Hello everyone. I'm Gon Freecss, and I've officially been assigned to the NGL Vanguard. There was a bit of a fuss during the selection process, but looking at the big picture, I think it ended up being the right lineup.
After a long discussion, Chairman Netero finalized the roster for the NGL Vanguard—a group that could only be described as a collection of absolute monsters.
First, the core combat specialists: Gon, Killua, and Hisoka.
Next, the master-disciple trio of Morel, Knuckle, and Shoot, whose adaptability and flexibility in various situations are unmatched.
Rounding out the front lines were five high-level combatants from the Shingen-ryu dojo, tasked with clearing out the swarms of lower-level soldiers and captains.
Knov was assigned to manage supply lines and escape routes, utilizing his Hide-and-Seek ability to move between the camp and his four-dimensional mansion.
Finally, serving as the guide to the ant mound was Kite, who, despite being one-armed, remained a formidable fighter.
With Netero leading the charge, the Vanguard was set. The remaining members were divided into two groups: one to guard the base camp and another to join the Second Wave reinforcements.
Amidst these preparations, Kurapika stood before the group with a heavy heart, offering an apology.
"Gon, Killua, Gin... I'm sorry. It's because I've become a burden that you have to split your strength."
"It's not like it's anyone's fault," Killua shrugged. "It's just bad timing."
Guma!Gin, the Foxbear, chirped in agreement.
"Exactly. It's actually a good thing, so don't let it get you down," Gon added with a smile. "Besides, with Knov around, Leorio and I can reach you in an instant if you need help, even if we aren't at the same camp."
Because of Knov's ability to ignore distance, the medical team—Leorio and Kurapika—could stay safely at the base camp while still being available for immediate treatment. Consequently, Gin had been assigned to remain at the camp as their personal guardian. However, Kurapika couldn't help but feel that his condition was weakening the Vanguard's total combat power.
"Kurapika, Killua's right—it's just timing," Leorio said, patting Kurapika's head comfortingly. "Besides, there's a real chance the ants might attack the camp. If you stress out too much, you'll mess up your hormone balance, so take it easy. If anything, I'm the one to blame for this situation."
Leorio looked down at Kurapika's stomach, a goofy, doting smile spreading across his face. Gon and the others gave a wry laugh at Leorio's lack of composure, while Kurapika offered a faint, happy smile, his hand resting gently over his abdomen.
Leorio had originally intended to wait until he had his medical license before starting a family. However, Kurapika—spurred into action by the unexpected number of young women like Cheadle and Sanbica around Leorio—had taken matters into his own hands. Now, though there were no visible changes yet, a new life was growing steadily within him.
The discovery of the pregnancy had initially filled Kurapika with such euphoria that his eyes had taken on a permanent, glowing scarlet hue. Since the discovery of the Chimera Ants, however, guilt had caused them to fade back to their natural brown. Leorio didn't want Kurapika anywhere near a dangerous war zone for his first pregnancy—especially since Kurapika was still in his teens—but he knew that separation would be worse for Kurapika's mental state, so they chose to stay together.
"But are you sure about leaving Gin behind?" Kurapika asked. "There are other Shingen-ryu members and Hunters at the camp. We shouldn't reduce the Vanguard's strength."
"Well, it's not just for you," Gon admitted. "It's my own selfishness, and it's what Gin wants too."
Gon's "selfishness" was a desire to keep Gin out of a conflict between humans and Chimera Ants. While the ants were being exterminated as a dangerous species, Gon viewed them as creatures simply doing what came naturally to their kind. He didn't want his Foxbear companion to be a part of a survival-of-the-fittest war between two different races.
"And when you say it's what Gin wants... do you mean he feels he's past his prime?" Killua asked.
Kyuuu... Gin let out a soft whine, hanging his head slightly.
"Is that right? He doesn't look any weaker to me," Leorio remarked.
"It's not that he's weak... ♦ It's that he's hit a ceiling," Hisoka chimed in. "It's more accurate to say he can't get any stronger than he is now. ♣"
Gin was nearly twenty years old—elderly for a Foxbear. Thanks to his Nen awakening and good nutrition, he would live a long time and could still fight, but he had reached his absolute limit. Having lost almost every sparring match against Killua recently, Gin had chosen to stay at the camp to avoid becoming a liability.
"We can fight with more peace of mind knowing Gin is guarding the camp," Gon added. "And since Kite is our guide, we don't need Gin's tracking skills as much for this mission."
"...I see. Then I'll rely on you," Kurapika said, his expression finally softening. "I'm counting on you, Gin."
Guma!
The group relaxed as the tension bled away. They chatted for a few more minutes until a familiar duo approached.
"It's been a while. I didn't expect to see Hisoka here, but you seem as lively as ever," Pokkle said, his face set with resolve as he and Ponzu joined them. "I have a favor to ask. Please, listen to what I have to say."
***
Biscuit Krueger, now the commander of the Second Wave, was currently nursing a massive headache over the recruitment process.
(Nearly all the personnel I want are already tied up in other missions,) Bisky thought irritably. (Looking at the timing, it shouldn't be related to the ants, but I wouldn't put it past that shifty Rat to have planned this.)
As a Shingen-ryu master, Bisky could easily source combatants. However, finding support staff and specialists in tracking or logistics was a different story. Whether it was Netero's influence at the top or a general trend among Hunters, the most capable individuals tended to hyper-specialize in combat. This left a vacuum where most remaining support types were either elite veterans who were already busy or rookies with questionable competence.
Even with her vast network of contacts, Bisky was struggling to fill the ranks.
(Thank goodness the Greed Island situation calmed down enough for me to pull in Tsezguerra and his team. They're far more reliable for logistics than they are for front-line fighting.)
It was a rough start, but the inclusion of Tsezguerra's group—who were fresh off the first selection round for Greed Island 2—was a stroke of luck. With specialists like Dobbel, whose Hatsu was tailor-made for tracking, they finally had a solid foundation. Still, to monitor such a vast territory and prevent any ants from escaping NGL, they were at barely half the necessary strength, even with the personnel transferred from the First Wave.
(I'm going to have to borrow some of the Zodiacs. We've bitten off more than we can chew if we want to contain this perfectly.)
Netero knew the plan was reckless, but he felt he needed to demonstrate a "total commitment" to the public—partly to atone for the fact that he was secretly enjoying the challenge. He was already considering taking full responsibility once the crisis settled, even contemplating resigning as Chairman. Netero had realized that his "rejuvenated" spirit made his compatibility with Pariston not just bad, but terminally toxic.
(At the very least, I need Cluck for surveillance and Ginta for the strike team. I'll have to make Beans work overtime to make this happen,) Bisky decided.
Bisky resigned herself to the fact that a tiny elite would have to handle a massive workload. She offered a silent apology to Beans, who would undoubtedly bear the brunt of the stress, and resolved to squeeze every penny of Netero's personal fortune as her "consultation fee."
***
Around the same time Kite and his team were escaping NGL, the Royal Guard knelt in unison at the heart of the ant mound.
Shaiapouf had returned a few days prior, having finalized the preparations for their new base. Now, the Queen was finally ready to begin the birth of the King.
"I shall now bring the King into this world. I leave the rest to you."
Without waiting for a response, the Queen flared her aura. She activated her first and final ability—the culmination of her existence.
Ascendant Sun — The Peerless Sovereign I Shall Bear.
From the shadow drifting within the Queen's distended abdomen, a violent, blinding light erupted. Even the Royal Guard, who kept their heads bowed and eyes shut, were dazzled by the radiance. The Queen's silhouette seemed to dissolve, melting into the shadow.
With the last fragment of her consciousness, the Queen spoke to the King, for whom she had sacrificed every drop of her blood and aura.
"Your name is Meruem. The light that illuminates all. Child of the Sun. Rule the world with your glory..."
The light vanished as suddenly as it had appeared. The Guards looked toward the spot where the Queen had been, their vision still blurred.
There stood a figure—not exceptionally large, but possessing the concentrated brilliance of a diamond. He had a human-like frame encased in a muscular exoskeleton. His gaze was sharp, his features regal and dignified. A long tail, tipped with a needle and roughly the length of his body, swayed behind him.
The sheer presence of Meruem made the Guards dizzy with emotion. They were too moved to even twitch.
"...You may speak. State your names."
The voice was as authoritative as the King's bearing. Neferpitou, her eyes brimming with tears, was the first to answer.
"I am Neferpitou, of the Royal Guard. I was entrusted by the Queen with the role of 'Affection.'"
Menthuthuyoupi was the next to receive the King's gaze. Shaking with emotion, he followed Pitou's lead.
"I am Menthuthuyoupi, of the Royal Guard. I am your 'Weapon.'"
Finally, the King looked at Shaiapouf. Pouf's face was flushed with a feverish intensity, like a child waiting to be praised.
"My beautiful King... I am Shaiapouf, the 'Blind Devotion' of your Royal Guard. I have already identified a new base of operations worthy of your majesty. The location is—"
Meruem raised a hand, cutting Pouf off. He curled a finger, beckoning him closer. Pouf knelt before Meruem with a look of ecstatic joy—only to be struck across the face by Meruem's tail the next instant. The force of the blow sent him crashing into the wall.
"I permitted you to state your name. Do not waste my time. It is disrespectful."
"...! My sincerest apologies," Pouf replied, returning to his spot with a steady gait despite the blood streaming from his bruised face. "Once I have disclosed the information regarding our new base, I shall promptly take my own life as atonement."
Meruem glanced at him, then sat where the Queen had previously rested, one knee drawn up.
"There is no need. I struck with the intent to kill; since you survived, the sentence is carried out. Your life belongs to me. You do not have the right to decide its end."
"Oh... such profound mercy..."
Pouf wept openly, but said nothing more, returning to his kneeling position. Meruem looked over his three Guards, gauging their strength, before delivering his orders.
"Gather the others in this nest. Let them choose whether to follow us to the new base or strike out on their own. And bring me food. I am not famished, so prioritize quality over quantity."
"As you command!"
Pouf rushed to call the other ants while Youpi departed at full speed to secure a meal. Neferpitou remained behind, prostrating herself to attend to any further requests. Hoping to engage the King, she asked for permission to speak.
"My King, why offer them a choice? We could simply command them. Any who defy you shall be annihilated by our hands."
Pitou radiated a murderous intent, but as she felt the dignified, almost serene aura of Meruem, she instinctively lowered her eyes and apologized for her overstepping. Meruem remained silent for a moment before posing a question to her.
"Pitou. What, in your view, defines a King?"
"I had many thoughts before your birth," she answered. "But the moment I saw you, I knew. You are the King. All others are mere pretenders."
"That is not what I asked. Listen well. A King is one who stands at the absolute pinnacle of all things. And a King is one who is capable of giving."
As Pitou tilted her head in confusion, Meruem explained his philosophy.
"Physical strength and intellectual brilliance—one cannot be a True King without both. If a ruler simply leaves matters to those more capable, or accepts being inferior to his subjects, he is powerless against rebellion."
Meruem noted that the leaders of human nations were rarely the strongest or smartest of their people. At best, they were coordinators; at worst, they were merely place-holders granted power by their lineage. They remained in power only because those around them allowed it.
"Therefore, a True King must be stronger and wiser than any other. But one who stops there is not a King—he is merely a superior being, a transcendent individual."
To Meruem, standing at the top didn't make one a King. If followers merely used a leader as a figurehead to build a nation, that leader was nothing more than a puppet. It was only when people followed out of genuine devotion that a King truly existed.
"Furthermore, one who only receives is no different from a beggar. Whether one is entitled to receive and whether one must give are separate matters entirely."
A King was entitled to receive anything he desired, but that didn't mean he was forbidden from giving. By rewarding labor and loyalty—regardless of whether the recipient asked for it—a King proved the depth of his wealth and the scale of his character.
"That is why I shall offer a reward. To the Queen, who staked her life to bear me. And to those who fulfilled their duty to protect her until this moment. That is why I offer them a choice, and why I shall accept those who follow. Do you understand?"
Having heard his words, Neferpitou felt a deep sense of shame for having underestimated her King. The sovereign she was born to serve had already moved beyond physical and mental perfection into a realm of character that was truly off the charts.
"Your philosophy is carved into my very soul. Once again, I, Pitou, swear absolute loyalty to you."
Pitou was filled with the joy of serving such a King, mixed with the anxiety of whether she could live up to his expectations. Sensing her turmoil, Meruem rewarded one of his most loyal subjects.
"Neferpitou—from now on, I shall call you Pitou. Shaiapouf shall be Pouf, and Menthuthuyoupi shall be Youpi. Only you three are permitted to speak my name. Go now. Do your best."
"Oh... there is no greater honor. Pouf and Youpi will be overjoyed."
Shortly after, Youpi returned with a meal and Pouf returned with news of the other ants, both of them moved to tears when they learned they had been granted names. As they waited for the Squadron Leaders to gather, the Guards vied for the King's attention, explaining what they could offer him.
The Chimera Ants had finally achieved a complete, solidified organization. Their unity and raw power far exceeded any human nation. The collision between the world's youngest civilization and its most established powers was imminent. The battle for survival between man and ant was about to begin.