The pain in his severed arm, the nerve-wracking wait for Killua's return, the spiraling thoughts about Kite's fate and his own uncertain future—all of it blurred Joey's mind as he dozed off in the shadow of the rocky outcrop.
He hadn't slept well since waking up in this body—always on the run, constantly tense.
The Nen steadily flowing from the wallet into his body was the only warmth he could cling to. That constant, gentle pulse of life soothed his nerves just enough for sleep to finally drag him under…
While Joey slipped into a fitful sleep, Killua had just come face-to-face with an unexpected trio.
The Hunter Association Chairman, Isaac Netero, dressed in traditional robes, white hair tied into a topknot.
Beside him, the carefree but sharp-eyed Morel, the One-Star Sea Hunter, slinging a massive duffel bag over one shoulder.
And finally, the poised, aloof Knov, in a sleek black suit, hair brushed back and sunglasses perched on his nose.
"Chairman Netero?" Killua rose sharply to his feet.
"Oh? A kid, huh?" Morel smirked, voice mocking. "Caught up in trouble during your little adventure? That's what you get. Best run home now, kid."
Killua's expression darkened.
"Don't be mean, Morel," Knov adjusted his glasses with a patronizing smile. "They're just regular children, after all."
But Netero stepped forward, hands clasped behind his back, eyes twinkling.
"Hohoho… You look awfully glum. Was the enemy that overwhelming?"
Killua swallowed hard, recalling Neferpitou's gaze. That chilling, contemptuous look—the way she saw them as beneath notice.
"Someone in the enemy ranks uses Nen. His aura… it was disgusting. Stronger than anything we've faced before."
Killua's voice was tight. "I've learned to use Nen myself—I can feel it clearly now. Even with your strength… I don't think you'll beat them."
His words weren't dramatic. They came from instinct.
"Hmph." Knov pushed his glasses again. "People tend to exaggerate when faced with the unknown. You're just panicked."
He clearly didn't see Killua's report as valuable intel.
"We'll handle it from here. You kids should get some rest," Knov added, eyes flicking toward the briefcase in Killua's hand. "That…?"
NGL was a no-tech zone. Even if they were granted limited exceptions for specialist equipment, anything like this briefcase wouldn't exist here naturally.
Which meant…
Killua had likely been involved in NGL's darker underbelly.
Morel had been preparing another teasing speech, but even he paused at Knov's observation, now eyeing the case with curiosity.
"This came from Kite," Killua said directly, handing the case to Netero. "He and Joey retrieved it from the underground drug syndicate. Inside is written evidence—documents detailing transactions between someone named Gyro and members of the V5."
V5—the unofficial alliance of the world's five superpowers, maintaining global order.
"Joey?" Netero echoed.
"I don't know everything," Killua admitted. "But Joey used to be known as Yoshikage Kira—a member of the drug syndicate, and a wanted serial killer. Now, the one controlling that body calls himself Joey."
"The soul changed hands?" Netero mused, chuckling as he hefted the case. "Sounds like a unique kind of Nen user. Where is he now?"
"He can't pass through the official checkpoints due to his identity," Killua said, pointing toward a rocky outcrop in the distance. "He's hiding out there. Kite knows the full story. But…"
Netero followed Killua's finger… then turned his gaze to Gon, who lay unconscious beneath a tree.
"He passed out?" the Chairman asked.
Killua dropped his eyes, hiding them beneath his hair. "He tried to fight the enemy. I had to knock him out with full force… I didn't hold back. I don't know when he'll wake up."
"Ha! That kid's got more guts than you, running away," Morel barked with a laugh.
"Morel," Knov warned quietly.
Netero handed the briefcase back to Killua. "Deliver this to Kite's team. They'll know what to do. As for Joey… you'll have to guide him to safety."
Netero's expression turned serious. "Man-eating Chimera Ants. Hard to believe—but if it's true, we must act. We can't risk unprepared Hunters being absorbed by them. You understand?"
"I do." Killua nodded.
That was why only three elite Hunters had been sent.
Killua and Gon… weren't ready to stand on that battlefield.
Still, Netero likely knew the moment word spread, other Hunters would come, drawn to the hunt like moths to flame.
The Chairman looked over both boys… then pulled something from his sleeve: a Hunter's Talisman, split cleanly down the middle.
"There are two assassins in the nearest city," Netero said. "Fight them or don't. It's your call…"
He flicked the two halves of the talisman into the air.
"But if you want to survive as a true Hunter—defeat them. Then catch up. I don't need dead weight. I need warriors."
A faint footstep stirred Joey from sleep.
His eyes fluttered open… and found three faces above him.
Strangely familiar. Unfamiliar.
Before he could move, Killer Queen had already stepped between him and the newcomers.
"A Nen beast?" Knov adjusted his glasses. "So you're the Joey Killua spoke of."
Joey nodded, pale. "Yeah. That's me. And you are…?"
"Hunters," Netero replied. "We're here to eliminate the Chimera Ants. Kite's team has told us about you. You'll be extracted soon. Just rest here and wait."
Joey pressed his lips together.
"…Thank you. Kite's still near the base. If he's alive, please bring him back. I'm begging you."
He stood and bowed low.
He had a feeling.
A gut feeling—despite everything—Kite was still alive.
That massive explosion they'd heard while fleeing… that sky dyed in crimson flames…
It didn't feel like an end. It felt like a transition.
Joey just couldn't accept that Kite had died.
Not like that.
And if the blast was that powerful… he couldn't believe Neferpitou had walked away unscathed, either.
"If he's alive," Morel said gruffly, touched by Joey's sincerity, "I'll bring him back."
He gave that promise freely.
Because someone who had the will to sever their own hand deserved it.
Morel had seen it right away—the injury wasn't from a fight. It was self-inflicted.
He could tell from instinct, from years of experience.
From the precision of the bandaging.
From the loyalty and fire in Joey's eyes.
This was someone who could be brutal to himself—but would fight to the death for his allies.
Someone worth trusting.
Someone worth a promise.
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