Considering this, only someone as foolish as Beyond would go to V5. However, this doesn't mean he won't seek out Morin himself.
"It seems I need to find a suitable time to get in touch with him," Beyond mused, his scarred face twisting into a slightly menacing grin.
Time passed slowly.
In the original timeline, around July, the Phantom Troupe would gather for a major event. After July, Zeno would receive a commission to assassinate the original number eight of the Phantom Troupe. Between July 1996 and 1997, Shizuku would join the Troupe. However, with Morin's butterfly effect, events have already diverged significantly from what others expected.
No one has placed a bounty on the Phantom Troupe from the Zoldyck family. With Morin's addition, Chrollo isn't looking for new members. Currently, the Troupe members are scattered, living decent lives. Except for Chrollo, Feitan, Uvogin, Phinks, and Nobunaga, who are under V5's watchful eye and having a tough time, the others are doing well. Since they haven't asked for help, it means they can still manage.
Thus, this year is one with little to recount. Until the next year, 1997, arrives.
In that year, Morin felt the timing was right and recalled his propaganda robots. The impact during this period was significant. V5 faced public skepticism, and their credibility plummeted. When Morin withdrew the robots, V5 barely had time to catch their breath before...
The Kakin Empire, which had been observing for a long time on the Azian continent, didn't remain idle. Kakin, a nation not inferior to any V5 country, used its immense national power to stir international waves. Nasubi Hui Guo Rou was laying the groundwork for future expeditions to the Dark Continent, aiming to extract more information about it from V5. V5, still reeling from public doubt, was then blindsided by Kakin's actions.
Well, it wasn't exactly a backstab, as Kakin hadn't yet become the future V6. However, the conflict gradually shifted from public disputes to national confrontations. Amidst the turmoil, more conflicts occurred beyond the public eye. Thus, the world seemed to become more harmonious.
Until...
"Ring ring."
Having just finished a workout with Pakunoda, Morin, feeling refreshed, received a call from an unfamiliar number.
"Hello, who is this?"
"Ha ha ha, is this Mr. Morin?!"
As soon as Morin answered, a hearty laugh came from the other end. The voice was unfamiliar but full of energy and familiarity. Morin raised an eyebrow.
Just as he was about to ask for the caller's identity, the voice on the other end introduced himself:
"I'm Beyond, yes, the Beyond you mentioned during the Zodiac election. I have some matters to discuss with you."
Beyond?! Morin glanced at the phone. Netero's son, who, if not for Morin's presence, might have been one of the world's top five Nen users alongside Ging, and a key figure in the later Dark Continent arc. He didn't expect Beyond to call. What could he want?
"If, and I mean if, you learned of a new continent's existence, akin to the Age of Exploration when the six continents were discovered, how would you react?"
A new continent? Morin had a vague idea of what Beyond meant. But his way of asking was too direct, wasn't it? They didn't even know each other, yet he was so straightforward?
After Beyond finished asking, Morin paused briefly before responding:
"Are you talking about the Dark Continent?"
"Oh?"
Beyond's voice came through, grinning.
"You already know about the Dark Continent... Well, with your strength, reaching such heights, it's only natural you'd know some secrets."
Beyond's tone was light, yet carried a sense of inevitability.
"Since you know of my existence, there's no reason you wouldn't be aware of the current world's situation."
"That's good. Since you already know about the Dark Continent, it saves me a lot of explanation. So, Mr. Morin, would you be willing to join me in exploring that mysterious land?"
"Join you..."
Such an invitation lacked any subtlety. Or perhaps he thought that since Morin knew of his existence, he wouldn't need to put in extra effort and directly invited him?
"Why did you choose me?"
Morin casually asked.
"Being personally recognized by the old man as one of the 'world's top five Nen users'—isn't that reason enough?"
Beyond replied.
Then, he chuckled and continued, "After I extended the invitation, you only asked for the reason and not my identity or other factors. This shows you have some understanding of me, so you probably have a vague impression of my strength, right? I should be qualified to invite you, correct?"
"Although I don't know if there are other strong individuals inviting you, I believe I am the best partner for you to explore the Dark Continent, bar none!"
"Not just the various conditions offered, but also the preparations made for the expedition."
His tone suddenly became firm, "I've been preparing for that day for decades."
"I think you understand that the strong can only partner with the strong!"
"Indeed."
Morin nodded lightly, but then continued:
"But what if my answer is no?"
"Rejection?"
Beyond chuckled.
Since he called Morin, he must have anticipated and prepared for various outcomes.
"There's no rush to decide. We can meet first. I assure you, the power I currently possess is absolutely..."
"No need."
Before Beyond could finish, Morin interrupted:
"I do plan to visit the Dark Continent, but I won't join any faction."
"I'll form my own team to go, rather than relying on Kakin as an ally like you."
Morin's refusal was direct, even pointing out Beyond's current relationship with Kakin, leaving the latter in silence for a long time.
After a while...
"It seems Mr. Morin, you indeed have a deep understanding of me, even knowing about my dealings with the Kakin Empire."
Beyond sighed deeply. He seemed both regretful and disappointed.
Hmm, not just Kakin, I also know about the contract between you and Netero...
Morin recalled the agreement between Beyond and Netero. The father and son had a pact, or rather a simple restriction and vow. Beyond was not allowed to go to the Dark Continent while Netero was alive. If he wanted to go, he had to wait until Netero passed away.
This contract was proposed by Netero, and Beyond accepted it. Netero's intention was for his son to have the determination to overcome obstacles and personally remove the last stumbling block in his path. Once he broke free from this mental shackle, Beyond's strength would soar, and he would become the world's strongest man, replacing Netero. This way, after going to the Dark Continent, he would have a better chance of survival. Netero would be pleased, and he didn't plan to die at Beyond's hands, leaving him with a burden.
As long as Beyond was determined to seek Netero, and Netero acknowledged his strength, he would choose an appropriate way to leave this world. However, it was clear that Beyond hadn't made that decision yet. Unless something unexpected happened, this would drag on until the Chimera Ant incident erupted.
What a loving father and son...
With Morin around, even if the Chimera Ant incident occurred, Netero wouldn't lose his life. At least, Morin wouldn't stand by and watch Netero die. The reason? Well...
Morin had already included Netero in his team for the Dark Continent expedition. As the saying goes, an elder at home is like a treasure.
Netero, as the world's strongest human, would be a crucial asset for the Dark Continent journey. Moreover, he had previous experience there, providing valuable insights.
Having someone with such experience in the team would be immensely beneficial. The Dark Continent is a perilous place, and even with numerous tools at his disposal, Morin couldn't guarantee complete safety during exploration.
Having someone like Netero as a guide would greatly improve the situation.
Most importantly, Netero himself was willing to return to the Dark Continent. No hunter could resist the allure of exploring an unknown land. If not for being tied down by the Hunter Association and V5, and his declining strength, he might have already ventured there again.
After the Chimera Ant incident, regardless of the outcome, Netero wouldn't remain as the Hunter Association's chairman.
At that point, Morin wouldn't let the old man retire quietly. As for age and condition? With items like the "Age Fountain Rope," Morin assured that these were non-issues.
Therefore, having planned to form his own team and already eyeing Netero, how could he be interested in you, the son?
"I didn't expect Mr. Morin to have already planned for the Dark Continent. Since you've investigated me so thoroughly, you must have your own ideas."
Beyond first mocked himself over the phone, then followed with a hearty laugh: