Meruem looked at him. "You lost."
"Not even close," Netero said.
Meruem fell silent for a few seconds. "Next time, I'll take your head."
Their battle began again.
Ponzu leaned closer and asked quietly, "Can the chairman... win?"
Odin shook his head. "Not a chance."
He was debating whether to save Netero.
Although Netero was supposed to die in the original story, and Beyond was supposed to launch the expedition to the Dark Continent.
More importantly, Netero himself wanted to die.
But honestly, Odin didn't really want Netero to die just like that.
After thinking it over, Odin decided to ask Netero.
"I have ways to extend your lifespan and make you stronger. I'll also be heading to the Dark Continent to face stronger beings. Are you interested in joining me?" Odin concentrated his voice into a narrow stream and sent it to Netero's ear.
The sudden voice didn't interrupt Netero's movements at all. His battle with Meruem remained fierce.
But Netero could also tell that he was gradually falling behind Meruem's pace. Meruem was growing stronger far too quickly.
He had originally planned to die here and let Meruem fall at Odin's hands afterward.
But-
Odin's words made him hesitate.
Not because of the longer lifespan, but because of the means to grow stronger, and because Odin intended to face stronger beings on the Dark Continent.
That was what Netero wanted.
If it were merely a way to extend his lifespan, he already knew of one. With a little effort, he could obtain that rice. He also knew of ways to regain his youth.
Yet Netero had never sought them out, which showed that those weren't what he wanted.
He wanted evenly matched opponents and a path to greater strength.
Not to reach his peak and then only be