C15 Intermediate Strengthening
"Here's hoping for a bit more oomph on this last one."
Ding! An ankylosaur has been acquired.
Buzz!
The ship dipped ever so slightly.
Before him stood a turtle-like creature clad in gray armor, its shell adorned with sharp spikes nearly 30 centimeters in length, its entire body a shade of ash. Its head was like that of a turtle, magnified dozens of times, yet it exuded a menacing heft.
At the end of the ankylosaur's spiky tail was an appendage resembling a hammer. Its stout, short limbs planted firmly on the deck.
Name: Ankylosaur
Type: Herbivorous Dinosaur
Abilities: Spiked Armor (provides formidable defense), Tail Hammer (capable of armor penetration)
Rank: First Lieutenant at the Naval Headquarters!
Ding! You've gained one-tenth of the ankylosaur's attributes.
As the electronic tone dissipated, a moderate surge of power flowed into his body, enhancing his strength by a fraction and toughening his skin.
Esaki realized that with one-tenth of the dinosaur's attributes, he also inherited a corresponding fraction of its abilities.
His defenses were becoming increasingly formidable.
The ankylosaur, stretching nearly seven meters in length, took up the entire cabin space. Thankfully, it wasn't too tall—merely 1.75 meters, and 1.5 meters wide. To others, its size was monstrous.
"At last, I've summoned a dinosaur I can command."
A grin spread across Esaki's face.
The ankylosaur was impressive. Though not a carnivore, it served as a solid tank, its offensive capabilities considerable, certainly far surpassing those of the Oviraptor and Wukongopterus.
"Now to enhance the Australovenator, and then we're set."
He had no immediate plans to boost the other dinosaurs. Strengthening them would be futile; after all, quality steel is best saved for the cutting edge.
He accessed the Australovenator's enhancement interface.
Body Strengthening: Basic (1,000,000)
Physique Strengthening: Intermediate (10,000,000)
Skin Strengthening: Intermediate (10,000,000)
...
Aside from its size, which had yet to be enhanced, all previously strengthened aspects were eligible for intermediate enhancement. But such upgrades came at a steep price.
After enhancing a million times, Esaki was left with only 20.5 million Belly, enough for at most two more enhancements.
"No need to bulk up the body size; any bigger and it won't fit on the ship. But enhancing my physique to evenly boost strength and defense is essential. The Australovenator's current defense is quite adequate... so I'll focus on the teeth."
After all, the teeth were its primary weapon. The question was whether teeth enhanced at an intermediate level could penetrate defenses wrapped in Busoshoku Haki.
Esaki pondered this carefully.
Yet, he had no means to test it at the moment.
Ultimately, he opted for both physique and dental enhancements.
With 20 million Belly subtracted, the Australovenator outside underwent a dramatic transformation.
...
Lying atop the wrecked boat, the Australovenator's eyes snapped open.
Buzz!
A savage aura burst forth, sending a terrifying airwave sweeping outwards, its massive vertical pupils blazing with a cyan glow.
Its muscles twitched incessantly, and its bronze skin shimmered with a soft radiance.
Simultaneously, its teeth shed and regrew, the new set longer and more lethal, glinting with a chilling light.
The Australovenator rose abruptly, unleashing a skyward roar, its formidable 'Dragon's Might' bearing down in all directions, a sonic wave blasting outward.
"Ah~"
Gaimon cried out in terror, collapsing to the ground, looking up at the creature.
"Chirp~"
"Chirp~"
Birds scattered in panic across Treasure Island.
Aboard another vessel, Esaki felt a wave of power flood his body, fortifying it. His skin tightened, expelling a fine gray material, leaving it paler, tougher, and with a healthy, rosy undertone.
