"Eating this will let you change your sex."
Ron didn't take it himself. Instead, he brought out a small magical beast from Sumas's space. It was male. He slipped the Hormone Cookie into its mouth.
Apparently, the taste wasn't bad—the little beast gobbled it up quickly.
The next moment, its body began to change.
Ron focused his aura, watching closely. Within seconds, the small beast had transformed into a female. Physically, the change was complete—but mentally, it was unchanged. The sudden shift left the creature panicked and distressed.
"It's not Nen, and it's not a Divine Character. It's some kind of special substance. The ingredients inside this Hormone Cookie are real."
He took out another Hormone Cookie card.
"So the real substance is sealed inside card number S-13. That must mean the sealing was done using a Divine Character."
Ron began analyzing the structure. Thᴇ link to the origɪn of this information rᴇsts ɪn NoveI★Fire.net
Meanwhile, after setting up training exercises for Gon and Killua, Biscuit found excuses to wander over to Ron. The two of them studied the Hormone Cookie card together.
"By the way, Ron," Biscuit asked, "did you meet with Wing often back at Heaven's Arena?"
Ron thought for a moment.
"Gon and Killua seemed to frustrate him at first, but now he's adjusted. He's already begun teaching Zushi Nen and has shifted his teaching methods."
Wing's original approach wasn't exactly wrong—it was just too rigid. Different students had different levels of talent and capacity to learn. He tried to impose one strict plan on everyone, and that was bound to cause problems. But that was hardly unusual.
As a Nen user, Wing was already Class A, a standout among Hunters. But as a teacher, he was still just a beginner. He couldn't compare to someone like Biscuit.
"Wing is one of my more talented disciples," Biscuit said. "But he's a little… dull. Of course, compared to you, Ron, there's no contest."
She gave him a long look.
"Reaching this level of power at your age… I can't even be sure I'd beat you myself. It's shocking. In the entire Hunter Association, I've only seen one other like you."
She didn't say the name. But Ron knew.
It had to be Ging Freecss.
So young, and already among the world's top five Nen users. By now, his strength was likely even greater.
As for the rest of the Zodiacs:
Pariston was powerful, but more skilled in schemes and psychological warfare.
Mizaistom, Ron had met and even worked with once. At that time, Ron wasn't his equal—but now, he was sure he had surpassed him.
Pyon was strong but focused on ancient texts.
Gel was a pharmacologist and poison specialist.
Saccho was more a psychologist and information gatherer.
Cluck was a plant researcher.
Cheadle, a lawyer and physician. (The child every Asian parent dreams of...)
The true combat-types were Botobai, Kanzai, Ginta, and Saiyu. Of them, Ron judged that Botobai was the only one he wasn't confident about. The others, he could defeat.
Ron lacked enough intel on Botobai. But he recalled the evaluation: in reputation and honor, Botobai was considered the closest in the Association to Netero himself.
With Ging in the picture, there were two possibilities.
Either Ging was stronger than old Netero, with Botobai just below Netero.
Or Ging was slightly below Netero, with Botobai stronger than Ging.
Ron leaned toward the first. After all, Netero himself admitted that his old age had cut his power to less than half of what it once was. Ging, in his prime, should be stronger.
"Biscuit," Ron asked suddenly, "can I ask you something?"
"Between Ging and Chairman Netero—who's stronger?"
Ron had his suspicions, but Biscuit might actually know.
She went quiet for a moment.
"Several years ago, they had a match. Netero won—but he himself said it was a draw. As for now… I don't know. They haven't fought since."
Ron's brow lifted slightly.
So years ago, Ging and Netero had already been equals. In the time since, Ging had surely grown stronger, while Netero declined.
That made the conclusion clear: Netero was most likely already weaker.
Another thought struck Ron.
When the Chimera Ant threat arose, why had the Hunter Association sent only Netero and a handful of others?
It wasn't for lack of numbers. The Association was a vast organization. Even if most Hunters were free to do as they pleased, the Zodiacs were Netero's loyal core. If the excuse was that they were busy elsewhere, then why, when the Dark Continent Expedition was planned, could all twelve Zodiacs participate?
And from the start, Netero had placed a Poor Man's Rose inside his heart.
"It's like he was prepared to die from the beginning. He wanted to end his life in that battle."
Days later, Ron and Biscuit finished cracking the Hormone Cookie.
Before long, a new symbol glowed on the metal plate.
It resembled the Divine Character "Kei" (Contract) in form, but its meaning was different.
The Hormone Cookie card had sealed a real cookie within the card. It was a space-type ability—remarkably convenient.
With "Seal" mastered, Ron's chances of exposing Sumas as his Nen Beast became far smaller.
Ron returned to the Ark. He drew out a card—one created by the Ark's own Nen spirit.
Holding an apple, he brought it close to the card.
In an instant, the apple vanished.