"So, what exactly happened on the island, meow?"
After returning to the ship, everyone was shocked when they saw how close Shirahoshi and Jinx had suddenly become.
Even the two research Felynes who usually stayed in the laboratory came running out, curiously studying this pair of mermaid and cat who now seemed completely "remade."
Huamei Meow even slipped over to Sherwin side, secretly asking him what had happened.
After all, getting a little madcat like Jinx to change her attitude was downright miraculous! If she could learn the reason, maybe she could finally keep that disobedient troublemaker in line…
Sherwin could already guess what she was thinking, but Huamei hopes were destined to sink.
He gave Huamei Meow a regretful look, letting her figure it out herself, then truthfully explained Shirahoshi and Jinx "interaction" on the island.
As expected, after hearing Sherwin story, Huamei not only drooped her ears in disappointment but even showed a pained expression…
"Don't tell me Shirahoshi been influenced by Jinx and is going to turn into a troublemaker too?"
Like Sherwin, Huamei Meow also pictured a Shirahoshi shouting, "Explosive mayhem is a girl best friend!" But unlike Sherwin—who was quite amused by such a possibility—her thoughts went in a slightly different direction—
"There are already enough troublemakers on this ship, meow!"
Huamei looked at Sherwin full of resentment. "Commander, when are you going to summon a more reliable Felyne, meow? Even one like Seijuro Meow or Purah Meow who doesn't cause chaos would be fine, meow."
(ω)
"Ahem… I'd like that too, but this kind of thing… it not like I control it!"
Sherwin shrugged, expressing that he wasn't taking the blame.
Besides, cats by nature were free-spirited. Cats as steady as Haibara Meow and Seijuro Meow were the minority. Purah Meow didn't cause trouble only because all her interests were focused on research.
"Right, Boss Sherwin!"
After Shirahoshi finished dealing with the curious Felynes, she came to Sherwin side and reminded him,
"When we were leaving the island just now, I could feel several malicious presences locked onto me. They might be plotting something."
"Mm, not bad. At least you've developed some basic caution now." Sherwin smiled and patted her tail.
"I expected this would happen. With so many pirates around, there are always some idiots who never learn and can't see the gap in strength."
"Meowhahaha! The more idiots like that, the better! I didn't get to fight nearly enough, meow!"
Jinx, squatting on Shirahoshi shoulder, burst into laughter. "How about I teach you how to hit a target with a cannon first? When they come looking for trouble later, you can be the one firing and sinking them, meow! You can use Observation Haki, so aiming shouldn't be hard for you, meow!"
"Eh… firing a cannon…"
Even though she had developed the will to fight back, Shirahoshi was still a bit reluctant when it came to actual combat.
But Jinx wasn't about to give up. She kept coaxing in Shirahoshi ear, "Those people are coming for you.
Do you really want to stay under our protection forever, meow? You're planning to bring your people up to the surface someday.
When the new Fish-Man Island gets attacked by pirates, you'll need to know how to drive them away.
Otherwise, why bother coming out to sea with us in the first place, meow?"
Hearing the topic turn toward "explosions," Klee Meow instantly joined in, squeezing in on Shirahoshi other side and whispering encouragement,
"Yeah, yeah! We're fighting bad guys, not doing bad things! And explosions are super fun, meow!"
(=`=)
With two mischievous little cats bombarding her from both sides, the already dizzy Shirahoshi actually ended up being persuaded. She said softly, "Th-then… I'll give it a try?"
So… when dealing with a girl this soft-hearted and easy to sway, is forcing the issue really more effective than guiding her with logic?
Sherwin, who had finally tried to change Shirahoshi outlook a little, suddenly felt a hint of defeat.
He had spent so long guiding her, quoting famous sayings, patiently trying to shift her mindset—yet all of that turned out to be far less effective than two little cats egging her on with a "let all get into trouble together!" approach…
But the useless Hunter had long grown accustomed to being outdone by his own Felynes, so he quickly recovered.
Instead of bothering with the two little troublemakers who were "corrupting" Shirahoshi, he went to the deck and leisurely began petting the other cats.
...
Shirahoshi feeling when leaving Risky red Island was not wrong—there were always pirates who, when faced with tempting profit, chose to take a desperate gamble.
Of course, those pirates weren't complete idiots. They knew they couldn't defeat Sherwin, a Warlord, on their own, nor could they snatch away the mermaid and the Felynes by his side. So they decided to band together.
One of them was even clever enough to contact another Warlord—in fact, a different identity of that Warlord: Joker.
And the pirate who knew Joker true identity was smart enough not to reveal Sherwin identity to "Joker."
"Beh-heh-heh-heh… Young master, someone sent word that a female mermaid was spotted near Risky red Island.
Our businesses on the Sabaody Archipelago were ruined by that Hunter, right? If we catch that mermaid, the slave auction could get back to full operation instantly."
With slime dripping under his nose and his entire appearance looking disgustingly sticky, the Sticky-Sticky Fruit user—Trebol,
one of the Donquixote Family top four officers and the "Club" of the Suit—leaned in close while reporting to Doflamingo.
But under the glare cast from behind Doflamingo sunglasses, he quickly backed away a few steps to maintain some distance.
After pushing away Trebol, who loved sticking to people while talking, Doflamingo finally let out his signature laugh.
"Fufufufufufu… A mermaid, huh? That indeed an excellent commodity. Ever since that old man Whitebeard planted his flag on Fish-Man Island, it been rare to see a mermaid alone."
Annoying habits aside, the news Trebol brought was quite pleasing. In fact, for Doflamingo, this was probably the best news he had heard since returning from Marineford…
Yes—assuming they had no idea the target was Sherwin.
"So, what are their demands?"
Although Doflamingo was clearly interested in the mermaid Trebol mentioned, he wasn't stupid.
Those greedy pirates wouldn't have shared that information for free. That meant the other side likely had some background, or at least enough strength to act bold.
But when it came to strength or background, the Heavenly Yaksha had never feared anyone. So he had no interest in asking about their identity.
"They want two of the mermaid companions, plus half of the treasure on her ship." Trebol sniffled as he answered.
"Fufufufufufu… They really dare to ask." A cold glint flashed beneath Doflamingo sunglasses.
"Send Buffalo and Baby-5 to get in touch with them. And notify Vergo. The G-5 branch shouldn't be far from Risky red Island, right?"
It was obvious that Doflamingo had no intention of letting the pirate who reported the information claim any share of the profit.
"Beh-heh-heh-heh, understood, young master."
Trebol bowed to Doflamingo, then stepped back and left.