After leaving Chappe and the others on Fort Veil Sky Island, Sherwin—as usual—asked the rest of the investigation team if any of them wanted the Sakura Dragon Fruit power.
As expected, even a Mythical Zoan wasn't anything special in the eyes of the Felynes.
Shirahoshi, however, seemed a little tempted. Sherwin had just told her the tale of the carp leaping over the Dragon Gate, but once she remembered that eating a Devil Fruit meant she could never swim again, she immediately gave up.
After all, a mermaid most famous trait is her swimming speed. Losing that would be terrible for Shirahoshi.
"Since no one wants it, why not let me take it for research, meow!"
(=ΦωΦ=)
Haibara Meow, still unwilling to give up, stretched her tiny paws toward Sherwin.
"Quit it!" Sherwin put the Sakura Dragon Fruit away, grabbed the little kitten and stuffed her into his arms, rubbing her relentlessly.
"Didn't you already get the related data? I'm saving this fruit to summon a new partner!"
"That true, but having an actual sample for comparison would greatly speed up my research, meow!"
Haibara Meow argued righteously.
Although Sherwin knew she wasn't wrong, he still resisted her little paws and teeth and refused.
If it were a normal Zoan or even an Ancient Zoan, he would've handed it over without hesitation.
But this was a Mythical Zoan rarer than even a Logia—Kaido very own model. Letting Haibara Meow dissect it felt like a waste.
If he weren't planning to save it for a future summoned Felyne, he himself would've been tempted to take a bite.
After all, the Azure/Sakura Dragon Fruit had thick HP, high defense, could fly, and commanded thunder, fire, and wind—one of the absolute strongest among Mythical Zoans.
Setting aside Luffy hard-to-evaluate Nika Fruit, whether it was Marco Phoenix, Sengoku Buddha, or even the Vampire Fruit that only appeared in games, Sherwin didn't think any of them surpassed the Azure Dragon Fruit, even in the hands of someone other than Kaido.
Even the Celestial Dragons—who fed random Devil Fruits to slaves—treated the Azure Dragon Fruit as a prize for their internal competitions. Its value needed no further explanation.
"Hmph!"
With the research data already in her hands, Haibara Meow wasn't truly desperate for the Sakura Dragon Fruit. She also knew that although the Felynes didn't care much for it, its power was undeniably strong.
But…
She still had to be angry—otherwise Sherwin would get off way too easily, that idiot.
"It just an artificial Devil Fruit, right? I can make one myself, meow!"
(=`н=)
The tsundere little kitten bit hard into Sherwin hand, then unleashed a rapid barrage of cat punches on his forehead.
Finally, when that sly little creature pulled out Recovery Medicine 1306 and tried to force it into his mouth, Sherwin—whose face instantly went pale—hurriedly stopped her.
Failing to "poison" him, Haibara Meow bit Sherwin again before puffing up angrily, wriggling out of his arms, and darting into the laboratory to continue researching her "cat-made Devil Fruit."
...
Just like always, Vergo took a walk around the base after lunch to help with digestion. But despite the relaxed appearance he put on, his mind was anything but calm.
Ever since discovering that Robin had been taken in by Sherwin, he had immediately reported it to Doflamingo.
Just as he'd said back then, he also made inquiries to the higher-ups, but all he received in return was a curt reply telling him to "ignore it."
This only strengthened his suspicion that the Hunter and the World Government had struck some kind of deal—an outcome that was anything but good news for Vergo, who wanted to help Doflamingo become Pirate King.
Yet given his current position, it wasn't convenient for him to openly take action against Sherwin.
Vergo was naturally well aware of the things Doflamingo was secretly doing, though he didn't fully agree with the plan.
If Nico Robin were really snatched away by another major pirate, it would only make Doflamingo fight for the throne even harder…
At the very least, Sherwin didn't seem to have any intention of becoming Pirate King, did he?
Of course, he also understood that Doflamingo real purpose was to observe whether the World Government would intervene under such circumstances.
Whether they chose to help or chose to strike at them instead, their response would reveal their true stance.
But…
Was it really worth it?
In Vergo view, the best course would be for their Donquixote Family to seize Nico Robin from Sherwin before the news spread.
He still didn't know that the Celestial Demon had been beaten up by two Felynes at Marineford and was under the impression that, with the Donquixote Family strength, dealing with the Hunter—this newly appointed Warlord—shouldn't be a problem.
As for the World Government reaction after they took Nico Robin back, Vergo wasn't worried in the slightest.
After all, their young master was a Celestial Dragon… even if only formerly.
Perhaps the young master had his own considerations.
Although he didn't understand Doflamingo decision, Vergo still supported it unconditionally.
As one of the earliest members of the Donquixote Family, Vergo had always believed that the Doflamingo who unleashed a terrifying Conqueror Haki even as a child was destined to become the Pirate King who ruled the seas.
He set aside the matters concerning the Hunter for now. First, he needed to see whether he could gather more intelligence from the Marines…
"Vice Admiral, your face…"
Just as Vergo was lost in thought, a Marine walking toward him interrupted and pointed at his cheek as a reminder.
Vergo instinctively touched his cheek, and a piece of bacon—bitten and half-eaten—fell into his hand.
What?
After a brief moment of recollection, he remembered it was from the lunch he'd just eaten.
With a calm expression, Vergo popped the unfinished bacon into his mouth, then smiled and nodded at the Marine, patting him on the shoulder.
"Thank you for the reminder. You're Sergeant Willy, right?"
The Marine, already used to scenes like this, twitched at the corner of his mouth but still saluted excitedly. "Yes, sir! Vice Admiral!"
Although Vergo gentle, approachable persona was completely out of place in the G-5 base—where the atmosphere was more like a pirate crew than a Marine unit—he was still very well-liked by the Marines stationed there.
After all, spies like him naturally needed to maintain good relationships with as many people as possible to perfect their disguise.
So although Vergo was deeply annoyed that Sergeant Willy had interrupted him, he still maintained that gentle, friendly façade, spending a bit of time casually chatting with him.
Only after the sergeant left in excitement did Vergo allow his expression to return to its usual blank coldness.
But it seemed that today simply wasn't meant to let him think in peace. Just as Vergo finished his walk, returned to his room, and prepared to continue his thoughts without further disturbance, another Marine suddenly burst through the door in a panic.
"Vice Admiral Vergo! A pirate ship is heading toward our base! Judging by their flags, it should be the Big Mom Pirates and the Beasts Pirates!"
Vergo, who had only just sat down, shot to his feet. In a flash, he appeared directly in front of the Marine, completely abandoning the persona he usually maintained. Grabbing the soldier by the collar, his face twisted as he demanded again,
"What did you say?!!!"