The last two islands in the South Blue weren't particularly special. They were more or less like Loguetown—just with more pirates gathered there and a slightly higher level of economic prosperity.
And as Sherwin lit up the final island, the map progress finally broke past 75%. Along with the familiar flash of white light, a new blue Summon Ticket (1/3) naturally appeared on the pages of his Hunter Handbook.
Only…
One ticket in the South Blue, one in the North Blue… does that mean the last one won't appear until he covered 75% of the Grand Line?
Isn't collecting this blue pool ticket a bit too difficult?
Sherwin once again complained about how stingy his golden finger was, but he didn't dwell on it.
After all, there were still so many Devil Fruits and famous swords in the limited pools to draw from. He didn't need to fuss over one ordinary-pool kitty.
After carefully putting away the handbook and ticket, Sherwin and his group immediately steered the Dodo Advance once more toward Reverse Mountain.
…
"So this is Reverse Mountain? It way too interesting, meow!"
Huamei Meow lay across Sherwin shoulder, happily shouting into the sea breeze.
The other Felynes, who were also seeing this sight for the first time, all started meowing and exclaiming in excitement—everyone except Link Meow.
(=ω=)But judging from the little ocelot movements and expressions, it was obvious he was just as thrilled.
"What a magnificent sight. Sherwin-sama, care to share a drink, meow?" Even Seijuro Meow, usually so restrained, let himself go for once, raising his sake flask and inviting Sherwin.
Sherwin thought for a moment, then nodded in agreement.
Even though this wasn't his first time seeing such a view, it still stirred his heart with excitement.
"Pour me a cup too," Huamei Meow, perched on Sherwin shoulder, waved a paw at Seijuro Meow who was pouring the sake.
"Seeing something this incredible really does call for a celebratory drink, meow."
At some point, Link Meow had scurried up the mast, and now he leapt down to beg for a drink as well.
(=ΦωΦ=)
"Sherwin-nii, can Klee try a sip too, meow?" The little doll on his other shoulder tugged at his ear, asking eagerly.
"No, Klee, you're still too young. You can't drink alcohol, meow." After taking a small sip herself, Huamei Meow firmly stopped her.
Just then, Sanji Meow arrived with drinks and snacks. The slightly disappointed Klee Meow instantly forgot her complaints, hugging her cup and gulping it down happily.
"Haibara, stop brooding over boring stuff and come eat something!"
Sherwin called out to the little kitten still standing at the ship edge, staring intently at the seawater surging upward along Reverse Mountain.
"What the principle here, meow? Magnetic fields? A whirlpool at the seabed? But none of this makes any sense—it isn't scientific at all, meow!"
At that moment, the kitten was completely absorbed by the strange natural phenomena of the seas that baffled even pirates, unable to hear Sherwin call…
No matter how she thought about it, Haibara Meow just couldn't figure out how the seawater was flowing upward to such a height.
It was like watching a Master Brother lost in the confusion of a He Jinyin training video—utterly dazed.
Sherwin let out a helpless sigh, walked over, and scooped up Haibara Meow, who was still doubting her very kitty existence.
"All right now, this world is full of strange and bizarre things. You can't hope to figure them all out." While scratching under Haibara Meow chin, Sherwin slipped a small piece of pastry to her mouth.
"Hmph~"
The little kitten finally snapped back to herself, let out her habitual snort, and lifted her chin. But then—chomp—she bit down on the treat Sherwin had fed her, even sticking out her tiny tongue to lick his fingers afterward.
As Haibara Meow grew more and more accustomed to being part of the Investigation Corps, she wasn't as tsundere as she had been at first.
In fact, Sherwin had only recently realized that her earlier tsundere attitude was mostly a form of self-protection when faced with a strange new environment.
Now that her guard was slowly coming down, she still displayed her tsundere nature, but her naturally sharp, scheming side was beginning to "show its claws."
Of course, that was actually a good thing—but Sherwin couldn't help feeling a little disappointed.
Without her tsundere side, Haibara Meow wasn't quite as fun to tease… and when her cunning came out, well… she was really hard to deal with.
Just like now—she nestled herself comfortably into Sherwin arms and deliberately purred loudly, catching the attention of Klee Meow, who had been happily munching away nearby…
Of course, this little schemer goal wasn't really to bully Klee Meow, but to give himself a headache.
Sure enough, Klee Meow, whose attention had been caught, dropped the drink and food in her hands and cheered as she squeezed in.
"Sherwin-nii~ Klee wants to be petted too, meow~"
The little ragdoll cat burrowed its head hard against Sherwin stomach, acting spoiled in a soft childish voice.
"Admiral~ I want some too, meow~"
Hua Mei Meow, who usually knew how to behave, also climbed onto Sherwin shoulder, exhaling wine-laced breath into his ear as she spoke...
You damn Tiger, is your alcohol tolerance really this bad?!
"Waaaahhh! I'm gonna duel you, you idiot, meow!"
The jealous Sanji Meow leapt at him, biting and kicking all at once.
Thankfully, Seijuro Meow and Link Meow were more sensible, just sitting on the side drinking sake and watching the show...
Couldn't you at least help me out of this mess?!
Sherwin angrily took back the compliment of calling them sensible, then grabbed the laughing Haibara Meow and held her up in front of him.
"You little rascal! You still dare laugh?!" He glared fiercely at the little kitten before him.
"Hmph~"
However, Haibara Meow wasn't the least bit afraid. After all, Sherwin, this Hunter, had no real authority within the Research Commission anyway.
So even though she had to curl up her limbs from being lifted by the scruff of her neck, she still held her head proudly high.
With no way out after being tricked by this scheming little kitten, Sherwin could only obediently serve the cats…
Who told Hua Mei Meow, the head housekeeper, to get drunk so easily?
Sherwin thought gloomily as he massaged the Tiger sprawled lazily across his lap.
Fortunately, little angel Klee Meow still loved him. Seeing that Sherwin hands were occupied, the ragdoll who had already enjoyed his service picked up some snacks and drinks and offered them to Sherwin mouth in return…
But then, that little rascal Haibara Meow distracted her with something else, leaving only Sanji Meow relentlessly kicking at Sherwin.
And after finishing with Hua Mei Meow, Sherwin still had to continue serving that little troublemaker…
Where the hell was the justice in this?!
By the time the cat on Sherwin lap had rotated to the last one, Link Meow, the Dodo Advance was already close to reaching the peak of Reverse Mountain.
Before he could even remind Seijuro Meow and Sanji Meow to drop anchor in time, the "drunken" Hua Mei Meow suddenly sprang up, giving crisp and orderly commands—
"Seijuro and Sanji, you two take the helm and get ready to turn the ship around! Little Ai, please go furl the sails! Klee, head to the stern and wait for my signal to fire up the flamethrower! Admiral… you just keep massaging Link, meow."
Hua Mei Meow ignored Sherwin shocked stare and, with a swish, leapt up the mast, starting to guide Seijuro Meow and Sanji Meow at the helm.
So you weren't drunk at all!!!
Sherwin was so stunned that he instinctively stopped his hands.
(=ω=)
Link Meow, lying in his arms, patted the back of his hand to remind Sherwin to keep working, giving him a comforting look…
(=ω=)
…Comforting my ass!
Aside from Klee Meow, not a single one of these little cats was any good!