Chapter 169: Guarding Ark Island
"Boss, we're over here!" Before Luo Han even reached the plaza, Tack and the others were already waving and calling out enthusiastically.
He chuckled. For some reason, their smiles felt especially sincere this time—like they had found a purpose worth dedicating their lives to. That kind of contentment lifted Luo Han 's mood. After all, the home he envisioned had been accepted by others.
Thump thump! Just as Luo Han landed, Aishi stomped over, eyes full of cold fire.
"Talk! Why did you leave without saying a word this morning? You forced me to eat your big bowl of porridge!" she fumed, clearly aggrieved. She was now slightly over her weight limit—because of one extra bowl.
Luo Han didn't answer right away. Instead, his mind focused on a more serious issue. This kind of thing didn't matter before, but now...
He stared at the girl in front of him—2.5 meters tall, shoulder-length black hair, wearing a white tank top and dark blue shorts that showed off her pale skin and long legs. On her feet, delicate sandals. Her overall look resembled a Nordic goddess. Her beauty wasn't flashy but enduring. Her proportions were a little off though… her legs were too long.
That wasn't the problem. The real issue was her height.
2.5 meters… still too short.
Luo Han was three meters tall now—and could grow taller at will. He liked women taller than himself. Maybe that's just how a "normal" man thinks. You always want someone better than you, yet still loves you.
I'm practically invincible now, and I still don't feel good enough? he mentally groaned, eyes still fixated on her dazzling white legs. Despite Honeycomb Island's tropical climate, her skin hadn't tanned a bit—not like Sora or Sister Shao's bronze tones.
He's totally staring at my legs, Aishi thought, part annoyed and part smug. She didn't know how to react. He hadn't said a word since arriving, just kept ogling her legs. Her legs fidgeted, unsure of what to do.
"Ahem! That's enough, you two," Sister Shao finally cut in. She couldn't take it anymore. One person stared while the other squirmed. It was killing her appetite. If she didn't interrupt them now, they might go on forever.
"Ah! My grilled chicken's burning!" Aishi suddenly yelped and sprinted off like a blur.
Still too young, Luo Han thought with a sigh as he watched her run. He wouldn't have panicked. He already knew she liked him—confidence is key.
"Stop staring! You'll have plenty more chances," Sister Shao teased, glaring at Luo Han . The pace of their relationship was moving faster than she could keep up with.
Well, some people do have emotional awareness hacks, she grumbled internally.
"Haha, true." Luo Han laughed, not denying it. Then he turned and shouted, "Party time, people!"
"Got it, Boss Luo Han !"
"Party—!"
Everyone responded enthusiastically, and the feast began.
Luo Han and Sister Shao sat at their usual spot—well, not a throne, just their own corner. Seven people total: four women, three men (Luo Han , Cole, and Tack).
At the table, Sister Shao set down her wine and asked, "Did you finish giving instructions to Tack and the others this morning?"
Upon hearing this, the other five officers (besides Tack) immediately turned to Luo Han . They'd all been curious about what he had ordered.
Luo Han smiled. Seeing how interested they were—and since they'd find out after the banquet anyway—he didn't hold back and explained, "I've taken a liking to Ark Island. I want to make it our future base—or rather, turn it into the home I've always dreamed of.
"But I also want to travel the world. I've promised Sister Shao I'd find something for her, and I intend to keep that promise."
As he spoke, he used Kyoka suigetsu to signal Sister Shao not to reveal what that "something" was. She understood immediately, eyes flashing with emotion. What a good little brother, he still remembers the Pure Gold promise.
Aishi , seeing the secret exchange, pouted slightly. Not being part of the inner circle stung a bit—but only a little. Her ears stayed sharp for the next part.
Luo Han continued, "So I've asked Tack and the others to stay behind and protect this place. With the Rocks Pirates disbanded, the New World will soon fall into chaos. And since I don't know how long I'll be away, I'm counting on them to defend it."
The moment he finished, Tack stood tall, puffing up like a proud peacock. Once he had everyone's attention, he declared, "Leave it to me, Boss Luo Han ! This place is our home now. We won't let anyone harm it. You can travel with Aishi and the others worry-free!"
His subordinates joined in, shouting:
"That's right, Boss! We finally have a home again. We'll protect it!"
"Haha! Go ahead, Boss. We'll be here when you get back!"
Cheers and laughter filled the air—except from Ellis, who hovered silently beside Sister Shao. Since the moment Luo Han said this would be their new home, she hadn't smiled.
Only Sister Shao noticed and looked down to ask, "What's wrong, Ellis?"
Luo Han noticed too and asked, "Ellis? What's the matter?"
The others quickly quieted down.
Ellis lowered her head and asked in a trembling voice, "Luo Han … you're never going back to Ring Tree Island—our old home—ever again?"
Luo Han was taken aback. Then he realized what was troubling her.
She was afraid. Afraid that he, Cole, and the others wouldn't return to the place they all once called home. And if they didn't… she'd be alone again.
For hundreds of years, even though she was conscious, she'd been stuck in one place, unable to move or talk. That kind of loneliness must have been unbearable. Now, even though she had a body, she still thought like the tree she once was—stationary, waiting.
Luo Han stepped forward and said seriously, "Ellis, you're not that immobile tree anymore. You're Ellis . You're family. Sure, I was being a bit of a weeb when I first said it, but I meant every word. You've always been part of our Ring Tree Island family. Wherever our home is—that's your home too. And no, we're not leaving Ring Tree Island forever. We just need a base in the New World."
Ellis slowly lifted her head. A few lingering tear trails still marked her delicate cheeks.
She wiped them away and asked excitedly, "You mean it? I'll always be your family, your companion? Wherever your home is, it's mine too?"
"Absolutely. My home is your home. We'll always be together. You don't have to worry anymore," Luo Han replied quickly—worried she'd spiral again. He hadn't realized how sensitive she was when it came to things like "home" and "family."
"Hehe! Then I'm fine now. Don't all stare at me—eat up!" Ellis grinned again, back to her big-sister-next-door self, urging everyone to enjoy the food and drinks.
The moment of tension vanished without a trace, and the feast resumed.
But even the liveliest parties must come to an end.
By late afternoon, it was time to leave. No tearful farewells. After saying goodbye to the excited Tack and his crew, Luo Han lifted the ships into the air and departed Ark Island.
...Which left only Luo Han 's team feeling slightly melancholic.
Now it was just the six of them again. Meanwhile, Tack and his men were buzzing with excitement over staying behind. Their over-the-top enthusiasm made Luo Han sweat a little—it felt like he was running a pyramid scheme, tricking innocent youths into chasing a dream.
(END CHAPTER)
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