After the misunderstanding was cleared up, Sherwin and his group received an enthusiastic welcome from the Mink Tribe.
As they entered the city, large numbers of Minks surged forward, greeting Sherwin and the others with the Mink Tribe distinctive "Garchu."
The most excitement came from Klee Meow and Jinx, who immediately blended in with the local children and started playing together.
But the happiest of them all had to be Sanji Meow, the little yellow cat, because he had finally gotten his wish—to share a series of intimate Garchu moments with the beautiful big sister Felynes of the cat Minks.
"Hehehe… Garchu really is a wonderful civilization, meow…"
(ω)
Because of the difference in size between the Felynes and Sanji Meow at his current age, the cat Mink big sisters were not only enthusiastic in their Garchu greetings, but even directly pulled the little yellow cat into their arms.
Perhaps because the Mink Tribe and the Felynes still had subtle differences after all, the nosebleed scene Sherwin had been looking forward to never appeared.
However!
Aside from the cat Mink big sisters, the big brothers of other Mink races were actually just as eager to Garchu with Sanji Meow…
So, disappointed (crossed out) kind-hearted Hunter silently grabbed the little yellow cat out of the cat Mink big sister embrace, then casually tossed him over to the gorilla Mink big brother and the buffalo Mink uncle on the other side.
"Hahaha! Hello there, little Sanji! Garchu!"
Just a moment ago, the little yellow cat had still been immersed in the gentle embrace of the big sisters in the blink of an eye, he was surrounded by a group of burly Mink men.
"Waaaaaah—! Don't come any closer, meow! Sherwin, you big idiot! I'm going to kick you to death, meow!!!"
(=QДQ=)
Surrounded by a group of burly, furry men, the little yellow cat immediately let out a shrill scream.
Meanwhile, Sherwin, who had successfully facilitated friendly comminicate between Sanji Meow and the Mink big brothers, nodded in satisfaction, then turned around and left, hiding his achievements and fame…
Only to be instantly swallowed up by other Minks.
Within the entire Felynes Research Team, the one most popular with the Minks was neither the adorable Klee Meow, nor the best-looking Shermie Meow, nor Shirahoshi—who had a mysterious attraction to Felynes—nor Robin, who had eaten the "Cat-Petting Fruit," but rather Sherwin himself, the man who possessed the Hands of Kato Cat.
Before crossing over, Sherwin had been a well-known "beast tamer" in his neighborhood and at animal rescue centers.
It wasn't just cats who adored him—dogs in the neighborhood, rabbits and hamsters kept by kids, thrushes and mynas raised by old men, and even some people reptiles were all loyal customers of Sherwin Hands of Kato Cat.
Obviously, the Mink Tribe of the pirate world was no more capable of resisting this man skillful petting techniques.
Unlike Sanji Meow, who was picky about who he interacted with, Sherwin accepted all the Minks who came over, treating everyone equally and without discrimination.
To be honest, being able to pet so many fluffy creatures at once made Sherwin thoroughly enjoy himself, and it made him once again envy Robin Devil Fruit ability.
It was just that, as time went on…
His own cats began to get jealous.
"Don't cling to Brother Sherwin anymore, meow!"
(=`н=)
Klee Meow, who had been playing with Carrot and the other Mink children, squeezed her way in, standing in front of Sherwin and angrily venting at those Minks.
After that, the little ragdoll refused to leave Sherwin side no matter what.
Besides Klee Meow, the other cats also returned to Sherwin side one after another… well, except for Sanji Meow, who was still surrounded by the older Mink brothers.
"Huh? Why did you all come back too?"
Sherwin rubbed Huamei head, then pinched Seijuro Meow ears.
If it were just the equally clingy Shermie Meow and the tsundere Haibara Meow, Sherwin could still understand it. But although the other cats usually liked sticking close to him as well, they normally wouldn't get jealous like Klee Meow did.
Especially Huamei and Seijuro Meow, whose personalities were the most steady and mature—they shouldn't have acted like this at all.
"Mm, it mainly because these Minks are just too enthusiastic, meow." Huamei rubbed her head against Sherwin palm and explained softly.
"Keeping up with them all the time is a bit tiring, meow, and also…"
A troubled expression appeared on the little tabby face. "A cat Mink confessed to me."
"I got confessed to as well~ And Seijuro, he really popular with the female cat Minks, meow~"
The little black cat mentioned by Shermie Meow licked his paw awkwardly. "This one doesn't really understand what going on either. They seem to be very interested in 'samurai,' meow."
"Ah… I see…"
Sherwin scratched his head with a wry smile. From what he remembered, most of the cat Minks he had just seen were of normal human size, with only a small portion being much larger. Did they really not care about differences in body size at all?
But then again, considering that BIG MOM could even have descendants with the Tontatta, and that the size gap between Shirahoshi parents was also astonishing, when viewed like that, the problems Huamei and the others ran into didn't really seem like much.
"Then what do you think yourselves? Do you have any thoughts about finding a partner here?"
Sherwin scratched under Shermie Meow chin and asked curiously.
Although deep down he did have a bit of that old-father mentality of his carefully raised cabbage being snatched away by pigs, Sherwin still cared more about what the cats themselves thought.
If they really had such intentions, whether leaving the cats on Zou or bringing other Minks aboard the ship with them was something Sherwin could accept.
"Mm, I don't really feel anything, meow. Even though they're cats too, it just feels a bit awkward somehow, meow~"
Shermie Meow shook her head as she answered. The other adult cats nodded in agreement as well none of them really felt a spark with those cat Minks.
Instead, Klee Meow tilted her head in confusion. "What wrong with those big brothers and sisters? Klee actually likes them a lot. If they didn't compete with Klee for Brother Sherwin, that would be even better, meow."
(=ω=)?
"Dummy Klee, the 'like' they're talking about is the kind like Sakura has for Sasuke, meow!"
Haibara Meow patted the little ragdoll on the head.
"Oh—"
Klee Meow nodded in understanding, though judging by her expression she only half understood.
But this kind of thing was still too early for a little ragdoll, so Sherwin didn't explain further.
He simply rubbed her small head, then pointed at the little yellow cat who had already broken free from the big brother Felyne and returned to the embrace of the cat Felyne big sisters, happily indulging herself again…
"But I think Sanji Meow looks like he enjoying it quite a lot."
"You're an idiot too, meow!" Haibara Meow threw a kitty punch straight at his cheek. "Don't lump Sister Huamei and the others together with that lecherous cat Sanji Meow, meow!"
Even Huamei couldn't hold back and took a bite out of Sherwin.
Clearly, Huamei was very displeased that Sherwin had compared her to that disgraceful cat Sanji Meow.
Yet Sherwin didn't mind at all and instead broke into a wide grin…
Because this way, that little idiot Sanji Meow was about to run into big trouble again.