Since Sherwin had never heard of the next three islands at all, he naturally left the choice to Klee Meow.
And just as Sherwin and his group set off on their journey again, the news that Nico Robin had joined the newly promoted Shichibukai, the "Hunter" Sherwin, was deliberately spread by Doflamingo to the ears of several notorious pirates.
Naturally, the CP members responsible for monitoring those pirates also learned about it.
Delighted to see things develop this way, they even pushed the news further.
As the information spread, the once-stabilizing New World was thrown back into chaos, and at the center of that chaos was none other than Sherwin group—who, for the moment, still had no idea what was happening.
Well… it wasn't entirely accurate to say they knew nothing. They had already predicted something like this would happen, and…
"Brrrru-brrrru-brrrru…"
"Sherwin! When did you drag Nico Robin onto your ship?!" On the other end of the transponder snail, Morgan loud, flapping voice burst out.
"Do you have any idea that every pirate in the New World with real power has their eyes on you now?!"
"It was Joker, right?" Sherwin calmly picked at his ear.
"And I already expected this would happen the moment I chose Robin as a companion."
"Hahahahaha! I knew you were the type to stir up big things!" Morgans froze for a second, then immediately burst into laughter.
"So you've finally decided to aim for the Pirate King throne?!"
"Absolutely not," Sherwin rejected it without hesitation.
"First, I'm not a pirate. Second, I don't intend to become a pirate. And lastly, as I've told you before—I have zero interest in the Pirate King."
"Gah?!" Morgan laughter abruptly stopped.
He asked in confusion, "Then why bring Robin under your wing?"
"Mm…"
Sherwin glanced at Robin, who was standing beside him wearing the newly bought maid outfit.
"Because she beautiful, and all my cats like her. The Flower-Flower Fruit is also very convenient for petting cats."
"Ahahaha… that certainly… a very unique reason."
Even Morgans, who had seen all kinds of things, was momentarily unsure how to react to such an unserious answer.
But he quickly recovered—Sherwin reason didn't matter. What mattered was that Nico Robin was now on Sherwin ship.
"Whether you want to become Pirate King or not, as long as Nico Robin stays on your ship, those aiming for the throne won't leave you alone." Morgan tone grew unusually solemn.
"I won't tell you to abandon her, but if you ever need help, you can contact me anytime.
After all, you're a special correspondent and consultant for the World Economy News Paper. And also…"
Before he finished two sentences, the birdman suddenly erupted into loud, flapping laughter again.
"I'm still counting on you lot to bring me BIG NEWS! Hahahahahahahaha!"
"In that case, how about I send you another big scoop?"
Sherwin thought for a moment. He decided to thank Morgans with the kind of news he liked most—and he happened to have a great idea.
"You should know there a mermaid on my ship, right?"
"Yes, I wanted to ask! How did you manage to trick a mermaid onto your ship?" Morgans exclaimed.
"That a mermaid, not a fishman!"
Unlike fishmen—who were stronger and more accustomed to moving on land in their youth—unenslaved mermaids were extremely rare anywhere outside Fish-Man Island.
In fact, the only well-known example was that one daughter in Big Mom crew who had mermaid lineage, and she was only half-mermaid.
"What do you mean trick?" Sherwin corrected with clear displeasure.
"Shirahoshi joined my investigation team of her own will, with her family approval. Even Jinbe knows about it."
"So what exactly did you do?" Morgans became even more curious at that answer.
"We'll talk about that later." Sherwin shifted the topic to something Morgans would be far more interested in.
"What if I told you that Shirahoshi is actually King Neptune daughter—Fish-Man Island princess?"
"…You're joking?!!"
The transponder snail perfectly mimicked Morgan face twisted in total shock.
Sherwin shrugged. "Shirahoshi stayed inside Ryugu Palace all this time, so not many outsiders knew.
But her identity isn't a secret on Fish-Man Island. Have your people look into it and you'll see I'm not joking."
"No, no need to check. You wouldn't use something like this just to fool me. I was just… too shocked for a moment." Morgans clicked his tongue.
"You said King Neptune agreed to let you take the mermaid princess out to sea? Now I'm even more curious about what you did on Fish-Man Island!"
"I did help them with a small matter at the time, but Shirahoshi joined my investigation team for other reasons…"
The good idea Sherwin had earlier was to let Morgans help publicize Fish-Man Island stance and Shirahoshi purpose for leaving home.
As mentioned before, Queen Otohime ideals were admirable, but changing only the fishmen attitude was far from enough. In fact, the human attitude was the true deciding factor.
Of course, with the Celestial Dragons around, such publicity might seem useless… but Nika was about to set sail, and those scumbags wouldn't be able to jump around for much longer.
Sherwin was simply preparing in advance, and at the same time, giving Shirahoshi something hopeful to hold on to—so she wouldn't return from every outing only to hide away and emo alone.
What Sherwin did not expect was that after he gave Morgans a rough explanation of Shirahoshi situation, the transponder snail in front of him actually started crying!
That birdman emotional swings were always big, but Sherwin didn't think he was this sentimental.
Sherwin was utterly baffled.
"To think Princess Shirahoshi is such a strong girl…" Morgans said between sniffles,
solemnly guaranteeing, "Sherwin, don't worry. I'll personally oversee all reports about Fish-Man Island! I can even arrange a special interview for her!"
"A special interview isn't necessary for now. Let people learn more about the Fish-Man race first."
Sherwin instantly became alert—because he suddenly remembered that in the manga, Morgans, this old bird of who-knows-how-many years, was also a creep who got enchanted by Shirahoshi beauty!
Even though he hadn't met her yet, and Shirahoshi still looked like a young girl, Sherwin decided he should prepare early.
Fortunately, Morgans had only mentioned it casually. After the two exchanged a few more words and shared some scattered intel, the call finally ended.
But just as Sherwin hung up—his hand still on the receiver—the transponder snail immediately began ringing again.
He picked up the receiver, and the transponder snail head instantly grew a pair of bear ears…
"Kuma? You suddenly calling—this is also about Nico Robin?"
"It turns out you already knew," Kuma sounded a bit relieved on the other end of the line.
"Makes sense, your information-gathering ability has always been impressive." After a short pause, he added, straightforward as ever, "If you need any help, just tell me. Also…"
Kuma lowered his voice slightly. "Dragon can arrange some support for you as well. Don't worry, all of them have very 'clean' identities."
"Because of Robin?"
Sherwin suddenly remembered that he had once suggested Robin seek out the Revolutionary Army. But now… thankfully, she didn't go.
"Yes," Kuma replied.
"But Dragon values you as well. What you told me back then was a great help to us."
"Huh?"
Sherwin froze.
What exactly did I say back then?
"Following your suggestions, we've already begun secretly replacing, supporting, and recruiting a number of kings from allied nations."
Kuma had no idea that Sherwin had simply been venting back then, saying whatever came to mind—so much that he couldn't even remember it himself now.
Kuma sighed. "The Revolutionary Army is developing far better than before."
"Ahahaha, really? That good to hear."
With Kuma reminder, Sherwin finally recalled bits and pieces. He laughed it off while inwardly muttering…
Come to think of it, it has been a while since I heard any news about the Revolutionary Army.
"Don't worry, I can still handle things for now." After thanking Kuma for the offer, Sherwin declined. "If I really need help, I won't hesitate."
The two exchanged a few more words before passing the Den Den Mushi to Klee Meow, Haibara Meow those little troublemakers.