Netero

Biodata

Feature	Value
Name	Isaac Netero
Alias(es)	Chairman Netero; Old Netero
Species/Race	Human
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Hunter Association; Twelve Zodiacs
Occupation/Role	Former Chairman of the Hunter Association; martial artist; Hunter
Status	Alive; publicly declared dead before retiring from the chairmanship 327 333
First Appearance	Chapter 107

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Elderly fighting state	107–275	Though he claimed to retain only half his peak strength, he remained an Ultimate-level Enhancer and could wield the 100-Type Guanyin Bodhisattva. Leo ultimately surpassed this state in their later spar. 107 71 275
Rejuvenated peak state	297	Uses the Witch's Rejuvenation Potion to return to his thirty-year-old body and peak power; his aura clashes with Leo's strongly enough to shake Hunter Association headquarters. 297

Background / History

Netero was regarded as the world's strongest Nen user half a century before the Hunter Exam. He once explored the Dark Continent alongside Zigg Zoldyck and Linne Horsdoeuvre, but their expedition turned back before crossing its threshold; Netero later described the continent simply as “too big.” 107 119

As Chairman of the Hunter Association, Netero regularly left political investigations and internal conspiracies to younger Hunters, including Leo and Mizai Istom. He was nevertheless feared as a figure capable of personally eliminating powerful threats, and his authority carried weight even among V5 officials. 131 162

He met Leo during the Hunter Exam and accepted Leo's request for a spar. Netero's technical superiority initially overwhelmed Leo, but he became invested in Leo's extraordinary growth and continued to train against him. 107 109 112 113

After losing a later all-out spar to Leo, Netero disclosed that V5 had asked him to place Leo under restrictions and supervision. He chose not to do so, deciding instead to watch over Leo and intervene only if necessary. 275

Appearance

Netero is an elderly man with white hair and a beard, usually dressed in a loose white martial-arts uniform. His demeanor and clothing contrast with the immense pressure of his presence. 107

• White hair and beard in his elderly state. 107
• Often keeps his hands tucked into his sleeves. 107 298
• Wears a white shirt marked with the character “Heart” when fighting seriously. 272 298
• After rejuvenation, appears around thirty years old, with long white hair, a broad, muscular build, firm skin, and bright eyes. 297

Personality

Netero is playful, mischievous, and fond of watching others react to his schemes. His retirement announcement, election conditions, and posthumous declaration of Leo as Chairman all show his willingness to create chaos for his own amusement. 333 339

Beneath that levity, he is defined by a powerful love of martial arts. He values challengers, appreciates combat talent, and gives concise but incisive guidance to fighters. Leo's rapid growth rekindles Netero's passion for battle. 109 110 276

He follows his principles even when confronted with the Hunter Association's darker history. During Jade's takeover of Heaven's Arena, Netero refused to abandon innocent hostages or renounce his belief that exceptionally heinous Hunters must be stopped. 262

Abilities & Skills

Ultimate Enhancement Proficiency

Netero is listed as an Ultimate-proficiency Enhancement-type Nen user. 71

• Combines immense aura reserves with exceptional physical strength, speed, and endurance. 272 297
• His aura is described as pure fighting spirit, honed through decades or centuries of combat. 272
• Even in old age, he could contend with Leo and repeatedly spar with him. 273 342

Martial-Arts Mastery

Netero's greatest advantage is his combat experience and technical precision rather than raw physical force. 109

• Identifies openings in an opponent's exertion, shifting center of gravity, and transitions between attacks. 109 273
• Evades barrages with minimal movement, then counters at the precise instant an opponent's old force has ended. 109 110
• Provides practical combat advice, such as identifying gaps in Little Azure's scales and improving team attack timing. 276

100-Type Guanyin Bodhisattva

Netero manifests a massive golden Guanyin statue with countless arms, each capable of launching devastating palm strikes after he brings his hands together. 110 111 311

• First Hand — A powerful initial palm strike; it left only a faint mark on the Ant King. 312
• Third Hand — A pincer-like attack that the Ant King forcibly separated through raw strength. 312
• Ninety-Ninth Hand — A high-aura-consumption technique used to overwhelm the Ant King; rejuvenation allowed Netero to use it consecutively. 315
• The technique can create a sustained, near-impenetrable barrage that keeps opponents at range. 274 315
• Leo eventually broke through its palms by destroying the statue's arms faster than Netero could sustain them. 275

Zero Hand

Netero's ultimate attack is a massive aura laser released after exhausting his other options. 316

• Used against the Ant King after the Ninety-Ninth Hand failed to defeat him. 316
• Drains Netero severely, leaving him exhausted and unable to continue fighting at full capacity. 316 317
• The Ant King survived the attack and recovered from its injuries. 317

Rejuvenated Body

The Witch's Rejuvenation Potion restored Netero to his thirty-year-old body and peak condition. 297

• Restored his vitality, physique, and aura to a level greater than Leo expected. 297
• Allowed him to use high-consumption techniques more freely during his battle with the Ant King. 315
• Retained his memories, temperament, and martial experience despite his younger appearance. 297 333

Relationships

• Leo — Challenger, sparring partner, and eventual successor as Hunter Association Chairman. Netero recognizes Leo's growth, loses to him in a later spar, and secretly appoints him Chairman through a recorded declaration. 107 275 339
• Biscuit — Netero's eldest disciple. Their exchanges are familiar and teasing, particularly when he suggests that she retire. 353 387
• Beyond Netero — His son. Netero asks Leo to spare Beyond's life if possible despite Beyond's Dark Continent plans. 344 347
• Meruem, the Ant King — Netero's final major opponent during the Chimera Ant conflict. Their battle pushes Netero to use the Ninety-Ninth Hand and Zero Hand. 311 315 316
• Neferpitou — A Royal Guard whom Netero fights after returning to his peak condition; he finds her strength “interesting.” 298
• Mizai Istom — A Zodiac entrusted with handling serious Association matters alongside Leo when Netero declines direct involvement. 131 139
• Jade — Antagonist who exploits Purgatory's sacrificial curse to seal Netero's Nen during the Heaven's Arena takeover. 260 262

Story Role / Major Arcs

Hunter Exam

Netero arrives during the exam after Leo rescues failed candidates from the World Tree. Intrigued by Leo's desire to challenge him, he accepts a spar once they reach the Trap Tower. 107 108

He oversees the final examination's single-elimination format, explaining that the last remaining loser would fail while everyone else could pass. 115

Training and Sparring with Leo

Netero initially defeats Leo through superior technique, repeatedly exposing the gap between raw power and combat mastery. He then reveals the 100-Type Guanyin Bodhisattva at Leo's request. 109 110

Leo challenges him daily, gradually closing the distance he can reach against the Bodhisattva. Netero increasingly takes the battles seriously and rediscovers his enthusiasm for martial arts. 112 113

During their later spar at Colton Manor, Leo breaks through the Guanyin Bodhisattva and reaches Netero directly. Netero admits defeat and acknowledges that Leo has surpassed him. 272 275

Heaven's Arena Takeover

During Jade's coup at Heaven's Arena, Purgatory sacrifices his own life to invoke the Hellfire Curse Song, binding Netero and sealing his Nen. 260

While held hostage, Netero confronts Jade over Black Shadow, the Canaan Detention Center, and the Hunter Association's past. He refuses to compromise his principles despite Jade's accusations. 261 262

Chimera Ant Conflict

Netero returns to peak condition with the Witch's Rejuvenation Potion and joins Leo in NGL. He first battles Neferpitou, testing the Royal Guard with the 100-Type Guanyin Bodhisattva. 297 298

Leo arranges a one-on-one confrontation between Netero and the Ant King by capturing Shaiapouf and Menthuthuyoupi. Netero fights Meruem alone in the palace plaza, ultimately using Zero Hand before being defeated and evacuated by Leo. 311 316 317

Retirement and Succession

Netero publicly announces his retirement and imposes a 95% voter-turnout condition on the election for the next Hunter Association Chairman. 333

Although Leo does not want the position, Netero's recorded “last words” declare Leo the thirteenth Chairman immediately upon his arrival at the election venue. 339

After his supposed death, Netero continues living privately, spars with Leo regularly, and remains involved in discussions surrounding Beyond and the Dark Continent. 327 342 347

Notable Quotes

“Mm—I lost.” 275

“Don't underestimate humanity, Ant King!” 317

“The moment you stop challenging yourself is the moment your life ends.” 344

Trivia

• Netero enjoys pink drinks, tea, pastries, and desserts. 131 327
• He arranged for Leo to become Chairman despite Leo openly rejecting the position beforehand. 333 339
• He is capable of treating a serious retirement announcement like a prank, smiling broadly while discussing his own supposed death. 339