One Week Later
Thanks to Enel's schematics, Kairo, along with Ace and a group of marines, had finally completed the foundational systems of the Ark Maxim.
Namely—the power conversion module and the lift-and-thrust mechanisms located at the bow, stern, and both sides of the vessel.
Well… to be more specific, it was ten large rotating propellers in total: three on each side, three at the front, and one at the rear.
In truth, Ark Maxim's ability to fly relied entirely on these mechanisms.
As for the rest of the ship's systems? They were left untouched for now—unnecessary at this stage.
So compared to the original version built by Enel, the gold consumption was far less.
Not even one-third of the amount, in fact.
Of course, once the Science Division succeeded in developing their aircraft program, this ship would retire from service. At that point, all the gold used in its construction...
Would be melted down and repurposed.
Ian, Baby 5, and fifty marines were left behind for the time being.
And so, Ace began supplying power to the ark, while Luo Lan embarked on the return journey.
---
Marine Headquarters – Vice Admiral Tsuru's Office
"Tsuru… do you have any idea where Luo Lan has gone?"
"I don't know," Tsuru replied calmly, "but one thing's certain—he won't allow us to find him until he's strong enough to stand against the World Government."
"But what about the Fleet Admiral? How are we going to explain this? The entire branch, the whole island, just disappeared… there's no way we can cover this up for long."
"You're right. It won't stay hidden," Tsuru nodded. "The next scheduled supply shipment to Rhodes Island is due within the next couple of days."
Rhodes Island couldn't sustain itself—every three months, the Marines delivered regular supplies.
Which meant the disappearance of both the island and the 157th Branch would soon land on Sengoku's desk.
There was no hiding it.
"I'll speak with Sengoku."
With a quiet sigh, Tsuru rose from her seat and left the office.
---
Fleet Admiral Sengoku's Office
"Tsuru! You came at the right time."
"CP has just sent new intel on Doflamingo. That task I gave you—any progress?"
He seemed in unusually good spirits.
He was referring, of course, to the secret mission: having Tsuru quietly leak information to Jun Lin, hoping they'd eliminate Doflamingo on their behalf.
But Tsuru didn't respond immediately.
Sengoku noticed something was off. She hadn't said a word since entering the room.
"…What's wrong?"
"Sorry, Sengoku. There's something I've been hiding from you."
"What is it?"
"It's about Jun Lin... I've known the true identities of several of its core members for quite some time now."
"…What did you just say?"
Sengoku stared at her, stunned—not because she'd discovered Jun Lin's secrets so quickly, but because…
She'd known for a long time and hadn't told him.
This… this was serious.
"Explain. What's going on?"
"If my guess is right—the man you placed a 1.5 billion bounty on… his true identity is none other than Luo Lan."
"Wait—say that again. Who?"
"Luo Lan. Your son. The one you exiled to the 157th Branch."
You're joking.
That was Sengoku's immediate reaction.
Because it sounded ridiculous.
Luo Lan's body had always been frail—he couldn't even train physically.
His doriki score was 5. That was his limit.
How could he possibly be the leader of Jun Lin?
"And the woman with pink hair in Jun Lin… she's Hina."
...
...
Sengoku was still reeling from the first revelation when Tsuru delivered another blow.
Hina, too?!
Though Hina was only a Captain, she was among the strongest at that rank—and with her youth, she was a prime candidate for future Vice Admiral.
But now…
Wait.
If Luo Lan really was Jun Lin's leader, and Hina was part of his inner circle…
Then Smoker—whom he himself had sent to "retire" at the 157th—would logically be…
"You've figured it out, haven't you?" Tsuru continued. "According to the Spider's report, when they were being held up by Jun Lin's forces, a white-haired man snuck aboard and rescued Viola."
"That unidentified man… is most likely Smoker."
Sengoku's face shifted instantly.
He remembered now—he had personally ordered Smoker to be stationed at Rhodes Island.
"That damned kid… What the hell is he trying to do?!"
"Trying to be like that other brat—Garp's son, Dragon?!"
Sengoku slammed his palm down on the desk, shouting.
Tsuru remained silent, standing beside him.
She knew this revelation had shaken Sengoku deeply—and he needed to vent.
But even so, he calmed down quickly.
Just two sentences of fury—and then he slumped back into his chair, falling into silence.
After a long pause…
"Tsuru. I want you to take Garp and bring that kid back."
"I can't."
"No—he's recovered from his illness, sure, and he's got some men and weapons now, but with Garp alongside you, it shouldn't be difficult to capture him."
"I said—I can't."
"Tsuru… I know you've always looked after that boy. But if we let this go on, and the World Government finds out—it'll be too late."
Sengoku's face grew grim.
He thought Tsuru was being biased again.
But this time…
He was wrong.
"I said I can't… because—"
"Because what?"
"Because Rhodes Island is gone. No one knows where Jun Lin is now. Let alone where Luo Lan is."
"Gone? You're saying an entire island has vanished?"
"Yes. I'd assigned Gion to confirm Luo Lan's identity. But when she arrived at Rhodes' coordinates… the entire island had vanished without a trace."
"That… That's impossible. Rhodes Island isn't some tiny patch of land—it's a mid-sized island. Even Shiki couldn't lift something like that into the sky."
Sengoku shook his head.
He couldn't believe it.
And truly—he wasn't wrong.
In the original records, the islands Shiki used for his flying fleet were all small or even micro-sized.
A mid-sized island—stretching dozens of kilometers?
Even he couldn't manipulate something that massive with ease.
And as for large islands like Alabasta? Or supermassive ones?
Completely out of the question.
"Sengoku, this isn't about what you believe anymore. Rhodes Island is gone. Period."
"Of course… if you give him a call, you might still reach him."
"After all… both Gion and I were able to contact him just fine, not long ago."
"Sengoku…"
"Have a real conversation with him this time."
---
I'm sorry for only updating now 💌 I'm still in the hospital due to sepsis, but I'm thankful to be here and recovering. Thank you so much for being considerate and patiently waiting for updates. 🙏 I've also created a Ko-Fi goal to help with my medical bills—if you'd like to support, please consider donating. Your kindness means a lot. 💖
https:// ko-fi.com/sami27