Undoubtedly, for any organization of sufficient size, bureaucracy is inevitable.
Plans requiring the deployment of a massive nuclear arsenal must, by necessity, be reported to the Supreme Decision-Making Committee. Although the V5 had given verbal "delegated authority," in practice, the coordination was handled by their subordinate agencies.
Thus, after Allen finished outlining his plan, Slean immediately utilized remote communication equipment to begin reporting to the true power players behind the scenes. This reporting process lasted over two hours; only after the high feasibility of the plan was confirmed did he finally receive authorization for the operation.
As noon approached, a large military airship, laden with various equipment, bombs, and personnel, slowly ascended and flew toward the depths of the boundless ocean.
Gazing at the azure sea below, Hisoka, who had been silent until now, suddenly asked, "This situation wasn't part of your expectations, was it?"
"No. To be precise, I've been played."
Allen nodded without hesitation, making no attempt to dodge or hide the truth. He understood that against someone like Hisoka, who possessed an incredibly sharp sixth sense and was himself a frequent liar, any petty tricks would be useless.
"Hehe, is it those people cultivating the Chimera Ants again?" Hisoka's lips curled into a playful smile.
"It's Pariston Hill, the Vice Chairman of the Hunter Association; Beyond Netero, the Chairman's son; and the Kakin Royal Family. They likely felt I posed a threat to the initial breeding and expansion of the Chimera Ants. So, they deliberately manufactured this situation to ensure I'd have no time or energy to interfere for at least half a month to a month. I must say, their strategy is brilliant, a true 'open scheme.' Even knowing the truth, I have no choice but to jump in."
As he spoke, Allen's expression and tone remained perfectly calm. There was no chagrin from being outmaneuvered, nor a hint of anger.
He had learned a lesson long ago: in moments like these, one must maintain cold rationality. Deal with the most urgent crisis first, and then consider how to make the other party pay the price. Otherwise, being dominated by irrational rage or a desire for immediate revenge would not only worsen the situation but might also lead to stepping into other traps the enemy had pre-set.
Hisoka, clearly sensing this, pressed with a grin, "Then you'll definitely retaliate afterward, right?"
"I think you should know the answer to that better than anyone," Allen replied, turning to stare into the eyes of the magician.
"Hahahaha! Exactly! Your vengeful streak is the strongest I've ever seen; there's no way you'd swallow this insult. It seems this game is becoming more and more interesting, and I shall encounter even more delicious fruits." Hisoka laughed, flicking his tongue over his lips with a tone of intense excitement and anticipation.
Allen ignored the man's eccentricities. He narrowed his eyes at the pale blue sky through the glass window and spoke in a voice barely audible to himself: "Beyond, Pariston, and the Kakin Royals... You want to explore the Dark Continent? You want to hold a Succession Contest? I will shatter and destroy every one of your ambitions and desires, one by one. I've already warned you, once the war begins, only the victor has the right to end it. Now, our war has started!"
…
Meanwhile, the artificially cultivated Chimera Ant Queen had quietly made landfall in the uninhabited zones of the NGL Autonomous Region. She began consuming massive amounts of food and breeding soldier ants. In just a week or two, a colossal nest had been established.
Their appearance dealt a devastating blow to the human villages within a hundred-kilometer radius that still maintained a primitive lifestyle. Thousands of villagers, regardless of gender or age, were knocked unconscious or killed by the soldier ants and taken back to the nest to be processed into meatballs for the Queen's consumption.
At this moment, whether they were the ruling elite manufacturing drugs under the guise of environmental protection or true environmentalists seeking a peaceful life in nature, there was no essential difference. In the eyes of the ants, they were merely a source of food and nutrition. Nothing more.
Gradually, Officers and Squadron Leaders began to emerge within the ever-growing swarm.
Watching this from the shadows, Beyond Netero wore a satisfied expression. "Not bad! At this rate, the first Royal Guard should be born in about a month, and the preparation for the final King will begin. Is everything ready on your end?"
"Of course! I've leaked information through various channels. Soon, a large number of Hunters will enter this region to investigate. They will bring the knowledge of Nen to the ants. By that time, even if Allen returns, he won't be able to hinder the plan," Pariston Hill replied with a smile, rubbing his chin.
"Excellent! Once we send the old man off, the gates to the Dark Continent will swing open once more. I can't wait to set foot on that unknown land again, to achieve a conquest unprecedented in the human world, and to unravel all the hidden secrets and history."
At the mention of this, Beyond fell into a state of hysterical zeal. No one knew exactly what had happened during his last exploration of the Dark Continent, but his obsession was clearly far from normal.
Pariston, skilled at observing and peering into hearts, offered a meaningful reminder: "I suggest you don't underestimate Allen. He is a genius and a monster with limitless potential for growth. If you look down on him, you will pay a price, a very, very painful one. And I can guarantee he is quite angry about our little scheme right now."
"No. You're wrong. I have never underestimated anyone, especially a young man as talented as he is. On the contrary, I consider him my most formidable opponent after the Hunter Association. I'm sure that once the old man is dead, he will begin hunting me. The thought of such a dangerous enemy constantly chasing me makes me tremble with excitement. Because that is the ultimate adventure!"
Beyond grinned, speaking his truest thoughts. As the only offspring of Chairman Netero and one of the most powerful Nen users, he feared being trapped in a mundane and boring human world far more than he feared danger or death. Furthermore, a Hunter only truly feels that indescribable thrill when hunting others or being hunted.
"Taking on Allen and the Association simultaneously? You really are mad. But thinking about it... it does seem like it would be fun," Pariston's eyes shimmered with a dark, deep light.
"No matter how many enemies there are or who they are, I will emerge the victor! Because I am Beyond Netero! The explorer and conqueror destined to engrave his name in human history! And the Dark Continent is the perfect stage for it all! As for everyone else, they are merely my foil, including you," Beyond announced in a decisive, unquestionable tone.
"A foil? Hehehehe! Well, let us wait and see."
Hearing this, Pariston merely laughed noncommittally, with no intention of arguing. He knew his collaborator's personality and harbored his own hidden agendas. To be precise, while the removal of Chairman Netero was their shared consensus, everything else was a matter of individual capability. They would cooperate where interests aligned and part ways where they didn't.
Confirming that the Chimera Ant army had passed its most vulnerable stage, the two quickly left the NGL Autonomous Region. Beyond returned to Kakin to begin intensive preparations for the Dark Continent expedition, specifically, how to use Kakin's political influence as a superpower to force the V5 to submit rather than go to war.
In contrast, Pariston returned to the Hunter Association to continue causing trouble for Chairman Netero, ensuring he couldn't mobilize more power to deal with the now-maturing Chimera Ant legion.
Everything was proceeding in an orderly fashion according to their predictions.
Except for one thing: after more than a week of flight, Allen had finally arrived above the rapidly moving island-beast...