"Tsk tsk, with this ability, where in the world can't you go?" Arias mused, reflecting on his newfound power. He returned to the ship and contacted Solomon, instructing him to transfer Robin to a key position under Morgans.
Solomon, aware that his people would eventually be replaced, complied without resistance, knowing he had no choice.
On Obenluo Island, the branch president received Morgans' order just as Robin, who had been away, returned.
"Robin, you're back just in time," the president said. "I've reported your excellent performance to the headquarters. Our boss wants to transfer you there. Someone from the headquarters will be here in the next two days to pick you up. Please prepare yourself."
He poured Robin a cup of tea and added with a smile, "You've been with me for a year, and I've treated you well. When you get to the headquarters, say something nice to the boss on my behalf."
Meanwhile, back on the ship, Arias observed Monet and the others as they continued their spiritual training. All three were progressing well. Sugar's power had increased significantly, and Monet's observation skills had sharpened. Although Ah Jin had already mastered Qi, Monet's enhanced observation skills allowed her to anticipate and avoid his attacks.
Ah Jin was also training diligently, no less than Zoro, who trained relentlessly. He had begun to show initial success in his mastery of Bajiquan, the Dragon Claw Hand, and the Great Compassion Hand.
Arias had plans for them. He intended for Monet and Sugar to take over the loan shark king Du Feld's operations, and for Ah Jin to take control of the assassin network run by the killer king Dorag Piecro. However, Arias knew that Ah Jin's current strength was still insufficient for the task.
Arias summoned the three and shared his plans. Monet was the first to respond, "I have no problem. I will help you take down the loan shark organization, Mr. Ye."
Sugar was indifferent, willing to go wherever Arias or her sister directed her. Monet was more meticulous and adept at covert operations, but in terms of combat, Sugar had surpassed her. Despite Monet's progress, Sugar's Heavenly Sword Demon Subduing Talismans were both more numerous and more powerful, making her a formidable force.
Arias turned to Ah Jin, "Your current strength is comparable to that of the weakest pirates in the New World," he said bluntly. "However, what I've taught you is enough for you to grow stronger quickly. Only by facing life-and-death situations in the assassin organization can you truly integrate what I've taught you."
Ah Jin nodded resolutely, "I understand, Lord Ye. I will kill Piecro and take control of the assassin organization for you!"
Satisfied, Arias instructed Solomon to position the three within the loan shark and assassin organizations. Solomon, feeling his influence waning, realized that if he didn't act soon, he might be at risk of being eliminated once Monet and the others solidified their control.
But what could he do? He was at a loss.
After setting everything in motion, Arias left the puppet body and returned to Nine Snakes City. As his eyes opened, a flash of light burst forth. Beside him was Boa Hancock, who had remained by his side.
Noticing Hancock's half-naked form, a wave of heat surged through Arias. After an intense bout of "exercise," Hancock fell into a deep sleep.
Arias then headed to the weapon refining room. With everything ready, it was time to begin constructing the Slimming Furnace. Utilizing various rare materials brought by his puppets from Mariejois, he combined the magical machinery with the numerological changes of Fenghou Qimen.
Starting with the materials, he began hammering and crafting tools. "I should have brought the puppet back," Arias muttered to himself. "With the Iron Fruit's abilities, the furnace could be made faster." Unfortunately, the puppet was far away in West Blue, so he had to build it slowly on his own.
Fortunately, Arias was immensely strong, both physically and mentally. The furnace gradually took shape, arranged according to the Eight Trigrams. The materials seemed to arrange themselves into a gas area, capable of driving the flow of Qi and replicating inner scenes for deeper analysis.
"It looks a lot like Taishang Laojun's Eight Trigrams furnace," he observed.
After three full days and nights, and with the help of three women, Arias completed the furnace to perfection.
"The next step is the most critical—the core."
Crafting the core required precision, but Arias had been working tirelessly for days and was mentally exhausted. There was a high risk of failure if he attempted to refine the core in this state.
After leaving the refining room, Arias bathed in a hot spring to wash away the dust and fatigue. Then, after consuming a massive amount of Sea King meat, he returned to the bedroom with Hancock by his side. The sisters Sonia and Mary had also returned the previous day, and after a long period without such enjoyment, Arias indulged in another intense session.
This time, he slept until dusk the following day.
Upon waking, Arias ate and then returned to the refining room to prepare for the core refinement. The essence of the core was a round, life-infused ball. He placed the Stone of Life and the ten large Sea King hearts he had collected onto the table.
With both hands, he enveloped the materials in a layer of Qi. The Stone of Life, beating like a heart, began to melt, while the Sea King hearts condensed. Blood, representing impurities, flowed out as the red and blue lights complemented each other. Arias' hands worked with ultimate precision.
As time passed, even with his extraordinary strength, it took a full day to refine the core.
Finally, Arias exhaled a breath of relief, holding the core, which now pulsed like a heart, in his hands. He had refined a protective shield around it, akin to heart muscle, with small openings to prevent damage while connecting it to the Slimming Furnace.
"Success or failure depends on this!" he declared.
With the outer furnace completed and the core refined, it was time to test if the Slimming Furnace met his expectations.
A white cloud appeared under his feet, and he ascended to the top of the furnace. Using the method of controlling objects, he opened the furnace and carefully placed the core in the center. The furnace closed slowly, and Arias activated the switch beside it.
The light flickered on, and the Slimming Furnace roared to life!