Just as Doflamingo and his subordinates were getting headaches over Sherwin arrival, Sherwin and his group were already swaggering through the streets of Dressrosa.
To be honest, if one ignored the humans who had been turned into toys and the shady dealings carried out in secret by the Donquixote Family, Doflamingo had actually governed the country fairly well.
Especially along Lover Avenue, where passionate dancing girls could be seen everywhere—their figures, their looks—truly breathtaking…
Aside from those dancers, most of the people also appeared to be in high spirits. To put it in Earth terms, their happiness index was quite high.
Even taking into account the unspeakable things happening behind the scenes, Doflamingo performance was still far better than useless rulers like wapol.
Even compared to some kings who were decent in character and governance, countries with scarce resources or poor geographical locations still failed to develop as well as Dressrosa.
Of course, the reason for this situation was not necessarily Doflamingo governing ability alone, but rather the advantages brought by his status as one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea and a Celestial Dragon, along with his own strength.
After all, this was a world where individual power could surpass entire armies. With sufficient strength, no matter what one did, things became much easier.
There was also another reason: the solid foundation laid down for Dressrosa by generations of the Riku royal family and the Tontatta tribe.
It could be said that among the royal families Sherwin had encountered on his journey, the Riku royal family was one of the most outstanding in terms of governance.
…
"Meow… It would be great if there were really toys this interesting, meow…"
(=Φ︵Φ=)
Klee Meow lay on Sherwin shoulder, gazing at the various lifelike toys on the street—so vivid and living harmoniously with humans—and muttered regretfully.
"Then have Haibara Meow and Purah Meow work harder. Maybe they can create guardians whose intelligence isn't inferior to these toys."
Sherwin rubbed the little ragdoll head, speaking half in jest and half in seriousness.
After all, Vegapunk had already created the artificial human Stussy many years ago, and Germa possessed a large number of clone soldiers hardly distinguishable from normal people.
Haibara Meow and Purah Meow, who had already obtained quite a bit of technology from Punk Hazard and Germa, should be capable of creating something similar.
However…
"I have plenty of things to research already. I don't have time to make toys for Klee, meow!"
(=`へ=)
"While organizing the materials from Punk Hazard recently, I discovered a kind of spatial teleportation technology that doesn't require a Devil Fruit. So for the time being, I don't have time to research those things either, meow. Sorry, Klee. Check-it!"
(ゝω)~☆
"Klee was only saying it casually anyway. Besides, don't we already have Shirley, Vermouth, and Gin, meow~"
(=ΦωΦ=)
The little Ragdoll spoke sensibly and raised a paw, letting Vermouth, who had been circling near Sherwin head, land on it.
"Chi~" "Baw." "Mmmo~"
The little white bat affectionately nuzzled against Klee Meow. The salamander on Haibara Meow head and the metal tiger carrying Bonney also made sounds in response to the little Ragdoll.
As for Sherwin, he was more concerned about what Purah Meow had just said…
"Spatial teleportation technology? Really? Why haven't I heard you mention it before?"
"Because it still only a concept right now, meow. Before, I was looking at projects that had already entered the research phase. I only came across this one recently, meow. Check-it!"
(ゝω)~☆
"Just a concept…"
Sherwin felt slightly disappointed.
It seemed Vegapunk wasn't all that impressive after all—his work on spatial teleportation technology was still only at the conceptual stage!
The Hunter complained inwardly, speaking without back pain from standing.
However, Purah Meow proudly swayed her tail. "Although they're just a few ideas, they happen to perfectly complement the spatial teleportation technology I've mastered. So, Sherwin, you'll see the results very soon, meow! Check it!"
(ゝω)~☆
As expected, our cat is still the most amazing!
Sherwin picked up Little cat and gave her a fierce kiss, continuing to sneer at Vegapunk in his heart.
Just as Sherwin was about to keep holding Purah Meow and continue touring Dressrosa, Shermie Meow suddenly leapt forward and jumped into his arms as well.
"Sherwin dear~ someone is watching us from far away, meow~"
(=ω=)
While rubbing her head against Sherwin cheek, she lowered her voice and said, "It very far, and they're on a rooftop. It should be the Glare-Glare Fruit user you mentioned, Sherwin dear, meow~"
After giving Sherwin the warning, the clingy little forest Felyne simply stayed nestled against him.
"Mm, it fine. She won't affect us."
Sherwin gently bumped noses with Shermie Meow and replied indifferently.
Although he was about to meet the person Morgans had arranged…
As a contracted writer, special correspondent, and consulting advisor for the World Economic Journal under the name "Traveler," wasn't it perfectly normal for him to pay a visit to the World Economic Journal "flagship store" in Dressrosa?
And even if Doflamingo, just to be safe, had sent someone to keep an eye on the World Economic Journal, it still wouldn't matter much.
After all, what they needed to do was cooperate with Sherwin to report the events in Dressrosa. Before the actual reporting began, their preparations weren't much different from usual—it was simply the routine work of journalists.
By the time Sherwin and the others made their move, Doflamingo would most likely have no spare time to deal with those reporters.
What more, Sherwin had deliberately prepared a target to divert Doflamingo attention.
…
Although Viola had already decided to ask Sherwin for help, she had no way to approach him for the time being. So before exposing her intentions, she obediently followed Doflamingo orders and relayed Sherwin every move back to him.
"Young Master, Viola has sent word. After leaving the World Economic Journal station, the Hunter and his group headed toward Green Bit!"
Monet reported to Doflamingo with a grave expression.
Green Bit is a small island north of Dressrosa. Two hundred years ago, the people of Dressrosa could reach it by crossing a suspension bridge made of steel.
However, after a large school of ferocious Fighting Fish suddenly appeared in the waters between the two islands, almost no one dared to set foot on that iron bridge leading to Green Bit.
Gradually, the island became an uninhabited land covered by primeval forest.
But Doflamingo knew that within Green Bit was hidden a nation established by the Tontatta Tribe—the Tontatta Kingdom.
And unfortunately for them, the Tontatta princess, Mansherry, was currently in his hands.
Although Caesar had long since died at the hands of BIG MOM, and Doflamingo no longer needed the Tontatta to cultivate SMILE fruits, Princess Mansherry Heal-Heal Fruit ability was still something he required, so he had abducted her anyway.
"Damn it… Did he learn about the Tontatta from the World Economy News? Or did he just happen to wander there on a whim?"
The Heavenly Yaksha rubbed his temples helplessly. He wasn't particularly nervous, though, because he had already been mentally prepared for this.
After all, judging by Sherwin usual pattern of behavior, whether he knew about the Tontatta or not, sooner or later he would head to Green Bit. And since the Tontatta often moved about in Dressrosa, it was only a matter of time before Sherwin discovered them.
In Doflamingo view, Sherwin still cared quite a bit about his status as one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea. As long as he wasn't given an excuse, he probably wouldn't move against him lightly.
So at worst, when Sherwin decided to stand up for those Tontatta, he could simply admit defeat and hand over Princess Mansherry.
Given the Tontatta innate tendency to trust others so easily, it wouldn't be difficult to capture Mansherry again afterward.
Of course, with Doflamingo personality, it was impossible for him to place all his hopes on Sherwin "playing by the rules," so he naturally had other contingencies prepared as well…