The 16th Naval Branch wasn't far from Cocoyasi Village.
At the cruising speed of a submarine underwater, it would take just over an hour to arrive.
At this moment, Luo Lan was staring at Nami—and more specifically—at the person beside her: Nojiko.
Honestly, compared to the still-somewhat-green Nami, Nojiko appeared far more mature.
After all, she was two years older and already eighteen.
But according to the original storyline, wasn't Nojiko supposed to stay behind to protect Bell-mère's orange grove, waiting for the day Nami returned?
If she left too… what would happen to the orchard?
That didn't seem like something she—or they—would do.
Luo Lan frowned. "Alright, explain. What's going on here?"
"There's nothing to explain," Nami replied casually. "My sister was worried, so she insisted on coming with me. Is there a problem?"
"And the orange grove? If both of you are gone, who'll take care of it?"
"Genzo said he would. He promised to look after it until the day we return, and when that day comes... he'll welcome us back."
Luo Lan froze.
He was completely stunned.
Wasn't that what Nojiko said in the original story?
That one day, when Nami fulfilled her dreams and returned, she'd say—
"Nami, welcome home."
Now it was Genzo who would say it?
Unbelievable.
Though come to think of it, leaving the orchard in Genzo's care wasn't a bad idea.
After all…
Luo Lan didn't have time to dwell on it further.
Nami interrupted him again.
"I've been wondering… you always seem to know everything!"
"Whether it's the past, the present, or even the future… about me, about Bell-mère, or anything else."
"Just who exactly are you? How do you know all this?"
Luo Lan shrugged. "What if I told you I can see through time—past and future alike?"
"I wouldn't believe you," she said flatly.
"See? I'd love to explain, but you wouldn't believe me anyway."
"You…!"
Nami clenched her fists in frustration.
"Fine. Don't explain. But at least tell me what I'll be doing over there?"
"Oh, that? You'll be the Chief Navigator. And, while we're at it, the Grand Treasurer too. Rank: Lieutenant. Sound good?"
Luo Lan thought for a moment before replying.
Nami blinked in surprise.
She'd expected to serve as a navigator—that was her specialty, after all—but she hadn't expected Luo Lan to entrust her with financial authority too.
Did he really trust her that much?
"You're serious?" she asked.
"Of course," Luo Lan nodded.
A sly smile crept across Nami's face.
She'd been heartbroken over giving up that 60 million Beli.
But now, if she was Luo Lan's treasurer, didn't that mean…
She'd still have control over the money?
This was…
Fantastic!
If Luo Lan knew what she was thinking, he'd definitely retort, "You're overthinking it."
At most, she'd get to keep a small portion to maintain the base's daily operations.
Nothing more!
Turning to Nojiko, Luo Lan asked, "What about you? What are your strengths? Or rather, what do you want to do at the 157th Branch?"
Truth be told, he didn't know much about Nojiko—only that she was good at growing tangerines. But she couldn't exactly start a grove at the base, right?
There wasn't much else about her in the original timeline.
So Luo Lan had no choice but to ask directly.
"I want to be a marine," Nojiko said firmly. "Just like Bell-mère once was—a front-line soldier."
"Oh?" That surprised Luoan.
Sure, once they got to the 157th Branch, both she and Nami would technically be part of the Navy.
But Nojiko specifically requested to serve on the front lines.
The combat division.
"Training in the combat unit is intense. Are you sure you can handle it?"
"I'm sure," Nojiko said, her eyes resolute.
"…Alright, if you insist."
"Thank you, Luo Lan!"
Luo Lan waved it off and turned to leave.
Nami immediately ran up beside her sister.
"Nojiko, are you sure about this? Combat duty in the Navy is no joke!"
"I'm sure. After all, someone's gotta protect our family's genius navigator, right?"
"Nojiko…"
---
Roughly 40 nautical miles from Cocoyasi Village.
The 16th Naval Branch.
Nearly a hundred marines were stationed here, along with two small warships.
For a third-tier branch, this was quite a sizable force.
That was mostly due to its location—after all, the 16th Branch sat on a critical trade route in a prosperous region. Its jurisdiction covered over 200 villages, and even included parts of the Kingdom of Geumetta's key ports.
At this moment, Commander Nezumi was just about to sleep.
Brrrr-brrrr-brrrr…
"This is Nezumi."
"It's me."
The low, heavy voice on the other end made Nezumi jolt upright.
"Vice Admiral! What can I do for you?"
"You've prepared for tomorrow's tax collection, yes?"
"Yes, sir! All ready. We estimate total revenue to exceed 300 million Beli this time!"
Gone was his usual cocky attitude—Nezumi responded with the utmost deference, even bowing as he spoke.
"Good. I trust you'll handle it. But I want you to deliver a message."
"Yes, sir. Please tell me what to say!"
"This time, let it slide. But starting next time, the levy increases by ten percent."
"…Understood! I'll deliver it word for word!"
Click.
The line went dead.
Nezumi rubbed his temple.
Ten percent?
Seriously?
They were already taking 55%. Now they wanted 65%?
Those villagers would never agree to that!
But if he couldn't deliver…
That Vice Admiral, though just a standard officer in name, had backing strong enough to scare even Fleet Admiral Sengoku himself.
Which meant—this mission had to succeed.
No exceptions.
Eventually, Nezumi gritted his teeth.
"Fine. We'll bring both warships and all available marines. If they refuse… kill one as an example to the rest."
He had no idea.
No idea at all.
That even if he brought a hundred marines and two ships…
They didn't stand a chance.
The original story never mentioned this event, nor how it might have ended.
But it no longer mattered.
Because the two submarines had already arrived off the coast of the 16th Branch.
Twenty-four elite marines had silently disembarked with Luo Lan and the others.
"Squad One, take the dorms. And remember—no gunfire unless absolutely necessary."
"Squad Two, secure the port and those two docked warships."
"Squad Three, you're with me. Target: the branch command building!"
"Everyone clear on their assignments?"
"Yes, Commander!"
"Move out!"