Chapter Summaries

Gon and Kiy tested new Nen Sand weapons before Kiy explained the Dark Probe’s standing and territory to the Zoldyck family. Later, Kevin discussed Mental Image with Netero and considered helping him reach the Lord stage.

• Gon practiced with a Nen Sand fishing rod designed to strengthen his combat and capture abilities, while Kiy tested a Nen Sand yo-yo that stored an Unmanned Stone.
• Silva told Kiy he would no longer be the family heir and could establish an independent branch of the Zoldyck Family, though Kiy protested that he had no plans to start a family.
• Kiy told the family that Moon Bay belonged outright to the Dark Probe, revealing that the organization operated independently and controlled its own forward base.
• Netero visited Kevin and reported that V6 wanted more goods, but Kevin said further trade would have to wait until the trade system was fully operational.
• Netero asked Kevin about the Mental Image he had used against the Undying disease, and Kevin explained how it combined mind and Aura to deliver mental attacks.
• Kevin considered Netero’s potential to reach the Lord stage and thought that he could help develop abilities and training for humans at that level.

Kevin explained to Netero why the Dark Continent was essential for reaching greater strength and why the Dark Probe would retain its leading position. After Netero left, Kevin planned the next expedition and discussed the risks of Nion using her prediction ability.

• Netero admitted that he wanted to go to the Dark Continent to continue improving, and Kevin explained that its food and training conditions were necessary to overcome human limits.
• Kevin argued that the Dark Probe would keep its advantage through its Forward Base, talent, resources, and his Medicine Tripod, while Netero acknowledged the strength of his position.
• After Netero left, Kevin told Biscuit that the next expedition would begin in a year or two, after preparations including a new exploration ship, the Red Stone Group's reorganization, and personnel training.
• Kevin described the disputes over expedition slots and said Nion was determined to travel to the Dark Continent despite Light's concerns.
• Kevin worried that Nion's predictions might draw the attention of powerful beings, but Biscuit suggested training her to focus predictions on sensing danger, and Kevin accepted the idea before she struck him with a pillow.

Kevin arranged training and security for the people who would remain in human society while the Hunter Association prepared new regulations and a Chairman election. Netero decided to step down, and Kevin planned the next Dark Continent expedition, intending not to return afterward.

• Leorio chose to stay in human society to lead the Red Stone Group's medical work, and Kevin required him to train before departure.
• Kevin added Nion and Rosana to the Dark Continent preparation and planned for Leorio, Meruem, Peggy, and Daznuer's group to help protect human society.
• Piyon asked to join the next expedition, and the Chairman confirmed that Kevin had requested a place for her among the remaining slots.
• Qiduo outlined the coming Hunter Exam reforms, and Netero announced that he would step down as Chairman of the Hunter Association.
• The Hunter Association began preparing a Chairman election as new regulations stirred interest in the Hunter Exam.
• Kevin began planning the next Dark Continent expedition at the Manor and decided he would not return afterward.

Nearly two years after returning from the Dark Continent, Kevin discussed the trained expedition members, Nanika, and the dangers and hopes awaiting them on their next journey. He chose Longevity Rice as the expedition’s target, aiming to use it to create a potion that would expand his Aura reserves.

• Kevin asked Biscuit about the new members’ training, and she said their Aura reserves averaged around two hundred thousand but had stalled without more combat and potions.
• Kevin agreed to Kiy’s request to bring Nanika to the Dark Continent, while Melusina noted that the Undying disease had left countries fearful of future expeditions.
• Kevin explained that Ai was likely highly specialized rather than overwhelmingly powerful and discussed the uncertain properties of Three-Source Water.
• Biscuit guessed that Kevin would target Longevity Rice because its life force might help him make a potion that increased his Aura reserves.
• Kevin identified Hellbell as the creature guarding Longevity Rice and reasoned that the team’s experience defending against mental attacks made it a suitable target.

Kevin finished brewing thousands of potions and discussed how reaching Lord Rank had changed his Nen ability, then examined a new tablet Ce had built. Morel and Bellolight returned with word that the Whale Ship had passed inspection, leaving preparations for a new Dark Continent Exploration Team nearly complete.

• Melusina brought the last stored ingredients to Kevin, who finished making several thousand potions for Nen users in human society.
• Kevin explained that Lord Rank had let him use his Nen ability and Medicine Tripod more freely, though he still followed the full process for the highest-grade potions.
• Kevin and Melusina watched training at the Manor and discussed Alluka, Nanika, and the possibility that Ai was not especially powerful.
• Jie Mei showed Melusina a tablet Ce had built after studying Nen tools on Greed Island, and Melusina tested its entertainment features.
• A butler's message reported that Morel and Bellolight had returned and that the Whale Ship had been completed and passed inspection.
• Morel, Bellolight, and Ce arrived at the Training Ground, bringing another tablet as preparations for a new Exploration Team neared completion.

Kevin and the others toured the Probe, a huge, modular exploration ship built to transport people and equipment to the Dark Continent and modernize their Forward Base. After praising Morel and Berolete’s work, Kevin turned to preparing the expedition team.

• Kevin asked Morel and Berolete about the ship, and Berolete explained that it needed space for construction equipment and advanced facilities for the Forward Base.
• Morel and Berolete led Kevin, Biscuit, Melusina, and the others by ferry to the Probe, which was anchored offshore because the harbor was too shallow.
• Morel introduced the Probe’s size, Unmanned Stone power system, layout, and automated operation.
• Melusina asked about the ship’s modular rooms, and Berolete explained that many facilities could be detached and transported ashore.
• Berolete showed the group the industrial zone, including a smelting furnace and a Nen-powered metal printer.
• Kevin praised Morel and Berolete’s work and said it was time to prepare the team.

Netero explained his Dark Continent expedition roster to Kevin and Biscuit, then challenged Kevin to a spar at Nosra Manor. Kevin accepted and opened the fight by swinging a newly forged greatsword, whose enormous slash sent a shockwave across the training ground.

• Netero defended his record as Chairman and explained why Maitai could handle the Hunter Association.
• Netero listed his ten Dark Probe selections and described Blood Hound, Biguda, and Raph as survivors of an illegal experiment with a powerful combination Nen ability.
• Netero noted that the expedition teams would ultimately support Kevin’s monster-hunting work, then asked him to spar.
• Biscuit gathered onlookers at Back Mountain, where Illumi and Hisoka had arrived with Kiy.
• Kevin drew a newly forged greatsword and unleashed a massive sword-energy slash, prompting Men Qi to warn him not to kill Netero.

Kevin and Netero’s spar escalated as their Wind Blades clashed with Netero’s Hundred-Type Guanyin. Kevin revealed his complete Four-Armed Tripod-Bearer Mental Image and struck with its greatsword, shattering Netero’s Guanyin and leaving Netero badly injured.

• Netero retreated from Kevin’s Wind Blades and manifested the Hundred-Type Guanyin, whose attacks and defenses surprised the spectators.
• Kevin and Netero traded powerful attacks until Netero’s Guanyin blocked Kevin’s swiftest Wind Blade, while Netero became exhilarated by the pressure of the fight.
• Netero bombarded Kevin after Kevin deliberately lowered his guard, and Kevin used the attacks to understand how Netero’s Mental Image worked.
• Kevin manifested his complete Four-Armed Tripod-Bearer Mental Image, drew its greatsword, and joined it in a slash against Netero’s Guanyin.
• The collision shattered the Hundred-Type Guanyin and blasted Netero into the ground, where he lay pale and bleeding.

Kevin discovered that his Mental Image could accelerate the greatsword’s transformation into a Nen tool, then used his fight with Netero to understand how Mental Images could be controlled and defended with aura. The group tested the finished sword, while Kevin invited Netero to spar again.

• Kevin summoned his Mental Image and used its aura to create a tornado, causing the greatsword to evolve into a Nen tool.
• Kevin gave Netero a potion and concluded that damage to a Mental Image could injure its user’s mind.
• Kevin and Netero discussed their different ways of using Mental Images, and Kevin explained how he had learned from Netero’s techniques during their fight.
• Kevin showed the transformed sword to Kiy, who swung it and discovered that it could launch powerful Wind Blades.
• Gon, Men Qi, and Pakunoda took turns trying the sword as Kevin invited Netero to exchange pointers again.

Illumi and Hisoka realized that the changing balance of power would force them to pursue Dark Continent exploration, while the Zoldyck Family prepared its own route. On August 20, 2006, the Probe set sail with the exploration team, and its leaders began planning a sub-base near the Five Great Hopes.

• Kiy told Illumi and Hisoka to leave Nosra Manor, and they discussed how Dark Continent returnees and resources would reshape human society.
• Hisoka proposed that he and Illumi establish their own Exploration Team after learning that Illumi had been excluded from the Zoldyck Family's core decisions.
• The Probe departed the harbor on August 20, 2006, carrying the first exploration group and Netero's team as other countries prepared to use the Imaginary New Continent as a remote base for returnees.
• Three-Tails complained about leaving human society, and Men Qi and Biscuit encouraged her to build an amusement park on the Dark Continent.
• The exploration team's decision-makers examined a map of the Five Great Hopes and discussed establishing a sub-base and choosing a squad to travel there with the gatekeeper's help.

Kevin and the others chose a four-person squad to explore Hellbell’s location without risking an Overlord’s reaction, then the Probe carried the expedition from the Imaginary New Continent to the Gate. The Gargoyle statue recognized Kevin as the ships arrived at the passage to the Dark Continent.

• Ce warned that Hellbell likely attacked through mental sound waves, and Kevin decided to wait until Moon Bay to learn whether his presence might provoke another Overlord.
• Biscuit, Kurapika, and Melusina settled on Men Qi, Xiahala, Kiy, and Melusina as the squad to travel toward Nitromi’s location.
• The Probe reached the Imaginary New Continent, where Basho and Goreinu watched Gowen train as he pushed himself to regain the strength needed to serve Kevin.
• Kevin welcomed the six nations’ sixty Special Operations Team members aboard, and the expedition set sail for the Dark Continent.
• After months at sea, the ships reached the enormous Gate, where the Gargoyle statue opened its eyes and noted that Kevin had returned again.

Janus revealed the origins of humanity’s settlement and gave Kevin knowledge about raising Navigation Whales, allowing the ships to pass through the Gate. Men Qi’s expedition reached the region where the Ochima Federation had searched for Nitromi, and the team followed signs of prey toward Hellbell’s territory.

• Janus told Kevin that humanity’s ancestors had brought 2,131 people to the enclosed territory, while others had remained in the Dark Continent.
• Janus transmitted knowledge about raising Navigation Whales to Kevin, and the ships passed through the Gate inside two whales.
• Melusina, Men Qi, and their team landed at the Ochima Federation’s former expedition site and scouted the barren surroundings.
• The team found that animal tracks led toward a swamp, while Melusina identified the faint scent of Nitromi’s concentrated Life Force.
• Melusina suggested Hellbell used the scent to lure prey, and the next day the team encountered a blood-scented, gloomy region.

Melusina's group encountered a dense population of Double-tailed Snakes whose sound waves could control their bodies, then escaped and began investigating the mismatch with the records. Meanwhile, Netero's party reached the Dark Continent, where Slash Ghost and Wearer Ghost appeared above the harbor and looked down at the humans.

• Men Qi's scouting birds and Melusina's maids were killed or controlled inside the forest, so Melusina's group entered with potions to protect themselves.
• Kiy and Buhaci destroyed several Double-tailed Snakes with ranged attacks, but the snakes' sound waves began controlling the group's movements and drew more snakes toward them.
• Melusina gave the others Gifts that let them fly, and the group escaped the forest while Kiy struck pursuing snakes with lightning.
• Melusina suspected that the explorers in the records had been affected by the sound waves before attacking, which might have made their attacks ineffective against the snakes.
• Kevin read Melusina's message aboard the Probe as Netero's party approached Moon Bay, and they disembarked to unload supplies at the harbor.
• Netero noticed Slash Ghost and Wearer Ghost standing on a Watchtower, with Wearer Ghost's eyes glowing green.

Kevin met Netero and introduced him to Slash Ghost and Wearer Ghost, while Wearer Ghost took possession of a corpse with powerful, tangled emotions. As supplies reached Moon Bay Town, Kevin received a message from Melusina and the others confirming they had encountered something strange.

• Netero declined Wearer Ghost's offer to fulfill a wish in exchange for his body, and Kevin presented her with two corpses whose emotions she found fascinating.
• Wearer Ghost used Aura to preserve the female corpse and transferred herself into the male one, while Slash Ghost retrieved her old body and stored it in Bianluoke's Storage Bubble.
• Slash Ghost revealed his plan to use the Storage Crystal and his own soul to revive the old body, and he told Kevin about powerful beings he had encountered near the World Tree and farther north.
• Kevin and the others brought supplies to Moon Bay Town, where Lorraine reunited with them after reaching the limits of human strength and Kevin gave her a potion.
• Kevin opened his Notebook and received a message from Melusina and the others, learning that they had encountered a strange place.

Kiy, Men Qi, Melusina, Xiahara, and Buhaci debated the Double-tailed Snakes’ nature and prepared to wait for Kevin before entering the Nitromi swamp. Four powerful Double-tailed Snakes ambushed them, and the fight left Xiahara’s arm transformed and severed while Melusina and the others struggled to counter the sound-wave attacks.

• Melusina speculated that the Double-tailed Snakes were Spiritual Organisms able to split apart and merge, and the group discussed the danger of reaching Nitromi without Kevin.
• Buhaci reasoned that Don Freecss had likely explored from north to south and reached Lord Rank during his early journey.
• Men Qi spotted an ambush after the group’s warning line was destroyed, and four Knight-level Double-tailed Snakes attacked.
• A Double-tailed Snake’s sound wave weakened and controlled Xiahara, so Kiy severed Xiahara’s transformed left arm and dragged him away.
• Melusina used a Scale Armor Barrier to resist the sound waves, cut down one Double-tailed Snake, and threw her greatsword to Kiy as the remaining snakes pressed the attack.

After the Double-tailed Snakes ambushed the team, Kiy, Melusina, Men Qi, and Xiahara escaped, with Xiahara losing an arm to the snakes’ control. Back at Moon Bay, Kevin learned what happened and planned to visit the injured explorer to see whether Cocoon of Rebirth could accelerate limb regeneration.

• Melusina slammed a Double-tailed Snake into the ground, while Kiy caught her sword and killed another snake pursuing Men Qi before the team fled.
• Men Qi released Pacha Mosquitoes to detect the snakes’ pursuit, and the group ran nearly two hundred kilometers before stopping near the coast.
• Xiahara described how the snake’s stinger controlled his arm and said cutting it off had saved him; the team concluded the Double-tailed Snakes were stealthy and especially dangerous to Nen Beasts and close-combat fighters.
• Melusina recorded the encounter in her Notebook, and Kevin, Jin, and Biscuit learned about it at Moon Bay.
• Qiduo proposed regenerating Xiahara’s arm over several months, and Kevin offered to use Cocoon of Rebirth to speed the treatment.
• Kevin decided to visit the next day to learn the treatment details and determine whether his ability could help.

Kevin reunited with the others, healed Buhara’s arm, and used Nion’s prophecy to assess the danger posed by the Double-tailed Snakes. He sent the others away and entered the Dense Forest alone to investigate, where a powerful opponent attacked by twisting nearby plants.

• Kevin arrived through the bubbles and listened as the group recounted their ordeal with the Double-tailed Snake.
• Kevin used the Cocoon of Rebirth to regrow Buhara’s severed arm.
• Kevin revealed Nion’s prophecy: scouting together could leave companions injured or dead, while Kevin would battle a Lord Level Double-tailed Snake and use his Mental Image medicine tripod to defeat it.
• The group discussed the risks of killing the Double-tailed Snake, including losing protection for the Nitromi and disrupting its possible relationship with the snake.
• Kevin decided to investigate alone, sent Melusina and the others toward the coast, and entered the Dense Forest.
• A powerful opponent rejected Kevin’s goodwill and twisted trees and weeds toward him, so Kevin blasted a trench through the forest with a punch.

Kevin fought the Double-tailed Snake, endured its attacks, and deduced how its tail needles controlled living and inanimate targets. The Lord Level creature then slowed time around Kevin and accelerated itself, leaving him struggling to move as it approached.

• Kevin dodged the Double-tailed Snake's sound-wave attack and cut through the aggressive vines and roots it controlled.
• Kevin used his Mental Image and the Tripod to clear the creatures, then charged in and threw the Double-tailed Snake to the ground.
• The Double-tailed Snake struck Kevin with the earth and compressed air, injuring him despite his Scale Armor.
• Kevin realized the snake's tail needles let it control objects by injecting Life Energy, and saw that it could also manipulate time.
• The Double-tailed Snake slowed time around Kevin and accelerated itself, trapping him as it moved toward him.

Kevin fought the Double-tailed Snake, identified how its tail needles and Hellbell controlled Life Energy, and escaped after overpowering it briefly. He concluded that he could avoid another fight but would need to end one quickly or use the Medicine Tripod, and hoped a future encounter might allow communication.

• Kevin deduced that the Double-tailed Snake manipulated Life Energy through its tail needles and used the Hellbell as a secondary attack.
• The Double-tailed Snake compressed the surrounding air toward Kevin, but Kevin broke free, seized its head and tails, and hurled it into the Dense Forest.
• Kevin struck the Double-tailed Snake and fled; the creature did not pursue him and instead twisted the surrounding forest in anger.
• After escaping several dozen kilometers, Kevin reviewed his abilities and concluded that he could not win a prolonged battle against the Double-tailed Snake without using the Medicine Tripod.
• Kevin reasoned that the fight had made the Double-tailed Snake wary of him and considered that they might communicate when they met again.

Kevin and his companions investigated the Double-tailed Snake’s territory and concluded that it fiercely protected Nitromi and would not agree to trade. Melusina suspected Don had angered the creature in the past, while Don sneezed on the distant coast.

• Kevin reunited with Melusina and the others, recounted his battle with the Double-tailed Snake, and advised them to explore cautiously rather than rush into the swamp.
• The next day, Kevin led the group toward the Dense Forest, where they found that the battle damage had been restored and the Double-tailed Snake’s snakes warned them away.
• Kevin offered to trade for Nitromi, but the Double-tailed Snake did not respond, so the group explored the surrounding region instead.
• After three days of surveying the area, Men Qi and the others found that it was unusually desolate and inferred that the Double-tailed Snake had killed off stronger nearby creatures to protect Nitromi.
• Melusina speculated that Don had stolen Nitromi and provoked the Double-tailed Snake in the past; elsewhere, Don sneezed as his companion teased him about people speaking ill of him.