Super Card System - Chapter 479

Chapter 479: New Departure

Next, Ian and the others stayed on this Sky Island for three days.

During these three days, Luffy and the rest couldn’t sit still. They ran to Angel Island to play with Conis and her friends. Reiju and Robin hadn’t explored Angel Island much before, so they dragged Nami along to explore together.

As companions who saved Angel Island from its divine enemy, they naturally received a warm welcome from the island’s residents.

Usopp, on the other hand, didn’t go. As someone who knew a thing or two about ship repair, he stayed with Ian on the Ark to help out.

Since the propulsion system couldn’t be repaired temporarily, Ian and the others could only mend the damaged parts of the ship. Fixing the areas covered in gold wasn’t difficult, as they could remelt the gold using electricity and repair it. The main challenge was filling in the large holes that penetrated through the ship.

Although the Ark Maxim was an airship, it didn’t mean it couldn’t sail on the sea. Ian had already calculated that the two-hour flight time of the Jet Dials would be enough to take them back to the sea, and they could activate the ship there as well.

Therefore, during the repair process, Ian made some modifications to the Ark. He erected a mast on the ship’s deck and added a sail so that it could sail on the sea when needed.

Three days later, the repairs were considered complete. Due to Ian’s swift action in the beginning, the Ark Maxim hadn’t completely left the shipyard pit. Thus, Ian had to get Doroni to help lift the entire ship out of the pit. With no resistance from the pit, the Jet Dials could be activated easily, allowing the Ark Maxim to take flight.

The Ark Maxim was quite large, especially when viewed from the ground. It was even larger than the standard Marine battleships. After all, the original intention of the designers was to take as many of their compatriots back to their homeland as possible, so it was necessary to build it big enough to accommodate everyone at once.

“This ship can probably carry over two thousand people, right?” Usopp wiped the sweat from his forehead with a small hammer in his hand, gazing at the Ark Maxim.

“Great job, Usopp!” Ian patted his shoulder. Throughout the repair process, Usopp had exerted tremendous effort.

“Hehe!” Hearing Ian’s praise, Usopp scratched his head and smiled. “I should be thanking you. You saved me from falling off the ship earlier! It’s only right I lend a hand.”

Ian smiled faintly. Despite Usopp’s penchant for boasting and being a little timid, he was a pretty good guy at heart.

At that moment, Zoro stood with his arms crossed and suddenly asked Ian, “Are you sure you won’t be coming with us?”

In truth, Zoro had known since Ian first mentioned the idea of taking the Ark that Ian wouldn’t be leaving with them when they departed from the Sky Island. It made him feel a bit reluctant.

“I won’t,” Ian waved his hand. “This time, I got involved in your adventure, but when it’s time to leave, I won’t be joining you.”

Hearing this, Zoro fell silent. Ian had used the term “your adventure,” and he understood what it meant.

“Look, someone’s approaching!” Robin alerted the crew.

Ian turned his head and indeed saw a group of people appearing in the distance behind them.

It was none other than Gan Fall and Wyper’s group. Among them, Ian also spotted the chief of the Skypieans, the one wearing the peculiar animal hat, and Conis and her friends.

“You guys…” Ian looked at them with a hint of confusion.

Gan Fall chuckled and said, “Luffy told us that you’re planning to leave, so we’ve come to bid you farewell.”

Wyper, with a cigarette in his mouth and a cool demeanor, stepped forward and handed Ian a small pouch, saying, “This contains the Seastone pieces collected by the Shandians over the past three days. You mentioned earlier that you wanted them, so I brought them for you, although it’s not a large quantity!”

In truth, the Shandians were quite simple-hearted. Not only did they not hold a grudge against Ian for taking their gold, but they also remembered his words and presented him with Seastone as a parting gift.

Though gold held no significance for them, as they only needed to preserve their golden bell, Ian still felt a bit embarrassed. Accepting the Seastone, he solemnly said to everyone, “Thank you! If you ever have the chance, you are all welcome to visit my Sky Island as honored guests!”

Ian’s approachable demeanor naturally won the favor of everyone. The Shandians chief placed a hand on his chest and bowed in respect to Ian, saying, “Thank you for your invitation. Additionally, there is another matter we came here for.”

“You may speak, and if there’s anything I can do to help, I will,” Ian replied.

“Actually, we’ve already discussed this matter with the Shandians over the past three days,” Gan Fall began. “We are grateful for the assistance you provided and the information you brought, which revealed that our ancestors were once compatriots a thousand years ago. As a result, we believe that we cannot continue to feud with one another. We came here to ask you to be a witness, to witness our reconciliation.”

After speaking, Gan Fall and the Shandians chief exchanged smiles. In truth, they were well aware of Enel’s power and knew that if Ian hadn’t intervened, Skypiea would have suffered immense destruction. These wise elders recognized the contribution Ian had made to Skypiea and, as a gesture of gratitude, wanted Ian, the “enemy of the gods,” to be the witness to their reconciliation, thus expressing their gratitude to their benefactor from the Sky Island.

Upon hearing this, Ian couldn’t help but smile as well. He had initially worried that his involvement might complicate the reconciliation process between the two tribes. That’s why he had daringly thrown out that speculation in front of Gan Fall. However, it seemed that his words had indeed played a positive role.

“I am honored to be the witness,” Ian replied.

With Gan Fall representing the Angel Island residents and the chief standing for the Shandians, both sides shook hands and declared the end of their war, all under Ian’s watchful gaze.

At that very moment, the sound of melodious bells filled the air, echoing from Shandora. In commemoration of this momentous occasion, the Shandians struck the flames of Shandora’s lantern once more.

Upon hearing the resonating bells, both tribes erupted in cheers, embracing each other in joyous celebration.

“Haha! Let’s have a feast! A grand feast!” Luffy chimed in, brimming with happiness.

No one objected to the idea, and thus, a great bonfire was set ablaze at the location of the divine palace. Dancing and singing, everyone rejoiced in the arrival of peace.

During the festivities, Ian had sought refuge inside the Ark Maxim when Gan Fall and the others arrived. Now lying in the ship’s cabin, he couldn’t help but feel a bit uneasy, listening to the boisterous celebrations from outside.

As the life of the party, Luffy and his crew engaged in cheerful drinking and revelry, spreading mirth wherever they went. With their infectious enthusiasm, the festive atmosphere soared.

Ian sat with Gan Fall and the Shandian chief, watching the lively scene while savoring his drink.

Leaning closer to Ian, Gan Fall whispered, “Young man, there’s something else I’d like to discuss with you.”

“Go ahead,” Ian nodded.

“If you’re taking Enel with you, make sure he can never return to this Sky Island again!” Gan Fall said, winking mischievously.

“Rest assured!” Ian replied confidently, patting his chest. “That guy will never show up before you all again!”

“Haha, that’s good, that’s good! Let’s drink, let’s drink!” Gan Fall and the chief both laughed heartily, clinking their glasses with Ian…

The festivities lasted well into the early hours of the morning. Many finally succumbed to sleep, while Ian climbed aboard the Ark Maxim for added security. Enel, witnessing this, couldn’t help but sigh with annoyance…

The next day, as everyone gradually woke up, Ian decided it was time to depart.

Luffy and the crew’s ship was still beneath the vines, and their only way to leave was through the Milky Road and then use the Sky Island’s octopus balloon to descend to the sea. Ian had no need to worry about them any longer.

“Goodbye, Big Brother Ian! Farewell, Sister Robin! Farewell, Sister Reiju!” Nami and Chopper called out to Ian from below the ship’s deck, waving their hands. Robin and Reiju smiled and leaned over the ship’s railing, waving back in farewell.

“Sanji, take good care of Miss Nami!” Reiju shouted towards Sanji.

“Of course, you don’t need to tell me, it’s my duty!” Sanji held his cigarette and replied, “Take care of yourself too!”

As for Ian and Zoro, they stood face-to-face, locking gazes for a while. Then, Ian suddenly smiled, drawing out the Senbonzakura from his waist. With a casual swing, he released a sharp Flying Slash towards Zoro’s position.

Zoro, undeterred, unsheathed his sword as well and countered with a powerful slash.

“Sanjuroku Pound Ho” Zoro’s sword aura clashed with Ian’s in mid-air, and both disappeared simultaneously.

This was a parting gesture between swordsmen. Although no words were spoken, Zoro used this method to show his determination and growth to Ian, leaving him gratified.

“Goodbye, Big Brother Ian!” Luffy called out to Ian, “And if you see Ace, tell him I said hello!”

“Hai Hai!” Ian chuckled, waving as he signaled to Doroni to activate the Jet Dials.

A powerful stream of air blasted from beneath the ship, tousling the hair of the departing Luffy and his crew. They watched the massive Ark Maxim slowly ascend into the air and gracefully turn.

The remaining windmills began to rotate, propelling the Ark Maxim forward. Its speed gradually increased, and in no time, the ship had left the vine covered in clouds, flying towards the horizon.

Gazing at the azure sky and the radiant sunlight ahead, Ian felt an overwhelming sense of joy and tranquility. He patted Enel’s shoulder and said, “Let’s go, dear Enel. I’ll take you to see the Blue Sea! By the way, have you reconsidered changing your staff to a hammer…”