A/N: Check out my new story in Ko-Fi:
One Piece: I'm Immortal, So I Maxed Out Conqueror's Haki First
https:// ko-fi.com/sami27
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Cola... as a power system?
"Luo Lan, is this the same cola that Hina knows about?"
Hina looked thoroughly confused.
Cola—yeah, she knew what it was.
She didn't drink it often, but occasionally when dining out, she'd have a bottle or two. But how the hell did that fizzy drink end up powering a warship?
"I think... probably... maybe it is that cola?"
To be honest, Luo Lan didn't know for sure either.
He was aware the Science Division had a special team working on a new propulsion system, but he never paid attention to the details.
Who would've thought they'd actually manage to recreate Franky's cola-powered tech from the pirate world?
"Seras, how efficient is this type of propulsion?"
"If it's only for standard sailing, one bottle of cola can power a large warship for up to 300 nautical miles!"
"Three hundred!?"
Even Luo Lan was shocked.
One bottle of cola for 300 nautical miles? That's insane! No wonder this was one of the black-tech wonders of the pirate world…
"At this stage, it's still a basic version, Captain. But the potential for further development is immense!"
"You're saying it can get even better?"
"Yes, with vast room for improvement!"
Impressive!
Luo Lan gave an invisible thumbs-up in his mind.
He used to think about traveling to Alabasta to look for oil, but now? With this invention, who needs petroleum anymore!?
"Roy, continue!" Luo Lan said with great excitement. "Let's see what other surprises you've got for me!"
"Yes, Captain!"
"You may have also noticed that this warship doesn't use sails. Instead, it's fitted with propellers—an idea I got from Danaan!"
As Roy spoke, he swapped to another blueprint.
The design showed how the cola-powered core transferred energy through a series of complex mechanical systems, ultimately spinning two propellers beneath the ship.
"What's the top speed?"
This was the part Luo Lan cared about most.
"The cruising speed is 22 knots, and the maximum speed is 31 knots!"
"And the range?"
"The propulsion system needs maintenance every three months and a major overhaul every two years. Aside from that, as long as there's cola, it can keep sailing!"
"Excellent!"
Luo Lan was very pleased.
Roy continued explaining for quite a while, giving a detailed breakdown of the entire ship. When he finished, he handed the spotlight over to Seras to talk about the weapon systems.
"Captain, the armaments were developed by our Science Division's Second Team. The main battery consists of two twin-mounted 180mm cannons. They're newly designed naval guns—long range and powerful."
"For secondary weapons, we've installed twelve 105mm dual-purpose guns, also from the Second Team."
"And we've just completed development of heavy machine guns on the Third Team's end. They'll be widely deployed across this ship!"
Holy crap!
Luo Lan shouted again in his head.
Not only were they stepping into the ironclad era, they even had cannons now?
And those dual-purpose guns and heavy machine guns too?
At this rate, the Rhodes 1518s they just installed two months ago might already be obsolete...
"Kairo, how long would it take to build one of these?"
"Captain, since we've never built a ship like this before, the first batch will take some time. We estimate around one month, and we can build two at once at most."
Kairo thought it over and gave his best projection.
This wasn't your run-of-the-mill pirate ship—it required cooperation across multiple departments: propulsion systems, control systems, weapons, and so on.
"I assume you've already calculated the cost?"
"Yes, Captain. If we only consider material costs, each ship comes out to about 380 million Berries."
"What, that cheap?"
Luo Lan's eyes widened instantly.
He didn't think 380 million was expensive—on the contrary, it was shockingly low!
For context, even a standard 2,000-ton sail-powered medium naval ship from HQ costs at least 100 million Berries.
But now he was building something easily twice the tonnage, fully iron-clad—and it only cost 380 million!?
"Ahem, Captain... high-grade timber used for warships is actually more expensive than steel!"
And suddenly, it all clicked for Luo Lan.
That's right—in the original story, just the Adam Wood used for the keel and key components of the protagonist's ship cost 300 million Berries. That wasn't even counting the rest of the wood!
And while the Navy didn't splurge on Adam Wood, they certainly didn't use cheap planks either. Poor-quality timber couldn't withstand the recoil from naval cannons.
So yeah, a steel warship that didn't need expensive wood?
At 380 million per ship, it was reasonable.
"Begin construction immediately. I'll approve all funding requests!"
"Yes, Captain!"
Damn, Luo Lan thought. He had planned to mooch a few hundred million off Nami, but with two warships costing a combined 760 million, if he tried to squeeze more out of her, the entire branch's operations might collapse.
After all, the 157th Branch had over 3,000 personnel to feed and fund...
Forget it. He'd find another way to earn contribution points.
---
Later that afternoon.
When Seras and the others showed up with Luo Lan's signed funding slip...
Nami exploded.
"WHAT!? 760 million Berries!?"
"Do I look like a bank to you people!?"
"I'm telling you—no money! You want cash, you'll have to take my life!!"
Fortunately, Hina had come along with the team. She pulled Nami aside and talked to her for quite a while.
Only then did Nami reluctantly hand over the entire 760 million Berries from storage.
"Sister Hina, we had a deal—next time Luo Lan tries to bleed me dry, you help me beat him up!"
"Don't worry," Hina said solemnly. "I keep my word!"
Hearing that, Nami finally handed over the funds.
What followed was a frenzy of activity.
The Rhodes Shipyard, Ship Design Bureau, Science Division, Manufacturing Division, and Intelligence Department all went into overdrive.
Raw materials were sourced through the black market and transported to designated locations.
Then, with the help of the Intelligence Department, everything was quietly shipped to Rhodes Island without anyone noticing.
But Luo Lan had forgotten something very important.
Brrrrrr... Brrrrrr...
The Den Den Mushi in the office suddenly rang.
"This is Luo Lan."
"I'm almost out of the Calm Belt. I'll arrive in two hours."
Click.
Just one sentence, and then the call ended.
Oh hell no...
Luo Lan's face turned stiff.
He recognized the voice instantly.
Vice Admiral Gion—from Navy Headquarters.
Word was, she was about to be promoted to Admiral Candidate. They were even considering her codename: Pink Rabbit.
Luo Lan jumped out of his chair in a panic.
With her strength, if she activated her Observation Haki, she could probably scan half of Rhodes Island!
That meant everything would be exposed.
He quickly grabbed the Den Den Mushi and dialed.
Brrrrrr...
"Who's calling Hina?"
"Sister Hina, it's me!"
"What's up?"
"Sister Gion is coming!"
"So? I haven't seen her in ages. We can catch up over tea."
...
...
Luo Lan was speechless.
"Sister Hina, have you forgotten our situation here? We can't afford to be exposed!"
"Oh... right. So what now?"
Hina finally realized the problem and asked.
"Help me evacuate the entire branch to the east side of the island. That area's outside her Observation Haki's range!"
"No problem. What about you?"
"Me? I'll grab a few marines, throw on a disguise, and pretend I'm managing that rundown building outside!"
And with that, Luo Lan hung up the call and bolted from his office.