As the sky darkened, the once-bustling welcoming town of Whiskey Peak grew quiet... or did it?
"Xie Wen! Let's go climb those lush green hills, meow!"
(=ω=)
Klee Meow climbed onto Xie Wen's shoulder and pointed at the distant "cacti," calling out.
"I've made a little progress lately. Care for a spar, meow?" Meow Jūshirō invited Link Meow.
(=`=)┫
The little leopard cat nodded readily and drew the sword and shield from his back.
"G-guests?" Jurode asked stiffly. "Aren't you going to rest?"
Xie Wen gave him a puzzled glance. "Cats are nocturnal."
Jurode: "..."
Of course, the Palicoes did not actually stay awake all night. Since they normally had to hunt alongside Hunters, they had long since grown accustomed to human sleeping schedules.
Of course, they could return to their nocturnal habits if they really wanted to, but right now, the cats were merely toying with these people.
And then...
"Please make yourselves at home. I'm going to get some rest. If you need anything, you can find me in that house."
Jurode, who had abruptly stepped away for a moment, suddenly became even more obsequious upon his return. After exchanging a few words with Xie Wen with a fawning smile, he hurried away again.
"They're still not turning on us? Are they not ready yet?"
Through his Observation Haki, Xie Wen could sense that these Baroque Works members had gathered in the nearby houses long ago, yet they had never made a move.
Just then, Klee Meow suddenly tugged at his ear.
"Xie Wen, those people's malice is starting to disappear, meow."
"...Huh?!"
Xie Wen looked utterly bewildered. Why had they suddenly chickened out?
"They probably recognized us," Hua Mei Meow said, pointing at herself and the Salted Fish Long Sword on Xie Wen's back. "You might not