"Do you know about the Sun Pirates?"
Sherwin asked such a random question after rubbing his chin for a moment.
An unnatural flicker crossed Tesoro face, but he quickly recovered, answering with feigned calm, "Of course. Their captain is also a Warlord how could I not know?"
However, as he answered, he couldn't help but steal a glance at Shirahoshi behind Sherwin.
Hm?
It was only then that Sherwin realized that for Tesoro to have escaped from the Celestial Dragons, it could only have been because Tiger saved him back then!
And thinking about it carefully, it seemed there really weren't any Fish-Men on the Gran Tesoro...
So, the reason Tesoro was being so easy to talk to was likely due in part to Shirahoshi—or more accurately, Tiger.
Despite realizing this late, it didn't change much for Sherwin. He continued according to his original plan.
"Yes, because of Shirahoshi, I am quite familiar with Jinbe. The Sun Pirates have a secret, which is that their tattoos are actually covering something up..."
"Tanaka! Take Baccarat and leave first!"
Tesoro suddenly raised his voice, shouting at his two subordinates.
Though Tanaka and Baccarat were still completely baffled, they didn't dare defy Tesoro will. After bowing respectfully, Tanaka used his fruit ability to lead Baccarat out of the completely sealed, secret room.
Once they had left, Tesoro turned to stare intensely at Sherwin. "What do you mean by that? Why are you suddenly telling me this?"
Sherwin ignored his questioning and continued on his own, "What they want to hide is the Hoof of the Soaring Dragon... Did you know? That mark is quite miraculous.
Even if you cover it with a new tattoo or brand, it still won't disappear. As long as you scrape away that newly covered layer, you can still see the Hoof of the Soaring Dragon hidden beneath."
"What exactly are you trying to say?!!"
Tesoro could no longer suppress his emotions and roared sternly at Sherwin.
Seeing that the provocation was sufficient, Sherwin scratched Haibara Meow chin and said leisurely, "Fortunately, we have previously helped others who escaped from the Celestial Dragons.
Through Haibara hard work, we finally developed a de-marking ointment that can completely remove this mark... Now, the fishmen of the Sun Pirates have already thoroughly rid themselves of that humiliating brand."
In fact, it wasn't just the Sun Pirates Sherwin had even asked Kuma to bring a batch of "de-marking ointment" to the Revolutionary Army.
"What... exactly do you want to do?"
Tesoro asked for the third time.
With each inquiry, his emotions were different. The first was filled with worry and a hint of luck, the second roar was full of despair and anger, and as for this third inquiry, it carried infinite longing and a bit of confusion.
"As you know, it already a fight to the death between the Celestial Dragons and me." Sherwin acted as if he hadn't noticed Tesoro previous loss of composure at all.
"Since you want to cooperate with me and aren't afraid of being held accountable by the Celestial Dragons, then... why not try helping me sell this de-marking ointment?"
Sherwin was actually quite interested in Tesoro previous offer to help collect famous blades and Devil Fruits, so cooperating with him wasn't out of the question Sherwin just didn't want to do it Tesoro way.
However, looking at Tesoro earlier state and the stubborn, "my way or the highway" personality he had developed over the years, Sherwin felt that even if he brought up the God Knights, he most likely wouldn't be able to convince him.
Therefore, he felt this matter had to be handled like King Neptune—letting Tesoro recognize reality first.
"...No."
Tesoro eyes flickered for a long time before he shook his head reluctantly, rejecting Sherwin proposal.
Although he desperately wanted to agree immediately and obtain the "de-marking ointment" from Sherwin, Tesoro ability to build such a massive industry meant his intellect was naturally sharp. After a period of internal struggle, he calmed down.
"Cooperating with you and cooperating with you to spite the Celestial Dragons are two different concepts. Even if the Celestial Dragons don't know this de-marking ointment comes from your hand, they won't allow me to sell them."
"Who said what you're selling is de-marking ointment?" Sherwin winked at Tesoro and reminded him with a smile, "What we are cooperating to sell is clearly just a beauty cream used for removing spots."
Sherwin had learned this trick from online shops back on Earth a simple hot pot dipping bowl that originally cost only a few yuan could be sold for a dozen or even dozens of yuan once it was rebranded as a cat food bowl. Those profiteers truly understood the pet economy.
"Oh?!" Tesoro eyes immediately lit up. "If that the case... it certainly worth a try."
Tesoro did not refuse this time. After all, Sherwin had even provided him with the perfect excuse refusing now would be nothing short of foolish.
Furthermore, whether it could make money or cause trouble for the Celestial Dragons was secondary. Obtaining the mark-removing ointment to completely erase the Hoof of the Soaring Dragon hidden beneath the star tattoo on his back was the most important thing.
For that purpose, it would be worth it even if he had to spend his own money to buy up all the ointment Sherwin provided in the future.
Sherwin had, of course, considered the possibility that Tesoro might stop selling the ointment once his own mark was removed.
But...
It didn't matter.
His primary reason for proposing this cooperation was his dissatisfaction with Tesoro initial terms, and secondarily to try and accelerate the rift between him and the Celestial Dragons.
Even if Tesoro was duplicitous in this matter, it wouldn't matter. As long as Sherwin stayed on the Gran Tesoro for a while longer, the Celestial Dragons would naturally come looking for him.
When that time came, Tesoro would discover that the connections and power he had worked so hard to build and maintain, as well as this so-called "Absolute Sanctuary," were nothing more than a joke to those Celestial Dragons.
Only after Tesoro recognized reality would their true cooperation begin.
So, Sherwin simply asked Haibara Meow for a small jar of the mark-removing ointment and tossed it directly to Tesoro.
"You should be able to find someone to test the authenticity of this medicine. Once you've confirmed it, we can sit down and properly discuss the details of our cooperation... By the way, your offer to cover all our expenses here still stands, right?"
"Of course. Regardless of whether our future cooperation succeeds, my previous promise remains valid."
Tesoro felt a surge of excitement as he took the ointment, but he did his best to maintain a calm exterior.
After carefully inquiring about the usage methods and precautions for the medicine, he hesitated for a moment.
Unable to suppress his curiosity, he asked, "Do you... know something?"
"What is it you're trying to ask?"
Sherwin countered with his own question.
"...No, it nothing..."
Tesoro hesitated, then shook his head, choosing not to delve deeper into the subject.
Seeing that the other man was still apprehensive, Sherwin didn't push him. He simply shrugged and said, "If there nothing else, then show us out. My Felynes are eager to have some fun here."
"That right! Klee Meow wants to have lots of fun meow!"
(=＞＜=)