Almost instantly, Vergo was surrounded by the group of bristling Felynes, and Sherwin placed his hand on the hilt of his Longsword, his gaze turning icy as he stared at him.
"This Vice Admiral, would you care to explain?"
The adjutant who came aboard with Vergo hurried to defend him. "You must be mistaken! Officer Vergo brought us here to help you deal with those pirates. How could he possibly intend to harm anyone on your ship?"
Zeff, who had just been sharing embarrassing stories about Garp and Sengoku youth with Sherwin, turned his eyes toward Robin the moment he heard the name from Shirahoshi mouth and quickly recognized her.
However, he didn't intervene immediately. Instead, he pulled his two students to the side.
As a former Admiral, he naturally knew the true reason Robin had been hunted.
Because of that, he didn't view her as a pirate. But he also understood how valuable Nico Robin—someone capable of reading ancient text—was to pirates determined to become the Pirate King.
So despite sympathizing with Robin past, his position as a Marine meant he actually hoped Nico Robin would be captured or even killed.
At the same time, he was curious about Sherwin choice and whether Sherwin understood what it meant to take Nico Robin as a companion.
"They're not mistaken."Vergo had been undercover within the Marines for so long that his ability to adapt was excellent.
He didn't try to defend himself. Instead, half true and half false, he said, "Because I really do intend to capture her…"
Vergo pointed at Robin and said sternly, "A dangerous criminal wanted by the World Government since she was eight years old, the 'Devil Child' who once destroyed six Marine warships—Nico Robin!"
After revealing Robin identity, he turned his head toward Sherwin, speaking as though he held the moral high ground.
"I originally thought you were different from the other Seven Warlords, a Hunter who upheld justice. But now it seems that may not be the case."
"Hah!" Sherwin scoffed in disdain, uninterested in pretending or arguing with Vergo.
He directly pulled the World Government authority to his side. "Robin joining us was one of the conditions the World Government offered when inviting me to become a Warlord. The only reason you don't know is because you're not qualified."
Vergo expression changed sharply.
Compared to confirming the life or death of Baby-5 and Buffalo—and avenging them—the fact that the World Government allowed Nico Robin to join Sherwin crew was far more important to Doflamingo.
Yes, due to Sherwin intentionally vague phrasing, Vergo ended up with a small misunderstanding…
In Vergo view, considering Sherwin usual attitude toward pirates and his lack of interest in becoming Pirate King, there was no reason for him to recruit Nico Robin of his own accord.
Therefore, it could only have been at the World Government request.
Following that line of reasoning, the report in the World Economy News about the World Government offering three Devil Fruits as payment suddenly became very reasonable.
After linking together all the "clues" and filling in the entire chain of imagined causes and consequences in his mind, Vergo decisively chose to leave first.
He intended to return as soon as possible to find his Den-Den Mushi and the slip of paper with the number, so that he could report this matter to Doflamingo.
As for Baby-5 and Buffalo, he no longer had the mood to bother with them.
"I'll investigate this matter later."
Even though he was eager to leave, this seasoned undercover agent still dutifully maintained his persona and added a bit of provocation:
"Regardless of whether this was permitted by the World Government, I don't think taking in Nico Robin is a wise decision."
"You don't need to concern yourself with that."
Sherwin curled his lip. If he had evidence proving Vergo was Doflamingo subordinate—and if Zeff weren't standing right there watching—he would have already taken out that scheming man.
Vergo, having thrown in that last jab, didn't try to push his luck any further. He nodded to Zeff and then left the Dodo Advance with his adjutant.
Although Zeff was also curious about the "deal" between Sherwin and the World Government, after hesitating for a moment, he chose not to ask.
In the past, Zeff might have tried to persuade Sherwin, but after his outlook had changed, he no longer cared as much about matters outside the hunting of pirates.
Still, he reminded Sherwin, "What Vergo said may have been unpleasant, but from a certain perspective, he not wrong. Nico Robin will draw the attention of many powerful pirates. You… be careful."
After those words, Zeff took the repeatedly glancing Ain and the still-dazed Binz back to his ship and departed.
"Admiral, that was well done, meow!"
As soon as the two warships left one after another, Huamei jumped onto Sherwin shoulder, rubbed her cheek against his, and praised him.
"?"
The Hunter, suddenly praised by Lord Huamei, was completely confused.
Fortunately, Klee Meow, acting as Sherwin voice, voiced the doubt in his heart to Haibara Meow.
"Big Sister Ai, why did Sister Huamei praise Sherwin? Klee was the one who first noticed that Marine trying to do something bad."
(=｀3=)
The little ragdoll, feeling a bit unbalanced, pouted as she asked.
"Because Sherwin just blurred the matter of Robin joining us into something that looked like the World Government request.
Even if that Marine goes to verify it, he'll only get the answer that 'this matter was permitted.'
That way, it confirms the legitimacy of Sister Robin staying with us. At the very least, Marines won't come bothering us about this anymore."
While explaining to Klee Meow, Haibara Meow cast Sherwin a surprised glance.
She seemed unable to believe that Sherwin, who was always slow when it came to such matters, could come up with such a brilliant countermeasure.
Sherwin, who had only used the World Government as a convenient excuse because he was too lazy to explain, froze for a moment before quickly putting on a calculating, composed expression.
Yes! That exactly what I meant!
And with Haibara Meow reminder, Sherwin also realized why Vergo had hurried off so abruptly earlier…
If Doflamingo got misled by him, what kind of reaction would he have?
First, he would definitely be displeased, and he'd waste effort trying to figure out the World Government reasoning behind such an action.
And then…
Hmm…
With his mind gradually going blank, the Hunter decisively revealed Vergo true identity to Lord Huamei and asked her to help analyze the situation.
"He even has that identity? No wonder you deliberately misled him, Admiral," Huamei said, propping her chin with a small paw as she pondered.
"If it were only the Donquixote Family, it wouldn't be a big problem. But given Doflamingo nature, he'll most likely spread news about Robin being with us as fast as possible."
"Is that all?" Sherwin shrugged indifferently.
"We never planned on keeping Robin hidden much longer anyway. Even if he spreads it, it no problem."
Of course, the reality wasn't exactly the same. Robin bounty poster had never been updated it was still the one from when she was eight.
If someone didn't pay special attention to her, she wasn't that easy to recognize.
And another thing—there weren't that many people who truly knew that reaching Laugh Tale required deciphering the Poneglyphs.
So if the Heavenly Yaksha hadn't inserted himself into the situation, Sherwin and the others wouldn't have been so easily noticed because of Robin.
"Mm… he'll probably use his Joker identity to post bounties in the underworld, directing other pirates to attack us," Huamei said.
She and Sherwin were still in perfect sync—she even mimicked his gesture, shrugging lightly as she joked, "So for a while, we might be making a fortune."
"So that string guy is actually a good person~" Shermie chuckled mischievously. "Next time we run into him, I'll go easier on him~"
"Klee won't need to bomb him either!"
(=`=)
The little ragdoll chimed in excitedly.
The other cats quickly caught on as well, all talking over one another to express their "gratitude" toward Doflamingo—even Shirahoshi wasn't left out.
Robin pressed her lips together. She naturally understood that Sherwin and the others were acting this relaxed on purpose so she wouldn't feel guilty.
But saying thank you now would feel too distant, so Robin quietly activated her Fruit ability and—using the grooming technique Sherwin had taught her—began brushing the fur of every cat present.
Sherwin, who also suddenly found an extra hand patting his head: "…"