At the border of the East Gorteau Republic.
The night was as dark as a slab of undiluted ink.
Towering barbed-wire fences and searchlights.
Sealed the country up like an airtight iron drum.
Every fifty meters.
A squad of fully armed soldiers patrolled.
But that was not the deadliest part.
What truly drove people to despair.
Were the Chimera Ants lurking in the shadows.
They had bizarrely shaped limbs.
And the keen senses of smell and hearing of wild beasts.
Anyone who tried to force their way across the border.
Would be torn to pieces on the spot.
The extermination team hid in the bushes outside the border.
Under cover of darkness.
They watched for movement ahead.
Gon clenched his fists.
And lowered his voice.
"The defenses are too tight."
"If we force our way through."
"We'll definitely tip them off."
Killua's gaze was icy.
His fingers rubbed together unconsciously.
"Those ants have sharp senses."
"There are even burrowing Soldier Ants patrolling underground."
"Ordinary infiltration methods won't work at all."
Morel took the pipe from his mouth.
And exhaled a barely visible wisp of smoke.
"A head-on fight would be the stupidest approach."
"Our objective is to cut off their leadership."
"Until we reach the palace."
"We absolutely cannot expose our movements."
Morel turned to Knov.
"You're up."
Knov adjusted the reflective glasses on his nose.
His expression was serious and meticulous.
"Don't worry."
"When it comes to covert infiltration."
"No one's ability is better suited than mine."
Knov walked behind an enormous dead tree.
After making sure the surroundings were safe.
He held out both hands.
Highly concentrated Nen aura gathered in his palms.
He rapidly traced a quadrilateral in midair.
"Hide and Seek."
As Knov's low voice rang out.
Ripples spread through the air like waves across water.