When Xiang Nan's three‑person team finally located Pigeon and Orban, the two of them were locked in a pitched battle against the combined forces of the Shogunate and Edo.
The Shogunate's troops and the Oniwabanshū concentrated on Pigeon, while the Shinsengumi and the three canonical protagonists targeted Orban.
Even so, the pair—who seemed badly outnumbered—managed to hold the huge enemy force at bay, preventing it from pushing deeper into the base.
Pigeon's ability was proving formidable: any non‑story character corroded by his "On" energy immediately became a mindless puppet. On Orban's side, even while besieged by Hijikata Tōshirō, Okita Sōgo, and Sakata Gintoki, he stayed perfectly composed and methodical.
As a fellow "samurai," Orban regarded those main‑story characters as far too "green."
Although game rules forbade him to kill plot characters, Orban could still block and dodge their attacks. Every blade that came slashing his way was parried with ease—and he even took the time to sneer at Hijikata and the others.
"Should we lend a hand?"
Hidden in the shadows, Xiang Nan and Beishi had not exposed themselves. Watching the stalemate, Beishi asked Xiang Nan in a low voice.
"No need,"
Xiang Nan replied softly.
Except for Okita Sōgo, who had truly seen all five of them, every other plot character—including the Yorozuya trio—recognized only Xiang Nan and Beishi.
Because Gintama contains Altana, Xiang Nan is certain he'll return here someday. Although he has already set a lure for Utsuro, Sakata Gintoki, Kagura, and Shinpachi are protagonist‑class figures; it is safer to avoid unnecessary entanglement and keep them from forming a negative impression of him.
Thanks to the "First‑Kill Armband," once Xiang Nan, its holder, issues the order, every teammate—no matter where they are or what they are doing—is teleported back to Hunter × Hunter at exactly the same moment; the five do not have to regroup or meet any other condition.
Xiang Nan is unsure whether this is unique to the Gintama world or works elsewhere as well, though he suspects it is world‑specific. After all, he and Manman are in the middle of the Extinction Game. If they could jump back from any world at will, it would be an overpowered loophole, letting them ignore reincarnation limits and rush straight to Extinction Level 10.
So the special nature of Gintama seems more likely. From the moment they arrived, the system has offered no assistance, and the threat of "assimilation" here is far higher than in ordinary worlds—facts that point to the same conclusion.
This is Xiang Nan's first time using the First‑Kill Armband; its functions are still unfamiliar, but this excursion has impressed on the whole team how vital the item is.
"Return!"
After observing from the dark for a while, Xiang Nan gave the mental command.
In an instant, all five of them vanished where they stood.
"Huh?"
The plot characters battling Pigeon and Orban froze, stunned to see their enemies disappear into thin air.
Their faces were a picture of shock.
…
Outside a coffee shop, Xiang Nan's squad re‑materialized safely in the main world.
Pigeon and Orban were still in fighting posture.
They had felt no warning or transition. Only when they looked around did they realize they had already left Gintama and returned to Hunter × Hunter.
"I thought so…"
Back in the main world, Xiang Nan immediately glanced at Manman and blinked.
"You didn't get any notice either, right?"
"None," Manman shook her head.
Normally, whenever players enter a reincarnation dimension—qualification match or not—the system scores them and awards dimension coins. This time, however, the system was completely silent.
Pulling up his panel, Xiang Nan saw that his level had indeed risen to Extinction 7, but there had been no settlement at all—only a note that they had cleared Round of the Extinction Game.
"So… because of Gintama's uniqueness, this run was entirely self‑directed: you can harvest resources, but you get no system rewards," Xiang Nan concluded.
Had they failed to secure Altana, the whole trip might have been "all pain, no gain."
"Let's start distribution,"
Xiang Nan said.
All the Altana was in the three core members' inventories, but because they are one squad, they can share and trade items freely.
"This is… a planet's life force?"
Listening to the system prompt and staring at the icons, Pigeon and Orban were astonished.
Xiang Nan explained Altana to them in detail—and told them that the Gintama world had effectively become their squad's "resource farm," news that made Pigeon and Orban ecstatic.
Neither of them is yet an Extinction 10 player, nor are they bound to a main world. In the grand "Multiverse Battlefield," that still makes them "rookies."
For such a new team to own an entire world as its resource cache is almost absurd, given what they know of reincarnation dimensions.
By comparison, raw Altana alone suddenly seems less critical—after all, they also encountered Gintama‑world technology and gear that can be exploited.
"Because of certain complications I can't contact the Republic of Padokea military right now—so I can't tap their resources or tech. Absorbing Altana will take prep time… I may need Mafia's help. In the meantime, don't take any risks. Once I've confirmed a safe method on Utsuro's Island, I'll let you know," Xiang Nan warned. "I don't need to spell out how valuable this stuff is. If outsiders learn about it, you'll be hunted. If V5 hears a whisper… you know the outcome."
"Understood," Pigeon and Orban answered at once.
Exposing Altana could easily make V5 assume it is Dark Continent‑related contraband and seize it for research.
"Wait for my word."
After a little more discussion, Xiang Nan departed first, heading for the Ten Dons' headquarters.
Their Gintama run had been "speedy," lasting less than a day. Because time flows differently between dimensions, barely half an hour had passed in Hunter × Hunter.
Manman followed Xiang Nan's plan, returning to the military district to resume training with the Pandora's Box unit under Omokage's supervision.
Xiang Nan knows how the military brass operate: even though he is the unit's director, anyone under him who shows outstanding value will be quickly promoted. With Xiang Nan away, the earlier clash with the Rabbi Kingdom will naturally boost Omokage's influence in the organization—something Xiang Nan tacitly approves.
He himself is a high‑ranking officer, after all. For now, Omokage remains useful—especially for mentoring Garo and the others in Nen.
The only worry is whether Omokage's abrasive personality will negatively affect the unit. But Xiang Nan's bandwidth is limited; he can't micromanage everything. Linne's tutelage is finished, and Xiang Nan's goal in the Association is complete—he could return to the army full‑time. Even if V5 strips his Hunter license, it doesn't really matter.
Still, he isn't ready to cut ties with the Hunter Association yet—for a simple reason:
He has already accepted Pariston's invitation to join "the game," and Xiang Nan is someone who holds grudges. The losses Pandora's Box suffered are a debt he still intends to collect from Pariston.
For now, though, his top priority is researching Altana—a treasure that could finally solve his chronic shortage of Nen reserves.