As Killua watched the four figures fade into the distance, Netero suddenly spoke:
"I've arranged for two hunters in the nearest town. Whether you fight them or not is up to you. However, if you defeat them, come after us."
With that, he flicked two wooden tokens from his hands, sending them tumbling to the ground in front of Killua.
"If you still intend to live as Hunters."
Killua stared at the tokens, his eyes widening as something stirred within him—like a lost motivation slowly rekindling.
"I don't need useless allies. I only want strong people by my side."
With those parting words from Netero, the four figures disappeared from Killua's sight.
After passing through the massive tree-lined entrance, Netero spoke leisurely:
"When I called Knov and Morel, their disciples insisted on coming along. I don't know how strong they are, though…"
"So, Chairman, you left another wooden token to see who could defeat Gon and Killua?" Ronnel asked with a knowing smile. Netero was clearly speaking just for him.
"Well… My two students, Knuckle and Shoot, aren't the strongest, but they're capable enough," Morel said as he scratched his head. "Besides, Knuckle is an Beast Hunter. A new species like the Chimera Ants—he's not gonna pass up the chance to study them."
His tone carried a certain confidence in his apprentices.
"Apprentices, huh…" Knov's expression grew complicated.
The mention of students made him think of Palm—her long, disheveled hair, the dark streaks covering half her face, the eerie, almost obsessive aura she exuded. But she hadn't always been like that.
Back when he first met Palm, she had been a well-dressed, refined young woman—bright, talented, and disciplined in both personality and Nen. Seeing her potential, he had taken her as his student on a whim, pleased with his decision at the time.
Who would have thought she would change so much…
"By the way, old man," Ronnel said, interrupting Knov's thoughts. "What's your plan now?"
"Plan?" Netero replied without looking back. "For the next month, I'll focus on pinpointing the exact number of Chimera Ants and cutting their forces down as much as possible.
"As for the Ant King… The experts I consulted before coming here had differing opinions on when it would hatch, but the rough estimate is two months—if nothing unexpected happens."
"That so?" Ronnel mused.
Nothing unexpected? Yeah, right.
"Besides the four of us and the standby team, I assume you have other reinforcements?"
"Of course," Netero said with a smile. "To be safe, I called in an old friend for backup."
"But," he added, "his price is steep. I'm still thinking it over."
Old friend? Steep price?
Ronnel smirked. It was obvious who he meant.
He let the conversation drop, following Netero and the others deeper into the jungle.
...
Republic of Rokario
One of the three major nations of the Island Federation, the Republic of Rokario bordered NGL. The nearest city was a small town called Doli.
Killua and Gon sat in the back of a jeep driven by Kite's companion, as they made their way back to town.
At the center of town, pinned to the bulletin board of a government building, was a handwritten message:
To Killua and Gon: What's your answer?
Carrying the unconscious Gon, Killua silently read the challenge.
In a shadowed alley nearby, a peculiar woman in a pink pajama jumpsuit watched from the darkness.
Everything was unfolding according to a predetermined script.
...
Unknown Hillside, Near the Ant Nest
"Not good~"
Netero formed a circle with his index finger and thumb, peering through it with an aura-enhanced gaze toward the Chimera Ant nest.
In his field of vision, a feline-like Chimera Ant—a humanoid catwoman with perky ears and a long tail—sat cross-legged on a high slope, surveying the area.
"That one might be stronger than me."
"Stronger than you?" Ronnel, standing beside him, let out a short laugh. "Then why even bother fighting? If you're the strongest person in the world and you say that, we might as well retreat."
He glanced toward the distant Ant nest. "That must be the one Killua mentioned. Based on what I'm sensing, there's another aura on par with it—hidden within the nest, probably guarding the Queen and the unborn King."
"And there are at least 140 more," Morel said grimly.
He and Knov had trouble even sensing the cat-like Ant, but what they could feel was enough to make them uneasy.
"For a Chimera Ant that isn't the King to be this strong…" Morel muttered.
As for Netero's comment about this Ant being stronger than him—Morel automatically assumed he meant it would take significant effort to defeat it.
"The days of me being the strongest are long gone," Netero sighed. "Before long, someone else will take my place. Sooner than you think."
He cast a glance at Ronnel, who stood beside him, still smiling. Looking at the young man's face, he couldn't help but sigh again.
"My strength isn't even half of what it used to be. Getting old is miserable."
A couple of teardrops welled in his eyes, though they didn't fall—suspended on his lower eyelids like beads of sorrow.
It would have been a moving picture of an elderly man lamenting his decline… if anyone actually believed it.
"Enough of that," Ronnel said, ignoring Netero's theatrics. His gaze settled on Neferpitou, still sitting atop the slope.
"Let's talk strategy."
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Fanfic is completed on patreon.com/FanficsHub (799 chapters in total)