He rubbed his eyes, making sure he wasn't seeing things—it was indeed a plastic greenhouse.
This was a clearing in the forest, and a fairly large one at that.
On either side of the greenhouse were two plots of farmland, each growing different crops.
Beyond the greenhouse stood a single-story wooden house. To its left was a storage shed, to its right a kitchen, and what appeared to be a shower or toilet at the back.
"This doesn't look like a scientist's place."
It looked more like the home of a reclusive old man.
The innkeeper grinned confidently and thumped his chest in assurance.
"Maybe he's not exactly a scientist, but some of his little inventions are quite useful.
This one here is supposedly Vegetable Vegetable Lord No. 4. The land inside can grow crops all year round—you can even eat summer vegetables in winter.
With this invention alone, your investment will definitely pay off."
BOOM!!
No sooner had he finished speaking than an explosion rang out. The greenhouse was suddenly engulfed in flames, thick black smoke billowing out.
Under the blazing firelight, the innkeeper's confident smile gradually turned awkward.
Talk about bad timing! He'd just finished boasting, and now the thing had gone up in flames.
Dier was equally speechless. It seemed their search for the submarine was doomed—how could someone like this possibly develop the future Polar Tang?
Despite his disappointment, he rushed straight into the burning greenhouse.
Putting out the fire was impossible—it was made of plastic and burned too quickly.
But saving someone was still doable.
The acrid smell of burning plastic filled his nostrils, and thick black smoke obscured his vision. Holding his breath, he soon spotted a charred humanoid figure lying motionless in one corner of the greenhouse.
Clang!
The greenhouse's support structure collapsed, and a slender metal rod, glowing red-hot, plummeted toward the unconscious figure.
Seeing this, Dier hurried forward, swatting the rod aside before scooping up the charred figure and dashing out.
Once outside, he exhaled deeply—the stench of burning plastic was unbearable.
"How is he? Is he okay?!"
The innkeeper rushed over anxiously, repeatedly calling out to the charred figure.
"Wolf! Wolf!!
Wake up, you bastard! I still haven't settled the score with you for that time your damn sweeping machine almost swallowed me whole!"
"Cough—cough—"
The charred figure suddenly coughed weakly and rasped,
"That's Super Sweeping Lord..."
Splash!
Dier conjured a water ball and splashed it onto Wolf's face, cutting off his exchange with the innkeeper.
"Is this really the time to argue about that?
How do you feel? Should we call a doctor?"
The water ball seemed to revive Wolf somewhat. Struggling out of Dier's arms, he staggered a few steps before steadying himself with Dier's support.
Though his body trembled, he appeared otherwise unharmed.
Dier helped him into the wooden house, where there were furniture for resting and even basic medical supplies.
Wolf, seemingly accustomed to injuries, rummaged through the first-aid kit and began treating himself.
His injuries weren't from the flames or smoke—they were from the explosion.
"That was my invention, Vegetable Vegetable Lord No. 4. It was equipped with devices to regulate light and temperature.
But the adjustments weren't quite right—the devices kept overheating until they exploded."
He wrapped the Supreme Bandage around his head once, his face blackened like charcoal as he introduced himself:
"My name is Wolf, a rare inventor. Thank you for saving me from that explosion."
Then, with a solemn expression, he said gravely:
"Give & Take—what you give is what you get.
You saved my life, so ask for anything you want. As long as I have it, it's yours."
Dier rested his chin on one hand while the index finger of his other hand tapped rhythmically on the table.
His eyes showed no particular emotion as he silently activated his Hypnosis ability.
Though he didn't believe for a second that this second-rate scientist—who couldn't even build a greenhouse without it exploding—could possibly have a submarine,
planting a suggestion to make the latter trust him more wouldn't hurt. What if, by some miracle, he actually did?
Having just survived a life-threatening crisis, Wolf was now in a state of both physical and mental weakness, making him easier to hypnotize.
"I want a submarine."
"Deal!"
"If you don't have one, that's fine, I—"
Dier froze mid-sentence, straightening up as he repeated carefully,
"I said I want a submarine!"
Wolf nodded with slight reluctance but firm resolve:
"Fine, I'll give you a submarine!"
Though the Little Red Flower Invincible was his proudest invention, giving something in return was only fair. Compared to his own life, the submarine suddenly seemed far less important.
"You're not joking?"
"I'm serious!"
"Uh… Wolf."
The innkeeper helped Wolf sit down, patting his shoulder with a meaningful sigh.
"He saved your life—how could you repay him by harming him?
Just look at your so-called 'great inventions.' Are any of them actually usable?"
With that, the innkeeper left the room briefly before returning with a box filled with strange objects.
Wolf pushed the innkeeper aside and pulled something out of the box, introducing it proudly:
"Hot Spring Anywhere Lord No. 1! With this, you can turn cold water into hot water instantly, allowing you to enjoy a hot bath anywhere!"
Dier's eyes lit up—this thing would be perfect for traveling. Even on remote islands, he wouldn't have to worry about lacking hot water.
"Though there is one drawback… Since it doesn't have a function to stop heating once the water reaches the right temperature, it keeps boiling until all the water evaporates."
Dier's enthusiasm dimmed. In short, it was just a heating tool that never stopped warming—useless.
Wolf proceeded to introduce several other inventions, each with its own flaws.
Super Sweeping Lord—a vacuum that couldn't distinguish between trash and valuables, with suction so powerful it once nearly swallowed Wolf's right leg.
The innkeeper had tried using it to clean the inn, only to suffer the same fate.
Step-on-and-Fly Lord No. 2—a hoverboard with extreme propulsion, capable of flight at high speeds, but with minimal altitude and no directional control.
Press-to-Discharge Lord No. 1—a stun gun with considerable power, except the wielder also got electrocuted.
...
"Ahem, though my inventions still have many shortcomings—"
Wolf coughed awkwardly before thumping his chest confidently.
"I guarantee the Little Red Flower Invincible is absolutely flawless!"
"Is that so? Then let's go take a look."
Dier stood up, his expression once again calm and composed.
Now he understood why Beckman remembered Wolf. With so many bizarre inventions, it was impossible not to remember him.
Thanks to these inventions, he no longer held any hope for the so-called submarine.
Little Red Flower Invincible, a submarine with the flaw of being unable to resurface after diving?
But since he was already here, he might as well take a look.
"Ahem~"
"Ahem~"
The Den Den Mushi in his arms emitted a cough—the prearranged signal between him and Robin, indicating she had something to say.
Dier pulled it out and asked in confusion,
"What's wrong?"
"There are Marines—no, Pirates coming."