"So... what do you plan to do with me now?" Joey asked, visibly uneasy.
"Your identity complicates things," Kite said, calm as ever. "You can't leave through any checkpoints. But my people can escort you far enough beyond their perimeter. Once you're clear, they'll extract you."
That wasn't the part that mattered. Kite's voice shifted tone.
"Now comes the real issue. That killer's identity—Yoshikage Kira—isn't something you can just wash off. If you want a stable life going forward, you'll need to earn it. That means acquiring a Hunter License… and proving yourself with significant accomplishments here in NGL."
"Only with enough reputable Hunters backing you will the Association step in to protect you. That's how you'll earn your peace."
"Of course," he added, "if you don't want to stay, I can arrange to have you sent back to the East Gorteau Republic. It's still mostly disconnected from outside intel—might be possible to survive there."
Joey hesitated.
Kite's terms were more than fair. Option one would safeguard his future—no fear of bounty hunters, no criminals knocking at his door. He could go wherever he pleased, build the life he wanted.
Option two, though... sounded like a death sentence. Not because Kite meant harm—but because Kite didn't know the future.
Joey did.
He knew the Chimera Ant King would eventually travel to East Gorteau. Knew that a nationwide assembly would gather all 5 million citizens into one location.
If he were caught there as a Nen user? He'd either become a gourmet delicacy or end up on Neferpitou's dissection table.
"No third option?" Joey asked, frowning. "I don't want to stay in the Mitene Union."
"Sorry," Kite shook his head. "My people can't leave the Balusa Archipelago anymore. Getting you back to East Gorteau is the best I can do."
"Then… what happens after I choose?" Joey asked bluntly. "You're not helping me just for fun, are you?"
Kite actually looked impressed by the directness.
"No. Hunters believe in equivalent exchange. If you pick the first option, I'll take you under my wing—as your guide and teacher. I think a One-Star Hunter is qualified enough for that."
"If you pick the second… I'll probably keep visiting East Gorteau. I'm extremely interested in the creature Screech. And in you."
Kite's meaning was clear:
I want to study Screech. I want to study you. If you agree to help, I'll guarantee your safety. If not—I'll watch you from afar, and study you anyway.
Joey didn't even need time to think.
"I'll take the first option."
A good teacher was worth more than any map out of a war zone.
And this wasn't just a good teacher. This was Kite, apprentice of Ging Freecss, a Nen master recognized by Chairman Netero himself. Probably one of the top five Nen users alive.
"I'm glad," Kite nodded. "You'll first return near the checkpoint with Killua and Gon. My people will retrieve you there and give you a new identity."
He handed a case to Gon. "This—I want you to deliver to Dena. Intact. He'll know what to do next."
"Don't worry, Kite!" Gon said with absolute seriousness.
"And now... I've located the one watching us," Kite said.
His gaze snapped skyward—where a floating Chimera Ant hovered, arms crossed, its head shaped like a dragonfly's.
Crazy Clown appeared in his hand with a Boom.
In a swirl of smoke and a shrill mechanical laugh, the weapon morphed into a giant reaper's scythe.
And then... the trees came alive.
Dozens of Chimera Ants emerged—each more monstrous than the last. The road ahead was a trap. The brief calm shattered.
The Ants wore expressions of hunger, cruelty—gleeful slaughter written across their faces. They had no intention of letting anyone leave.
"Number Two," Kite muttered.
"Damn it. Didn't get what I wanted again."
"You should be grateful for any draw, dumbass!" Crazy Clown screamed.
"Killua," Gon whispered, eyes sharp.
"Yeah. That scythe's dangerous."
Joey didn't say a word, but the goosebumps rising on his arms said plenty.
A squat, toad-faced Chimera Ant strolled forward and spoke, wearing a mocking grin.
"Let's decide the order, shall we?"
"Four targets. You have three choices: one, decide the duel order. Two, try to flee. Three… surrender."
"My advice is one. You'll still die, but it'll be honorable. At least you'll get to duel one of us."
"Two is less fun—but we'll allow it. You'll die horribly, but at least it'll be over fast."
"Three... don't. That earns you only the worst kind of death."
Behind the toad, a beetle-like Ant rattled a bamboo tube filled with numbered sticks—clearly ready to draw lots for the matchups.
They'd assumed these humans—who had already slaughtered so many lower-ranked Ants—would continue fighting.
And for the elite soldiers present, one-on-one combat was their greatest advantage.
These were no cannon-fodder ants. They were top-tier soldiers, leagues above the ones that had invaded the base.
Ten times stronger. No—dozens of times stronger.
Kite didn't answer the toad.
"Three seconds. Jump."
The command was soft. Immediate.
And all three—Joey, Killua, and Gon—felt it. A rising, suffocating killing intent radiating from the scythe in Kite's hands.
Danger.
More than danger—death.
Their instincts screamed at them. Their hearts beat like war drums.
The mist in the forest coiled around Kite as he stepped forward—forming a spiraling vortex centered on him. The air shuddered.
The toad Ant, still talking, froze. Sweat poured down his head. His words died on his tongue.
And just then—Joey, Gon, and Killua jumped.
Kite vanished.
A blinding streak of white light arced through the woods.
Then—blood erupted into the sky.
Dozens of Chimera Ants were cleaved in half. Massive trees splintered and fell, severed just above the roots.
Joey landed, staring in awe. Around them, for tens of meters, everything was either split in two or cut to pieces.
"Be gone," Kite said.
King!
The scythe disappeared.
"Death Waltz. Only one move allowed per appearance of the scythe," Kite explained. "And if I don't use it, the weapon doesn't go away. Annoying, right?"
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