In HxH with Doraemon Pocket

Chapter 387 - 387

During their journey, they encountered several Chimera Ants. These ants were mostly hybrids, combining genes from various animals.

Although they possessed intelligence and could speak, they retained the wild instincts of their biological components, behaving much like beasts. Their strength wasn't particularly impressive, as Gon and Killua could easily defeat them with minimal effort.

Morel and Knov quickly realized that Gon and Killua were not ordinary Nen users; they were exceptionally skilled individuals. Judging by their abilities, even among Hunters, they would be considered elite. This realization weighed heavily on Morel and Knov's minds, confirming Killua's earlier assessment that their enemies would be formidable.

The subsequent events unfolded smoothly as the group continued their exploration. However, a pivotal moment occurred that drew attention. While Killua and Gon initially dismissed it, experienced individuals like Netero and Morel noticed something amiss.

In a pasture, all the horses had been slaughtered by a Chimera Ant resembling a rat. This rat-like ant seemed to possess human genetic traits, speaking and thinking in a manner similar to humans. Gon and Killua confronted this ant, showcasing their skills without delivering a fatal blow. Consequently, the rat ant, named Lamuto, fled in a bloody, injured state.

Gon and Killua didn't think much of it and chose not to pursue. This scene lingered in Morel and Knov's minds, leading them to understand that this rat ant had likely been attacked with Nen, forcing open its aura nodes. It was akin to the brutal awakening experienced by the floor masters of the 200th floor in Heavens Arena, like Kastro and Gido. It's the most crude and dangerous way to open one's aura nodes.

Despite taking a direct hit from Gon, which should have been lethal, Lamuto survived thanks to the Chimera Ants' robust bodies. This allowed it to open its aura nodes and gain Nen abilities. From then on, the Chimera Ants began mastering Nen techniques.

Morel and the others continued watching in silence. As they progressed, they uncovered the sinister truth about the NGL Autonomous Region and learned that King Gyro had been captured and consumed by the ants. This was considered good news.

As night fell, the scene shifted to one of Killua's most painful experiences. Rewinding time to that fateful night, in a Chimera Ant nest within a forest in NGL, the Queen had successfully moved her lair to a warm, suitable location to create an optimal environment for the King's birth, after amassing a considerable force of soldier ants.

In the intricate, interconnected tunnels, a newly born Royal Guard, Neferpitou, with white wavy hair, cat ears, and a tail covered in white fur, possessing gem-like red eyes and insect-like knee joints, sat on a rock with arms crossed, observing the squadron leaders being forcibly awakened to Nen.

Neferpitou, wearing a deep blue coat, orange and black striped shorts, long socks, and blue slip-ons, evaluated the situation. Forced awakening through beatings was the only way to open aura nodes, and she had learned various Nen techniques from hunting Nen users among the Phantom Beast Hunters and Animal Hunters.

Even without Pokkle, other Nen users were easily dealt with. Neferpitou, born as a Royal Guard to the King, possessed immense physical strength and an automatically opened aura node, granting her vast Nen reserves. These squadron leaders were no match for her.

This innate power disparity required significant effort to overcome, let alone catch up to. The ant hierarchy was clear and strict, similar to human society. As the saying goes, "All roads lead to Rome," but some are born in Rome.

Neferpitou's initial strength surpassed that of many in the six continents, ranking her among the top five in terms of Nen reserves.

As Neferpitou watched the squadron leaders awaken their aura nodes, Gon, overwhelmed by Neferpitou's oppressive aura and the stifling atmosphere, coupled with the guilt of Kite losing an arm due to their oversight, erupted with emotion. His aura surged to its maximum, enveloping him, as his "Monster Hat" emitted a faint glow. His skin changed from a healthy Komugi yellow to a steaming pink, nearing Luffy's Gear Second state.

Faced with this, Gon chose to unleash his full power, intending to battle Neferpitou. However, such a monster was beyond his current ability to defeat.

---

"It's nothing but a senseless, meaningless sacrifice! Fool!" Kite's face twitched as he cursed in frustration, "Idiot!"

"Bang!" Before Kite could finish his scolding, Killua, equally shocked, swiftly delivered a punch to the back of Gon's head before his aura could fully form. Instantly, the accumulated Nen energy and the transformation of his skin came to an abrupt halt.

The scene that followed was the last memory Killua shared. He was seen carrying an unconscious Gon on his back, racing through the terrain, overcoming numerous obstacles until they finally reached the outskirts of the NGL Autonomous Region. Using a phone, he contacted the Hunter Association and waited patiently for Netero and the others to arrive.

After witnessing these memories from Killua, the group fell into a prolonged silence. They not only saw everything Killua and Gon experienced, but they also felt the intensity of those moments as if they were there themselves. This meant that Neferpitou's oppressive aura, which had weighed heavily on Killua and Gon, was also palpably felt by them.

"Let's hear everyone's thoughts," Netero said calmly, stroking his beard as he opened his eyes.

Ging remained silent, simply taking out a bright red apple from his pocket and biting into it. With a sleight of hand, he produced a few vibrant red dates and handed them to Killua. "You haven't had a drop of water or a bite to eat on the way here. Have some fruit to replenish yourself."

Even Ging, who believed everyone has their own adventures, had to admit that the enemies Killua and Gon faced were beyond imagination. They surpassed the anticipated limits of what this world could handle. Neferpitou's aura and fearsome Nen were unprecedented on the six continents.

This was evident from the expressions on Morel and Knov's faces. One looked deeply oppressed, his face shadowed as if covered by dark lines, while the other was drenched in sweat, wiping his glasses with a trembling hand.

"It's truly... unbelievable," Knov muttered, finally finding his voice. The intimidation Neferpitou exuded in the memory was the most terrifying sensation he'd ever encountered since learning about Nen. Not even Netero had exerted such pressure on him.

"It seems our enemy this time is quite troublesome..." Morel wanted to take the large smoking pipe off his back and have a good puff to calm his turbulent emotions. When Morin and Ging appeared, he sensed that their opponent was strong, strong enough to warrant the involvement of so many experts. But he never imagined that the opponent would be this formidable, perhaps even exceeding human limits.

No, perhaps these creatures were never human to begin with, but Chimera Ants, merging human and other biological traits. Ants are naturally strong, a racial trait, and combined with human genes, they embody human strengths. Frankly, Morel was not optimistic about the mission's success. Even with Morin, Netero, and Ging on board, the situation seemed increasingly uncertain.

"Yoyoyo, it seems we've been dealt a blow," Knov commented incredulously, prompting a chuckle from Netero as he glanced at the silent, grim-faced Morel, then at Morin and Ging. Unlike Morel and Knov, Ging and Morin seemed unaffected, appearing relaxed and at ease, showing no signs of psychological pressure.

"We can't help it; things have reached this point. With such dangerous ants emerging, all we can do is devise a strategy rather than burden ourselves with unnecessary stress," Ging said, scratching his cheek when Netero looked his way. Ging was a rational person, though Pariston excelled in emotional intelligence.

Ging's emotional intelligence... well, never mind. The difference between Ging and Pariston lay in their strengths. Ging had maxed out intelligence, both being top-tier in their respective fields. Pariston, while emotionally astute, wasn't lacking in intellect either.

"Before we came, the old man already sought help, but the price he asked for was too high," Ging added.

As for Morin's perspective, he had no particular opinion. He acknowledged Neferpitou's vast aura, but so what? Morel was right; a true Nen battle wasn't just about aura volume. Otherwise, the world wouldn't have so many unique and bizarre abilities. It wouldn't simply be about who had more aura to win.

In summary, they would face whatever came their way without worrying excessively. "Oh my, the enemy this time is indeed more troublesome than we imagined, isn't it?"