At the top floor of the Hunter Association headquarters, in a certain meeting room.
At this moment, a group of people dressed like animals had gathered together.
But this wasn't a gathering of cosplayers; everyone present here had been recognized by Chairman Netero himself as the twelve top hunters of the association, also known as the Zodiac Twelve.
Most of these people were fans of the chairman and thus adopted the codenames he assigned to them.
Of course, there were exceptions, for instance, Gon's father, Ging Freecss, and vice chairman Pariston.
Each one of them had a quirky personality and a strong individual character.
And the fact that nearly all of these free-spirited individuals had gathered today naturally meant that it had to do with something concerning Chairman Netero.
Before he set out to subjugate the Chimera Ants, he left behind a video recording.
If he were to die during that mission, the video would be played.
By that time, no one would remember him, nor discuss what he had done for humanity.
What they cared more about was who would be the next chairman?
Meanwhile, news had begun broadcasting to the outside world about the death of the Republic of East Gorteau's supreme leader, Ming Jol-ik.
In reality, the one who died was just a body double.
The real Ming Jol-ik had long since retreated into the mountains, spending time exploring the essence of human existence.
He refused to be a pawn in human conflicts.
The nations once occupied by the Chimera Ants, the Republic of East Gorteau and the Neo-Green Life (NGL) Autonomous Region, were officially placed under international security management.
But everyone present knew very well: in truth, these two nations no longer existed.
Their displaced citizens would be treated as refugees.
And as for the assets, they would undoubtedly become bargaining chips in political power struggles.
The Neo-Green Life (NGL) Autonomous Region had been designated as a protected zone under the suggestion of international organizations, with the Hunter Association assigned as its administrator.
Thus, it was clear who the real beneficiaries of the war were.
Everyone else was merely a pawn in a greater power game.
The Chimera Ant invasion, and Netero's fate, all were sacrifices in the struggle for power among those in charge.
As for the surviving Chimera Ants, they had been split into three groups.
Komugi and Neferpitou had headed to Greed Island, where they would remain for the rest of their lives.
Colt continued to live in secret within the newly established protected zone in the former Neo-Green Life (NGL) Autonomous Region, living peacefully with his sister Reina and their mother.
Then there was the final group, led by Zazan and others, who were stirring up trouble in the Kakin Empire.
However, the Kakin Empire refused aid from international organizations, choosing instead to resolve the matter on their own.
Therefore, that issue was no longer the Hunter Association's concern.
What truly mattered was the major event that concerned the association, Chairman Netero had stepped down!!
"All hunters must participate in the election. An applicant can only be officially selected if they receive more than 95% of the votes. Every hunter is eligible to run in this election..."
Before the Zodiac Twelve was the video left by Chairman Netero before his final mission.
"Why? Why is the chairman stepping down from his position in the Hunter Association?!"
Ginta, who was too emotional, was crying loudly: "We can't live without Chairman Netero! The Hunter Association can't live without him!!"
As he poured out his emotions, the others around him raised their eyebrows.
Opposite him is a very tall and burly late middle-aged man, Botobai Gigante, wearing a court dress with a cape.
Botobai crossed his arms and said solemnly: "Why didn't the chairman call us to join the Chimera Ant Extermination Team?!"
"If he had, we could have known what really happened, and why he decided to resign!"
The others around nodded in agreement.
The short but muscular man with sharp golden short hair and fierce eyes, Kanzai, leaned back in his chair: "Isn't this exactly like the chairman's action? Always so unpredictable. No one can ever figure out what he's thinking. We never truly understood any of his actions."
He leaned back lazily, looking indifferent.
The others weren't surprised by Kanzai's attitude; they were used to it.
"But regardless, this is an extremely serious matter for the Hunter Association..."
Pyon, a cute young woman with long brown hair and rabbit ears, who was holding a phone while leaning on the table, added.
She stared intently at the screen of her phone, as if there was something very important on it.
"But why..."
The woman with long black hair, purple eyes, a black dress, and a round head, Gel, said calmly: "Are there outsiders here?!"
As she spoke, the others who had already noticed the two figures at the side turned their attention.
Lan sat there, relaxed and casual, seemingly indifferent to their discussion.
When he noticed their gazes, he even waved generously, gesturing for them to continue as if saying: "Don't mind me."
Beside him, Gon was looking around, scanning the group, only to lower his head in disappointment when he didn't find the person he was looking for.
"Isn't this supposed to be a meeting for the Zodiac Twelves?!"
The tall, elegant woman with long pale blue hair and refined features, dressed in a flamboyant outfit adorned with white feathers, Cluck, now looked with irritation and disapproval at the two uninvited guests in the room.