The news about the Chimera Ants was relayed by Kite's team.
Did this mean the plot remained unchanged?
Or had some parts changed?
Morrow couldn't be sure.
But since things had come to this, he was determined to join the extermination team.
Moreover, it would be best if he could implant the Star Marks into the Officers and Squadron Leaders before the Chimera Ants awakened their Nen abilities.
The reason Morrow placed such importance on this was because...
When targeting "non-Nen users," Starlight Convergence could bypass the "evasion" condition entirely, allowing the Star Marks to be implanted remotely.
This was crucial.
But time seemed to be running out.
He could easily foresee that, regardless of whether Pokkle provided Nen ability intelligence or not, the innate ability users, the three Royal Guards, would eventually become aware of the power of Nen.
The worst-case scenario would be if Kite, just like in the original storyline, was attacked by Neferpitou near the ant nest.
Then, he might be used as a source of intelligence by Neferpitou.
If Kite inadvertently replaced Pokkle's role in this way, the Chimera Ants would undoubtedly uncover more information about the Nen System.
After all, rookies like Pokkle, when undergoing Nen training arranged by the Association, typically wouldn't touch upon advanced Nen techniques, much like Gon and Killua learning Nen at Heavens Arena in the original story.
For the Chimera Ants, the more critical intelligence would obviously be the Advanced Techniques.
Because Chimera Ants, having fused with human genes, naturally possessed a higher aura output than humans.
This was an innate racial advantage.
So, if they were to master the Advanced Techniques on top of that, just imagining it was akin to facing hellish difficulty.
'...'
Morrow waited in a reception room not far from the Review Department's conference room, his hands clasped together, quietly awaiting the end of the review meeting.
Not far from him, Beans was also waiting for the meeting's outcome.
Morrow looks so serious.
During the wait, Beans glanced somewhat nervously at Morrow's stern expression.
He had initially wanted to chat with Morrow, but after sensing the somewhat oppressive aura, Beans gave up on the idea of approaching him.
"Beep, beep."
After an unknown amount of time, Beans received a message from Netero.
Is the review meeting over? But... why didn't the Chairman directly state the result and instead asked me to go see him first?
Beans looked at the message, feeling puzzled.
But he didn't dwell on it, hurriedly leaving the reception room to find Netero.
Soon, he understood why Netero had asked him to come first.
It was because the Review Department had rejected the proposal to "allow Morrow to accompany them," citing Morrow's lackluster performance and negligible contributions to the Association since obtaining his license.
As a compromise after rejecting this proposal...
After intense discussions, the Review Department ultimately agreed to the proposal allowing Morel and Knov to accompany them.
"This is the final outcome, and it won't be changed again."
Netero hooked his finger against his temple, looking calmly at Beans across from him. "I need to meet up with Morel and the others as soon as possible. As for informing Morrow, I'll leave that to you, Beans."
"This..."
Beans recalled the tense, solemn aura radiating from Morrow in the reception room, beads of sweat involuntarily trickling down his forehead. He stole another glance at Netero's unreadable expression before finally asking, "Chairman... You anticipated this outcome from the start, didn't you?"
"Hoh, indeed."
Netero turned his gaze toward the floor-to-ceiling window, his tone even. "The Review Department has always been stubborn. Their selection criteria solely prioritize contribution points and career depth. Given Morrow's qualifications, there was truly no possibility of him being selected."
"Then why did you make him wait so long in the reception room..."
The moment the words left his mouth, Beans regretted them.
This was already a settled matter. Asking unnecessary questions wouldn't change anything.
But perhaps it was because he had keenly felt Morrow's almost tangible anxiety in the reception room that he couldn't help voicing the question now.
Netero didn't mind Beans' unusual reaction, merely stroking his beard habitually with an inexplicable tone. "By involving him in the selection process, the Review Department would compromise faster to dismiss my insistence."
"Chairman, you..."
Beans hesitated, ultimately saying nothing more before hurriedly turning to leave again, rushing off to deliver the news to Morrow.
In the reception room.
Upon hearing the result, Morrow's pupils contracted slightly, disbelief flashing across his face. "Beans, are you saying Chairman Netero doesn't even have the 'authority' to choose his own team members?"
"Well, institutionally speaking..."
Beans nervously wiped his sweat with a handkerchief, the prepared explanation circling in his mind before finally dissolving into a sigh. "That's correct."
'…'
Silence hung heavily in the air.
Morrow frowned deeply.
He couldn't possibly remember every detail of the Chimera Ant arc.
What stood out in his memory was Killua, having lost all will to fight, encountering Netero, Knov, and Morel at the NGL border.
So even before that, bringing along just Knov and Morel required extensive arguments between the Review Department and Netero?
How absurd.
A legendary Pro Hunter, the only one of his era, who elevated the Hunter Association, a civilian organization, to its peak of prestige, actually...
Had to bow to the constraints of the so-called Review Department?
No wonder that guy Pariston could maneuver so effortlessly and act so recklessly after becoming vice chairman.
While Netero's permissiveness played a role, it was also deeply connected to this normalized "environment."
Humans had indeed established stable order and impartial laws.
Yet beneath that, they constructed cold, rigid hierarchies. Even an organization like the Hunter Association could only integrate into this environment.
Compared to this, the Chimera Ant system...
"I understand. Thank you for making the trip, Beans."
Morrow's expression remained blank as he spoke, then walked directly toward the reception room door.
If he could have joined the extermination team, no matter what followed, it would have made things much more convenient.
That was what he valued, not so-called merits or contributions.
Since this path was blocked, then...
He would participate in this incident as a non-member of the extermination team.
He would go with the flow, using this limited time to break through his current strength.
First-class? Not enough. Before those top-tier powerhouses who had already reached the summit, he, Razor, and that machine girl were still clinging to the steep cliff face.
All it would take was for those at the peak to casually toss down a single stone, and they would plummet helplessly into the abyss without any means of resistance.
Morrow left the Hunter Association Headquarters.
From within the building, Netero's gaze subtly followed his departure.
From the moment Morrow expressed his desire to participate in this matter, Netero had recognized his determination.
But Netero also knew full well that given the stubborn nature of the review department, there was absolutely no chance they would select Morrow.
This outcome was inevitable.
Yet despite knowing the result, Netero still agreed to Morrow's request...
Because Netero understood that even if Morrow wasn't selected, he would likely take matters into his own hands anyway.
So to prevent the review department from holding Morrow accountable afterward, Netero only needed to insist during the personnel review meeting that Morrow should be part of the expedition team...
Then, given the inevitable rejection, if Morrow did indeed participate in this operation without authorization, the review department would place the blame squarely on Netero's shoulders.
This was Netero's consideration.
In his view, young successors like Morrow, Menchi, and Kurapika all had the potential to become the future pillars of the Hunter Association.
—--
After leaving the Hunter Association building, Morrow immediately met up with Kalluto, who had been waiting for some time.
Given the circumstances, what he needed to do next was reach NGL as quickly as possible.
"Morrow, this is a paper doll that can receive 'sound.' This way, even without phones, we can communicate in real time."
Kalluto handed Morrow a paper doll cut in his own likeness, while keeping one made in Morrow's image, explaining:
"But my ability isn't fully developed yet. You need to use another small paper piece connected to the paper doll, so don't lose that small piece. If you do, the paper doll won't be able to receive sound."
"If you stick it to the paper doll, it won't be easily lost."
Morrow casually remarked.
Hearing this, Kalluto's face lit up with sudden understanding.
This ability was originally designed for eavesdropping.
The small paper piece functioned as a microphone, while the paper doll served as the sound receiver.
So the small paper piece used for sound collection typically needed to be discreetly attached to the target.
But now that they were using it for communication, there was no need for such concerns, they could simply attach the small paper pieces directly to their respective paper dolls.
Kalluto had been trapped by habitual thinking and hadn't considered this point initially.
Morrow carefully stored the communication paper doll and said, "After this matter is over, I'll teach you how to use Divine Script. If we can engrave the ability onto Divine Script, we might be able to eliminate the need for the small paper piece."
Perhaps it was because he had begun considering going to the Dark Continent.
That made him feel that Kalluto's ability could perfectly handle communication issues in the harsh environment of the Dark Continent.
"Okay!"
Hearing Morrow's words, Kalluto's eyes immediately brightened, and he nodded quickly as if afraid Morrow might change his mind.
Morrow smiled.
To eliminate any possibility of being tracked by his family, Kalluto had quickly abandoned his phone after leaving home.
Without phones, they could only use the sound-transmitting paper dolls as communication devices.
In terms of functionality, they were certainly inferior to phones.
But having something was better than having nothing.
Morrow understood that as long as he kept Kalluto with him, he would likely face trouble from the Zoldyck Family afterward. However, since he had already promised to let Kalluto make his own decisions, he no longer dwelled on these concerns.
"I'll use 'Shooting Star' to enter NGL at the fastest speed. Kalluto, you take conventional transportation, it should take about three or four days to reach the NGL border. Once you arrive, wait there for Menchi to meet up with you."
Morrow emphasized, "Under no circumstances are you to enter NGL on your own, understand?"
"Understood!"
Kalluto actually wanted to enter NGL with Morrow using Shooting Star.
But since Morrow had arranged it this way, he had no choice but to obey.
If he dared to ask why, he'd definitely get a flick on the forehead.
After giving Kalluto a few more instructions, Morrow stepped onto Shooting Star and soared toward NGL.
With Shooting Star's speed, crossing the ocean and the Yorbian continent to reach the NGL autonomous region within the Mitene Union would likely take less than a day.
As for endurance during long-distance travel, there was no need to worry at all.
Shooting Star relied on a Limitation to achieve ultra-long-distance flight. Whether in terms of consumption or sustainability, it far surpassed Zeno's aura dragon.
Back then, Kalluto had realized this and found it unbelievable, that Morrow's ability, in terms of mechanics, was actually stronger than Zeno's.
—--
Night fell.
NGL, which revered nature, remained untouched by modern industry. Once night arrived, the sky was filled with a sea of stars.
Morrow, riding Shooting Star, soared over NGL's border like a meteor streaking through the night sky.
Hmm?
Just after crossing a vast expanse of desolate rocky terrain and arriving above a lush forest, Morrow, enhanced by Gyo, quickly spotted a large group of moving Chimera Ant troops with his sharp vision.
Seems they haven't undergone Nen awakening yet.
Against the backdrop of the night, Morrow could clearly see the aura naturally dissipating from these Chimera Ants.
Even this naturally dissipating aura was far denser in both form and quantity compared to that of humans.
Because of this, spotting this group of Chimera Ants was easier for Morrow than finding a hidden sniper in the dark.
Without hesitation, Morrow leaped down from Shooting Star after just one glance.
The group of Chimera Ants he had just seen numbered at least four to five hundred, more than enough to warrant his intervention.
As he descended from the sky, Morrow made another discovery.
In the forest shrouded by night, there was actually a Nen user?
No wonder so many gathered.
Seeing the flame-like aura below, Morrow immediately understood why such a large group of Chimera Ants was moving together.
At this very moment, in the depths of the dark forest...
Ponzu's face was pale as she desperately fled through the trees.
The moment she realized the Chimera Ants had suddenly mobilized a large force to form an encirclement, she abandoned her plan of slow infiltration and, without hesitation, released her aura to its maximum extent.
Using this burst of power, she pushed herself to her absolute limit in speed.
These monsters…
They were clearly after her!
Not only had they locked onto her general location, but they had even devised a plan to surround her!
She had been careful enough, so why had they suddenly dispatched so many Chimera Ants?
What had triggered this?
No, now wasn't the time to think about that. She had to escape, fast, faster!
If I can just stay one step ahead of these monsters… but… will I make it in time? The scenery before Ponzu's eyes rapidly receded, and in the darkness beyond her vision, Chimera Ant soldiers wielding sophisticated firearms seemed poised to emerge at any moment.
A sense of crisis as thick as the pitch-black night sky sent her heart racing to an unprecedented pace.
Then, despair descended.
The only escape route ahead was abruptly blocked by several burly Chimera Ants.
Ponzu's eyes widened instantly, her body halting in despair.
Leading them was a Chimera Ant Squadron Leader with features of both a human and a lion, looking down condescendingly at Ponzu, who was completely surrounded.
"Indeed, this human is a rare specimen, but..."
The lion Chimera Ant coldly assessed Ponzu and said, "She seems rather ordinary. With this threat level, it's hard to believe she could have wiped out the Hazak and Iru squads."
"Whether it's her or not doesn't matter,"
Another Chimera Ant Squadron Leader nearby said indifferently, "As long as it's a rare specimen, it must be brought back to the nest."
'…'
The lion Chimera Ant glanced at his colleague who had spoken but said nothing more, only baring his teeth almost imperceptibly.
As the two conversed, the Chimera Ants executing the encirclement plan closed in.
Five hundred Chimera Ants, densely positioned all around, created a massive visual impact on Ponzu.
I'm going... to die here.
Ponzu stared at the overwhelming swarm of Chimera Ants sealing off the area, nearly collapsing to the ground in despair.
The only reason she managed to stay standing...
Was the memory of Barbara, whom she had seen earlier, similarly trapped.
If escape was impossible, then she would take down as many as she could!
But Ponzu knew that, faced with the terrifying reproductive ability of the Chimera Ants, even if she killed a dozen here, it would be nothing more than a drop in the bucket.
"Move in, all of you. Be careful not to accidentally kill her."
Another Chimera Ant spoke up.
He could have simply used telepathic waves to command the Peons present, without needing to say it aloud in front of Ponzu.
This was likely driven by the sense of superiority that came with casually deciding others' fates.
In a way, human genes were truly formidable, even when being consumed, they could still occupy a dominant position.
As the order was given, the Peons advanced toward Ponzu.
The Officers and Squadron Leaders present were no fools. Given the fact that several squads had been wiped out over the past two days...
Even if they thought this particular human wasn't as powerful as imagined, they wouldn't foolishly charge forward.
Letting the Peons wear her down first was the wise move.
Ponzu saw through this, and her despair deepened.
Even if there was a chance to capture the leader first, the remaining soldiers wouldn't be affected.
Just as Ponzu was drowning in despair, a sharp sound cut through the air from above.
Almost the instant they heard it, the Squadron Leaders and Officers present suddenly felt an intense sense of crisis.
Another rare specimen?!
Driven by the overwhelming sense of danger, the Chimera Ants ignored Ponzu and looked up.
There, they saw Morrow descending from the sky, enveloped in a surging Nen. Using some strange technique, he seemed to shed all his weight at the last moment, landing steadily in front of Ponzu.
Accompanying him was the aura wantonly radiating from Morrow's body.
The level... is completely different!!! Facing that powerful aura, including the lion Chimera Ant, all Chimera Ants possessing human nature and intelligence instantly turned pale with shock as they looked at Morrow.
Precisely because Ponzu served as a comparison, the threat level Morrow posed became even more intuitively apparent.
In contrast to the Chimera Ants' shock, Ponzu stared blankly at Morrow who had suddenly appeared, her mind momentarily short-circuiting, feeling as unreal as if she were in a dream.
"Starlight Convergence."
Without a word, Morrow channeled his Nen to activate his ability.
Within the forest illuminated only by sparse moonlight, starlight abruptly materialized out of thin air, instantly enveloping all the Chimera Ants.
In the next moment.
Golden chains appeared out of nowhere, restraining every single Chimera Ant.
"Wh-what?!"
"This is...!?"
The Chimera Ants, firmly controlled by the inexplicably appearing golden chains, immediately reacted with either terror or panic.
When they noticed all their companions had been simultaneously bound by chains, that terror escalated to its peak.
This completely surpassed their understanding.
Even Ponzu, being a Nen user herself, found it hard to believe after processing what had happened.
The scene before her eyes similarly overturned her perception.
"Let's go."
Immediately after, she heard the first brief yet forceful words Morrow spoke since his appearance.