Natsu also has his own constraints and vows: he can replenish his energy by eating flames, and by consuming other materials, he can further enhance his fire attributes.
This likewise reduces his overall strength.
So overall, Akame is still slightly weaker than Natsu.
"Here's how I can split up my battle strategy now:
For network intelligence, there's Chii.
There's no question about that.
For support, there's Lampent.
Whether it's the turbid mist or Pain Split, both are excellent support-type abilities.
For tanking on the front lines, there's Natsu. Right now, he's the strongest in both defense and offense.
Providing cover at his side is Sasuke Uchiha. His defense is average, but his offense is extremely powerful. With the Sharingan activated, he's great at finding opportunities.
For finishing blows, there's Killer Queen and Akame.
Killer Queen's bombs and Akame's blade, Murasame, can both inflict serious harm. If either hits the target, that target is at least severely wounded. If a living being is cut by Murasame, it dies instantly.
As for Baki's role, it's a bit awkward.
He's noticeably weaker than Natsu or Sasuke. If I had to allocate aura, giving it to Natsu and Sasuke would yield better results than giving it to Baki.
His only useful moves are position-switching and the Scale of Weights. But given Baki's current power, using the Scale of Weights effectively against a truly strong opponent won't be easy."
Right now, when Ron imagines his potential adversaries, he envisions only A-level Nen users.
Against B-level opponents, he doesn't need a complex strategy.
Baki wouldn't even need to show up.
"Maybe I could consider merging Baki with another Nen Beast.
Position-switching is something any Nen Beast can do.
But if we're talking about the Scale of Weights, that's best suited to Natsu and Sasuke. Maybe I can merge Baki with Sasuke Uchiha.
Sasuke's weak point is defense.
If he fuses with Baki, he'd gain a certain boost in that area."
Ron came to a decision.
But there was no way to fuse them right away.
The last time Natsu was fused with Ryunosuke Akutagawa, it was only thanks to the gains Ron acquired in the Kurta tribe's testing ground.
That reward merely allowed Ron to fuse two Nen Beasts one time.
To fuse Baki with Sasuke Uchiha, Ron would need to develop his own ability for that.
"In the past, beyond my Nen bullets, I never worked on other abilities because my time was too limited. Plus, having Nen Beasts meant I was never short on fighting methods.
But now, I think it's about time.
During this Hunter Exam, I have plenty of time. My main body's training has reached a decent level, so I don't need to focus too much on that. It's more worthwhile to develop an ability for merging Nen Beasts."
Someone walked in: short blond hair, wearing distinctive ethnic clothing in blue and gold, with a white training outfit underneath, and a staff wrapped in bandages slung across his back.
He entered, surveyed the surroundings, saw nothing unusual, then headed to his bed and sat down.
Ron glanced at Kurapika.
As Kurapika came in, Ron noticed that the absorption rate of his Observer's Essence trait ticked up again—hardly noticeable, but definitely there.
"I still can't quite figure out how it's calculated. When I was absorbing the Kurta tribe's trait, Kurapika contributed. Now that I'm absorbing the Hunter Exam's trait, he's contributing again. I've collected two batches of wool from the same sheep.
Over these three years, Kurapika has probably undergone harsh training, Yet still hasn't learned Nen. And regarding the Kurta tribe's massacre, he's likely the same as in the original story, pinning it all on the Phantom Troupe— Meaning he only tracked down a single real culprit.
For Kurapika, maybe that's a good thing. Because the true culprits are well beyond his power to handle:
Kakin, Ming Bo, and Meteor City…
How could he confront them alone? Even Maha Zoldyck, Netero, or Ging Freecss would struggle to get revenge on them.
Also, if Kurapika sets constraints and vows that cover too wide a range, he won't gain much raw power in return. He might not even be able to beat Uvogin."
"I wonder what kind of Nen Beast will emerge once I've absorbed the Hunter Exam's trait. Maybe I'll merge Baki with that new Nen Beast when it's ready."
Ron gave Kurapika another glance.
They were the same age, But Ron stood a bit taller and didn't look as much like a typical teen. Kurapika still had a stronger air of youth about him.
Kurapika noticed Ron too, but didn't really care. He'd come to the Hunter Exam for one goal: to become a Hunter. That, in turn, served two purposes.
First, by entering the Hunter's circle, he'd gather intel on the Phantom Troupe and find a way to get close enough to kill them and avenge his clan.
Second, it was his dream.
When Sheila gave him the Book of Hunter Adventures back in 107, Kurapika had developed an intense longing and fascination for the Hunter profession.
Kurapika had no clue Sheila was the direct cause of the Kurta tribe's annihilation, Nor that Ron had witnessed the entire massacre. He didn't know that Ron had obtained the Kurta tribe's Nen spirit, Sumas, With Sheila now trapped inside it, Or that Ron secretly saved his life when a Nen user nearly killed him for witnessing too much.
The large ship came to a halt once again. They had arrived at Whale Island.
A spiky-haired boy bounded aboard in excitement, waving back at the harbor.
Mito and many fishermen who knew Gon were bidding him farewell.
"Goodbye, Aunt Mito!"
Gon showed not the slightest hesitation or fear about leaving his hometown, Only excitement for what lay ahead, Eagerly pursuing his father's path.
"So young and full of life."
Watching Gon come aboard, Ron couldn't help recalling how he felt when he first left the Zoldyck estate. Back then, his feelings were much like Gon's. Though Ron himself wasn't that old even now.
"Killua's probably around Gon's height. It's been ages since I last saw that little cousin."
The Zoldyck family is tightly bound by shared interests, Yet each member is very independent.
Ron was quite familiar with Maha Zoldyck, and also with Zeno and Silva. He worked with Milluki multiple times, Had met Kalluto many times And barely knew Alluka, who'd been locked in a hidden chamber. At least for now, Ron wasn't interested in Alluka.
Alluka's Nen is so powerful that even Maha Zoldyck dreads it, but as long as the original story doesn't change, Alluka poses no threat to Ron. He'll look into it after heading to the Dark Continent.
Seeing Killua made Ron recall Ging Freecss.
Back in Meteor City Ging Freecss alone had taken on the KUTE Band of Thieves fighting two of their members at once without any difficulty— Even stronger than Zeno and Silva.
In the world of Nen, people do speak of bloodline talent. And,
in a certain sense, the Freecss bloodline might be even stronger than the Zoldyck bloodline.
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