Netero

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Netero (Isaac Netero) 171
Alias(es)	Chairman Netero; Elder Netero
Species/Race	Human
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Hunter Association; Shingen-ryu
Occupation/Role	Chairman of the Hunter Association; founder of Shingen-ryu; martial artist
Status	Alive; resigned as Hunter Association Chairman and later joined Ging's team 419 440
First Appearance	Chapter 49

Background / History

Netero became the Hunter Association's Chairman and founded the mainstream Shingen-ryu school of Nen. He also traveled to the Dark Continent in the past, an experience that left him eager to return despite the responsibilities and political constraints imposed by his offices. 2 156 172

Before the events at Heavens Arena, Netero and Jed were the Hunter Association's two principal figures: Netero operated publicly, while Jed led the clandestine Black Shadow organization. When Black Shadow's killings drew V5 scrutiny, Netero purged the unit and sealed its records; Jed became his former comrade and enduring enemy. 345 354

As Chairman, Netero personally oversaw significant Hunter Exam matters and guarded the Association archives from unsuitable claimants. He judged candidates not only by talent but by their disposition and the Association's interests, retaining Hishito Douro as a cultivation candidate while setting Shalnark aside. 120 121

He established the Zodiac project to select twelve exceptional Hunters to assist with managing the Association. Netero later created the public designation of the World's Five Greatest Nen Users, placing himself among them alongside Botobai, Ging, Morin, and a Zoldyck representative. 148 151 154

Appearance

Netero is an elderly martial artist whose bearing and clothing frequently emphasize an otherworldly masterly presence. When restored to his prime, he becomes markedly taller and more muscular, with black stubble replacing his hooked white mustache. 148 204 399

• Often wears flowing white martial robes and tall wooden clogs. 148 204
• Has a distinctive hooked mustache in his elderly appearance. 148
• Wore a blue-and-white “Heart” T-shirt when preparing for a serious battle against the Chimera Ant King. 389
• In his restored youthful state, wears his hair parted around his face and displays a powerful, muscular build. 399

Personality

Netero is playful, theatrical, and easily excited by formidable opponents. He can treat a trivial dispute as an excuse to spar, and even when imprisoned by Jed, he becomes absorbed in watching a high-level fight. 49 358

Behind his casual manner, he is an incisive judge of character and a deliberate administrator. He protects dangerous archival knowledge, recognizes political threats within the Hunter Association, and recruits capable people to balance ambitious figures such as Pariston. 121 145

He retains compassion for former allies and respect for life. His battles against Jed are burdened by grief over Jed's fall, while his decision to delay confronting Meruem is motivated by Komugi's endangered life. 364 367 396

Abilities & Skills

Hyakushiki Kannon

Netero's signature Enhancer ability manifests a giant golden, multi-armed Kannon behind him. It attacks from multiple directions using one hundred palm techniques and represents the pinnacle of Enhancer abilities. 364

• Produces rapid, powerful palm strikes from all angles. 364
• Each strike embodies Netero's accumulated martial-arts understanding and combat experience. 365
• Requires specific hand gestures; after most techniques, Netero must clap. 364
• Was powerful enough to break Jed's seal and heavily damage him at Heavens Arena. 364 365

Zero Hand

Zero Hand is Netero's ultimate Hyakushiki Kannon technique, used when he decides a battle must end immediately. 410

• Requires no stance, unlike his other Kannon techniques. 364
• Releases an overwhelming amount of aura in a decisive attack. 410 411
• Completely depletes the user's stamina and severely exhausts Netero's mind and soul. 364 411
• Even after Netero regained his prime condition, the technique critically injured Meruem but did not kill him. 411 412

Martial Arts and Nen Mastery

Netero is regarded as the world's strongest Nen user and possesses exceptional combat wisdom earned from countless battles, including a successful Dark Continent expedition. 205 403

• His aura and martial technique allow him to contest opponents whose physical attributes surpass his own. 403 410
• He recognized Morin's combat level, evaluated the Phantom Troupe's danger, and deduced the functions and limitations of unfamiliar Nen-based items. 122 153 366
• His restored prime state gave him the ability to threaten Meruem's life directly. 410

Relationships

• Beyond Netero — His son; Beyond seeks to reach the Dark Continent, while their unresolved relationship remains tied to Netero's past expeditions and influence. 121 172 419
• Mr. Beanperson — His trusted secretary and office director, who provides Netero with Association intelligence and administrative support. 121 148
• Zeno Zoldyck — Longtime friend; Netero once held Zeno as an infant, and the two speak candidly about powerful Nen users and dangerous commissions. 121 140
• Ging Freecss — Associate and fellow elite Nen user; Netero recruited Ging to the Zodiac and later entrusted Shingen-ryu's legacy to him alongside Morin. 145 412
• Morin — A respected junior, collaborator, and fellow member of the World's Five Greatest Nen Users. Morin restored Netero's prime condition and aided him during the Chimera Ant crisis. 156 399 411
• Jed — Former comrade and leader of Black Shadow; Netero purged Jed's organization, then faced him again after his resurrection. 345 364 367
• Pariston Hill — Vice Chairman and political rival whose ambition prompts Netero to build institutional counterweights through the Zodiac. 121 145 418
• Meruem — Chimera Ant King and one of Netero's greatest opponents; their fight tested Netero's restored prime strength and ultimately exhausted his ultimate technique. 403 410 411

Story Role / Major Arcs

Zodiac Formation

Netero reviews Hunter candidates, protects the Association archives, and forms the Zodiac as a twelve-member body to help operate the Hunter Association. He recruits individuals with varied specialties while accounting for internal political tensions. 121 145 148

Recognition of the World's Five Greatest Nen Users

Netero conducts a personal selection involving Morin and Botobai, then formally announces the World's Five Greatest Nen Users. His recognition of Morin is based on firsthand assessment of Morin's Nen control and power. 150 153 154

Hunter Exam Intervention

Netero appears at the Hunter Exam after Morin's actions create a dispute with the examiners. He restores order, arranges replacement tests, and exchanges a single move with Morin, demonstrating a level of Nen combat that overwhelms the examinees watching. 204 205 206

Heavens Arena / Black Shadow Incident

Jed's revived Black Shadow faction captures Netero at Heavens Arena. After breaking free, Netero uses Hyakushiki Kannon against his old comrade, while Morin helps end the crisis. The incident forces Netero to confront the consequences of Black Shadow's legacy. 355 364 367 368

Chimera Ant Extermination

Netero organizes a team to investigate Nen-using Chimera Ants in NGL. After sensing Neferpitou's aura, his dormant desire for battle resurfaces, though he acknowledges that age has reduced his strength to less than half of its former peak. 374 378

Morin later restores Netero's vitality and youth using Restoration Light and Age Spring Water, allowing him to confront Meruem at peak strength. Netero fights Meruem with Hyakushiki Kannon and Zero Hand, but Meruem survives; Netero then entrusts Shingen-ryu's legacy to Ging and Morin. 399 403 410 411 412

Resignation and Dark Continent Preparations

Political pressure from Pariston, V5, and Kakin follows the Chimera Ant incident. Netero resigns as Chairman, conceals his restored condition, and later reappears alive to join Ging's team for the coming Dark Continent expedition. 418 419 440

Notable Quotes

“The fact that I'm the strongest Nen user is something from half a century ago.” 378

“I really am old.” 399

“Ant King, you could say you were created by humans. Then, let humanity personally bury you once more!!” 403

Trivia

• “Netero” is treated worldwide as a respectful title; his given name is Isaac. 171
• He considers a fight against Morin unappealing because Morin's unpredictable gadgets are difficult for straightforward Enhancers to face. 156
• Netero hid his regained youth from nearly everyone after the Chimera Ant incident; fewer than five people knew of it. 419