Next day, Leol and his squad had been walking through the vast desert of the Republic of East Gorteau. But it was hot and there was no sign of food or shade anywhere. They were getting tired and sweaty. They found it very hard to run, which slowed down to a walking pace until they fell to the ground, tired, dirty, and hungry.

"You alright... Hirin?" Flutter asked his comrade.

"I told you...," she replied, breathing heavily, "my new name's... Hina!"

"Oh... sorry!" sighed Flutter.

"Never mind, just...how long... have we been... walking down... this desert?" Hina panted.

"I... I lost... count!" wheezed Flutter.

At last, they fell to the ground, tired, dirty, and hungry. Hina felt like she was going to pass out until she looked ahead and saw something that made her eyes widen.

"Look!" she exclaimed, pointing ahead.

Leol and Flutter looked up too. And there, right in front of them, a few yards away was the Palace of East Gorteau, the place where the King and his Royal Guard were at.

They used whatever strength and energy they had left to run and reach it until they finally made it inside, where they met Shaiapouf in the lobby.

Pouf was busy playing his violin when Leol and his group came in. He not expecting to see them, especially seeing how all dirty they were. But regardless, he listened to the trio's story none-the-less as they bowed down before him. And they begged and begged for food from any place he should know, promising to pay him back in return.

"Hm, I see." Pouf muttered before turning to them with a grin. "Very well. I think the King might know just the place where there should be plenty of food for you."

Leol and his squad looked up and smiled in excitement as Pouf went and asked the King, who certainly had one place up his mind.


That night, at the bordering river between both the Republic of West Gorteau and the Republic of East Gorteau, all was quiet.

However, the four boys, Gon, Killua, Goten, and Trunks were swimming under the river with all their clothes in waterproof bags tied to the top of their heads. Avoiding detection, they quietly swam from the west side to the east side, where they knew the danger of Chimera Ants would be lurking around. They were glad there were still none in sight when they climbed out of the river and dashed into the forest, got their clothes out of the bags and redressed.

"That was easy." said Killua as they tracked through the dark woods, using their senses to track any ants in sight. Still none so far. "But still, I wonder how closer we can get to them and strike."

"With the fact we can have anyone see us either, that will be tricky." added Gon.

"How so?" asked Goten.

"Duh, informants." replied Trunks.

"Trunks is right." agreed Killua. "Those are people who get rewards for exposing enemy spies, finding evidence of uprising, and catching people trying to leave."

"Would those people would really do anything for rewards?" asked Gon, slightly bewildered.

"Yes." said Killua. "Not only would they get money, but a whole group would be promoted for increasing informat points. However," he added, "if you either provide false intel or commit a crime, the whole group is punished!"

"How?" Goten.

"Arrested or executed." replied Killua grimly. "Since families are split into groups, one group gets caught and the rest of the family gets it unless the whole family tries to escape together, which they all get taken out."

That felt a whole lot for Gon and Goten to take in. They clenched their fists tightly.

"Carrot and stick!" muttered Gon darkly before asking. "How do you know all this?"

"My big brother once told me." said Killua. "My Grandpa, Zeno also told him one time when he assigned Illumi for a job infiltrating this place."

After a while of walking, the group came to a cliff and ducked down, spotting what looks like a tiny town with a few houses. However, everything seemed too quiet, there wasn't a soul to be seen. They didn't like it, but they needed more information. And the more of that they've got, the better their chances were.

Killua and Trunks jumped down first while the Gon and Goten stayed put and ran towards the closest house, dashing from rocks to trees, avoiding further detection. They peeked through the window, no one in sight. Then they signaled their friends to come down. When they came down, they quietly opened the door and looked inside, scouting the house.

It hardly looked like it had been touched, completely deserted, except for some crimson color stains dragged on the kitchen floor. Killua inspected the stains.

"That's blood." he said thoughtfully. "Something's happened here!"

The more they searched, the more clues they found, like bullet holes in the wall! Then they followed the blood trail, leading outside to what they found shallow graves being eaten by wolves. It was such a horrible sight for Goten to see, he had to gag his mouth to stop himself from throwing up!

"What's going on here?" asked Gon.

"I'm guessing this is what this rally's all about." said Killua. "This whole place should have over five million people sorted, taking out one town at a time. And when whole towns disappear, not even one person would get suspicious or contact someone about anything strange with the rally happening. Cell phones aren't even allowed in this nation." he continued.

"So, in other words...?" Goten muttered anxiously.

"Yeah," whispered Killua. "the sorting's selection has begun!"

This horrified the others greatly. And as they knew, the capital of Pejin is in the farthest East Corner. So they would have to start selecting them from the west side, going further in without having anyone going back west to notice anything since they'll all be going west.

"There shouldn't be a lot of Chimera Ants using Nen," Killua continued, "though can still use Manipulation, like Pitou, controlling lots of people at once, especially Nen-users to create lots of strong soldiers. And when that happens, it would be likely that the rest of the people would be dead."

"Then what are we going to do?" asked Goten.

"Easy! We stir up some panic!" smirked Killua. "If we take out whoever's controlling them and start riots to check on the western towns, we can hopefully prevent more citizens from being killed. If we're lucky, the whole selection should fall!"

"But won't they detect us if we do that?" asked Trunks. "If they spot us, they'll already know what we're doing."

"Yeah," agreed Killua. "So in order to stick with the chairman's plan, we keep it low profile. What do you say, guys?"

Gon, Goten, and Trunks thought for a moment. They were hesitant at first. But then Trunks raised his head with a determined face and gave a nod, followed by Goten, finally Gon.

"If the selection is already happening, we can't just let it happen, can we?" said Gon with confidence as Goten and Trunks agreed.

"No, we can't." smiled Killua. "But I'm going to do this alone. Gon, I want you to stay behind and hidden. I don't want you to forget about our primary mission. We have to take Pitou down and we're gonna need all your strength to do it."

Gon didn't like it, but he knew Killua was right. They had to beat Neferpitou.

"Yeah, alright." sighed Gon.

Killua smiled again before turning to Trunks and Goten.

"Goten, fly to the capital and wait for us there. And Trunks, I might run into ants between towns, so I want you to fly ahead of me and take those out. But I don't want you two wasting any energy, because you're going to need a lot to beat the King."

Goten and Trunks glanced at each other before nodding to Killua and were just about to take off when Gon stopped them.

"Before you go," said Gon in a serious tone to them. "Tell me, will those Dragon Balls you mentioned really bring everyone those ants killed back? Even Ponzu and Pokkle?"

"They can and they will." said Trunks.

"I promised we would bring them back somehow." added Goten. "And that's exactly what we'll do. Besides, this whole world is in danger and we won't rest until we put everything right."

Reassured, Gon smiled and watched as Goten and Trunks flew up into the sky and into the distance. After they had disappeared, Killua turned back to Gon with tightened fists.

"Gon, I want you to promise me something." said Killua firmly. "While I'm gone, even if people get killed right in front of you, you won't make a move."

Gon was hesitant about that idea at first, but he knew he must save his strength for Pitou. He nodded again.

"I'll text you later." said Killua bravely before walking away as Gon watched him disappear before walking into the forest all alone.

They didn't know that they had been watched the whole time by the chameleon Chimera Ant, Meleoron, hiding behind some bushes with his invisibility, blocking his signal for anyone to sense him nearby. He knew they surely weren't citizens of this country though a little young to be spies, despite being so strong. He wondered if they were here to hunt down the King. He didn't want to fight all of them at once, as four against one is an no-win situation for him. But when the group split up individually, his excitement grew and he chuckled with delight.

"So, they split up!" he thought to himself. "How convenient." he added as he started following Gon, still invisible.


In the city of Pejin, Morel and Knov were at a big building, in a high apartment, talking with a tall military man with neatly combed-back brown hair. They were discussing the situation with the Chimera Ants to him and what is about to happen in the nine remaining days. And they also told him that in order for him and his family to be save, they had to be relocated to a safe location out of harms way. The man looked unsure about trusting them, seeing how they knew more about the threat than he did.

"You'll really have me and my family transported to another country?" asked the man.

"Yes, Mr. Marcos." replied Knov. "But it's no cause for alarm as we've been given official approval with necessary payment. All we need left is your signature." he added. "In exchange for your freedom, you'll share your complete military knowledge. If not, we both will be in a pickle."

Marcos thought about it long and hard. He would do anything as long as he and his family will be safe from those ants.

"Very well." he decided, sipping his wine. "I'll tell you everything, including all those deeds Diego has committed."

"We appreciate that," said Morel with a smile.

But Morel was secretly unsure about Diego being the only guilty one in the matter since Marcos followed him, especially the way he stood in his apartment drinking his red wine. But Knov made sure he kept his cool. As he knew, business is business.


Outside the city, Knuckle and Shoot were hiding on top of a really tall tree. Knuckle was still impatient even when he knew the current process of the operation.

"Why should I turn a blind eye while innocent people are dying?!" he asked in a huff. "If they're planning to sort over five million, that's five hundred thousand each day with only one percentage to survive while four hundred and ninety-five thousand people will be killed!"

"Will you calm down, Knuckle?" said Shoot with a serious look. "If we lose our cool now, billions more will die! And if the plan falls, everyone dies!" Shoot added. "If the three Royal Guards discover our presence, we can't draw them away from the King and security around him will be so tightened, Goten and Trunks can't beat him. So until the time is right or unless you have a better idea, you must endure!."

Seeing that Shoot had a good point, Knuckle sat back down, sulking. He knew this whole battle could question their lives as well, but still. He felt so helpless by not helping them right now.

"So, in order to save humanity, we sacrifice five million." he grumbled. "Damn it!"

But Knov wasn't worried. As they continued to sit out of sight, Knov recalled how Goten and Trunks informed him about the Dragon Balls back in their world and how they could bring the deceased back to life. So, with this information, he would have no problem with lives being lost as long as they can be brought back again.

"While it's true lots of people will still die, Knuckle." Shoot thought. "But I assure you they will all be back again... I hope!"


Back in the woods, Gon was sitting down all alone by a tree, eating a fruit. He still thought about what Killua had said about not jumping into action and wondered how he was doing, hoping he was alright. It was hard just sitting back while people were dying, making him wish he stayed with him. But he was sure he would since Trunks was taking out ants between towns while Killua was taking out the puppets in them. He also hoped that Trunks and Goten wouldn't waste any strength on their way. He knew he had to save his strength for his own battle. But he could tell they were going to be careful by the looks on their faces. He had absolutely nothing to worry about.

Suddenly, while eating, Gon senses picked up a presence close by. It had to be a Chimera Ant. And from which direction it was coming from, it felt as if it was... right behind him!

Gon quickly jumped to see a huge and muscular humanoid snake-like Chimera Ant with blue skin, black shades, black hair in braids extending outward, and a cloth tied around its left arm. However far back Gon was, Snake's tail was already wrapped around the area in coils. Gon jumped up and back just in time to avoid his coils tightening and crushing the tree in them. Gon gasped at how tall he was. He could tell this one might be tricky.

"Nice dodge, kid." smirked Snake. "But lets see if you can get away from this!"

He lowered himself down, pulling himself downward on his coils like a spring, before launching high upwards and fast, bouncing from tree to tree in so many directions and so fast that it was hard for Gon to follow his speed, especially being in the dark. And before he even knew it, poor Gon found himself wrapped tightly around his coils! Snake laughed evilly.

"Got you right where I want you!" said Snake sinisterly. "Now prepare to die!"

With that said, Snake's coils began to tighten around the boy. But they didn't seem to be tightening any further in before he realized that Gon had already pushed the coils wider and aside with ease, much to Snake's surprise.

"Not yet!" said Gon before leaping upwards before falling down, giving Snake the beating of his life.

By the time it was over, Snake was stuck around a tree with his tail tied tightly around it while covered in bruises all over with blue blood dripping from his mouth and nose. With the job done, Gon ran off further into the forest to find a new hiding spot, feeling sure Snake will go on ten days without starving to death.

"This doesn't make sense," Gon thought, "Why are soldier ants still roaming around an already sorted area?"

He had just begun to think maybe they were there on lookout since they were close to the border when he soon sensed another presense and jumped barely in time to dodge quick attacks by a close shave. Gon looked up to find not one, but two Chimera Ants! A feminine bat-like humanoid Chimera Ant and a owl-like Chimera Ant. He was outnumbered! He watched as they flew up and disappeared in the shadows of the trees.

All the while, Meleoron was still watching from the shadows with his invisibility.

"That kid is strong," he thought with a smirk. "But now, it's two against one! I guess I'll keep watching so I can see what he'll do next."

But Gon wasn't sure what to do next, those two enemy ants could be anywhere in the trees, but which one? Worst of all, the darkness of the night was on their side to take advantage of with them being nocturnal creatures, hunters of the night. They could strike him from one place, and he wouldn't even know it until the attack was done.

By the time Gon heard something from the left, feathers have already pricked their stems on him from behind. And the next thing he knew, he felt himself knocked back by the bat Chimera Ant. And that's when he realized it.

"The bat's wings are so loud, I couldn't hear the owl coming!" he thought.

He decided to make a break for it and find the best hiding spot that would be so clever that even the ants wouldn't sense him. But he had no idea that Owl had hearing senses of high-frequency. He could hear Gon's footsteps with every move and know where he's located, even from high up in the air.

Gon continued to hear Bat from one direction, resulting in more feather pricks by Owl from the opposite direction with the prickling pain distracting him from noticing Bat's oncoming attacks. It made Gon realize that the two were working well together, covering long range and close up attacks. He knew he must think of a new approach or else, but Gon soon hatched a plan, charging up his Nen aura as Bat and Owl noticed from the sky.

"That won't help you!" she sniggered as she flew down towards him while Owl threw his feathers.

Gon listened carefully to Bat's wings, even though he knew he would be pricked by feathers in the process. Next would come the moment where Bat attacks. The moment he saw her, Gon swung a punch towards her face, only for Bat to disappear at the last moment. He began to wonder if this was echolocation, the use of a bat's ultrasonic waves to predict his next move by timing and aim.

"The boy's starting to predict my attacks, Hollow!" said Bat to Hollow telepathically. "For a human, he's got sharp ears!"

"And his energy is still growing!" agreed Hollow. "My feathers aren't doing much damage anymore!"

And they weren't. Still, Gon decided to try another strategy that even they couldn't predict as he took a deep breath before charging up his Jajanken.

"Show me rock!"

Hollow was worried, but Bat just smirked, knowing that this attack is Gon's fullest, and they would win if he misses, also knowing that Gon won't have much energy left if he uses it. She flew upwards, planning to get closer as quietly as she could while Gon could hear her flying up until the sound of her flapping had vanished. Once she was high enough, she began diving down like a missile towards Gon, expecting him to shoot out his attack.

But Bat didn't know that Gon could still hear her piercing through the air downward. And he made no movements until she was just about close enough. Bat couldn't stop herself as Gon turned his body, evading the attack. She was just preparing to fly away swiftly before Gon could land his attack when suddenly, Gon let out a great big yell from the top of his lungs in Bat's ears so loudly that her ear drums shattered. Her ears were ringing so much she couldn't see Gon's location or anything else as she kept slamming into trees while trying to escape. But it was rather unfortunate that Gon could use sound too.

"I don't think so!" shouted Gon before launching his attack. "Jajanken...Paper!"

His attack was just mere inches of Bat when something struck the blast, saving her from her doom as she flew away. Gon was surprised until he turned to find that it came from a rock thrown by Hollow, who was now looking much more bulkier than before.

"Lets see if you can handle my Gorilla form!" sniggered Hollow before throwing another rock at Gon at such high speed, he was almost unable to dodge it as it crashed through a tree behind him. Then Gon's ears started to ring, unable to hear Hollows next attack as another rock was thrown at him. Luckly, Gon was able to land back on his feet.

"He could use ultra sound too?" Gon wondered.

But Hollow wasn't. He had no way of knowing that the ringing in his ears came from Bat high above, using her own ultra sound against him. Meleoron continues to watch in amusement in the shadows.

Gon began planning his next move. He couldn't plug his hearing otherwise it will hinder his reaction timing. So he decided to use Gyo as a Nen aura surrounded his eyes. But before Gon could read Hollow's next move, Bat's ultra sound started ringing his ears again, resulting in another blow by Hollow.

While trying to evade his attacks, Gon tore some cloth from his pockets and licked them before plugging his ears with them to help with the sound. It proved to his advantage, and he could now located Hollow's energy signal. However, that signal turned out to be one of his feathers, which he soon realized it was only a diversion with Zetsu as Hollow stood right behind him. Gon was just in time to block Hollow's punches, but was still blown back.

Gon wiped the blood off his chin, knowing that these ants know how to conceal themselves while stalking their prey as he used his Gyo again, knowing he must keep up. Once he was set, Gon charged forward and he and Hollow engaged in a serious of punches until Bat used her ultra sound again, only harder this time as it hurt more for Gon. But that didn't stop him as he started planning again, knowing that he mustn't use his Jajanken Rock style on Owl because Bat would fly away and alert the others and their whole plan is in pieces.

While close, Hollow had no need to hear Gon's movements and could cover his own ears while Bat attacks at will. Meleoron was beginning to think Gon will finally lose when Gon had already figured out that Bat and Hollow's movements were in sync and made a plan to take advantage of it.

He saw the two side-by-side, then he saw a fallen tree in front and quickly snagged it before swinging the roots at Hollow, who flew up to dodge it while the branches and leaves behind blew a strong gust of wind at Bat like a giant invisible wall, blowing her away and crashing hard into a large cliffside, knocking her unconscious while Hollow watched in shock!

"Now it's just you!" snarled Gon, looking at Hollow.

But Hollow grew fearful and was just starting to run away when he saw Gon catching up to him, charging his Jajanken attack.

"Show me rock! Jajanken..."

Desperate, Hollow threw a punch at Gon, only to miss by a narrow margin before Gon's own attack made contact.

"...rock!"

His hard fist sent Hollow flying westward through the air.

"Go back to the NGL where you belong!" he called before walking away.

All the while, Meleoron stood surprised while hidden from sight as he saw the whole thing before making a sly smirk to himself.

"Hm, maybe this boy can be useful after all!" he thought as he continued to stalk him.