Chapter 40 - Onward to the new world

Paradise.

Sabaody archipelago. Shakky's rip-off bar.

Ian and Robin were done eating.

The food Shakky cooked consisted of: a thick steak, olive oil, salt, pepper, butter, eggs, and finally roasted small yellow potatoes. For the presentation of the dish, she had chosen to cut the steak into smaller thin parts, then the cooked eggs were served on the side of the plate with the remaining part for the roasted potatoes she had cut into pieces.

Ian and Robin truly enjoyed this dish, and after finishing the food, Ian took some money from his pocket -ring- and payed for it.

"This is a lot. Let me give you back your change." Shakky saw that he gave her a lot of money meanwhile what they ate wouldn't even amount to a tenth of the pay he gave.

But Ian shook his hands quickly.

"No no, its fine its fine just take it. After all Old man Ray told me some valuable information's. Not to mention your cooking deserves no less" Ian said. It was true, as even though he was already going to meet whitebeard, he now knew about a battle that happened at that time that required the both of them joining hands.

"It is a great dish." Robin added from the side, it was just like the cooking of Ian she had tasted from before.

Shakky looked at the both of them for a few seconds, before she finally sighed and gave a thin smile and took the money.

'Flattery will get you nowhere young man, however, I'm starting to like you both'. She thought to herself. Of course since she was married the like she had for Ian was the one that people have for friends and the like.

After a few seconds she got back to the subject she wanted to talk about.

"So tell me, how do you plan to find Whitebeard?" Shakky asked.

Ian when he heard what she said, he was suddenly stunned. 'That's right, even if I go to his territory how am I supposed to find where his ship is roaming…'he thought inside his mind. At the worst case he would search for a few days, but the time was tight, and he had to meet him before they start the war… he estimated that at most he had about twenty days before the start of the war.

'Since we have rushed here, it has only been a day. This means that the sunny go, the straw hats new ship, will only be built tomorrow. Then they would need about a week for the events of thriller bark. A few days to a week later they will reach Sabaody, where they will be scattered by Kuma. When Luffy comes to, he will have Boa Hanc.o.c.k help him enter impel down. And from Amazon Lily it would take about five days to reach the prison. So all in all, 20 days.' He thought to himself. It was good that he had a good memory from his past life, otherwise he wouldn't remember important things like these.

'But I need to meet Whitebeard before Luffy wakes up at Amazon Lily. As at that time the marines would have announced that they will execute Ace. When they do, whitebeard will be engrossed in the coming war preparation, not a good time to mention the possibly world destroying threat to him. Which means I have about two weeks to meet him' Ian thought to himself completely forgetting his surroundings.

Shakky and Ray had been silent, letting Ian think for a while. Before finally she had enough.

"I had thought something like that. But don't worry too much, since you're a nice guy, and payed me so much, I'll help you." She said while laughing softly.

She went inside the bar, and returned after a while with a box.

She opened it and started searching what appeared to be white papers, until she found the one she was looking for. Grabbing the paper she folded it in two and cut the two parts.

"Here you go" She handed one of the parts to Ian. While she put the remaining one back in the box and closed it.

When he held it in his hands she looked at him.

"You know what it is right?" she asked him and he nodded.

"It's a vivre card. But who does it belong to?" Ian asked, but then he noticed the curiosity in robin's eyes as she eyed the piece of paper. As such he explained to her without her asking.

"Vivre Cards, or also known as the "paper of life" are a special form of paper made in the new world. It is made from part of a person's fingernail turned into paper. It can be torn as you just saw, but it is fire and waterproof. The torn pieces will always point and move to each other no matter the distance." He said, and tried to demonstrate by releasing the paper and then it started moving on its own in a direction. Ian then grabbed it again.

"Such a fascinating thing…" Robin muttered with amazement in her tone.

"So?" Ian then looked at Shakky again as he asked.

"It belongs to the first division commander of the whitebeard pirates, Marco. When you meet them, just mention that you are a friend of Ray. And also, Ian, since you are entering the new world, wouldn't you need to coat your ship? Just so you know Ray here is the best coater in Sabaody." She said, and Ray gave a nod from the side. Although whitebeard and roger were rivals, it couldn't be denied that they were best friends, as such even their respective crews were close. And those vivre cards were collected by both him and his wife Shakky due to their status from the past. You never know when you might need them.

As for the coating, since he liked him he would do it for free.

Ian nodded quite happy that he had the help. He appreciated what they did for him.

"Thank you very much. But we won't need the ship to enter the new world." He bowed his head a bit in thanks. Before he refused.

Once Ian finished saying his thanks, he got up, moved toward Ray and put his hands on his shoulder. He had made his mind to trust these two.

"Don't be alarmed. It's just an ability of mine." He said. He then channeled his energy through ray's body. He figured since he was quite old, he may have some internal or even external injuries unsolved.

Since his energy came from the mysterious entity that helped him reach this world, it had many uses. Just like the time, when he regrew Enel's arm.

Ray, had a good feeling throughout his body, it felt all over warm. He released a sigh of satisfaction. And after a few seconds when Ian released his hands, he suddenly coughed a bit of black blood.

Shakky was alarmed, but Ray quickly held his hands up for her to relax.

He got up and started stretching a bit, with the occasional pop heard from him.

"The pain in my back and leg is gone, moreover I feel like my body is back to when I was still young." He said as he felt how his body had changed. He looked towards Ian with gratitude filled eyes. As although he keeps saying to people that he is retired and that he is just an old man now, he wouldn't mind being even stronger to protect his loved ones.

Ian then motioned for Shakky to come to their side of the bar so he could do the same. She gave a nod as she came closer. He then put his hand on her shoulder.

Ian once again concentrated and did the same as earlier.

And after a while, Ian was done. But Shakky didn't cough or anything, quite possibly because she didn't have many injuries.

"Ian, what does this ability of yours do? I feel like my body has regressed in age?" She asked him. She felt her body had become younger. Like what Ian did had rejuvenated all her internal organs. And it was true.

"It heals injuries, but as you can see it is a bit taxing on me. This time it is as a thanks for your help." He was breathing a bit heavily. Not like the time with Enel but he still would need a while to rest.

"But also, because I think that ray might need it in the future." Ian then added.

Ray gave a nod along with Shakky. They understood what he was trying to say. Perhaps in the future Ray might be needed to fight, one can never know for sure.

Ian then noticed someone glaring at him from the side.

It was Robin. She had a smile on her face but her eyes along with the admiration for the ability, had a hint of jealousy. She was getting quite older herself, as such it was tempting for her. But she couldn't bring herself to speak about it as it was embarrassing, as such she settled for glaring at Ian until he gets it.

Ian knew what she wanted but couldn't help but smile.

'What are you, a little girl? Haha' he thought to himself.

He gave her a nod and indicated for her that he'll do it later. Only then did robin give a nod of satisfaction.

"Well it is time for us to leave. It's been a pleasure meeting you guys, but I really am on a tight schedule. And once again thank you for everything" Ian said his farewell. He would have loved to stay longer. And perhaps spar against Ray or just enjoy drinks… but he had to go.

"Take care, until we meet again." Ray smiled at him. He was still in a happy mood from getting rid of his back and leg pain that was stuck to him.

Shakky too smiled.

"We should be the ones thanking you, Ian. Have a safe trip you too." She said.

And Ian then went along with Robin outside the bar to start on their journey once again.

Next stop. The new world.