"Furthermore, this incident has been determined to be caused by the Hunter Association. If there are any major casualties in Heavens Arena, we won't be able to escape responsibility."
Cheadle spoke in a heavy tone.
"If that's the case, has there been any movement from the V5?"
Ginta blinked his large eyes, his expression seemingly innocent.
"V5 actually sent a large number of elite soldiers, and the development conference strongly condemned the criminal actions of those involved."
On the screen, Cheadle Yorkshire rested her chin on one hand, her tone laced with mockery.
"Supposedly, not a single one of those soldiers knows Nen. They're basically just delivering themselves as fodder."
"Huh?! Why would they do that?!"
"Because Nen users trained by the government are considered national assets." The scorn on Cheadle's face deepened.
"The criminals we're dealing with are extremely powerful, and the authorities don't want to send their best warriors to certain death. So instead, they throw in so-called elite soldiers as sacrificial pawns."
Saccho picked up where Cheadle left off, his expression one of disdain.
"Anyway, if this situation spirals out of control, Heavens Arena will take most of the blame, and the Hunter Association will shoulder the rest. V5, on the other hand, has plenty of ways to keep themselves in the clear."
"Besides, they're currently fighting over the Black Report. Do you think they care about the lives of the Chairman and the audience?"
On another screen, Kanzai abruptly kicked over a table, his irritation boiling over.
"Are you kidding me?! At a time like this, they're still arguing over their damn secrets? If they refuse to disclose the Black Report, they should at least send a proper force to deal with the threat! And where the hell are Pariston and Ging?! How can they be so irresponsible at a time like this?!"
"Ging seems to be heading toward Heavens Arena. I contacted him before the meeting, and his location confirms it," Ginta responded weakly.
After Jed attacked Heavens Arena, kidnapped Netero, and made his demands, the Zodiac Twelve immediately convened an emergency meeting.
Since it wasn't time for their regular gathering, the Zodiacs—scattered across different locations—held a virtual conference to discuss countermeasures.
"Pariston is in the Vice Chairman's office, claiming he's 'taking charge of the situation,'" said Gel slowly. Then, after a pause, she added, "But from what I can tell, he's just sitting there watching TV. Doesn't seem like he plans to do anything."
"Tch!!"
The other nine screens simultaneously echoed their disgust. Clearly, their patience for Pariston was wearing thin.
That bastard. At critical moments, he's even less reliable than Ging!
"So, we have to be prepared for any possible outcome."
Mizaistom Nana's serious expression silenced the chatter. He tapped the table lightly, drawing everyone's focus.
"The best-case scenario is that Ronnel defeats the leader of the Shadow, resolving the crisis. In that case, we can leverage his status as a disciple of the Shingen-ryu to shift public perception and turn the situation around. This could even strengthen the Hunter Association's reputation."
Several members nodded at her reasoning. However, Saiyu, with his usual bluntness, immediately broke the momentary sense of relief.
"And… what's the worst-case scenario?"
The others turned to him.
"What...? Did I say something wrong again?"
"No~" Mizaistom shook her head. "The worst-case scenario is… Ronnel is defeated and killed. That would enrage the enemy leader.
"If that happens, he may execute the Chairman and the hostages in Heavens Arena before launching a massacre, rampaging outward from the arena, slaughtering indiscriminately until he reaches V5 or the Hunter Association. If he's powerful enough, he could kill everyone connected to the old conflicts."
Silence fell over the meeting.
Saiyu gulped. "That's… that's a bit extreme, don't you think?"
"It's not just extreme—it's catastrophic! If that happens, the Hunter Association might as well disband on the spot! Without Netero, we'd have no foundation left!"
Kanzai's outburst was met with a few muffled coughs.
"Alright, let's not dwell on doomsday scenarios. Mizaistom, since you've thought of this, I assume you have a plan?" Saccho asked.
"Yes, of course," he nodded. "But—"
He glanced at another screen, her expression darkening.
...
In the feed, Ronnel and Jed stood face to face.
"It all depends on the final result of this battle."
The Showdown at Heavens Arena
"Ronnel? I'll remember that name."
At the top of Heavens Arena, Jed's expression gradually settled into eerie calmness.
At the same time, his body loosened, muscles relaxing.
The calm before the storm.
That phrase surfaced in Ronnel's mind.
"Now," Jed said, his voice low yet sharp, "let's fight for real—this is a battle where our lives are on the line."
As he spoke, the very air around him seemed to thicken, growing oppressive and suffocating.
"It's coming… Jed!"
Netero, watching from behind, fixed his gaze on Jed's back, his expression unusually grave.
"The ability that once defined your power… the force that made you the unquestioned ruler of the Shadow!"
In the next moment, an overwhelming surge of On erupted from Jed's body, rising into the sky like a storm of darkness.
"The Grudge of One-Hundred Demons: Rakshasa!"
A guttural roar, as if echoing from the depths of hell, tore from Jed's throat.
His once golden eyes were now pitch black, swallowed by shadows.
A swarm of vengeful spirits rapidly coalesced around him, intertwining and merging to form an enormous, grotesque entity—a monstrous apparition that loomed over the battlefield, blotting out the sky.
Under the horrified gazes of everyone watching—
A nightmare had taken form.
"What… what the hell is that?!"
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