Rather than a statement, it was more of a phenomenon that felt contradictory yet continued naturally.
At its core, it was contradiction, and humans themselves were a bundle of contradictions, giving rise to more contradictory phenomena.
Clearly lacking intellect and talent, yet able to rule a country...
This triggered confusion, leading the King to start reading books.
While absolutely not agreeing, the King gradually immersed his thoughts into the human world.
As observers, even the single-celled Youpi understood one thing from the bottom of his heart.
The King's thoughts, words, and views, from the moment of birth, were like foundations driven dozens of meters into the ground… utterly unshakable.
So, compared to purposefully studying human books, both Pitou and Pouf believed... reading was merely a way for the King to pass time.
This was indeed the case.
After Pitou and Pouf truthfully explained the [Meat Orchard Plan], all the King had to do was wait for his subordinates to present the bountiful results. Waiting was the most tedious thing.
Like Pitou's talent for easily mastering advanced Nen Techniques, the King also possessed talent surpassing humans… skimming ten lines at a glance was effortless.
Books continuously brought in piled into small mountains, gradually becoming repetitive. So the King began finding it dull, though he glimpsed a bit about the human world.
An incredible yet extremely unreasonable world.
The King concluded, similar to his initial impression of the national leader: clearly lacking talent, yet able to rule a country.
He couldn't understand it, deemed it unreasonable. So he would reign supreme over all living beings, using 'power' and 'fear' to change this.
Then, the King discarded the books, but soon picked them up again.
He became interested in competitive games in the human world, ultimately favoring board games. In his view, this was another way to pass time.
Thus, the books he read became introductions to various board games.
…
Time passed.
In the blink of an eye, three days went by, and the Meat Orchard plan officially commenced.
The essence of the Meat Orchard plan was mass-producing Nen Users.
Pouf was the Chimera Ant among the three Royal Guards who most enjoyed speculating about the King's thoughts. He believed the plan's starting point was to create an army for world domination.
To this end, he dedicated himself fully to managing it.
Pitou didn't overthink it. She only knew the King favored Nen Users' flesh and blood, which not only pleased the King but also made him stronger.
However, in this plan, her role was more of an assistant. Compared to being an implementer, her more important task was establishing a defensive perimeter around the palace.
The plan began... ripples stirred in calm East Gorteau.
In a town inn, Law and his group sat on chairs or beds in the room, silently watching the television broadcast.
Ordinary people through TV only saw National Commander Diego delivering a speech with a spirited demeanor, roughly demanding all citizens arrive at the capital in ten days for the national foundation anniversary ceremony.
Similar nationwide assemblies had been held multiple times in the past, but not everyone could attend… attendance around 70%, lasting at most one day.
But this assembly was different.
First, the Commander demanded 100% attendance, whether sick or infants, disabled or elderly, all must attend, utterly insane.
Moreover, the event lasted three days, with the state covering travel, lodging, and food expenses.
"That's the Royal Guard's ability, right?" Knov said steadily from his chair.
Using Gyo, one could see the puppet suspended above East Gorteau's leader, Diego, its hands partially resembling Chimera Ant's features constantly twisting, pulling fine threads controlling Diego.
Clearly, this was a Manipulation-type Ability.
"Most likely," Morel murmured, saying gravely, "While we were busy with the scattered Chimera Ants, East Gorteau's capital had already fallen."
"Gathering all citizens in the capital… what's the plan?" Knov pondered.
East Gorteau's entire population was over five million, while Chimera Ants initially killed only tens of thousands.
Mobilizing the entire nation to gather in one place, considering Chimera Ants' brutality towards other species, sent chills down one's spine upon deeper thought.
That was... five million people!
"Possibly to screen for high-nutrition food, or maybe to create soldier ants," Kite speculated.
Tonpa sat in a corner, yawning boredly. He might be the least motivated in this incident because, in his view, no matter how severe, it had nothing to do with him.
If Law hadn't asked for help, he wouldn't have gotten involved.
Morel and Knov looked at Kite, while Ging and Law exchanged glances.
Ging didn't think things were that simple, while Law vaguely remembered the motive for mobilizing the nation.
"Creating Nen Users..."
Law pondered, unconsciously muttering.
He remembered the King had an abnormal ability: the talent to grow stronger by consuming Nen Users.
The inn room wasn't large, and everyone present had sharp hearing, catching Law's words.
'Creating Nen Users?'
These words made everyone except Tonpa start speculating.
Intelligence from Nique indicated Chimera Ants didn't possess specific Nen Ability's information, let alone forced Nen Awakening baptism methods.
If Chimera Ants knew such methods, given their physiques, the Chimera Ants scattered across the Mitene Union wouldn't only have Squadron Leaders and some Officers using Nen… all would.
Thus, doubt about Nique's intelligence authenticity was insufficient.
However, if gathering all citizens in one place was to create Nen Users, then...
Ordinary people didn't have Chimera Ants' resilient physiques, let alone the elderly, infants, or sick.
If struck directly by a Nen User, Nen might awaken, but the mortality rate was up to 99%. Even in places like Heavens Arena, those surviving baptism often lost limbs.
Delving deeper in this direction, the consequences were unimaginable.
A mortality rate up to 99%...
When Law snapped back to reality, he noticed everyone in the room looking at him.
After a moment, Knov took a deep breath, took out his phone, and contacted Netero.
Now, even without verifying this speculation, he had to relay this news to Netero immediately and learn the subsequent plan from him… better than sitting idle.
The call connected. Knov's instruction: await notification.
Law heard this, then grabbed the phone, saying bluntly, "I want to see you in person in one day."
Without giving Netero a chance to retort, he hung up.
Knov, Morel, and Kite stared blankly at Law.
Ging had no particular reaction, stroking his stubble, thinking it necessary to obtain more specific intelligence soon.
To prevent worsening, acting earlier was better.
…
Half a day later, on a small island in the eastern sea of the Yorbian continent… the Greed Island's game area.
Over half a year ago, Gon and Killua entered the game. What happened during that time won't be detailed.
Up to today, they cleared the game.