Chapter 101 — Preparing for People He Doesn't Have Yet
S.C. 1510 — Late December
Foosha Village — Underground Lab (Planning Room)
The planning chamber felt extra quiet today.
Not the metallic ringing of forging.
Not the earthy smell of soil experiments.
Not the echo of chisels carving new tunnels.
Just Ren…
a stack of blank papers…
and Zemo, curled like a warm loaf of fox-bread beside him.
A single lantern swayed gently, casting long shadows over the stone walls.
Ren exhaled, placing a fresh notebook on his lap.
"Time to plan for people I don't have yet."
Zemo raised his head, blinking slowly like yes, finally you noticed you'll need humans.
Ren smiled.
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Why Plan for Invisible People?
Ren stared at his own hands—small, steady, stained with charcoal and soil.
A child's hands.
"I'm not strong," he whispered.
"I can't fight for anyone… but I can prepare something for them."
People in Gray Terminal didn't have strength in numbers.
They didn't have training.
They didn't have opportunities.
But they did have grit.
Endurance.
Desperation.
And the loyalty of those who have nothing left to lose.
Ren tapped the notebook.
"If I can train them… even a little… they'll have a chance."
Zemo nudged his elbow softly.
Ren chuckled.
"Yes, yes. And they'll have you too."
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Page One — Physical Basics (Safe for Literally Everyone)
Ren began writing.
Basic Physical Training (Low Risk)
1. Rope pulling (3 rounds)
2. Carrying medium stones (short distance)
3. Stretching & joint safety
4. Sandbag squat-lifts
5. Short, steady walks
6. Safe lifting technique practice
Ren reread the list.
No fancy martial arts.
No dangerous sprints.
No "push until your legs die."
Just stability-building exercises.
Zemo sniffed the page, unimpressed.
"It's not flashy," Ren told him, "but it works."
Zemo yawned in the least supportive way possible.
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Page Two — Work Skills: The Useful Kind
Ren flipped the page and continued.
Essential Skills (For Island & Trade Work)
Rope tying (5 knots)
Sorting items
Packing crates evenly
Drying & cleaning fish
Loading/unloading safely
Carrying water without spilling
Basic tool usage (regular tools only)
"These don't need strength," Ren murmured.
"Just practice."
He imagined the future workers—tired, thin, hopeful—doing simple tasks with pride.
Zemo wagged his tail like he approved the emotional vision, not the list.
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Page Three — Rules, Because Chaos Is Dangerous
This part Ren wrote slower.
He needed rules.
He just didn't want to sound like a tyrant.
Discipline Rules
1. No stealing.
2. No lying about completed tasks.
3. Respect each other.
4. No talking about the island to outsiders.
5. Don't touch materials without permission.
Ren sighed.
"It's not about control… it's about keeping everyone safe."
Then he wrote:
Safety Rules
1. Always work in pairs.
2. No entering tunnels without Ren.
3. No sharp tools alone.
4. Stop if injured.
5. Report anything strange immediately.
Zemo placed a paw gently on the page.
Ren whispered, "I know. Safety first."
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Page Four — Promotions Without Fancy Titles
No coins. No fancy ranks. Just progress.
Skill Tiers
Tier 1 — Basic labor
Tier 2 — Storage manager
Tier 3 — Boat assistant
Tier 4 — Supply handler
Tier 5 — Island deputy
Zemo huffed with pride.
Ren laughed.
"You're not Tier 5. You're Tier Z — above everyone."
Zemo accepted this with regal tail flicking.
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A Moment of Reflection
Ren put his pencil down.
The quiet planning room suddenly felt warmer.
Full of purpose.
Full of people who didn't exist yet—
but someday would.
"I don't have workers," Ren whispered.
"I don't have a crew.
I don't even have my merchant group formally started."
He touched the newly written pages.
"But when the time comes… they'll have a place. A plan. A future."
Zemo pressed against Ren's shoulder, fur soft and comforting.
Ren closed his eyes briefly.
"…No one will be afraid when they come here."
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Sealing Tomorrow's Plans
Ren placed the training pages into a small wooden box labeled:
For Future Workers
He slid it behind a false wall panel.
A safe place—waiting for the right people, the right time.
Not today.
Not tomorrow.
But someday.
Ren stood, stretching tired muscles.
"Tomorrow we expand the tunnels again," he said.
Zemo barked once—determined.
"And then," Ren whispered, "we keep building."
Not rushed.
Not reckless.
Just steady.
Together.
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End of Chapter 101