Save Her or Not?

After staying in the town for a few days and getting some basic equipment, the three of them set off for East Gorteau.

During this time, Biscuit.

I learned that Chairman Netero's condition has almost recovered.

Gon already knew about Kite ... The boy didn't say anything, but Biscuit could tell from Gon's expression that Gon knew Kite was dead.

The news of Kite's death has not yet been officially announced, possibly because Netero is protecting Gon.

But Gon isn't stupid... He spends all his time hanging out with Killua, and you can glean some clues from the latter's reactions and words.

Killua can't hide anything from Gon...

However, Biscuit said that Gon was in a good mood, perhaps because he didn't want others to worry, or perhaps because he felt that he was about to start fighting the Chimera Ant King and didn't want everyone's attention to be focused on him.

After listening, Long smiled knowingly.

That's definitely Gon's personality.

Of course, Biscuit also inquired about Oboro's squad, such as whether he was actually in NGL... and whether the Chimera Ant incident was related to him, etc. Oboro did not hide anything, stating that he was indeed nearby, and that the guild master was aware of this... He would not participate in the extermination squad's missions and operations.

This made Biscuit quite unhappy... she felt that Oboro was shirking responsibility.

If Oboro were present, dealing with the Chimera Ant King would undoubtedly be much easier for them, and the casualty rate would be greatly reduced.

Oboro only told her to consult the chairman; if Netero asked him to participate in the operation, he would naturally accept...

Upon hearing what Biscuit was speechless, though her tone was very resentful.

After all, at the meeting for the punitive expedition, Netero had already said that with him in charge, there was no need for more people to risk joining in.

If Gon and Killua didn't have a past relationship with Kite, the Chairman wouldn't even have let the two kids show up...

"The chairman knows perfectly well what's going on with me... He's playing a game with me. Besides, what he cares about most is the Association... not me personally." Walking on a road far from the town's entrance, Oboro smiled as she spoke to Biscuit on the other end of the phone.

"Oboro, what did you do?"

The old woman sensed the hidden meaning in his words, and her voice turned somber.

"I think he will die at the hands of the Chimera Ant King, but the old man doesn't think so... My affairs may be kept from some people in the Association, but you can more or less guess some things." Oboro walked on by himself, with Anthony and Fante on his left and right sides, respectively. "Putting Pariston and the Zodiacs aside, what do you think would be the consequences if I left the Association, became Crime Hunter, or fell out with others... without the chairman?"

"..."

Biscuit lost her voice.

The Association will be thrown into chaos!

Even if things return to calm, it may take a very long time.

"Oboro, I'm warning you..."

Biscuit took a deep breath. The current Oboro was no longer the little brat she first met at the Heavens Arena. "You're not allowed to lay a hand on the President! If you do... I'll kill you! I swear..."

"What are you thinking? Don't get me wrong, I said the Chairman would die simply because the burden on his shoulders is too heavy. I had no intention of pulling any tricks during his fight with the Chimera Ant King. Just like I said, in terms of pure strength, the Chairman can't defeat that monster..."

Long chuckled and explained, "I'm telling you all this simply because I think you have a pretty good relationship with Morel and Knov. If something happens to the president, from the perspective of the entire Association... I hope you can persuade these two, including some senior members of the Association, to support my rise to power."

"If anything goes wrong with the succession, it won't be good for anyone. Besides... that's what the chairman doesn't want to see either, you understand?"

"..."

Seeing that Biscuit didn't respond, Oboro raised an eyebrow. "What? You don't believe the old man will fail either?"

"You know me... I never lie."

"President, failure is impossible," Biscuit said firmly.

"Yes... he will also 'successfully' complete this mission..."

Long emphasized the word "perfect," adding, "But you'll support me with what happens next, right?"

"Won't."

Biscuit's voice was somewhat cold, as if at this moment, the two were merely colleagues, with no feelings to share between them.

"Management matters are the business of the Zodiacs and the Association's senior management; they have nothing to do with me."

"Well."

Oboro sighed, as if she had expected Biscuit to give such an answer.

"All I need to do is keep an eye on Knov and Morel..."

Beep beep beep.

After Oboro finished speaking, the phone went dead; Biscuit hung up.

"Didn't you agree?" Anthony glanced over and asked.

"She didn't give a direct answer, her attitude was rather ambiguous... but I think she'll understand." Long smiled.

Put your phone away.

"It doesn't matter... I just want to take over the chairmanship relatively smoothly and peacefully... That way, it's better for everyone. But if people want to cause trouble, then we'll see who has the means."

He said in a low voice.

He wasn't worried about Biscuit's side... Even if they didn't help him, Biscuit probably wouldn't switch sides; she could just stand by and watch.

However, if an older Hunter x Hunter like Biscuit were to step forward, it would undoubtedly be more advantageous for Oboro.

"They're gone."

After thinking it over, Long called out.

The three of them immediately quickened their pace and sped away from the ground.

Oboro had actually met Gon, but the latter did not recognize him.

At the time, Gon Jie was on a date with Palm... so Long didn't want to disturb them.

During his conversation with Biscuit, the latter revealed that Gon had stated he wanted to find Kite's remains even if she died... but that's impossible now. In the original story, Kite died at Neferpitou's hands and was kept as a 'collectible' by Neferpitou, which is why her body was preserved... but now, she's most likely been eaten by the Queen Ant.

Gon insisted on participating in the mission so that he could see it through to the end and fulfill his long-cherished wish.

But now, Neferpitou is gone...

I wonder if Gon will turn evil again.

If he hadn't turned to the dark side, he wouldn't have lost his Nen and become an ordinary person, and there wouldn't have been the storyline where Killua went on an adventure to bring Alluka out... Or, the main characters might have boarded the Black Whale and reunited with Kurapika.

As for Gyro, Long didn't care.

I guess they've already left... headed to Meteor City.

Oboro had been to East Gorteau before, so he was very familiar with this small, isolated country.

The situation here is much better than in NGL. When I was on a mission to help the Botswa Tribe, I thought this land was very barren. Now I realize that at least this country has a complete system and military management, even though it is a dictatorship.

But it is also a complete country.

Unlike NGL, which is merely a large-scale armed force.

NGL has only been established for a few decades... It is still too 'immature' for a country.

East Gorteau, on the other hand, had seen several kings come and go.

Stepping back into this land was not as cumbersome as the last time, because the checkpoints or borders were no longer guarded... Along the way to the capital, there were many abandoned villages and towns, whose inhabitants had long since migrated... Some had run away, while others may have met with misfortune before they could escape.

The country changed hands, and the entire capital fell... What the Botswa Tribe couldn't accomplish even with the power of rituals back then, they achieved with just three ants.

Or rather, it was merely the work of Shaiapouf, one of the members of the Royal Guards.

There are still many Chimera Ant that came from NGL in East Gorteau... Every one of them, without exception, had its soul harvested by Oboro.

The terrain of East Gorteau is mostly mountainous, but the capital city is built on a vast plain.

It was built in a very grand and magnificent style. The entire city was a square frame situated on the ground, with buildings standing side by side and full of exotic charm.

East Gorteau and the king's extravagant lifestyle, he was willing to spend a lot of money to decorate his small plot of land.

The nation's limited resources have been almost entirely exploited and sold off...

"The combined territory of NGL and East Gorteau is enough for the Fills Family... but it's not appropriate to label it as a country. V5 won't give in all the time. Let's use NGL as a precedent to test their attitude. If it works, that would be even better... even if it's just a nominal title, it's still a country."

"If that doesn't work, then designate these two areas as special economic zones... and turn them into 'world factories'..."

The following day, under the cover of night.

With thoughts racing through his mind, Long led his two teammates to a place dozens of miles outside the royal city.

Standing here, one can already see the shadows of the capital city walls stretching as a line in the distance.

However, unlike the bustling city lights and noise seen from the outside world, there is none.

"It's so quiet... it's a little eerie."

Anthony pursed his lips. "Speaking of which, we haven't seen any living people since we got closer to the royal city area, have we?"

Although Chimera Ant occasionally appear throughout the country, the people of East Gorteau have not all perished or fled; many have survived, and the three of them have encountered quite a few in the past two days. They also learned from a local that the new king is searching for top talents in various fields within East Gorteau to come to the palace for an audience.

"An ant is just an ant..."

Long withdrew his thoughts, looked at the capital city under the night sky, and said calmly, "He usurped the throne. Although he became the ruler of a country with brute force, he completely lacks the ability to manage and operate it." To put it bluntly, he just occupied a palace all by himself and called himself a king.

For example, the loss of border lines and the exodus of citizens.

From the perspective of ants or livestock, if they seize human territory, they naturally become kings, no problem...

But from a human perspective, it is absolutely the worst.

"But he does have the potential to become a qualified king."

Then, Oboro changed the subject.

"Captain, are you praising it or belittling it?" Anthony was completely confused.

"It is learning about humanity... or rather, studying, and it hasn't been indiscriminately waging wars or directly expanding its territory, which shows... it is prepared," Oboro said softly.

He knew that Meruem was currently in the palace competing with the "top talents" from all walks of life in East Gorteau. These "top talents" referred to as chess players. Chess is a game of strategy, and through observation, the Chimera Ant King could determine the limits of human capabilities in "war strategy." He also used chess to familiarize himself with and understand human thought processes.

Although East Gorteau is a small, relatively isolated country, it's not entirely closed off. Some people still participate in international competitions and qualify, and Komugi is one of them. This is one of the few opportunities in this country where one can earn some face and honor for oneself.

Anyone who can stand out in a major competition is, in fact, considered as one of the best in the entire human world.

If even these people don't meet his standards, Meruem can naturally proceed smoothly with his plan to dominate the world and make the best judgment.

At the same time, we can also consider what kind of arrangements and status should be given to the 'new humans' in the New World.

"Aren't we going in to take a look? That Neferpitou is already dead... The remaining two ants shouldn't have such a wide sensing range, right?" Fante put out his cigarette, crushed it with his toe, and asked.

"Fine, I'll just wait here."

Long shook his head.

Neferpitou is completely irrelevant.

The key is Meruem.

Entering the royal city is a small matter, but sneaking into the royal palace is extremely difficult.

As long as the Chimera Ant King lives, the signal covered by the 'radar' will always be there.

"Komugi ..."

Long sat on the ground, murmuring to himself.

He was quite interested in the girl.

Most people are passively awakened to this energy... including him.

Without guidance from predecessors, it is very difficult to break through that 'invisible shackle'.

However, Komugi is an anomaly. When she is highly focused and playing chess with Meruem, a seven-colored, bubble-like aura appears around her... This is undoubtedly Nen.

The ultimate manifestation of life energy! Relying solely on self-awakening requires two things: one is an opportunity, such as Neon, the eldest daughter of the Nostrade Mafia family.

Her Nen, the Lovely Ghostwriter...

This character is a typical example of this.

The probability of such an opportunity is extremely low...

To put it bluntly, it felt like a kind of soul mutation; he had a stroke of great luck.

Oboro is currently Nen user, so she understands this very well. The soul is inseparable from the spirit.

And there is another point, which is the 'soul itself' besides the opportunity.

Pure and clean... this requires a person's soul, free of 'impurities'.

In some respects, one can pour out the entirety of their soul, including their life.

This is also a kind of enlightenment.

Netero arts, Komugi's state of mind while playing chess... are all examples of this.

However, while the president's soul has a certain innate quality, it also requires tempering and effort after birth. Cultivating the mind is itself a process of tempering one's will.

As for Komugi, her innate qualities outweigh her acquired ones.

For her, playing chess is a form of self-cultivation, just like studying martial arts...

With each game of Go she played, she was likely growing as Nen user after a fierce battle... but considering her age and the purity of her Nen, it could even surprise the Chimera Ant King, Meruem.

This girl's talent is truly the Show Stopper.

But that doesn't mean that Komugi has the potential for spiritual cultivation... Talent only indicates that your starting point is relatively high, and it doesn't determine your destination.

Moreover, her talent can only be demonstrated through playing chess... If she were to begin systematic training, it would be like sprinkling dust on a flawless gem, which might have the opposite effect.

"She spent her whole life playing chess, with chess as her companion. It's a pity... If she had met a good teacher who respected her will and soul characteristics, she might have had the chance to become the strongest Nen user... Using battle as a chessboard, people or lives as pieces, playing against all living beings and things, fighting against people and against power... No killing, no bloodshed, just simple moves that can't be taken back, and capturing pieces is a matter of will... Just thinking about it is chilling." Long narrowed his eyes. He didn't have that kind of talent, nor did he understand chess.

But Komugi's control and insight into the game are absolutely unparalleled.

Even the Chimera Ant King, who transcends the biological realm and possesses a superhuman brain, cannot defeat her...

Manipulation, Specialization, Emission, Transmutation?

Long's old problem has relapsed.

He discovered that if he were Komugi's teacher, regardless of Komugi's Nen attribute, he was confident he could help her develop the most extraordinary Nen...

Even more terrifying than his abilities.

Because, as long as it revolves around one core point, that's enough.

That's a chess game!

As long as the game is won, Komugi will not lose.

The only drawback is Komugi's personality...

While Nen can make one invincible, they are meaningless if one cannot unleash them... Komugi is simple-minded and timid, and she doesn't understand the complexities of human nature.

Even if she possesses powerful Nen, it would be easy to kill her.

But... this talent really made Oboro's heart flutter.

Speaking of which... ever since he established himself in the Hunter World and gained considerable strength, he has never taken on any disciples...

The only bald Charles was only registered... and it wasn't someone Oboro truly wanted to take in; it was simply a matter of fate.

The later Gon and Kurapika... only received some basic training and did not truly learn from him.

The Komugi looks so tempting! "Should we save it or not?"

A glint of light flashed through his hazy eyes.

The problem is, if we try to save the Komugi, we can't get rid of the Chimera Ant King.

Moreover, there is another crucial factor: it is highly toxic.

"Although I am a transmigrator and have obtained everything I wanted... I can't guarantee that I will be able to return alive from the Dark Continent. I have come to this world with great difficulty, so I should leave something behind. That way, even if I die... I will accept it."

He gazed at the starry sky and said softly.

He has his pride...

He had previously told Kurapika that Oboro was not qualified to be his disciple, and he meant it.

In terms of potential, the only people he could possibly take a liking to are Gon and Killua.

There's no way around it, they're time travelers... their perspectives are bound to be broad.

But these two kids are the main characters themselves, each with their own background and bloodline, so they don't really need him.

For Long, raising them brought him no sense of accomplishment and was meaningless.

Because he knew very well that even without him, the future of these two kids would be extraordinary.

But Komugi is different...

"That kind of deadly poison... the only way to deal with it is to rebuild flesh and blood."

"Flesh and blood are inseparable from the soul. The loss of life force in flesh and blood will lead to the demise of the soul... Most importantly, the soul is a private matter. If I take her as my disciple, I cannot forcibly control her. Once she is controlled by my ability and subjectivity, it is almost the same as the soul dying... because what is attached is my consciousness, not her own. In this way, if she does not agree... her soul will still dissipate on its own, along with the Chimera Ant King."

"My act of helping others has thus lost its original purpose."

"Besides, given her bond with the Chimera Ant King... sigh..."

For Komugi to agree, the Chimera Ant King must still be alive.

Otherwise, Komugi would gladly die alongside Meruem.

"Reconstructing flesh and blood... the soul remains, even if only a part of it, but the body has changed, a new shell has been created... Heh."

This was no challenge for the time traveler, Long, because the answer had already been given: it was achievable.

Rebirth through surrogacy!

Whose abdomen is it? Naturally, it belongs to the Chimera Ant.

Moreover, regarding the soul, it seems that, currently, no one in the entire world but him can save Komugi and the Chimera Ant King.

If he hadn't intervened, both the person and the ant would have surely died.

The question is whether to save her or not?

Meruem's soul... is the feast that Oboro has always coveted!

There is a conflict between these two approaches.

This is difficult...

There are always one or two days every month, you know...