Unknowingly, another month passed. The dried fish snacks Luo Fan recently drew were almost exhausted, but in exchange, all 20 Cats had mastered Life Return.
In terms of levels, they were at least Level 2, meaning they could control 10% to 20% of their body tissues.
Among them, the two most outstanding ones had reached Level 4. Luo Fan pulled these two Cats aside and taught them the techniques for using Cat Needle.
While interacting with these two Cats, Luo Fan was surprised to find that the little fellows were actually siblings. Their intelligence was hardly different from a human's, clearly smarter than the other 18 Cats and the celestial dragon cat Luo Fan had encountered that day.
"Noy, what do you think of these two little guys?" Luo Fan turned and asked Noy.
"They're quite smart. Other than that, I can't really tell," Noy replied after thinking for a moment.
"Intelligence is their greatest advantage. Noy, why don't you give them names?"
"Me? That wouldn't be right! Luo Fan, you should be the one to name them."
Luo Fan smiled and said, "These two little guys will be your right and left hands from now on. Since they are your Cats, it's only natural that you should do it."
"My right and left hands?"
"Right. When I'm not around, the Cat Corps will be left for you to lead. Your energy is limited, so you definitely need to develop some subordinates."
Noy only half-understood Luo Fan's words, but she could hear the trust in his tone. Thus, Noy nodded and named the two little guys: the older brother was called Big Cat, and the younger sister was called Cat Two.
Over the next few days, Luo Fan intentionally fostered closeness between Big Cat, Cat Two, and Noy. Noy understood Luo Fan's intentions and would occasionally bring out meow-fresh bags for the two little guys to eat.
As it turned out, using food to build affection was the most effective method for animals. Within a few days, Big Cat and Cat Two were completely obedient to Noy.
With Big Cat and Cat Two, and with Luo Fan's silent approval, Noy further divided the Cats into ranks.
Noy divided the remaining 18 Cats who had learned Life Return into two squads. Each squad had 9 Cats, managed by Big Cat and Cat Two respectively.
The Sabaody Archipelago has a total of 79 islands. Islands 1 through 29 are primarily engaged in human trafficking shops and human auctions; they are lawless zones under the jurisdiction of the Celestial Dragons.
Islands 30 through 49 are mainly the soap bubble parks, sightseeing areas, and specialty shops unique to the Sabaody Archipelago.
Islands 50 through 59 are the shipyards and the gathering place for coating mechanics.
Islands 60 through 69 are the Marine bases and government entrances/exits.
Islands 70 through 79 are the hotels.
Noy assigned the 9 Cats under Big Cat to Islands 1 through 29, with each cat overseeing 3 islands. She took responsibility for Islands 13 and 14 herself.
As for the 9 Cats under Cat Two, they were all assigned to Islands 60 through 69.
With this, Luo Fan and Noy completed their surveillance network over Islands 1 to 29 and 60 to 69.
With the help of the inconspicuous Cats, they could monitor every move of the Sabaody Archipelago auctions as well as the Marine and World Government.
After completing all this, Luo Fan gave the Cats their first order: look for the Devil Fruits he wanted at the auction houses.
The Cats didn't need to know what a Devil Fruit looked like, or even what a Devil Fruit was. Luo Fan simply told them the names of some fruits, had them memorize the names, and told them to start searching by name.
Luo Fan promised that as long as they found one of the fruits he wanted, he would reward the Cats with a large amount of dried fish.
The lowest-level Cats didn't know what dried fish was, but the 20 Cats including Big Cat and Cat Two certainly did! Their desire for dried fish was like that of a person who had been thirsty for a long time in the desert craving water.
Under the orders of these 20 Cats, all the Cats were mobilized.
That afternoon, Noy, having finished her training, reverted to her demi-human form. With a pair of pink cat ears atop her head, she sat on a tree branch holding Luo Fan in her arms, her tail swishing back and forth to drive away mosquitoes.
Luo Fan's little paws rested on a certain part of the girl's body. Where the small lotus bud had just begun to show its tip, a cat's paw was already stationed upon it.
Noy's discovery that Luo Fan liked being held by her was purely accidental. One day, a sudden heavy rain fell during training. After Noy dismissed the Cats, she changed back into her human form and ran back to Shakky's Tavern while holding Luo Fan.
In Noy's impression, Luo Fan was always quite active, but when she held him today, Luo Fan was unexpectedly "well-behaved."
That night, Noy summoned the courage to experiment again. She changed back into her human form and grabbed Luo Fan while he was chatting with Rayleigh.
Luo Fan struggled a bit at first, but after touching two soft, warm things, he felt his body go a bit weak, and then... there was no then.
Later, Noy also discovered that Luo Fan preferred her to appear in her demi-human form. Noy attributed this phenomenon to Luo Fan preferring to be close to his own kind.
In reality, Luo Fan simply liked cat-eared girls.
In this rare moment of leisure, blowing in the sea breeze and lying in the arms of a cat-eared girl, Luo Fan was enjoying himself so much he almost forgot his troubles.
However, Big Cat's sudden appearance broke Luo Fan's happiness.
"Meow meow~ (Lord Luo Fan, Her Majesty the Queen, a cat has reported finding a Devil Fruit.)" Big Cat reported to Luo Fan and Noy on the tree.
"Meow~ (Which fruit is it?)" Noy asked.
"Meow~ (It's the Baku Baku no Mi.)" Big Cat replied.
Luo Fan's eyes lit Up upon hearing this, and his sleepiness vanished instantly. In Luo Fan's eyes, the Baku Baku no Mi represented countless Berries!
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Regarding some settings for the Baku Baku no Mi, I will give a more detailed explanation in the next chapter. Now, I want to chat with you all about the protagonist's future plans.
Recently, many readers have been asking about the protagonist's future direction and what route he will take. I can't give specific spoilers, but let's talk about the clues that have appeared so far!
I introduced Donquixote Doflamingo into the plot very early on. The reason for doing so was to use Doflamingo as a springboard to enter the Underworld.
Whether it's the Baku Baku no Mi or the weapon factories in Wano Country, they are all part of the protagonist's capital for controlling the Underworld. The Cat Corps was also established for this purpose.
I won't chat much more about the rest. Everyone, please look forward to the subsequent plot!
As usual, asking for collections and recommendations. Thank you all for your support