How is it like a cat at all...
The sea turtle slowly turned, carrying the two into the night.
Moonlight spilled onto the sea, shimmering like a silver pathway.
...
The evening breeze was gentle.
After leaving Drum Island, the temperature quickly became comfortable, and Robin took off her thick winter clothes, placing them in front of the seat.
Shano used it as a pillow, lazily lying on the turtle shell.
It's definitely not as comfortable as lying on Robin's lap, but since he was healed, it wouldn't be appropriate to feign unconsciousness anymore.
At this moment.
He looked like he was staring at the starry sky, lost in thought.
But he had already opened the system panel, carefully assessing the points gained from the Drum Island trip.
Since he received Henry's stealing insights last time, he's been diligently honing his skills, learning from others and integrating their techniques, elevating his stealing tactics to an extraordinary level.
During his time in the treehouse, he made several successful attempts without anyone noticing.
The harvest was naturally impressive.
[You sacrificed Chopper's cotton candy and gained 50 points]
[You sacrificed Kureha's treasured Shirley wine and gained 300 points]
[You sacrificed Wapol's jeweled crown and gained 450 points]
[You sacrificed Robin's cowboy hat and gained 1200 points]
[You sacrificed Kuma's bear ear hat and gained 3200 points]
The biggest gain was undoubtedly the bear ear hat, with over three thousand points, much more valuable than Crocodile's hook.
Kuma's strength is clearly evident from this.
However, initially, Shano's target was actually the Bible Kuma left on the table.
This Bible had been in Kuma's hands for decades and had already become his most characteristic item, later even becoming the key to distinguish between him and the Peacekeepers.
Therefore, it was undoubtedly the most "valuable" thing Kuma had, but when Shano casually flipped through a few pages, he realized.
—This is no Bible.
The thick book was densely filled with information penned by Kuma.
Including Bonney's illness cycle, body temperature curve, various doctors' diagnoses, tried prescriptions and their effects...
There were even newspaper clippings recording scattered news about Cyan Jade Scale Disease from around the world.
Bridge Kingdom, Visalia Sky Island, Boeing Archipelago, Mechanical Island Balqimoa, Amazon Lily... many places were on his plan list, some already visited, others not yet.
Shano then understood.
In the original timeline at Shampodi Islands, Kuma sent the Straw Hat Gang flying to train for two years...
All were places he traveled himself while seeking medical help for his daughter across the world.
The path to redemption lay within.
Shano closed the "Bible" and returned it to its original place.
If he really sacrificed this, he'd feel guilty and unable to sleep all night.
He eventually chose to sacrifice the bear ear hat, which didn't carry much weight, it was just a hat that Kuma liked, not as valuable as the Bible, but still worth 3200 points. Adding on other items, a total of 5200 points.
This increased Shano's remaining points to 50700, breaking the fifty thousand mark for the first time, making him more prosperous than ever before.
Closing the system panel, Shano's mood instantly became more joyful and relaxed.
Tsk, sometimes being too rich is a burden.
After reuniting with his companions, in a few days, the mall should refresh.
Hopefully, by then, something good will come up so he can spend heavily~
......
Time flew by.
Five days later, Shano and Robin arrived at Hot Spring Island, smoothly reuniting with everyone.
This Hot Spring Island is also a little-known holiday resort.
The island is full of natural hot springs, with spring eyes gushing year-round, shrouded in mist.
The hot spring water, rumored to be rich in minerals, has therapeutic effects on the body, attracting many tourists every year for convalescence and vacation.
Everyone had been waiting here for a while and had already familiarized themselves with the situation. As soon as Shano arrived, he was immediately dragged by the crew to the island's best hot spring bathhouse.
This was exactly what Shano wanted.
Days of drifting on the turtle shell hadn't been comfortable for long, even washing was an issue. He planned to rest well here with Robin for a day, replenish his energy, and then set off for the next destination.
...
Night deepened.
The hot spring area was enveloped in hazy mist, paper lanterns hung under the eaves, warm yellow light diffusing through the mist, making the entire bathhouse look like an illusion realm.
Whoa—
In the steaming white mist, Shano lay back completely, sprawling in the volcanic rock-built pool.
The warm spring water flowed over his shoulders and neck, relaxing his muscles inch by inch, with the towel atop his head wilting from the heat. He couldn't be bothered to fix it, letting out a satisfied sigh:
"Indeed, after escaping from the freezing Winter Island, soaking in a hot spring is the best..."
Suddenly, smoke drifted from the right.
Shano turned his head, speechless, looking at the neighboring pool, "I say, Smoker, it's not necessary, bringing a cigar into the hot spring, can't hold back even for a short while, can't survive without it, right?"
"Can't help it, boss."
Smoker grinned and waved the cigar between his fingers, "This is a gift from Miss Robin, said to be Sand Crocodile's favorite treasure, worth fifty thousand Belly apiece. I've never smoked such high-quality stuff before, rare chance, gotta savor it well."