Chapter 105 — The First Crops
S.C. 1511 — Early January
Foosha Village — Underground Lab (Botanical Chamber)
The botanical chamber was quiet, warm, and filled with the earthy smell of fresh soil.
A brand-new wooden stand sat against the far wall, holding six empty pots waiting to be filled.
These weren't for experiments anymore.
Not for mysterious reactions.
Not for dangerous tests.
These pots were for something far more important:
Food.
Zemo sat beside Ren like an overly attentive assistant, ears perked, posture serious… until his tail swept half a pile of dust across the floor.
Ren ignored the mess and inhaled softly.
"Let's start growing real crops."
The stabilized extract was safe.
The soil study was done.
The island tests were promising.
Now it was time to take the next tiny step toward something massive.
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Step 1 — Choosing the Seeds
Ren opened a cloth pouch and dropped its contents into his palm.
Tiny shapes.
Faint scents.
The beginnings of meals.
Tomato seeds
Lettuce seeds
Wild carrot seeds
Bean seeds
Cabbage seeds
Fast-growing.
Common.
Easy to monitor.
Safe.
Zemo sniffed them intensely, eyes shimmering like he had discovered treasure.
Ren chuckled.
"No eating the seeds. We need plants, not a crunchy snack."
Zemo looked deeply offended.
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Step 2 — Preparing the Test Layout
Ren pointed to the labeled pots:
Pot 1A — Tomato (Normal Soil)
Pot 1B — Tomato (Soil + Extract)
Pot 2A — Lettuce (Normal Soil)
Pot 2B — Lettuce (Soil + Extract)
Pot 3A — Beans (Normal Soil)
Pot 3B — Beans (Soil + Extract)
A-row: natural baseline.
B-row: enhanced soil.
He placed a single seed in each pot—carefully, like placing a fragile gem into a tiny cradle.
Zemo watched so seriously that Ren almost expected him to take notes.
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Step 3 — Watering the Soil
Ren filled a small clay bowl with filtered water and gently dripped spoons of it into each pot.
Drip… drip… drip…
The soil darkened, swelling slightly.
No flooding.
No splashing.
Just enough to whisper "grow."
Zemo nudged Ren's elbow, offering his assistance.
"You want to help?" Ren asked.
Zemo barked proudly.
Ren guided the fox's paw to lightly tap the side of a pot—not the soil.
Zemo puffed his chest like he had just performed a scientific miracle.
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Step 4 — Writing the First Crop Notes
Ren opened his notebook and wrote:
Mini Farming Trial — Day 1
A-pots = baseline
B-pots = enhanced
Tomato → observe stem growth
Lettuce → observe leaf expansion
Beans → observe root strength
Uniform watering
Stable temperature
Lantern heat on low
He added little sketches of each pot for organization.
Zemo leaned in and sniffed the ink, then sneezed explosively.
Ren didn't even flinch.
"I'll take that as a sign the ink quality is good."
---
Step 5 — Gentle Lantern Warmth
Ren lit a lantern at the far corner of the table, far enough not to cook the seeds, but close enough to keep the room warm against the winter chill.
Lantern glow spread over the pots like a soft sunrise.
Zemo stretched out dramatically in the warm patch, stealing all the best heat.
Ren pointed at him.
"You're absorbing the plant sunshine."
Zemo rolled over in complete disregard.
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Step 6 — The Final Check
Ren examined every pot:
No odd bubbles
No discoloration
No soil shifting
No hint of unnatural reaction
Perfect.
He moved the pots into two tidy rows:
[1A] [2A] [3A]
[1B] [2B] [3B]
Neat.
Clean.
Ready.
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Step 7 — Hope, Very Quiet and Very Real
Ren sat down on the floor.
Zemo climbed into his lap immediately, curling up like a furry heater.
Ren stroked between his ears and whispered:
"If these crops grow even a little better… we can feed people someday."
Not powerful pirates.
Not noble families.
Not warriors.
People like those in Gray Terminal.
People who just needed food, stability, and a chance.
"Food is more important than metal," Ren murmured.
"More important than tools. Even more important than money."
Zemo hummed in agreement.
Ren closed his notebook with a soft thump.
The seeds wouldn't sprout today.
Or tomorrow.
But soon.
And when they did… they would be more than plants.
They would be proof.
Proof that Ren's quiet plans were working.
Proof that stability could be built from soil and patience.
Proof that even a small boy in a hidden lab could grow hope—one tiny seed at a time.
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End of Chapter 105