"Sherwin, it so boring here. Can Klee Meow go out and play with Sister Shermie and the others?"
(=ω=)
Klee Meow had never been interested in Sherwin conversation with King Neptune, and with the "catnip high" kicking in, she and the other mischievous kittens were starting to get restless.
If it were only Klee Meow and Jinx causing trouble, Sherwin would never dare let them out.
But among the quartet of troublesome kittens, Shermie and Haibara Meow—though often giving Sherwin headaches—were still reliable when it mattered.
Most importantly, Hua Mei Meow, the exploration Felyne, was also itching to go. With her there, Sherwin naturally had no more concerns.
As their host, King Neptune was as easygoing as ever. Laughing with his usual "Ho ho ho," he agreed without hesitation to let the cats wander around Ryugu Palace.
After getting an OK from both Sherwin and King Neptune, the little Felynes shot out of the hall cheering, with Hua Mei Meow and the other Felynes following close behind.
In just a moment, only Seijurou—who stubbornly stayed at his post as a guard—and Robin, one of the only two humans in the investigation team, remained at Sherwin side.
Robin reason for staying was simple:
"I want to take a look at the Poneglyph on Fish-Man Island."
"The Poneglyph?" King Neptune expression grew slightly serious. "You can read the ancient script?"
"Yes," Robin nodded. "I am the survivor of Ohara."
"The orphan of Ohara… I've heard of you." King Neptune sighed, then answered her frankly.
"In truth, that Poneglyph is placed in the Sea Forest outside Fish-Man Island. Just ask any fish-man and they'll tell you. We never tried to hide it."
To be honest, King Neptune reaction surprised Sherwin a little. From the way he acted, he didn't seem to care much about the Poneglyph at all.
Even after learning that Robin could read the ancient script, he didn't show the slightest intention of stopping her—he didn't even hesitate.
This attitude was completely different from the "guardians" of the two Poneglyphs they had encountered before.
Was it because the content wasn't related to an Ancient Weapon, so they simply never assigned a "guardian"? Or had the fish-men who once served as guardians been wiped out because of the World Government persecution?
The first possibility felt more likely. After all, the fish-men had never lost the history regarding the Ancient Weapons.
There was no reason a guardian lineage—of equal or even greater importance—would vanish while that knowledge survived.
Sherwin rested his chin on his hand, mumbling silently in his heart.
And King Neptune next words confirmed his suspicion:
"But I doubt you'll gain anything useful from that Poneglyph. According to the legends passed down in our royal family, and from a certain person interpretation back then… it should just be an apology letter."
"An apology letter?"
Even the three princes were hearing this for the first time. All of them turned to look at him.
"Yes. It said to be a message written eight hundred years ago by someone named Joy Boy, who failed to uphold an agreement with Fish-Man Island and left behind this apology.
As for what exactly the agreement was, that part hasn't been passed down. Maybe you'll find some clues in the Poneglyph itself."
King Neptune clearly had no concept of secrecy he revealed everything without a second thought.
Sherwin wasn't surprised—he already knew from the manga, and he also felt there was nothing worth hiding. However…
"Aren't you worried it might mention 'Poseidon'?" Sherwin couldn't help but "remind" him.
"W-What?! How do you know that name?!"
King Neptune and the three princes were shocked. Only Jinbe managed to stay somewhat composed, though even he looked noticeably tense.
Sherwin rolled his eyes and pointed at Robin. "Obviously from the other Poneglyphs. Not only 'Poseidon,' we even know where 'Pluton' is.
The only one left is the Poneglyph that records 'Uranus,' which still hasn't been found."
Neptune and the others looked at Robin in surprise, while Robin simply returned a calm smile.
"No wonder the World Government tries to stop anyone from studying the Poneglyphs…" King Neptune muttered quietly as he stroked his beard.
Then he lifted his head, speaking stiffly, "Since you already know, I won't hide it anymore.
Eight hundred years ago, the ancient weapon Poseidon was indeed on Fish-Man Island.
Her true identity was a mermaid. But she passed away from old age long ago."
As King Neptune said this, his gaze kept drifting, constantly trying to avoid meeting Sherwin and Robin eyes. Even Klee Meow could tell he was hiding something.
"A king who can't lie wouldn't survive long," Sherwin sighed helplessly.
"And I've known for a while that Princess Shirahoshi is the new Poseidon. You don't have to force yourself to lie."
"Even events eight hundred years in the future are recorded in the Poneglyphs?!" Even Jinbe, normally the calmest of them all, couldn't stay composed.
"No," Robin replied. "The Poneglyphs only say that Poseidon has the power to control all Sea Kings. They don't specify who she is.
The fact that Poseidon is always born from a mermaid princess—that was something Sherwin told me. As for how he knew it, I have no idea."
With that, she, along with King Neptune and the others, all turned to look at Sherwin.
Truly worthy of the infamous "Devil Child"—selling out her own captain came as naturally as breathing…
Sherwin twitched the corner of his mouth and glared hard at Robin, but she wasn't flustered in the slightest. Instead, she playfully winked at him.
Yes… Sherwin, this Hunter, still had absolutely no dignity.
"Not only the mermaid royal family knows of Poseidon. There are others who know the legend as well, and their clan has been searching for her,"
Sherwin continued, ignoring Robin curiosity as he revealed another secret he shouldn't have known.
"Until Princess Shirahoshi displayed her ability when Queen Otohime was assassinated—that was when she was targeted by that clan descendant. I believe you already know who that is, don't you?"
"Vander Decken IX!" Shark Star growled through his teeth.
"I always thought he was just a pervert! So he was after Shirahoshi ability?!"
"Uh… actually, your understanding isn't exactly wrong…" Sherwin recalled the events and realized that guy really had been drawn to Shirahoshi beauty.
"Him being a pervert who likes little girls doesn't contradict his desire to obtain Poseidon power."
"Then he deserves to die even more!"
Hearing Sherwin say that, Shirahoshi three brothers instantly exploded, and even the usually gentle King Neptune wore a furious expression.
But soon, King Neptune deflated again.
"The problem is, we've had Vander Decken IX on the wanted list for years, but we've never been able to catch him."
"Even the Sun Pirates couldn't find him?" Sherwin turned to Jinbe.
Jinbe shook his head. "Vander Decken and his Flying Pirates have been drifting near the waters outside Fish-Man Island.
I've taken my men to search several times, but we never found so much as a shadow of him."
So that was the case…
Because in the manga, the guy cooperated with Hody Jones and even threw the giant ship from Fish-Man District as a projectile, Sherwin had always assumed he was hiding there as well.
But if Vander Decken had been moving around constantly, then he really would be hard to catch.
However…
"If it about finding someone, we actually have a method."
Sherwin gave King Neptune and Jinbe a proud smile.
King Neptune became excited immediately. "As long as you can help us capture Vander Decken, you may choose anything from the Dragon Palace Treasury!"
Before he finished speaking, a loud wail suddenly sounded from outside—
"Uwaaaaah! Father! Shark Star! Emperor Star! Flip Star! Come save me! I'm going to get eaten by a cat!"
Sherwin: "…"