Colt nodded.
"Go ahead. No matter what it is, as long as I know it, I'll tell you."
"Good."
The next moment, Netero no longer restrained his aura. Instead, he released it in full.
"Ren!"
His aura surged to its maximum, overflowing with such force that the entire surrounding area was enveloped in his terrifying presence.
Knov's expression grew serious, yet when he glanced at the nearby Chimera Ants, a faint pride appeared on his face.
"This is Chairman Netero."
Except for Colt, the other division leaders all changed expression. For the first time, they felt what it meant for humans to have such a powerful existence.
"What a strong human!"
"Were the division leaders who died before all killed by him?"
Netero turned toward Colt.
"Before the King left, you should have seen him. So tell me—compared to the King, who is stronger, me or him?"
Colt hesitated for a moment.
"Chairman, you are indeed very strong. I could never be your opponent. But the King… that's something else entirely. The feeling he gave off, I cannot describe. To be honest, even you would not be able to reach him. Long before that, the Royal Guard would take you down."
Netero raised a brow slightly.
"In your eyes, I'm not even a match for the Guard?"
Colt nodded.
"That's right. You're not."
Instead of showing fear, Netero actually smiled.
"Then that makes it even more exciting."
Colt froze, unable to understand why Netero reacted that way.
"Do you humans have others stronger than you? If it's only you who goes, you definitely won't be their match. You'd die in their hands."
Ron was about to hear Netero's response when a sudden, urgent signal came from his Zodiac Card.
"Netero-senpai, Killua has an emergency. If you need to contact me, just use the white card Colt is holding. You can use it simply by carrying it."
Netero nodded.
Ron took out his Zodiac Card.
"Accompany—Killua!"
In an instant, aura wrapped around Ron.
Killua's face was pale. Suddenly, a Chimera Ant had appeared, one whose strength far surpassed both him and Gon. Even fighting together, they could not keep up.
Killua's attacks landed on the Pig-type Chimera Ant, but they couldn't even break through its defense. At best, his electricity left it paralyzed for a moment. Gon's attacks were no better—his movements were too slow in execution. Up to this point, his Jajanken hadn't struck even once. Only his normal punches landed, but they had little effect.
As Killua's strikes accumulated, the Pig Ant even began to develop resistance to his lightning. The effectiveness of his attacks weakened with every blow. Their situation worsened rapidly.
Gon's clothes were completely torn, his body covered in bruises and welts. One eye was swollen shut, blood dripped from the corner of his mouth, and he could barely stand. Killua was faring slightly better, but not by much.
"You two have some strength," the Pig Ant said, grinning. "Not bad at all. For humans, that must be rare, especially at your age. That makes your taste all the better."
He licked his lips, swallowing repeatedly.
"I can't wait. I want to eat you both right now. I can't wait any longer!"
With a roar, the Pig Ant seized Gon, its other hand reaching for his neck, ready to snap it.
"Thud!"
The ground trembled. The Pig Ant sensed something but didn't look back, keeping its grip on Gon.
In the next instant, its vision spun. What it saw shifted abruptly to the sky, and then it felt itself plummeting. Its body crashed to the ground, rolling uncontrollably.
Only then did it realize: a human stood behind its own body, hand shaped like a blade, stained with bluish-purple blood.
It was its blood.
The Pig Ant finally understood. Just as it was about to kill the boy, this human appeared behind it. With a single hand strike, he severed its neck, separating head from body.
It was dead.
"Who is this?" it thought dimly. "The one who killed other Chimera Ants in NGL? Is this the strength of a human warrior? Unwilling… why did I have to encounter someone like this? I could have become a king… free of all restraints… but—"
No matter how unwilling it was, it no longer mattered. Its life force ebbed away. Chimera Ants had greater vitality than humans, but without a head, even they could not live.
"Ron-nii!" Killua's eyes lit up when he saw him.
"Ron, thank you," Gon said, breathing heavily. He stared at the corpse of the Pig Ant, fists clenched tight, unwillingness burning in his gaze.
"I'm too weak. I couldn't even defeat a single Chimera Ant. How can I ever hope to save Kite?"
Ron inclined his head slightly.
"You don't need to return to NGL. The Chimera Ants have already undergone major changes. Many have left, and I didn't see Kite inside. Even if he's still alive, he wouldn't be there."
Gon froze.
"Then where would Kite be?"
"I don't know," Ron said, shaking his head. "The next operations against the Chimera Ants will shift to the Republic of East Gorteau. Whether you join or not depends on Chairman Netero's decision. I have other matters and cannot look after you."
His gaze shifted to Killua, then back to the corpse at their feet.
"Killua, to be honest, I'm disappointed in your performance today. Your progress is far slower than I expected. This Ant was only a squad captain—strong, yes, but not exceptionally so. With your abilities, you and Gon could have defeated it."
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