Lmao, sooorry. I don't trust ink stone. That's why I don't keep the chapters here. Last time I had 20+ chapters saved here then boom gone.
"It's alright. Since our cooperation didn't work out, let's leave it to fate and righteousness!"
"Since we both aim for the Dark Continent, perhaps we'll meet in some corner of it in the future."
"When that time comes, I'll be counting on your guidance, Mr. Morin. Hahaha!!"
Beyond spoke these grand words and quickly hung up the phone.
Meeting on the Dark Continent... You should first resolve the contract you made with old man Netero before talking about anything else, right? With Morin's involvement, Netero certainly won't lose his life.
Therefore, as long as Netero is alive, Beyond cannot set foot on the Dark Continent.
So~
The problem before him is one he must solve on his own before anything else.
1997 will be an extraordinary year.
As the gears of fate draw closer, incidents begin to unfold one after another.
Pariston begins his tenure as Vice Chairman of the Hunter Association.
Then, every year, a certain number of hunters mysteriously disappear, lacking the support of the Zodiacs.
Moreover, during the later election for Chairman, Pariston secretly sends 5,000 Chimera Ant eggs to the Hunter Exam venue.
The specific purpose of these ant eggs is not mentioned in the election arc, but it is speculated that they will be detailed in the new Dark Continent chapters.
Additionally, Muherr, a mercenary, becomes acquainted with the "Stone Wall" mercenary unit, and they will work together in Beyond's team in the future.
After contacting the Kakin Empire, the V5 initiates actions to test whether the current world is ready for another expedition to the Dark Continent.
They plan to guide a certain species to the Sixth Continent.
Kite, having left Whale Island, forms a team and accepts a commission from the Kakin Empire to conduct related biological investigations.
Meanwhile, on Whale Island, Gon learns of his father's existence and makes certain agreements with his adoptive mother, Aunt Mito. On the other side, at the Heavens Arena.
"From today onwards, you are my disciple. Train with me!"
A man with disheveled hair, round glasses, hands clasped behind his back, wearing a white shirt with its tails always hanging out, smiles at the young boy in a white training outfit before him.
"Yes, Master Wing!!"
The boy, with short brown hair and bright eyes reminiscent of King Arthur, filled with excitement, earnestly performs a Shingen-ryu disciple's bow.
And just then—
"Wow!! It's Master Kastro!!"
"So handsome!! I never expected Master Kastro to return to the Heavens Arena!!"
"He's now a high-ranking member of the Hunter Association, right? I didn't expect to see him here!!"
Screams and discussions erupted, causing a commotion in no time.
"Is that... Mr. Kastro?!"
The boy named Zushi looked over and saw a man in a yellow robe, with silver hair cascading down his shoulders, looking so smooth and handsome, walking in with a gentle and kind smile, causing another wave of screams.
"I've heard of him. He was a famous martial artist in the Heavens Arena, later capturing the Kud Bandit Group and becoming a one-star hunter in the Hunter Association."
Young Zushi remembered these details clearly:
"Later, he became one of the Zodiacs in the Hunter Association, a true high-ranking figure! Famous worldwide!!!"
His large, bright eyes shone with admiration as he watched Kastro, who kept smiling and nodding.
"He's the quintessential representative of martial artists, an idol for almost all martial artists, and the person I aspire to be!!" He didn't hide his pursuit and admiration at all.
"Do you want to become someone like that?"
Hearing Zushi's words, his master Wing smiled slightly:
"Why not get to know him up close?"
"Get to know him?!"
Zushi was taken aback and quickly said:
"But Master, wouldn't that disturb him? After all, we have no relation to him and don't know each other."
"It's alright~"
Wing chuckled lightly, "He's also a disciple of our same school."
"If we strictly talk about seniority, you should call him Senior Brother."
"Senior... Brother?!"
Zushi was dumbfounded.
He never imagined that he would have such a connection with the representative figure of martial artists, a strong person who has achieved fame and admiration. Realizing this, he suddenly felt a deep respect for his school.
"Master Wing, is Senior Brother Kastro also your disciple?"
Though he knew it was unlikely, Zushi couldn't suppress his curiosity and asked.
"No, he's your Senior Uncle, my Senior Brother's disciple."
Seemingly recalling something, Wing sighed slightly:
"Your Senior Uncle is also an extraordinary person."
"He is one of the five strongest martial artists in the world, personally acknowledged by Chairman Netero of the Hunter Association!!"
Zushi hadn't started learning Nen yet, so Wing used the term martial artist to replace the concept of Nen users.
"One of the five strongest martial artists in the world?!"
Zushi's eyes shone brightly, and he suddenly felt a great longing and admiration for his Senior Uncle, whom he had never met.
To achieve such a level, personally acknowledged by the world's number one, the Chairman of the Hunter Association, he must be an outstanding martial artist, right?!!
On the other side, Kastro, who came to the Heavens Arena to handle some matters, was preparing to head to the top floor after greeting everyone.
Suddenly—
"Hmm?!"
At the elevator entrance, he raised an eyebrow.
A wave of killing intent and direct attention was unabashedly directed at him.
"This is..."
He turned his head and saw a mysterious man with tear-shaped makeup and fiery red hair.
The man was holding a deck of cards, slightly sticking out his tongue to lick his lips.
His eyes, filled with desire, stared unblinkingly at Kastro, as if he had seen a priceless treasure.
Hisoka and Kastro had their first encounter here.
"I really want to meet him!! Are you planning to take the Hunter Exam next year?!"
Kastro didn't know Hisoka before.
Since taking on the duties of the Zodiacs, he hadn't returned to the Heavens Arena for a long time.
He wasn't familiar with the changes in the floor masters and others here.
He simply found Hisoka's gaze uncomfortable, with its provocation and possessiveness too intense. However?
If it was just a mere gaze, Kastro didn't want to bother with it.
If he had to fight everyone over a look, he wouldn't have time for his work.
Even the Zoldyck family, the undisputed world's top assassin family, faces challengers every year.
Either they end up as snacks for the family's pet, or they're taken out by Canary.
They don't even get to meet the main family members, let alone the direct descendants.
After becoming a Zodiac, Kastro also encountered some who didn't respect him and challenged him.
At first, he would teach them a lesson.
But as more and more people came, he realized.
As long as he was in this position, there would always be challengers.
So he became indifferent.
As long as things didn't go too far, he would just ignore them.
Therefore, even though Hisoka's gaze was filled with provocation and killing intent, and his whole body exuded aggression, Kastro merely glanced at him calmly.
Then he ignored him and walked into the elevator.
Hisoka just watched Kastro leave without making any move.
"100 points."
Only after the elevator doors closed completely did he softly utter a number.
"Oh? A perfect score? It's the first time I've seen you give someone a perfect score."
Beside him, Illumi appeared out of nowhere again.
Despite being the eldest son of an assassin family, he seemed to have nothing to do, always hanging around with Hisoka.
"If you remove your disguise, your score would also be 100."
Hisoka casually replied to Illumi, his eyes showing a hint of interest:
"I'm starting to get interested in those so-called Zodiacs."
Hisoka's scoring is based on his own standards.
A score of 100 means the opponent's strength is at least on par with Hisoka's, if not stronger.
In the original series, Hisoka gave Illumi a score of 95, which was due to Illumi's disguise.
If Illumi revealed his true self, his score would start at 100.
Of course, since everyone's potential aura is different, without a fight, no one knows the true strength of the other.
So Hisoka's standard is based on his analysis of physical attributes and doesn't represent Nen power, aura, or abilities.
But even so, it gives a rough idea.
Hisoka's arm strength, or power, in the original series, ranks just below Uvogin and Phinks in the Phantom Troupe.
Despite his flamboyant appearance and being a Transmuter, his strength is only slightly weaker than two Enhancers.
"I'm planning to take the Hunter Exam next year, become a Hunter, and have a good match with those Zodiacs."
Hisoka planned.
"The Zodiacs, huh?"
Disguised as Gittarackur, Illumi said:
"Pariston the Rat, Botobai the Dragon, and this Monkey Kastro, all three are considered high-level in our family."
"This Monkey Kastro, like your Phantom Troupe, is also top-tier."
"Oh?"
Hisoka turned his face.
The strength he sensed from Kastro didn't seem to reach that level???
"Although his strength is indeed strong, it hasn't reached a level that makes us overly wary. Even my dad and grandpa have taken assassination missions against him before."
"Oh?!"
Hisoka was clearly interested, "Your grandpa and dad both took action?"
He pointed to the elevator, "He's obviously still alive, so did the mission fail?"
"Yes."
Illumi nodded, "Someone intervened."