Fresh from the heated debates at the Hunter Association, they had all gathered here again…
Well, technically, it had been a one-sided argument—with nearly everyone against Pariston. Still, the situation was more than a little awkward.
A silent understanding had settled over the group, and no one spoke.
Among the Zodiacs, only Ging and Pariston were absent.
Standing in the corridor were Morel and Knov, the latter still undergoing therapy and rehabilitation at the hospital. Alongside them were their three apprentices—Knuckle, Shoot, and Palm.
Of all the gathered Hunters, only Cheadle remained leaning against the glass, staring at the frail, unconscious form of Chairman Netero.
Even now, she struggled to accept the sight of him in such a state.
Across the room, Saccho, a Problem Hunter, was engaged in a casual conversation with Knov. Meanwhile, Mizaistom was questioning Morel, pressing for details on the Chimera Ant Extermination.
Pyon was preoccupied with her phone, occasionally glancing up at the window where Cheadle stood.
Kanzai was growing restless. He clenched his fists, itching for a fight, as if hoping a Chimera Ant would suddenly appear just so he could vent his frustration.
The three-star Hunter Ginta, along with Gel, had gone to speak with Netero's attending physician to get a clearer picture of his condition.
If modern medicine couldn't help, then Nen was their only hope.
Ginta was well-versed in various healing abilities—perhaps there was something that could still be done.
Meanwhile, Pyon, Saccho, and the others sat quietly on a bench, lost in thought.
The heavy atmosphere in the room was interrupted when two figures appeared at the far end of the corridor.
"Looks like almost all of the Zodiacs are here~"
With his sharp eyes, Ronnel took in the gathered Hunters in an instant.
"How much stronger have you gotten now~?"
Ging, standing beside him, studied Ronnel with renewed interest, his tone laced with curiosity.
The last time they had crossed paths, back at Braga Canyon, Ronnel had been strong—but not beyond Ging's reach. His stamina and aura reserves had been slightly inferior. Yet, even back then, Ging had sensed something within Ronnel… a hidden potential that could very well surpass him.
And now?
Now, it felt as though Ronnel's strength had skyrocketed at an unnatural pace—far beyond what should have been possible.
Defeating the Chimera Ant King, showcasing battle instincts sharper than anyone else, and now standing here, exuding a pressure that even Ging found difficult to gauge.
Not only could Ging no longer see through him—he had a feeling Ronnel had left him behind entirely.
Ronnel simply smiled and remained silent, stepping forward with Ging beside him.
"Pariston isn't here?"
"No. He showed up alone earlier, said everything he wanted to say during the meeting. No need for him to put on another show."
As they spoke, the two approached the ward.
"Hm?!"
The sound of approaching footsteps caught the attention of the Zodiacs, and one by one, they turned their gazes toward the newcomers.
A mixture of wariness, curiosity, and scrutiny filled the air as the figures of Ronnel and Ging entered their line of sight.
"Ging?"
His unkempt, scruffy appearance immediately drew attention. As always, it took only a second for everyone to recognize him as that notorious bastard.
Though, by now, most of them had developed a certain immunity to Ging's antics.
Instead of being surprised by his sudden arrival, they were more wary of what trouble he might bring this time.
Ging's unreliable reputation was legendary, after all.
However, it wasn't Ging who drew the most attention—it was the young man standing beside him.
"Ronnel?!"
The moment Saccho laid eyes on him, he shouted in surprise, causing a ripple of reactions among the gathered Hunters.
So it really was him.
The youngest martial arts champion in Heavens Arena.
The man who had saved Chairman Netero—not once, but twice.
First, by killing Jed and crushing his revenge plot, and later, by eliminating the deadly Chimera Ants in East Gorteau.
A living legend.
Saccho, and the others had seen Ronnel's image on the big screen before, but this was their first time meeting him in person.
Pyon and Saccho exchanged a glance before looking away, while Ginta studied him with a more serious gaze.
Kanzai, as expected, was itching for a fight.
Saccho's sharp eyes lingered on Ronnel for a moment before he feigned indifference.
Meanwhile, Gel—who had faced Ronnel in the past—visibly tensed. She shuddered slightly, then shrank back into the shadows, not daring to speak.
The fear Ronnel had left in her hadn't faded—it had only deepened as Ronnel continued to grow stronger.
At this rate, she might need therapy just to deal with her lingering trauma…
Across the room, Mizaistom observed silently, reflecting on how much the young man had grown since their first encounter.
And Morel?
He simply let out a small breath of relief.
With Ronnel and Ging here, the situation might just turn out alright.
"Alright then, thanks for coming to check on Chairman Netero at such a late hour."
Ging clapped his hands against his chest, instantly drawing the room's attention.
Cheadle, who had been standing by the window in silent mourning, finally turned away to face him.
Ging, completely unfazed by the mix of cautious and indifferent gazes directed at him, continued as if he had the room's full approval.
"From this point on, I'll be taking over the chairman's treatment. Hope you don't mind."
The room fell silent.
And then—
"Wait… you mean, you can actually save him?!"
"Cut the crap, bastard!!"
The tension in the room exploded instantly.
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Fanfic is completed on patreon.com/FanficsHub (799 chapters in total)