Sherwin premonition— or rather, his cursed mouth— was as accurate as ever.
After spending some time going through all the animals collected in the library, he found a moment to glance at his Hunter Handbook. That familiar white glow did not appear…
The monster card pool was clearly just one fragment away from completion, yet he still couldn't obtain it no matter what. It seemed that the only option left was to place his hopes for the third fragment on Zunesha.
However, thinking about the new page that recorded Shirahoshi and Sherry, Sherwin suspected that when the time came, Zunesha would very likely be classified there instead.
After all, judging from its portrayal in the manga, there seemed to be some kind of connection between Shirahoshi and Zunesha.
At that thought, Sherwin couldn't help scratching his head, then began recalling what other creatures besides Zunesha might be able to grant him a monster card pool fragment— creatures he still hadn't encountered yet…
But after thinking it over, it seemed there were only those two oddly styled giant dog and baboon in Wano.
Oh, right— there was also Chopper, who would join the Straw Hat crew in the future.
He just didn't know whether Chopper would be counted under the small monster encyclopedia or the special encyclopedia that Sherry belonged to.
Going back to Drum Kingdom at this point didn't seem necessary, and as for heading to Wano…
It wasn't that he feared Kaido it was just that the Beasts Pirates were indeed far more troublesome than the Big Mom Pirates.
In any case, Sherwin had no interest for now in running off to pick another fight with Kaido.
So in the end, was Zou really the only option left?
Sherwin wasn't particularly resistant to going to Zou. Although the two leaders of the Mokomo Dukedom were diehard fans of Kozuki Oden and, like him, rather unqualified leaders, Sherwin was still very interested in the Mink tribe itself.
What more, Zou also hid a Road Poneglyph, so he could conveniently collect it along the way.
"S-Sherwin, can we go to Liquor Island now, meow?"
(●﹃●)
Just as Sherwin was pondering their next sailing route, Suika Meow came wobbling over, tugged at his sleeve, and asked.
Ever since she learned that there was an island themed around alcohol, she had been eagerly looking forward to visiting it.
Now that Sherwin serious business was finally finished, this little drunk cat naturally couldn't wait any longer.
"Alright, alright, we'll head over right now."
Sherwin rubbed her little head, casually tapped those rakshasa horns, then reached out to Perospero for the island distribution map of Totto Land.
And Perospero handed the map to Sherwin without the slightest hesitation.
"Even though I've given you the map, each island has different defenses around it, so you'd better bring them along, lick~"
Perospero pointed at the group of "blind dates" and reminded him.
Sherwin felt helpless inside, but still chose to bring them along. Since Big Mom was so confident in her daughters… then so be it. He didn't really mind anyway.
And Brûlée and the others didn't refuse either they were more than happy to spend more time playing with the cats.
"Prometheus can keep following us too, meow?"
(=ω=)
Klee Meow hugged the Flame Homie, which was currently in a three-headed hound form, and was a little reluctant to let go.
"Uh… about that…"
A troubled expression appeared on Perospero face.
If Sherwin and the others were only staying inside the Cake Chateau—or even if they just remained on Whole Cake Island—he could agree right away.
But if they were to leave Whole Cake Island, he didn't even need to ask BIG·MOM to know that it would definitely be refused.
As Homies created from Charlotte Linlin own soul, Prometheus and Zeus were still quite important to her.
Although in the manga Big Mom could throw them away without hesitation, the price was that she expended a portion of her lifespan to make another one.
So it was impossible for BIG·MOM to allow them to go too far away from her.
This wasn't a matter of worrying whether something might happen to them, but rather something akin to… the unease a nearsighted person feels after realizing they don't know where their glasses are.
Fortunately, Sherwin main objective had already been achieved, so he didn't make things difficult for Perospero. He pinched Klee Meow little cheek and had her let go of Prometheus.
"All right then…" The little doll pouted unwillingly, but still loosened her small paws that were holding onto Prometheus. "Then Klee will come find you to play again next time, meow."
(=ΦωΦ=)ジ
The little doll waved her paw at Prometheus, then tossed a clump of golden flames toward it.
"This is a gift for you, meow!"
Prometheus, who had originally been somewhat resistant to Klee Meow, immediately changed its attitude after "eating" the clump of flames. It flew over to Klee Meow side and began circling around her.
"Really? Then you must come find me to play again soon!"
As Homies created from fragments of Charlotte Linlin soul, both Prometheus and Zeus inherited her gluttonous nature.
On Zeus side, after being fed high-quality lightning, it began currying favor with Shermie Meow.
And by comparison, Zeus was even more sycophantic—no wonder it was so easily lured away by Nami in the manga.
As for Prometheus…
Unlike Zeus, who only knew how to fawn over Shermie Meow, its attitude toward Klee Meow leaned more toward coaxing and trickery.
Right now, it was trying to get the little doll to give it a few more high-quality flames to taste.
This made Sherwin recall a speculation that some goofy netizens once had—that after Mother Carmel was devoured by Charlotte Linlin, she hadn't truly died, but instead continued to exist as a soul, parasitizing Big Mom.
And that Prometheus, as well as the later Hera, possessed a portion—perhaps even most—of Mother Carmel personality.
Seen this way…
Had those goofy netizens guessed right again?
Sherwin didn't dwell on the matter for long. After all, whether Big Mom was Charlotte Linlin or Carmel made little difference to him.
"All right, Klee, it time for us to go. Your big sister Suika is still waiting to go drink," Sherwin said.
He stepped forward to stop the little doll from repeatedly tossing fireballs at Prometheus, then led the members of the investigation team, along with those "blind date candidates," aboard the Dodo Advance.
"Mr. Sherwin, I saw in the newspaper that you escaped from Kaido by relying on this ship. Could you let me see it in action?"
Not long after the Dodo Advance departed from the harbor of Whole Cake Island, Pudding approached with the curiosity of an inquisitive child.
If Sherwin hadn't read the manga and known that this little girl was actually a dark-hearted acting type, he really would have been fooled by her appearance.
In fact, not only now—back on Cake Island, Pudding had frequently probed Sherwin and the Felynes indirectly about matters related to the investigation team.
And besides her, Charlotte Myukuru of the Longarm Tribe and Charlotte Joscarponi of the Longneck Tribe had shown similar behavior.
Clearly, their mission today was more than just an arranged meeting.
As for Pudding probing, Sherwin didn't pay it much mind. After all, part of the Dodo Advance capabilities had already been exposed.
Even if he didn't show them to her, with the Big Mom Pirate intelligence network, they should have learned about it long ago.
And besides…
It was a good chance to conveniently let the impatient Suika Meow reach Liqueur Island a bit earlier.
Sherwin handed the sea chart Perospero had given him to Huamei Meow, then patted the head of the small doll on his shoulder.
"Klee Meow, I'll leave it to you next."