The ship sailed northwest and eventually reached a desert island in the Calm Belt. Solomon bowed respectfully to Arías before leaving the island.
He soon returned with a group of individuals. These people were clad in bronze masks and full-body armor. At the front of the group, two people carried a stretcher made from a bed board.
This was one of Solomon's secret hideouts.
Tom and Bingshan watched in surprise as the guards transported the seriously injured Frame onto the stretcher and proceeded into the depths of the island.
"Your Excellency Yong Ye, where is this place?" Tom asked, astonished. Since boarding the ship, the doll had insisted on being addressed as Yong Ye and had been evasive about its true nature. Observing the activities on the desert island, Tom realized this was a covert base.
It seemed this young man was concealing something significant!
"Mr. Tom, this is a hidden underground palace. It not only helps us evade the World Government's pursuit but also provides the necessary facilities to treat Frame's injuries," Arías explained.
As they reached the heart of the underground palace, Tom noticed that while the guards and others bowed to Arías, they did not dare to ask questions.
The underground palace was as opulent as the one in East Blue. A beautiful woman administered medicine to Frame's wounds.
Arías then handed Tom a pamphlet. "Mr. Tom, this contains the weapon refining techniques I've studied. It might be useful for you and Frame."
Although Arías couldn't directly teach Tom the Divine Machinery or the Hundred Refining Techniques, the pamphlet included standard weapon refining methods and the secretive Xingqi Technique.
Tom examined the pamphlet and realized that the ideas presented were profoundly advanced and new to him. Although he was an experienced shipbuilder, his expertise extended to various types of weaponry and equipment. This was evident from Franky's future creations.
"I will have Solomon arrange for some materials. Even though Frame's injuries are severe, with your techniques, creating mechanical prosthetics should be feasible," Tom said.
"My weapon refining methods might help," Arías offered.
Tom closed the pamphlet and thanked Arías sincerely. "Thank you, Your Excellency Yong Ye! The concepts you've shared could revolutionize the world!"
Leaving Tom and his apprentice in the underground palace, Solomon instructed everyone there to treat Tom and his companions as if they were himself. Arías then took Monet, Sugar, Akin, and Solomon back to the ship.
Solomon could not be left unattended due to the risk of betrayal, even though Arías held his heart.
On the ship, Arías allowed Monet and the others to practice while assigning Solomon menial tasks like cleaning, cooking, and washing. Despite his luxurious lifestyle, Solomon struggled with these tasks, especially cooking, which was notably subpar.
At Monet's insistence, Arías finally agreed to transfer the cooking responsibilities to Xia Chen.
Arías sat on the deck chair, reviewing a detailed document Solomon had provided about the underground world. This document included information on underground markets, military strengths of various leaders, hidden connections, and detailed profiles of Arías's three subordinates.
He called Monet and handed her the document. "Review this carefully. I need you to take over the underground forces in the future."
Monet was thrilled by the trust and responsibility Arías placed in her. "Don't worry, Lord Ye, I will carry out your instructions flawlessly!" Her skills as a secretary were well-established, and her secretarial talents surpassed even her cultivation abilities.
Arías instructed Solomon to send a covert message to the Marines. Solomon quickly contacted his underworld contacts via a den den mushi.
Expanding the sea chart, Arías began planning the next stage of his mission: stealing the treasures from various royal palaces. Using the Earthly Immortal, Ghostly Shadow, and Phantom Body Barrier, he successfully pilfered the treasures of three kingdoms.
Arriving in Sabaody, he delivered the loot to Nine Snake's warrior, Luo Lin, at the Elite Cafe, and obtained several improved large-scale bite bags.
The thefts shocked the kings of the affected countries. As they were World Government members, the Government immediately tasked Kong with investigating the matter.
At Marineford, Kong was reading a newspaper leisurely while Buddha Sengoku sat at the desk, looking distressed.
Sengoku was troubled by the World Government's order to capture the thief who had stolen the treasures from three kingdoms. This was no small feat, and the thief must be a significant pirate, likely possessing an unknown Devil Fruit power.
With no leads, Sengoku had no choice but to deploy Marine forces to search for clues.
A secret report arrived, and Sengoku read it with a serious expression.
"What's the matter?" Kong asked.
Sengoku replied, "The report indicates traces of the Revolutionary Army!"
The Revolutionary Army remained hidden, with its leader, Garp's son Dragon, known only for inciting rebellion among island residents. Their goal was to overthrow the World Government.
Kong inquired, "What's the plan?"
Sengoku considered briefly before responding, "The report mentions the Revolutionary Army's leader has appeared in East Blue. Since Garp is also there, I'll send Sakazuki to lead the team and eliminate the Revolutionary Army."
In an ordinary house in Logue Town, Arías prepared a pot of tea. His family had yet to return, and the agreed-upon month with the Revolutionary Army had arrived. Arías left the house, locked the door, and went to the tavern where he had previously met Dragon.
The same location, the same elegant room, but this time only Dragon was present.
"Have your people arrived?" Dragon asked.
Arías confirmed and assured him that there was no need for Dragon to intervene directly. His goal was to let the Marine connect the Op-Op Fruit with the Revolutionary Army. If Dragon acted, the Marines would have no messenger.
This was part of a larger strategy, hinting that the Revolutionary Army's masters were maintaining their positions.
"Let's go!" Ivankov led the team, with Dragon and Crow among the senior officials staying in the shadows.
Unbeknownst to them, Marine forces were also heading towards Logue Town.