In ancient times, the technological level of ancient humans was limited. They couldn't build giant ships capable of safely crossing the seas like the Kakin Empire could now.
In that era with considerable limitations in various aspects, ancient humans could still cross dangerous seas and eventually reach the Dark Continent.
From this perspective, ancient humans had their unique expertise.
Beyond had always disliked cumbersome rules and dense text.
So he was very disdainful of the voyage regulations previously released to the public by the V5… it was all playing with words, trapping people without compensation.
However, such a person was passionate about studying the voyage information left behind by ancient humans.
For the decades after Netero placed restrictions on him, he hadn't stopped for a single moment.
All his time and energy were devoted to preparations for this voyage.
Consequently, among the ancient information he possessed, a part concerned the Kakin Empire's inheritance. This was also one reason he sought cooperation with Kakin.
"The cultivator of the Gu becomes strong because of the Gu. And the Gu itself is based on the absolute law of the jungle… it can become stronger by devouring others' achievements," Beyond said with keen interest.
Since the B.W. ship landed, he hadn't seen the princes of the Kakin Empire.
He had an idea why this was.
In the Succession War conducted on the ship, the one who ultimately survived wasn't any of the princes, but Nasubi.
Pariston didn't possess as much information about ancient Dark Continent ruins as Beyond, but linking the Succession War's outcome with Nasubi's current strength, he quickly arrived at a rough answer.
"Did Nasubi suddenly become stronger because he 'devoured' the princes?" Pariston's gaze was deep and calm. If Nasubi's actions were true, it was a deranged act of consuming his own children.
Marione remained expressionless. Compared to the two men's topic involving the royal family, she cared more about the Nen User emitting the powerful Aura Field ahead.
"Other than this, what other reason could there be?"
Beyond sneered. From an outsider's perspective, he didn't find anything particularly wrong with Nasubi's method.
Decades ago, Nasubi had ascended the throne stepping over the corpses of his siblings. The saying that even a vicious tiger doesn't eat its cubs was simply inapplicable in the Gu Insect inheritance of Kakin.
Presumably, the Nen Power obtained from devouring his offspring not only strengthened Nasubi but also increased his lifespan.
As long as he could live long, would he fear not having offspring?
Pariston remained internally unperturbed and didn't continue the topic.
However, he felt Nasubi was a truly terrifying person in every aspect.
The trio headed towards the direction from which the Aura Field emanated.
…
Hakuro's transformation caught Law's attention.
'Eager for battle...'
Looking at the fighting spirit emanating from Hakuro, Law formed this impression.
However, he didn't stay to eliminate Nasubi but to let Machi and the others leave first.
Examining Hakuro's current appearance, majestic and impressive, the visual effect was quite good.
Noticing Law's scrutiny, Hakuro mentally pumped his fist, 'That's a good sign.'
Then, he opened his mouth full of sharp fangs, using an exaggerated, operatic tone: "Ah, brave and handsome Boss Law, please give the order. I will clear the path for you. Any enemy blocking your way will not harm a single hair on your head."
"..."
"..."
Hakuro didn't see the sweatdrops on Law and Uvogin's foreheads. His wolf-dog face showed a fierce expression. Gleaming, sharp claws slapped the ground in front. "Even if the enemy is immensely powerful, I will always be your irreplaceable shield!"
The scene was eerily silent, yet the murderous atmosphere remained unchanged.
Hakuro's imposing figure stood before Law and Uvogin. He thought to himself: 'Heh, to prevent that black cat from coming out, I can only sacrifice my calm and composed image. This way, the first impression is definitely fine. Next, as long as I fight the enemy fiercely, Law will surely find me more useful than that black cat!'
Law looked at Hakuro's back, covered his forehead, and asked, "Did Kuro's storage space transfer to you?"
"..."
Upon hearing this, it was like a bolt from the blue struck Hakuro's head.
He stiffly turned his head to look back at Law, sweat dripping from his forehead.
'It didn't...'
He opened his mouth, intending to say 'no', but what came out was: "Give me a chance."
"So it's a no."
Law pinched his chin. The more important items and equipment were in Kuro's space. Since the space didn't transfer to Hakuro, he couldn't use those things for now.
Looking at Law's calm expression, Hakuro felt like his parents had died.
'Damn this mechanism! Why didn't the space transfer to me?!'
'With this disadvantage, no matter how I vied for favor, would I ever get results?!'
Nasubi watched them coldly, slightly lifting a finger.
The Spider Mother seemed to receive some command. The meat balls on its body cracked open one by one. Miniature Spider Mothers with human limbs flew out from the meat balls. Landing on the ground, they charged wildly towards Law and the others.
Law looked at the miniature Spider Mothers. Before he could act, he saw Hakuro rush out.
"Roar!"
Hakuro opened his mouth and roared. Circular blades of Aura shot out from his giant maw, instantly tearing apart over ten miniature Spider Mothers charging at the front.
The torn miniature Spider Mothers transformed into small Nen Clusters, not dispersing but returning to the Spider Mother's body.
Seeing this, Law frowned slightly.
Recycling Manipulation-type… one of the most troublesome traits in a war of attrition.
"Uvogin, don't let those spiders touch your body. They might be a medium for establishing control conditions," Law reminded Uvogin.
Uvogin glanced at Law and nodded slightly.
Eleven miniature Spider Mothers remained. Before Hakuro could open his mouth again, they all transformed into Nen, burrowed into the ground, and disappeared.
Seeing this, Hakuro was momentarily stunned. In his vision, the miniature Spider Mothers vanished inexplicably while moving at high speed.
"Underground."
Law looked at Hakuro, frozen in place, and quickly reminded him. He used a weakened version of his Domain as En, directly penetrating the ground.
Upon hearing the reminder, Uvogin made an extremely rough choice.
"Move!"
He shouted at Hakuro, his raised right fist instantly covered in Aura, then punched towards the ground.
Boom!
The ground in front of Uvogin and Law abruptly caved inward, forming a large pit in the blink of an eye. The residual Aura, carrying impact and debris, surged towards Nasubi and the Spider Mother.
Nasubi remained standing in place, unmoving. The Spider Mother simply swung one of its human arms, drawing a line on the ground in front.
The residual force of Uvogin's Big Bang Impact was blocked by this line.
At that moment, miniature Spider Mothers emerged from the ground beneath Law and Uvogin's location.
"Didn't get them?"
Uvogin quickly stood up, adjusted his posture, and looked at the approaching miniature Spider Mothers.
The miniature Spider Mothers, leaping into the air, suddenly swelled up.
"Hmm?"
Uvogin, about to throw a punch, felt his eyelids twitch.
Law glanced at the Spider Mother behind Nasubi, then used [Instant] to leave his spot, gesturing towards Uvogin, who was still in place.
Then, the miniature Spider Mothers exploded simultaneously like bombs. The contained Aura instantly engulfed the area where Law and Uvogin had been moments before.