Chapter Summaries

After becoming chairman, Leo asserted his strength, delegated Association duties to Mizai Istom, and returned to a quieter life at Colton Manor. Meanwhile, Beyond Netero learned of Leo’s appointment and told Jiulike to inform Nasubi Hui-Guo that it was time to put a matter on the agenda.

• At the banquet, Leo demonstrated his power with an explosion in the sky, and the Hunters praised him.
• Leo reviewed the Association Special Forces list, found that Pariston Hill had sponsored most members, and kept the remaining members under watch.
• Leo authorized Mizai Istom to manage daily Association affairs and choose replacements for the two vacant Zodiac seats.
• Leo returned to Colton Manor as his companions went their separate ways, while Netero visited every few days to spar with him.
• Beyond Netero heard from Jiulike that Leo had become chairman and ordered him to notify Nasubi Hui-Guo that it was time to raise a matter.
• Sophia and Kastro officially joined the Zodiacs, taking on Association duties under Gel and Mizai Istom.

Leo and the Twelve Zodiacs learned that King Nasubi had declared Kakin’s intention to enter the Dark Continent, defying the treaty that prohibited expeditions there. Nasubi revealed that Kakin had secured Isaac Netero as the expedition’s leader, then showed the image of a formidable man who resembled him.

• Beans urgently called Leo back to Association headquarters after Kakin issued a shocking declaration.
• Leo joined the Twelve Zodiacs in the conference room, where Beans played King Nasubi’s announcement on the screen.
• Nasubi declared that Kakin would enter the Dark Continent, prompting Mizai Istom and Gel to explain the dangers and the treaty forbidding such expeditions.
• Leo silenced the room and told the Zodiac members to keep watching as Nasubi introduced Isaac Netero as the expedition’s leader.
• Nasubi’s screen changed from Isaac Netero’s photograph to that of a formidable middle-aged man who resembled him.

Beyond Netero publicly declared his plan to lead an expedition to the Dark Continent, drawing massive interest and defying the V5. The Zodiacs learned that Beyond had infiltrated the Hunter Association, and Leo revealed their order to kill him.

• Beyond announced that his father was Netero and invited people worldwide to gather in Kakin for an expedition to the new world.
• Leo confirmed that Beyond was Netero's son, said Pariston and the Association Special Forces served him, and Beans revealed Netero had left two DVDs for the Zodiacs.
• Leo told the Zodiacs that the V5 had ordered them to hunt down and kill Beyond.
• Jiulike reported that Beyond's declaration had drawn enormous attention and that the V5 had pressured Kakin's king to retract it and sign a treaty.
• Beyond rejected the V5's travel restrictions, urged his followers to pursue the Dark Continent freely, and threatened to destroy anyone who obstructed them.

The Zodiacs watched Isaac Netero’s final message, in which he urged the Association to resolve a Dark Continent calamity and bring back hope. Leo agreed to lead the operation, deciding that only the Zodiacs would take part and ordering them to begin preparations.

• Isaac Netero described the failed expedition, the calamity it brought back, and his request that the Zodiacs explore the Dark Continent before his son.
• The Zodiacs recognized Netero’s repeated claim that his request was not an order as an obvious attempt to compel them.
• Botobai questioned Beans about whether Netero had left any other final words, and Leo reassured him that there were none.
• Leo agreed to the operation and said the Zodiacs would bear the risks without involving other Association members.
• Leo told the Zodiacs to prepare plans and budgets for review by Mizai Istom and Beans before they reached him.

At the Zodiacs’ meeting, Leo learned Ging had resigned and the members debated whether to hunt Beyond and how to fill the vacancy. Beyond arrived at Hunter Association headquarters and turned himself in, then confidently predicted that the V5 would release him and the Zodiacs would go to the Dark Continent with him.

• Leo told the Zodiacs that Ging had resigned, and Sophia opposed hunting Beyond because she did not want to kill Netero’s son.
• The Zodiacs discussed filling Ging’s vacancy, and Leo hinted that he had a strong female candidate in mind.
• Beans announced that Beyond Netero was waiting in the lobby, where Beyond asked the Zodiacs to tell the V5 that he had been captured.
• Mizai Istom handcuffed Beyond in a secure interrogation room while the Zodiacs watched through one-way glass.
• Beyond predicted that the V5 would release him and the Zodiacs would join him on the Dark Continent, then hinted that events behind the scenes would change Mizai Istom’s expectations.

Leo told Netero that Beyond had emerged, and Netero accepted his son’s decision to pursue his dream despite the danger. Leo then reviewed his covert operations in the Kakin Empire and considered the approaching Black Whale voyage and a vacant Zodiac seat.

• Leo told Netero that Beyond had come out, and Netero said to let him go because he had chosen his path and was prepared to die.
• Leo promised he would spare Beyond’s life as long as Beyond did not provoke him.
• Vivian reported that Leo had sent five teams totaling one hundred people into the Kakin Empire, where they were posing as adventurers or infiltrating gangs to gather intelligence.
• Leo ordered the teams to prioritize their safety, act cautiously, and avoid intervening unless necessary.
• Leo studied the Kakin map and the Black Whale’s planned departure date, then considered placing a teleportation medium aboard and contacting someone about the vacant Zodiac seat.

Leo invited Biscuit to join the Zodiacs, and she agreed to arrive at Colton Manor in five days after realizing Netero was still alive. Four days later, Vivian told Leo that Guganyu’s fourth prince had threatened the Remy and Colton families unless Leo spoke with him, and Leo ordered her to connect the call.

• Leo called Biscuit and invited her to fill the Zodiac position left vacant by Ging; she agreed to come in five days.
• Biscuit revealed that she had figured out Netero was alive, and Netero said V5 only needed an official statement about his death.
• Leo ordered the butler to prepare a reception banquet for Biscuit’s arrival.
• Vivian summoned Leo and reported that Guganyu’s fourth prince had demanded to speak with him, threatening the Remy Family’s position among the Ten Dons and a major blow to the Colton Family.
• Leo dismissed Vivian’s concerns and told her to connect the call from the prince.

Leo spoke with Rhine Lancelot, the Fourth Prince of the Guganyu Kingdom, who invited him to the kingdom’s Autumn Hunt and hinted that the event would be unusually dangerous. Leo refused to join Rhine’s faction and asked Vivian to research the hunt, leaving the prince’s plans unresolved.

• Vivian connected Leo to Rhine Lancelot, who introduced himself as the Fourth Prince and revealed how thoroughly he had investigated Leo.
• Rhine said he knew Leo was plotting against the underground forces and claimed to admire him.
• Rhine invited Leo to the Autumn Hunt in three months and said this year’s event would be unlike the previous ones.
• Leo rejected Rhine’s invitation and said he would not become a prince’s chess piece.
• After Rhine ended the call, Leo asked Vivian to research the Autumn Hunt and its past participants and incidents.

Leo considered the Fourth Prince’s warning about the autumn hunt, then rejected the Guganyu Kingdom’s Eldest Prince Vance Lancelot’s offer to serve him. Vance revealed that the hunt would take place in the Demon Realm and vowed to meet Leo there, while privately declaring his claim to the throne.

• Leo told Vivian to keep Remy out of sight because the Fourth Prince had drawn attention to their connection.
• A tall man delivered a satellite phone to Vivian outside Colton Manor, and Leo answered when it began ringing.
• Vance Lancelot demanded that Leo name his price to serve him in the autumn hunt, but Leo refused and warned him not to bother him.
• Vance told Leo that the autumn hunt would take place in the Demon Realm, and Leo again refused to work with him, calling the princes too weak to affect him.
• Vance said he would wait for Leo in the Demon Realm, and Leo ended the call and told Vivian to dispose of the phone.
• Back in the royal capital, Vance declared that the throne belonged to him alone.

Vance Lancelot learned that the Fourth Prince Rhine had contacted Leo, chairman of the Hunter Association, but dismissed it as a possible trick and returned to training. News of the princes’ movements spread through secret channels to the other princes.

• Vance sparred intensely in the First Prince’s estate when his butler brought news from Rhine’s side.
• The butler told Vance that Rhine had contacted Leo through Remy, one of the Ten Dons.
• Vance ordered the butler to arrange contact with Leo, then dismissed the idea that Rhine’s meeting mattered.
• Vance ordered the informant near Rhine to be withdrawn, rejected the butler’s warning, and resumed sparring.
• News of Vance’s movements traveled through secret channels and reached the other princes.

Rhine Lancelot planned to use Leo as the center of an entertaining trap and draw his brothers into the scheme. Julian Lancelot learned of Rhine’s contact with Leo and ordered an investigation while keeping his distance.

• Rhine Lancelot told Doss that a cornered beast might enter a trap if it saw no other path.
• Rhine revealed that he wanted to test Leo’s strength and watch how he reacted to a hopeless situation.
• Rhine explained that he had leaked news of contacting Leo to gauge his brothers and potentially draw them into conflict.
• A female official reported to Julian Lancelot that Rhine and the eldest prince had contacted Leo.
• Julian ordered his official to prioritize investigating Rhine, monitor him, and avoid getting too close.

Edward Lancelot dismissed news of Rhine’s contact with the Hunter Association chairman and focused on the coming Autumn Hunt. On the fifth morning, Biscuit arrived at Netero’s estate, where their teasing turned tense after Netero called her old and Leo laughed at her protest.

• An attendant told Edward Lancelot that Rhine had contacted the newly appointed chairman of the Hunter Association, and Edward angrily ordered his subordinates to stop bringing him such news.
• Edward declared that he would prove himself at the Autumn Hunt and warned that no one should stand in his way.
• Biscuit arrived at the estate, and Leo welcomed her and led her inside to meet Netero.
• Biscuit teased Netero for hiding away and enjoying tea while others held his funeral, and Netero suggested that she retire at fifty-eight.
• Biscuit angrily insisted that she was still young, and Leo snorted with laughter, drawing her dangerous glare.

After Biscuit agreed to join the Zodiacs and stay at Colton Manor for a few days, Leo reviewed intelligence on the Guganyu Kingdom’s Autumn Hunt. He learned the competition was open to the world and its winner could make a request of the king, leaving him to consider whether to enter despite the dangers.

• Biscuit hit Leo for laughing at her, then agreed to join the Zodiacs and remain at Colton Manor to rest.
• Vivian delivered the documents Leo had requested about the Guganyu Kingdom and its upcoming Autumn Hunt.
• Leo learned that the kingdom’s royal succession involved four eligible princes and that the secretive hunt had a high death rate.
• Leo discovered that the king had opened this year’s Autumn Hunt to anyone who qualified and promised its winner one request within his power.
• Leo connected Rhine and Vance’s invitations to the hunt and considered entering to gain the king’s favor, while recognizing that winning would be dangerous.

Leo reviewed the succession contenders and focused on reaching level 100 before the Autumn Hunt, while the V5 discussed drawing Kakin into a new V6 to contain its planned crossing. The V5 approved the proposal and intended to use the Hunter Association and Beyond to negotiate with Kakin.

• Leo asked Vivian to compile basic intelligence on the princes with succession rights and considered the need to raise his level before the Autumn Hunt.
• Vivian delivered the princes' files the next morning, and Leo read them before leaving his room.
• Welles told the V5 conference that conventional measures to restrain Kakin were limited and proposed bringing it into a rebuilt V6.
• Welles proposed that the other five nations support Kakin's crossing in exchange for an agreement to divide the gains equally, with the Hunter Association monitoring Kakin through Beyond.
• The V5 officials signed the final opinion document, approving the proposal.

After reaching level 100, Leo tested his durability against Netero’s 100-Type Guanyin Bodhisattva and found that its attacks could not hurt him, though he still could not react to them. He then traveled to the Guganyu Kingdom for the celebration before the Autumn Hunt, while the Hunter Association prepared for Beyond’s Dark Continent expedition.

• Leo reached level 100 and asked Netero to strike him with the 100-Type Guanyin Bodhisattva.
• Netero’s attacks failed to injure Leo, but Leo admitted he could not keep up with their speed.
• Biscuit left to work with Mizai Istom and others, while the Hunter Association negotiated terms for monitoring Beyond’s expedition.
• Mizai Istom and Cheadle organized expedition plans and changes to the next Hunter Exam, with Leo leaving most administrative decisions to them.
• Leo flew to the Guganyu Kingdom on Little Azure and walked through the crowded celebration before the Autumn Hunt.

Leo enjoyed the first night of the Autumn Hunt celebration while Little Azure ate a sugar painting, and the princes learned he had arrived in the capital. The princes planned to approach him or focus on the coming hunt, as King Kane Lancelot quietly received reports of their movements.

• Leo walked through the crowded celebration with Little Azure in his pocket and bought it a sugar painting shaped like a bunny.
• A subordinate told First Prince Vance that Leo had arrived, and Vance decided to summon him at the ceremony the following evening.
• Doss reported Leo’s arrival to Fourth Prince Rhine, who chose to approach him at the ceremony rather than invite him over immediately.
• Third Prince Julian and Fifth Prince Edward dismissed the news and prepared to cooperate in the Autumn Hunt.
• Leo sensed watchers following him through the streets but continued walking without concern.
• King Kane Lancelot heard a report on the princes’ movements, then watched the fireworks in silence.

Leo attended the Guganyu Kingdom's Autumn Hunt ceremony while keeping his appearance altered to avoid recognition. King Kane Lancelot welcomed the guests and introduced the princes, and Rhine briefly looked toward Leo from the stage.

• Leo changed his facial features slightly before entering the ceremony and found a quiet corner to observe the guests and eat.
• Kane Lancelot entered with the ceremonial guard and welcomed the guests, explaining the Autumn Hunt's tradition, expanded participation, rules, and rewards.
• First Prince Vance, Third Prince Julian, Fourth Prince Rhine, Fifth Prince Edward, and two younger princes took their places onstage.
• Rhine briefly glanced toward Leo while acknowledging the crowd, as Leo continued eating and drinking in the corner.

After the ceremony, Rhine invited Leo to a private room and proposed cooperating in the dangerous Autumn Hunt. Rhine also made clear that if Leo refused, he hoped Leo would not ally with another prince, and he offered Leo a gift.

• Rhine spotted Leo in the hall and sent a subordinate to invite him to a private room.
• Leo finished his pudding and followed Rhine's messenger away from the ceremony hall.
• Rhine asked Leo to cooperate in the Autumn Hunt, explaining that it would take place in an unusual Demon Realm with rules announced the next day.
• Rhine warned Leo that if they did not cooperate, he hoped they would not face each other or see Leo join another prince.
• Rhine had Doss bring in a velvet-covered gift box and offered it to Leo as a token of regard.

Rhine tried to win Leo over with a powerful VIP card and a rare gemstone, then Vance summoned Leo and offered him twice whatever Rhine had promised. Leo rejected both princes’ offers, and Vance decided to wait until the Autumn Hunt before making a move against him.

• Rhine gave Leo a rare gemstone and a royal VIP card, apologized for Vance’s behavior, and let him leave.
• Vance learned that Leo had met with Rhine and arranged to speak with Leo alone.
• A military officer brought Leo to Vance, who threatened him and offered him twice what Rhine had offered in exchange for joining him.
• Leo refused to side with either prince and left the chamber.
• Vance refused his subordinate’s suggestion to kill Leo immediately and ordered him to wait until the Autumn Hunt.

Leo arrived at the Autumn Hunt grounds and watched the crowd gather, including several familiar Hunters and an unexpected white-haired boy. The princes reached the stage as the ceremony prepared to begin.

• Leo traveled from the city to the Autumn Hunt grounds and chose a guarded spot beside metal crates.
• As hundreds of participants arrived, Leo spotted Hanzo, Ponzu, Illumi, Hisoka, Tonpa, Gon, Killua, and Leorio in the crowd.
• A white-haired boy arrived, briefly looked toward Leo, and then joined the crowd.
• Vance, Julian, Rhine, and Edward arrived with royal guards and gathered before the stage.
• Leo watched as the participants turned toward the stage and the master of ceremonies tested the microphone.