章 103: Ghost Ship, It’S Adventure Time!

After successfully meeting Mr. Tom, Arias introduced him to a new approach using his weapon refinement theories.

Three days later, Tom reviewed the improved design of the sea train. With Arias's assistance, the design had become flawless, significantly enhancing the train's strength, stability, and speed. As a result, the sea train was set to launch much earlier than originally planned.

"Your Excellency Arias, I can't thank you enough! Your theories, though unfamiliar, are remarkably effective. When the sea train begins operations, I'll make sure to extend my hospitality to you!" Tom expressed his gratitude.

Arias smiled and replied, "It's been an honor to exchange shipbuilding ideas with the legendary Mr. Tom. We have other matters to attend to, so we'll take our leave."

With that, he bid farewell to Tom and the others.

Franky, though reluctant to see him go, understood that it wasn't the right time to recruit him directly. Arias, on the other hand, wasn't in a rush. The seeds of their meeting had been planted and were sure to sprout in time.

Arias returned to the shore, dove into the sea, and navigated to a secluded spot where he retrieved the Dawn. He then sailed back to pick up the rest of the crew.

With the mission accomplished smoothly, the next stop was the Devil's Triangle, where Brook was located.

It was now the end of the year, marking a year and a half since Arias had arrived in the pirate world. After recruiting Brook, he planned to return to Jiuji to reunite with his other two wives.

As the Dawn sailed into the Devil's Triangle, the area was engulfed in a dark mist, with no sunlight penetrating the dense gloom. Little Nami and Carina clung to Yamato's clothes, nervously peering into the fog. Even though Nokigao was scared, she tried to maintain a brave front for her sister, cautiously surveying the eerie surroundings.

All around them were sunken and decaying pirate ships, with nothing left but bones and remnants of what once were. When Arias heard that the Dawn had entered the Devil's Triangle, he stepped out of the weapon refining room, noting how the atmosphere matched the eerie vibes described in the original story.

Seeing Usopp and Chopper hiding behind the cabin door with just their heads peeking out, Arias effortlessly lifted them up and tossed them overboard, their terrified screams filling the air.

Little Zoro, unfazed by the scene, continued to focus on his sword practice. Meanwhile, little Sanji emerged from the kitchen, carefully carrying a tray with a drink he had prepared.

"Brother Arias, try this drink! Sister Salome taught me how to make it!" Little Sanji offered the tray with a beaming smile. His greatest joy was making delicious food and hearing everyone's praises, which gave him a deep sense of purpose.

After consuming the Renren Fruit in Maid Form, Salome had gained extensive knowledge of tea and drink-making, though it had little impact on combat. However, her skills would surely impress many prominent figures.

Arias took a sip of the drink, appreciating how Sanji had incorporated his own ideas under Salome's guidance, even at such a young age.

"Not bad!" Arias praised.

Just then, the Dawn approached a massive, decaying pirate ship, even older than the Dawn itself. The wind howled ominously, accompanied by faint, ghostly cries, making everyone's hearts skip a beat.

"Salome, stop the ship!" Arias suddenly had an idea. He ordered Salome to halt the vessel, then smiled at the others, saying, "It's adventure time!"

He picked up Nami and Carina, one in each arm, and jumped onto the ghost ship, setting them down before quickly retreating.

"Come on, girls!" he encouraged, though the two girls only clung to each other, trembling in fear. Arias's cheerful voice did little to calm them.

Next, Arias sent Nokigao and Hiyori over to the ship, followed by Usopp and Chopper. When it was Zoro's turn, the little swordsman proudly declared, "I'll go myself!"

With his sword in its sheath, Zoro leaped from the Dawn onto the ghost ship, with Kuina following close behind.

"And you?" Arias asked the last little one on board, Sanji.

Though Sanji wasn't as fearless as he would later become, the sight of Zoro leaping ahead fueled his competitive spirit.

"I'll go by myself too!" Sanji shouted, steeling himself. He jumped from the ship, landing on the ghost ship after a moment of hesitation.

Leaving a few flying insects behind, Arias instructed Salome, "Continue sailing. We'll check things out up ahead."

Salome complied without question, but Yamato, curious, asked, "Are we just leaving them there?"

"They need to build their courage," Arias explained. "I've left flying insects behind to track their location."

The Dawn sailed on, while Arias used his monocular to monitor the children's progress. Unsurprisingly, Nami and Carina were frightened, while Chopper and Usopp huddled together, too scared to move. Nokigao, despite her fear, was determined to protect her sister, while Hiyori quickly overcame her initial fear and tried to set a good example for the others. Little Zoro and Kuina seemed completely unfazed, even finding the experience a bit dull. Sanji, determined not to be outdone by Zoro, ventured off into a dark corner alone.

Arias handed Yamato a spare monocular, teaching her how to use it. As she peered through the lens, multiple frames appeared, each showing the whereabouts of one of the children.

"This is actually pretty fun!" Yamato exclaimed.

The Dawn continued its slow journey, with Arias carefully scanning the wrecks on either side, searching for the elusive walking skeleton, Brook.

Given Brook's reputation for playing tricks on anyone who wandered into the Devil's Triangle, Arias knew it shouldn't take long to find him.

Sure enough, just three hours later, he heard the familiar, eerie laughter:

"Yohohoho~~."