Previously, Luo Lan had told Hina:
> "The best way to deal with Kuro in open terrain is to add obstacles."
Because once Kuro activates his Shakushi, even he can't fully control it—let alone bypass obstacles.
That's why Hina's Bind-Bind Fruit ability is perfect.
First, she used her Feather Cage to form a perimeter.
Then, she began generating thick iron bars inside the perimeter, scattering them strategically throughout the area.
Just like that, Kuro's Shakushi was completely sealed off.
And at this moment, Hina was doing exactly that.
After completing the first step, she jumped high into the air and summoned thick, black iron stakes one after another, driving them down like enormous wooden piles.
In no time, dozens of these iron stakes stood tall inside the cage, creating a miniature iron forest.
Kuro…
His expression turned pitch-black.
This… was disgusting beyond words!
"I… I surrender!"
Lifting his only remaining arm, Kuro decisively gave up.
His greatest strength was his intelligence—and that was also his greatest value.
Yes, tremendous value.
As long as he surrendered and pledged loyalty, perhaps the Navy would be hesitant, but the World Government definitely wouldn't kill him.
On the contrary, the woman in front of him possessed a Devil Fruit power that perfectly countered his strongest technique.
And the man beside her… equally mysterious. He still had no idea how this man managed to shatter his arm earlier.
In this state, there was no chance of escape.
So—
Surrender was the only option left.
And truth be told, Kuro's logic wasn't flawed. After all, he had once been praised by Oda as the second-smartest character after Benn Beckman. If he truly worked for the World Government, even the Five Elders wouldn't reject him.
Unfortunately…
The one who captured him was Luo Lan!
Handing a genius over to the World Government?
Don't make me laugh.
> "Take him."
> "Yes, Captain!"
With a wave of Luo Lan's hand, the marines rushed forward.
Kuro didn't resist at all, allowing the soldiers to lock heavy cuffs and shackles onto him.
> "You may have caught me today, but tomorrow, you'll be saluting me—HA HA HA HA!"
Bound head to toe, Kuro laughed maniacally, utterly unbothered.
But in the very next moment—his laughter stopped.
> "Oh really…"
> "Execute him on the spot."
There was no hesitation among the 157th Branch marines.
Two of them drew their swords immediately.
Luo Lan had made his stance clear long ago: anyone who killed civilians or marines didn't deserve prison.
That decree was deeply ingrained in the heart of every single marine.
> "No… you can't execute me without trial! I still have val—"
Splurt—
Two blades pierced Kuro's body simultaneously.
One through the heart. The other, straight through his throat.
Life extinguished in an instant.
Dead. Completely.
—
Afterward, Hina led the marines to reassure and comfort the villagers.
Luo Lan, on the other hand, headed to Kaya's mansion and sat with her in the living room.
Merry soon served a cup of tea.
Luo Lan didn't speak directly to Kaya but instead turned to her butler:
> "Merry, I heard your dream is to design a ship with your own hands?"
Merry froze.
He did have such a dream. But as Kaya's butler, he'd rarely had time to pursue it. Even Kaya herself didn't know.
How did this Navy officer know?
> "Merry? Is that true?" Kaya looked up, intrigued.
> "Yes, Miss Kaya. That's my dream… but I've never studied ship design formally. And with my duties, I hardly have the time. So…"
> "Whether I'll ever realize that dream… it's hard to say."
That genuinely surprised Luo Lan.
This guy's self-taught?
And yet, in two years, he'd go on to build the Going Merry—a ship that would even develop a ship spirit?
Incredible. This kind of talent had to be nurtured!
Luo Lan instantly made a decision: he must bring Merry in and enroll him in the Navy Academy's shipbuilding division for intensive training.
After all, the curriculum and materials in the Navy Academy were the most elite in the world.
They didn't just teach sailing ships—they even had ironclad warships.
Otherwise, what kind of structure could be worthy of an S-Rank designation?
> "Merry, what if I told you there's a secret academy in this world—almost no one knows about it—where you could systematically study everything from ship design to construction? Would you go?"
> "No!" Merry replied without hesitation.
> "Why not? Isn't that your dream?"
> "If I left, who would take care of Miss Kaya? I can't go."
His tone carried no struggle or regret.
Even Luo Lan had to admire his loyalty—it was absolute.
But Luo Lan had expected this.
> "That's a pity. The academy also houses the most advanced medical technology in the world. They could definitely cure Kaya's illness. I was planning to bring you both…"
> "Oh well. I'll just send someone else to look after her instead."
Luo Lan feigned regret.
But both Merry and Kaya froze in place.
> "Captain… they can really cure Miss Kaya?"
> "Yes."
> "Then I'll go! I'll accompany Miss Kaya!"
Merry's response was immediate and passionate.
Luo Lan then turned to Kaya.
> "What about you, Kaya? Will you come with me?"
> "Will I be able to return?"
Unlike Merry, Kaya asked the most important question.
Luo Lan had said earlier that the place was highly secretive—not even known to most of the world.
So if she left… even if she was cured, would she ever be allowed to return?
> "I won't lie to you. One or two years if it's quick, maybe three to five if it's not. You won't be able to leave freely during that time."
> "But—just like Merry studying shipbuilding—you'll be able to study over a hundred other disciplines there. The most elite knowledge in the world."
> "It won't be wasted time."
Luo Lan spoke with complete honesty.
There was no need for deceit.
If she didn't want to come, he wouldn't force her.
> "Alright. I'll go."
After a brief pause, Kaya nodded.
Even though it would take years, if it meant curing her illness and learning the finest knowledge the world had to offer…
There was no reason to refuse.
In that moment, a memory surfaced in Kaya's mind.
From her bedroom on the third floor, not long ago—
> "Don't worry. Everything will be over soon."
Luo Lan had patted her gently on the head as he said it.
And somehow, for reasons she couldn't explain…
Kaya believed him.
---
A/N: Sorry guys if I haven't been updating. I have been experiencing a migraine for more than a week and decided to go for our local clinic. The doctor says that I need to have at least a proper rest for 2-3 days. Tomorrow, I will be updating 10 more chapters as an apology 😊😊.