"You didn't need to come."
"You can't get any satisfaction from him... because to him, you were just a tool from beginning to end. He never treated you as a person, so there's no question of emotions... discard you after use. The reason he wants to kill you isn't because he hates you... but because after he leaves the human world and heads to the Dark Continent, your existence might cause some unforeseen events."
"All his actions stem from a long-term plan, and you are just a part of it."
In the royal palace of the Kakin Empire, Ging Freecss, the current Chairman of the Association, appeared in a living room and spoke to a man sitting alone on the sofa, watching the television screen.
"Come back with me..."
Ging Freecss added.
"Oh?"
Pariston turned his head from the sofa, a smile on his face, "Are you inviting me? Or are you here to watch me get killed? I thought you always hated me..."
"It's not hate, I just can't get along with people like you. You resigned as Vice-Chairman simply because the Association became boring after the Chairman's death... and you wanted to create an opportunity for Oboro and me to clash directly. But after the ant incident, he never returned, nor did he appear at the Association. So, your hope was dashed... To become Chairman, you don't necessarily have to return to the Association to compete with me. I deduce that he already has full confidence in defeating me."
Ging Freecss stepped forward and said calmly, "Given his previous dealings with Beyond, he will definitely return... because Beyond is similar to you in nature. But killing Beyond, besides stabilizing the situation within the Hunter Association, will also cause the V5 to regress or become wary. Most importantly, today is a global live broadcast... this is also the stage he needs."
Ging looked at the images on the television, his eyes flickering.
Beyond's speech had just concluded, but Nasubi Gray Pear's continued.
Even though they were in the palace, they could still hear faint cheers from the crowds outside the window.
This seemed to be a day of great celebration for Kakin.
"I heard your son is in a terrible condition right now... As a father, is it really okay not to go see him?" Pariston asked, changing the subject without batting an eye.
The Association was doing its best to treat Gon. It was rumored that the kid from the Zoldyck family had a way and had already taken action.
"You secretly transported five thousand Chimera Ant eggs, didn't you?"
Ging asked, not answering the question, and met his gaze.
"Mhm."
Pariston nodded, not hiding anything.
"Sigh."
Hearing this answer, Ging Freecss scratched his head again and frowned, "What are you thinking? Do you really want the whole world to hate you?"
"How could that be? I love everyone, I love all people... I'm not an enemy to anyone, I love them." Pariston said with a squinted smile.
"That's because... in your eyes, everyone is just a toy, a plaything that can provide you with emotional value, which is why you love everyone in such a twisted way. In your eyes, there are no winners or losers... you just enjoy the satisfaction of psychological control, making everyone realize that without your permission, they can't achieve anything... You are a contradictory being who revels in others' misfortune." Ging directly tore off his hypocritical mask.
"Then why are you inviting me?"
Pariston's smile faded, and his expression became blank.
"Honestly, I know I'm not suited to be Chairman... Although you are a terrible person, your diplomatic and rhetorical skills, as well as your sensitivity and grasp of political power, are second to none in the entire Association. This is also why the old man made you his second-in-command. If it weren't for your inherently malicious nature, you would indeed be the most qualified person to be Chairman." Ging spoke the truth. "The problem is that your life, from the very beginning, has had no purpose or goal. All your actions and behaviors are solely for your own satisfaction."
"You... really know me well."
A cold glint flashed in Pariston's eyes, his words carrying a hidden meaning.
"He will definitely come! Come with me."
Ging looked at the scene on the television and said in a deep voice, "Even the entire Kakin royal family, plus Beyond... won't be able to stop him."
"Seeking protection from the V5?"
Pariston saw through Ging's intention and also turned to look at the television, saying calmly, "It's useless... No one can save me. My fate is sealed. As long as I'm in the human world, there's nowhere to hide. Dying anywhere is the same. Besides... I think at least today, here... it's quite interesting, isn't it?"
"…"
"All of you, including Oboro himself, might think that I'm supporting his election as Chairman out of compromise or surrender. But that's not the case... In my opinion, Oboro is the kind of person truly suited to lead the Hunter Association."
Pariston bowed slightly, interlaced his fingers, and said with rare seriousness, "With him, the Association won't follow the old path... constantly being manipulated by the V5. It can completely break free from their control. This time, Kakin is preparing to venture into the Dark Continent, and the V5 will surely dump the mess on you again... and you won't refuse. If the Chairman were still alive, he might have taken a firmer stance and broken ties with the V5 then and there... but that would only be for this one instance; it wouldn't change the fundamental nature of things."
"You and the Chairman lack the ability, including myself, but Oboro can do it... I originally thought that after he became Chairman, I would remain Vice-Chairman, making the internal affairs of the Association even more interesting. However, looking at it now, his plan is nearing its end, and I no longer have any value to him... It's a shame. I was planning to have some fun with him..."
Pariston sighed.
Ging remained silent.
It was precisely because he knew that Pariston had feelings for the Association and the Chairman...
That he wanted to protect him.
Pariston would cause trouble, but he wouldn't destroy the Hunter Association.
However, the latter couldn't control the desires that arose within him... that innate nature.
Since Pariston became Vice-Chairman, the casualty rate among Hunter Association members had reached an all-time high, indicating what this man had been doing in private...
Twisted... a distortion caused by his personality.
"What are you going to do?"
Ging asked.
He could tell that Pariston had already accepted his own death.
He wasn't planning to escape, nor did he want to.
But given his personality, he would inevitably pay with his own life... to satisfy himself.
Based on Ging's understanding of Pariston and his usual behavior, the only possibility was to disrupt Oboro's plan... to make Oboro resent and hate him.
That would mean... he wouldn't be able to go to the Dark Continent.
"It's going to be very exciting, just wait and see..."
Pariston raised a finger and said mysteriously.
His face was full of anticipation and excitement.
"You won't succeed."
Ging saw that his persuasion was futile and completely abandoned the idea.
Pariston was also very familiar with Oboro's disposition... However, there was one point: he had underestimated the realm Oboro might have reached.
That kind of soul-based Nen ability.
In terms of Nen proficiency, Ging believed he surpassed Pariston. Therefore, based on this, Ging had a more thorough understanding of Nen abilities, while Pariston clearly hadn't grasped the essence.
Souls... could accomplish so much.
The key was that Oboro was also qualified to develop this ability to its extreme.
"You didn't tell him, did you..."
Ging Freecss glanced at Beyond's fleeting figure on the screen and said calmly.
If Kakin and Beyond knew about Oboro's danger, they absolutely wouldn't have dared to conduct such a brazen global live broadcast.
"Why would I tell him?"
Pariston smiled.
He was supposed to be Beyond's partner...
But the lack of this information was enough to doom Beyond and the Kakin Empire.
"As expected."
Ging shook his head.
Beyond had been tricked...
Pariston's motive for doing this was also obvious: to make Beyond curse himself before his death, and to make the entire Kakin royal family realize that he was Oboro's accomplice.
To make the protagonists of this grand stage, each before their death, hate themselves.
For Pariston, this was simply... too enjoyable.
And now, even if Ging wanted to stop him, it was too late...
The fact that Pariston only declared his intentions now also indicated that he didn't want Ging to interfere.
There was no prior warning... the secrecy was excellent.
Damn it!
...
At this moment, in a certain area within the Kakin royal capital.
That is, the live broadcast venue.
Countless citizens gathered, offering the most fervent cheers for their king's speech.
"That unknown territory is a land of abundance!"
"It possesses rich resources and inexhaustible food. Humanity's prosperous future lies dormant in that land, waiting for us to claim it."
At the scene, besides the giant screens displaying Nasubi Gray Pear's expressions, the amplification equipment transmitted his speech to every corner, echoing in the sky.
"Ooooh!"
The surging crowd became agitated, wave after wave of cheers rising.
The people had no doubts about his words.
After all, Beyond Netero, who had personally set foot on that land and succeeded, was present... This person was a descendant of the former Hunter Association Chairman Netero, and he himself led an experienced exploration team, with national funding and resources, making thorough preparations.
"Carrying the dreams of all humanity, Kakin will mobilize the entire nation to venture into the Dark Continent!"
As he spoke with passion, Gray Pear shouted.
He expected to be met with a wave of celebration and applause.
But it was very strange...
After his announcement, the cheers from the crowd below seemed to weaken, and then... the bustling scene quieted down. The citizens' expressions shifted from excitement to numbness, standing in place with vacant eyes.
Only at the very edge of the venue, far away, were there sparse sounds of agreement, barely audible due to the distance.
The atmosphere seemed to have suddenly... become strange.
From a scorching hot furnace, it abruptly turned into an ice cellar.
"Hm?"
Gray Pear was stunned, looking down at the crowd below, sensing the abnormality of the people.
At the same time, Beyond, who was behind him, slowly stood up from his seated position on a large chair.
His eyes shone with a sharp light, as if sensing something, he opened his mouth wide, a cold smile on his face.
"Going to the Dark Continent?"
"Who gave you permission?"
"The Dark Continent is a forbidden land for humanity, filled with disasters and unknown horrors. Since humans first established nations and civilizations on the land in the center of the lake, throughout this long and ancient history, powerful nations or individuals in every era have sought to claim that land, but in the end... they all died."
Suddenly, an unfamiliar sound emanated from the venue's amplification equipment.
At this moment, all viewers watching this global live broadcast were stunned by this sudden turn of events.
Judging by Gray Pear's expression, this was clearly not a situation pre-arranged or anticipated by the Kakin royal family.
Someone had intruded!
"It's Oboro!"
At the Hunter Association headquarters, looking at the images and sound on the television, the Zodiacs, led by Yorchha, were taken aback.
The Association was holding a memorial service for Netero, and Oboro hadn't even returned to attend... yet he was in the Kakin Empire?
Originally, the Zodiacs were unaware of Kakin's intention to venture into the Dark Continent, nor Beyond's identity. However, Ging Freecss had given them advance notice, stating that a major event might occur in the Kakin Empire, and Netero had also left a videotape for Knuckle, instructing him about Beyond's matter.
Therefore, they were able to witness this scene now.
Not just the Zodiacs.
Those who saw this situation also included the V5 and other agencies highly sensitive to international affairs.
Although the V5 had promptly blocked some signal sources, the number of people who witnessed this live broadcast was still not insignificant.
...
On the vast plaza, the crowd slowly parted.
Oboro, dressed in a black suit, holding a microphone, slowly walked out.
He faced a row of dark figures positioned on a high slope.
"To go to the Dark Continent, there are four conditions: contract, means, qualification, and permission... You have not met any of these."
Oboro spoke to himself.
And walked forward step by step.
At this moment, people all over the world were wondering, "Who is this man?"
"Venturing to the Dark Continent without authorization will bring destruction to humanity... Perhaps future humans can, but not now."
"The V5 and other national organizations issued a treaty long ago, prohibiting humans from setting foot on that land."
"This is Kakin... not V5 territory."
From above, Gray Pear said calmly and indifferently, "How we do things is none of anyone else's business."
"Besides, what right do you have to say this?"
"Before, I didn't. But now... I do."
Oboro smiled faintly, "Today, I am here as a representative of the Dark Continent, an uninvited guest... Since you wish to conquer that land, why not try to conquer me first? If you can't even handle me, how can you talk about setting foot on that land?"
"You? The Dark Continent?"
Gray Pear believed Oboro was bluffing, his goal being to disrupt the Kakin Empire's celebration.
"That's right, I think... you've already prepared yourselves for death, haven't you?..."
After speaking, Oboro threw away the microphone.
Because the large screen in the plaza had gone black, the Kakin royal family reacted quickly and cut off the broadcast signal.
But it didn't matter; his words had already been transmitted.
They had been heard by the outside world.
"Oboro, you're really not one to sit still... You could have lived, yet you dared to come to the Kakin capital alone. You're... here for me, aren't you? Revenge?" Beyond stepped forward, passed Gray Pear, and let out a loud laugh towards Oboro below.
At the same time, he exuded a chilling Nen.
For this important event today, the Kakin Empire's defense forces were formidable. Let alone the Philous family, even the V5's armed forces couldn't intervene.
Therefore... both Beyond and Gray Pear were certain that Oboro had 'sneaked' in alone.
Although it had slightly disrupted the progress of the plan, it wasn't a major issue.
Because Oboro was now alone, in their stronghold!
"Kneel!"
The next second, Beyond's sensory system suddenly malfunctioned.
His entire body uncontrollably knelt on both knees, lowering his head.
And in an instant, Oboro had already moved from the plaza below to Beyond's front, asking coldly.
At the same time, his black leather shoes stepped on Beyond's kneeling head, pressing down forcefully.
"Don't overestimate yourself... In my eyes, you are nothing."
"I was just passing by, stretching my legs... and incidentally cleaning up some unpleasant things."
Oboro's foot pressed down slowly.
Beyond's body lowered in sync, his forehead pressed firmly against the cold ground.
"Aaaahhh!"
At this moment, Beyond's muscles trembled all over, his face covered in sweat. He roared with all his might, unleashing a terrifying aura, seemingly trying to struggle.
But no matter how he resisted, it was useless... Oboro's leather shoe remained casually on him.
"Shut up."
Oboro said.
Immediately after, Beyond's soul trembled.
His gaze became vacant.
His released Nen had disappeared... he was forcibly put into Zetsu.
Why?
How could this be?
Before he could even think, blood suddenly gushed from his mouth.
He had bitten off his own tongue!
Simply because Oboro conveyed the will of 'shut up.'
He complied.
Just like the previous command to 'kneel.'
"Go down and keep Netero company..."
With that, Oboro's foot slammed down.
Like a thunderclap, dense cracks spread across the ground. Beyond's tall and robust physique, like a sandbag that had suffered a heavy blow, pierced through the ground and sank deep into the soil, disappearing without a trace.
"I just took a stroll along the coastline, didn't even see the 'door'... What are you so proud of?"
The earth shook, and rocks and soil cracked.
Oboro said expressionlessly.
____________________
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