"As you can see, the large, whale-like ship below is the Black Whale ship that departed from the Kakin Empire for the New Continent."
The TV screen showed aerial footage of the Black Whale ship, resembling a motionless, fat black whale. From the footage, it was easy to guess it was shot from a helicopter.
The photographer had chosen a tricky angle, managing to fit both the female reporter and the Black Whale ship into the frame.
"According to reports, the Black Whale ship was first discovered by fishermen who set sail from the Toki Port. Responsible officials from the relevant departments are actively collecting testimony from these fishermen."
"Currently, the reason for the Black Whale ship's appearance here remains unknown. Before the arrival of the International Permit Agencies, freelance professionals swarming in from all over the world are closely surrounding the Black Whale ship, engaging in extensive photography."
The female reporter narrated the situation below with visible excitement.
Numerous boats were anchored on the sea surface around the Black Whale ship. In the sky, many helicopters were circling, mostly belonging to media outlets.
Suddenly, the female reporter noticed a fleet of ships sailing towards them on the distant sea. Above this fleet, there were also numerous helicopters.
Spotting this, she quickly signaled the cameraman to shift the lens towards the fleet.
The cameraman understood, adjusted the lens, and captured the spectacular fleet of ships and the accompanying helicopters.
"Look, a large-scale fleet is now heading towards the Black Whale ship, highly likely the team from the International Permit Agencies."
After a moment, the fleet drew closer, allowing the camera to clearly capture the flags representing the International Permit Agencies.
"Indeed, it's the International Permit Agencies' team. Unauthorized personnel around the Black Whale ship are being dispersed."
"Meanwhile, helicopters are landing one after another on the top of the Black Whale ship."
Inside the second-floor room of the small building, the TV screen went blank, shrinking to a line, and then vanished.
With the sudden loss of sound, Komugi, who couldn't see, froze for a moment.
"Let's play Gungi," Meruem said softly, putting down the remote control. He turned his head calmly to look at Komugi.
"It's not time yet."
Komugi's cheeks puffed slightly, somewhat annoyed that Meruem had turned off the TV on his own. They had plenty of time every day to play Gungi, yet he insisted on depriving her of even short rest periods. It simply couldn't be indulged all the time.
Seeing Komugi's slightly annoyed expression, Meruem pressed his lips together, holding his ground. Compared to watching these boring news reports, he'd rather spend the time playing Gungi.
"Turn the TV back on!"
Komugi raised her voice slightly.
"No."
"Will you turn it on or not?"
"No."
"I'm asking you one last time, will you turn it on?"
"No..."
Meruem paused mid-sentence.
He looked at Komugi, whose eyes were open and brimming with tears, and forcibly swallowed the word 'Yes'.
"News... isn't it boring?"
Meruem looked away, not daring to look at Komugi in that state.
He always felt that the news being broadcast was utterly unsubstantial, and playing Gungi was still more important.
"But I find it very interesting! Besides, we always stay at home, so we should watch the news and listen to the radio frequently to understand how society is changing!"
Meruem's stubbornness nearly made Komugi cry.
"..."
Meruem parted his lips slightly but ultimately couldn't say the word 'meaningless'.
Faced with Komugi's persistence, he gave in, picked up the remote, and turned the TV back on. The female reporter's voice immediately resumed.
Hearing the sound, Komugi's cloudy expression cleared instantly. Even though she couldn't see, she focused intently on the TV screen.
Meruem put the remote down again, watching Komugi in silence.
'Even though you could take me back anytime, you still try to convince me with words. What a fool,'
Meruem thought silently.
'But wasn't this also a form of heartfelt respect?'
Given their positions, he was Komugi's Nen Beast, and Komugi was his master.
Meruem had no interest in the news on TV. He occasionally glanced up at the clock, wishing the break time would end quickly so Komugi could continue playing Gungi with him.
During the tedious, silent wait, Meruem looked at Komugi every so often.
Her focused expression, like an attentive student in class, always stirred up some special feelings within Meruem.
He felt that the longer he spent with Komugi, the more human he became.
And their relationship was also changing over time.
Though not lovers, it was certainly not one of ruler and subject.
The present time, the current world… this was what he wanted.
"Meruem, why is there no one inside such a big ship?"
Listening to the reporter's live on-site updates, Komugi felt puzzled upon hearing that there wasn't a single person on board the Black Whale ship.
"Either they committed suicide, or they were killed."
Meruem hadn't been paying attention to the news, but that didn't stop him from answering Komugi's question.
"I see!" Komugi clapped her hands in sudden understanding. "Why didn't I think of those two possibilities?"
"You have five more minutes left to waste,"
Meruem reminded her very inappropriately.
"Spoilsport!"
Komugi huffed.
Long-term companionship seemed to have brought about certain changes in both Komugi and Meruem.
Five minutes later.
"Come on, let's play."
Meruem eagerly set up the board.
That Gungi board was the one Law had given to Komugi.
Thanks to Law sealing his Post-Mortem Nen within the board, and Komugi awakening her ability to use the board as a medium, he could manifest again as a Nen Beast.
He was grateful to Law and also to Komugi.
"But the news isn't over yet."
Click.
Meruem decisively turned off the TV.
Knowing she was in the wrong, Komugi obediently turned and faced the Gungi board.
"By the way, whose turn is it to cook today?"
"Yours."
"Fine. What do you want to eat?"
"Anything."
"Hmm, then dinner will be fried bark with white skin, and boiled lotus beans."
"..."
Meruem was silent for a moment, then tentatively asked, "Can we have something else?"
"But you said 'anything'."
"..."
Meruem shook his head slightly.
"Let's begin."
Inside the ordinary, yet very warm little building, the crisp sound of pieces falling on the Gungi board continued steadily.
The human and ant, both completely immersed in the world of Gungi, were completely unaffected by the news from earlier.
Far away in the Kukuroo Mountain, inside the Zoldyck estate atop the extinct volcano.
In a spacious, chilly room, Maha sat in an old-fashioned rocking chair. The TV in front of him was on, but instead of his usual favorite cartoons, it was showing news about the Black Whale ship.
Maha turned off the TV, squinting his eyes, making it hard to tell what he was thinking.
Knock knock.
A knock came at the door.
"Enter,"
Maha said languidly.
The door was pushed open, and the person who entered was Milluki.
"Great-grandfather, Killua is back. Dad asked me to let you know."
Maha looked up at Milluki, twitched his nose slightly, and his gaze fell on the tiny fragments of potato chips on the corner of Milluki's mouth.
"Wasabi flavor."
"Huh?"
Milluki was stunned, not understanding what was happening.