The Next Day
Barton Baker, along with an 18-person C-rank construction team, arrived at Rhodes Island.
Barton was immediately appointed as the Deputy Director of the Manufacturing Division.
As for the Director position, it was still temporarily held by Luo Lan himself.
However, all responsibilities were delegated to Barton—Luo Lan had no intention of interfering.
Why not just let Barton take full control?
Well… because he was only a B-rank talent.
Had he been even an A-rank—let alone S-rank—Luolan would have handed over the reins without hesitation.
As for the C-rank construction team, they got to work the moment they arrived, beginning construction on a C-rank training center. Following that, there was also a port awaiting development.
The three-month contract from the gift package?
Luo Lan had no plans to let them rest. Not for a single day.
He had to ramp up the revenue flow and fully schedule their work to squeeze out every bit of value.
---
Brrr brrr brrr—
The den-den mushi on the desk rang.
"This is Luo Lan," he answered.
"Colonel, this is Submarine No. 2. We are currently executing the tracking mission."
"What's the status?"
"The target is maintaining a speed of seven knots, heading toward the Prosperity Zone of the East Blue!"
The report from the marine came through the snail line.
Luo Lan didn't respond immediately. Instead, he began rhythmically tapping his fingers on the table.
Half a minute passed in silence.
"Return. No need to continue tracking."
"Yes, Colonel!"
---
Over 100 nautical miles away from Rhodes Island
Standing at the bow of her ship, Hina's navy coat fluttered fiercely in the wind.
Her long-closed eyes slowly opened.
"That brat… even going so far as to tail me? Just what secret are you hiding on Rhodes Island, Luo Lan?"
"Helmsman, change course—target: Rhodes Island."
She turned around and gave a commanding wave of her hand, exuding decisive authority.
In truth, Hina had noticed something off the moment she left the dock that day.
First, there was that dilapidated two-story building.
That thing looked ready to collapse with the slightest tremor.
And yet Luo Lan and his marines had apparently been living in it for an entire year? That was impossible.
Alright, let's say they weren't sleeping inside, maybe camping outside or sleeping under the stars.
But what about that girl—Nami? Her clothes were always spotless and pristine.
The most suspicious part: Hina's newly awakened Observation Haki wasn't extensive in range…
…but it was enough to sense that there was no one inside that crumbling building.
So where were the rest of the people—aside from Luo Lan and Nami?
And considering Nami had emerged from the forested area that covered nearly the entire island...
It was clear—the secret Luo Lan was hiding must be in that forest.
But what finally pushed Hina into full suspicion… was the tail.
Someone had been following her ever since she left Rhodes Island yesterday—underwater.
They were bold—staying just about 100 meters behind her warship.
Close enough for her to sense them.
Whatever that thing was underwater, there were seven people inside.
One mistake after another—but not because Luo Lan was careless.
After all, for most Earthlings, their fixed impression was that Hina didn't awaken Haki until after the time skip—two years later.
Let alone two years before the plot even began.
But in truth, the original story simply never depicted her using Haki early on—it never said she couldn't.
That one difference changed everything.
Had Luo Lan considered that possibility, he would've evacuated everyone to the far side of the island before Tina's arrival—so nothing would be discovered.
He would've also staged a few marines in the broken building as decoys.
Even the tailing team would've been instructed to keep a much greater distance.
---
The Next Night
20 nautical miles off the southern coast of the island…
The warship—supposed to have departed—had quietly returned.
Its lights were all extinguished, making it nearly invisible in the dark unless illuminated directly or approached closely.
At the same time, a small boat carrying three figures was rowed silently to shore by two marines.
Hina leapt off the boat and looked up at the towering 200-meter-high cliff.
"From here on, I move alone. You two, stay put."
"Yes, ma'am!"
To an average marine, scaling a vertical cliff like this would be impossible.
But for Hina? It was nothing.
---
Meanwhile, back in Luo Lan's office…
"Colonel, just as you predicted—Hina landed at the southern cliffs and has now entered the jungle. She's been picked up by the surveillance den-den mushi," Ian reported after putting down the receiver.
Luo Lan sighed softly.
If it were anyone else, he might've just set a trap, captured them on the spot, and locked them up for questioning.
But Hina…
He really couldn't bring himself to do that.
After all, back during his days at HQ, she was one of the few people who had truly been good to him.
Convincing her to keep the secret?
Luolan was confident he could pull that off.
But whether that was right or wrong… he couldn't say.
"Forget it. I'll decide once she arrives."
"Ian, notify everyone—do not engage."
"Yes, Colonel!"
Ian nodded and relayed the order through the den-den mushi.
---
Inside the jungle
Hina moved swiftly, her still-raw Observation Haki helping her slip past one sentry after another.
She advanced steadily toward the central area of the island.
"So many hidden sentries… If I recall correctly, the 157th branch, even counting Luolan and that Ian kid, doesn't have more than ten people total. But I've already passed over a dozen guards."
"What are you hiding here, Luo Lan?"
The more she thought, the more frustrated she became.
If she discovered Luo Lan was involved in something criminal—what would she do?
Shaking off those thoughts, she quickened her pace.
Until, all at once—the trees parted, and the jungle gave way to a vast, open clearing.
In front of her stood a scene that left her breathless.
A massive area had been cleared of trees—leveled and developed.
Buildings stood tall and orderly—constructed in a style completely unfamiliar to this world.
Yet somehow, they struck Hina as… beautiful.
Compared to the architecture she was used to?
Primitive. Outdated. Extremely outdated.
This miniature city before her—almost felt like it came from the future.
What the hell was this place?
That answer came just moments later.
Leaping to the rooftop of a nearby two-story building, Hina surveyed the mini city's interior.
And then she saw them—
Two patrol squads of marines conducting a shift change.
Marines? Why are there marines here?!
Her eyes scanned further across the compound—finally landing on one of the three-story buildings.
Its massive glass wall lit from within made it easy to see who was inside.
At a desk sat a familiar figure—none other than Luo Lan.
Standing across from him, seemingly giving a report…
Was that guy—
Ian, Luo Lan's loyal right-hand man.