"Stealing other people shadows to create an army? Looks like those Seven Warlords really aren't good people, meow…"
After hearing Sherwin "spoiler," Huamei Meow twitched her ears and commented.
The one who was taken out by Ace didn't really count since they hadn't met him.
But among the Warlords they had encountered or heard about, there was Crocodile, who tried to usurp a kingdom and sought ancient weapons Hancock, who bullied innocent little cats and Doflamingo, who killed his own family… not a single one of them seemed like a decent person.
As for Dracule Mihawk, before becoming a Warlord, his title was "Marine Hunter."
No one really knew why he had crossed paths with the Marines, but judging from the fact that he later founded the Cross Guild with Crocodile, it was clear he wasn't a kind or merciful man either.
Still, among the Seven Warlords, there was at least one who could be considered lawful.
Sherwin shook his head and said, "That not entirely true. Jinbe the Knight of the Sea is a pretty upright guy.
Even when he was a pirate, he never did anything bad—in fact, he was always fighting against slave traders."
Normally, Bartholomew Kuma could've also been considered the conscience among the Seven Warlords, but because of Sherwin and his group interference, he no longer had any reason to become one.
"Anyway, that Moria guy a bad guy too, right? So this time we're going to beat him up, meow?"
(=ω=)
Klee Meow couldn't care less about whether the other Warlords were good or bad.
All she needed to know was that the one they were about to face wasn't a good guy—and that meant, as the first generation leader of the Village of Explosive Ninjas, it was her time to shine again!
Sherwin nodded. "That right. Besides finding Brook, our other goal this time is to give Moria some trouble."
Even though what he really wanted was just to get the sword Shusui from Moria, judging by that man temperament, he definitely wouldn't hand it over willingly.
He might even take a liking to Sherwin shadow. So once they entered the florian triangle, a fight with him was almost guaranteed.
However, Sherwin also considered that taking down another Warlord might make the World Government retract its offer regarding his Devil Fruit deal—so in the end, he might have to let that guy Moria live.
After all, as long as he didn't attack a World Government–affiliated country like Crocodile did, even if he slaughtered everyone who crossed his path, the World Government would still consider it "legal."
In Sherwin memory, among the shadows Moria had stolen, there were even Marines—yet he still lived freely without consequence.
Fortunately, judging from how things went in the manga, once Moria got beaten up again, he would completely lose his fighting spirit and turn into a self-pitying, useless shut-in. In that state, he wasn't really a threat to anyone.
"Hmm… if we're planning to cause trouble for Moria, then we'd better hurry up.
Otherwise, once you become a Warlord too, Admiral, it'll be awkward to go after him, meow,"
Huamei Meow reminded him, having thought of the same thing.
"Then what are we waiting for, meow?! Let speed up already!"
(=`=)
Klee Meow jumped up energetically and dashed straight to the Dodo Advance engine room.
"I'll help too, meow~" Shermie followed right after.
With the hybrid fire-and-electric power system running at full capacity, the Dodo Advance covered in less than half an hour a distance that would normally take a full day of sailing.
Soon, they successfully entered the thick fog of the Magic Triangle.
"Next, let look for Brook first… Klee?"
"Got it, meow!"
(ω≡ω)
Having just come out of the engine room, Klee Meow puffed out her chest confidently and spun around on the deck.
When she finally stopped, Sherwin didn't even need the little puppet to say anything—he simply turned the helm, steering the Dodo Advance in the direction her tail was pointing.
Since no one knew when they might run into Brook, Sherwin decided to gather everyone together.
"Well, since we don't have anything else to do right now, and the mood pretty nice, how about I tell you all a few ghost stories?"
"Yay, yay! Klee loves listening to Brother Sherwin stories, meow!" The little puppet was, as always, the most supportive, quickly diving into Sherwin arms.
"Hmph~ Ghost stories are only good for scaring little kittens. If Sister Huamei didn't forbid me from entering the lab, I wouldn't even bother listening, meow."
Even though she said that, Haibara Meow still followed right after Klee Meow and squeezed herself into Sherwin embrace.
Sherwin originally thought the little tsundere kitten was just being her usual contradictory self—until he noticed how, after settling comfortably in his arms, Haibara Meow threw a defiant look toward Shermie…
"Uuuu…"
(=Q皿Q=)
That sound didn't come from Shermie, but from a certain yellow cat a few meters away—Sanji Meow—who was biting his own tail in frustration.
Because while Huamei Meow had forbidden Sherwin and Robin from petting Shermie, she hadn't forbidden Shermie from climbing onto Sherwin shoulder to rub against him on her own.
And so, a tragic world where only Sanji Meow suffered came to be.
"Alright, cut it out. Do you all want to make Huamei angry again?"
Sherwin gently patted Haibara Meow little head, and the kitten finally pulled her neck in and withdrew her challenging gaze.
Shermie also settled down, though she stayed perched on Sherwin shoulder, pressing her head close to his.
Meanwhile, Huamei Meow and Purah Meow had both snuggled into Robin arms instead, showing no intention of crowding in with Klee Meow and the others.
Well, Sherwin would make it up to them later anyway—so for now, they were happily earning a free "cat-petting session" from Robin.
Seijuro Meow and Link Meow, being quite loyal and full of camaraderie, huddled together with the sulking Sanji Meow.
Still, they weren't left out — Robin had used her Devil Fruit powers to extend several arms from a nearby deck, gently brushing their fur.
Of course, Robin herself was enjoying it just as much.
Once everyone had settled down and placed some snacks and drinks to the side, Sherwin had already decided what kind of story he wanted to tell.
Starting right off with something like The Ring or Ju-On would've been a bit too intense, so Sherwin decided to begin with a few lighter stories to warm them up.
"The story I'm going to tell you is called Painted Skin..."
Just like before, in order to make the Felynes feel more immersed, Sherwin made a few creative tweaks to the original story.
The ghost in Painted Skin no longer wore the skin of a beautiful woman — instead, it alternated between cat skin and human skin.
It would appear as a stray cat, kindly taken in by good people — then kill them and rip out their hearts.
Later, wearing human skin, it would feed and care for other cats, only to kill them and peel off their fur.
Judging by the Felyne reactions, Sherwin adaptation was quite the success...
"Meowww... Sherwin big brother, Klee Meow doesn't like this story, meow. You should tell stories like before, the normal ones!"
The little ragdoll Felyne buried her head tightly into Sherwin chest, whining with a hint of tears.
Shermie had already unsheathed her claws, gripping Sherwin shoulder tightly, then bit his ear a few times out of sheer frustration.
Even Haibara Meow, who usually scoffed at ghost stories, didn't try to act tough this time — her fur was standing on end as she glared at Sherwin, muttering nonstop about how she'd definitely get him back later.
Though to be fair, Haibara Meow wasn't entirely wrong — this kind of ghost story was really only meant to spook little ones.
As for Felynes like Hua Mei Meow and Link Meow, their reactions were much calmer...
Well, if you didn't count the fur puffed up all along their tails, that is.
The only one truly unaffected was probably Robin — after all, that big sister had rather unusual tastes.
"Ah... that story was absolutely terrifying. I was almost scared to death..."
A strange voice suddenly came from behind Sanji Meow and the others. Everyone turned toward the sound — and saw a skeleton wearing a formal suit, complete with an afro, patting his chest in mock fear.
"...Though I'm already dead, of course."