Morrow and his group had spent several days traveling through Jappon.
Though their visas were still valid for quite some time, they had no intention of staying longer. Before leaving Jappon, Morrow wanted to visit Chimera.
Thus, Menchi led Morrow and the others to Jappon's infamous Evil Enclave, the Forest of Raging Flames.
This Evil Enclave was renowned for its abundant forest resources, but due to its location in a volcanic region, the woods were dotted with multiple active volcanoes.
Forest and volcanoes, life and destruction.
This strange harmony had remained unchanged for many years.
"Chimera should be waking up soon," Menchi said as she brought the group to the outskirts of the Forest of Raging Flames, pointing toward the distant woods shrouded in heat haze. "After every meal, it sleeps for an entire week in volcanic magma."
"Sleeping in magma… I've never heard of such a thing."
This was the first time Menchi had mentioned this to Morrow, and he couldn't help but be surprised.
A glint of excitement flashed in Menchi's eyes. "I thought it was unbelievable at first too, but humanity's understanding of mythical beasts is still so limited. Maybe this is just Chimera's innate talent."
"That makes sense."
Morrow reconsidered. If even the World Tree of the Dark Continent could take root and grow in magma, then Chimera sleeping within it didn't seem so strange by comparison.
Mythical beasts were fundamentally different from ordinary creatures.
To him, they seemed more like lifeforms born from fantasy, defying conventional logic.
With Menchi leading the way, the group quickly entered the Forest of Raging Flames.
As an Evil Enclave under Jappon's jurisdiction, the forest was off-limits to outsiders. However, Menchi was a Pro Hunter, and with her Hunter License and status as a Gourmet Hunter, she easily obtained permission to enter.
The group ventured deeper into the forest, the temperature steadily rising as they progressed. In the distance, several active volcanic craters spewed pale gray smoke, enveloping the entire woods in a hazy, sulfurous atmosphere.
Morrow arrived at a large clearing at the foot of the mountains, where he could faintly feel the heat radiating from the ground beneath his feet.
Looking up, he could see the mouth of one of the volcanoes glowing faintly with a dark red light.
Menchi stopped ahead of the group and pointed toward the towering volcano. "This is the place. I'll go call Chimera down, wait here for me."
No one objected, watching as Menchi made her way toward the volcano.
Just then, two figures suddenly burst out from the trees on the other side of the clearing.
Their bodies were wreathed in aura, their expressions panicked, as if fleeing from something.
Morrow's sharp gaze locked onto them, and in an instant, he recognized them as two of the passengers who had disembarked from the same ship a few days ago, the only two Nen users among that group.
Something must have happened to leave them in such a frantic, disheveled state.
Morrow's eyes swept over their terrified faces before noticing the backpack slung over one of their hips; blood was slowly seeping from the bottom.
The two Nen users also spotted Morrow's group, but after a brief glance, they averted their eyes and continued their desperate escape.
Yet the moment they dashed forward a few dozen meters...
"Whoosh! Whoosh!" Two shadowy streaks shot out from the forest like venomous snakes, tracing deadly arcs through the air aimed directly at the two Nen users.
Morrow focused his gaze and saw they were chains tipped with kunai, their entire lengths wreathed in aura, moving at incredible speed.
In the next instant, the chains precisely wrapped around the Nen users' calves. The tremendous impact instantly knocked them off balance, sending them crashing heavily to the ground in a cloud of dust.
Almost simultaneously, three figures flashed out from the trees, landing steadily dozens of meters away.
The newcomers were all dressed in standard ninja attire, with two of them holding the very chains that had just tripped their targets.
Observing this, Morrow calmly assessed the three ninjas while keenly sensing at least a dozen more presences hidden in the forest, though he couldn't yet determine if any were Nen users.
Menchi, who spent most of her time in deep wilderness, was equally perceptive. Like Morrow, she noticed the numerous hidden presences in the woods.
Yet neither of them looked conspicuously toward the forest, instead keeping their attention fixed on the three Nen-wielding ninjas before them.
"There are others," one of the three ninjas said, looking toward Morrow's group.
As he spoke, another declared bluntly, "Restrain them first."
They were speaking in their native dialect, so Morrow couldn't understand. However, from the fluctuations in their aura, he could easily sense their malicious intent.
Kurapika and Kalluto also felt the hostile aura emanating from the ninjas. They immediately opened their aura nodes, releasing their maximum aura output as they entered combat stance.
But just as tensions reached their peak...
A thunderous roar exploded across the sky like a sudden clap of dry thunder.
Everyone's hearts jolted as they instinctively looked upward.
A bizarre, massive creature was diving down from the heavens.
The monster had a crimson avian head, a bloated lizard-like body, enormous Flesh Wings spread wide behind it, and a thick tail whose tip split open like a flower bud to reveal layered spiral serrations that glinted coldly as it lashed about.
"W-what is that...?!"
The three ninjas who'd been about to attack Morrow's group paled dramatically. Forgetting their two chained captives, they retreated explosively, putting distance between themselves and the newcomers.
This monstrous beast, as large as a heavy truck, was none other than the Phantom Beast Chimera.
BOOM!
With a heavy impact, Chimera's massive body sent up a ring of dust as it landed.
Its crimson slit pupils locked onto the three ninjas, radiating naked predatory hunger as if appraising several pieces of fresh meat.
"Chimera!"
Menchi rushed forward excitedly, stroking its scaled thigh. "Did you sense I was in danger and come rushing over?"
Yet Chimera paid no attention to her affection, keeping its gaze fixed on the ninjas. Only when it caught the scent of terror from them did it slowly turn its elongated neck, lowering its crimson avian head before Morrow.
In that instant, all ferocity vanished from its eyes, replaced by almost fawning eagerness. It even nuzzled Morrow gently with its red-feathered head, behaving exactly like a pet seeking its master's affection. Menchi's smile froze on her face as she stood rooted to the spot like she'd been struck by lightning, her eyes filled with disbelief.
Kurapika and Kalluto studied the Chimera before them with curiosity.
Though Menchi had briefly described the Chimera's situation before their arrival, seeing it in person still evoked a sense of wonder.
Even though Kalluto's family also kept a giant beast, it couldn't compare to the Chimera's appearance; they were clearly not on the same level.
Morrow reached out and gently stroked the Chimera's head. After months apart, he could actually sense a faint, blood-deep connection with the creature.
So it really is because of the "Tree Rings energy"...
Seeing the Chimera's cheerful reaction, Morrow had already reached a conclusion.
Back then, the Chimera had absorbed 15% of his Tree Rings energy to hatch from its Egg.
Perhaps from that moment on, he and the Chimera had formed something akin to a soul contract.
With this bond, even though they'd had little contact during this time, their emotional connection remained strong.
But...
What exactly were mythical beasts?
Why could they be born through Tree Rings energy...
If he had to define it, the essence of Tree Rings energy was spiritual energy born from Nen.
So what was the connection between the two?
Morrow didn't understand.
But after seeing the Chimera today, he could at least confirm this particular use of Tree Rings energy.
In other words, he truly was a chosen mythical beast Hunter.
With enough Tree Rings energy and mythical beast Eggs, he could artificially create an army of mythical beasts.
At this thought, a faint smile appeared on Morrow's face.
The Chimera seemed to sense Morrow's mood and grew even more excited, its red bird head rubbing against his body repeatedly.
Menchi, still petrified, was too heartbroken to speak after witnessing the Chimera's reactions.
She had hoped the Chimera might have forgotten Morrow, but instead...
Not only had it not forgotten him, it was so affectionate that it completely ignored her, its hardworking "mother."
Menchi was both devastated and furious.
She kicked the Chimera hard.
The Chimera gave her a puzzled look before immediately resuming its affectionate nuzzling against Morrow.
"..."
Menchi's lips trembled, her eyes slightly reddening as she looked utterly helpless.
Meanwhile, in the clearing before the forest, the three ninjas and the two Nen users bound in chains were all staring at the Chimera with uneasy expressions.
Without exception, fear was written across their faces.
Even the dozen or so ninjas hiding in the forest held their breaths, their eyes filled with terror.
What frightened them so much was the Chimera's thick tail.
More precisely, the spiral, grotesque mouth at the end of it.
Hovering in midair, it seemed to have a will of its own, always precisely aimed in their direction, its jagged edges slightly parting as if silently calculating the positions of its prey.
Deep in the forest, a young bald ninja slowly raised his hand to wipe the cold sweat from his brow.
"How could such a monster appear here...?"
The bald ninja muttered under his breath, his voice laced with unconcealed shock.
This bald ninja was none other than Hanzo, the Jonin of the Cloud-Hidden Style. At this moment, he stared fixedly at Chimera and Morrow, his mind roiling with waves of disbelief.
On one hand, he couldn't believe such a vicious and terrifying monster existed in the world. On the other, he was shocked that such a creature would submit to a human.
With Chimera's sudden appearance, the previous conflict in the area seemed to become the most insignificant thing.
"Retreat!"
The lead ninja, relieved that Morrow's group didn't seem to have strong offensive intentions, immediately issued the withdrawal order.
The other two ninjas responded instantly upon hearing the command.
But as they retreated into the forest, they had no intention of leaving the two Nen users behind. Instead, they swung their chains, binding the two Nen users tightly before withdrawing into the woods.
"Save me, please, save me...!"
The Nen user carrying the bloodstained bag suddenly screamed desperately toward Morrow.
Morrow's expression remained indifferent, completely ignoring the pleas for help.
Seeing Morrow's reaction, the pleading man's face instantly filled with despair before being dragged into the forest by the ninjas.
Only after sensing the group's aura fade into the distance did Morrow turn to Menchi and ask, "Those two... weren't they poachers, were they?"
"No."
Menchi collected herself and shook her head. "They were Gourmet Hunters."
"So certain?"
Morrow showed slight surprise.
Menchi looked at the trail of blood leading into the woods. "No mistake. I smelled many spices and ingredients on them. Only Gourmet Hunters carry such things with them."
"Then it seems they must have hunted some creature and provoked those ninjas."
Morrow deduced from this.
Menchi nodded in agreement, showing no pity for the two Gourmet Hunters.
This was a regulated restricted area. While they might have obtained passage permits as Gourmet Hunters, they should still abide by local regulations.
One of the conditions set by the regulatory authorities for their entry was not to illegally hunt the forest's creatures.
Those two Gourmet Hunters had clearly crossed the line...
Being punished by local ninjas was simply reaping what they sowed.
But more than the fate of those two Gourmet Hunters, Menchi was more concerned about Chimera's affectionate attitude toward Morrow.
Damn it! After all the exquisite meals I prepared for you daily before!!!
Just thinking about this made Menchi furious again.
She kicked Chimera once more.
But Chimera completely ignored her, its eyes only for Morrow.
"Ahhh, this is infuriating!"
Menchi raised her hands high in impotent rage!
Kurapika and Kalluto quietly distanced themselves from Menchi, then began examining Chimera closely.
Chimera was intelligent enough to recognize Kurapika and the others' relationship with Morrow, so it promptly retracted its intimidating tail stinger.
Morrow noticed this small gesture from Chimera.
Human-like understanding, intelligence.
And most importantly, loyalty.
He grew even more satisfied.
But he had no intention of taking Chimera with him.
Since the Forest of Raging Flames' environment had allowed Chimera to grow to this size in just a few months, continuing to let it roam free here was undoubtedly the best choice.
However, before leaving Jappon, he planned to leave a Star Mark on Chimera.
And there was one thing he was quite curious about. As a mythical beast, Chimera possessed the innate ability to move freely through magma. One couldn't help but wonder if it could awaken the power of Nen.
Thinking this, Morrow glanced at Chimera's thick tail-mouth appendage.
If it were possible...
Even the captain-level Chimera Ants from the original story would probably be devoured one by one before Chimera.
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Bonus chapter @300power stones.