"Hm?!"
Chairman Netero had been paying close attention to Luke the entire time.
He personally witnessed Luke restore everything to the exact way it was before, with no difference whatsoever.
Even the already-dazed Beans were stunned speechless again.
And even Chairman Netero himself stared at the scene, as though time had flowed backward to before the destruction, feeling a faint sense of distraction.
"What an extraordinary invention indeed."
Chairman Netero thought to himself, gaining a whole new understanding of the inventions in Luke's possession.
"Not only offensive ones like those robots... But also support types like this restoration device?"
"And such abilities... are far more valuable than mere offensive power!"
One peculiar invention after another appeared in Luke's hands, and Chairman Netero clearly saw the potential in him.
If aura was said to be the most miraculous force in this world, full of infinite possibilities... then the inventions Luke wielded were like manifestations of Nen abilities brought into tangible form.
The most notable example was this Restoring Beam.
Its degree of restoration far surpassed what any Nen user with repair-type Nen ability could normally accomplish.
Typically, to achieve such perfect restoration, there would be numerous strict and complicated conditions.
But from Chairman Netero's perspective, when Luke used his inventions… it seemed he didn't have limitations or costs at all.
Even the most likely restrictions, Chairman Netero analyzed over and over in his mind… yet he found no clear downside.
It looked as if he could simply activate it freely, without paying any price.
Of course, Chairman Netero did not believe it was truly that simple.
But for something to be so well-concealed that a battle-hardened, worldly old man like him couldn't see through it… then either the ability's design was extremely special…
Or, using such powerful inventions really had no conditions or limitations.
Either possibility... was terrifying.
"You young people truly are remarkable!"
Chairman Netero sighed with emotion.
Then he raised his hand, wrapped in his aura, and swatted away the approaching Wrestling Killer Z once more.
Yes, this thing really was like a persistent ghost and quite tough too.
Its endless methods of attacking him were actually quite interesting… so much so that earlier, he almost used his Nen ability.
But…
"Better not, I suppose."
Chairman Netero glanced up instinctively at the ceiling Luke had just restored with the Restoring Beam, and smiled while shaking his head: "Youngsters these days... Each more monstrous than the last."
"How frightening..."
"Looks like I truly am getting old. I can't keep up with the times anymore… Hohoho!"
The miraculous effects of the inventions that Luke revealed… made Chairman Netero feel somewhat lacking in enthusiasm.
In their era, they were pure martial artists, seeking strength solely through training.
But now in this era, whether it's Ickshonpe's network world, or Luke's extraordinary inventions, they were entirely different from old-school martial arts.
They were a different kind of mysterious power altogether.
Facing an opponent who could pull endless tricks out of his inventions, Chairman Netero realized this was not the battle he wanted.
"It seems this game should end here."
His aura slowly dissipated.
"It appears we haven't come to a conclusion."
"Oh? Why do you say that, Chairman?"
After repairing the last piece of machinery, Luke smiled as he looked toward Chairman Netero.
"That's because the ball we were fighting for has already been burned to ashes."
Chairman Netero spread his hands, completely empty, no trace of the ball's remains.
And indeed, the ball had been lost to the flames earlier.
Under normal circumstances, just as Chairman Netero said, the match should have no winner.
However…
"Who said the ball was completely burned?"
Luke smiled and pinched a charred fragment between his fingers.
Despite the burn marks, the faint remaining pattern still showed what it used to be, the ball from earlier.
"It's right here in my hand."
Without waiting for Chairman Netero to react, Luke simply lifted the Restoring Beam and shone it on the charred fragment.
Bzzz!
Under the beam of orange-red light, the charred scrap in Luke's hand instantly reassembled at a speed too fast for the eye to follow.
In the blink of an eye, a ball once again formed in his palm.
"Now then, the ball is in my hand."
Luke weighed the fully restored ball in his hand and looked toward Chairman Netero.
"According to our agreement, once I get the ball..."
Luke smiled. "That means I've won this match!"
Chairman Netero: "..."
He silently stared at the ball in Luke's hand, and finally stroked his beard again.
"Hohoho, I lost."
Chairman Netero laughed as well.
"To think that this time, I really lost to you."
"That Restoring Beam is indeed a very useful invention."
"If I lost due to such an invention..."
Chairman Netero didn't seem discouraged at all, as if everything was normal: "Then I don't mind losing."
"And I'm not the type to deny a loss after losing..."
"The position of vice Chairman, I'll give it to you."
Chairman Netero flicked his sleeve lightly.
"I can make the decision here; the position of vice Chairman of the Hunter Association is yours."
"But... Beans."
Chairman Netero looked toward the fully recovered and busy Mr. Beans, who was running around handling logistics.
While Chairman Netero and Luke were talking, Mr. Beans had already inspected all areas of the airship again.
The airship, now fully repaired, was also successfully back on its original, correct route.
"What is it, sir?!"
After wiping sweat from his forehead, Mr. Beans finally breathed a sigh of relief.
But when he heard Chairman Netero call for him, he hurriedly ran over.
"For an ordinary professional hunter to become vice Chairman of the Hunter Association, what conditions are required?"
"Uh... Vice Chairman?!"
Hearing such a title come from Chairman Netero's mouth, Mr. Beans was stunned for a moment.
It seemed they hadn't had a Vice Chairman since Chairman Netero became Chairman.
"According to the rules in the Hunter Association's professional hunter code..."
After that brief stunned moment, he cleared his throat and began reciting the regulations: "If a professional hunter wishes to serve as vice Chairman, they must support the work of the association and possess good character and qualities..."
Worthy of being the Chairman's secretary, he's extremely capable and remembers every rule perfectly.
"Don't spout that long-winded nonsense."
Chairman Netero dug his ear.
"Just say the concrete requirements."
"... There are three specific requirements."