The main reason they didn't want the staff to check them was simple: they came here to solve a problem, and it felt unreasonable for anyone to confiscate their high-tech equipment. The big tree served as the gateway between the NGL and the outside world, and it was also the checkpoint that strictly inspected anyone entering to make sure they weren't carrying any advanced technology.
The rules were strict, plastic products weren't allowed at all, and even the clothes people wore had to be made from pure natural materials. If anyone had items that didn't meet the standards, those things had to be stored temporarily at the tree; otherwise, entry was denied.
But for a few strong individuals, these so-called "rules" were barely worth noticing. The defenses meant to stop ordinary people were almost invisible to them, and they could easily cross into NGL territory.
Out on the grassland, a father and daughter were riding horses, dressed in simple clothing that resembled the traditional style of nomads. They're citizen of the NGL.
"Dad, what's that?" the little girl asked, her eyes wide with surprise as she pointed toward something in the distance.
"What is it?" her father replied, looking in the direction she indicated, but saw nothing but endless green grass. "Nothing?" he said, scratching the back of his head, confused.
"But I just saw some shadows moving over there," the girl said hesitantly, wiping her eyes. Yet there was truly nothing to be seen.
"You must have imagined it," he reassured her.
Meanwhile, Netero and his group were moving swiftly across the grassland. "Our mission this time isn't just to reach the destination," Netero explained as he led the way, "we also need to eliminate the Chimera Ants we encounter along the route. According to our intel, their territory keeps expanding outward from the depths, and we have to stop them."
The little girl's earlier glimpse wasn't a mistake, it was Netero and his four companions moving so fast that she only caught glimpses of their fleeting shadows. If it weren't for Morel and the others moving a bit slower, even those afterimages would have been impossible to see.
Since there are no vehicles in this area, people get around the same way the father and daughter did earlier, by riding horses. However, for these four, their main goal is to eliminate the Chimera Ants, so they prefer to travel on foot.
Time is tight, and every second counts. As elite Nen users, they move much faster than horses anyway. Plus, walking makes it easier to clean up Chimera Ants along the way; if they were on horseback, they'd have to worry about managing the animals too.
The vast NGL is being steadily overrun by Chimera Ants. While the areas near the entrance of the giant ancient tree remain safe, deeper inside the country has essentially become a Chimera Ant haven. The farther they go, the more likely they are to run into these dangerous creatures at any moment.
Each of the four has a distinct way of moving. President Netero looks like an old man taking a leisurely stroll, hands clasped behind his back as he walks forward.
It seems slow, but in the blink of an eye, he appears far ahead, leaving only a blur behind him. This is much like his Hundred-Style Guanyin technique, both showcase his ability to move at incredible speeds.
Morel's movement calls to mind the image of a legendary flying carpet. He's seated on a white "blanket" of smoke drifting just above the ground, carrying him swiftly behind Netero. But if you look carefully, it's not actually a cloth, it's a thin layer of smoke generated and shaped by his Nen ability, Deep Purple.
Although it appears effortless, maintaining this smoke platform still requires a steady expenditure of aura, though less than when he's using his full-scale smoke puppets. By controlling the smoke precisely with his thoughts, Morel can ride it over long distances with surprising speed and stability.
Among them, Knov appears to be working the hardest. He can only run on foot and has to rely on his Nen to speed himself up; otherwise, he wouldn't keep pace with the others.
Knov's Nen ability, Fourth Dimension Apartment, lets him move through space instantly, but only if he's been to the location before and mentally marked it. Since Knov has never been to the NGL, he has no choice but to run honestly alongside the group.
'As expected of Mr. Larry.' While running, Knov kept an eye on his surroundings, but the most striking sight was Larry himself. Unlike the others, who were walking or gliding on white smoke, Larry had summoned a nen beast to ride.
At that moment, he sat comfortably on the back of Arcanine, feeling the breeze against his face. The grassland's fresh scent mixed with the wind, creating a refreshing atmosphere.
Arcanine, true to its nature, loved this open prairie, it could run freely and wildly here. Covered in soft, fluffy orange-red fur, Arcanine's hair seemed to dance like fireworks in the breeze.
As it raced across the grass, the creature looked as majestic as a fire god, showing off its impressive presence. Occasionally, it let out a howl or two, and sparks flickered from its large mouth.
Watching the excited dog, Larry felt a wave of relief. The last time Windy Dog had run freely like this was on Greed Island, and now it finally had the chance again. Not only did this save Larry's energy, but it also let Arcanine enjoy itself, a win-win situation.
Arcanine's powerful stance caught the attention of the others as well. President Netero and Morel were familiar with Windy Dog, having seen it before, but for Knov, it was a completely new experience.
Although he hadn't tried riding it himself, Knov could tell from the small details that this nen beast was incredibly strong, probably even stronger than him. Using his peripheral vision, Knov studied every aspect of Arcanine: its fur, the way its limbs moved with force, and the sparks from its mouth. Arcanine's powerful howls sent a thrill through him.
Larry had even told Arcanine to hold back its Intimidation aura, knowing that otherwise its presence would be even more overwhelming. Despite Knov's arrogance, he remained calm and rational when analyzing things.
From the way Arcanine moved and the energy it radiated, he quickly concluded that its strength was definitely above his own. And he was right, Arcanine, a Pokémon Larry had obtained early on, had fought in many battles and had already reached an A+ level of power.
It felt like they were just one step away from reaching the next level, the promotion to S-rank. Knov's feelings were completely understandable.
Among the four, Larry seemed the most relaxed. The others had all used up some energy along the way, but Larry hadn't shown any sign of exhaustion.