The destination and route had already been provided by Chairman Netero.
As for the members of the pursuit squad, the team was more or less finalized—Germain, Bisky, Morel, and Shizuku.
However, one crucial question still remained.
It was Kanzai, the "Tiger of the Zodiacs," who finally voiced it while resting his chin on his palm.
"But... how exactly are you planning to leave from here, reach transit Island, and then head to the Boundary Gate? You don't have a ship, right?"
Surprisingly, Kanzai had asked a good question for once.
All the long-distance vessels on this new continent had either been destroyed or taken by Beyond's expedition team.
So how was the pursuit squad supposed to cross such a vast, impassable sea?
Standing near the coastal fortress gate was Sacho, who was overseeing background checks alongside Kurapika and Illumi. After thinking for a moment, he offered an answer.
"I know of a few Nen ability users who survived. If several—sometimes even a dozen—gather and focus their aura, they can conjure a fully functioning seafaring ship."
"I've already submitted that list to Chairman Netero, Cheadle, and Mizaistom."
It was one of the proposed plans developed by the Hunter Association and Beyond's expedition team after the BW1 landed on the new continent.
But Morel, with his sharply defined features, shook his head.
"Those kinds of Nen users aren't common. And if we plan to use their abilities, then they'll have to come along with us."
"But we can't take them with us. They should stay here and prepare to return to Balsa Island to report the situation on this side to the Six Continents."
"Greed Island may be informed, but relying solely on one island to support all future reinforcements to the new continent is too much. We need the Six Continents' support."
"For now, at least, the full scope of Germain's Nen ability and the current status of Greed Island must remain confidential—as part of the covert transportation channel."
Due to the sunk cost, even though the Six Continents are aware that nearly all of the Kakin royal family and upper-class members were wiped out, and that BW1 suffered heavy casualties, they will still send reinforcements.
By then, it's possible that a large number of V6 high-ranking officials will sail here in six months, bringing reinforcements while also taking over the new continent.
"Then what do you plan to do?" Kanzai asked again.
"It takes two months to travel from the Six Continents to Balsa Island, and from there to the new continent. Likewise, from the new continent to the transit island, and then to the Boundary gate, also takes about two months."
"In this unfamiliar journey without teleportation lanterns, are you planning to fly there or something?"
Morel was completely stumped by Kanzai's question. His brows furrowed tightly above his sunglasses as he lowered his head to think.
Sitting back in her seat, Bisky squirmed like a cat on a hot stove as she listened to the conversation.
The moment she thought about her precious crystal falling into the hands of people like Beyond, she couldn't stay still—her hips twisted restlessly in the chair.
"I can solve this problem."
Suddenly, Germain spoke up, and with just that one sentence, he captured everyone's attention.
Bisky's eyes lit up with excitement.
"You have an idea? Come on, quick, tell us!"
Germain didn't hold back. He raised his right hand, and slowly, a miniature ship began to conjure on his index finger.
"I can conjure a ship large enough to carry all of us across the sea," he said calmly.
"But I can't recreate a real, functioning ship. It only looks like one on the outside, because I don't fully understand the internal structure or how it operates."
"To make it actually move, we'll need to take turns using our aura to power it. In other words, what I've created is just a 'ship-like' vessel—it won't sail on its own."
Germain's plan was essentially a solo version of the coordinated conjuration ability used by those who could collectively create a ship.
But unlike them, Germain could handle both the conjuration and its basic operation by himself.
Ever since that divine battle last night, Germain's ability had evolved dramatically. Now, as long as he had seen something with his own eyes, he could conjure it.
Of course, to perfectly recreate something, he'd need a deeper understanding—its inner details, structure, mechanics, and so on.
Everyone stared in stunned silence.
Then the realization hit them all at once: Germain had reached a level far beyond what they could comprehend. He was, without question, at the very peak of known Conjuration-type Nen users.
Creating a ship? For Germain now, that was child's play.
That's right—we have Germain.
They couldn't help but smile at their own short-sightedness.
Their limited understanding of Nen had kept them from seeing just how far Germain had come.
Not one of them had thought of this obvious solution.
With that, the issue of transportation was also resolved.
Bisky, impatient as ever, was already itching to depart immediately. But before she could act on her excitement, Chairman Netero cut in and halted her enthusiasm.
The meeting hadn't yet addressed the most important matters.
"Bisky, I know you're in a hurry," Netero said with a gentle but firm tone. "But hold your horses. We still need to allocate some supplies for your team. No matter how eager you are, the earliest you can depart is tomorrow."
"Furthermore," he continued, "for the next year or so, the Hunter Association's main focus will be the development of this newly discovered continent. We must prepare the groundwork for exploring the Dark Continent by setting up forward operating bases."
"Especially the connection lines between the Six Continents, Balsa Island, the New World, Transit Island, and the Boundary Gate—we'll need a great deal of manpower and resources."
"But before we throw ourselves into that chaotic mess," Netero added with a meaningful pause, "there are still a few important matters we must take care of."
As he finished, he turned to look at the two vice-chairmen sitting beside him—Cheadle, the "Dog," and Mizaiastom, the "Ox."
"Important matters?"
Everyone in the room looked puzzled.
Cheadle and Mizaiastom, however, were already prepared. The two began to read out a list of commendations and internal awards issued by the Hunter Association.
Though many present didn't care much for fame or accolades, the Association couldn't afford to overlook such things.
Others might not care to receive recognition, but that didn't mean the Association should refrain from giving it.
Of course, given the current circumstances, monetary rewards were hard to come by. Instead, the focus was more on honor—most notably, the promotion of "Hunter Stars."
Those who had demonstrated outstanding performance in the recent crisis, such as Germain, Ging, and Bisky, were all considered for star-level promotions.
Germain was promoted directly from a One-Star Hunter to a Three-Star Hunter, setting a new record for the fastest rise to Triple-Star status in the history of the Association.
From this day forward, the title of "Fastest One-Star Hunter" would be replaced by "Fastest Triple-Star Hunter."
Both Ging and Bisky had previously advanced from Two-Star to Triple-Star Hunters.
"I don't really object," Ging suddenly said. "But isn't star promotion something we're supposed to apply for ourselves?"
He had earned enough merit long ago. It was only because he'd never bothered to apply that he remained a Two-Star Hunter all this time.
Cheadle shot Ging a glare and sighed. "You really are… Just take it as us begging you to accept the promotion to Triple-Star, alright?"
While most hunters strove toward the prestigious Triple-Star rank, Ging, of all people, stayed where he was simply because he couldn't be bothered to deal with the paperwork. It drove others absolutely mad.
And now, even worse, he was playing innocent—pretending not to know the people who made the rules were all sitting right in this room—and still bringing up the technicality of the application process.
Ging gave a cheeky grin but didn't push it any further.
He clearly couldn't object this time. Doing so would've embarrassed Germain and Bisky, who were also being promoted.
Then Cheadle adjusted her narrow-rimmed glasses and turned to look at Shizuku—an rookie hunter who wasn't even officially affiliated with the Hunter Association.
Cheadle took a slow breath and then exhaled evenly.
"Shizuku, we have a suggestion for you. We hope you'll listen carefully before making your decision."
"Oh… okay." Shizuku felt a bit puzzled but agreed nonetheless.
*******
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