Hello everyone, this is Gon Freecss, who has no plan for what comes after clearing Greed Island. Should I join up with Kite, considering the Chimera Ants?
After receiving their rewards from Battera, Gon's group had been helping Tsezguerra for a while as he dealt with the chaos from the update announcement.
Leorio was also concerned about Oboro, who had just awakened from her long coma, and Battera, who apparently felt discomfort from his rejuvenation, so everyone spent fairly busy days.
"So Mr. Goreinu will be helping Mr. Tsezguerra with his work for a while?"
"Yeah. I don't think I fall behind in direct combat, but his skill as a Hunter in other areas is truly impressive. I'll accept his recruitment to rise another level."
Tsezguerra, who now owned 31 copies of Greed Island, was receiving constant contact from those who heard about the version update and those who had originally been playing.
Especially for the first few days until personnel and systems were established, they couldn't have managed without Gon's group's cooperation. While paying compensation, Tsezguerra had been recruiting Gon's group to continue working together as companions.
Though each member of Gon's group declined because they had other things they wanted to do, only Goreinu decided to accept the recruitment to learn Hunter knowledge and experience from Tsezguerra.
"Not just Biscuit, but I really owe everyone. Though it was only half a year, for me it was a denser time than all my life before. When we meet again, I'll show you a level-up that won't disappoint."
Goreinu's addition was welcomed not only by Tsezguerra but also by Doble and the others. While being reluctantly sent off by Tsezguerra's group and Battera's group, Gon's team began walking toward new goals.
After parting with Goreinu and leaving Battera's mansion where they'd been staying somewhat by default, Gon's party had entered a cafe to take a breather while discussing what came next.
What was currently decided was that Leorio would focus on exam prep and Kurapika would accompany him, while Killua wanted to go retrieve his sister.
"Killua's sounds really interesting ♦ If Gon's going, I'll come along too ♥"
Hisoka, who had been absent dealing with Genthru's team, had somehow joined them and was stating his own preferences while sitting next to Gon as if he owned the place.
"You're not coming!"
"Speaking of which, what happened to Genthru's team? Don't tell me you actually turned them over to the police."
"Want to know? ♠"
Feeling a chill from Hisoka's suggestive smile, Leorio offered a small prayer for their souls, wondering if they'd received retribution despite having committed mass murder.
"Just kidding ♥ They seemed to want money and fame, so I introduced them to the Heavens Arena, which has gotten quite entertaining ♣"
"Is that really okay? Their Hatsu abilities have such high lethality, it seems like it would be problematic."
"Here's the surprise—Castro and Gordon have gotten strong enough to really fight them ♦ Plus, they hired an ability user who can keep people barely alive even from lethal blows inside the ring, so they might actually become popular as brutal fighters ♥"
"Just where is Heavens Arena heading?"
Though Kurapika, who still had the highest fan numbers by far, had greatly influenced it, Heavens Arena seemed to have transformed beyond recognition in these past six months.
As everyone was reminiscing about Heavens Arena, which already felt nostalgic, Hisoka asked Gon if he had any plans going forward.
While Gon was concerned about the Chimera Ants from his canon knowledge, his memories contained no useful information beyond NGL being the setting and Kite being involved.
"Honestly, I'm conflicted. Training is definitely decided, but I'm wondering whether to greet Kite, the Hunter who taught me Nen."
"What kind of crazy Hunter taught you Nen?"
"He's an excellent Beast Hunter who's also my father's direct disciple."
Considering everyone's individual goals, a sad feeling arose that the journey of this group that had continued since the Hunter Exam might finally be ending.
Still, they would respect each other's objectives and split up with hope that they'd surely gather again.
"I understand your plans. With that said, I have a request for all of you—will you at least hear me out?"
Biscuit, who had been silent until now, spoke up saying she had a favor to ask after hearing everyone's plans.
"A request, huh? But honestly, I really need to start going to school or I'll never become a doctor."
"There are two Medical Hunters at the request location. Moreover, one is a Triple-Star and well-versed in legal matters. If you accept the request, I'll put in a word with these two for you."
Everyone fell silent at the appearance of a Triple-Star, even higher than Biscuit. Then, rather than Kurapika who would automatically come along if Leorio did, Killua was persuaded.
"I understand you want to retrieve your sister quickly. But if you went now with both Gon and Hisoka present, could you really feel you retrieved her with your own strength?"
At Biscuit's point, Killua grimaced greatly, thought about the process and result of raiding the Zoldyck estate with Gon and Hisoka, and looked down in frustration.
From his expression, it was easy to imagine his desire to retrieve her with his own power fighting with his desire to retrieve her quickly. Biscuit explained the request details and compensation in detail to win him over.
"The request is available to all Hunters, but simply put, it's sparring with the old man—Chairman Netero."
At that, flames ignited in Gon and Hisoka's eyes.
"Of course there are Shingen-Ryu masters, and even combat-specialized Hunters. Plus healing ability users, and from now on you'll even receive support from my 'Cookie-chan'—an incredibly privileged environment. I guarantee it: you'll skip several levels up."
In addition to Gon and Hisoka, who could no longer suppress their eager aura, Leorio also became enthusiastic hearing he could connect with senior healing ability users who had proper qualifications. In his place, Kurapika asked for details.
"If we accept the request, we'll not only get sparring with Chairman Netero but various other benefits. What about the location and duration?"
"The duration isn't particularly set—apparently some spineless people gave up in half a day. The location is on the outskirts of Swaldani City where the Association headquarters is, at the Shingen-Ryu main temple in the Swar Mountain Range."
Biscuit's words that they would definitely become stronger ultimately became the deciding factor, and all five including Killua decided to accept the request.
Leorio, thinking of the unseen seniors ahead, and Kurapika smiling at his happy appearance.
Killua, tormented by powerlessness and plotting a breakthrough after thinking he'd finally gotten close enough to stand beside Gon only to be separated again.
Hisoka, excited by the all-you-can-eat situation with outstanding existences including Gon, Killua, Netero, and unseen strong fighters.
Biscuit, her cheeks relaxing at being able to watch these massive rough gems be polished while training herself near Netero's rust removal.
And Gon, with the Chimera Ants completely blown from his mind, trembling with anticipation at this environment that could be called the best for aiming to become the strongest Gon-san.
As everyone's aura rose and interfered with each other, transforming one corner of the cafe into a hellish realm while ordinary people watched fearfully and trembling, only Gin devouring light meals on the table was no different than usual.
The Swar Mountain Range, where over ten mountains of various heights connected. The Shingen-Ryu main temple dojo existed within this majestic mountain range with many extremely harsh environments.
This was the land where young Netero had once performed his gratitude ten thousand punches. The dojo-cum-residence built to honor the Shingen-Ryu founder was large but appeared somewhat modest for the world-renowned Shingen-Ryu.
Normally only a caretaker and several assistant instructors plus senior disciples would stay, but since Netero had begun training in earnest, many people had visited and many people had left.
"Whoa, so this is the Shingen-Ryu main temple dojo! It's pretty deep in the mountains—what about water and electricity?"
"All that's handled with Nen. It's such a waste of Nen users that the comfort exceeds poor luxury hotels."
"Seriously, anything goes."
Gon's group arrived at the main temple dojo led by Biscuit.
The members, who had climbed in less than half a day what would take ordinary people several days or even Nen users a full day, immediately entered the building and were greeted by an old man in training clothes.
"We've been expecting you, Lady Biscuit. Are these people the new challengers?"
"That's right. The sunglasses guy Leorio and the blonde Kurapika are support. Remember the remaining three as sparring partners."
"Understood. Today's sparring has already begun, so I'll guide everyone."
While receiving guidance, Gon's group briefly introduced themselves to each other and learned this old man was an honorary instructor who had retired from the front lines to become an educator.
Sensing the respectful atmosphere from all members except the uninterested Hisoka, he surmised from long experience that Gon's group was not only not inferior to those currently sparring with Netero but top-class.
"Hm? We're going outside? I thought it was quiet, but they're deliberately doing it in a different place?"
"Chairman Netero has recently become difficult to restrain, and sparring inside the dojo incurs too much repair costs, so we use the outdoor training ground."
Eventually, the members' ears picked up sounds familiar from training—the sound of striking flesh, of stamping the ground, combat sounds.
Beyond the wall surrounding the building, only wide, flat, leveled ground spread out.
In places, they could see areas where effects from conditions and limitations or aura were clearly being exerted, showing it wasn't just tamped earth.
Outside the wall, about ten people in training clothes or easy-moving outfits were taking rest as they pleased, and a little distance away, a simple tent was set up where people clearly identifiable as medical staff waited on standby.
"Huh? Old Man Ro, who are those guys? Did a bunch of kids come to observe or something?"
The nasty-eyed man resting closest to where Gon's group emerged noticed first and asked the leading old man Ro about their identities.
"They're professional Hunters who accepted support and sparring requests. Moreover, most have Single-Star qualifications."
"HUH!? These brats!? That's not funny as a joke!"
As the man behaved exaggeratedly while openly looking down on Gon's group, those around also noticed and attention gathered.
As Killua and Leorio grimaced at the rather rude attitude, the man who'd been making noise suddenly became serious and warned them.
"This place is seriously heaven and hell—or rather, hell's the closer neighbor. I'm not saying this to be mean, but wait until you've built up like Sunglasses-bro or Weird-Makeup-bro."
The man's words as he made eye contact with Gon and Killua, unlike his crude speech, were filled with consideration for others.
It was natural given he'd endured what was called sparring with Netero but was really hazing over a long period, but he too was a martial artist with an admirable spirit struggling to truly become strong.
"There's a spirited one here. Is it because he hasn't lasted this long for nothing?"
"Little miss, don't get too cocky..."
"Idiot, look closer! That person is Chairman Netero's direct disciple and instructor, Biscuit Krueger! I'm sorry! This guy's still young and full of himself!"
Struck on the head by a different man who seemed to be a senior nearby, he opened his eyes wide at the name he heard and shouted "Yes sir!" while bowing.
"Don't worry about it. More importantly, watch properly for as long as you can. It's frustrating, but the old man's every move is worth that much."
The sparring that entered Gon's group's view after leaving the building—a match between Netero, whose complexion had improved even more than when they'd met at Heavens Arena, and a middle-aged man in training clothes.
They exchanged fists and feet at terrifyingly high speed, with aura manipulation running even faster through truth and deception.
The sparring between the Shingen-Ryu Grand Master and an instructor was unmistakably world-top-level hand-to-hand combat.
"Hmm, there really are some pretty good people here ♦ Chairman Netero is quite enticing, so coming was the right choice ♥"
"How far will that gentleman rejuvenate? His appearance is already nearly the same generation as ours."
"Not just appearance—his internal organs and everything are clearly more active. Even accounting for aura's effects, it's beyond normal."
"Ugh, why is that old man growing too? Just sit quietly and wait."
"Amazing. I want to fight soon!"
Their rising aura emitted pressure unbefitting their appearance, forcibly making it known that Gon's group was leagues apart from ordinary Nen users.
Whether reacting to that aura or simply because it was time, the match ended when Netero landed a good strike on his sparring partner.
Netero turned his gaze toward Biscuit and Gon's group, broke into a broad smile, and released an intimidating pressure that made it seem a Goddess of Mercy stood behind him.
"Well done coming, lads. Good to see you're still diligently training. That growth of yours—give it all to me as my nourishment."
Fostering the next generation, running the organization, all the restraints that had made him docile—gone.
The stern-faced Goddess of Mercy welcomed the stern muscles and their companions.