"Gum-Gum—Bazooka!!!"
With a roar, Luffy's body shot forward like a red cannonball, instantly tearing through the sky.
His arms stretched backward to their absolute limit, and with the terrifying rebound force of rubber, he charged straight into the densely packed Thousand-Year Dragon swarm!
"BOOM—!!"
Luffy's impact was like hurling a massive boulder into a tranquil lake.
Dozens of Thousand-Year Dragons that had been circling cautiously instantly exploded into chaos.
"ROAR?!"
They let out startled cries, which were immediately replaced by furious rage.
This tiny human dared to charge directly into their territory!
In an instant, claws filled the sky and beaks rained down like spears.
Dozens of Thousand-Year Dragons with wingspans exceeding ten meters roared in fury, whipping up violent winds as they attacked Luffy from all directions.
"Hehehe! Come catch me!!!"
Luffy darted wildly through the dragon swarm, bouncing between dragon backs using his rubber elasticity. Though the situation was extremely dangerous, he successfully drew away the vast majority of their attention.
On the ground, Ronan watched the scene, the corner of his mouth twitching violently.
He slammed his zhangba iron spear into the ground, shattering a chunk of rock.
But instead of anger, he let out a helpless sigh, a trace of amusement flashing in his eyes.
"Figures. If he actually followed the plan step by step, that wouldn't be Luffy."
Ronan withdrew his gaze, took a deep breath, and the blood in his body began to surge like roaring rivers.
He turned to the two men beside him, both brimming with battle intent, his voice steady and powerful:
"Sanji. Zoro."
Ronan's eyes locked onto the colossal Thousand-Year Dragon King standing atop the highest reef, nearly twice the size of the others.
"Let Luffy keep the fodder busy. Our target… is that big one."
He patted the cold shaft of his spear, his eyes gradually burning hotter.
"It's the leader of the Thousand-Year Dragons. Its vitality is the strongest. Its bones have endured a thousand years, absorbing the essence of heaven and earth. They're absolutely the finest medicinal catalyst in existence!"
"As long as we take it down and use its bones for a medicinal bath, our Bronze Skin, Iron Bones will reach full mastery! When we enter the Grand Line, we'll finally have real footing!"
"Hmph."
Zoro curled his lips into a feral grin.
He swiftly tied his dark-green bandana around his head, his gaze sharpening like a blade.
"Clang—"
Wado Ichimonji slid from its sheath, icy light reflecting off his face filled with desire.
"Perfect. Using a Dragon King to temper my swordsmanship… sounds good."
"Seriously, risking our lives against something like that just for a 'medicinal bath'?"
Sanji complained, but his movements were decisive.
He straightened his collar, stubbed out his cigarette, and his eyes hardened as a dangerous aura spread from him.
"But if it's for Miss Nami's safety in the future, then of course I need to get stronger. Got it!"
Ronan nodded, slowly lifting his spear, the tip aimed directly at the Dragon King.
"Then… the hunt begins."
"Boom!"
The instant his words fell, the rocky ground beneath their feet shattered.
Three figures shot forward like afterimages, forming a triangular assault as they charged at the Thousand-Year Dragon King with absolute resolve.
"ROOOAR—!!"
The Dragon King sensed the provocation of the three tiny humans.
As a sovereign of the skies for a thousand years, its dignity would not be trampled!
It unleashed a deafening roar, shockwaves rippling outward, even the sea trembling beneath it.
Its massive wings spread wide, blotting out the sky as violent winds erupted, its enormous body lifting into the air.
Then, it twisted its head and dove like a green meteor, carrying terrifying momentum straight down!
Its gigantic claws flashed cold light as they tore toward Ronan and the others.
"Scatter!!"
Ronan shouted, forcing his body sharply to the left.
"BOOM—!!"
The claws struck the reef where they had stood moments before.
A boulder weighing dozens of tons was instantly pulverized, exploding into a storm of flying rubble!
Through the dust, Zoro's pupils shrank.
"Terrifying power! So this is the strength of a dragon?!"
"It's big—slow to turn! Now's our chance!"
Ronan seized the opening through the smoke.
With the system alert flashing in his mind—Battle Mode Activated, Multiplier ×3—
He stomped down, shattering rock, and launched himself skyward!
His zhangba iron spear seemed to come alive, transforming into a black raging dragon that thrust straight toward the Dragon King's belly!
"Xingyi Great Spear—Drill Force!"
This strike carried Ronan's full power.
The spear spun at high speed, screeching through the air as it slammed into the Dragon King's thick belly scales!
"CLANG—!!"
A massive metallic crash exploded mid-air!
Sparks flew like fireworks.
Ronan's tiger's mouth went numb as violent recoil surged through his body.
To his shock, his supposedly unstoppable thrust had only pierced a few dozen centimeters before being firmly jammed by the deep-green scales!
"Those scales—ridiculously hard! Even steel's nothing compared to this!"
Ronan was alarmed.
The Thousand-Year Dragon's defense was terrifying beyond reason.
No wonder Marine cannons barely scratched them.
"If I can't pierce it… then I'll shatter it!"
A ruthless glint flashed in Ronan's eyes.
He shifted from thrust to shock—his spear trembled violently as devastating vibrating force passed through the shaft, blasting through the scales directly into the Dragon King's body!
"ROOOAR!!"
The Dragon King howled in pain.
It hadn't expected this tiny human to damage its internal organs.
Enraged, its blade-like beak snapped forward with explosive speed toward Ronan, who was suspended mid-air!
If that strike landed, even iron would be pierced clean through!
With no footing in the air, Ronan could only raise his spear on instinct to block.
"BOOM!!"
Overwhelming force crashed down like a mountain.
Ronan felt as if he'd been hit head-on by a speeding train, his body sent flying like a baseball!
"CRASH!"
He slammed into the ground, carving a crater several meters wide into solid rock, debris erupting everywhere.
"Ronan!!"
Sanji shouted.
"Don't get distracted! Now's the chance!"
Zoro's eyes blazed.
He didn't check on Ronan—using the opening Ronan had created, he moved like lightning, already above the Dragon King's back.
Its blind spot!
"One-Sword Style—Iai—"
Zoro inhaled deeply, compressing all his presence into a single instant, hand resting on the hilt, storing thunder for one strike.
"CLANG—!"
Wado Ichimonji slashed down, emerald sword energy ripping across the Dragon King's neck!
"RIIIP—!"
This time, blood erupted!
Though the strike didn't sever the massive neck, it tore open a gruesome wound—half a meter deep and nearly a meter long!
Dragon blood gushed like a fountain, splashing across the reef below.
"Not done yet!"
As the Dragon King reared back in agony, another figure appeared on its other side.
Sanji leapt high, spinning violently in mid-air, his right leg compressing with roaring wind pressure.
"Concassé—Power Shot!!"
"BOOM!!"
The kick smashed squarely into the other side of the Dragon King's neck!
The explosive impact snapped the massive head violently aside.
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