"Fish-Man Jujutsu: Single-Arm Shoulder Throw!"
Shirahoshi twisted her body, dodging a fist aimed at her waist. She reached out and firmly gripped the swinging arm, then swung her own arm to violently slam the burly man—who was only about a third of her height—onto the floor.
"K! O! Congratulations to the Mermaid Princess from Fish-Man Island, Miss Shi~~~~rahoshi! She has secured ten consecutive victories!"
In the arena of Gran Tesoro, the announcer shouted Shirahoshi record at the top of his lungs, drawing bursts of cheers from the surrounding audience.
"Ahhh—! Princess Shirahoshi is truly beautiful and powerful! I'm betting on you to win the next match too!!!"
"Even though you made me lose money! I still love you, Princess Shirahoshi!"
"Princess Shirahoshi! Please marry me!!!"
In the spectator stands, Sherwin, Jinx, and Kaido Meow simultaneously looked toward the person who shouted that last line. Sensing the killing intent, the man shivered and looked around in confusion...
Only to lock eyes with the icy stares of the one human and two Felynes.
Recognizing Sherwin identity, the man didn't say a word, turned around, and fled the arena immediately.
Indeed, Gran Tesoro claimed to be an "Absolute Sanctuary" where even the World Government and Navy could not intervene, but the Hunter was a ruthless figure who dared to slaughter Celestial Dragons in the "Abode of the Gods." He had no desire to risk his life testing whether Sherwin would follow the rules.
"Lord Hunter, would you like me to help deal with that fool?"
After Baccarat discovered that her Devil Fruit powers were ineffective against Klee Meow, she had become even more diligent as a VIP concierge, treating Sherwin and the others with increasing hospitality.
"No need, just a minor character," Sherwin waved his hand, then looked toward the combat-oriented Felynes. "How about it? Any of you interested in going up there and giving it a try?"
"Forget it Meow~ These people are too weak, I can't get excited at all Meow... hic!"
Suika Meow shook the large horns on her head, speaking with a look of boredom.
Even Jinx, who usually enjoyed bullying weaker opponents, shook her head. "No guns or bombs allowed, it boring Meow!"
"Exactly, exactly! Not being allowed to use bombs is way too boring Meow!"
The other Bomber Felyne immediately chimed in with support.
Ignoring the two "Natural Disasters," Sherwin decisively said to Baccarat, "We're bored with the arena. Call Shirahoshi back, and let head to the next place."
"About to begin is the no-rules turtle car race—the Hot-Blooded Turtle Shell Racing!"
Accompanied by the announcer hype-building voice, Purah Meow drove her turtle car to the starting line. Sitting in the passenger seat was Link Meow, a figure that was somewhat unexpected but, upon second thought, didn't seem out of place at all.
(ω)
However, looking at the little Felyne face full of resignation, he was clearly not there by choice, but had been conscripted by Purah Meow, his close friend from the Monster Hunter world.
"Oooooh—! Big Sister Purah! Big Brother Link! You have to do your best Meow!"
(=＞＜=)
From the spectator stands, Klee Meow bounced up and down on Sherwin shoulder, shouting loudly.
(=ω=)ジ(=ω=)ジ
Upon hearing the little Ragdoll cheers, Link Meow instantly wiped the annoyance from his face and replaced it with a smile, waving toward Klee Meow in the stands alongside Purah Meow.
"...A total of eight racing cars are participating! Among them are members of the recently famous Felyne Research Group! Known as the even-Colored Puppeteer' and the kyward Sword,' Purah and Link!"
The announcer continued to strain his voice using the two Felynes to heat up the atmosphere, while the other seven contestants arrived at the starting line one after another.
Just as the announcer described, every contestant turtle car had been modified, bursting with personal style.
Purah Meow car was no exception. The turtle car she and Link Meow occupied had been personally modified by the little genius herself, featuring distinct Sheikah technology aesthetics combined with Felyne elements.
Due to the size of the Felynes, this "Felyne Guardian" was significantly smaller than the other seven vehicles.
"...Modifications are allowed! Sabotaging others is allowed! In short! The first one to complete a lap and return here is the winner! The entry fee will be returned tenfold!"
The announcer quickly rattled off the rules.
"Ready—Go—!"
As the bunny girl at the starting line swung the torch in her hand, the eight racing cars that had been idling for a long time shot out together like arrows released from a bowstring. Unsurprisingly, the "Cat Guardian" modified by Purah Meow took a commanding lead right from the beginning.
It was no joke even if everyone was using the same tortoise power, the technology Purah Meow mastered was not something these "amateurs" could compare to.
Furthermore, while the vehicle size had been scaled down, the weight of the tortoise car was also reduced, naturally providing an advantage in speed.
"Damn it! Don't think I'll be intimidated by the Hunter!"
"Go to hell! Victory can only be mine!"
"For people like you who aren't short on money, it shouldn't matter even if you lose!"
Among those participating in the race, aside from a small portion who were truly interested in racing or modification like Purah Meow, the majority were gamblers. Once gamblers got worked up, they didn't care about the Hunter or the Four Emperors.
Therefore, seeing the "Cat Guardian" about to disappear from their sight, the seven tortoise cars trailing behind launched an attack on Purah Meow almost simultaneously.
(=`ω=)┫
Link Meow immediately pulled out his Hylian Shield.
But then he heard Purah Meow beside him say, "Don't be in a hurry meow, Link. Let use them to test my little invention first meow~ Check-it~"
(ゝω)~☆
As Purah Meow spoke, she even actively reduced the car speed, allowing the attacks from the cars behind to actually reach them.
"Zzt—"
Accompanied by the slight sound of gears turning, the trunk of the "Cat Guardian" opened automatically, and two mechanical arms holding swords extended from within.
"Clang, clang, clang..."
The mechanical arms swung the dual swords so rapidly that they were impenetrable, blocking most of the attacks.
The few strikes that couldn't be completely deflected by the blades failed to cause any damage or interference to the "Cat Guardian," because in addition to the pair of mechanical arms, a translucent blue protective shield was guarding the car.
"Hmm, making the Guardian unleash a flying slash is still proving to be quite difficult meow..."
Purah Meow shook her head with dissatisfaction, then raised a small paw and pressed two buttons on the steering wheel.
"Next, let try out the technology I just obtained from Baldimore meow! Check-it!"
(ゝω)~☆
The mechanical arms at the rear of the car placed the swords back into the trunk and then aimed their palms at the vehicles behind...
"Beep beep beep, targets locked meow."
As the prompt voice Purah Meow had recorded beforehand rang out, a yellow light began to glow from the palms of the mechanical arms.
"Laser cannons, fire meow! Check-it!"
"Shoom—Boom—!"
Two beams of yellow light struck the vehicles locked on by the mechanical arms, successfully knocking them out of the race.
"Shoom—Boom—!"
"Shoom—Boom—!"
"Shoom—Boom—!"
After several more flashes of lasers, the seven chasing cars behind were all blown into spare parts.
The drivers and little tortoises on board were left lying scattered across the track, white smoke billowing from their mouths.
The outcome of this race was already decided, and at this moment, the "Cat Guardian" leading at the front had covered less than a tenth of the total distance.
"How boring, these people modification skills are far too poor meow! I didn't even get to use Link, whom I kept ready just in case! Check-it!"
(ゝω)~☆
Purah Meow, who had leisurely finished the entire run, returned to Sherwin side and complained listlessly.
The little leopard cat, who had been forcibly conscripted: "..."