Chapter 854
"NGL is already in the past. Meteor City—that's the present."
Gyro stood on high ground, gazing down below.
"Compared to NGL, Meteor City is a much larger stage. It has a broader area, a bigger population, and far more chaos. This is my stage."
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At the Zoldyck estate, Zeno, Silva, and Illumi sat in the study.
"Ron should already be on the ship."
"Let's hope he arrives safely on the Dark Continent and secures the Ascension Relic as quickly as possible."
"I didn't expect that Sequence power would turn out to be the true destination for Nen users."
"Next, it's our turn."
Zeno looked toward Illumi.
"Illumi, which nation's ship are you planning to board?"
"Minpo, I think."
"Minpo? Why?"
"Ron's suggestion."
"I see. No problem then. Ron's been to Minpo before—he should know it well enough."
"Grandfather, are you planning to take Fiora's ship?"
"Correct."
Zeno nodded and turned to Silva.
"Silva, from here on out, the Zoldyck name will rest on your shoulders. Once the rest of us leave one after another, it'll be up to you alone to uphold the family's legacy."
"Your great-grandfather's condition has worsened lately. Especially after hearing the news of Netero's death."
"Unless it's absolutely necessary, don't disturb him."
Silva nodded. "Understood, Father. The Zoldycks won't be a problem. Once all of you have left, many others from various countries and factions will have left too. Everything is mature enough now to stand on its own."
"Kalluto is just about ready to begin work as well."
"But as for Killua…"
Zeno's brow shifted slightly. "What about him?"
Silva replied, "Father, our plan before was for Illumi to inherit the Zoldyck family, so that Killua could follow a different path—one with more potential. But now, the situation has changed. You, Ron, and Illumi all plan to head to the Dark Continent. So the question is: should Killua continue on the previous path, or should he also go to the Dark Continent?"
"But Killua's current strength… it's still not enough, right?"
Zeno fell into thought.
It was a real concern. Originally, the Zoldycks had been grooming Killua to be the heir. But Ron's outstanding progress and Illumi's reliability had made both Zeno and Silva reconsider. They'd shifted to letting Illumi inherit the family, freeing Killua to chase a path with greater growth potential.
But now, everything had changed again.
Zeno and Illumi were both going to pursue that higher path. Silva would follow eventually.
So then?
Illumi said, "Grandfather, maybe it's time for Killua to return to the correct path."
He seemed to have a certain fixation on this point.
But Zeno ultimately shook his head.
"Let Killua decide for himself. The Dark Continent—me, Ron, and you, Illumi—we're all going to explore it. If we succeed, we'll have stepped beyond the boundaries of what a Nen user can be."
"If we fail, then the entire era of the human continent will shift. In that case, even if Killua stays to inherit the family, it won't mean anything."
"The era has already changed."
"People like us—we either go with the times, or we're eliminated by them."
"Killua's path is his own to choose. He's grown up now."
"We should focus on our own affairs."
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Many people boarded the Black Whale. Many others did not.
Besides a large number of people from Kakin, the ship also carried V5 envoys, wealthy figures from all over the world, celebrities, and capable individuals from the lower tiers. Most of them had at least some personal ability.
Ging Freecss. Pariston. Beyond. Hisoka…
When Killua heard the news, he was surprised.
"Ron-nii boarded the Black Whale? Heading to the Dark Continent?"
Gon, standing beside him, was just as stunned. "My father went too?"
Ging hadn't mentioned this to Gon.
"And Kurapika," Leorio added. "He joined the Phantom Troupe. Went to the Black Whale with them."
Gon and Killua were dumbfounded.
"Kurapika joined the Phantom Troupe?"
They remembered very clearly how Kurapika had fought against the Troupe in Yorknew.
Leorio shrugged. "It's true. They all went to the Dark Continent. Maybe there's something special over there that's drawing them in. I looked it up online, but there's barely any information. Not even much on the Hunter Network."
Killua took out a card—a white card.
"Ron-nii…"
Ron felt the Zodiac card tremble.
"Killua, what is it?"
"Ron-nii, are you on the Black Whale right now? Are you headed to the Dark Continent?"
"You found out?"
"Ron-nii, I want to ask… can Gon, Leorio, and I go too?"
"Killua, that's not a question you should be asking me."
Ron said, "You're not a child anymore. Your life is your own to decide. But if you're asking to come aboard through me, then the answer is no."
"Why not?"
"Because you're too weak."
"But Gon and I have already improved a lot. You said so yourself last time."
"That was only relative to the human continent. The Dark Continent is a completely different concept. With your current strength, it's nowhere near enough. Of course, if you're eager to die, go ahead."
Killua fell silent for a moment.
"Then how strong do we have to be?"
"Around Hisoka's level."
Killua's pupils contracted.
"To reach Hisoka's level…?"
Ron didn't respond again. He put the Zodiac card away.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
A knock came at the door.
Ron opened it.
Ponzu, Misty, and Machi stood outside.
"Come in."
"Are your rooms all the same?" Ron asked as the three of them found seats.
"Yes."
Ron nodded. "If you're alone, it's actually not too bad. In this early stage, focus on adjusting to life aboard the Black Whale. If you get the chance, work on improving your strength."
"I brought the three of you along for this mission, but honestly—your strength isn't quite there yet."
"Machi, your ability still isn't fully refined."
"Misty, you've only recently reached A-rank. You still need time to adjust and grow."
"As for Ponzu, you…"