On their way to NGL, Isaac Netero turns his head over to the direction of the Chimera Ant's nest. His instincts scream to him that something bad just happened. This can only mean one thing.
"It seems that currently there might not be any Hunters left in NGL." Isaac Netero said.
Morel and Knov looked toward Isaac Netero concerned.
"Your intuition again, is it telling you that the outcome of the fight went poorly to the Hunters that went in?" Morel asked.
"Most likely, they're in the enemy's hands now which means they will be likely to be taken to their Queen, and the Chimera Ants that would be born from them might be tough opponents. And if the Chimera Ants were able to swarm and beat three abled Hunters then their forces will soon grow and become a greater force than it is currently," Isaac Netero said.
Morel stood up which caused the truck to tilt a bit to his side before balancing again. Even Knov was losing some of his stoic nature and looked concerned.
"But, Kite is there and he was taught by Ging himself. One of the Zodiacs. How can a Hunter like him lose?!" Morel asked.
"I am afraid we are going to know the situation until we arrive. Be on your guard," Netero said.
Morel sat down as he looked down towards the ground saddened by the idea that they were too late and more Hunters died already. Knov was deep in thought most likely thinking of strategies ahead of time for how best to handle this. While Isaac Netero quietly contained his excitement.
"It seems that there is a war encroaching, and the outcome of it has changed." Isaac thought.
Meanwhile, in another part of the world, Leorio was focused on his studies. Working his way to becoming a doctor like he wanted to when he was younger and couldn't afford it. Until he felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand up. A foreboding feeling that something bad is going to happen soon or just happened. He looked around thinking that it was the Phantom Troupe or Hisoka after him until he saw no one there.
He then rubbed the back of his head.
"The stress of university work must be getting to me. Weird cause it's compared to the stress I have felt during the Hunter Exam." Leorio said.
He then went back to his studies while in Yorknew his friend Kurapika has a similar feeling as well. Kurapika is in the middle of interrogating a member from a rival mafia family to the Nostrade Family he works for that had one of the Scarlet Eyes he was after. He felt a feeling he hasn't felt since that day, the day when the Kurta Clan was massacred. It's as if his instincts are telling him something bad has happened to someone he cares about again.
"I told you all I know about I swear!" the mafia man said.
Kurapika then threw them to the ground as Kurapika threw a chain to his heart.
"You will tell no one about me or our conversation or get the Cristwell Family to come after the Nostrade Family, otherwise you die, understand?!" Kurapika yelled out.
As the frightened man nodded in agreement Kurapika pulled back the chain and the man still felt something in his heart as if something was wrapped tight around him. He's starting to think if he actually would die if he told someone. He called Kurapika a freak before running off. As the room was empty Kurapika then got out his phone and called Leorio. Leorio was surprised to see Kurapika call so suddenly, he is hesitant to pick it up as he was worried it has something to do with that odd feeling he had.
He then answers the phone and asks "Hey Kurapika, you're having a bad feeling too?"
"Yes and if you're fine I can safely say you're not in any danger," Kurapika said.
"Not just studying for upcoming exams, who else could be in" before Leorio could finish his sentence he jumps out of his chair as he has a shocking realization.
"Kurapika, you try to reach Killua, I'll try to reach Gon!" Leorio said.
As Leorio dials Gon's number, Kurapika does the same with Killua's. As they get a message from a strange person they don't recognize. Both give Kurapika and Leorio the same message.
"We're sorry but the people you have currently entered NGL territory where no technology is allowed. We at the border stop can't tell you why they entered or what they are doing here, but we can assure you all is fine here and we will be telling them you called when they return." the NGL representatives tell them.
They hung up as Leorio, frustrated, called the number again.
"Hey, I'm a Hunter too like the boys who went in. Whatever Hunter business that they went in for you can tell me!" Leorio said.
"Can you even prove that over the phone? You can't scan your Hunter license with it and I can't just take your word for it. Do you know how many deceitful people I have to deal with in this line of work? Don't try again and stop embarrassing yourself." the representative said.
"What did you say to me?! My name is Leorio Paradiknight I'm Gon and Killua's friend, look me up if you have to it might tell you I am one." Leorio said.
"Anyone can edit an article about themselves or hack certain information and it's not like I can access the Hunter Website to confirm that. I am going to tell you once more. Never call this number again, if you're really close to the people you're calling, wait until they return to confirm what you say." the representative said before hanging up.
Distraught, Leorio looks at his phone before looking out the window.
"With this feeling that I am getting, I don't think waiting is a luxury we can afford," he thought.
He then got onto his room's computer and began to look up information about NGL to figure out why they could be there. Kurapika is having an inner crisis on what he should do. Should he leave his duties and check on Gon and Killua in NGL and rescue them, or continue his search for his people's missing eyes so he can give them a proper burial. He's conflicted and he's unsure how he could find a way to step away from his current position in the Nostrade Family, he'll have to check the Hunter's Tavern to see if there is any information about NGL and what's going on over there.
Back in NGL, at the same time when ominous Isaac Netero, Kurapika, and Leorio all had an ominous premonition. Neferpitou is looking over Gon and Killua's unconscious bodies. Deciding on what is to be done with them. To be let go like Kite and allowed to grow stronger, or be butchered and fed to the Chimera Ant Queen. They first looked over KIllua's body and noticed it had gone limp but their pulse is still working and yet while they can't hear him breathing they can hear his lungs are still working.
"Impressive, able to hide the sound of his breath, but his body doesn't appear to be moving at all. Must be paralyzed after being struck by that lightning. That electricity power was purretty impressive but he seems to have hit his limit with how much he can handle. Still, perhaps there is a way to get him back up into shape." Pitou thought.
They then looked over to Gon.
"That one called Gon though, when he got angry it was like his power grew with it, but he lost all of his energy letting it all out on me. Though he had to interrupt and ruin my one-on-one fight. Still though-" Pitou thought.
Closing their eyes and imagining what it would be like fighting them again before Kite Pitou then snaps their fingers and opens their eyes.
"Alright, that settles it, I'll be taking these two back with me and healing them so that I can have them entertain me for the time being," Pitou declared.
Colt stopped upon hearing this as he looked towards Pitou.
"But Lord Pitou these humans have the most Nen out of anyone that has been fed to the Queen. Why she would even be satisfied for days or even weeks if we give her these two to feast on." Colt argued.
"Nyow nyow, that all depends on how long they can keep me entertained. I'll let the queen have them as a meal once I grow tired of them. Surely you can accept that Colt," Neferpitou said.
Kite didn't like the sound of this. Gon and Killua were captured and brought to enemy territory. As playthings for that monster that would get rid of them on a whim. He had to do something to convince them that's a bad idea. Perhaps he could appeal to their bloodlust. And also to Colt's care for the queen's wellbeing.
"Wait, Neferpitou, these boys have gotten through a lot of training to get as strong as they are now, you could train them by having to fight against your soldiers, and in turn, both your army would get stronger and the boys will get stronger for them to give you a more satisfying battle," Kite said.
Neferpitou was surprised to see Kite suggest this, and thinking about it a lot of the soldiers haven't exactly seemed to have become adept at using their Nen yet. So using them as training dummies would not only aid the Chimera Ants but themselves as well.
"While I like the idea of making our forces stronger, what happens if they get too strong that they manage to overpower us and break free and escape or even manage to kill you Lord Neferpitou?! Or even worse the Queen. There are too many variables." Colt interjected.
"That is true, but I can use my En to cover the Nest and if they try anything I would quickly put a stop to it, simple as that. Plus they'll make perfect guinea pigs for my new ability, the power to heal." Neferpitou said.
Both Colt and Kite did not like the sound of that but for entirely different reasons. Colt didn't like the idea of letting those boys live in the Chimera Ant Nest so close to their queen prisoners or not. While Kite is not liking the fact that Neferpitou has already decided what their Nen ability would be. And since it's a healing ability it means all of the damage done to them in this battle might be undone the next time he faces her.
"Well then Colt, let me put it this way. If those boys die and are fed to the queen by the time I come back, then I will ignore every Ant that gets in my way and go straight for the Queen's head." Kite said.
Colt was shocked at this statement, but despite sounding like an outrageous claim it was no bluff. He could tell from the malice emanating from Kite and the cold stare in his eyes that he was entirely serious. After gulping he then turns his head towards Pitou.
"I think perhaps it is in our best interest that we do listen to what he says and keep these boys as prisoners. It will be better for everyone's sake." Colt said.
"So nyow everyone agrees, purrfect! I'll stay here and watch boys while you take Kite away and come back here. I can't carry them back to the nest myself with just one arm." Pitou said.
As Colt nodded in understanding he flew up and picked Kite up but as Kite was being carried Pitou threw something at him. And as he reflexively caught it he found it was his severed limb. As Pitou grins at them from down below
"Nyow I want you to get that arm put back before the next time we meet, okay," Neferpitou said waving Kite goodbye.
And as Kite is being carried off, outside the border of NGL is when Isaac Netero, Knov, and Morel arrive. Stepping out of the truck looking around and seeing no one waiting for them. As if they expected someone to be out here.
"This is bad, they are not here," Netero said.
"How it was supposed to go was that those boys were to come back here after learning they were in over their heads, whether with Kite or not, and then I would issue them the challenge to face my students. We may have to bring Shoot and Knuckle in any way." Morel said.
"Even if their abilities are useful their personalities still clash with the mission at hand, same goes for mine Palm. They must be made ready first and that's why we hoped the boys coming back alive would aid us in that by fighting them and both parties growing stronger as Netero calculated would happen but it seems that there was an unknown variable we didn't account for." Knov said.
Netero gave out a hearty chuckle.
"Now I have always considered this to be a possibility of happening but it was a slim chance to happen though. To think Ging's son Gon, my good friend Zeno's grandson, and Ging's pupil Kite would all end up falling in NGL to the Chimera Ants. Especially with how well they both did in the Hunter Exam before they obtained Nen. This is a predicament we may have to ask someone else to train your pupils before they are sent here," Netero said.
He thought back to when he challenged them to a fun game of chance to amuse himself. When they tried to grab a ball he was keeping away from them. And Gon was close and even forced him to use both hands and yet Gon was satisfied with forcing him to use more than just one hand. Something about that resonated with him especially because it showed that the boy had the true spirit of a Hunter. Yet to think that their journey could end here.
Netero looks up and sees something far in the distance. Making a circle shape with his right hand and enhancing it with Nen, he peeps through the o in his hand like a telescope as he sees Kite holding onto his severed arm while being carried by some winged humanoid bug-like creature. Morel tries to copy what Netero is doing but can't seem to get it to work which frustrates him.
"Well come on old man what do you see?!" Morel demanded.
"I would tell you if I could, but not only am I unsure if I could describe whatever I'm seeing. I don't think I ever expected this to be the outcome either," Isaac Netero said.
As Knov and Morel are shocked to see even the great Netero confused they look up to see Kite being carried by Colt as he is dropped off as Morel catches him. Knov used a key and opened a portal before taking Kite through it.
"Let this be an example of what happens to those who dare want to kill our queen. We have two prisoners currently but due to circumstances they will be kept alive and not fed to the Queen. As long as the Royal Guards block your path you have no hope of winning so surrender now." Colt declared.
It was then Colt saw a golden blur before he felt a large force stop in front of him as he was blown away by strong winds that cut into him. As he stops he looks at the humans below to see which one of them did it before looking at the old man who is an aura radiating from them and his hands in a prayer position.
"I assure you, whatever challenge your Royal Guards poses, we'll welcome it with open arms," Netero said with a grin.
"What was that ability just now? I could barely see what just happened. He's still not as strong as Lord Neferpitou is but with such an incomprehensible ability could he be close?" Colt thought
As Colt flew away he then looked down in shock and saw the force of whatever that ability was parted through most of the forest as if a sonic boom ran through it. Morel was in awe because from his perspective Isaac Netero made a powerful shockwave in front of him in the blink of an eye.
"Did…did you just?" Morel stuttered.
"Yes I used my ability but unfortunately he was out of range, I just wanted to shut him up. How's Kite doing?" Netero asked.
Morel got out his phone and texted Knov a message before getting a callback. Morel then puts Knov on speaker.
"He lost quite a lot of blood, but no major organs have been damaged. He's conscious still also and with the medical gear I have brought with me Kite should be able to be active soon but as for his severed limb it would acquire a Nen ability to be able to reattach it." Knov said.
Morel chuckled as he then unwrapped his incredibly large smoke pipe and put the phone to his ear.
"Hey Knov, there is a sewing needle within the medkit you brought, right?" Morel asked.
As they enter the special dimension of Knov's Nen ability, Hide and Seek. An empty-looking large cubic white tiled room. Kite was laying on a bed on the floor and a part of his body was covered in bandages due to the grave wound from when he was struck in the back by Neferpitou. Morel then began smoking and blew out a strange purple-colored smoke that began to change and thin into a string-like shape before Knov was able to grab it and put it through the eye of the sewing needle and began to use it to stitch Kite's arm back in place. An application of Morel's flexible ability, Deep Purple. Kite bit down his teeth hard and gritted through the pain as his arm was being stitched back on Netero watched, impressed with Morel's quick thinking.
After it was done Kite was surprised to see he was able to move his arm again, but even more surprised to see the strange purplish smoke change color and blend in with his skin as if it wasn't there in the first place. He tries to get up but a sharp pain in his back causes him to sit back down. Netero, Knov, and Morel loom over him.
"Now Kite, tell us everything that happened in NGL," Netero asked.