Chapter 398 398
Chapter 398 398
The figure standing at the back was someone all the Chimera Ants were very familiar with. Who else could it be but Colt, the commander? However, at this moment, he stepped back half a step, leaving the space in front of him for another figure.
Dressed in a black trench coat, with a youthful face and features that clearly set him apart from the ants, stood a human. "So, it really is a human?" Leol said in a deep voice. For some reason, he felt a deep apprehension towards this human, who wore a cheerful smile.
Not a single one escaped... Oh, I misspoke, not a single ant escaped. As the squad leaders made up their minds, they turned their gaze towards Colt, who stood silently to the side. "Hey, Colt, what's the deal with this human?!" Cheetu, the leopard, couldn't help but ask. From the way they entered, it was obvious that Colt was on the same side as this human.
So, when the human claimed to have killed the other combat ants upon entering, did that mean Colt just stood by and watched?!
"Did you really just sit there and watch your companions get killed?" Upon hearing this, Leol's eyes shifted as he spoke righteously. Colt was unaware of their plan to break away from the Ant Queen and establish their own rule. He was very loyal to the Ant Queen, and if Colt found out about their intention to abandon her, he would undoubtedly react very strongly.
Colt's strength was formidable, and his influence among the army captains and combat ants was significant. After all, he was the first humanoid ant born from human genes, the first squad leader, and the commander of the Chimera Ants. His influence within the Chimera Ant community was immense. Even though many ants were willing to follow them in pursuit of their own endeavors, if Colt opposed them vehemently, it would undoubtedly lead to numerous complications, which Leol did not want to see.
Therefore, he could only find ways to undermine Colt's prestige within the Chimera Ants from various angles. There was no more fitting reason than colluding with an outside enemy to deal with one's own kind. Once Colt was nailed to the pillar of shame for colluding with an enemy, many Chimera Ants would feel disappointed and disgusted with him. At that point, Leol's goal would be achieved.
Colt merely glanced at Leol indifferently, not wanting to say much more. Having awakened memories of his past life, aside from wanting to repay the Ant Queen, his main goal was to find his sister.
As for the lives and thoughts of these Chimera Ants... what did he care?! Moreover, given what Morin had done on their way here, these ants probably wouldn't live to see the next day's sun. With this thought, Colt looked at Leol and the others with a hint of pity in his eyes.
"What kind of look is that?!" Leol was slightly taken aback by Colt's gaze, not understanding what it meant. However, he had a bad feeling about it...
Leol furrowed his brow, while in the arena...
"If this is all you've got, then I have no interest or time to keep playing games with you," Morin said, shaking his head with a hint of disinterest. "Let's end this here, shall we?" Without waiting for any reaction, he suddenly produced a net bag filled with various yellowish, sticky round balls, seemingly edible rice ball-like food.
"Whoosh!" Morin pulled one out and casually tossed it into the gaping mouth of the opponent. Before she could react, the glutinous rice ball was already lodged in her throat. "What?!" She was stunned, her throat reflexively swallowing, and the rice ball went down. "You damn bug, what did you make me eat?!" She yelled in anger, secretly alarmed. As she shouted, she hurriedly checked her body, finding no adverse effects after a thorough inspection.
---
"Am I being overly suspicious?" Despite thinking this, Zazan remained vigilant and filled with killing intent as he looked at Morin. "Come, extend your hand," Morin instructed after putting away the sack.
Zazan: "..."
"So it still doesn't work, huh?" Seeing the question marks all over Zazan's face, Morin sighed slightly. "It seems that even with human genes, it still doesn't take effect."
Item: [Momotaro Rice Ball]. Effect: When the rice ball is thrown, the beast instinctively opens its mouth to eat it and becomes completely tamed, entirely obedient to the person who threw the rice ball. After a few repetitions, even without the rice ball, the animal will follow your commands. Indeed, the sticky rice ball Morin took out was none other than the classic [Momotaro Rice Ball] from Doraemon, used for taming animals!
The Momotaro Rice Ball, also known as the Momotaro Taming Dumpling, first appeared in episode 320 of the first season of Doraemon. When thrown, if an animal (excluding humans) eats it, the animal will completely obey the person who tossed the rice ball. Although humans are animals, eating it doesn't make them obedient—in other words, it has no effect on humans.
It can, however, be used to stave off hunger. There are versions where it has a temporary effect on humans, but the duration is usually short. After all, this tool was invented based on the traditional Japanese folktale "Momotaro," primarily aimed at animals. If this tool were powerful enough to control humans, its inventor could use it to control everyone and rule the world...
"However, just because the [Momotaro Rice Ball] doesn't work on these ants doesn't mean it won't work on other animals. Creatures like the magical beasts and monsters outside, and those from the Dark Continent, should be unaffected." As one of Doraemon's most commonly used tools, the [Momotaro Rice Ball] certainly has more than just a few effects. Its application is quite specific, but if used appropriately in certain areas, it could become a formidable weapon.
"Alright, since controlling them isn't an option..." Morin flexed his wrist slightly, "I'll have to resort to some forceful measures."
"You..." Sensing Morin's casual demeanor, which completely disregarded her, Zazan's inner anger rose another notch. "Don't underestimate me—"
Bang!! Before she could finish her sentence, she was suddenly sent flying to the side. A massive rock smashed into half her body, the immense force carrying her and slamming her into the wall.
"I'm not too late, am I?" Ging strolled into the scene with his hands in his pockets. "I encountered some new species of ants on the way, so I was slightly delayed." Surveying the scene, he nodded slightly as he looked at the wide-eyed stares around him. "Seems like I'm just in time."
"Another human..." Leol and the others looked at Ging with grim expressions, their gazes growing darker. They weren't just upset because these humans were interfering; it was because—
"Are we really facing such formidable enemies? I thought they were just legends!" Leol looked at the massive stone and Zazan embedded in the wall, not moving an inch. His eyes were filled with deep apprehension and caution. "I'll handle this," Ging said, casually pulling an apple from his pocket, rubbing it on his sleeve, and taking a bite. The crisp sound echoed through the nest.
"I've been wanting to test the strength of these diverse ants and see just how powerful they are," Ging said, revealing a toothy grin, red apple skin caught between his teeth. "Then I'll leave it to you." Morin never doubted Ging's strength. With someone to help, Morin was happy to save himself the trouble. Nodding at Ging, he gestured for Colt to head towards the Ant Queen's location.
Morin didn't spare another glance at the ants, who silently made way for him. Watching Morin's departing figure, not a single ant dared to step forward to block his path.
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