Hello everyone. I'm Gon Freecss, currently refining my evolution to keep up with a certain fighting-freak clown and a living Bodhisattva. Killua's growth is also staggering; in a timed match, I can't lose to him, but I've stopped being able to land a definitive win either.
Months have passed since our group arrived at the Shingen-ryu Headquarters. While everyone has been growing day by day, the atmosphere in the dojo remains as rowdy as ever.
"Stop it! I don't want to die! I don't want to die! I DON'T WANT TO DIE!"
Knuckle Bine's tragic scream echoed through the hall before Chairman Netero had even arrived. Under the pretense of measuring Gon's aura once again, A.P.R. (Amortizing Power Redirector) had been attached to Gon. The moment the interest counter surpassed 500,000, Shoot and Morel used their abilities to bind Knuckle, pinning him directly in front of Gon.
"If Potclean has stored this much interest, there's no way you'll take actual damage," Morel grinned. "Don't you want to know exactly how much aura Gon puts into his Jajanken?"
"I'm terrified, man! I trust my ability, but this is a different problem entirely! Master, quit playing around and SAVE ME!"
"I want to know too, Knuckle. Sorry," Shoot added.
"NOOOOOOO!"
Trapped by Shoot's three levitating left hands and Morel's smoke clones, Knuckle struggled desperately. However, torn between his trust in his invincibility and his sheer terror of Gon, he couldn't muster his full strength to escape. Deciding that dragging this out would be a waste of time, Gon surged his aura, twisted his torso, and aimed a strike directly at Knuckle's gut.
"First comes Rock... Jan... Ken..."
"If I fall, a second and third Potclean shall rise in my stead—"
"ROCK!"
A heavy, low-frequency boom resounded, causing everyone to look away. The bound Knuckle was blasted several meters back before coming to a dead stop.
"...Shoot? Is my stomach still there? Am I still attached to my legs?!"
"Relax. You're visibly unscathed. Your A.P.R. did its job!"
Shoot comforted the sobbing Knuckle with a manly pat on the shoulder, but the other "heartless" spectators were frowning at the number displayed on Potclean.
"15,000 aura in a single Jajanken? By Knuckle's standards, that's equivalent to the total output of a mid-tier Nen user," Morel muttered.
"That's not even close to his full power," Killua scoffed. "He was clearly holding back. He didn't use the full weight of his physical strength. If he went all out, it would easily break 20,000."
"And if he compresses his Ko further, the destructive force would transcend the numbers... ♦ At this point, more power is just overkill. I'm curious to see how Gon intends to apply this next... ♠" Hisoka mused.
"He truly is a terrifying child," Biscuit sighed.
Killua, the Shingen-ryu disciples, and even the masters like Morel, Bisky, and Hisoka had moved past shock and into a state of weary disbelief. According to Knuckle's numerical conversion, a mid-tier user possesses around 20,000 aura total. Even a top-tier Hunter with a massive pool like Morel clocks in at about 70,000.
A single punch from Gon utilized an amount of aura that even a first-rate Hunter couldn't sustain for five strikes—a singular blow with the output to drain a mid-tier user dry in an instant.
"Seriously, Gon, what's the plan?" Bisky asked. "Like Hisoka said, increasing the power further has diminishing returns. Having a bottomless tank is a strength, but if it's that high, it's just 'dead stock' you aren't using."
Gon reverted to his child form, thought for a moment, and answered with confidence.
"I'm working on a new application of Hatsu, so I think it'll be fine. Worst case, I'll just use Ren to squeeze every drop out at once so nothing goes to waste!"
"Coming from you, that sounds like a nightmare waiting to happen."
An entity that could charge at you while maintaining a Ren of several hundred thousand was a walking catastrophe. He would be able to level everything in his path through sheer "Aura Violence."
But as this muscle-bound freak continued to pump up, moving beyond the framework of humanity, the call that signaled the end of their peaceful training finally arrived. Kurapika, who had been holding Gon's phone, brought it over as it blared a high-pitched SOS from Kite.
***
Deep within the NGL Autonomous State, near the border of the Republic of East Gorteau, a massive structure loomed.
It was an ant mound tens of meters high and incredibly thick. To the untrained eye, it looked like a natural formation of the earth. The area around it was a barren plain, making it a fortress impossible to approach unseen. But Kite's group saw an even more terrifying reason why infiltration was impossible.
"Master... what is that? Is that... is that En?!" Pokkle stammered.
"The range is too wide... and the shape isn't a clean circle," Ponzu whispered, trembling. "It's like a giant living creature stretching out tentacles in every direction."
Both disciples shuddered under the weight of that overwhelming aura. Every time the shifting, irregular En reached toward them, they recoiled in instinctive fear. Kite felt the same. Even without touching that bizarre aura, he was certain that something far surpassing him resided within that mound.
"...We're retreating. We've done all we can. We're leaving NGL immediately to report to the Association in person."
Kite abandoned the investigation. He had been scouting from the shadows of a hill far beyond the forest surrounding the mound, but he knew any further move was a suicide mission. He felt for the citizens of NGL being harvested as food, but as a leader with two inexperienced disciples, he couldn't justify the risk.
"Retreat at full speed. Forget stealth—kill any soldiers in our way and take the shortest route. Don't fall behind; I can't guarantee I can save you if you do."
"Yes, sir!"
Breaking their previous pattern of caution, the three sprinted toward the border, eliminating the occasional Chimera Ant soldier with extreme prejudice. Just as they began their retreat, a single ant atop the mound looked toward their hill and smirked.
***
Having barely escaped NGL with his team intact, Kite recognized this as a case far beyond his personal capacity. He called Gon for assistance and detailed the danger of these ants that had evolved by consuming Nen users. Despite protecting Pokkle and Ponzu, Kite had lost an arm to a high-ranking "Mantis-type" ant. He had managed to kill it, but he knew there were individuals far stronger than his attacker.
Upon hearing Kite's SOS, Bisky—alongside Cheadle—headed to the Association to report the situation directly to Netero, who hadn't yet arrived at the dojo.
(That was close. If I had stayed a second longer out of greed for info, we'd be dead. The Association says other Nen users have likely been sacrificed. Their military strength might already rival a sovereign nation's.)
"What kind of opponent got you, Kite?" Gon asked over the phone. "If I find them, I'll make sure they pay the debt."
(It was a Mantis-type that looked very human. It had hidden arms I didn't see coming. But I finished him off, so there's no one left to settle the score with.)
Following the call, Morel confirmed the geographical details with Kite. The information was funneled through Knov to the newly established task force at the Association. With Netero and Bisky absent, the day's training was officially called to an end.
The fated encounter between Gon and the "mother" of the Chimera Ant crisis was drawing near.
***
In a room within the Hunter Association, the Chimera Ant Task Force was in session.
"I have a proposal—or rather, a demand," Cheadle said, her expression grim. Experts and Hunters were debating the plan of action, and she seized the moment as the general strategy was finalized.
"The failure of the initial response lies solely with Pariston, who mismanaged it, and myself, who overlooked it. Given the number of casualties, I demand we both face severe disciplinary action."
"Now, now! I might be one thing, but Cheadle shouldn't be blamed!" Pariston chirped, acting as if he were shielding her. "I'll take full responsibility, don't you worry!"
Cheadle bristled at his fake sincerity. Netero cleared his throat and offered his view.
"Sending scout-type Hunters and rookies to cover a wide area for an unknown species wasn't a wrong move. If anything was at fault, it was luck. And if someone must take the blame, it is I, the Chairman."
"How could you say that, Chairman? You aren't—"
"Is that so?!" Pariston interrupted Cheadle, instantly reversing his stance with a smile. "Well, if the Chairman says so, I guess it really was just bad luck! My mistake!"
"You... you damn Rat!" Cheadle snarled, baring her teeth. Netero gave a cautionary cough, and she sat back down, frustrated.
Netero then outlined the final plan:
The First Wave: Aimed at the King and high-ranking ants. A combat-focused unit led by Netero, including the members currently at the Shingen-ryu dojo. Knov would provide transport and logistics.
The Second Wave: Aimed at search and extermination of stragglers. Led by Bisky, this group would prevent ants from spilling out of NGL.
The Third Wave: Medical and civil support, led by Cheadle. They would enter only after a degree of safety was secured.
Pariston, the remaining Zodiacs, and Beans would handle the Association's daily operations in Netero's absence.
"Bisky, Cheadle, and I will act as commanders with individual discretion. Each unit will have a Vice-Commander to maintain communication between the waves."
Netero set the departure for three days later. As the meeting broke, he pulled Beans aside and told him to keep a close eye on Pariston. Even at midnight, Netero requested Knov to transport him back to the dojo. The Hunter Association was finally baring its fangs.
***
While the meeting was happening, Leorio was wandering the corridors of the dojo with an unlit cigarette. Wanting to avoid smoking in the room with Kurapika, he headed for the balcony, only to find it already occupied.
"What are you doing, Hisoka? This doesn't suit you at all."
Hisoka was standing alone, looking up at the night sky in a way that seemed absurdly sentimental.
"Oh, Leorio. I was just reminiscing about the version of Gon that sparkles in my memory... obviously. ♥"
"Yeah, I don't get it at all."
Leorio lit his cigarette, exhaled a cloud of smoke, and asked the question that had been bugging him.
"Sorry to ruin your 'fun,' but I've got something to ask. You okay with that?"
"Hmm? You've helped me out with your medical skills, so I'll answer if I can... ♦"
It was a casual exchange, but Leorio noted the change in Hisoka. Back during the Hunter Exam or Heaven's Arena, Hisoka always radiated a bloodlust that made it impossible to relax.
"To be blunt... why are you so obsessed with Gon?"
Hisoka actually looked blank for a moment, surprised by the question. Leorio continued.
"I get that you want a life-or-death struggle. But if that's the case, there are people stronger than Gon right now."
Isaac Netero, a man with over a century of training and the title of a martial god. Biscuit Krueger, Netero's direct disciple with peerless technique and physical ability second only to Gon. To a layman like Leorio, these two were clearly closer to Hisoka's level. Yet Hisoka only had eyes for Gon. Even Netero and Bisky seemed more focused on Gon than on Hisoka.
"I see. You want to know what draws me to him besides his strength... ♦ That's a fascinating topic. Give me a moment... ♥"
Silence fell between them. Eventually, Leorio put out his cigarette, and Hisoka finally spoke. His expression was surprisingly calm.
"Gon shattered my fixed concept of what it means to be 'The Strongest.' ♠"
Hisoka spoke of his past—how he was never satisfied, only feeling alive in the heat of a near-death battle, and the profound loneliness of being too strong.
"It sounds pathetic now, but during the Hunter Exam, I truly believed I was the strongest... ♣ But the result was a total defeat by Gon, who was far below me at the time. ♥ I was smiling then, but honestly, I almost killed him right there out of pure spite."
Hisoka, who had never known defeat because he had always been the predator, felt a searing humiliation for the first time.
"But as I watched him, I realized what Gon sees when he looks at 'The Strongest.' Tell me, Leorio... what do you think 'The Strongest' is?"
"Literally the guy who's stronger than everyone else? During Heaven's Arena, I thought it was Netero, but now I'd say it's you, Hisoka."
"I'm flattered... ♦ But unfortunately, I don't consider myself the strongest anymore. ♠"
"Really? I can't think of anyone who could beat you."
"If such a person exists, I'd love to meet them... ♦ To me, 'The Strongest' now means 'The one who absolutely never loses, no matter who the opponent is.' ♥"
It was an impossible ideal, a delusion. Even with superior skill, luck or compatibility can flip a result. Winning 100 out of 100 times is impossible without a god-like gap.
"It was so ridiculous I never even considered it. But as far as I can see, that's exactly what Gon is aiming for... ♥ And lately, he's reaching a realm where it's not actually impossible. ♠"
"Wait, in a fair fight, maybe. But against a Nen user with a perfect counter-ability? He's got a bad win rate against you because of compatibility, right?"
"No. The fact that his win rate against me is higher than Bisky's or Netero's—despite our massive compatibility gap—is exactly why he's terrifying. ♠ Plus, his aura pool is already ten times mine. I can't even imagine a trick or a trap that could bind him now... ♣"
Humans aren't meant to have such gaps in life energy. But Gon, a teenager in his growth spurt, already possessed ten times the aura of a pro. Just as Knuckle's A.P.R. couldn't handle him, Gon was reaching a point where he could simply "brute force" his way through any specialized ability. In nature, a human simply doesn't beat a gorilla.
"That's why I'm obsessed. If I can be stronger than him, I'll be the closest thing to that ideal... ♦ I don't have time for petty schemes or tricks. I might be more 'skilled' right now, but I'm the one chasing him. It's magnificent... ♥"
"...By 'petty schemes,' do you mean doing something to me or Kurapika?"
"I won't do anything as long as Gon is still growing, so rest easy... ♦ Though I'm afraid he might still be growing a hundred years from now... ♠"
Hisoka waved a hand and headed inside. There was no madness in his gesture; as he said, he was simply looking forward.
"I see. A difference in the scale of their goals. I guess Bisky and the Chairman see it too."
Leorio lit a third cigarette and smiled toward the night sky.
"Unbelievable. We're all just birds of a feather, aren't we?"
Gon was sprinting ahead of everyone, even though there were still those stronger than him. He was chasing a goal so bright it would blind a normal person, yet he possessed a presence that made the impossible seem attainable.
Icarus once aimed for the sun and fell, but Gon—flying not on wings of wax, but on the strength of his own muscles—wasn't going to fall. The "Strongest Gon" had already begun to reign as an absolute force, even over those who didn't yet know his name.
***
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