Drum Island was quite large, and Sherwin couldn't finish exploring it in a short time.
Fortunately, they had plenty of time and weren't in any hurry. So Sherwin and Robin simply picked one of the many ropeways at random, took the cable car down to the village it connected to, and then strolled through the forest nearby.
This was one convenient aspect of the Drum Kingdom—by using the different ropeways on Drum Mountain, one could travel directly to all the towns below.
As for the forest near the village, there wasn't much to say. It was filled with the same kinds of animals they had encountered when crossing the forest before. The most distinctive creatures were probably the Hiking Bears that walked upright with canes.
The enormous, ferocious rabbit from the manga—the one that caused an avalanche and looked as big as a bear—Sherwin had yet to encounter.
After returning to the village, Sherwin saw that the banners welcoming him had finally been taken down, and he couldn't help but let out a long sigh of relief.
However, perhaps because Old Man Darren message hadn't spread this far yet, the people in this village were clearly somewhat afraid of Sherwin. When they saw him walking through the village, most of them carefully hid away—especially the elderly, children, and women…
What, do I really look that much like some kind of thug who bullies men and women alike?
Sensing the villager reactions, Sherwin lips kept twitching.
Fortunately, as a Hunter, he had always treated others kindly, so the misunderstanding between the two sides was quickly resolved. Taking advantage of the moment, Sherwin asked around about Dr. Kureha.
In the manga, Wapol had fled Drum Island after Blackbeard invasion, and Kureha had unceremoniously taken over the Drum Castle at the mountaintop as her residence.
But under the current circumstances, she obviously couldn't do that. The manga had briefly mentioned Kureha original address, but Sherwin couldn't remember it at all—he didn't even recall that detail being mentioned—so he had no choice but to ask the people of the Drum Kingdom.
Fortunately, as the "only" doctor in the Drum Kingdom, Dr. Kureha was quite famous. It didn't take long for someone to tell him where the old lady lived.
However…
"Although that witch medical skills are superb, her fees are sometimes no lower than Wapol. And she often forces treatment and sales—you can't refuse even if you don't want to be treated."
The person who gave Sherwin the information spoke through gritted teeth, most likely having been forced into buying treatment by Kureha before.
Was there even such a detail?
Sherwin scratched his cheek. He couldn't remember most of these minor details. He only recalled that the old lady style was indeed very willful…
But wasn't she supposed to be one of the good guys? Since when did she have a habit of overcharging?
Then again, considering the many vividly distinctive personalities in the world of pirates, it didn't seem all that surprising if Kureha was a bit money-grubbing.
Anyway, we're going to exchange medical knowledge, not to have her treat us.
Sherwin stopped dwelling on the matter, but he also didn't plan to head immediately to the town called Kestda to look for Kureha and Chopper.
Haibara Meow and Purah Meow were still in Drum Castle exchanging knowledge with "Doctor 20." It would be better to wait until they were done.
Of course, the most crucial reason was that, in order to maximize his chances of obtaining a Summon Ticket Fragment, Sherwin felt that when going to see Chopper, it would be best to bring along Klee Meow, the little lucky angel.
After wandering around outside and strolling through the village for a while, the sky gradually darkened. Because of Haibara Meow, Sherwin and the others didn't plan to return to the ship tonight. However, just as he was about to head back to Drum Castle, Robin refused to go with him.
"I really don't want to see that idiot Wapol. I might as well head back to the ship and tell everyone about the situation here."
Robin said with a look of disgust.
Given Robin personality and experiences, there were very few things left that could truly anger her. But destroying cultural relics and disrespecting history was absolutely her bottom line.
"That works too."
Sherwin nodded, fully understanding her feelings. After all, he himself wasn't very eager to see wapol either.
However, wapol seemed to think the same way.
When Sherwin brought Shermie Meow with him and took the cable car back to Drum Castle, wapol never showed up. It was still the three officials under him who received them.
Sherwin didn't mind. He went straight to the Drum Kingdom medical research room and dragged out Haibara Meow and Purah Meow, who were still deeply immersed in studying medicine…
If no one reminded them, the two little ones would definitely forget to eat!
The dinner wapol had arranged for them was quite lavish, but that was all it was—lavish. As for the taste, it was merely average.
After running a restaurant for so long and traveling through so many countries, Sherwin had eaten plenty of royal cuisine. So he did have some authority when it came to food.
Although the chefs of the Drum Kingdom met the standard of court chefs, on islands famed for their cuisine, their skills would only barely reach a passing grade.
Still, it was understandable. With the abilities of the Munch-Munch Fruit, wapol dietary choices had long transcended ordinary food, so his standards for chefs naturally wouldn't be very high.
"As expected, we should just go back to the ship to eat in the future—or have Sanji Meow prepare bento for us."
Sherwin casually took a few bites before putting down his knife and fork.
Being spoiled by Sanji Meow cooking was only a small part of it. It wasn't as if he had never eaten food made by others before. The key point was that this meal had been prepared by wapol. Psychologically, he was already resistant to it.
Since Sanji Meow was right there anyway, there was no need for him to force himself.
The Felynes—especially the two research cats—didn't have such complicated thoughts. After quickly finishing their food, Haibara Meow and Purah Meow immediately jumped down from the table and ran toward the medical research room.
"Wait! Are you two planning to stay here tonight?"
Sherwin hurriedly asked.
"We're not going back, meow! The medicine here is so interesting! They even have technology related to mechanical modification. No wonder you brought me along, Sherwin! Check-it!"
(ゝω)~☆
Purah Meow stopped and quickly answered Sherwin, then continued chasing after Haibara Meow.
The medical skills of "Doctor 20" were actually useful to Purah Meow research… There must be something seriously off about these people so-called "medical skills"!
Sherwin silently complained in his heart.
As for Haibara Meow and Purah Meow behavior, he and Shermie Meow were long used to it. Once research Felynes entered their research mode, this was exactly what they were like.
However…
"Tomorrow I need to call Huamei over to keep an eye on the two of them. If no one manages them, those two little ones definitely won't sleep or eat properly again."
Sherwin gently stroked Shermie Meow in his arms and muttered softly.
Then he turned to look at the three of them, including Dalton. "Tomorrow I'll bring 'Huamei' over as well. After that, I might not come again for the next few days. You must take good care of them for me."
"Please rest assured, Lord Sherwin. If Lord Haibara, Lord Purah, or Lord Li Huamei have any requests, we will do our utmost to fulfill them!"
Jess, dressed like a clown, immediately bowed and replied. As the advisor of the Drum Kingdom, he naturally knew who Sherwin meant. After fully understanding the battle achievements of the Felyne Investigation Team, he no longer dared to underestimate these seemingly cute "cat-fur tribe."
Seeing that he remained sensible, Sherwin nodded in satisfaction and left with Shermie Meow in his arms.
…
"Big Brother Sherwin! Big Sister Shermie Meow! You're back, meow!"
(=`=)
Sherwin opened his arms and caught Klee Meow and the Dodo Advance as they threw themselves at him, and his mood instantly brightened…
Being around his own Felynes was far more comfortable. Drum Castle was indeed magnificent, but staying there just felt wrong no matter how he looked at it.
"Huh? Where are Big Sister Haibara Meow and Big Sister Purah Meow? Didn't they come back, meow?"
(°ω°≡°ω°)
After skillfully climbing onto Sherwin shoulder, Klee Meow immediately looked around, but didn't see the other two familiar figures.
"You know what those two are like once they get absorbed in their research, don't you? In that regard, our Klee Meow is the best—research when it time to research, rest when it time to rest."
Well, except for exploding things when she not supposed to…
Reaching out to rub the little Felyne head, Sherwin answered her while also giving her some praise—of course, he didn't say that last part out loud.
"Hehehe~"
＜(=`=)＞
Klee Meow immediately lifted her chin proudly.
And just as he had planned earlier, Sherwin invited Huamei to go to Drum Castle tomorrow to keep an eye on those two little ones who would forget everything the moment they started researching.