee Meow—the three "veterans"—this was already their third visit to Reverse Mountain… The little ragdoll cat even yawned out of boredom.
"…"
Sherwin had originally thought about giving a passionate speech, but when he saw all the cats looking so lazy and indifferent, he instantly lost his drive.
The climbing process needed no extra words—it was simply following the upstream current all the way up, reaching the top of Reverse Mountain without any risk.
But unlike the previous two times, this time Sherwin and his crew didn't drop anchor. Instead, they let the Dodo Advance continue to follow the current, sailing toward the Grand Line.
"Oh, right," Sherwin suddenly remembered something. "Ai, at the lighthouse near the exit, there a very skilled doctor. You should try exchanging medical knowledge with him."
Haibara Meow, who had been forcibly dragged out of the lab by Huamei Meow, looked conflicted.
Her research was at a critical stage, and she really didn't want to be distracted. But Sherwin suggestion was indeed very tempting…
While the little kitten was caught in hesitation, the lighthouse of Twin Cape had already come into view.
Hmm… Raboon wasn't in sight for the moment. Crocus, however, had propped up a parasol and was lying back in a chair, leisurely reading the newspaper.
"Hello, Grandpa Meow~" Klee Meow leaned over the ship railing, greeting Crocus enthusiastically. "Why does your head grow flower petals, meow?"
"That not petals, it hair."
Crocus put down his newspaper and pointed seriously at his own head as he answered.
"Really, meow? Then can Klee touch it, meow?"
(=ω=)
Before Sherwin and the others even had time to dock the ship, the little ragdoll cat had already leapt down, trotting up to Crocus. Her ruby-like eyes sparkled with curiosity.
In fact, it wasn't just Klee Meow—Sherwin himself was quite curious about Crocus peculiar hair.
Not only was it shaped like petals, but the color was also a strange mix of yellow and purple, with even a few spots sprinkled in… He couldn't tell if it naturally grew that way, or if Crocus had dyed it himself.
As for Klee Meow adorable little request, Crocus didn't refuse. After all, back on Roger ship there had also been a little Felyne Mink (though it had grown up later). Klee Meow appearance gave him a warm sense of familiarity.
So Crocus bent down on his own, letting Klee Meow freely paw at the hair he usually had to carefully maintain.
"Klee!"
Seeing that the little ragdoll wasn't satisfied with just pawing, and was about to try pulling out a couple strands of Crocus hair, Huamei Meow quickly stopped her.
"Don't be so rude, meow!"
Huamei Meow gave Klee Meow little head a light tap.
"Ehehe… Klee was just curious~"
(==)
The little ragdoll stuck out her tongue, pulled back her restless little paws, and then bounded back onto Sherwin shoulder.
"We'll be troubling you for a few days, Mr. Crocus."
Sherwin tilted his head and rubbed cheeks with Klee Meow, then politely greeted.
Even without knowing that Crocus had once been Roger ship doctor, just the fact that Klee Meow took the initiative to get close to him was enough for the crew to treat him with friendliness.
"You know me?" Crocus adjusted the glasses on his nose with some surprise.
Back when he was on the Pirate King ship, as the doctor, he had never been that famous. After so many years, hardly anyone remembered him anymore. Only when Shanks had passed through before did they briefly catch up.
"My information network is a bit broader. I just know a little more than the average person," Sherwin explained casually.
Crocus nodded and didn't mind too much. After all, he had also recognized Sherwin identity and knew that the other wasn't an unreasonable person.
"Sherwin said you're a very skilled doctor, so what do you think about that well-known Amber Lead Syndrome in the North Blue, meow?"
As a healing cat, Haibara Meow finally couldn't hold back and ran up to Crocus to speak with him.
"Amber Lead Syndrome? Although I haven't seen a real case, from the information I've gathered, it doesn't seem to be an infectious disease. But I can't shake the feeling that there something fishy about it…"
It was rare for someone (or a cat) to discuss medical knowledge with him, so Crocus became interested.
He talked endlessly with Haibara Meow, and by the end, he even took the initiative to invite Haibara Meow into the lighthouse to look through his collection of books.
However, not long after going inside, Haibara Meow came out again with little enthusiasm.
"This old grandpa medical knowledge is already somewhat outdated. Most of the books in the lighthouse are ones I've already read, meow."
The little kitten burrowed back into Sherwin arms and explained: "Although some of his ideas are still worth referencing, unfortunately, I know of some more advanced and effective methods, so his materials aren't of much use, meow."
That true. Crocus had been staying at Twin Cape all these years, with hardly any patients to treat. No matter how skilled he had been back then, his medical abilities no longer seemed so impressive now.
He did occasionally get some newly published medical books through the News Bird or other people entering the Grand Line, but those books were all fairly ordinary. Naturally, Haibara Meow had already read them long ago.
Although Haibara Meow had looked down on him a little, Crocus didn't feel offended. Instead, he burst into a hearty laugh: "Hahahahaha… looks like this old man really can't keep up with the times!"
Sherwin was just about to politely comfort him with a few words when the previously calm sea suddenly surged.
A massive, scar-covered head broke through the surface, letting out a piercing roar in the direction of Reverse Mountain—
"ROOOOOOOAAAR!"