According to the records of the "Kojiki" and "Nihon Shoki," the Yamata no Orochi possesses eight heads and eight tails, with the heads of dragons and the tails of serpents...
"Meow-hahahahaha! Sherwin! This Kamijou feels terrifyingly strong right now, meow!"
(=`=)
The Yamata no Orochi, transformed from Kamijou Meow, was currently shaking its heads and wagging its tails while laughing meow-ily.
However, unlike the descriptions in the "Kojiki" or the beast form of Kurozumi Orochi, the Yamata no Orochi transformed by Kamijou Meow was different. Although its eight heads all looked somewhat cat-like, they had scales and horns, barely qualifying as dragon beasts. Yet, those eight fluffy tails behind it looked like Felyne tails no matter how one viewed them...
In addition, the Yamata no Orochi Fruit sub-species, much like the Sakura Dragon Fruit eaten by Kaido Meow, showed differences in color.
The original Yamata no Orochi was primarily green, with the main head being a deeper shade. In contrast, the Yamata no Orochi transformed by Kamijou Meow had seven subordinate heads that were black, while only the main head of the original body was white.
Of course, the difference that relieved Kamijou Meow the most was that even though his heads still looked a bit dim-witted after the transformation, they couldn't be called ugly, nor did they possess any of Kurozumi Orochi features.
Combined with those eight pairs of Felyne ears that twitched from time to time, it was even somewhat cute...
One could only say that Felynes truly are the saviors of aesthetics.
And then...
An overexcited Kamijou Meow managed to tie himself into a knot.
"Help, help, help, help, help! Sherwin! Save me quickly, meow!"
(=Д`=)
With eight heads and eight tails all tangled together in an unbelievable fashion, Kamijou Meow was currently flopping around on the deck like a dying fish, struggling desperately.
Unfortunately, the effect was negligible.
"You little dummy..."
Sherwin slapped his forehead helplessly.
Cats were already said to have bodies and tails that acted like two different creatures now that there were suddenly seven more tails and seven extra heads, it didn't seem that surprising for a scene like this to occur. Well, Touma Meow "good luck" was naturally one of the main reasons as well.
"Stop standing there making snide remarks, Meow!" Touma Meow, whose form now resembled a Chinese knot, struggled to hop a couple of times. "Kamijou-san feels like his neck is going to cramp! All eight of them, Meow!"
"So... can't you just cancel the transformation?"
Sherwin irritably tapped Touma Meow on his white head.
"Eh?"
(=⊙⊙=)
The little dummy froze for a moment, and only then, realizing his mistake, deactivated his fruit ability and returned to his Felyne form.
"Hahahahaha! Brother Toumais so silly! He actually tied himself in a knot, Meow!"
(==)
Klee Meow and Dodo Advance, who had been perched on Sherwin shoulder and head, had long since tumbled off him from laughing so hard. They were now rolling around on the deck, clutching their little bellies and howling with laughter.
"This can't be blamed on me meow!" the flustered little cow-pattern Felyne quickly defended herself. "Seven extra perspectives suddenly appeared, and it felt so strange. I couldn't control them all at once meow!"
Followed by the usual talk about "bad luck" or "misfortune," everyone burst into laughter, and the Dodo Advance was filled with a joyful atmosphere.
After some joking around, Dodo Advance climbed back onto Sherwin head.
[Brother Sherwin, an island has been spotted ahead. Should we speed up meow?]
(=ω=)
"Speed up, speed up! Klee can't wait to meet new partners meow!"
(=＞＜=)
Without even waiting for Sherwin answer, the little Ragdoll Felyne immediately started shouting.
She even ran into the engine room and jumped onto the flame power furnace that belonged exclusively to her.
"Dodo Advance! Open the Spark Knight thrusters meow!"
Although Dodo Advance had the best relationship with Klee Meow, as a ship spirit, she still had professional ethics.
Only after confirming that Sherwin had no objections did she extend the Valstrax claw-wings on both sides and raise the protective shield to prevent everyone on the deck (mainly Touma Meow) from being blown away.
In the next second, long flames erupted from the claw-wings and the stern of the Dodo Advance, and it charged fiercely toward the island ahead.
Seawater was pushed high to both sides from the bow, as if a sharp blade were splitting the surface of the sea.
With Klee Meow assistance, the island that initially looked only as big as a finger rapidly enlarged in Sherwin vision. In a short while, they arrived at the offshore area of the island.
And then...
The little Ragdoll Felyne couldn't hold back her strength in time. The Dodo Advance crashed directly onto the shore, destroying more than half of someone dock in the process.
"Oh no! The Hunter is attacking!!!"
The people on the pier froze for a moment before scattering in every direction, shouting alarms to the rest of the town as they ran.
Sherwin: "..."
"Hehe~"
(=＜=)
Knowing she had caused trouble, Klee Meow tapped her own head and gave Sherwin a cute look.
What could Sherwin do? Since his own little troublemaker cat had caused the mess, he could only forgive her.
He glanced toward the town in the distance and saw the Beasts Pirate flag hanging from the tallest building. It was no wonder the people had such a massive reaction.
However, this place seemed like those islands outside Totto Land that paid tribute to BIG MOM it was likely an affiliated territory of the Beasts Pirates, meaning there probably weren't any actual members of the crew stationed here.
In other words, with those people scared off, no one should be bothering them for a while.
It was the perfect chance to summon a new Felyne... At least, that was the only way Sherwin could comfort himself.
He had originally intended to find a deserted island for the summoning, but after leaving Wano for so many days, this was the first island they had encountered. Even if Sherwin wasn't in a hurry, the Felynes certainly were.
Tapping Klee Meow head with a huff, Sherwin pulled out the weapon pool Felyne Recruitment Voucher...
He hoped the commotion would be a bit smaller this time.
"Are you finally going to start summoning a new Felyne?"
Just as Sherwin was preparing to summon, Yamato immediately leaned over excitedly. "Is it because of this piece of paper that you can summon? Can I try?"
Since they had allowed Yamato to join the Felyne Investigation Team, Sherwin and the others naturally didn't intend to hide it from her. Therefore, she was actually even more looking forward to this summon than Klee Meow.
"Only I can use this thing. Sanji Meow and Klee tried it before, and there was no reaction at all."
Sherwin knew this person wouldn't give up easily, so he proactively handed over the summon ticket. "The incantation is 'Felyne Summon.' You can shout it out or say it in your mind."
As expected, Yamato completely ignored Sherwin previous words and hurriedly took the Palico summon ticket, holding it high.
"Felyne! Summon!"
Naturally, nothing happened.
Then, refusing to give up, Yamato changed her posture and tone several times, but there was still no response.
"You're not lying to me, are you?"
Having stayed in the Investigation Team for some time, Yamato had gradually come to understand the personality of this Hunter, so she looked over very suspiciously.
Sherwin rolled his eyes speechlessly and snatched back the summon ticket, intending to let the facts speak for themselves...
"Huh?"
Sherwin suddenly noticed that the summoning voucher in his hand seemed to have changed its appearance—
A silver-white base with a V-shaped pattern...
He remembered! Wasn't this the pattern on the "Spear" fragments he obtained after snatching Katakuri "Mogura"?
Since he hadn't obtained any fragments for the weapon pool for a long time afterward, Sherwin had forgotten all about it.
So...
Was he going to summon a "Lancer"?
Sherwin looked at the summoning voucher in his hand with some hesitation.
Although there was no Lancer Felyne in the team, and adding one was perfectly reasonable, Lancers had been cursed with E-rank luck since ancient times! There was already a Lucius Meow in the Research Commission who was a total klutz if he summoned another E-rank luck Lancer, how would they even survive? Unless he could summon Zhao Yun Meow this time.
Wasn't there a saying?
Of all the luck possessed by Lancers in the world, Zhao Yun alone holds ten parts, while the rest collectively owe two parts.
Or perhaps summoning an Erlang Meow or a Nezha Meow wouldn't be bad either...
Shaking his head to clear these unrealistic fantasies from his mind, Sherwin decisively handed the power of decision over to Klee Meow.
"Klee Meow, do you think we should summon a Felyne who uses a sword, or one who uses a Lance?"
"One with a Lance! We already have Brother Seijuro, Brother Link, and Sister Huamei using swords, meow!"
(=＞＜=)
Klee Meow answered without a moment hesitation.
Well, the little ragdoll choice was actually within Sherwin expectations. With a cat curiosity, choosing a new type of Felyne was almost a certainty he was just further confirming it.
After receiving the "blessing" of the Research Commission lucky star, Sherwin no longer hesitated. Holding the summoning voucher, he recited the phrase he had just told Yamato—
"Felyne, summon."
The summoning voucher in his hand glowed with a milky white light. Under Yamato surprised gaze, it slowly floated into the air and automatically folded itself into the shape of a spearhead.
Then, this paper-folded spearhead thrust upward violently, but after piercing only about a palm width, it transformed into countless milky white spots of light.
According to previous patterns, these spots of light should have dissipated quickly, and the summoned Felyne would appear before Sherwin in some unexpected yet "character-appropriate" manner.
But this time, the situation was slightly different...
The spots of light from the summoning voucher did not dissipate. Instead, they grew brighter, rapidly turning golden during the process. They hovered in mid-air, looking like stars in the sky.
The "stars" flickered a few times and then gathered together, forming a small silhouette radiating golden light...
This entrance was somewhat similar to Purah Meow back then.
But wasn't he summoning a "lancer"? Why had it turned into a "scientist"?
No, this scene felt more like a "mage."
Under Sherwin puzzled gaze, the light of that small silhouette gradually faded, revealing the one summoned this time...
A Gajalaka?