Chapter 164 — Defense Lines in the Mist
S.C. 1511 — Late March
Hidden Island — Perimeter Zone
The fog thickened around the island as Ren adjusted the final brass valve on the fog generator tower.
A low hiss spread outward, and the mist rolled across the trees like a living blanket.
Kiro scanned the expanding cloud and shivered.
"…I can't see anything. Even from here."
"That's the point," Ren replied calmly.
Zemo sniffed the air and sneezed.
Luffy, who insisted on coming today, frowned.
"Ren, why does this fog feel funny?"
Ren looked away.
"It's… a special kind of fog. Not for kids."
Luffy squinted suspiciously.
"Is it… adult fog?"
Ren sighed. "Just stay close."
---
1. The Hallucinogenic Fog Upgrade
Ren checked the mixture levels on the generator's panel.
Compound X (very diluted)
Mist-catalyst
A mild forest herb extract
A small dose of hallucinating agent made from "Dreamroot Herb v1"
The mix wasn't dangerous.
But anyone unfamiliar with the island—and who wandered deep into the fog—would:
hear footsteps behind them
see faint lights
get disoriented
lose direction within minutes
Perfect deterrent.
Kiro raised a brow.
"So anyone not on our list will walk in circles?"
"Or run away out of fear," Ren confirmed.
Zemo barked proudly, as if he invented it.
Luffy whispered dramatically,
"…So cool…"
---
2. Building the Port
On the southern shore, large logs of Stonebark Titan wood lay stacked, ready to be shaped.
Ren, subordinates, and Kiro worked together:
cutting beams
setting foundations
drive KEA nails
aligning supports
By afternoon, the outline of a real port emerged—
a sturdy dock capable of holding two medium ships.
Ren hammered the last beam and stepped back.
"Now the boats can dock safely. No more hiding in coves."
Kiro wiped sweat from his forehead.
"This… looks better than some kingdom ports."
Luffy swung on a rope from the beams, yelling,
"I DECLARE THIS LUFFY DOCK—!!"
"NO!" everyone shouted at once.
Zemo barked loudly to add emphasis.
---
3. The Alarm Line — Silent but Sharp
Along the north and west coastlines, Ren installed a very thin copper-wire network buried under shallow soil and leaves.
Subordinates helped stretch and anchor the wires while Kiro tested the connection.
Ren connected the line to a small bell-like device inside the island's main chamber.
"Step on the wire… and it completes the circuit," Ren explained.
Kiro pressed his foot on a wire.
Ding.
A soft chime rang inside the base.
Zemo perked up and ran toward the entrance.
Ren nodded.
"Animals won't activate it, but a person will. This will tell us the moment someone steps onto the island."
Kiro grinned.
"No one will sneak up on us again."
---
4. WW2-Level Machine Guns
Deep in the tree line, Ren and his subordinates uncovered long crates.
Inside were multiple prototypes:
belt-fed KEA-barrel machine guns
water-cooled casings
tripod mounts
precision sights
heavy KEA bullets
Not magical.
Not futuristic.
Just advanced engineering built quietly over the last weeks.
Kiro lifted one with difficulty.
"This thing weighs more than Zemo…"
Zemo growled indignantly.
Ren fitted one onto a swivel stand facing the northern beach.
"Three-second burst," he instructed.
Kiro loaded a belt.
BRRRRRRRRRRT—!
The bullets tore through wooden test targets cleanly.
Luffy covered his ears.
"THAT'S SO LOUD—AND SO COOL—AND SO SCARY!!"
Ren walked around the gun to inspect the recoil dampeners.
"Effective. We'll place four around the perimeter.
These are only for last-resort defense."
Kiro nodded solemnly.
---
5. Coastal Cannons
On the east side stood a different weapon—
Short-barrel naval cannons reinforced with KEA alloy.
Not huge.
But powerful.
Ren loaded a blank round for testing.
"Fire."
BOOM—!
The sound shook leaves off trees.
A plume of smoke rose.
Luffy fell backward.
Zemo yelped and ran in circles.
Kiro winced.
"These will sink a small pirate ship in one hit."
"That's the intention," Ren said quietly.
He touched the cannon barrel.
"Even if no one ever comes… we stay ready."
---
6. The Perimeter Walk
By evening, fog rolled thick across the island.
The hallucinogenic mixture formed swirling patterns over the water.
The alarms were set.
The guns were mounted.
The cannons primed.
The port half-built.
Kiro walked beside Ren.
"Do you think someone will ever try to come?"
"Maybe. Maybe not," Ren replied.
"But we protect the people who trust us.
And we protect the work we've built."
Zemo walked proudly between them.
Luffy rode on Zemo's back yelling,
"NO PIRATE CAN DEFEAT US NOW—!!"
Ren gave a small smile.
That confidence…
was the core he needed to protect.
---
Night — System Check
Inside the main chamber, Ren verified each system:
Fog generator working
Alarm lines connected
Gun mounts stable
Cannon barrels clean
Port structure aligned
Everything synced perfectly.
He closed his notebook.
"Good. The island is safe."
Zemo curled beside him.
Kiro sat cross-legged, taking a short rest.
Luffy snored loudly in the corner.
Subordinates slept nearby after a long day.
Ren whispered:
"This… is our fortress."
---
End of Chapter 164