After Killua had removed Illumi's needle, his strength was already far greater than before. The restriction alone had suppressed much of his potential, and although now he was attempting to apply assassination techniques and the training he had received from the Zoldyck family, deep inside he still had not fully embraced it. At present, Killua was only displaying about eighty percent of his full strength, with the remaining portion still hidden within his body.
"Killua's that strong?" Gon looked into the pit where Killua was fighting, astonished. The Killua he saw now was completely different from the one before.
Ron also thought that Illumi's Nen needle had been far too cruel. It had forced Killua to judge himself by his lowest limits and flee whenever he believed he could not surpass an enemy's upper limits. Yet the gap between a Nen user's lowest and highest state could be tremendous. Some could at their best barely reach the level of an A-rank Nen user, but at their worst would only be comparable to a lower B-rank. If Killua faced such an opponent, even with A-rank ability, he might not prevail.
The battle between each boy and each Chimera Ant grew increasingly fierce, the sound of blows echoing without pause. Ron retracted his gaze. Judging by the situation, even if Killua lost, he would not be in mortal danger.
"His speed and reaction aren't bad," Ron thought. "But Killua lacks a destructive technique powerful enough to break through. Chidori would suit him—channeling lightning into his hand. I already told him about this before."
A phone rang. Ron pulled it out, glanced at the screen, and answered.
"Hello?"
"Ron, it's me."
The sound of Hisoka's voice surprised him.
"Hisoka…"
It had been a long time since Hisoka last contacted him, and Ron knew why. Because of his interference, the Yorknew events had played out completely differently. Multiple members of the Phantom Troupe had died—Uvogin, Shalnark, Kortopi. Machi had left the Troupe and joined Ron's team. Kurapika had abandoned vengeance on the Troupe and turned his sights on Meteor City's Elders, as well as Kakin and the Minpo Republic, disrupting Hisoka's plans.
Hisoka had originally intended to seize an opportunity during Yorknew to fight Chrollo one-on-one. In his view, Ron's involvement was a major reason that chance had been lost. Even on Greed Island, Hisoka had not contacted him.
"What is it you want?" Ron asked.
"I've heard some things about the Chimera Ants."
"What about them?"
"You're in NGL?"
"On the border, just came out."
"And the Ants?"
"They're interesting."
"How do they compare with Chrollo?"
"They're a different style," Ron said. "There are Ants that Chrollo could kill, but there are also Ants that could kill Chrollo. Division Leaders and below wouldn't match him, but if he faced one of the Royal Guards, he'd likely be defeated. That kind of explosive strength can't be stopped by tricks or experience. To use your head, you first need to survive the blow."
"That sounds entertaining. Tell me about them in detail."
"You want to fight one?"
"Exactly. Since I missed my chance with Chrollo, who knows when another opportunity will come. Until then, maybe an Ant can give me some fun."
"Then go straight to the Republic of East Gorteau."
"Alright."
The call ended. Ron had not expected Hisoka to take interest in the Ants. In the original course of events, he never had. Back then, after Chrollo agreed to duel him, Hisoka had vanished somewhere in excitement. But in this world, Chrollo had never agreed, and Hisoka remained with the Troupe.
Boom!
A heavy impact resounded below. Ron looked down. After releasing his full potential, Killua was gradually gaining the advantage, relentlessly striking the snake-type Chimera Ant's weak points. When one blow failed, he struck again, and again, each hit compounding on the last until finally reaching the limit. Killua delivered a lethal wound.
Ron retrieved the Ant's corpse. Killua leapt lightly from the pit to the surface.
Ron turned to Gon. "Gon, I'll leave the rest to you."
Gon blinked in confusion. "Huh?"
"Use your ability to fill the pit."
"Got it." Gon nodded firmly.
Ron and Killua stepped back.
"Scissors, Rock, Paper! Rock!"
Gon smashed his fist into the ground. The immense force split the earth, sending dirt tumbling into the pit. He circled to another side and struck again. Four punches in all, and soon the deep pit, once more than ten meters down, was filled. The entire area now lay in a shallow depression.
"Let's go."
"Where to, Ron-nii?" Killua asked.
"To the Republic of East Gorteau."
"Why there?"
"Because the Ant King and the Royal Guards are there—the very one you saw fighting Kite."
The situation in NGL had shifted rapidly. Once the King departed, most of the Ants also dispersed. Some were eliminated when they strayed into other regions, but many were far too powerful for ordinary people to handle, even with firearms—especially the Division Leaders. Wherever they went, they caused chaos. Some moved to the seas, some to Meteor City, some to small nations. Others stayed behind in NGL, either because their natures were relatively peaceful or because they had awakened memories from their human lives.
Some, like Colt, chose to raise Kite, placing his hopes on it being his reincarnated sister. But many others, ambitious yet fearful of the King's might, chose to follow him and the Royal Guards instead, traveling with them into East Gorteau.
This time, the King accepted them. The bond with the Queen ensured their loyalty, binding them to the King alone. That was exactly what the Royal Guards required.
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