During these days of evacuation, Rhodes Island and several Reunion Movement cadres also forged deep friendships.
Besides father-daughter duos like Popukar and Big Bob, Sharp, who was also skilled in swordsmanship, and Red of Reunion Movement quickly became close through swordplay exchanges and sparring. After hearing about various things concerning Rhodes Island from Sharp, Red's interest in Rhodes Island grew even stronger.
He later generously stated that once the people here were safely delivered to their new homes and settled, he would officially join Rhodes Island.
Mudrock, through Kanna's introduction, became good friends with her former opponent, Saria.
Upon learning that everything Mudrock had learned was for the purpose of protecting those around her, Saria, for once, set aside her usual aloofness and enthusiastically explained to Mudrock how to conduct proper security and defense training for a team.
After listening to Saria, Mudrock treasured her words as if they were a precious artifact, even pulling out a small notebook to meticulously record everything the other party said.
It wasn't until they approached Lungmen that Lungmen and Kanna's group bid farewell to the others, leading nearly a hundred non-Infected survivors of the recent calamity towards Lungmen.
Before parting, Popukar looked at Big Bob with reluctance.
Under everyone's watchful eyes, Big Bob had no choice but to make a pinky promise with Popukar, assuring her that he would definitely visit Popukar when he came to Rhodes Island for his next check-up. Only then did Popukar break into a smile through her tears.
After they parted, seeing Kanna's curious gaze beside her, Popukar's small face flushed slightly, "Big Bob is very kind. I feel safe around him."
Hearing her words, everyone couldn't help but exclaim that the A6 Team's cheerful member was about to be 'abducted'!
Everyone also knew that Popukar, having met a "kindred spirit" much older and more accommodating than herself, was experiencing a transference of affection due to never having received parental love since childhood.
However, since it was a rare opportunity to tease Popukar without worrying about angering her and causing mischief, the A6 Team, who had long considered Popukar family, naturally had to have some fun.
The cheerful antics here also dispelled the tension of the ordinary people who felt anxious after parting ways with the Infected on the other side.
With fewer people in the team, their speed increased significantly. By the afternoon of the next day, they arrived near Lungmen, where hundreds of fully armed Lungmen Guard Department / Guard Department Operators were already waiting.
Kanna looked up and saw that the person leading them was an acquaintance, the Lungmen Lungmen Guard Department / Guard Department's wealthiest 'little tiger,' Swire.
"Where's Chen?" After the two groups met, Swire looked around but didn't find any trace of Chen.
Hoshiguma and Shirayuki exchanged glances before Hoshiguma spoke, "Uh, Chen didn't return with us; she went to Rhodes Island. The matter is quite complex, and I need to report it to Governor Wei personally."
Hearing Hoshiguma's words, Swire helplessly massaged her forehead. "I knew you wouldn't be able to hold back Chen. I also have some understanding of Rhodes Island, but now, receiving these Refugees is the most important thing. You can tell me about the Chernobog incident on the way. Of course, if it needs to be kept secret, then never mind."
Although she was also very concerned about Chen's situation, Swire hadn't forgotten her mission. Under her command, the accompanying people were escorted by Lungmen Guard Department / Guard Department personnel to nearby vehicles. They would be taken to a specialized testing station, and after medical examination confirmed their non-Infected status, these individuals would be accepted by the Lungmen authorities as bargaining chips in negotiations with Ursus.
After the handover, the A6 Team was about to leave, but Swire spoke up, "You must be the Operators from Rhodes Island, right? I didn't expect little Kanna to be here too!"
She had seen Kanna when the crowd arrived and hadn't expected that the little girl she met at the dessert shop, who was close to Madam Fumizuki / Wen Yue, was actually from Rhodes Island.
In her heart, she gained some understanding of the relationship between Lungmen and Rhodes Island.
"Governor Wei specifically mentioned before I came that your journey has been very arduous, and he hopes to invite you all to Lungmen for a visit. Moreover, Governor Wei has prepared a generous gift for Rhodes Island and hopes you can take it back to Rhodes Island on your way."
The members of the A6 Team, who had originally intended to bid farewell, all shrugged, knowing they probably couldn't leave just yet.
However, Kanna wasn't planning to stay here for long. After all, the place Patriot and his group were heading was Kazdel, a place currently controlled by Theresis. Given Patriot's special and sensitive identity, Kanna could easily guess that Theresis wouldn't remain idle. So, during the handover, she had already decided that as soon as this was over, regardless of the A6 Team's next actions, she had to catch up with Patriot's group.
Kanna pulled Orchid aside and told her her thoughts. Orchid didn't doubt Kanna's ability to cross the wilderness alone; she was only worried that Kanna wouldn't be able to find Patriot's group.
"Don't worry, everyone's communication terminals, like Sharp's and Saria's, have GPS. I can just follow the location markers."
Kanna was completely unconcerned about Orchid's worries; she just felt that it would be rude to leave like that.
Popukar, standing nearby, heard Kanna was leaving and remembered something. She then took a small rabbit embroidery charm from her clothes and handed it to Kanna.
"Please give this to Big Bob for me and tell him I'll be waiting for him at Rhodes Island! Make sure to keep our promise!"
Kanna took it and tucked it into her pocket, "Don't worry! I'll definitely deliver it for you!"
With that, she prepared to leave.
"Kanna?" Seeing Kanna leave the crowd and walk back in the direction they came from, Swire, who had been paying attention, called out.
"I still have a mission to complete, so I won't be going back to Lungmen with you! See you next time, Sister Swire!" After saying that, Kanna's short legs pushed off, and in a few leaps, she disappeared from everyone's sight.
Seeing Kanna leave alone, and with the Rhodes Island personnel not stopping her at all, Swire was a little anxious. After all, letting such a small child face the December tundra alone—these Rhodes Island people seemed utterly irresponsible.
But as she took a step, Hoshiguma pulled her back.
"How could you..."
Hoshiguma reached out and patted Swire's head to calm her down. "Don't worry, if it's Kanna, I believe she'll take good care of herself..."
Recalling everything she had experienced with Rhodes Island during this period, the constant thrill of facing powerful enemies made Hoshiguma feel like she had wasted all her previous years.
And even under such circumstances, the Rhodes Island group returned safely, and everyone had witnessed the role Kanna played in it.
She had long understood that the little girl who usually seemed a bit naive and ate a lot was the true tactical core and main force of Rhodes Island.
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