That's the thing about Netero.
As we all know, Netero is the chairman of the Hunter Association, the founder of Shingen-ryu martial arts, and the strongest Nen practitioner in the world.
As well-known as his status is, so too is his age.
At over 110 years old, simply staying alive and functioning normally is already a remarkable feat.
If, in the past, Netero had maintained control over the Hunter Association through sheer force of will and ability, then now—stripped of his strength—he could no longer suppress the ambitions of those eyeing his position.
Especially Pariston. He would never let such a unique opportunity slip away.
The biggest debate in the meeting was whether Netero could still serve as chairman of the association.
"The chairman is old and no longer relies on his physical prowess. Now that he's been seriously injured, it's time for him to step down."
Pariston made his suggestion with a smile during the meeting of the Zodiacs, and as expected, it set off an uproar among the members.
Whether conservative moderates or radical reformers, even those like Ginta—who usually ignored political matters—stood up in opposition.
Saccho and Pariston played their roles in perfect harmony, pretending to be on opposing sides, yet both ultimately working toward the same goal.
Only Ging remained aloof, casually gnawing on a red apple, watching the commotion unfold with an amused detachment.
Unsurprisingly, no one supported Pariston's proposal.
Even though he had laid out numerous "crimes" of Netero and reasons why he was no longer fit to lead, opposition remained overwhelming.
"If you dare bring this up again, I'll kill you, you bastard!"
That outburst came from Kanzai, always quick to anger, joined by the usually reserved Ginta, now visibly irritated.
The Zodiacs were all appointed by Netero, and each of them held deep respect for him. Many had even adjusted their abilities, appearances, and even names under his guidance.
Their loyalty was absolute, and they would never allow Pariston to manipulate the situation to his advantage.
Yet, no matter how heated things got, Pariston's ever-present smile never wavered.
Because he understood something crucial—regardless of the Zodiacs' opinions, they had no real power to decide.
The only person who could truly determine the future of the Hunter Association was Netero himself, currently lying in a hospital bed.
Pariston, well aware of Netero's character and the severity of his injuries, was confident that Netero would step down of his own accord.
All Pariston needed to do was stir the pot—spread rumors, plant ideas—so that Netero would come to that decision sooner rather than later.
The Zodiacs, for all their loyalty, had one fatal flaw: their absolute reverence for Netero's will.
If Netero himself chose to resign, then no matter how reluctant they were, they would have no choice but to comply.
Pariston knew this. Ging knew it. Even the more perceptive members, like Cheadle and Mizaistom, understood it.
That was why Ging could sit back and enjoy the spectacle—because until Netero made his own decision, all this talk about succession was meaningless.
Cheadle and Mizaistom likely just wanted to slow Pariston down, to prevent him from gaining too much control once Netero was out of the picture.
Only someone as hot-headed as Kanzai failed to grasp the deeper implications, still bristling with hostility toward Pariston.
In the end, the meeting of the Zodiacs ended in frustration and unresolved tensions.
But regardless of how they felt, their next course of action was inevitable: they had to visit Netero in the hospital.
...
As the ones entrusted with stabilizing the Hunter Association in Netero's absence, the Zodiacs wasted no time heading to Peijin, where Netero had been transferred from the Republic of East Gorteau for treatment.
Ging, as usual, lagged behind, strolling at his own pace. He took out his phone and dialed a number.
"The old man can be treated. Will you come?"
"Of course I'll go~"
On Greed Island, Ronnel answered with one hand holding a phone and the other gripping a freshly baked puppet.
"Besides, I'd like to finally meet our so-called No. 2 in person~"
"Pariston?" Ging scratched his face on the other end of the line. "Didn't think he'd make such a big move so soon."
Thinking about what Ronnel had told him on the way to Greed Island, even Ging—usually unfazed by anything—felt a jolt of surprise.
Two things stood out.
First, the shocking revelation that Netero had a son.
Second, the fact that the Kakin Empire was about to make the existence of the Dark Continent public.
Ging, like Beyond, had made a deal with Netero—a form of restriction and oath.
Netero had granted Ging unparalleled freedom, even using the influence of the Hunter Association to clean up some of his more questionable actions.
That was how Ging had managed to earn his reputation as a reckless genius, pulling off one outrageous stunt after another.
However, in return, Ging had been bound by one strict limitation: if he wanted to set foot on the Dark Continent, he had to do so through official means.
That meant securing approval from the V5, meeting their four fundamental conditions—license, certification, means, and qualifications.
But the V5 would never grant permission to an outsider.
Despite his global influence and having a record with the V5, Ging had never managed to clear even a single one of those conditions.
Now, with the Kakin Empire preparing to reveal the Dark Continent, there was suddenly a new path forward.
If Kakin officially announced the expedition, Ging might finally be able to board their ship and travel to the Dark Continent without breaking his agreement with Netero.
It was a loophole—but a loophole that could work.
Still, after years of tirelessly scheming and planning, the idea that all his efforts might have been unnecessary left him with mixed feelings.
Frustration and excitement warred within him, but in the end, one thing was certain.
The wheels were already in motion.
------------
Fanfic is completed on patreon.com/FanficsHub (799 chapters in total)