This time, the Chimera Ant once again took the initiative.
It crouched, then burst forward explosively. In a single bound it was right in front of Gon. Gon's response was to meet change with stillness.
"Janken!"
He dropped low, gathering momentum. A surge of powerful aura condensed onto his fist.
The Chimera Ant, suddenly alarmed, stopped and retreated quickly. Gon's stance was troublesome—it was the kind of charged state where the Ant knew it could land a strike, but Gon's blow would certainly hit in return. It did not know what sort of attack Gon could unleash, but the aura radiating from him made it clear that the strike would not be weak.
The Chimera Ant had no wish to kill Gon only to gain its freedom, only to then be killed itself in the process. If that happened, there would be no meaning to its release. Even if it survived but was gravely injured, would the humans spare it? Certainly not.
Ron was not a concern. If Ron had wanted to kill it, he would have done so already. He had promised freedom, and the Ant could only trust that. What it feared was Killua. If it killed Gon, Killua would never let it go, and in a wounded state it could not possibly deal with Killua as well.
So this time, the one held back and constrained was the Chimera Ant. The situation had reversed.
Ron looked at Killua, who had calmed down. "Killua, have you thought it through?"
"What?"
"Between you and Gon, who is stronger?"
"It should be me…" Killua answered with hesitation.
"Not should. It is certain."
Ron said, "Your base attributes surpass Gon's. You are the same age, but before twelve you underwent the Zoldyck family's harsh training, while Gon grew up free. Before the Hunter Exam, your strength was many times greater than his. After learning Nen, Gon's growth was faster than yours—that is partly due to his talent, and partly due to your own issues—but even so, in such a short time, Gon could not have surpassed you. At least not yet.
"In speed, you are superior. In strength, you are superior. In reflexes, you are superior. In technique, you are superior. In experience, you are superior. In terms of abilities, each of you has your own advantages, but yours are more proactive. Killua, can you tell me why you are performing so poorly?"
In Ron's eyes, both Gon and Killua had already reached the level of B-rank Nen users. Their rate of improvement was impressive—they were now comparable to upper-tier Shadow Beasts or the lower-ranked members of the Phantom Troupe. Compared to Kurapika, however, they were slower, though Kurapika had his own edge: deep hatred, the Scarlet Eyes, and severe vows and restrictions.
Gon and Killua stood at the same level as squad captains. But the Chimera Ants grasp of Nen was crude.
"I…" Killua was silent for a long time. "My ability can't inflict lethal damage on the Ants. Their defenses are too strong. I can't kill them, so I don't believe I can win. Gon's ability, on the other hand, can threaten them."
Ron shook his head. "Killua, remember—you are an assassin. Gon is a warrior; his attacks are direct, frontal. You are a killer—why copy his methods? You were trained to wait patiently, to find the weak point, to end it in one blow. Have you forgotten all of that training?"
Killua's eyes flickered. "Weak point? But the Chimera Ants don't have weak points. Their whole bodies are hard, even their joints."
Ron gave him a calm glance. "Even their joints look strong to you?"
Killua clenched his fists. Ron's words struck his pride.
"Then create stronger methods of attack. With your current strength, you are capable of it. Have you never thought of that? Or do you plan to spend your whole life only supporting Gon in battle? What if Gon dies? Or what if he is no longer your friend?"
Ron had already seen the truth. In overall attributes, Killua was stronger than Gon, but his mentality prevented him from using his full power.
Killua clenched his fist tightly. "I…"
At that moment, the Chimera Ant finally lost patience and charged at Gon again, its aura flaring around its body.
"Die!"
Even before it reached him, its pressure was already crashing down on Gon. But Gon withstood it.
In the instant the Chimera Ant closed in—
"Janken! Rock!"
His fist shot forward. Their strikes landed at the same time, and both were sent flying backward.
Bang!
Both slammed into the wall. Gon spat a mouthful of blood. The Chimera Ant, by comparison, fared better. It looked at Gon and grinned.
"I overestimated you. If this is all, I should have attacked sooner. Now it's my turn. I'll kill you slowly, then eat you, make you part of me. You'll die, but still live on as my flesh. I won't let your body go to waste."
Step by step, the Chimera Ant walked toward Gon. Gon struggled to stand, but he could not.
Killua's fists trembled. "Ron… why don't you stop it? You could save him right now!"
Ron's gaze stayed steady. "I won't. Killua, don't forget—this is training. Gon already agreed that death could be the price. I'm not here to coddle him. And don't mistake me for someone who acts on sentiment. Even if I'm more carefree than the rest of the Zoldycks, I am still a Zoldyck. Your friend's death won't disturb me."
Killua froze. Each slow step the Chimera Ant took toward Gon pressed against his chest like a weight, and Ron's words left no escape: if Gon was to live, it would have to be by Killua's own choice, not anyone else's.
The Ant reached Gon, lifted its hand, and reached for his throat.
Just as it was about to seize him—
Killua's figure vanished.