Inside the castle hall, Cervantes looked at Onior, who was eating meat heartily, and said,
"Your men have been killed. Aren't you planning to escape?"
Onior glanced at him, unhurriedly saying,
"This is Kakin Empire, my territory.
If they dare to kill me here, they shouldn't expect to make any moves in Kakin Empire."
On the sofas to his left and right sat a maid serving him a meal, while behind the sofa stood three more maids.
Cervantes stopped speaking and he and the three people behind him collectively looked towards the hall door. They were acutely aware; the intruders had arrived.
"Thump... thump..."
Steel-like dull thuds resounded from outside the door, accompanied by the creaking of the castle hall's main gate. Figures emerged from the shadows.
Cervantes's expression tightened when he saw these people.
Those people wearing triangular metal helmets, especially the one at the very front dressed in a fully enclosed exoskeleton armor, gave him immense pressure.
"This is bad."
Cervantes's heart grew heavy.
These people had caused such a commotion, slaughtering over two hundred armed personnel, yet were completely unharmed.
But most importantly, they had effortlessly killed the three Nen users of the Hynde.
This kind of feat, he and the three behind him could achieve, but it would require extensive preparation time.
Not to mention, this was under the premise that the opponents were prepared and specifically targeting them.
"You finally arrived."
Onior still sat on the sofa. A maid by his side handed him a duck leg to his mouth, and he opened his mouth to tear off a piece of meat.
Onior, facing this terrifying force that had killed over two hundred of his subordinates plus three Nen users, still showed no fear.
"Actually, this operation is not led by our Xiugu family."
Amed, who was about to make a move, paused. The other team members also halted; their officer hadn't given the order, so they wouldn't shoot.
Unlike other team members, Amed already knew the mastermind behind this incident even before executing the mission: it was the current Kakin Empire's king's brother.
However, Jin Bradlee's order to him was to kill everyone, even the king's brother.
At this moment, the mission target told him that this matter had deeper reasons. He wanted to hear what kind of explanation the other party could provide.
"This is actually a test."
Onior shifted his plump body on the sofa, sat up straight, and said with a calm expression,
"It's about whether you have the strength to cooperate with us.
But your performance exceeded our expectations."
This calm tone made Amed feel impatient. He stepped forward alone and stood in front of Onior.
The triangular metal mechanical helmet, the eyes emitting cold red light, and the three-meter tall fully enclosed power exoskeleton gave everyone present a tremendous sense of oppression.
"You have three minutes to explain the reason for this matter."
A deep, resonant voice with a metallic texture made Onior feel displeased, but he calmly responded, saying,
"The mastermind behind this incident is my elder brother, Nasubi Hui-Guo."
As soon as he said this, everyone present, except for Amed, had a change in expression.
The members of the action team were also slightly startled.
They spent their days in the training base, but this did not mean they were out of touch with outside information.
Nasubi Hui-Guo, that was the current King of Kakin Empire. If he said he was his older brother, didn't that mean he was the King's brother?
"I think we'd better not get involved in this matter."
Cervantes said softly, then stood up, intending to leave with his companions.
"No, Cervantes, this matter concerns you too."
Cervantes's foot paused mid-step. He glanced at Onior from the corner of his eye, his expression displeased.
"To be precise, it concerns the person behind you."
This time, not only Cervantes, but also his three companions behind him, their expressions grew solemn. They slowly turned and looked at Onior.
"Two minutes remaining."
At this moment, Amed spoke, reminding him.
Onior paid no attention. He surveyed the crowd, his expression serious.
"Do you know about the 'Outside World'?"
Cervantes sat back down on the sofa. Onior's words had piqued his interest.
"Heh heh, it seems you all know about it, so I won't explain it further."
Onior observed Amed and Cervantes's reactions, chuckling.
The members of the action team looked at each other. The company had never told them anything about the 'Outside World'.
However, looking at their superior's expression, he seemed to know something.
"Hundreds of years ago, a person named..."
Onior recounted the entire story of the incident to everyone present.
Hundreds of years ago in the world, someone led a group of people away from human civilization.
After overcoming countless difficulties and obstacles, they reached a new world beyond human imagination, and returned after paying a huge price.
At that time, the five most powerful countries all organized exploration teams to venture into the new world for exploration and development, thereby obtaining various needed resources and exotic treasures with miraculous effects that people dreamed of.
And three centuries ago, the Kakin Empire was merely a populous nation, but its development level, economic strength, and military power were not among the best in the world.
Therefore, three centuries ago, they had always been suppressed by the five strongest countries in the world.
And after several generations of kings and three hundred years of accumulation, the Kakin Empire finally reached its current status.
Now, apart from the V5, no other country in the world possesses economic and military strength exceeding that of the Kakin Empire.
And now, the Kakin Empire, this crouching lion on the Chimera Continent, has finally raised its head and bared its fangs.
Republic of Padokea, Zoldyck Family.
"Ha! Ha! Ha!"
At nine in the morning, Killua, about to turn three, was stretching his muscles in the training ground. Kikyo Zoldyck and Gotoh stood under a large tree at the edge of the training ground.
Beside them also stood a female butler with a hint of curiosity in her expression, her gaze frequently turning towards Illumi, who was seated in front.
Her name was Canary. She had just graduated from butler school three months ago. This was her first time seeing Young Master Illumi, who was known as a genius.
"Nasubi Hui-Guo wants to meet you?"
Under the large tree, Illumi, appearing as a young boy, sat leaning on a bench, his left leg resting over his right.
Illumi's words immediately drew the attention of Kikyo Zoldyck and Gotoh, as well as the trainee butler Canary.
Illumi's phone was pressed to his ear. His expression was calm as he spoke.
"You mean, Kakin Empire wants to cooperate with us to go to that place?"
"Yes, we don't have the ability to go to that new world alone yet."
"Before that, send a vanguard team to explore, to gain experience for future plans."
"Also, I'll have Envy go to assist. He'll get a clear understanding of Kakin Empire's procedures."
"You said Beyond Netero might also participate?"
Illumi hung up the phone and looked at Killua, who was playing in the snow-covered training ground, lost in thought.
The Kakin Empire intended to explore the Dark Continent. Due to various reasons, they needed professional talents in various fields, including Ging Freecss.
Ging Freecss, the two-star Ruin Hunter who excavated the Spital Ruins, was also part of their recruitment plan.
"Calculating the time, it should be about now."
Illumi thought to himself.
More than a decade before the start of the series, Beyond Netero had insisted on going to the Dark Continent, disregarding Isaac Netero's warnings.
He eventually returned after immense sacrifices, but also brought new disasters.
It was currently 1985, still fifteen years before Gon's departure from Whale Island and the beginning of the plot.
Unexpectedly, he would go to the Dark Continent fifteen years earlier than in the plot.
However, this was also an opportunity.
He was also human and would be curious about the unknown.
Of course, all of this was predicated on whether it would benefit him.
"Brother Illumi, take this!"
At this moment, a childish cry interrupted Illumi's thoughts. He saw Killua holding a snowball in his hand, and he threw it at Illumi.
"Thwack..."
Illumi lightly raised his left hand, easily catching the snowball Killua threw. He squeezed it forcefully, and the snowball turned into slush and meltwater, dripping onto the ground.
"Continue."
Illumi chuckled softly at Killua, gesturing for him to continue throwing snowballs at him.
"Ho ho ho, such a warm scene is rarely seen."
Kikyo Zoldyck looked at Illumi playing with Killua, and for some reason, her eyes suddenly became a little moist, looking touched.
Gotoh's expression remained cold, his aura seemingly merging with the snowy winter.
"Young Master Illumi seems to be doing something extraordinary."
"If the head of the family knew about what just happened, I wonder what he would think."
Gotoh stood beside Kikyo Zoldyck, looking at Illumi in the training ground, and spoke.
"Young Master Illumi's actions have always been mysterious, but he didn't avoid our presence at all during that call."
"This should be Young Master Illumi's way of specifically informing Master Silva of his whereabouts through us."
"We just need to report what we saw and heard to Master Silva, as usual."
Kikyo Zoldyck pulled out a handkerchief from her chest pocket, wiped the tears from her cheeks, and chuckled softly.
Gotoh glanced at Kikyo Zoldyck from the corner of his eye and said,
"Nasubi Hui-Guo is the current King of Kakin Empire. How could such a powerful figure, who stands at the peak of world power, seek cooperation with Young Master Illumi?"
Kikyo Zoldyck did not answer. She was also very curious about this matter.
But if Young Master Illumi didn't intend to explain, they, as butlers, couldn't question Illumi.
Ozma Federation, Stripe.
Stripe, as the financial and trade center of the Ozma Federation, and one of the top ten major cities internationally, gathered various people from all over the world.
Its urban area was also extremely vast.
On the outskirts of Stripe City, stood an ancient temple that had existed for over a thousand years.
"Nasubi Hui-Guo wants to cooperate with me?"
A man seemingly around forty years old sat casually on the ground, holding a phone in one hand and a glass cup worth over a hundred million Jenny in the other, filled with liquid.
His face was weathered, he wore a green robe, armguards on his arms, and a two-foot long beard. His hair was tied with a green ribbon, making him look like an ancient general going into battle.
"His brother, Onior Ronbo, said so himself."
A steady male voice sounded from the phone. If Amed were here, he would surely recognize it as the voice of the man named Cervantes.
"Good!"
"Agree to it!"
Beyond Netero grinned, revealing a mouthful of pearly white teeth.
The voice from Cervantes on the other end of the phone paused, then said,
"Don't you want to hear their conditions?"
"No need. As long as I can go to the 'Outside World', I can agree to any condition."
A smile appeared on Beyond Netero's face.
A beautiful woman sitting in front of him gazed at the smile on his face, then closed her eyes and smiled gently.
She picked up a hot wine pot, and knelt gracefully before Beyond Netero. The hot wine in the pot transformed into fine streams, flowing into the glass cup in Beyond Netero's hand.
"Is that so... I understand."
Cervantes, in Witahtali City of Kakin Empire, also had the corners of his mouth upturned. Beyond Netero's decision was his decision.
"Since you've decided, I'll immediately notify the others."
"You've worked hard. I'll treat you to a big meal at the gathering."
Beyond Netero's hearty laughter echoed from the phone. Cervantes hung up and chuckled softly.
"Following a capricious boss is truly a headache."
His tone was filled with helplessness, but his companions looked at each other and smiled, knowing that their boss was showing signs of rekindled passion.
Hunter Association Headquarters.
A blond-haired young man in a suit was on his way to the Hunter Association's Special Department.
"Beep..."
Suddenly, the blond-haired young man stopped, looked down at the name on his phone, his expression blank, wondering what he was thinking.
But three seconds later, the blond-haired young man suddenly lifted a dangerous smiling face and answered the phone.
"Oh~ Isn't this Mr. Cervantes?"
"Why are you calling me? Aren't you on a mission in Kakin Empire?"
In Witahtali, Cervantes's eyelid twitched. Hearing this frivolous voice, that annoying face immediately appeared in his mind.
And what annoyed him most was that the brat knew his whereabouts and what he was doing with surprising clarity.
But what displeased him most was that this brat possessed talent and abilities far superior to his own.
"Brat, come to Kakin Empire immediately."
"There are some things we need to discuss face-to-face."
Upon hearing this, Pariston Hill's smile widened, and his voice became even more frivolous.
"May I ask, is this Mr. Beyond Netero's arrangement?"
Cervantes, sitting on the sofa, had a 'hash mark' appear on his forehead. He said in a deep voice,
"I don't believe I can command you, young man."
"In that case, then I shall respectfully obey your command, Mr. Cervantes."
"However, I still have a small matter to deal with here, so I might arrive later than others at the meeting place."
Cervantes listened to Pariston Hill's answer, gritting his teeth. This brat barely listened to Beyond Netero.
"I don't want to manage your affairs."
"In any case, you must arrive at the Kakin Empire's capital before the end of March."
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