"How far are they from us?"
The airship's radar had a range of up to 3,000 kilometers in the air.
Of course, over the sea, that range was significantly reduced—around 2,000 kilometers was more realistic.
Luo Lan didn't question why the soldier operating the radar was only reporting this now.
There was a simple reason: even though the Calm Belt was dangerous, it wasn't completely devoid of traffic.
Navy ships, pirates, and merchants who navigated from the Grand Line to the Four Seas would occasionally pass through the Calm Belt.
That said, such voyages were only made if the ship had powerful warriors aboard—at least strong enough to fend off sea kings.
Otherwise, entering the Calm Belt was essentially gambling with one's life.
That's why the airship soldiers didn't report every single sighting—only those on a course that brought them near Rhodé Island.
However, when Luo Lan had chosen the island's location, he had carefully avoided all known routes connecting the Grand Line to the East Blue.
Which meant... this was the first time a ship had ever approached Rhodes Island.
"Roughly 100 nautical miles away. They're moving fast—measured at over 20 knots!"
"Twenty knots...?" Luo Lan blinked in surprise.
Even the Navy's latest warships only traveled at 12 knots.
Twenty knots? For a sailing ship in the world of pirates, that was practically unheard of.
"So they'll reach Rhodes Island in five hours?"
"If they stay on course, yes," Robin nodded.
"Rhodes Island cannot be exposed yet. Sister Gion, take your First Fleet and intercept them 30 nautical miles out," Luo Lan ordered.
"If they're pirates, capture them all and deal with them as per our standard protocols."
"And if they're not?"
"Bring them back here. Feed and treat them well in Jun Lin City. Once we launch our campaign to conquer the East Blue, compensate them and release them."
After a brief pause, Luo Lan gave his orders.
Peach Rabbit (Gion) nodded and left to execute them.
Back when the fleet was being built, only about two-thirds of the First Fleet had been completed.
As for Hina's Second Fleet—the keel hadn't even been laid.
Still, even with just two-thirds of its full strength, the First Fleet was a terrifying force in this pirate world.
It boasted ten battleships and twenty destroyers.
Cruisers and escort ships weren't included—not because Luo Lan didn't want them, but because time was limited. Only the most crucial ships were prioritized for construction.
Half an hour later, 18,000 Jun Lin soldiers gathered at the military harbor and quickly boarded the warships.
The First Fleet of Jun Lin—comprising 30 ships—made its first official appearance on the sea.
---
In the Calm Belt.
Two massive sea serpents, each hundreds of meters long, pulled a large pirate ship at incredible speed across the ocean's surface.
Even ordinary sea kings didn't dare come near.
"Sister, why are we even here?"
"Yeah, no merchant ships pass through this area. Why are we...?"
Sandersonia and Marigold both wore puzzled expressions.
After all, the purpose of this journey was to secure the next generation for Amazon Lily.
Aside from members of the Kuja Pirates, over a hundred citizens of Amazon Lily had come aboard—
All women, of course. There wasn't a single man in the entire country.
Normally, they would ambush a few merchant ships in the Calm Belt or the Grand Line,
Then pick a few healthy, disease-free men from the crew.
After that, well… they'd "discuss life" with the women of Amazon Lily.
A win-win situation:
The women got the next generation, and the men—
Well, they got the night of their lives.
But this time, for some reason, Hancock had steered the ship far off any normal shipping route.
"That wasn't my order. The sea serpents acted on their own," Hancock said, shaking her head.
She was just as confused as her sisters.
No matter how she tried to command them, the serpents ignored her—
As if something ahead was irresistibly drawing them in.
Curious, Hancock decided not to stop them.
---
A little over an hour later.
Hancock left her two sisters on deck and went below to rest.
But just a few minutes passed before Sandersonia burst in, looking panicked.
"Sandersonia, what's got you so shaken?"
"Sister, you have to come out—something's happening!"
Hancock frowned and got up, walking out of her quarters.
On deck, all the Kuja warriors were in position, bows drawn and aimed toward the front and both flanks.
Hancock followed their line of sight—
And froze.
From the sea, large warships had emerged in front and on both sides, surrounding their pirate ship in a three-way formation.
Each ship gleamed with metallic luster, equipped with massive turrets—
But no sails.
"Sister..."
"I think it's that group they call Jun Lin... Their warships are said to be made entirely of steel and sail without wind!" Sandersonia quickly explained.
They had heard rumors of this while out "collecting" men on their last voyage.
Though unconfirmed, the name Jun Lin had stuck in their minds.
"I don't care who this Jun Lin is," Hancock said coldly.
"All I know is—no one can stand in my way."
"Full speed ahead!"
She wasn't speaking to her sisters.
Her command was aimed at the two giant sea serpents pulling their ship.
Hearing her words, the serpents surged forward with no hesitation.
Their speed now exceeded 30 knots.
Previously, they had held back to keep the ship stable—for their mistress's comfort.
But now?
Now it was time to charge. Stability didn't matter anymore.
They loved this part the most.
---
Meanwhile...
Peach Rabbit recognized the opposing flag and sighed internally.
Of all people, it had to be her.
If Luo Lan were here, he'd probably mutter—
"You crazy woman..."
"Do you even have the right to call other women crazy?"