Moving Camp to the Lakeshore, Half a Month of Growing Stronger

The next morning, the team set out.

Their destination was Giant Crocodile Lake.

Gon and Killua led the way. Along the route, they dealt with three more ordinary level-five Kaira Giant Crocodiles and dragged them behind on vines.

Crocodile meat was too good to waste.

Saitama walked in the middle, chewing on leftover crocodile jerky from the day before, looking thoroughly content.

Kurapika and Leorio brought up the rear, stopping now and then to examine plants and rocks along the way.

Genos guarded the back, scanning their surroundings and recording data throughout the journey.

They traveled in fits and starts, taking most of the day to return to Giant Crocodile Lake.

The lakeshore was quiet.

After yesterday's battle, the remaining ordinary Kaira Giant Crocodiles had hidden deep beneath the lake, too frightened to come ashore.

Only heaps of white bones and the Crocodile King's enormous corpse remained on the bank.

Gon circled the lake and confirmed there were no other threats.

"It's safe," he reported when he returned. "There are still a dozen or so ordinary crocodiles in the lake, but they don't dare come ashore. We should be fine."

Beyond nodded.

He had arrived that afternoon with the main force.

Lorne followed behind him, holding a stack of plans. He had already designed the entire layout of the new camp.

"Build it according to this plan." Beyond pointed to a stretch of high ground by the lake. "It's elevated, has a clear view, and sits close to the water without risking a flood."

"Understood." Lorne immediately accepted the order and turned to assign the work.

The new camp went up faster than expected.

The Expedition Team members were veterans, and they worked with practiced efficiency.

They marked out the defensive zone, food-processing area, medical and recovery area, and archaeological