The tall figure was one Ronin had seen in the original timeline.
Beyond Netero.
Son of Isaac Netero. The man who had spent decades buried inside Kakin, quietly arranging the pieces for his return to the Dark Continent.
He stood well over two meters. Long black hair fell past his shoulders, and a thick beard reached his chest. Two deep scars crossed his face in a massive X. The marks did not make him look vicious. They made him look wild.
Beyond laughed as he approached—a full, open sound that carried across the ruins.
The sound only tightened Ronin's brow. He had already guessed Beyond was involved during the fight with Chrollo. He had not expected the man to walk onto the field in person.
"So you noticed after all." Beyond stopped at a measured distance. His aura was fully open. "Heroes really do appear young these days. What do you say—want to work together? I'm sure you've known about me for a while."
Ronin looked at him and felt something massive form behind the man's back.
A single enormous eye, woven entirely from Beyond's Nen. Text slowly took shape across its surface. Oppressive force gathered inside the pupil.
Ronin had seen that eye before.
Not on Beyond.
Inside the mouth of one of Beyond's descendants—Dragon Spine.
Beyond had left bloodlines scattered across decades. Every one of them was a tool. Cursed vessels aimed specifically at the princes of Kakin.
The far larger Curse Eye now floating behind Beyond forced Ronin to stay cautious.
He pulled his gaze from the eye and locked it on Beyond's face.
He saw absolute confidence there. And the kind of stubborn will that would not stop until the goal was reached.
Ronin's mouth curved. "I refuse."
Three words. Nothing more.
Whatever Beyond wanted him for, whatever promises or information the man could offer, the answer stayed the same.
Beyond's wild grin only widened. "Why? I can tell you're ambitious. I can help you reach whatever you're after."
Ronin met his eyes. "One of my favorite things is telling people who think they're strong the word no."
Beyond's smile froze for a fraction of a second, then returned even broader. "Interesting. My answer is the same—I refuse."
"So there's nothing left to discuss?" Ronin raised both hands in front of his chest, ready to form seals at any moment.
"Not quite." Beyond nodded once, serious now. "I'll give you three choices. If you refuse all three, then yes—we're done talking."
Ronin stayed wary.
Fighting further was already a bad position. Roughly half the chakra remained in the Yin Seal—enough for the next exchange. But his ocular power was at its limit. Pushing the Sharingan any further risked permanent damage.
Allies were scarce. Abachi and the others had not returned. Kurapika, in his current state, might become a liability. The Scarlet Eyes were still sitting unsecured in the vault. If Beyond's side reached them first, recovering them would become a real problem.
"Speak," Ronin said, voice colder.
"First," Beyond held up one finger. "Swear that as long as I live, you will never set foot on the Dark Continent."
The same condition Isaac Netero had once forced on his own son.
Ronin's expression darkened. He shook his head. "Impossible."
He had no burning desire for the Dark Continent, but he refused to let anyone restrict his movements.
Beyond's mouth twitched upward, as if the answer had been expected.
He raised a second finger. "Second. Give me your eyes."
Killing intent flickered in Ronin's gaze. "Are you dreaming, or are you just testing me?"
Beyond ignored the question and offered the third option. "Third. Hand Kurapika over to me. Since you won't work with me, let him take your place."
Ronin's brow furrowed.
He would refuse this one as well. But the purpose behind it was unclear.
What quality did Beyond see in Kurapika that could replace him?
"I can do it."
Kurapika's weak voice came from behind Ronin.
He had already regained consciousness. The confrontation with Ronin still burned in his mind. Guilt filled him now. If his life could buy Big Brother Ronin's freedom, he was willing.
"Shut up." Ronin's tone carried no patience.
The cruel words Kurapika had spoken earlier had been influenced by some Nen ability, but Ronin knew the thoughts had already been living inside him for a long time. The ability had only guided and amplified them. It could not invent things Kurapika had never considered.
"Even that is unacceptable?" Beyond still wore the same confident expression.
"Why him?" This time Ronin did not refuse immediately. He asked for the reason.
"He's useful." Beyond's answer was deliberately empty.
"Is there a fourth option?" Ronin refused to follow the man's line of thought.
"What?"
"Cooperation," Ronin said. "Joining your team is impossible. I don't trust you. So why not hire me the way you would hire a mercenary? I work with you. You pay the price. Both sides get what they need. Both sides can accept it."
"No." Beyond shook his head. "Cooperation is meaningless. Under those conditions my ability would not take effect on you."
Ronin's fingers curled slightly. "I see. Then it looks like there's nothing left to discuss."