Otherwise, some people might never get the chance to go to the Dark Continent."
Ging shot back with a teasing tone, "Are you upset because I became the third-in-command of the team?"
Pariston's smile faltered for a moment before returning to its usual calm.
"What are you talking about? The third-in-command spot has always been mine, not yours," he said softly.
The two exchanged glances, one feigning indifference, the other a fake smile.
If looks could kill, their rivalry would have caused an explosion far bigger than any missile.
The tension between them was so thick that most people avoided being near them.
Since that day at the office, Ging had gone to the team's base camp to prepare for the competition for the third-in-command position.
Although he struggled at first, after all, Pariston was more familiar with the team, Ging's offer of double the money quickly won people over.
The man with long bangs covering one eye, who desperately needed the money because his sister was in a welfare institution battling a rare, severe illness, was among those who switched sides and called Ging the third-in-command.
Thanks to Ging's support, his sister now had a real chance at recovery.
There's always a brave person drawn by a big reward.
The man with bangs was just the first, but definitely not the last.
Ging's money was so tempting that about half the team admitted he was the third in command.
Most of these guys were mercenaries who took the job because Beyond offered a hefty price.
But they're not the type to switch sides easily, trust between mercenaries and their employers is everything, and they don't change their minds on a whim.
Ging decided to wire the payment to the Norwell Fund, and that's how they reached a compromise.
The Norwell Fund is set up specifically for mercenary orphans, so it was a way to keep everyone somewhat satisfied.
Right now, Ging and Pariston are at a standstill, neither fully convinced by the other.
Larry didn't pay much attention to their back-and-forth; to him, it was just a game they were playing.
"Hmm?" he murmured.
"Looks like we've arrived."
Beyond and Ging turned their heads simultaneously, their eyes fixed in the same direction.
These two were the strongest in the team after Larry, and their reactions were the quickest.
Though the others were slightly less powerful, they still responded moments later, also looking that way.
Within the entire group, excluding a few non-combatants who weren't particularly strong, the "weaker" members were only so in comparison to Ging and his team.
Everyone here was without exception among the very best.
After all, heading to the Dark Continent was no joke.
Anyone lacking strength risked losing their life there.
Each person gathered here was a formidable fighter, carefully selected.
The team size couldn't be too large, since too many would attract unnecessary danger.
According to Beyond's judgment, the current group, around twenty to thirty people, was just right.
It was enough to handle various challenges while keeping risks manageable.
Larry's figure slowly stepped out of the light gate, with Meowth following behind him.
Scanning the group, he saw that everyone was present.
Nodding with satisfaction, he spoke the words everyone had been eagerly waiting for:
"Let's head to that mysterious continent! Our destination is the Dark Continent!!"
In a quiet courtyard somewhere, Netero lay back comfortably in a recliner, basking in the warm sunlight.
Since stepping down as president, he suddenly had plenty of free time.
He spent his days enjoying life, without the pressure of responsibilities.
Having lived over a hundred years, he'd experienced countless highs and lows, seen all kinds of people and situations.
He had no regrets about his life, it was a blessing to now enjoy such peace and leisure.
A notification sounded.
Shielding his eyes from the sun, Netero glanced at his phone.
It was a message from Larry: "Let's go."
Attached was a photo of an endless sea, the Dark Continent.
Smiling.
"Wow, the Dark Continent... I really miss it. If it were you, you'd definitely be able to go further than I ever did," Netero whispered softly.
Netero gently stroked his long beard and let out a soft, somewhat foolish laugh, but there was a hint of nostalgia in his eyes.
The Dark Continent, what a mysterious place.
People see it in very different ways.
Some call it a "Human Forbidden Zone," believing it's too dangerous to explore and not worth the risk.
Others see it as a "Natural Treasure," full of untold riches and wonders that make it worth venturing into.
Then there are those who view it as a "No Man's Land," eager to conquer and claim it as their own.
The Dark Continent is a mix of danger, hope, the unknown, and mystery.
It's like a kaleidoscope reflecting everyone's deepest desires.
Because so little is known about it, people let their imaginations run wild and picture it however they want.
For many hunters, the Dark Continent is a puzzle that constantly tempts them, waiting to be solved.
"So, what does the Dark Continent mean to you?" Netero asked Larry.
At the port, following Larry's orders, the team boarded the boat and prepared to set sail.
The main crew responsible for navigating included Bushidora, dressed as a fisherman, and several members of the [Stone Wall] mercenary unit.
But Larry didn't take the boat with them; instead, he chose a different way to travel.
Suddenly, with a flash of white light, a blue figure appeared beside the boat on the water.
Its slender neck, colored like the sea, looked elegant, and the hard she'll on its back was why it was called a "mount Pokemon."
The dragon gave a slight nod and let out a long, inviting cry, as if beckoning Larry to climb aboard.
To sail these seas, you naturally needed a dragon-brand "boat."
Larry had already planned to ride on the dragon's back during the journey to enjoy a unique experience, returning to the ship whenever he wanted to rest.
The others on the ship were a bit surprised at first, but since their captain was a "Beast Master," they quickly felt reassured.
So, Larry and Meowth stayed on the dragon, while the rest remained on the ship.
Whether on the modified top-tier ship or the dragon, the sailing speed was impressive.
As they moved swiftly, the once calm sea surface was stirred into two long ripples that spread out on both sides, marking their path forward.
The team had just sailed far away from the port, and in the blink of an eye, the shoreline vanished from sight.
"Wow, is this the sea? It looks so beautiful, meow," Meowth exclaimed, looking around with wide, blue eyes that mirrored the endless ocean stretching out before them.
Seeing Meowth so excited, Larry decided not to spoil the moment and let the joy last a little longer.