Research on the brought-back severed limbs, combined with the information from Ponzu-
Despite being hard to believe, the conclusion was Chimera Ants.
The characteristic of [Phagogenesis], coupled with the disappearance of an entire village's population, and the disappearance of countless species in the forest, the result was chilling.
[If not stopped, or exterminated quickly, it would 100% trigger a worldwide disaster.]
This was the expert's conclusion. In the relevant report, an estimated time for the Ant King's birth was attached, roughly two months.
However, without knowing the specific time point, this information had low reference value.
Regarding the serious consequences Chimera Ants could bring, V5 didn't sit idly by. They pressured the Hunter Association, demanding the Association must resolve this matter flawlessly.
This was equivalent to a government-issued commission, one that could not fail.
To address this, Netero convened an executive-level meeting, focused on selecting personnel.
Participants included not only the Zodiacs but also the head of the Review Department.
The so-called Review Department was a review organ of the Association.
Since the Hunter Association's tasks were mostly contracted from governments or large enterprises, once a task's importance was high, numerous Hunters would want to take it.
The Review Department's duty was to review Hunters' skills and abilities, then select Hunters suitable for the commission's content.
This meeting even involved the Review Department, sufficient to demonstrate this commission's importance.
However, the meeting also had absentees, two in total: Law and Ging.
Their absence didn't affect the meeting's proceedings.
"Morel and Knov."
Netero spoke the names of the Nen Users he had identified.
Before selecting these two, it was already decided that Chairman Netero would go personally.
"This isn't appropriate, is it, Chairman Netero."
Pariston glanced subtly at the Review Department head.
"What's inappropriate?" Netero calmly followed Pariston's words.
Pariston, however, didn't directly answer Netero. Instead, he looked at the Review Department team and smiled slightly, "The number and strength are too rash. Regarding this point, the Review Department should also have opinions."
"Oh?" Netero stroked his beard.
The Review Department's head cleared his throat and said solemnly, "The expert has already given the highest possible crisis level assessment. Sending only two companions is indeed too rash."
He didn't simply assess Morel and Knov's abilities but specifically pointed out the issue with numbers.
This was echoing Pariston's words. Thus it can be seen, Vice-Chairman Pariston might already have connections with the Review Department.
Netero just kept stroking his beard, not stating his position immediately.
The other Zodiacs' members also gave their respective views, largely similar to Pariston's.
Since the Chimera Ants' danger level had been determined, the number sent out shouldn't be so few.
"Hmm."
Facing everyone's objections, Netero suddenly stopped stroking his beard and calmly said, "Too many people isn't good. You all understand this too. Insufficiently strong force could be absorbed by the Chimera Ants..."
Here, he paused for a moment, quickly glanced at Law's empty seat, a flash of helplessness deep in his eyes.
'That guy...'
'If he were among the selected personnel, the objections probably wouldn't be this big.'
Moreover, he felt Law's reaction after learning about this was also somewhat abnormal.
Even so, the completely unwilling-to-wait attitude left Netero helpless.
Expert research, investigation, assessment.
Government communication, decision, order.
Association contracting, meeting, confirmation.
A whole set of procedures had to be followed, finally leading to the executive-level meeting, then deciding on the personnel to accept the commission.
The time this process required was why Law wasn't willing to wait.
So Law didn't participate in the meeting, nor cared about the commission matter. Instead, he went to East Gorteau first.
Merits and such, he didn't care about at all.
Netero suppressed his wandering thoughts, calmly looked at everyone.
Controversy was inevitable. After all, only two companions were selected. Compared to the Zodiacs' objections, the Review Department's viewpoint was particularly important.
Even as Chairman, he couldn't override this and decide privately.
"Morel and Knov's abilities are very suitable for this commission. Compared to numbers, please focus the assessment on their abilities," Netero said calmly.
"Hmm, hearing the Chairman say this, I think it makes sense," Pariston clasped his hands and said calmly, "Then, personally, I have no objections."
First voicing opposing opinions, then lightly agreeing to Netero's proposal.
Such unreasonable change was seen by Netero, but he had no particular reaction. This was the motive for keeping Pariston in the Association.
Life, if smooth sailing, would be too boring.
Moreover, Netero understood clearly Pariston's thoughts.
Now, Pariston's faction formed its own faction within the Association, targeting the Chairman's position.
This Chimera Ant crisis was clearly an opportunity.
V5 applied heavy pressure. If not handled well, the responsibility would fall on Netero. Then just needing some maneuvering, making Netero step down as Chairman wouldn't be difficult.
So, when Netero selected only two companions, Pariston agreed with it from the bottom of his heart. However, some acts need to be performed properly when the time comes.
Deep down, Pariston had a conflicting feeling.
He hoped Netero would die cleanly. That way, the restrictions on Beyond would disappear. But at the same time, he didn't want Netero to die. In that case, he would lose a lot of fun.
Regardless of which possibility, he couldn't let Beyond learn about this.
The dispute at the meeting ultimately ceased. Netero's proposal was approved.
However, for this commission, Netero carried two additional conditions.
One condition came from V5, one condition came from the Association.
…
Republic of East Gorteau.
The Chimera Ant Queen's food intake increased daily. The Chimera Ant troops' invasion actions gradually branched out, even the domestic country realized the seriousness of the problem.
However, the public had no right to know. Or rather, East Gorteau's intelligence organization concealed this fact.
Before the Republic of East Gorteau began strictly controlling entry applications, Law had already entered.
With the Kuro's space, he wasn't as honest as Dafifi, well-behaved enough to not even bring a phone.
Arriving at a forest, deadly silent, not a trace of vitality visible.
Every Chimera Ant needed to eat. Low-level soldier ants had no qualifications to eat humans, so they targeted other creatures, thus sweeping through the forest's species.
In other words, when a forest was so quiet no creatures were visible, it represented the area where Chimera Ants had been active.
Regarding the current situation of Chimera Ants, the information Law possessed was too little.
He hadn't anticipated the Chimera Ant Queen would land elsewhere and not leave behind severed limbs, this crucial clue.
This change caused all his countermeasures to fail.
Completely unclear how long the Chimera Ants had developed, whether the Royal Guards were born, whether the Chimera Ant King was born...
The only information was that Chimera Ants similar to Squadron Leader-level could easily defeat Nen Users of Feng Xiaoyu's level.
Although clearly understanding that as long as he stormed the nest and killed the Queen, it would be fine, but with information quantity practically zero, such behavior would undoubtedly be foolish.
"Then, let's probe first..."
Law alone entered the forest, stopping at a certain spot.
Faint rustling sounds came from around, about over fifty dark figures appeared in the surroundings.
"Special human!"
Over fifty Chimera Ants, among them including about ten platoon leader level.
They clearly saw the life energy floating around Law.
"Being able to speak is good."
Law looked at the Chimera Ant that spoke and slowly raised a hand, palm facing down.
Swoosh.
Aura condensed below his palm into a disc, spinning rapidly. It was the Aura Disc Slash.
Then, Law made a discus-throwing motion, throwing the Aura Disc Slash.
The Aura Disc Slash sliced through the air, easily cutting a Chimera Ant in half.
Law swung his arm, like controlling a yo-yo, manipulating the Aura Disc Slash to circle around.
In an instant, over fifty Chimera Ants only two remained unscathed. Others were all cut in two by the Aura Disc Slash.
However, Chimera Ants' life force was extremely strong. Even if their heads were cut off, they could survive for a day.
Law didn't think that much when he acted. So when he saw many Chimera Ants with undamaged heads still alive, he patiently acted again, manipulating the Aura Disc Slash to destroy those Chimera Ants' heads.
Seeing Law's second killing move, the two unscathed Officer Chimera Ants felt fear for the first time.