Recaps

Qiao Lun and Kite concluded that the Chimera Ant King and Royal Guards would leave NGL, so they withdrew with Gon and the others while awaiting help from the Hunter Association. Before leaving, Qiao Lun burned the Bira tree plantation to send smoke toward the ant nest, then began planning to subjugate Tiger Funeral.

• Qiao Lun suggested bombing the ant nest, but Kite explained that NGL’s restrictions made heavy weapons difficult to obtain and predicted the Chimera Ants would leave after the King was born.
• Qiao Lun and Kite agreed to leave NGL and meet up with Gon, Killua, and the others, while Kite said he had already contacted the Hunter Association for help.
• Qiao Lun flew to the narcotics organization’s base, where Gon, Killua, and the others had cleared out the Chimera Ants and gathered evidence and drugs.
• Gon asked whether they would deal with the Bira trees, and Qiao Lun set the plantation on fire so smoke would blow toward the ant nest.
• Qiao Lun carried everyone toward the NGL border and, exhausted, began planning to subjugate his ninth Shikigami, Tiger Funeral.

After Qiao Lun left NGL, the Chimera Ants evacuated their nest as poisonous smoke spread toward them. The Queen and Royal Guards escaped, but the smoke incapacitated many ants left behind.

• Youpi returned to his humanoid form and examined the scar Qiao Lun had left on his chest, hoping for a rematch.
• Neferpitou found the Queen unharmed and used a healing Nen Beast to treat Colt after Shaiapouf moved the Queen out of his protective wings.
• Shaiapouf detected the approaching smoke and directed the Royal Guards to relocate east with the Queen and the other ants.
• The poisonous smoke overwhelmed Chimera Ants who fell behind, leaving them unable to move as pleasure took over their minds.
• Shaiapouf watched the ants succumb and realized the group had escaped the smoke only just in time.

As the Chimera Ants fled the poisonous smoke, several Squadron Leaders debated the Queen’s fate and whether to remain with the group. By the time the remaining ants crossed the border, their force had dwindled to fewer than a hundred, while the Royal Guards focused on Meruem’s imminent birth.

• Leol, Gido, and Shacan discussed the Queen’s prospects and their own plans as the Chimera Ants moved away from the smoke.
• Shacan left the group to seek a place where she could become a queen herself.
• Meleoron stopped Peggy from confronting the departing Chimera Ants, and the two continued east with the main force.
• Leol rejoined the main force, intending to take advantage of the situation, while Gido chose to follow Meruem.
• More Squadron Leaders and Soldier Ants broke away before the group crossed the border with fewer than a hundred ants remaining.

Meruem emerged from the Chimera Ant Queen, killed Peggy, and ordered his subordinates to find and produce the rare food he craved. As the colony split apart and the Queen lay dying, Meleoron set out after Meruem to avenge Peggy.

• Meruem tore open the Chimera Ant Queen's abdomen, emerged, and ordered the Chimera Ants to prepare food.
• Neferpitou killed a Squadron Leader who approached, and Meruem killed Peggy when Peggy stepped forward to attend to the Queen.
• Meruem rejected Shaiapouf's meatballs and ordered Neferpitou to find the rare food he had tasted inside the Queen.
• Shaiapouf proposed establishing a place to produce premium food, and Meruem approved the plan and agreed to relocate.
• Meruem and his party left as the Chimera Ant colony broke apart, with Leol and Gido heading east after him.
• Meleoron picked up Peggy's corpse and set out after Meruem to avenge Peggy.

After poison smoke drove the Chimera Ants from NGL, Qiao Lun and Kite anticipated that the survivors would move toward East Gorteau, where the ants could seize control with little outside interference. Two days later, Netero arrived with Knov and Morel as the Chimera Ant force continued through Rocario.

• Ponzu's bees reported that poison smoke had forced the Chimera Ants to abandon their nest and head east, while Max Elephant had crushed the ants affected by the smoke.
• Kite predicted that the Chimera Ants would ultimately seek East Gorteau, and Qiao Lun recognized that its isolationist dictatorship would make it easy for Meruem to take control.
• Kite said the Hunter Association would handle the Squadron Leader-level ants, allowing Qiao Lun to focus on subjugating Tiger Funeral and monitor the Queen, the Royal Guards, and Meruem's impending birth.
• Over the next two days, Ponzu's bees lost track of the main Chimera Ant force after it entered Rocario, though no major incident was reported.
• Netero arrived at the Great Banyan Tree with Knov and Morel, and Knov and Morel focused their attention on Qiao Lun and Kite.

Qiao Lun, Kite, Netero, and the others assessed the Chimera Ants’ movement out of NGL and decided to intercept them near East Gorteau. Netero and his team went ahead, while Qiao Lun’s group planned to meet Morel and Knov’s disciples before traveling onward.

• Qiao Lun met Netero and judged that he would have little chance of defeating the chairman without summoning a Shikigami.
• Kite explained that the Chimera Ants had moved east through the Rocario mountains and would likely continue to East Gorteau.
• Netero, Knov, and the others agreed to leave most of the remaining NGL investigation to the Hunter Association and other organizations.
• Qiao Lun said the illegal organizations and Bira trees in NGL had been dealt with, and admitted that he had contained the fires after the trees burned.
• Qiao Lun confirmed that Gon, Killua, Pokkle, and Ponzu would join the mission as a trial, and Netero told them to rendezvous with Morel and Knov’s disciples in the nearest city.

Qiao Lun waited with the others while Chimera Ants began appearing across the Mitene Union, then went alone to subjugate Tiger Funeral near NGL. He used Max Elephant, Piercing Ox, and Water Manipulation Technique against the Shikigami, leaving Max Elephant poised to crush it.

• Qiao Lun and the others met Palm at a villa, where Knuckle and Shoot later joined them and everyone spent their days sparring.
• News reports described the lion Chimera Ant eating a reporter on camera and the leopard Chimera Ant killing people, while Hunters and the military fought the escaped ants.
• Qiao Lun concluded that the Ant King had likely been born and decided to subjugate Tiger Funeral.
• Qiao Lun began the ritual by merging Max Elephant into his body and summoning Piercing Ox to charge Tiger Funeral.
• Tiger Funeral avoided Piercing Ox at first, but Qiao Lun blasted it with Water Manipulation Technique and knocked it into Piercing Ox's horns.
• Tiger Funeral halted Piercing Ox by tearing at its hide, but Qiao Lun appeared above it as Max Elephant emerged from his body and crashed down.

Qiao Lun tamed Tiger Funeral and experimented with Cursed Technique Reversal, discovering that it changed how his Divine Dogs emerged and functioned. He then set off with his companions for East Gorteau, still considering how to grow strong enough to tame Mahoraga.

• Max Elephant knocked Tiger Funeral unconscious, allowing Qiao Lun to complete its taming.
• Qiao Lun concluded that his shikigami alone were unlikely to tame Mahoraga and considered fusing them, but doubted he could afford the cursed energy required.
• Qiao Lun experimented with Cursed Technique Reversal and summoned Divine Dogs from a radiant light, sensing that they had become sturdier and better suited to defense and healing.
• Palm told Qiao Lun that the chairman and the others were waiting in East Gorteau, and the group packed up and departed.
• On the train, Qiao Lun told Kite he was thinking about his abilities rather than worrying about the Chimera Ants.
• Kite said he wanted to fight Neferpitou but doubted he could defeat them alone.

On the train to West Gorteau, Qiao Lun and Kite discussed their intended opponents in the coming Chimera Ant battle and the possibility of visiting the Dark Continent. The chapter ended with the Royal Guards securing the palace while Meruem waited impatiently for a human opponent to make a move.

• Kite judged Neferpitou to be immensely powerful but believed he, Qiao Lun, Morel, and Knov could win with a sound plan.
• Qiao Lun chose Youpi as his opponent and considered how to use Knuckle against Shaiapouf while keeping Mahoraga in reserve.
• Qiao Lun and Kite discussed the Dark Continent, and Kite said he would like to study its enormous creatures if an opportunity arose.
• Qiao Lun and Kite traveled toward West Gorteau, where they planned to meet Knov and his companion before infiltrating East Gorteau.
• Neferpitou guarded the palace with En, Youpi watched the stairs to Meruem's floor, and Meruem waited as a human man struggled to make his move in a game.

Qiao Lun and the Hunters planned their infiltration of East Gorteau after learning the capital had fallen under Chimera Ant control. When Knov agreed to let Qiao Lun take Palm toward the palace instead of sending her in alone, Palm glared resentfully at Qiao Lun.

• Knov told Qiao Lun, Morel, and the others that East Gorteau's capital had fallen and its supreme leader was being controlled, while civilians were being sent there.
• Knov divided the Hunters into pairs for the infiltration, assigning Qiao Lun and Kite to take Ponzu and Pokkle, respectively, and pairing Gon with Killua and Knuckle with Shoot.
• Knov said Palm had a separate assignment, and Qiao Lun deduced that Knov intended to send her alone into the palace.
• Qiao Lun warned that sending Palm into the palace would expose her to danger and offered to take her there himself and bring her back safely.
• Knov agreed to try Qiao Lun's plan, and Palm glared resentfully at Qiao Lun.

Qiao Lun reorganized the teams for the palace infiltration, warned Knov and Morel about the Royal Guards, and took Palm and Pokkle toward East Gorteau. On the journey, Pokkle explained his Seven-Colored Bow and Arrows ability and why he had not developed Manipulation.

• Knov accepted Qiao Lun’s suggestion to keep Palm from infiltrating the palace alone, and Qiao Lun chose Pokkle to accompany him instead of Ponzu.
• Qiao Lun warned Knov and Morel to conserve their strength for the Three Royal Guards and summoned Rabbit Escape to help protect them during infiltration.
• Qiao Lun left with Pokkle and Palm for East Gorteau, while Knov, Morel, Kite, and Ponzu continued toward West Gorteau.
• Qiao Lun summoned the Divine Dogs, and Pokkle and Palm rode the Black Divine Dogs while Qiao Lun rode the White one.
• Pokkle asked why Qiao Lun had chosen him, and Qiao Lun explained that Pokkle’s ability could prove useful and that Palm made Ponzu’s reconnaissance unnecessary.
• Pokkle described the Red, Orange, Yellow, and Green bows, then told Qiao Lun that he had focused on Transmutation rather than developing Manipulation.

Qiao Lun, Pokkle, and Palm crossed into East Gorteau, where Qiao Lun deliberately drew pursuing Chimera Ants into battle while assessing their abilities. After discovering a deserted village used for the Chimera Ants’ army selection, Qiao Lun decided to rest and sent the Great Serpent and Divine Dogs to attack their pursuers.

• Qiao Lun shared basic Nen applications with Pokkle, then led him and Palm across the border on the Divine Dogs.
• Pokkle attacked the pursuing Chimera Ants with arrows while the Divine Dogs tore through those in their path, and Qiao Lun held back to watch for unusual abilities.
• Qiao Lun explained that Chimera Ants had divided into different groups after the Queen’s death, with many followers of strength now serving Meruem in East Gorteau.
• Qiao Lun, Pokkle, and Palm found nearby villages deserted, and Qiao Lun identified the bloodied area as part of the Chimera Ants’ selection of an army.
• Qiao Lun confirmed that none of the pursuing Chimera Ants were special targets, then sent the Great Serpent and Divine Dogs after them as he prepared to rest and took out his phone.

Qiao Lun’s group advanced toward East Gorteau’s capital while Gon and Killua tried to protect villagers, drawing the attention of Knuckle and Shoot. In the capital, Neferpitou controlled dead puppets to fight intruders as the palace’s uneasy power dynamics continued and Leol prepared to return there with Xilin.

• Qiao Lun collected shadows from unconscious Chimera Ants while Pokkle killed them and accepted a shadow orb that temporarily increased his aura.
• Kite replied to Qiao Lun that he would not intervene in the villages because stopping Meruem was the key, while Gon and Killua separately tried to protect villagers and Knuckle and Shoot joined the response.
• Neferpitou used his new Puppet Master ability to control dead people and soldiers, and watched his puppets being destroyed by attackers.
• A blind woman entered the palace’s third floor to face Meruem, while Youpi guarded the King and Gido left the palace after failing to settle on a Nen Ability.
• Leol urged Xilin to follow him back to the palace, insisting that he was going there to help the King despite her warning that it was dangerous.

Netero prepared for a battle with the Chimera Ants while Qiao Lun avoided him and continued gathering Chimera Ant shadows with Pokkle and Palm. Morel and Knov reached the outskirts of the capital and prepared for the planned operation, with Knov waiting for Qiao Lun before infiltrating the Palace.

• Netero awakened his dormant Nen and readied himself for a satisfying battle against the Chimera Ants.
• Qiao Lun sensed extreme danger ahead, guessed Netero was nearby, and led Pokkle and Palm along another route.
• Qiao Lun continued collecting Chimera Ant shadows, whose number had passed a hundred, and considered whether he could gather enough to challenge Meruem.
• Morel and Knov arrived near the capital with help from an East Gorteau general who had secured Knov a route to safety after the regime fell.
• Knov received Netero's message setting the operation for midnight on the day before the rally, five days away.
• Morel and Knov discussed targeting the Royal Guards in the Palace, and Knov said he would wait for Qiao Lun before attempting to infiltrate without using [Zetsu].

Qiao Lun’s group encountered the fast Chimera Ant Gido, who attacked them while searching for prey. Qiao Lun trapped and killed him, taking his shadow, and the group continued with one fewer threat.

• While considering the Palace invasion and Meruem, Qiao Lun was alerted by the Divine Dogs to someone approaching at high speed.
• Gido charged at Qiao Lun, Pokkle, and Palm, intending to tear off their noses, but Toad restrained him with its tongue.
• Qiao Lun removed Gido’s shadow and stored it in his own shadow.
• Qiao Lun drew his saber from his shadow and stabbed Gido through the heart.
• After Gido died, Pokkle approached, and Qiao Lun explained that Gido’s speed came from his natural abilities and that he likely had not developed a Nen Ability.

Qiao Lun’s group neared East Gorteau’s capital while avoiding a procession of civilians controlled by Neferpitou’s Nen. Gon accepted Meleoron’s offer to work together, and Qiao Lun hurried to help Knuckle and Shoot as they were surrounded by Chimera Ants; meanwhile, Leol returned to the capital angry after Shaiapouf reprimanded him.

• Qiao Lun reassured Pokkle and Palm about Gido’s appearance, then led them toward the capital.
• Qiao Lun, Pokkle, and Palm saw soldiers and Nen Beasts forcing civilians toward the capital and skirted around the procession.
• Gon met Meleoron, who offered to help him fight Meruem, and Gon agreed.
• Knuckle and Shoot were surrounded by a large group of Chimera Ants, so Knuckle messaged Qiao Lun for help.
• Qiao Lun left Pokkle and Palm with the Divine Dogs and summoned a large creature to carry him to Knuckle and Shoot.
• Leol returned to the capital seething after Shaiapouf criticized his work.

Knov and Morel set a trap to eliminate Leol’s aerial scout, Flutter, and ambush Leol. Flutter was killed, but Leol survived the first blow and prepared to call in favors as Knov took the captured Xilin into Hide and Seek.

• Leol ordered Flutter to find and eliminate the unknown enemy while weighing a new strategy for earning favor.
• Knov spotted Flutter and planned a trap near the clock tower, coordinating with Morel from inside Hide and Seek.
• Knov ambushed Flutter at the clock tower and killed him by swallowing his head with his Nen ability.
• Morel attacked Leol, who countered with a roar that dispersed a smoke double before Morel struck him and sent him crashing into a building full of people.
• Leol rose injured and prepared to summon abilities from those who owed him favors, while Knov and Morel captured Xilin and took her into Hide and Seek.

Leol tried to negotiate with Morel while hoping to obtain his abilities, but Morel and Knov coordinated their attacks and killed him. Morel recognized that Leol had collected abilities from others, and the chapter ended with Leol dying before he could achieve his ambitions.

• Leol offered to help Morel, but Morel suspected he had an ulterior motive and attacked with smoke.
• Leol sprouted wings from his Rental Pod and tried to escape through the roof, but Morel's Smoky Soldiers knocked him back down.
• Knov reappeared and attacked Leol, but Leol's feathers struck a smoke decoy while Knov used Window Maker to sever one of his arms.
• Morel smashed Leol with a pipe, leaving him badly injured as Knov swept Window Maker through his chest and removed his heart.
• Morel concluded that Leol had obtained abilities from other people, and Leol died lamenting his unfulfilled ambitions.

Qiao Lun arrived just as Shoot was about to be killed by Kelo, a cautious Chimera Ant whose conjured axe could bite through shadows. After Qiao Lun destroyed the axe, seized Kelo’s shadow, and killed him, Great Serpent attacked the gathered Chimera Ants.

• Kelo revealed his conjured battle-axe and brought it down toward Shoot while Soldier Ants kept Shoot’s hands and Knuckle at bay.
• Qiao Lun arrived, blocked the axe with a shadow barrier, and struck Kelo with lightning.
• Kelo’s axe bit into the barrier, but Qiao Lun twisted the shadow until the axe shattered.
• Qiao Lun tore away Kelo’s shadow, and a sharp claw crushed Kelo’s head.
• Qiao Lun stored Kelo’s shadow as Great Serpent attacked the surrounding Chimera Ants, and Shoot breathed a sigh of relief.

Qiao Lun, Knov, and Morel planned to enter the Palace while post-mortem Nen spread across East Gorteau’s capital. Meleoron revealed his desire to help defeat Meruem, and Morel agreed to hear about his ability.

• Qiao Lun and the Divine Dogs sensed post-mortem Nen in the capital, and Morel explained that Leol’s ability had unleashed it across the city after his death.
• Qiao Lun proposed that Nen Beasts force their way into the Palace so Knov could set up a Portal, and Knov agreed.
• Gon arrived with Meleoron, who revealed that he remembered being human and wanted revenge on Meruem.
• Meleoron offered to reveal his ability so the group could decide whether to trust him, and Morel agreed to hear him out.

Qiao Lun’s group prepared to enter the Palace, while Neferpitou discovered a massive rabbit assault approaching and summoned Shaiapouf. The Palace’s defenses came under attack from Killua’s lightning and an enormous bird as Meruem emerged onto a balcony.

• Meleoron explained how Perfect Plan erased his presence and God's Accomplice extended the ability to companions, prompting Knov to welcome him into the Palace infiltration plan.
• Palm used her crystal ball to locate Killua and reported that he was safe and traveling with a Chimera Ant.
• Qiao Lun led the group toward the Palace, where Neferpitou sensed rabbits converging from every direction and feared they would disturb Meruem.
• Neferpitou contacted Shaiapouf, who flew out to confront the rabbits, but Killua struck him with lightning and Shaiapouf blocked it with scales.
• Neferpitou saw an enormous bird above the Palace as Meruem appeared on the third-floor balcony.

Qiao Lun invaded the Palace to confront Meruem, but ended up battling Neferpitou and Shaiapouf while trying to absorb Nue. He escaped after striking both Royal Guards, leaving Meruem interested in him and Neferpitou recognizing an old enemy.

• Meruem ordered the Royal Guards to capture Qiao Lun, and Neferpitou leaped toward him as Qiao Lun showed Palm the King from Nue’s back.
• Neferpitou battled Qiao Lun’s Shikigami in the air, while Qiao Lun used Toads to protect himself and bind her.
• Qiao Lun began absorbing Nue, gaining its lightning ability, and hurled a lightning spear through Shaiapouf while Neferpitou was wounded by an unseen attacker.
• Meruem struck Qiao Lun with a stone, but Qiao Lun escaped; Youpi intercepted the lightning spear aimed at Meruem.
• Doctor Blythe stopped Neferpitou’s fall and began healing her, while Shaiapouf reassembled; Neferpitou recognized her attacker as the white-haired fighter who had confronted her at the ant nest.

Knov and Meleoron infiltrated the Palace to plant Portals while Qiao Lun and Kite drew the Chimera Ants’ attention. They escaped after setting a Portal near the stairs, leaving Meruem intrigued by Qiao Lun and Shaiapouf shaken by his failure to capture him.

• Knov and Meleoron entered the Palace grounds under Meleoron's [God's Accomplice], and Meruem briefly noticed them before they slipped from his sight.
• Knov killed a horse-faced Chimera Ant with [Window Maker] before it could call for help, then continued deeper into the Palace with Meleoron.
• Knov placed a Portal at the foot of the stairs but abandoned the attempt to go higher when Meleoron struggled to hold his breath under the pressure of the Palace's malice.
• Knov and Meleoron escaped through [Hide and Seek] and reunited with Kite as Qiao Lun retreated; the three vanished just before Youpi reached the rooftop.
• Meruem forgave Neferpitou and Shaiapouf, expressed interest in Qiao Lun, and returned to play board games with Komugi.
• Shaiapouf stabbed himself in despair over his failure, while Neferpitou vowed to turn Qiao Lun and Kite into his toys.

Qiao Lun and Kite escaped the Palace, while Palm began monitoring Meruem and the hunters prepared for the coming operation. As civilians gathered outside the Palace, Killua returned with Ikalgo, who revealed that NGL ruler Zaiyilo might also have become a Chimera Ant.

• Qiao Lun reunited with Knov and Kite after escaping the Palace, carrying Palm, whose injuries and shock had been treated.
• Palm used her crystal ball to watch Meruem playing Gungi with Komugi, and Knov tasked her with monitoring him.
• Qiao Lun told the group that the operation would begin the next morning, while Neferpitou and Shaiapouf increased surveillance inside the Palace.
• Bizeff watched as the Chimera Ants took away the women he had hidden, while Welfin schemed to replace him and use Ramotto to eliminate him.
• Civilians began gathering outside the Palace, and Qiao Lun and the others conserved their strength rather than trying to stop them.
• Killua returned with Ikalgo, who told the group that his former superior, Zaiyilo, might have become a Chimera Ant.

As the Chimera Ants began selecting civilians for death, Qiao Lun sent Gon, Killua, Ponzu, Pokkle, and Ikalgo to destroy Neferpitou’s controlled puppets while the Extermination Team prepared its Palace raid. With the countdown nearly over, Netero and Zeno Zoldyck arrived above the Palace on a Nen Dragon as Neferpitou sensed an approaching enemy.

• Qiao Lun and Knov watched Shaiapouf hypnotize the gathered civilians while Neferpitou’s controlled soldiers began killing them as part of the selection.
• Qiao Lun assigned Gon, Killua, Ponzu, Pokkle, and Ikalgo to destroy the controlled puppets, and the group’s attacks drew Chimera Ants away from the Palace.
• The team finalized its raid assignments: Morel, Knuckle, and Meleoron targeted Shaiapouf; Knov, Shoot, and Kite targeted Neferpitou; Qiao Lun targeted Youpi; and Netero would face Meruem.
• Palm reported her observations of Meruem and Komugi to Knov while the team made its final preparations inside [Hide and Seek].
• As Morel counted down to the raid, Netero and Zeno Zoldyck arrived above the Palace on a Nen Dragon, and Neferpitou sensed the approaching enemy.