The Earthly Immortal Sneaks Into Mignon Island

After departing from Branch 57, the two sailed back to where the Iron Rod Pirate Ship was docked.

"Hancock, take this boat to Bangor waters, and I'll join you later!" Arias intended to use Hancock as a diversion to draw Marine's attention away, facilitating his smoother approach to Mignon Island.

Gathering several buckets of paint from the cabin, Arias removed the skulls from the pirate flag on the ship's sail and damaged some bow decorations. While not entirely concealable, he aimed to keep these alterations hidden for a period.

Reluctant, Hancock protested, "No, I want to be with you."

Arias, feeling the pressure, reasoned, "Good girl, I'll reunite with you soon. Bringing you along might endanger Nine Snake Island."

Hancock's expression wavered at the mention of Nine Snakes, but she countered, "But there's only one sea chart. Without it, I'll be lost at sea!"

Arias pondered, realizing the flaw, but Hancock added, "I can command these two sea serpents to move in one direction."

A spark lit up in Arias's eyes. "That could work."

However, he knew this plan came with a cost—they would lose the ship and the two sea snakes if they executed it.

With no alternative, Arias slightly loosened the devices securing the sea snakes, ensuring the ship would disintegrate within a month, granting the serpents their freedom.

After Hancock commanded the sea snakes, the two ships went their separate ways. A day later, a Marine warship spotted the serpent-pulled pirate ship and reported it to Branch 57. The Vice Admiral conveyed the information to Buddha Sengoku.

Studying the North Blue chart on his desk, Sengoku questioned, "Are they really heading to Bangor waters in that direction?" He shook his head, sensing something amiss but unable to pinpoint the issue.

Acknowledging the secrecy surrounding the Op-Op Fruit, Sengoku instructed, "Continue monitoring their movements and report to me regularly." Despite reduced suspicion towards Arias, Sengoku maintained vigilance, ordering Branch 57 to stay alert to Nine Snakes' pirate ship.

On the Iron Rod Pirate Ship, Hancock appeared displeased. The vessel had been cleaned and renovated by the female warriors of Nine Snakes, particularly the bedrooms. However, the persistent stench made sleeping in other pirates' beds impossible.

Fortunately, Salome offered a solution, serving as Hancock's makeshift bed. Despite this, a good night's rest remained elusive.

Arias didn't mind. After anchoring the boat for the night, he reclined in the driver's cab, ready to rest.

With a sound sleep, free from mental strain and aided by the Liuku Immortal Thief, his rest was undisturbed. Several days later, they neared Mignon Island.

"Hancock, I'm heading to that island. Wait for me here," Arias declared. While Hancock had been aware of his destination, curiosity got the better of her.

"Why do you need to go to this island?" she inquired, her initial playful demeanor replaced by genuine curiosity.

Smiling, Arias looked into her innocent eyes, explaining, "To acquire a Devil Fruit."

He disclosed the truth, "A group of pirates has the Op-Op Fruit, and they intend to trade it with the Marines. My mission is to intercept it."

"The Op-Op Fruit grants immortality. If the Marines obtain it, they'll likely use it on a supreme Celestial Dragon."

Hancock's excitement surged at the mention of Celestial Dragons, "We can't let them have it! I'm coming with you!"

Arias shook his head, emphasizing the risks, "If you join, Nine Snakes will be in jeopardy. With my Earth Technique, I can infiltrate quietly without raising any alarms."

Hancock, convinced, reluctantly agreed, "Okay, hurry up!"

"Uh!"

Arias leaped into the sea, swimming towards the visible Mignon Island. Hancock questioned with a puzzled expression, "Uh?"

Arias, out at sea, noticed a peculiar ship in the distance.

"Is it Marine's surveillance vessel?" he wondered, realizing that Marine might have pinpointed the pirates' location. The irony struck him – contemplating a deal with Marine when Barreiros, a Marine general, was involved. Would Marine seize the pirates' belongings and destroy them? Arias questioned if Rosinante had infiltrated the area.

Feeling the chill in the water due to the peculiar climate of the pirate world, Arias swam towards the shore. Instead of coming ashore, he utilized his Earthly Immortal ability to burrow into the earth. Deep within Mignon Island, he resurfaced.

As he emerged, he glanced at the sky, exclaiming, "It's actually snowing!"

Meanwhile, a Marine surveillance ship observed a large vessel approaching and anchoring at sea. The Marine Major in charge swiftly reported to Sengoku, "A ship has been spotted approaching Mignon Island!"