When Little Debt Collector fluttered back around Gon, everyone already understood the outcome.
Because Gon had entered a state of Zetsu.
Even without knowing the exact reason for the Little Debt Collector's appearance, it was obvious who had lost.
Palm's aura surged like a dam about to burst. Thankfully, Biscuit was prepared—she jumped up and knocked out the knife-wielding Palm with a swift chop to the neck.
"That's a bit harsh, isn't it?" André, encountering Palm for the first time, was slightly shaken by her intensity but still couldn't help commenting.
"Then you try waking her up." Biscuit rolled her eyes. "Anyone leaving, go. Anyone staying, stay. Don't think you can just run off now."
Killua shivered. He had a bad feeling that things weren't looking good for him and Gon.
Even unconscious, Palm's aura was still terrifying.
"Gon losing to Knuckle isn't a big deal. But Killua—your performance was disappointing. Don't tell me you still haven't noticed?" Kite's gaze lingered on Killua's forehead.
Killua looked down with a grim face. "I…"
His voice was hoarse. But in the end, he couldn't say anything.
"Once we leave, Gon's safety will be entirely in your hands. I just hope that, when the time comes, you don't make a decision you'll regret."
Kite's words carried a warning, though his gaze also slid subtly toward Biscuit.
Joey noticed Biscuit give a near-imperceptible nod.
He thought it over but couldn't quite piece together what it meant.
In the anime, the Chimera Ant that forced Killua to remove the needle had already died by his hand.
Could it be another ant targeting Gon and Killua? That didn't seem right either.
Or—Joey suddenly had a realization.
Biscuit and Kite were in on it!
The more he thought about it, the more it made sense.
Biscuit had already noticed Killua's tendency to flee when in danger. Now, with the keen-eyed Kite involved, figuring out the root of it wasn't impossible.
Even if they couldn't uncover the exact cause, they needed to test Killua's resolve.
Because if he ever fled at the critical moment in battle, Gon could be doomed.
Testing Killua now was a responsibility to everyone.
After all, the war against the Chimera Ants had no room for hesitation. Anyone lacking resolve needed to quit early.
And maybe this was also a quiet acknowledgment that Gon and Killua still had a chance to join the Extermination Team?
Kite must've already prepared for the worst.
But that could wait. The main event would soon unfold in their absence.
Joey wished he could stay and watch the drama play out.
Sensing Joey's thoughts, Kite said nothing more and led the group onto the truck heading back to NGL.
The mood wasn't as heavy this time—after all, Kite hadn't "died" in NGL this time.
Gon wasn't joining the team not because of anything tragic, just that he'd lost a match. He mostly felt guilty toward Palm and disappointed in himself.
By the time they reached the outer checkpoint, Gon had composed himself and wore his usual bright smile again. "I'll catch up with you—definitely!"
"Make sure you thrash those damn ants good!" Killua added, frustration still in his voice.
"Relax! You'll never catch up to us anyway, so just wait patiently in Pejita City for our glorious return."
Knuckle smirked arrogantly.
Joey found himself rather fond of this pompadour-wearing delinquent-type. The guy had a heart of gold, even if he insisted on acting tough—truly the definition of a tsundere.
Shoot, by contrast, was much more reserved.
With his neatly tied ponytail and violet hair, he always looked composed and proud. In response to Gon and Killua's parting words, he simply gave a silent nod.
And then, the two groups split.
Now holding a temporary new identity, Joey followed Kite and the others toward the checkpoint.
His new identity? A temporary contractor hired by the Hunter Association—an identity Kite had secured using NGL's black market secrets and Chairman Netero's influence.
It was this identity that freed Joey from being branded a wanted murderer.
But if he wanted full redemption, he'd have to join the Chimera Ant Extermination Squad. This was the compromise agreed upon by the higher-ups.
The official reason? Joey was a local and knew the area well.
Everyone understood the real reason: no one wanted a former narcotics trafficker and newly awakened Nen user walking out of NGL alive.
Of course, if Joey somehow survived, it was unlikely anyone would bother retaliating.
Compared to the damning blackmail info he handed over, Joey was nothing more than a pebble.
Despite the chaos in NGL, the checkpoint remained rigorous. These staffers were absurdly dedicated.
But before they could even pass through, the checkpoint phone rang.
A direct order from the V5: all present Hunters were to accompany medical teams and ant biology experts straight to the Chimera Ant nest.
V5's command left the checkpoint with no say in the matter. Everything was expedited.
Four hours later, Joey arrived at the massive Chimera Ant hive alongside an elite team of specialists.
The Ant King had been born just hours earlier—and had already left with his three Royal Guards.
And because the King had forcibly ripped himself from the Queen's womb, she was already on the verge of death.
Led by Colt, the Chimera Ants who remained loyal to the Queen surrendered to humanity, begging them to save her.
But it was too late. Even with human medicine, the Queen's ravaged internal organs were beyond saving.
Joey watched coldly from the sidelines. He felt nothing but loathing toward all Chimera Ants.
Even as some began to display glimmers of humanity within their souls.
But few others seemed to share his view.
Morel and Knuckle, in particular, were visibly moved by Colt's loyalty and sacrifice.
They were especially touched by the Queen, who, even in her final moments, could only think of her child.
Kite, however, remained as indifferent as Joey.
And because he hadn't been "killed" by Neferpitou like in the anime, there were no additional Chimera Ants spawned from his body.
After all, he'd never been pushed to the brink where he'd have to use his self-sacrificing abilities.
When the rescue failed and the Queen finally passed, the air grew tense.
Joey now held a coin in his fingers.
Tendrils of Specialization-type aura flickered around it, ready to awaken the coin into something more.
Kite, too, began radiating a chilling presence. Not killing intent, but enough to make one's skin crawl.
Of the remaining Chimera Ants, Colt and a bovine-type ant wept over the Queen's death, lost in grief.
"I failed again... I couldn't protect anyone..." Colt's words cut through the silence.
"Again? Has something like this happened before?" Nob turned to a short, fuzzy Ant dressed in a white lab coat and headscarf.
"No. He might be confusing it with a past life memory. Maybe, when he was human, something similar happened," the furry doctor answered seriously.
"Huh? You guys remember your human lives?" Morel gasped.
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