"So, does that mean Touma can't go back anymore meow?"
(=Φ︵Φ=)
After listening to Sherwin's explanation, Touma Meow's face showed a lonely expression. "I haven't even repaid the village's kindness yet meow..."
However, before Sherwin could offer any comfort, the little cow cat quickly cheered himself up again.
"But then again, this is another world! That is just too cool meow! The gods are still looking out for Touma after all meow!"
Well, besides his misfortune attribute, Touma Meow inherited another characteristic from his original namesake: optimism.
Or rather, it was precisely because of this life of constant bad luck that they developed such an optimistic spirit...
After all, if they weren't a bit optimistic, whether it was the original or Touma Meow, they would have given up long ago; even if they didn't, they would at least be severely depressed.
"But..." After being happy for a while, the little cow cat's face wrinkled again. "Even though I've always wanted to be your Palico, Hunter, the truth is my strength is very weak meow..."
(=︵`=)
Touma Meow said dejectedly, "I might not be able to help you much meow."
"However! Touma is still very confident in housework meow!"
(=^▽^=)
Having been dejected for probably less than two seconds, Touma Meow immediately pulled himself together again.
One could only say he truly lived up to the reputation of cow cats being the huskies of the feline world; his emotional shifts were just too erratic.
"Just call me Sherwin." Sherwin rubbed Touma Meow's head. "As for the issue of strength, you actually don't need to worry."
He smiled and said, "In this world, there is a magical food called a Devil Fruit. After eating it, you can gain various special abilities. Among them is a type called Logia; after eating one, you can become immune to most ordinary damage, so you won't have to worry about getting hurt easily in the future."
Speaking of which, Touma Meow was summoned only after Purah Meow ate the Snow-Snow Fruit. Could it be that his luck was at work?
If that's really the case, doesn't it mean that they might never obtain another Logia fruit in the future?
Sherwin felt a chill in his heart and suddenly had the urge to just shove a random Devil Fruit into Touma Meow's mouth.
Fortunately, he calmed down quickly. Even though Touma Meow's luck was terrible, didn't they still have a lucky star like Klee Meow in the team?
Besides, Touma Meow was already unlucky enough. It would be messed up if he, as the leader, didn't help out and instead tried to screw him over.
"Is that true, meow?!"
(=ω=)
Touma Meow had no idea about the mental activity of the Hunter he admired so much. Upon hearing about the effects of the Logia fruit, his eyes lit up as he lunged into Sherwin's arms, shouting excitedly,
"Does such a miraculous thing really exist in this world? Is it really okay to give it to an unlucky guy like me, meow?!"
"Don't worry. Although Devil Fruits are precious, they aren't that big of a deal to us."
Sherwin scratched the little cow-patterned cat's chin and casually took out a Devil Fruit to show him.
"Although their shapes vary, the characteristics of a Devil Fruit are very obvious; they all have these strange, arabesque-like patterns."
"Oooooh!"
Touma Meow let out an unintelligible howl and subconsciously took two steps forward, wanting to get a closer look at the Devil Fruit.
And then...
His left foot tripped over his right foot again, and he tumbled forward.
Moreover, with his mouth wide open, he fell straight toward the Devil Fruit in Sherwin's hand.
Luckily, Sherwin was quick. Before Touma Meow could bite into the Devil Fruit, he managed to grab him.
"..."
Sherwin quickly put away the Dice-Dice Fruit he had just taken out and stared with an unreadable expression at the Touma Meow he was holding.
"It looks like we'll have to think long and hard about the matter of giving you a Devil Fruit."
If one truly had to choose the Devil Fruit with the worst compatibility for Touma Meow, the luck-dependent Dice-Dice Fruit would undoubtedly be ranked first or second.
But that wasn't the main point. The point was...
"Whether it's humans, other creatures, or even inanimate objects, they can only possess one Devil Fruit power," Sherwin explained to the disappointed Touma Meow.
"Except for those powerhouses who have completely mastered their fruit's abilities, anyone else who eats a second Devil Fruit will die instantly. With your terrible luck, I'm worried that even if you ate a Logia type, you'd end up accidentally eating a second one later..."
"Ha... hahaha..."
Touma Meow shrunk back and said timidly, "Actually, Kamijou-san thinks he's fine just the way he is. I don't necessarily need any special powers meow, and I'm not really a fan of eating fruit anyway meow."
Sherwin set him down and gently patted his head. "Anyway, you need to be more careful in your daily life. Don't accidentally eat another Devil Fruit. After all, these things generate randomly on any fruit in the world. Accidentally getting a bad power is a minor issue; if you eat two Devil Fruits in a row, even Haibara won't be able to save you."
"Don't worry! Starting today, Kamijou-san is quitting fruit altogether meow!"
(=ˇˇ=)
Touma Meow nodded frantically like a chick pecking at grain, swearing an oath with a look of firm determination.
"It doesn't have to be that extreme..." Sherwin paused, then added, "At least drinking fruit juice won't be a problem."
"Also, let me tell you a bit more about the things to watch out for in this world..."
Considering Touma Meow's abysmal luck, Sherwin felt it was necessary to give him a few extra warnings, though he wasn't sure if they would actually help.
"...So dangerous! This world is so dangerous meow!"
(=＞Д＜=)
After listening to Sherwin's introduction, Touma Meow immediately clutched his head and wailed, "I knew it was impossible for Kamijou-san to have such good luck. Such misfortune meow!"
Although Touma Meow looked quite pathetic right now, Sherwin knew that if they actually encountered danger, this little guy would put his life on the line.
"Alright, don't worry. Our Hunter group is very strong now; we hardly ever run into any real danger."
But if you encounter one, it will definitely be a major crisis.
Sherwin thought to himself as he poked the little cow cat's head with his finger.
"Yes, yes! Klee Meow is very powerful! You can rest assured, Brother Touma, Klee Meow will protect you, meow!"
(=^▽^=)
The little Ragdoll cat waved her small fists in agreement.
"I-is that so? Then thank you, meow."
Although he said that, Touma Meow's eyes were full of doubt, which Klee Meow could see even without using Haki.
"Hmph! Klee Meow isn't bragging, meow!"
(=`н=)
The little Ragdoll puffed out her cheeks and decided to prove herself...
"Jumpy Dumpty: C2 Gold Rathian, meow!"
A massive dragon of flame was summoned by Klee Meow, and as the little Ragdoll swung her paw, it crashed into the distant sea.
"Art is an explosion, meow!"
"BOOM—!!!"
A vast amount of seawater was blasted high into the sky, then turned into countless raindrops that pitter-pattered back down, even getting the Dodo Advance a little wet.
Falling along with the seawater was a large heap of fish, shrimp, snails, and shellfish, most of which landed quite strangely on the deck of the Dodo Advance.
And most of those hard and heavy shellfish happened to smash right onto Touma Meow's head.
However, Touma Meow could no longer care about the pain in his head. He stiffly turned his neck to look at Klee Meow, who was showing off on Sherwin's shoulder, his eyes glazed over.
"Ahem, this is a Logia fruit," Sherwin explained. "Klee Meow ate the Flame-Flame Fruit of the Logia type, so she can summon flames at will and transform her own body into fire."
The little Ragdoll on his shoulder cooperated by transforming into the shape of a flaming kitty.
"Of course, don't let Klee Meow's young age fool you; she is a very powerful Bomber Felyne herself. If it weren't for her being too young, she would have already become a Palico for other Hunters."
"Does Brother Touma believe me now? Klee Meow is super strong, meow!"
(=`=)
Touma Meow hurriedly nodded his head like a woodpecker.
Afterward, Sherwin introduced Touma Meow to the other members of the Research Commission...
"E-everyone is this amazing, meow? No wonder Mr. Kamijou was dismissed from the training camp. Do you really have to reach this level just to be a Palico? I really am only suited for doing housework, meow..."
orz
After witnessing the abilities of the other Felynes, a heavily discouraged Touma Meow knelt on the deck once again.
"Don't lose heart. Even in their original worlds, the Felynes I can summon are all outstanding. Even if they aren't good at fighting, they definitely have an extraordinary trait—like Haibara and Purah Meow."
Sherwin stroked Touma Meow's back, comforting him softly.
"Could it be that Mr. Kamijou also has some kind of special talent, meow?!"
(=ω=)
The little cow cat quickly perked up again, looking at Sherwin with a face full of expectation.
"Uh... well... there should be..."
Sherwin's lip twitched, not really wanting to discourage the little guy.
However, he couldn't withstand Touma Meow's persistent questioning: "What is it? What is it, meow?!"
"Well..." Sherwin scratched his cheek and praised him in an admiring tone, "For example, your luck is outstandingly terrible!"
Touma Meow: "..."