New Continent, Coastal Fortress Secret Research Facility Teleportation Point.
Germain put away his lantern and stood up.
The group that had followed him, who were originally looking around curiously, all turned their attention to him now.
"This is the coastal fortress of the New Continent," Germain said.
He had already explained the basic situation here to Killua, Gon, and the others before arriving.
"I'll take you outside. Remember, be as cautious and discreet as possible."
Not only did Killua and Gon nod repeatedly, but even Shizuku also nodded in agreement.
Suddenly, the mechanical door of the secret room slid open with a soft sound, and someone walked in.
Under the lights of the research facility, the person's true appearance was revealed — a young boy with short golden hair, who looked about the same age as Killua and Gon.
However, those who knew him were aware that he was actually of the same generation as Ging, Dwun, and Razor.
"It seems I've arrived just in time," List said with a smile, his hands behind his back.
He wore overalls and carried himself like a teenage model in a fashion store.
Everyone else was surprised to see him enter, but Germain and Shizuku showed no shock.
On one hand, Germain and Shizuku had sensed List approaching.
On the other hand, they knew List had already cut off the monitoring from the control center.
He had modified the system so that if there was any unusual activity at the teleportation point, a signal would be sent to the small orbs carried only by Chairman Netero, List, and a select few.
This was a precaution to prevent anyone outside the core members, especially those in the V6 reinforcement fleet, from learning about the situation in this room via the control center.
List's arrival at this place so quickly was because he had received the orb's alert as well as instructions from Chairman Netero.
He had to make sure that Germain and the others would see him first when they arrived at the Coastal Fortress.
Germain introduced List to Killua, Gon, and the others standing behind him, and then introduced this group of young people to List.
List had actually been paying close attention to Gon and Killua ever since they entered the game on Greed Island, though he had never shown himself, so he was not unfamiliar with them.
By the time Gon, Killua, and the others cleared the main storyline and entered Limeiro Castle, List had already left for the New Continent.
By a strange twist of fate, they who were supposed to meet on Greed Island were only meeting now.
"Are you one of Ging's companions?" Gon picked up the key point from Germain's brief introduction. "Are you also one of the Game Masters of Greed Island?"
"Yes," List replied with a gentle smile. "To be honest, both Dwun and I have been watching you and Killua for quite some time."
"Yeah, Dwun told us the same thing. He also said that if Ging ignores us after we come to the New Continent, we should just find Germain and List."
List was momentarily taken aback, then smiled helplessly. "It's hard to deny what he said... After all, Ging really might not care about you."
"Th-then..." At the critical moment when Gon was about to meet Ging, he suddenly lost his words.
Killua, as a close friend who understood him well, spoke up for him: "List, will we be able to see Ging soon?"
"Yes," List answered decisively. "He's right now inside the Coastal Fortress. I can take you to meet him."
Gon immediately showed a mix of excitement and worry on his face.
He was excited to see his father soon, but worried that his father might not be the kind of Hunter he had imagined.
Gon was afraid he was overthinking things, to the point of disappointment.
"I'm going too." Leorio pushed up his round little glasses with a finger, pouting.
"To be honest, I'm really curious about what kind of person Gon's father actually is."
The more he spoke, the more his teeth clenched in frustration.
Not only that, but Hanzo and Pokkle also showed similar attitudes, standing behind Gon, determined to come along.
It made sense. Anyone who had spent some time with Gon and grown close to him couldn't help but feel outraged when they learned about his background.
What kind of father could abandon his own son for so many years, ignoring him completely, forcing his son to travel so far just to find him?
Even if that man was one of the top Nen users in the human world, Leorio wasn't afraid.
He just wanted to help Gon get the justice he deserved.
List could see how fiercely they all wanted to confront Ging, but he only smiled lightly, showing no intention of defending him.
Not only Leorio and the others, but even List and Dwun were displeased with Ging's actions.
Having Ging face some trouble wouldn't be a bad thing.
"I'll take you there right now. It's perfect timing — we can talk along the way."
He led them away from the heavy, sealed gates of the secret research facility, taking a few turns until they reached the outer corridor, where others gradually came into view.
"The V6 reinforcement fleet arrived at the BW No. 1 wreckage base on April 3rd. After docking, the V6 representatives entered the coastal fortress on April 4th, where Chairman Netero received them."
"After friendly negotiations, over 10,000 people from the V6 fleet were split, with half stationed at the BW No. 1 wreckage base and the other half moving into the coastal fortress."
"The coastal fortress is divided into two main zones: one is the 'Hunter Association Zone' where we are now, and the other is the 'V6 Zone.'"
"Queen Oito and Steiner are currently staying in the V6 district, under investigation and protection by the V6 authorities."
"They have been looking into the connection between the recent chaos and the Kakin royal family."
List didn't say much more to Germain but gave a basic overview of the situation.
Then, suddenly, he stopped and pointed ahead at Gon.
"Gon, look. That's your father — the 'Ruins Hunter' Ging Freecss."
Gon's breath hitched as he looked in the direction List was pointing.
He thought he was prepared for this moment, but now that it had come, his nerves kicked in.
Thump thump, thump thump, thump thump…
He saw a scruffy young man, dressed in worn-out clothes and wearing a soft hat.
The man was slouched deep into a sofa in the hall, feet resting on the glass table, flipping through a magazine without glancing their way.
But from what Germain, List, and Leorio knew, Ging definitely sensed they were close — and probably guessed Gon was nearby.
After flipping through the magazine for a while, he casually looked up and saw the group approaching.
"Germain, Leorio, List."
Ging greeted them first, then deliberately observed Killua, Leorio, Hanzo, and Pokkle.
When no one else caught his eye, he awkwardly locked eyes with Gon.
"Yo," Ging said, raising his hand and scratching the back of his head.
"So… are you interested in ruins? I might be heading out to a ruin site tomorrow, and I could use some help."
Gon finally exhaled the breath he'd been holding.
He nodded firmly.
"I want to go."
Ging was just as he imagined.
This was good. This was just right.
*******
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