Collect The Bounty And Send A Message To Sengoku

The bespectacled man trembled in fear, his liver quivering as Gil's formidable strength left the pirate group dependent on him. Now, with Gil fallen in battle, the once mighty pirate had been reduced to a mere shadow.

"Sir, spare me! I'll guide you, just spare my life," stammered the frightened man, his legs uncontrollably swaying.

Arias silenced him with a stern look, forcing the terrified man to lead them to his pirate ship. Inside the Iron Rod Pirate Ship, the man with glasses produced a treasure chest from the captain's cabin.

Arias opened it, finding a detailed map of North Blue and magnetic pointers to various islands. With a shared glance, Arias and Hancock understood the significance. The man with glasses, now a stone statue, crumbled at Arias's kick.

Boarding the ship, they searched for treasure, only to find disappointment. Arias remarked, "Is this all Gil left?" Despite a moment of regret for dispatching the man with glasses too soon, Arias consoled himself — the sea map was now in their possession.

Arias inspected the ship's power room, discovering a device akin to Sonny's wind cannon. It wasn't as swift as the Feng Lai Cannon, fueled by an unfamiliar liquid, with only half remaining. Yet, it sufficed.

With the iron rod pirate ship, Arias could stealthily approach Mignon Island, sparing the Kuja from unnecessary trouble. Sailing, Arias steered alongside Salome, with Hancock seated on the serpent-pulled pirate ship following closely.

At the Naval Headquarters, Admiral Sengoku scowled, examining a report.

"Empress Nine Snakes and her husband in North Blue? What brings them here? Did news of the Op-Op Fruit leak?"

Anxious, he contacted Marine, urging swift negotiations with Barreiros for the Op-Op Fruit, regardless of the cost.

In North Blue, two pirate ships advanced. Arias consulted his chart, pondering, "Is that the Marine 57 branch ahead?" He anchored the iron rod pirate ship, and after five hours, he and Hancock reached the sea snake-pulled ship.

Cloak of Justice gazed in confusion at Arias, a handsome man, and Hancock, a beauty.

"Let's collect the bounty!" Arias cheerfully presented Jill's head.

"Hold on," the Vice Admiral, still bewildered, returned to his office with Jill's head. Dialing Buddha Sengoku's number, he urgently conveyed, "Moxi Moxi!"

"What! Are they collecting a bounty?" Sengoku was taken aback.

Perplexed, he pondered if these two were hunting pirates in North Blue. While many pirates had bounties, going after them required special capabilities. Hancock and Arias, being Seven Warlords of the Sea, had official status.

"I'll give you permission! Give them the bounty!" Sengoku instructed, adding, "Ask them why they came to North Blue!"

After the call, the Vice Admiral, with a serious expression, stepped out of the office.

"The mission goal is set. Iron Rod Admiral Gill has a bounty of 230 million Baileys. I've dispatched personnel to collect the bounty. Please wait for further updates."

After a pause, the Vice Admiral inquired, "I wonder why you two came all the way to North Blue?"

Arias suppressed a laugh, recognizing the Vice Admiral's intent to investigate. Knowing the stoic nature of the facially paralyzed official, he understood brevity was key.

"My hometown is North Blue. After marrying Hancock, I wanted to visit. Encountering Jill on the way, I handled him and claimed the bounty," Arias explained, weaving his fabricated story.

The Vice Admiral persisted, "Have you been back home?"

"We just arrived in North Blue; my home is near Bangor waters," Arias casually mentioned, selecting a location from the chart. This strategic choice kept the focus away from Mignon Island.

These words were relayed to Buddha Sengoku through the branch Vice Admiral. Arias aimed to conceal the true mission until the Op-Op Fruit transaction was completed.

As Arias contemplated Luo's possession of the Op-Op Fruit, he realized the World Government's prioritization of Devil Fruits over individuals. Despite Luo intercepting the fruit, no action had been taken. This highlighted the government's focus on the fruit's abilities rather than the individual consuming it.

Arias strategized, acknowledging the risks involved in obtaining the Op-Op Fruit. As long as their actions remained covert and the fruit acquisition went unnoticed, they could navigate the situation without major consequences.