Ron, Killua, and Gon were heading toward the Republic of East Gorteau.
After Ron had demonstrated Uchiha Sasuke's Chidori, Killua immediately decided to replicate the ability, believing it suited his own situation well. By now, Killua had already developed two Nen techniques: one that enhanced his speed, and another that inflicted paralysis on his enemies. What he lacked most urgently was a method of delivering sufficient damage. Without it, facing Chimera Ants would leave him at a disadvantage.
Since having Illumi's Nen needle removed, Killua was capable of defeating low-ranking Chimera Ants in combat, but when it came to division leader–class enemies, the situation was entirely different. Against them, it was difficult for Killua to gain the upper hand. At best, he could serve as support, but that was not what he wanted. He sought an ability capable of delivering devastating attacks.
Chidori was undoubtedly such an ability. In the world of Naruto, Sasuke had used it to shatter Gaara's defense—something Rock Lee, even after opening the Fifth Gate, had barely managed to scratch.
Gon glanced at Killua, then at Ron. He could sense that Killua's strength had increased significantly, far greater than before. That realization only heightened Gon's impatience to grow stronger himself.
"Ron, do you have a way to help me improve as well?"
Ron shook his head. "Killua's improvement wasn't something I created. He already had a portion of that strength within him—I simply drew it out. Your situation is different. You're already able to bring out all of your power."
Gon froze for a moment. "So all I can do is work hard?"
"That's right. Not just you—every Nen user is the same," Ron said. "Perhaps there exists a way to greatly increase strength in a short time, but remember this: Nen is fair. To gain, you must pay. There is no reward without cost. If you try to bypass that, the price will be one you cannot endure."
In the original course of events, Gon's overwhelming rage had pushed him into his adult transformation. He gained power immense enough to kill Neferpitou with ease. By Nen standards, Gon's normal self was only around B-rank, while Neferpitou was S-rank. Even though Neferpitou was primarily a physical-type S-rank, with limited depth in Nen techniques, S-rank remained S-rank.
Morel, through tactics, could defeat a division leader like the Chimera Ant lion, but he was not Neferpitou's match, tactics or not.
Knuckle, Meleoron, and Killua together had managed to restrict Youpi to a degree, but defeating him was impossible, even with Meleoron's unique ability—and that was when Youpi's mastery of Nen was still shallow.
That kind of cost was something Gon could never bear alone. Which was why Killua had sought out Alluka to shoulder it for him. Alluka's mysterious nature, tied to a being from the Dark Continent, made it possible for Gon to survive.
Ron studied the two boys. Behind Gon stood Ging Freecss—and possibly even the Freecss lineage itself. Behind Killua stood the Zoldyck family, and beyond that, Alluka. These two possessed backgrounds that were nearly unparalleled in the Human World. Ging and the Zoldycks had equals within the V5 nations, but the Freecss lineage and Alluka were far more difficult to compare to any other existence.
At the border of the Republic of East Gorteau, the situation had already shifted. The Ant King had completed his takeover. The nation's former leader was now merely Neferpitou's puppet. Under the King's orders, East Gorteau was holding a national assembly.
Ron's Zodiac Card vibrated. He drew it out and saw Netero's message.
"Chairman Netero, what is it?"
"How are Gon and Killua faring?"
"They're fine."
"In that case, let them join this operation as well. What do you think?"
"I'll ask them…" Ron said, but the decision was already clear. Neither Gon nor Killua would ever refuse. Gon cared too much about Kite, and Killua cared too much about Gon.
"Ron, come to me," Netero instructed.
Ron hesitated briefly, then nodded. "Alright."
He ended the communication and turned toward the boys. After a moment's pause, he took out a white card.
"Gon, this is for you. It works similarly to the cards from Greed Island. You can use it to contact me and Killua if you're ever separated. I need to go to Chairman Netero's side, so I won't be with you for the next part of the operation."
Before either of them could respond, Ron activated the card. "Accompany—Netero."
A surge of aura wrapped around him, lifting him high into the air and carrying him swiftly toward Netero's location.
Before long, he arrived.
Bang!
Ron landed on the ground. In front of him was only Netero—Morel, Knov, Colt, and the others were absent.
A television stood before Netero, displaying footage of the East Gorteau national assembly.
After gaining control of the country, the King had immediately enacted a new policy, devised by Pouf, using the assembly as a façade for selection. Through slaughter and violence, strength was to be obtained.
The King's target was never East Gorteau itself. To him, it was merely a starting point—the first step toward ruling the entire world. Just as NGL had been consumed from the bottom up, East Gorteau now faced an even worse fate. One was a matter of personal choice, the other of being chosen.
"Netero-senpai."
"Ron, you've come. Sit," Netero said, pointing to the chair beside him.
Ron sat down.