Oceanic Control…
"System, are you serious?"
Luo Lan immediately opened the detailed description provided by the system.
What he saw shocked him.
Despite the limitations, this ability was absolutely insane.
From the port as the center, extending outward three nautical miles—within this range, Luo Lan could control the sea conditions.
It could only be used once a day, and lasted for a maximum of one hour, strictly limited to sea conditions only—such as tsunamis and whirlpools. It didn't include weather phenomena like tornadoes or blizzards.
Even so, it was incredibly powerful.
If anyone tried to attack Rhodes Island, at least from the sea, Luo Lan could instantly use this ability to wipe out any approaching ships.
On the flip side, in cases of extreme weather, he could use this ability to create calm seas in a three-nautical-mile radius, ensuring the safety of the port and anchored ships.
It was extremely useful.
"System, begin engraving the trait!"
> [Ding. Engraving in progress… Engraving complete!]
Next, Luo Lan spent another 77 million Berries refreshing the remaining, less-than-ideal building traits within the branch.
Firing Range: +50% Training Efficiency
Factory 1: +30% Production Efficiency
Factory 2: Product Quality Locked at 100%
Villa Area: Mental strength slowly recovers during sleep
Warehouse 1: Item condition remains permanently unchanged
Warehouse 2: ...
Over a dozen D-rank buildings.
Luo Lan refreshed all of them.
Satisfied, he nodded.
Just then—
Tina and the others returned after briefly touring the base.
"How was it?" Luo Lan smiled and looked toward Smoker.
Among the three, Smoker undoubtedly had the most experience with port operations.
After all, while Loguetown's port wasn't huge, it was still considered one of the larger ones in East Blue.
As the officer in charge of Loguetown, Smoker had managed its port for many years.
Hina, though stationed at headquarters—which boasted the Navy's largest port—was more like Luo Lan. She used the port but had never managed one. So, she lacked hands-on experience.
If someone's opinion mattered, it was Smoker's.
He was the most professional among them.
"Luo Lan… this port of yours… I don't even know what to say."
Smoker's excitement from earlier had disappeared. Now, his expression looked a bit troubled.
That confused Luo Lan.
Was something wrong with the port?
That didn't make sense—it was a system-produced facility.
"What's the problem?"
"The port itself is fine, but…"
Smoker paused, shaking his head slightly before continuing.
"To fully operate a port of this scale, you'd need at least a thousand personnel. Even for minimal, basic operations, you're looking at about 200 people. And that's not even counting the marines needed to guard the perimeter."
After hearing that, Luo Lan slapped his forehead.
So that's what he was worried about?
That's not even a real problem.
"Don't worry about it, Smoker. The 1,000 port staff and 200 new recruits will be arriving at Rhodes Island in the next few days. I'm also assigning you full responsibility for this port. How about it?"
"Me?"
Smoker was stunned.
He had only ever overseen about 200 personnel back in Loguetown. Now, as a First-Class Officer, he was being entrusted with an elite port and 1,200 people?
His authority had somehow increased rather than diminished?
"Yeah, it's all yours. Right now, we only have Danaan's submarine and your sister Hina's medium-sized warship, but the shipyard is already operational. It won't be long before this port is filled with warships!"
"Danaan? Submarine? What are you talking about?"
Smoker blinked in confusion.
Luo Lan realized then—he hadn't introduced Danaan yet.
"Well, you'll see soon enough. I've already contacted the two vessels to return. They should arrive shortly."
"Just make sure to hold your jaw in place when they show up..."
---
Southern Waters of Rhodes Island
A medium-sized Navy warship was approaching.
On the bow, a major officer scanned the surroundings with binoculars, looking completely baffled.
"Are you sure this is the location Captain Luo Lan gave us?"
"Yes, sir! Absolutely!" the ensign responded loudly, though he wore a puzzled expression as well.
Anyone with eyes could see—this stretch of southern coast was just steep cliffs. There was no sign of a military port anywhere.
A port here?
Don't be ridiculous. There's nothing but rock.
Just then, a sailor on the port side shouted.
"Major! There's something off the port side!"
"What is it?"
"I—I don't know how to describe it, sir. You better see it for yourself!"
What the hell is going on today?
With a muttered curse, the major walked to the port rail—and instantly froze.
His binoculars dropped from his hand.
Just a hundred meters away, a massive dark shadow was slowly surfacing.
It was the size of a sea king—over 200 meters long, at least three times the size of his own ship.
It sent shivers down everyone's spines.
And that wasn't even the end of it.
Suddenly, rumbling noises erupted from the cliffs ahead.
Before their eyes, the sheer rock face moved—splitting open to reveal a massive entrance.
Inside…
A hidden cove. Docks. Buildings. An entire base.
"Major, I see Captain Hina! She's standing on the leftmost dock!"
"What?!"
The major quickly picked up his binoculars and looked where the ensign was pointing.
"Helmsman! Bring us in!"
"We can't, sir!"
"Why not?"
"Look over there…"
The helmsman pointed helplessly to the side.
The major looked—and immediately understood.
The massive steel vessel was slowly heading toward the docks.
If they moved now, they might crash into it.
And a 70-meter wooden warship crashing into that metal monster…
The major didn't even want to imagine it.
"Forget it. Let them go in first. We'll follow afterward."
"Yes, sir!"
---
Dock No. 1, Rhodes Island Port
"Didn't Luo Lan tell you to keep your jaw up?"
Hina shot Smoker a disdainful look.
His jaw had, once again, dropped to the ground.
His eyes were wide in disbelief.
"What… what the hell is that thing?! It's even bigger than the super warships at HQ!"
Smoker was utterly dumbfounded.
At Navy Headquarters, ships were classified by size:
Small warships (patrol boats)—standard for every branch
Medium warships—the Navy's mainstay across the Grand Line
Large warships—expensive, fewer than 100 exist, often reserved for vice admirals and Buster Call fleets
Super warships—the rarest. Only five in the entire Navy.
Each super warship was uniquely designed for its owner—especially the bow.
The five owners?
Fleet Admiral Sengoku
Hero of the Navy Garp
Admiral Akainu
Admiral Aokiji
Admiral Kizaru
But what Smoker was looking at now—Danaan—was nearly 100 meters longer than any of those legendary vessels.
It was absurd.
Absolutely insane.
---
A/N: If you want an early updates, you can visit my Ko-Fi as I update there much early.
Currently at Chapter 60 for free chapters on my Ko-Fi and at Chapter 165 for advance chapters.
https:// ko-fi.com/sami27