Killua lowered his head, and Gon did the same.
Although Ron had addressed Killua, Gon felt the words applied to him as well. The two of them had already been studying Nen for quite some time—nearly half a year at Heaven's Arena, another half year inside Greed Island, plus the events in Yorknew, their return to Whale Island, and their journey with Kite. Piece by piece, quite a long time had passed.
Moreover, both Killua and Gon had received the best possible instruction. Wing's teaching in the beginning was solid, and Biscuit's guidance was unmatched. Greed Island itself had been practically tailored for Gon. It was not that their progress was slow; in fact, they had advanced rapidly. A Chimera Ant squad captain, in terms of strength, could already match a human Nen user at the lower end of the B-rank scale.
Given their talent and circumstances, Killua and Gon had everything they needed to grow quickly. Ron's disappointment was only that Killua had yet to reach the level he believed was within him. And Killua still had not realized that Illumi had planted a Nen needle in his head.
"Here's what we'll do. I happen to have some time now," Ron said. "I'll design a special training session for you. But before we begin, you need to be prepared—this training carries the risk of death. Will you accept?"
Killua lifted his head. "I accept."
Beside him, Gon's eyes shone with eagerness. "Ron-nii, can I join too?"
Ron hesitated briefly. "You can. But as I said, this training is dangerous. If you die, don't blame me."
"Ron, I won't. I want to get stronger. Right now I'm far too weak."
Ron nodded.
A thought flickered, and a figure appeared at Ron's side—Natsu. In the next instant, Natsu leapt high into the air. Flames erupted from both hands, merging together into a golden blaze.
"Fire Dragon's Brilliant Flame!"
The golden fire fell to the ground with a roar.
Boom!
The earth trembled violently. Even Palm, observing from a distance, blanched and backed away in alarm.
Killua and Gon were awestruck.
"Ron-nii is so strong!"
"If I could reach his level, I'd be able to find Kite…"
Before long, the flames dispersed, leaving a massive crater behind. Ron gave another thought, and Natsu vanished, replaced by Uchiha Sasuke.
"Rashomon, Susanoo!"
Sasuke dropped into the pit and slammed a glowing fist into the wall. The force reshaped the crater into a cubic training ground, with four smooth walls enclosing it.
Ron stood at the edge and released a Chimera Ant squad captain.
The Ant immediately fixed its wary eyes on him, but it did not dare flee. It had already experienced Ron's power firsthand and knew it was not on the same level. Squad captains were generally weaker than division leaders, though exceptions existed. But even division leaders were of little consequence to Ron—so much less a squad captain.
"I'll give you a chance to live," Ron said, pointing to Killua and Gon. "I'll have them fight you one after the other. If you manage to kill either of them, I'll let you go."
The Ant's eyes lit up but soon filled with hesitation.
"Truly?"
"Truly."
"Fine."
It shifted its gaze toward Killua and Gon, already calculating.
"Killua, you first," Ron instructed.
"Alright."
The Ant leapt into the pit, and Killua followed. The two faced each other, waiting.
"Begin," Ron commanded.
The Ant charged immediately, attacking with full force, determined to kill Killua before he had a chance to breathe.
But a spark of electricity flickered across Killua's body. His speed surged, and by the time the Ant reached him, Killua had already moved.
From above, Ron watched alongside Gon. In terms of overall attributes, Killua actually had the advantage. His aura was stronger, his speed superior. The Ant's defenses and raw attack power were greater, but Killua surpassed it in experience and technique.
With his superior speed, Killua should have been untouchable. If he could exploit the Ant's weaknesses and openings, victory was inevitable. With an assassin's eye and experience, Ron did not believe it would be difficult. Killua had already encountered plenty of Chimera Ants. And Ants were not so different from humans—and Killua had killed countless humans before.
Yet Killua turned his advantages into disadvantages. He hesitated, restrained by fear and doubt.
"The effect of Illumi's needle is only part of it," Ron thought. "The rest lies in Killua's own heart. If not for that, he would have realized it by now."
Gon's fists clenched as he watched. "Killua!"
As the battle dragged on, Killua's situation worsened—worse even than when the pig Chimera Ant had attacked him. Back then, at least Gon had been there to share the burden. Now he was alone.
And unlike the pig Ant, which had merely wanted to eat him, this one fought under threat of its own death, spurred on by the promise of freedom. Its motivation was far stronger.
Bang!
Killua's body was hurled back, slamming into the wall.
"Ugh!"
He coughed up blood.
In alarm, Gon leapt down into the pit.
The Ant's pupils contracted as it instinctively looked toward Ron.
Ron said nothing—he merely pulled Killua out. He had promised that Killua and Gon would fight in turns, but he had not specified how those turns would alternate. This arrangement did not violate his rules.
The Ant's expression darkened.
Gon stood across from it, his face set with determination.
Killua gasped heavily for breath.