Recaps

Qiao Lun and the Extermination Team invaded the Palace while Netero’s Dragon Dive forced the Royal Guards to react. Qiao Lun pulled Youpi outside and began fighting him, while Neferpitou raced back to Meruem and was met by Kite’s gunfire.

• Netero struck Neferpitou out of the air as the Extermination Team emerged from [Hide and Seek] and entered the Palace.
• Qiao Lun used his speed to carry Youpi out of the Palace, letting Morel, Knuckle, and Meleoron head upstairs while Kite, Knov, and Shoot moved outside.
• Neferpitou stopped his fall with [Doctor Blythe], sensed threats converging on Meruem, and raced back toward the Palace.
• Qiao Lun fought Youpi outside, summoned Nue to block Youpi’s enormous fist, and tore Youpi’s shadow from the ground.
• Neferpitou rushed toward Meruem, but Kite’s gunshot struck him and briefly made him stumble.

The king left the Palace with Netero and Zeno, entrusting Komugi to Neferpitou while Silva stopped Shaiapouf from pursuing them. Trapped by Morel’s smoke and Knuckle’s Potclean, Shaiapouf tried to escape, unknowingly hastening the ability’s countdown toward forcing him into Zetsu.

• Kite’s failed surprise attack showed that Neferpitou had grown stronger, so Knov ordered the team back into the Palace as the king returned to the hall where Netero and Zeno waited.
• The king told Komugi to wait and instructed Neferpitou to protect her, then agreed to leave with Netero and Zeno so they could fight elsewhere.
• Zeno carried the king away on Dragon Head Sketch, while Silva struck Shaiapouf into a crater to stop him from pursuing them.
• Neferpitou stayed beside Komugi, recognizing that the king had entrusted her protection to him because she had become the king’s weakness.
• Trapped in Morel’s smoke, Shaiapouf formed a cocoon and sent tiny clones searching for a way out, unaware that Knuckle’s Potclean was counting up on his main body.
• Knuckle and Meleoron’s abilities had allowed Potclean to attach unnoticed, and Shaiapouf’s splitting increased the danger of the counter forcing him into Zetsu.

Shaiapouf deduced how Knuckle’s interest ability worked and tried to escape Morel’s smoke while searching for Xilin, but the hunters anticipated his tactics and captured one of his clones. Meanwhile, Qiao Lun used Shadow Curtain to disrupt Youpi’s shoulder, leaving Youpi unable to touch it as Qiao Lun closed in again.

• Shaiapouf calculated that his remaining aura gave him about nine minutes before bankruptcy and sent clones to locate Xilin and attack the hidden Morel.
• Morel filled the smoke with emotion-bearing rabbits and sealed his face with a Protective Mask while Knuckle and Meleoron stalled for time.
• Shoot captured a bee-sized Shaiapouf clone on the third floor, where Neferpitou explained that the King had ordered him to protect Komugi.
• Shaiapouf learned the King’s direction from Neferpitou and sent many clones flying off the third floor without drawing Kite, Shoot, or Knov into pursuit.
• Qiao Lun dodged Youpi’s blasts, covered the swelling shoulder-face with Shadow Curtain, and made Youpi’s hand sink into the shadow as he reached for it again.

Qiao Lun continued fighting Youpi, using his shadow abilities and summoned beasts to exploit Youpi’s exhaustion. After merging with Tiger Funeral, he entered close combat with Youpi, and the chapter ended with both fighters wounded as Qiao Lun struck for Youpi’s heart.

• Qiao Lun twisted the Shadow Curtain to tear off one of Youpi’s arms, then used his wings to escape the ground Youpi had made explode beneath him.
• Youpi braced the Shadow Curtain with transformed arms, but Qiao Lun summoned Tiger Funeral from the shadows, and the tiger tore into Youpi before being blasted into the ground.
• Youpi spotted Shaiapouf and tried to approach him, but Nue’s lightning destroyed Shaiapouf’s clone before he could reach Youpi.
• Qiao Lun merged with Tiger Funeral and charged Youpi in close combat, tearing off one of his wings as they fell to the ground.
• Youpi aimed his gun-like arm at Qiao Lun, but Qiao Lun severed it; the stored attack blasted away part of Qiao Lun’s shoulder as he thrust his claws toward Youpi’s heart.

Qiao Lun defeated Youpi with his superior healing and drove him to unleash a life-consuming explosion that left no trace of him. Qiao Lun headed deeper into the Palace to find Neferpitou while Shaiapouf remained trapped, and Welfin and Bizeff fled through an underground passage as the battle shook the Palace.

• Qiao Lun repeatedly wounded Youpi, healed through his blasts, and overwhelmed him until Youpi detonated himself in a final attack that left a crater behind the Palace.
• Qiao Lun sensed no trace of Youpi, then chose to enter the Palace and search for Neferpitou while Shaiapouf split into tiny doubles to track him.
• Shaiapouf remained trapped in Morel's smoke as Knuckle's Potclean continued calculating interest, and he realized the intruders were clearing the Palace's remaining Chimera Ants.
• Palm watched Meruem and located Shaiapouf while Gon, Killua, Ikalgo, Pokkle, Ponzu, and the Divine Dogs guarded the area around the Main Hall.
• Welfin and Bizeff drove through an underground passage, trying to escape the Palace and East Gorteau as the battle's destruction made them fear for their lives.

Shaiapouf attacked Komugi and the escaping Bizeff and Welfin, driving Neferpitou into battle while Qiao Lun tried to seize an opening. As Komugi neared death, Qiao Lun used Round Deer’s positive energy to heal her, leaving Neferpitou to realize that she was recovering faster than Doctor Blythe could treat her.

• Shaiapouf’s clones infiltrated Bizeff and Welfin, killing them after Welfin’s Missile Man destroyed only one clone.
• Gon and Killua found the crashed car and recognized that Shaiapouf had gone berserk.
• Komugi spat blood after Shaiapouf damaged her from within, and Neferpitou attacked when Shoot moved his hand.
• Qiao Lun threatened Neferpitou’s tail, forcing Neferpitou to defend it while trying to reach Komugi.
• Shaiapouf scattered his clones toward the second floor after finishing his attack on Komugi’s organs.
• Qiao Lun sent Round Deer’s positive energy into Komugi, rapidly restoring her vitality and healing her organs.

Qiao Lun kept Komugi alive, helped Morel and Knuckle eliminate Shaiapouf, and learned that Netero might be losing to Meruem. Qiao Lun left with Morel and Knov to reinforce Netero, while Neferpitou abandoned Komugi and rushed to the King.

• Qiao Lun healed Komugi and agreed to fight Neferpitou after Shaiapouf was dealt with.
• Potclean sealed Shaiapouf's Nen, and Qiao Lun killed and erased him after Morel revealed Komugi was alive.
• Knov warned the team that Netero might not be able to defeat Meruem, so Qiao Lun, Morel, and Knov left to reinforce him.
• Neferpitou saw Qiao Lun's group leave and rushed from the Palace toward the King, leaving Kite behind.

Qiao Lun and his allies arrived as Meruem overwhelmed Chairman Netero, and Qiao Lun used Round Deer to begin healing the chairman’s severed arm. Meruem recognized Qiao Lun’s healing ability and, worried about Komugi after the Royal Guard’s apparent failure, faced the new arrivals.

• Kite told Qiao Lun that Neferpitou had left Komugi and pursued him, while Qiao Lun asked Kite to help clear the Palace instead of joining the chase.
• Meruem defeated Netero’s repeated attacks and severed his arm, then offered to spare him if he stopped fighting.
• Netero attacked Meruem again, and Meruem pushed through the 100-Type Guanyin Bodhisattva’s hands before being struck away once more.
• Qiao Lun, Knov, and Morel arrived on Nue and descended into the ruins, where Qiao Lun summoned Round Deer to heal Netero’s arm.
• Meruem identified Qiao Lun’s ability to heal himself and others, questioned why the Royal Guard had failed, and worried about Komugi’s safety.

Qiao Lun used the aura he had absorbed from hundreds of Chimera Ant shadows to confront Meruem, while Netero and the Hunters tried to keep Neferpitou from reaching the King. The chapter ended with Qiao Lun riding Piercing Ox toward Meruem as their battle continued.

• Qiao Lun assigned himself to fight Meruem and left the approaching Neferpitou to Netero, Morel, and Knov; Netero accepted the arrangement.
• Meruem tried to leave the ruins to check on Komugi, but Qiao Lun unleashed Max Elephant and a massive Shadow Colossus to intercept him.
• Meruem retreated from the shadow attack and burst out of the ruins, while Qiao Lun leapt after him; Neferpitou entered the ruins at the same moment.
• Netero struck Neferpitou with [100-Type Guanyin Bodhisattva] and kept attacking as Morel spread smoke and Knov prepared to separate Neferpitou from Meruem.
• Meruem worried that Komugi might be in danger and sought news from Neferpitou, but Qiao Lun appeared atop Piercing Ox and charged at him.

Qiao Lun used a series of shadow-based abilities and summoned beasts to trap Meruem and set him up for Piercing Ox’s charge. After the charge sent Meruem flying, Qiao Lun pursued him to continue the fight.

• Qiao Lun attacked Meruem with Knov’s [Window Maker] while using Shadow Curtain to try to pull him into Shadow Space.
• Meruem grew wings to resist being swallowed, so Qiao Lun struck him with his longsword and summoned Max Elephant to smash him into the shadow.
• Qiao Lun escaped Max Elephant’s fall with Shrimp Curtain’s tongue and maneuvered the shadow and elephant ahead of Piercing Ox.
• Meruem escaped Shadow Space through Max Elephant’s body, but Piercing Ox charged into him and sent him flying.
• Qiao Lun dashed after Meruem to check his condition and attack again.

Qiao Lun used [Blinky] to drain Meruem’s blood while fighting to keep him from escaping and healing. The chapter ended with Tiger Funeral repeatedly repelling Meruem as [Blinky] resumed sucking his blood.

• Piercing Ox wounded Meruem, and Qiao Lun summoned [Blinky] to draw blood from his body.
• Meruem tried to attack Qiao Lun, but Great Serpent carried him through the air while Qiao Lun maintained [Blinky]’s suction.
• Meruem broke out of Great Serpent and chased Qiao Lun into an aerial fight that ended with both crashing underground.
• Qiao Lun summoned Tiger Funeral through Cursed Technique Reversal and used it to block Meruem while activating [Blinky] again.
• Tiger Funeral repeatedly bounced Meruem back as blood poured from his wounds.

Qiao Lun defeated Meruem by using Tiger Funeral and [Blinky] to drain his blood, then tore Meruem’s shadow free. Neferpitou’s post-mortem Nen and Meruem’s unexpected rise left Qiao Lun facing new threats as the chairman and the others arrived.

• Qiao Lun used Tiger Funeral to repel Meruem while [Blinky] drained his blood, and he tricked Meruem into believing his defenses were failing.
• Qiao Lun intensified [Blinky]’s suction, causing Meruem to lose consciousness, then tore Meruem’s shadow from the ground.
• Qiao Lun let [Blinky] drain Meruem until he was reduced to a skeleton, but Tiger Funeral knocked away Neferpitou as Neferpitou attacked from behind.
• Qiao Lun recognized the black Nen surrounding Neferpitou as Post-Mortem Nen and moved to claim Neferpitou’s shadow.
• Meruem’s corpse rose with Post-Mortem Nen that carried no malice, and Qiao Lun turned toward Tiger Funeral as the chairman and the others arrived.

Qiao Lun took Neferpitou’s shadow and borrowed Netero’s so he could develop stronger abilities against Mahoraga, while the Hunters prepared to let Meruem reach Komugi. As Qiao Lun and the others hurried back to the Palace to clear Meruem’s route, Chimera Ants began fleeing the Palace in large numbers.

• Meruem rose under post-mortem Nen and walked toward the Palace, muttering about his unfinished Gungi game with Komugi, while the others chose not to stop him.
• Qiao Lun used Tiger Funeral to distract Neferpitou and tore Neferpitou’s shadow from the ground, then healed Tiger Funeral with Round Deer.
• Qiao Lun asked Netero for his shadow, and Netero agreed before challenging Qiao Lun to a match; Qiao Lun accepted.
• Knov reported that Palm would track Meruem and that Kite would prepare Komugi, while Qiao Lun, Knov, and Morel planned to move the unconscious civilians out of Meruem’s path.
• Qiao Lun summoned Nue and carried the group back toward the Palace, where Kite and the others found Chimera Ants fleeing in a swarm.

Qiao Lun and Netero prepared to lure Meruem into Knov’s [Hide and Seek] so Meruem could reunite with Komugi, while planning to deal with Neferpitou. Qiao Lun then persuaded Netero to fake his death as part of a scheme to draw Beyond into revealing his plans for the Dark Continent, just as Meruem and Neferpitou arrived.

• Palm learned that Meruem was heading toward the Palace, and Qiao Lun and Knov planned to transfer him into [Hide and Seek] with Komugi.
• Qiao Lun explained that Round Deer could counter Neferpitou’s Post-Mortem Nen, but Netero would need to suppress Neferpitou while Qiao Lun performed the cleansing.
• Komugi chose to face Meruem and keep playing with him, so Knov set up the entrance to [Hide and Seek] in Meruem’s path.
• Qiao Lun told Netero that Beyond might have caused the Chimera Ant incident and revealed his plan to use Netero’s apparent death to draw Beyond toward the Dark Continent.
• Netero agreed to put on an act with Qiao Lun as Meruem and Neferpitou approached.

Qiao Lun, Netero, and Round Deer destroyed Neferpitou’s post-mortem Nen, while Knov moved Meruem and Komugi into Hide and Seek so they could continue playing Gungi in isolation. Netero chose to hide in Knov’s space as well, leaving Kite and the others to arrive at an empty battlefield.

• Meruem recognized Komugi and approached her, while Qiao Lun and Netero prepared to stop Neferpitou from attacking her.
• Netero, Qiao Lun, and Round Deer coordinated their attacks, destroying Neferpitou and erasing Terpsichora and Doctor Blythe with positive energy.
• Knov used a door to move Meruem, Komugi, and their Gungi board into Hide and Seek, where they resumed their game in private.
• Knov, Meleoron, Qiao Lun, and Netero left the room, and Netero asked to stay hidden in Hide and Seek while he played dead.
• Kite and the others arrived after hearing the battle was over and found only Qiao Lun and Knov there.

After the Chimera Ants’ defeat, V5 investigators took control of the Palace while Pariston altered their report to declare Netero dead and began planning to question the Extermination Team. Qiao Lun and the others left East Gorteau, with the story turning toward the Hunter Association’s next chairman and Killua’s return home.

• V5 investigators searched the Palace and battle sites, concluding that the Extermination Team had likely eliminated the Chimera Ants but that Netero’s fate remained uncertain.
• Pariston changed the report to say Netero had been killed, sent it to Beyond, and decided to meet the Extermination Team to assess whether Netero was alive.
• Qiao Lun’s group boarded the airship; Ikalgo, Meleoron, and Zazan remained inside Knov’s [Hide and Seek], while V5 transported the cocoons away from the Palace.
• Kite said he planned to rest and visit Spina’s mine to help protect the Small-billed Swans, and Qiao Lun suggested Gon visit the Hunter Association first.
• Qiao Lun anticipated that Cheadle would become chairman as Pariston’s attention shifted to the Dark Continent, while Gon worried about Killua, who said he would return home alone.

Qiao Lun and the others waited at the Hunter Association as Netero’s resignation and reported death triggered an election for the next chairman. The Zodiacs assembled to set the election process, with Pariston arriving and taking Netero’s seat.

• Qiao Lun reviewed East Gorteau’s casualties and the aftermath, noting that more than a hundred thousand people had survived because of their intervention.
• Netero’s broadcast announced his resignation and election rules, while the Association confirmed his death; Qiao Lun’s group knew he was recovering in Knov’s Hide and Seek.
• Qiao Lun told Gon that Ging was one of the Zodiacs and would be at the Association, and Gon said he looked forward to meeting him.
• The Zodiacs gathered to discuss Netero’s death and the coming election, with several members criticizing the decision to leave the Chimera Ant mission to Knov and Morel.
• Pariston arrived late, blamed his busy schedule, and sat in Netero’s chair despite Mizaistom’s irritation.

While the Hunter Association election unfolded, Qiao Lun waited outside and then sparred with Gansaku after Ging left with Gon. Qiao Lun demonstrated his Black and White Divine Dogs, earning Gansaku’s respect and making him reconsider how strong the Chimera Ants had been.

• Pariston declared that he wanted to become chairman and proposed skipping the election, while Qiao Lun waited outside for the meeting to end.
• The Zodiacs emerged, and Gansaku challenged Qiao Lun to a sparring match; Botobai and several other Zodiacs stayed to watch.
• Ging came out with Gon and took him to a nearby room to talk, while Qiao Lun, Killua, and the Zodiacs went to the sports court.
• Qiao Lun and Gansaku exchanged blows, and Botobai assessed Qiao Lun as likely being a Transmutation user before leaving.
• Qiao Lun summoned the Black and White Divine Dogs, and their combined attacks forced Gansaku to stop the sparring.
• Gansaku acknowledged Qiao Lun’s strength and reconsidered how formidable the Chimera Ants and Royal Guard must have been.

Qiao Lun recounted Netero’s battle with Meruem to the Zodiacs, then quietly signaled Ging that Netero might still be alive. He invited Ging to join a future Dark Continent expedition, but Ging only agreed to consider it before leaving with the election still underway.

• Qiao Lun praised Gansaku, then joined him and several Zodiacs for drinks and a discussion about the Chimera Ants.
• Qiao Lun described Netero’s fight with Meruem and claimed his Nen Beast had protected him from the [Rose], leading the Zodiacs to suspect he could summon multiple Nen Beasts.
• Gansaku, Piyon, Gel, and Ginta argued over Pariston’s chances of becoming chairman until Ging explained that Netero’s election rules had set Pariston a challenge.
• Ging and Qiao Lun exchanged hints that Netero might still be alive, while the other Zodiacs failed to learn what they meant.
• Qiao Lun asked Ging whether he would join a Dark Continent expedition, and Ging said he would consider it.
• After Cluck called about the election ballots, Ging invited Qiao Lun, Gon, and Killua to visit the World Tree, exchanged phone numbers with them, and left without clearly promising to visit Mito.

Qiao Lun watched Pariston withdraw from the Hunter Association election, then learned that Kakin planned to launch an expedition to the Dark Continent. As the group prepared to leave, Knov and Morel returned and asked Qiao Lun to take everyone with him.

• Ging stayed out of the election, and Pariston withdrew through a recorded statement while endorsing Cheadle for chairman.
• Pariston told Qiao Lun he knew Netero was alive and invited him to join a future Dark Continent expedition, but Qiao Lun declined.
• Cheadle became chairman with over ninety-five percent of the vote, while Kakin announced its voyage to the New Continent and publicized the Dark Continent.
• Qiao Lun said he planned to travel to Kakin as a ticketed passenger, and Killua prepared to return home while Kite planned to join Qiao Lun later.
• Knov and Morel reappeared as Qiao Lun and the others prepared to leave, and Knov asked Qiao Lun to take everyone with him.

Qiao Lun left the Hunter Association with Netero, Komugi, Meruem, Zazan, Meleoron, and Ikalgo, then arranged for Kurapika to care for Komugi and Meruem in Yorknew City. Qiao Lun, Zazan, and Meleoron continued to Kakin, where Qiao Lun planned to pursue his own goals as the country prepared its voyage to the New Continent.

• Nue departed the Hunter Association carrying Qiao Lun, Netero, Komugi, Meruem, Zazan, Ikalgo, and Meleoron, while Gansaku admired its power and Pariston watched it leave.
• Ging asked Pariston to include him on his team, but Pariston refused, and Ging left to search for a way to join on his own.
• Qiao Lun told Zazan and Netero that he intended to go to Kakin, while Meleoron asked how they would care for Komugi and Meruem.
• In Yorknew City, Qiao Lun entrusted Komugi and Meruem to Kurapika, and Ikalgo chose to stay and work with him; Netero also stayed behind to watch their Gungi games.
• Qiao Lun, Zazan, and Meleoron traveled toward Kakin, with Qiao Lun and Zazan boarding an airship and Meleoron using invisibility to come aboard.