"Hina's never heard of there being female soldiers in this Navy retirement post!"
Luo Lan was speechless.
Wasn't it just over 200 million Berries? Why was Nami still clinging to him like a bounty hunter?
But since things had come to this point...
What else could he do?
"Lieutenant General Hina, no matter what, Branch 157 is officially registered as a Tier-3 Marine Branch. And according to regulations, a Tier-3 branch is allowed up to a hundred enlisted marines."
"Furthermore, as long as no additional budget from Headquarters is required, the branch commander is permitted to recruit at their own discretion, as long as the personnel don't exceed that limit."
"That girl's mother was once a Marine herself, which is why I took her in."
Luo Lan stated solemnly.
"Was a Marine?"
"Killed by pirates."
"I see… But still, this place is in poor condition. Why don't you just let her come with me?"
"Absolutely not!"
Hina had barely finished speaking when a loud shout rang out—not from Roan...
But from Nami, who had sprinted all the way to the dock.
Though she hadn't heard most of the conversation, she had caught the last few lines.
"Nami, this is Lieutenant General Hina from Headquarters. She's here to investigate the incident with Branch 16 in the East Blue."
Luo Lan explained, subtly giving Nami a warning:
Don't say anything you shouldn't.
He trusted that someone as sharp as Nami would get the hint.
And sure enough, she shot Luo Lan a look.
A look that measured everything in Berries. Luo Lan understood instantly.
And he returned a look of his own.
In that fleeting moment, the two exchanged more than just glances—they conducted a full silent negotiation with nothing but their eyes.
After about a dozen exchanged glances in the span of one second, Nami finally broke into a satisfied smile, and Luo Lan let out a quiet sigh of relief.
Only the two of them knew the outcome of that eye-bargain...
Ten million Berries.
Hush money.
Then, Nami stood upright and saluted Hina.
"Lieutenant General!"
"So, you don't want to come with me?"
"My life belongs to Luo Lan. I'll follow him wherever he goes."
Nami replied firmly.
For a moment, Hina couldn't spot any flaws in her expression or tone.
Luo Lan quietly gave her a thumbs-up behind his back.
Who knew this little devil could act so well?
"Very well. Luo Lan, come have a cup of tea on my ship. We have things to discuss. And you?"
"I've got work to do, ma'am. But thank you for the invitation!"
Nami saluted again before walking off.
Hina didn't press the matter, and once Nami was gone, she led Luo Lan aboard her ship.
---
In the ship's cabin...
"Luo Lan, to be honest, Hina didn't just come here to see you. I also wanted your take on the incident. After all..."
"Vice Admiral Tsuru and Fleet Admiral Sengoku both praised your strategic mind, saying your intellect might even surpass theirs."
Hina wasn't lying.
It had been a while since she'd seen Luo Lan, so she wanted to catch up.
But she also came with a hidden agenda—to consult him.
After all, Luo Lan's achievements during his time in the Strategy Department were legendary.
Even Hina had undertaken two missions personally devised by Luo Lan—and those two had been the most difficult she'd ever executed… yet also the smoothest.
Luo Lan took a sip of tea, blowing gently across the surface.
"Hina, it's no use asking me."
"Why not?"
"Because the most correct method... is one the current Navy will never use."
Luo Lan shook his head.
"Then tell Hina what that method is, anyway."
"Fine. Solving this is actually simple: make everything completely transparent, publicize the entire event, conduct a full investigation, drag everyone involved out into the open, execute them publicly, and double the compensation for every victim."
"Hmm…"
Now Hina understood why Luo Lan had said the Navy would never go for that.
She'd heard whispers about the recent high-level meetings.
Supposedly, most of the senior officers had agreed to investigate and clean up internal corruption.
But at the same time...
They also agreed to suppress the incident—to keep it quiet.
They feared the damage it might cause to the Navy's and the World Government's reputation.
"So… there's no other way?"
"None. And if Headquarters doesn't act now, there won't be a next time. Even if they want to act later, it'll be too late."
Luo Lan sighed.
In truth, he hoped to be wrong.
He hoped Sengoku would stand firm and carry out the very solution he just laid out.
But he knew Sengoku too well...
"Hina, want my advice?"
"Hina's listening."
"Use a convenient excuse to delay for a few days. Say that while crossing the Calm Belt, even with Seastone reinforcement, your ship was attacked by a Sea King."
Luo Lan offered a suggestion.
Ships lined with Seastone avoided Sea King attacks because Seastone emitted a "sea-like presence" that made creatures ignore them.
But nothing was foolproof.
If a Sea King happened to see the ship poking above water, it might still attack.
So, Seastone wasn't an absolute guarantee—just 99.9% effective.
There's always that tiny chance of an "accident."
"Hina doesn't get it."
Hina blinked, completely confused.
"Come on, Hina, how are you still not getting it? If this thing's going to be investigated, it'll either lead nowhere, or the person investigating it is going to be the one who pays the price."
"So don't throw yourself into it. Let Smoker handle it."
"He's got experience in getting exiled. Worst-case scenario, he ends up stationed here with me… could be good company."
Hina stared at Luo Lan for a long moment.
She replied with just five words.
No agreement, no rejection.
"Hina understands."
---
Later that night...
Hina's warship departed from Rhode Island, setting sail toward the Eastern Prosperity Circle.
At the same time, Smoker received a call from her.
She explained that while crossing the Calm Belt, they were attacked by a Sea King.
Although they repelled the creature, the ship was heavily damaged and had docked at Rhode Island for emergency repairs, which would take about ten days.
Smoker was left dumbfounded.
A Sea King? With Tina there? And the ship was severely damaged?
What kind of monster Sea King did they run into?
Or...
Was the ship damage just a cover?
Did she really go there to see that brat?
Yeah, that must be it.
I knew it. Hina's had her eye on that kid for years now.
Oh well. Ten days is ten days.
Might as well use this time—while I'm still in charge—to dig out every last one of those rotten worms.