Although Jinbe had already learned from the World Economy News reports that Princess Shirahoshi had changed a lot recently, still…
This change was way too damn big, wasn't it?!
The frail princess who used to burst into tears after saying just a couple of sentences was now right in front of him, practicing Fish-Man Karate with vigorous, powerful movements…
It wasn't that Jinbe thought this was a bad thing—he just couldn't accept this setting all at once.
After spending some time digesting it, Jinbe quickly slipped into the role of an instructor.
Back when he served in Ryugu Palace, he had guided Sharkstar and the others in Fish-Man Karate and Fish-Man Jujutsu, so teaching Shirahoshi again was second nature to him.
"Tsk…"
Sherwin, who had been watching the whole time, clicked his tongue in disappointment. He had thought Jinbe would react far more dramatically, but instead it was only mild shock, and he accepted it much faster than Sherwin had expected.
Thinking about it carefully, though, it was understandable. After all, Shirahoshi current performance was just going from an introverted little girl to being a bit more lively—the impact really wasn't that strong.
So…
"Mmm, when we go back to Fish-Man Island in the future, we'll need to make Shirahoshi changes even bigger, meow…"
Sherwin heard Haibara Meow muttering to herself at his side. He turned his head and saw that Haibara Meow, just like him, was touching her chin with a little paw, looking deep in thought.
Noticing Sherwin gaze, the little kitten turned her head. One human and one cat exchanged a mischievous smile, everything understood without words.
"Meow! Sherwin big brother and big sister Ai, who are you planning to trick this time, meow? Anyway, you're not allowed to trick Klee, okay!"
(=`ω=)
Sensing that this one human and one cat were starting to cook up trouble again, the little Ragdoll flattened her airplane ears and warned them seriously.
"We just think that the surprise Shirahoshi prepared for her father isn't big enough yet, so we want to help her optimize it a bit more."
Sherwin patted Klee Meow little head and explained to her.
The little ragdoll was originally one of the participants in Shirahoshi "surprise operation," so she immediately understood what Sherwin and Haibara Meow were trying to do.
It was just that, in the little ragdoll understanding, this "surprise operation" was truly just about giving King Neptune a surprise.
"Meow?" Klee Meow tilted her head in confusion. "Other than letting Sister Shirahoshi show what she learned so Uncle Neptune knows how much she improved, how else can we surprise him, meow? Maybe have Sister Shirahoshi prepare a present for him, meow?"
(=ω=)
The little ragdoll scratched her ear, then suddenly had an epiphany. "Klee knows now! Is it because Sister Shirahoshi doesn't have enough things she can show yet? Klee can also teach her how to make bombs, meow!"
Sherwin: "..."
Haibara Meow: "..."
As expected, natural black hearts are the most terrifying. We only wanted to give King Neptune a scare, but Klee Meow was planning to take his old life directly!
Sherwin immediately used Kato Cat Hand on Klee Meow, successfully making the little ragdoll forget this terrifying idea.
Then he looked at Jinbe, who was guiding Shirahoshi, glanced at Hawk-Eye chatting happily with Seijuro Meow and Link Meow, and finally let his gaze fall on Hancock.
Although the cats didn't particularly like her, Sanji Meow still prepared some snacks and drinks for her under Huamei direction. In addition, Robin had somehow joined her side at some point, and from the looks of it, they seemed to be chatting quite happily.
"What are you doing here, you stinking man?"
Seeing Sherwin walk over, Hancock immediately reined in her smile, lifted her chin high, and pointed her nostrils straight at him.
Sherwin soothed Klee Meow, who was about to bristle in his arms, ignored Hancock bizarre posture,
and asked, "When are your subordinates coming to pick you up? Or do you want us to send you back to Amazon Lily? If that the case, you'll need to give me a specific location."
A troublesome woman like this was better sent away as early as possible.
"I didn't bring the Eternal Pose with me!" Hancock replied righteously. "Just find any island to dock at first, then lend me a Den Den Mushi. I'll notify my subordinates to come pick me up!"
"That works too."
Sherwin nodded, feeling a slight sense of regret in his heart…
He had originally wanted to use this chance to visit the Pirate World famed female kingdom.
It wasn't because he wanted to look at beautiful women or anything like that—mainly, he wanted to unlock the map.
Yes, that right! Exactly that!
However, just as Sherwin was sighing inwardly, Robin suddenly spoke up, "Hancock just invited me to visit her country. I also happen to be very interested in the legendary Amazon Lily."
"Oh?!"
Sherwin eyes instantly lit up.
But right after that, Hancock poured cold water on him. "Amazon Lily does not welcome men, so don't even think about following Robin into my country! At most, I'll mark out a small area at the edge of the island for you to stay in temporarily!"
Sure enough, I knew it wouldn't be that easy!
Sherwin clicked his tongue in annoyance.
Still, he quickly adjusted his mindset. Although not being able to enter Amazon Lily was indeed a bit disappointing, after briefly recalling what the women in the manga looked like, Sherwin realized that there didn't seem to be that many true beauties on the island anyway—so there really wasn't much to look forward to…
It was absolutely not because he couldn't get any grapes and therefore claimed they were sour!
If Sherwin really wanted to force his way onto the island, Hancock wouldn't be able to stop him—there was just no need to do that.
Besides, in the manga, Trafalgar Law and his Heart Pirates received the same treatment. It wasn't that Hancock was deliberately targeting him it was just that Luffy, the protagonist, had special privileges.
As for unlocking the map, that was easy enough—having the Doodoo fly around Amazon Lily once from above would get it done. There was no need for him to actually set foot on the island.
The only real problem now was—
Which part of the Calm Belt they were currently in. If they were too far from Amazon Lily, they'd first need to find a place to let Hawk Eye disembark.
Thinking of this, Sherwin took out his Hunter Handbook.
"Huh?"
After opening the map, Sherwin discovered that they had actually returned to the first half of the Grand Line. Moreover, this stretch of the Calm Belt wasn't very far from the area where they had first encountered the Kuja Pirates.
In other words, this place was most likely quite close to Amazon Lily as well.
What is this—Klee Meow good luck?
But I can't even go ashore, so what kind of luck is that supposed to be?
Or is this hinting that I should take the opportunity to make a trip to Drum Kingdom?
Sherwin scratched his head in confusion.
However, after obtaining Suika Meow Density Fruit ability, his need for the Munch-Munch Fruit had actually dropped quite a bit. By comparison, meeting Chopper now had a higher priority.
Another thing he couldn't quite figure out was… why the Navy would lure the BIG·MOM Pirates all the way out here.
It wasn't like there were no Calm Belts in the latter half of the Grand Line, and there should have been more than just the island they had just left that would be suitable for an ambush.
For example, like the previous Obesstan Island—rather than using it as a smokescreen, it would have been better to use it directly as the real ambush point. It also closer to the G-series branch and Marineford, so wouldn't it be more convenient for the Navy to mobilize their forces there?
Was it because it was too close to their own sphere of influence, so they were afraid Big Mom wouldn't take the bait? But in the earlier stage, the Navy power was even stronger—wouldn't that make Big Mom even more vigilant?
…Whatever. It all over anyway. Why bother wasting brainpower on it?
After thinking for a while and still finding no clues, the Hunter decisively gave up thinking.