Chapter 125: Breaking the Window
The Twelve Zodiac Signs revered Netero, captivated by his charisma that's why they had gathered together.
Pariston was no exception… But why did Haze despise him?
It was because of Pariston's twisted, perverse personality even more incomprehensible than Hisoka's.
Ironically, it was that very admiration that made him want to destroy him.
The disappearance of the restraints that the Chairman had once placed on him, Beyond, and Ging Freecss meant nothing to Pariston.
He didn't care he only wanted to witness something beautiful: the moment when Chairman Netero perished.
That was why he cooperated with Beyond.
Beyond was the one who wanted to "kill his father." Only after Netero's death could he move on to the Dark Continent to pursue his goals.
In a sense, Beyond and Haze were similar both were ruthless men who would stop at nothing to achieve their ambitions.
But Haze believed he had limits… while Beyond was pure in his obsession.
Everything the Kakin Empire had done was driven by Beyond's influence.
For instance, the research on those "new creatures" back then the Chimera Ant Queen had landed in the Mitne Federation, but the area the Kakin Empire investigated was far away. Why? Naturally, to give the Chimera Ants time to develop.
Moreover, the Chimera Ants themselves were strange.
At the very least, this was the first time in recent history that a species from the Dark Continent had entered human society… it had never happened before.
Yangde, who commissioned this through the Kakin Empire, clearly knew of the Chimera Ants long ago.
So, how did the Chimera Ants appear?
Did they really cross the ocean on their own?
Or… were they intentionally brought here by someone?
Obviously, it was the latter.
The instigator was Yangde.
That man had been scheming for a long time, always keeping an eye on his own father.
Haze also admired Netero. Without his Nen abilities ones that allowed infinite passive accumulation and limitless growth even with his advantage as a transmigrator, Haze could never have reached Netero's level.
The old man was too powerful unbelievably strong.
He had shattered the limits of the human body.
The strong deserved respect.
The Hunter Association had always existed, but why did people say that Netero "created" it? Because he was the one who brought it to its current influence and status a complete transformation.
He breathed new life into it.
Before him, no one had ever achieved that.
As for Netero's attitude toward him, Haze had always understood it.
The old man's tolerance came from recognizing that Haze wasn't Beyond. He realized that, though they shared similar natures, there were subtle differences.
He couldn't change his son… but he thought perhaps Haze could.
But the truth was he couldn't either.
That was why Haze accepted Ging's request after entering the Island of Heroes.
He understood Netero's thoughts and summoned the Chairman.
Haze pursued power absolute strength and personal will.
In this pursuit, he was no different from Beyond. The difference lay in their principles.
If Haze had been Beyond, he would never have harmed his own father. Perhaps the "chains" the old man placed upon Beyond were simply too strong, suppressive to the point of breaking him.
From Haze's point of view, there were many ways to reach the Dark Continent. One could even go alone there was no need to drag the entire human world into it.
After his previous failure, Beyond had realized his individual limits and decided to rely on the world of humans.
That was exactly what Haze despised most.
It wasn't just about pursuing strength it was about one's will.
Those who deny themselves are unworthy of strength.
Beyond was far from as "strong" as he appeared.
On the contrary, people like East Freecss were truly powerful the pinnacle of personal will.
That was what Haze wanted to emulate.
Then there was Zairo, the man who created NGL. Haze remembered him vividly because that man was extraordinary.
Though he was ultimately devoured by the ants, when he was reborn as a Chimera Ant, he immediately regained his human memories, broke free from the Queen's control, defied the colony's hierarchy, and left the nest. That alone was terrifying.
You have to understand for a subordinate ant, the Queen's orders are absolute.
Judging from his original intentions in founding NGL and his past experiences, this man's danger level could easily have triggered chaos in the unfinished parts of the original story.
Though the anime never showed it due to censorship, Togashi hinted in the manga that Zairo, the former leader of NGL, possessed terrifying abilities.
He also emphasized scenes showing Gon and Killua with Knuckle in the same city, but never crossing paths the manga's theme at that time was "Tragedy."
The tragedy of Gon and Killua… the tragedy of humankind.
There was even an image of Zairo walking down a long street, back turned symbolizing that his hatred for humanity and his mission before "dying" as an ant still burned within him.
After leaving NGL, that man apparently went to Meteor City.
Gon and Killua could have stopped him early on but they missed their chance.
The death of the Chimera Ant King, Meruem, seemed to mark the end of that arc… but the human world had already changed.
Life from the Dark Continent had already begun to merge with human society.
The surviving ant, Welfin the werewolf-like one had been Zairo's brother in his human life.
After regaining his memories, he became truly human again, roaring at Meruem for Zairo's sake:
"You are my enemy!"
He and several other ants went to Meteor City, declaring that Zairo would rebuild his kingdom.
That foreshadowed everything that came next.
From Haze's perspective, Zairo's threat level was even higher than Meruem's.
It's not hard to understand why the V5 forbade all expeditions to the Dark Continent even the Chimera Ants, insignificant compared to true Dark Continent creatures, caused a chain reaction that nearly consumed the human world.
The ants were only the beginning.
The state of this world humanity's struggle foretold the inevitable evolution toward survival of the fittest.
Netero likely knew this.
His death was meaningless… yet even at the cost of his life, he hoped that this day would come.
Even if it was unstoppable.
"No wonder you have mafia ties… your information network is enormous," Haze's thoughts drifted back as Saiyu, lounging on the sofa with his hands behind his head, chuckled.
"You even know that much about the Kakin Empire…"
"I know more than that," Haze replied calmly, eyes narrowing. "Want to hear it?"
Saiyu's eyes turned cold. Hard. Was he pretending?
Haze smirked. "For example, your purpose in joining the Twelve Zodiac´s wasn't simple. Sure, it was thanks to the old man that you got your seat but unlike the others."
At those words, everyone in the cabin turned to Saiyu.
They sensed the tension between Haze and him.
Those two…
Indeed, Saiyu's expression hardened, his grip tightening on his weapon as if ready to strike if Haze kept talking.
"Relax," Haze said with a faint smile, chuckling. "I don't plan to expose your little secret. Your tricks might fool others, but don't embarrass yourself in front of me. Besides, the old man already knows he just doesn't care. Do you really think he believes you and that person aren't in cahoots?"
Saiyu remained silent.
Gail looked between them, confused. "What are you two talking about?"
She didn't understand, but she could tell Haze had caught Saiyu red-handed.
"It's nothing," Haze said, smiling at Gail before turning his gaze back to the man in the monkey suit. "Gail came here on Cheadle's orders. You didn't interfere, did you? Pariston didn't send you?"
Gail's face changed. "I knew I couldn't fool you… Cheadle said you're the first person who's ever made both King and Pariston feel threatened at the same time."
"But even so," she added, "Cheadle told me to inform you from now on, any mission involving critical matters will be under supervision. To prevent you from doing anything that could impact the Association. Also… even if you become a Three-Star Hunter, don't even think about joining the Zodiac or taking any administrative post."
Her words caused a stir among everyone present even Menchi.
"I understand," Haze nodded. "For now, as long as the Chairwoman doesn't object, you can do as you please."
He wasn't angry. He had expected this all along.
Then, turning to Saiyu, he asked, "And you? What do you have to say?"
"The Vice Chairwoman agrees," Saiyu replied coldly, pretending to be calm though it was only a facade.
He'd already planned how to report this to Pariston and Beyond… but given his real mission this time, there was no rush. He'd wait.
"Very well," Haze said. "Then it's my turn to speak."
He shoved his hands into his pockets, his tone turning grave.
"You can attack me if you want. I'm the team leader everything is under my command. If anyone disobeys, they'll be dismissed immediately. And if internal Association matters interfere with my team or mission… I apologize in advance. I've got a bad temper. Once I lose my patience, I can't guarantee what I'll do."
His voice was calm yet carried overwhelming authority.
After that, Menchi's team glared at the two Zodiac members with hostility.
"Very united," Gail murmured. "It's obvious within this team, Haze's will is absolute."
"So you're threatening us?"
"It's a warning," Haze corrected her coolly.
Saiyu snorted and stayed silent.
After that exchange, the atmosphere aboard the ship shifted completely.
Menchi and the others stopped talking to Gail and Saiyu, isolating them entirely.
Everyone knew before, they could pretend as long as the truth stayed hidden.
Now… there was no point in pretending anymore.
After drifting for what felt like ages, they finally reached the tenth nameless island.
Their investigation began.
(End of Chapter)