"Brother Sherwin, Klee Meow, Sister Haibara... goodbye everyone! I'll miss you!"
After staying in Dressrosa with the Hunter group for some time, Kuma and Bonney took their leave first.
The reason Kuma and Bonney had lingered in Dressrosa for so many days—aside from little Bonney wanting to push for more updates and having a good time playing with the Felynes she hadn't seen in a long while—was likely related to Revolutionary Army business.
Not long after Doflamingo had been dealt with, Sherwin spotted a familiar-looking fellow in the Royal Palace of Dressrosa.
At first, he thought it was that pirate "Wet-Haired" Caribou who ate the Swamp-Swamp Fruit, but although this person appearance was difficult to describe, his temperament was different from Caribou sinister and cunning style he looked quite righteous and awe-inspiring.
Sherwin quickly realized that this person must be the Revolutionary Army member from the cover stories who looked very much like Caribou.
Presumably, Dragon and Kuma had given him instructions, as Gaburu—who looked like Caribou—merely gave a standard greeting when he encountered Sherwin before going to discuss matters with King Riku.
As for the specifics of what he discussed with King Riku, Sherwin wasn't entirely clear, nor did he go out of his way to ask Kuma or King Riku.
Actually, Sherwin had initially thought about having Kuma accompany them to the Reverie. After all, for the Revolutionary Army, gaining some insight into the situation at Mariejois should be quite meaningful.
But he soon reconsidered, thinking that they might run into the person who used Ginny for human experiments back then, and there was a chance Kuma would be recognized, so he ultimately dropped the idea.
Besides, given the friendship between Sherwin and Kuma, if there were a need, Kuma would speak up directly.
As for Trafalgar Law, after he killed Doflamingo and thanked Sherwin and the others, he actively requested that Kuma send him back, without even meeting with the Riku family.
For him, being able to avenge Donquixote Rosinante was enough nothing else mattered.
This resulted in him never being mentioned in the subsequent reports by the News Bird.
Fortunately, Law himself didn't care about such empty fame, and besides...
He hadn't really been able to help with much. Aside from being thrashed by Doflamingo—which Sherwin and the Felynes found quite entertaining to watch—he hadn't made a single contribution. He had purely come along to ride their coattails.
...
"Boss Sherwin! I've already become friends with Dellinger!"
Shirahoshi ran excitedly to Sherwin, while the Fighting Fish Half-Fishman followed behind her with a look of extreme displeasure. However, the moment his eyes met Sherwin, a flash of fear and hatred flickered across his face, and he subconsciously shifted closer to Shirahoshi side.
Sherwin raised an eyebrow and turned to Shirahoshi. "Are you sure he not just faking it because he afraid I'll take him out?"
Actually, the question was redundant. With Shirahoshi Observation Haki, Dellinger mental state shouldn't be able to stay hidden from her. However, Sherwin was worried that the Mermaid Princess might have gone softhearted again...
After all, he had only mentioned yesterday that it was about time to prepare for the return to Fish-Man Island, and Shirahoshi had succeeded today. It seemed a bit too coincidental.
"It not like that, it not like that!" Shirahoshi waved her hands repeatedly, explaining, "Well... maybe there a little bit of that, but Dellinger really does intend to live a proper life on Fish-Man Island!"
While Shirahoshi was explaining, Sherwin paid close attention to Dellinger. He noticed a clearly frustrated expression on his face, which didn't exactly look like the "willingness" Shirahoshi described.
But that didn't mean Shirahoshi was lying. Given Dellinger established personality, it was only natural for him to harbor feelings of defiance.
Besides, figuring out his true thoughts wasn't difficult. After all, sensing emotions and detecting lies weren't skills unique to Shirahoshi.
So, Sherwin tilted his head toward Klee Meow, who was currently messing with her own ears.
"Meow?"
(=ω=)
Klee Meow tilted her head with an innocent expression. After blanking out for a good while, she finally remembered the task Sherwin had previously entrusted to her.
"Oh! Klee will take a look..."
(=`ー=)
The little Ragdoll cat stiffened her tiny face and looked toward Dellinger, who was standing behind Shirahoshi.
Then, with a serious expression, she crossed her arms, gave a series of solemn "mm-hmm" nods, and said to Sherwin, "This bad guy really dislikes you, Brother Sherwin! He doesn't seem to like Klee very much either, meow!"
However, after a brief pause, she continued, "But Klee feels like he quite likes Big Sister Shirahoshi, meow."
"Who... who would like this giant woman!"
Before Sherwin could even say a word, Dellinger face turned bright red as he jumped up and down in protest.
That reaction! Something was up!
The Hunter gaze instantly became sharp!
Come to think of it, Dellinger and Shirahoshi were roughly the same age. Moreover, Shirahoshi had grown quite a bit recently, and her appearance was already seventy to eighty percent similar to her teenage form in the manga...
As expected, it would be better to just take this brat out. I imagine King Neptune would agree with me.
Quickly shifting into the mindset of a protective over-doting father, the Hunter eyes flickered with a dangerous light.
"W-wait! Boss Sherwin!" Shirahoshi sensed the murderous intent coming from Sherwin, but she misunderstood the reason for it.
She quickly shielded Dellinger, inadvertently adding fuel to the fire. "Dellinger was just taught the wrong way! Once we return to Ryugu Kingdom, I'll have Father and Brother Fukaboshi slowly teach him! He really has started to change!"
Standing nearby, Baby-5 also chimed in to help. "Young Master Sherwin, I can help discipline Dellinger too. Please forgive him!"
"You should just stay out of it..." Sherwin rolled his eyes at Baby-5. "I'll be thanking my lucky stars if you don't end up being influenced by him instead."
It wasn't that Sherwin looked down on Baby-5 it was simply that her bizarre personality made her utterly unreliable in this regard.
"Eh—! How mean!"
Baby-5, who had wanted to be of help, was dealt a heavy blow and instantly looked as if she had lost all hope in life.
Fortunately, after spending these past few days together, Sherwin already knew exactly how to handle such a situation...
"I'm feeling a bit thirsty. Go and get me a drink... mmm, orange juice will do."
"Yes, Young Master! I'll go prepare it for you right away!"
Baby-5 was instantly revitalized and rushed energetically into the orchard usually tended by Sanji Meow.
Sherwin rolled his eyes once again this girl was every bit as much trouble as those mischievous little Felynes in the investigation team.
However, her interruption did succeed in pulling Sherwin out of his "protective father" mindset.
Of course, this was also related to the fact that Shirahoshi wasn't his biological daughter, nor was she a little Felyne like Klee Meow or Haibara. Furthermore, she was older than the two young Felynes, so Sherwin fatherly instincts weren't quite as overwhelming.
Besides...
Having King Neptune and Fukaboshi teach Dellinger a lesson after they returned to Fish-Man Island?
That seemed like a pretty good idea.
In any case, Sherwin didn't think Neptune—that doting father—or the three sister-complex mermen, Fukaboshi, Ryuboshi, and Manboshi, would easily let a brat like Dellinger off the hook for trying to make a move on their precious little cabbage.