Ron's White Moon suddenly slashed down, splitting the Onigashima model in two.
"The moment Ace's safety is confirmed…"
The blade ignited with purple-black Haki flames. "Full-scale assault!"
Whitebeard suddenly burst into laughter.
"Gurararara! Good! Let's do it!"
He stood up abruptly, his massive frame casting a shadow over the table. "Let that brat Kaido taste... what a real nightmare feels like!"
The fighting spirit within the temple burned like raging flames.
But Ron suddenly raised his hand, lightly tapping White Moon's scabbard against a stone pillar.
The crisp sound instantly silenced the boisterous hall.
"Before we depart," he said unhurriedly, making everyone unconsciously hold their breath, "we need to address a hidden threat first."
His fingertip lightly brushed the edge of the sand table.
FWOOSH.
A bounty poster materialized out of thin air, dropping onto the table.
Marshall D. Teach, AKA "Blackbeard."
That ferocious, gap-toothed face appeared particularly sinister under the candlelight.
Everyone's expressions froze instantly.
Having been immersed in the chaos of the Marines' assault and the joy of victory these past days, they had almost forgotten about this traitor's existence.
"The Marines have given us a 'surprise'," Ron said, his fingertip flickering with purple-black Armament Haki that ignited the bounty poster, turning it to ash.
"Teach has reached a cooperation agreement with the Marines, or at least with Vegapunk's science division. The 'Green Blood' they've developed can mass-produce Dark-Dark Fruit ability users. Though they have obvious flaws, this also means our Devil Fruit users will be significantly restricted in future battles."
The ashes drifted down onto the sand table like an ominous dark cloud.
"Every one of us could become a living target," Marco took over, his blue flames flickering uneasily.
He looked around at his comrades. "The Haki of all the Division Commanders present here..."
His words trailed off, but the meaning was clear enough.
Aside from Pops, Jozu, and Vista, no one could guarantee their Haki could absolutely suppress the nullification effect of the Dark Water.
CRACK!
Jozu's diamond fist smashed against the wall, sending fragments flying everywhere.
"That bastard! I thought he was hiding in the sewers trembling! Now he's helping the Marines?!"
"What's even more disgusting," Vista said as his rose petals moved without wind, "is that guy hid on our ship for twenty years, and we don't even know the true depth of his Haki!"
Whitebeard silently stroked his Murakumogiri, then laughed heartily.
"Gurararara! What's there to fear!"
The tremor waves from his power swept the ashes clean from the sand table.
"If this old man could kill Akainu, I can certainly slaughter that traitor!"
"But Ace can't wait," Ron said, suddenly placing White Moon horizontally before everyone, the blade reflecting each solemn face.
"So next... we need to drastically enhance our baseline strength before we march on Wano!"
Douglas Bullet grinned upon hearing this. "Interesting. But what method can we use?"
The moment he asked, he immediately remembered something.
His eyes widened suddenly, his smile freezing on his face as he stared at Ron in disbelief.
"Wait... you're not planning to give all these people top-tier Armament Haki enhancements like you did for Jozu, are you?!"
A dangerous curve appeared at the corner of Ron's mouth.
"Why not? With money, you can afford to be willful!"
This Seastone sale, combined with the gold mining operations, totaled 150 Billion Berries!
Add to that this Devil Fruit Trading Conference, which profited about 100 Billion Berries!
That made 250 Billion Berries in total system currency!
With such enormous wealth, who wouldn't be confident?
He could buy system upgrades until his fingers bled!
Bullet opened his mouth, then ultimately swallowed his words.
This madman actually made a chill run down the Demon Heir's spine!
Bullet had personally experienced Jozu's Haki replacement—that was truly powerful, enough to pick him up and beat him back then!
"Ron!" Bullet clenched his fists, his competitive spirit flaring. "I want enhancements too!"
He grinned, revealing his pale white teeth. "In this tournament, I'll take out all the pirates present!"
"Not so fast."
Ron waved his hand, pulling items from his System Inventory.
First, three rings embedded with different colored gems hovered in the air above the table.
"Haki Enchantments? I can do that. But..."
Ron manipulated the rings like a magician performing tricks. "How about considering a Space Ring? The spatial storage inside is as vast as a castle. Incredibly spacious. Perfect for storing weapons or loot."
He pointed to another blue ring. "Or consider the Flight Ring? This incorporates a copy of Shiki's Float-Float Fruit ability, allowing the wearer to fly freely at will without consuming stamina."
"Additionally, my recent research has yielded new discoveries..."
Ron did not continue speaking, but Bullet's eyes were already fixed on the rings, unable to look away.
Bullet's Adam's apple bobbed violently as he suddenly realized the technology this "Scientist" possessed was probably ten times more terrifying than Devil Fruits.
'A Space Ring! A Flight Ring!'
How was he supposed to choose between them?!
"Only children make choices!" The Demon Heir's roar made everyone's eardrums vibrate.
"I WANT THEM ALL! So what if it's being a bodyguard?! I'm damn well taking the job! Give me a lifetime contract!"
Nearby, Crocodile watched with burning intensity.
His golden hook glinted coldly in the candlelight while his gaze remained fixed on the space gem-embedded ring hovering in the air.
His Adam's apple moved unconsciously.
As a former schemer who had plotted to steal a kingdom, he understood all too well the strategic value of a Space Ring.
Whether for daily travels, transporting massive amounts of weapons and treasures unnoticed, or even making a life-saving escape in critical moments—this was practically a divine artifact tailor-made for him!
"Ron..." Crocodile's tentative voice still carried some hesitation as he stepped forward.
"Are my contributions... enough to exchange for a ring?"
He coughed, pointing his golden hook at the Space Ring, then immediately added, "I think the Space Ring looks quite good. It suits my... aesthetic."
The entire place fell so silent you could hear a pin drop.
Everyone held their breath.
This was Sir Crocodile.
The madman who had once dared to challenge Whitebeard himself.
The proud, treacherous former Warlord of the Sea.
And he was actually humbling himself to beg for equipment?
Ron deliberately rubbed his chin in thought, the Space Ring flickering in and out of view in his palm.
Crocodile's eyes followed the ring's movement, fine beads of sweat forming on his forehead.
This torment of awaiting judgment felt worse than when he had lost to Whitebeard years ago.
"Hmm..." Ron suddenly let out a long sigh. "Normally, this ring is only for core members of the Divine Kingdom..."
Crocodile's expression turned somewhat dejected, his golden hook unconsciously drooping.
"But..." Ron's tone shifted abruptly. "Considering you risked your life this time against the Marines..."
He flicked his finger, sending the Space Ring tracing a graceful arc through the air.
"I'll make an exception."
SNATCH!
Crocodile practically lunged to catch it.
When the cool ring slipped onto his finger, he felt the vast spatial dimension connect to his mind.
The former Warlord then did something that made everyone's jaws drop.
He placed his right hand over his heart and bowed slightly.
"I, Crocodile, pledge to follow you fully." His firm voice echoed through the temple. "And being a bodyguard for the Divine Kingdom... doesn't seem so bad either."
GASP—
The Whitebeard Pirates' Commanders collectively drew sharp breaths.
Marco's blue flames uncontrollably shot up to the roof beams.
Jozu's diamond jaw literally hit the floor.
Even the usually calm Vista spilled his red wine.
This was the Sand Crocodile!
That treacherous, cunning, ruthless Desert King!
And he's actually swearing loyalty publicly for a piece of jewelry?!