-The Dark king

Sabaody archipelago is the final island in Paradise that one could reach, it was close to the Red Line. Though it is called an archipelago, it is actually a massive mangrove forest growing out from the middle of the ocean with each tree of the forest serving as an "island" on which people live.

Due to the place being in close proximity to the part of the Red Line bordering the first half of the Grand Line and the New World, it is a highly visited rest stop for all sorts of travelers and pirates alike to prepare before entering the New World. Aside from its unique environment and it being a booming business hub, it is notable for the World Nobles who visit there and a thriving slave trade supported by them. One notable slave hunting group that Ian remembered are the Flying Fish Riders whose headquarters are several kilometers east of the area.

The Sabaody Archipelago is, in actuality, a massive mangrove forest in the middle of the ocean made up of 79 separate trees known as Yarukiman Mangrove. Their name is a pun on the Japanese phrase, "Yaruki Manman", which means being pumped up or motivated. The Yarukiman Mangrove trees are the largest mangroves in the world and are strong enough to grow from the bottom of the ocean to the top. They do not sink into the ocean during high tide like other mangrove trees, and the texture on their barks has such a distinct look that they resemble large candy canes. Each tree is called a grove and serves as an island for which people live on. People can get from one grove to another via the various bridges built connecting around the many tree roots.

The seventy-nine trees are divided into several different areas, with each one dependent on the number of the area. There was the lawless area where pirates and bounty hunters run amok. An amusement park and bubble attraction area. Then the tourist area, followed by the shipping area. Next was the local headquarters for the marines, and finally the hotel area.

And Ian steered the ship towards the dock of area 41, where he remembered the straw hats had docked at. He also specifically went there due to it being the tourist area, filled with shops and souvenir stands.

Even if he was a bit rushed, there was no harm in taking up a bit of time to visit some shops with Robin and buying some stuff, before visiting the old man then leaving when they are done.

Once Ian had docked the ship, he turned towards Robin. Who was standing next to him.

"Let's get down, Robin." He told her, and she nodded.

She was wearing a black outfit consisting of a cowboy hat, a cleavage-revealing sleeveless shirt, with a wide, yellow collar covered with black concentric circle motifs, matching pants reaching down to her calves, and purple high-heeled Mary Janes. She also had a string of round and yellow ornaments that hung loosely from around her waist.

Meanwhile Ian didn't wear his cape, and was content with wearing just a simple white shirt and black shorts reaching a bit past his knees, along with sandals. Sometimes he was all for casual, just like today.

Once they stepped on the dock, Ian closed his eyes and attempted to feel the presences in the surroundings of this area. Once he opened his eyes, he found out that there were three shady guys keeping tabs on any ship that docked in here. Since they will interfere with his next action, he directly used 'shave' to disappear and reappear next to them. He punched each one of them making sure they lost consciousness then tied them up, before he made his way back towards Robin.

Then he directly stored the ship in his ring, as with those three taken care of, nobody will know about the ring, except Robin.

But she just looked on curiously at Ian, before finally settling back on the amazing view of the mangrove trees.

'So many secrets��� I hope when the time comes, you'll share them with me.' Robin thought to herself.

The ring was capable of storing both of his ships with plenty of space left. His father had said that it will even store a warship with space still left. And a warship was close to three times the size of his new ship.

Although Ian didn't want to hide this from Robin, he had to for now. In any case since he had already showed the ability to store the ship to her, it was just a matter of time before he tells her. It was just that he didn't think now was a good time.

What followed for the next two hours and half was the both of them, going on a shopping spree.

Robin at first was quite reserved, as she didn't have much money, in addition to the awkwardness she felt from shopping with a guy. But after a while she just went with the flow. In any case Ian had a lot of money, so anything she liked he bought for her. And he also enjoyed the experience along with Robin.

Sometimes a girl's choice of clothes is better than your own. And this resulted in Ian buying some things he wouldn't normally.

Once they were tired from shopping and quite hungry too, Ian suggested they finish the shopping trip and just eat at some place.

.....

Area 13.

This place was the area of Sabaody archipelago clear of marines influence. The lawless area. Ian on the way, saw many signs warning the marines to not step in here, sometimes the signs were accompanied by marines' corpses.

When they reached the place, Ian had already disposed of close to 10 people who either wanted to, rob, kill, or sell them… he directly dealt with them in a way that they will never hurt anybody again.

Each group had its own punishment. Some lost their legs or arms, some lost the tool that made them men… and so on. And at the same time it was also seen as a warning by the rest of the shady folks hiding in the shadows.

When they reached the place. Ian read on the signboard: Shakky's rip-off bar.

He laughed as he stepped inside with Robin.

Robin didn't care one bit about those scum that Ian disposed of. She herself was an assassin and she had done similar things multiple times.

When she entered with Ian she saw that the bar was empty except possibly the owners. An old guy and a young woman.

The woman is a relatively slim and tall woman with short black hair, with two tufts pointing upwards and is seen smoking a cigarette. She is wearing a pink, V-neck t-shirt that exposes her stomach with a black spider on it beneath a black jacket with pink lines running down the sleeves that has a collar with wing-like cuffs. She also wears a yellow beaded necklace, pants that have a giraffe-like pattern, and a belt with a white cardigan tied around it. She also wears white shoes and has painted fingernails.

She then moved to the other person and observed him.

He is an elderly man of relatively tall height with a very strong and defined build. Two of his most distinguishing traits are his round glasses and facial hair, which is arranged embattled across his lower jaw. He also has a scar over his right eye. He is garbed quite simply and casually just like Ian, a plain t-shirt, shorts, and sandals. The old man's body is surprisingly built and very well-toned from what Robin was able to tell. He was also donning a large silver headed clock.

Robin could tell just from one look at them that they were quite strong.

Ian knew who these two were. Shakuyaku or more known by her nickname Shakky. And the dark king silvers Rayleigh, the man who was the right hand of the late pirate king. And Ian was able to feel the strength hidden in both Rayleigh and Shakky. At that moment Ian knew that Rayleigh deserved his status of being one of the strongest in this world.

"Welcome, what I can get for you?" Shakky shared a look with Rayleigh before she asked.

The two of them were able to tell who they are quite easily. But the look they shared had much more meaning than that. They had recognized that Ian was quite strong. Just like Ian had guessed they were.