Among the many forests of East Gorteau, there were numerous high mountains. The mountain goat was a creature that lived on steep slopes.
To evade predators, their habitat gradually shifted towards the high mountains.
Consequently, they evolved strong limbs with powerful explosive force and leaping ability, allowing them to traverse treacherous mountains as if on flat ground, not to mention climbing peaks.
Furthermore, their hooves were shaped like sharp diamonds. Combined with the explosive power of their limbs, they could easily pierce hard rock layers to anchor themselves.
Piper's body contained mountain goat genes, as well as those of a creature called a Balance Bird.
The Balance Bird had two advantages.
First, its ability to locate objects. Second, the tail wings that allowed it to change direction at will during flight.
Piper, possessing both mountain goat and Balance Bird genes, had even more terrifying explosive power with the aid of Nen.
During high-speed movement, he could also use his bird-like tail for lightning-quick changes in direction, catching enemies off guard.
Just moments ago, he had launched an attack on Law, tracing a 'Z'-shaped trajectory, intending to use his sharp hooves to sever Law's head.
Just as he thought he was about to succeed, his body collided with what felt like an air wall. His speed and movement instantly slowed.
Before he could even process why, he noticed his vision suddenly shifting and saw his own headless body flying forward.
Realizing what happened, Piper knew this human had plucked off his head and was holding it.
His vision shifted again. Piper stared blankly at the terrified faces of Capuas and Batta. He opened his mouth to say something, then everything went dark.
Law crushed Piper's head.
Batta and Capuas both twitched.
They had only seen a blur of Piper's afterimage, and the next second, Piper's head was effortlessly removed.
"This human is too terrifying. We... should run separately!"
Batta sent a telepathic message to Capuas.
"Agreed!"
Capuas agreed without hesitation.
Just as they prepared to act, they heard that human's voice.
"If you turn your backs to me, you'll die even faster."
Hearing Law's words, Batta and Capuas froze.
Thump, thump.
Law continued walking forward. The Chimera Ants whose bodies had been cut in two but hadn't died instantly all had their heads crushed by Law's Domain.
"You two, do you know Nen?" Law suddenly asked.
Batta and Capuas bristled like frightened cats, not answering.
"No matter if you don't want to say. I have my ways to find out."
Law didn't mind. In a flash, he launched an attack on the two remaining Chimera Ants.
Three minutes later, two more Chimera Ant corpses lay on the ground.
Law stood to the side, lost in thought.
The crocodile-man Batta was an Enhancer, with no special abilities beyond concentrating his Aura into the bulbous mass on his tail to create powerful striking force.
The snake-woman Capuas was a Transmuter, capable of transmuting her Aura into a slick mucus. When coating her body, it could deflect blunt-force damage, and the mucus-like aura contained deadly snake venom.
From this, it seemed Squadron Leader-level Chimera Ants had not only opened their Aura Nodes but also developed Nen Abilities.
Their innate proficiency with powerful Ryu alone was troublesome enough. Developing Nen Abilities on top of that meant ordinary Pro Hunters couldn't defeat them. No wonder Dafifi ended up in such a sorry state.
Law walked towards Dafifi and Ponzu.
At that moment, a glimmer of hope lit Ponzu's eyes. She stumbled forward to stand before Law.
"Save Xiaoyu!"
"Maybe there's still time!"
Facing Ponzu's plea, Law shook his head calmly. "It's too late. Chimera Ants don't have the habit of keeping prey alive for long."
It was like a heavy punch to the gut. Ponzu knelt on the ground, her spirit broken.
Law looked at the silently bowed Ponzu for a moment, then shifted his gaze to Dafifi, who is missing an arm and covered in wounds.
The Grass Jelly was limited in quantity. The amount Law had could only help Dafifi stop the bleeding, not fully heal him.
Mainly, there were too many wounds. With Dafifi's constitution, he could recover by resting. There was no need to waste precious Grass Jelly.
Law looked at Dafifi and said, "Tell me everything that happened during this time, without leaving anything out."
Dafifi immediately complied, organizing his thoughts and recounting the events.
After listening, Law fell into thoughtful silence.
'So, this Chimera Ant squad's mission was to capture Dafifi and Ponzu alive...'
The question now was whether to directly seek out the Chimera Ant's nest or first escort Dafifi and Ponzu to safety.
Dafifi, watching Law ponder, suddenly said, "Don't worry about us."
His words hit the nail on the head, directly addressing Law's main concern.
Law, however, let out a soft sigh. "Let's go. I'll take you away from here first. I wonder how much longer the old man will take to get here."
"Old man?" Dafifi was puzzled.
"Netero," Law replied casually.
Dafifi was speechless, thinking, 'Only you would dare call Chairman Netero that.'
After a pause, he said seriously, "If what you need to do is important, don't let us hold you back."
"It is important..." Law said, glancing towards a certain direction in the forest. After a moment, he shook his head, not elaborating further, and signaled for Dafifi and Ponzu to follow.
He needed to locate the nest and witness the true strength of the three Royal Guards.
Squadron Leader-level Chimera Ants alone weren't sufficient as a reference point.
Seeing Law had made his decision, Dafifi didn't press further and followed.
…
Meanwhile, at the Chimera Ant's nest.
The sole survivor, Nique, returned to the nest, reported to Pouf, and shared the intelligence.
"Wiped out?"
Pouf was surprised.
Youpi and Pitou were also present, showing no particular reaction.
"Yes, the enemy is extremely powerful," Nique reported earnestly, shedding his usual laziness.
"Then why are you still alive?" Youpi, tall, burly, and crimson-skinned, asked coldly.
Nique replied without changing expression, "I believed someone must survive to bring back the intelligence."
"Oh?"
Youpi raised an eyebrow, releasing a terrifying Aura. "Then tell me, is that human stronger, or am I stronger?"
Nique put on a thoughtful expression, then replied seriously after a moment, "I believe Youpi-sama's Aura is superior."
Youpi immediately bared his sharp teeth in a grin.
'Judging strength? How could a weakling like me determine that?'
'Compared to providing accurate and precise intelligence, saying what they want to hear is more reliable.'
'Anyway, just surviving is enough.'
Nique thought silently to himself.
…
Three days later, a town in the central region of East Gorteau.
Law and his group of three arrived here.
On the way, they encountered three waves of Chimera Ants out hunting, all of whom Law disposed of along the way.
After delivering Dafifi and Ponzu here, Law didn't leave immediately. Instead, he waited for Netero's arrival.
They waited patiently for two days. The three-member Chimera Ant Extermination Team arrived in the town.
The three were Netero, Morel, and Knov.
They saw the heavily wounded Dafifi but didn't comment immediately.
They had a good understanding of Dafifi's strength, which indicated the Chimera Ants weren't easy to deal with.
"So?"
Netero looked at Law and asked.
"First, let me share the intelligence I've gathered."
Law looked at everyone.