"Attack this little human—this may be my only chance to escape alive!"
Rammot fixed his eyes on Benas and made his decision. In the next instant, he crept forward cautiously, inching closer and closer, his heartbeat quickening with every step. A wave of nervousness spread through him, an emotion he detested.
"Just a human. Just food. To think I've been forced into such a pathetic state by the likes of you. Once I return to the nest, I'll bring other Chimera Ants here and kill you. I'll rip out your heart in a single bite and devour your strength until it becomes mine!"
When he judged the distance sufficient, Rammot glanced at Ron's condition and then made his move. He appeared behind Benas in an instant and seized her as though she were a chick in his grasp. The sudden turn of events left Benas terrified; she screamed in panic.
Ron opened his eyes. Rammot pulled back a short distance.
"Don't move, or I'll kill her!"
Ron looked at him calmly.
"So you've realized that even if you've learned all the basic Nen techniques, you're still not my match. At least you've come to a clear understanding of yourself."
Rammot's face darkened.
"Human, cut the nonsense. This girl is already in my hands. If you don't want her dead, then stay still and watch me walk away."
"Uncle, don't worry about me!" Benas cried out.
Ron shook his head.
"You've understood part of the situation, but you still haven't grasped it fully. Did you really think you could threaten me like this?"
As he spoke, a figure stepped out from behind him. It was Yuzuru Yamai.
"Yuzuru Yamai, use Solo Performance."
A faint, ethereal melody filled the air. The moment Rammot heard it, his eyes changed—the powerful force of her control ability descended upon him. He resisted, but the struggle only robbed him of control over his body, which stiffened as if turned to wood.
Benas quickly broke free and ran toward Ron, hiding behind him, though it was already unnecessary. After a few more moments of futile resistance, Rammot was completely subdued by Yuzuru's ability. Unless Ron allowed it, there was no way for him to break free.
With a thought, Ron summoned another figure. This time, it was Uchiha Sasuke.
"Yuzuru Yamai, cancel the Solo Performance."
Yuzuru stopped playing, and Rammot's consciousness gradually returned. When he realized what had just happened, his eyes widened in shock.
"I was… controlled? What kind of ability was that? Was that also Nen? Just how many abilities does this human have?"
He glared at Ron warily.
Ron spoke evenly. "Since you've already mastered all the Nen techniques, then it's about time we finish this. Fight me. If you win, you can leave. If you lose, you'll be killed."
Sasuke stepped forward.
"This is my Nen Beast," Ron explained. "Only if you defeat him will you earn the right to face me."
Nen Beast? For Rammot, this was another new concept, but Sasuke gave him no time to think. The moment Ron's words fell, Sasuke charged, lightning crackling around his body. His speed far surpassed what Rammot had expected.
"So fast!"
Rammot's pupils shrank as he hastily raised his arms to block.
Bang!
Sasuke's fist slammed into him, forcing him back. Yet instead of fear, Rammot felt a flicker of relief.
"The speed is impressive, but the strength isn't much. I can endure attacks like this."
Ron watched him closely and activated the ability he had obtained from Gourmet Paradise—Ingredient Insight. With it, he could instantly perceive the weaknesses of any ingredient. Though the word "ingredient" was used, it could be applied to any living being, even Chimera Ants.
He quickly located Rammot's weaknesses and relayed them to Sasuke, who immediately shifted his attacks to target those points.
Ron evaluated him as the fight continued.
"After learning Nen techniques, his strength has indeed risen sharply. Before, he was just a child with aura reserves and physical power but no skill. Now he understands how to use both properly. Overall, he's reached the level of a B-rank Nen user. His body and aura are strong even within that rank, though his experience and application are still lacking. Perhaps the upper limit of a squad captain-class Chimera Ant is just about here. With time, he might refine it further."
Rammot, while fending off Sasuke's attacks, silently counted in his heart. His ability accumulated power with every strike he received, increasing the force of his counterattack.
"One… two… three… that should be enough. Any further and my body won't hold out."
He drew a deep breath, channeling all the accumulated energy into his fist. When Sasuke's next strike came, Rammot threw his punch.
A powerful aura surged outward, the pressure of wind blasting around him. Sasuke did not dodge. Instead, he raised his own fist to meet it.
Bang!
Their fists collided with explosive force. Rammot's punch overpowered Sasuke's, forcing him back. Under its pressure, Sasuke's arm dissolved into motes of light and vanished entirely.
A look of delight crossed Rammot's face. He cast Ron one last glance, then immediately turned and fled without looking back. That blow had been his limit. Any further accumulation would have increased the power of his attacks, but the toll on his body would have been unbearable. He chose instead to retreat while he still could.