Ronan watched the scene without speaking, instead turning his gaze toward the youth who had been standing to the side, his Straw Hat pulled low as he remained silent.
He was waiting.
Waiting for the captain's decision.
But before that, he had to lay the stakes on the table and make this choice heavier, more real.
"Hey, Luffy."
Ronan spoke, his voice calm and rational, devoid of any emotion.
"What do you think?"
Ronan pointed at the barely breathing Dragon King, a hint of temptation in his tone.
"The finest Dragon Bone is right in front of us. This creature has lived for over a thousand years; life essence flows through its bone marrow."
"You don't just come across the bones of spiritual creatures like this."
"If we miss this chance, then even if we encounter enormous Sea Kings in the future, their bones won't come close to this standard."
"With it, our Thirteen Protectors Hard Qi Training... could undergo a qualitative leap."
"As long as we kill it, we'll become stronger. On this dangerous Great Sea, strength... is the guarantee of survival."
Ronan's words were like a sharp scalpel, cutting open the warm facade and exposing the bloody core of self-interest.
Apis's eyes filled with despair at those words.
She looked at the terrifying men before her and knew she had no way to stop them.
"Ugh..."
Apis bit her lips and made her final compromise.
Pointing at a distant mountain peak, she cried out.
"If... if you want Dragon Bone... I can take you to the 'Dragon Den'!"
"There are lots of bones from dead Thousand-Year Dragons there! Please take those instead! Don't hurt the living Thousand-Year Dragons anymore!"
"The dry bones in the Dragon Den?"
Ronan shook his head, once again playing the role of the ruthless