"As you can see, I killed a rather uncooperative animal." Ron spread his hands, a faint smile on his face.
The moment he finished speaking, the black-suited guards behind the three Celestial Dragons moved almost simultaneously.
Their movements were perfectly synchronized as they shielded the Celestial Dragons, drew rifles from their waists, and aimed every muzzle at Ron.
"My lords, this is an intruder! For your safety, please step back."
"What? An intruder?" Saint Bernie took half a step back, looking astonished. "Why is there an intruder in the Holy Land?"
Watching them, Ron merely let out an unhurried breath. Then an invisible force erupted from within him.
Conqueror's Haki swept outward with him at its center.
Crackle!
Hum!
In an instant, before the three black-suited guards could make another move, their eyes rolled back simultaneously. Their rifles slipped from their hands and fell to the floor, and they collapsed.
At that very instant, deep within the Room of Flowers in Pangaea Castle.
The sleeping Imu abruptly opened her eyes. Her pupils, patterned with concentric rings like the growth rings of a tree, contracted slightly. Then she said quietly, "This is... Ron? He's come to the Holy Land!"
Bzzzt!
At the same time, inside the magnificent hall of Pangaea Castle, all five of the Five Elders sensed Imu's telepathic message.
"Ron has come to the Holy Land?"
The Five Elders' expressions darkened in unison.
"What's going on? Why haven't we received any reports?" Saint Saturn's brow furrowed deeply.
"In that case, he must have infiltrated the place," Saint Nusjuro added.
"Lord Imu, do you wish for the five of us to stop him?" Saint Warcury asked telepathically.
"No... Fighting in the Holy Land would destroy this place. That is not what I wish to see."
The hall fell silent for