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After defeating Meruem, Mika left the forest.
The Chimera Ant incident had caused quite a stir, and even though they were now gone, the area would remain under close surveillance for quite some time.
"Is that—?" Sensing a familiar presence, he changed direction, his speed increasing as he headed towards Kite, Gon, and Killua.
"What are you three doing here? I thought you had left."
"Mika!" Gon and Killua exclaimed, seeing him. They knew he and Netero were dealing with the Chimera Ants.
"Is...is the battle over?" Killua asked, sensing something had changed.
"Yes," Mika confirmed with a smile. "The King, the Royal Guards, the Queen—all of them are dead. Every single Chimera Ant is gone."
This was a deviation from the original story.
In canon, a few Chimera Ants, influenced by the humans they had consumed, had survived, their more benevolent nature preventing them from causing further harm.
However, in this altered timeline, Mika had eliminated them all after Kite, Gon, and Killua left, leaving only the Queen, Neferpitou, and the unborn King and Royal Guards. He had slightly regretted his decision later.
"It's—over?" Gon asked, surprised.
Kite, however, breathed a sigh of relief. He had been on edge ever since their encounter with the Chimera Ants. Having witnessed their power firsthand, he understood the threat they posed.
If not dealt with swiftly, they could have endangered all of humanity.
"Was the King born?" Unlike Kite, Gon and Killua weren't concerned about the outcome. They bombarded Mika with questions about the Chimera Ants.
"Yes, he was. And we had quite the battle."
"How strong was he?"
"Hard to say. Perhaps—dozens of times stronger than the Royal Guards?"
"Dozens of times?!" While Gon and Killua hadn't truly grasped the Royal Guards' power, Kite had. After all, he had nearly been killed by Neferpitou.
"Yes, very powerful," Mika confirmed.
After all, he had deliberately—enhanced Meruem. They continued their journey towards Kite's temporary residence, chatting as they walked.
"What are your plans now?" Mika asked Gon and Killua.
"We'll probably continue exploring with Kite—" Gon replied after a moment of thought.
"I'm afraid that won't be possible. Due to the Chimera Ant incident, this area will be under strict quarantine—a research site for studying the creatures. And with the local government—decapitated, so to speak, the entire country will likely descend into chaos. Your research can't continue here," Mika explained.
Netero had told him this before they left. As Chairman of the Hunter Association, his information was reliable.
"He's right," Kite confirmed, nodding. He had anticipated this. "We'll be taking a break, searching for a new location for our research. You two don't have to follow me anymore. It's time for you to choose your own path."
After all, for a Hunter, their "Prey" was paramount.
Gourmet Hunters sought exquisite ingredients.
Bounty Hunters pursued criminals and their bounties.
Ruin Hunters sought lost artifacts and ancient knowledge.
Every Hunter had their own—obsession—a target worthy of a lifetime's pursuit.
While Gon and Killua were still young, they were mature for their age. It was time for them to consider their future, even if that path wasn't yet clear.
"Our own path...?" Gon and Killua exchanged glances. They had been enjoying their time with Kite, their days filled with adventure and discovery. They hadn't thought about the future.
After a moment of silence, they looked at Mika.
"You asked about our plans—Are you looking for companions?" Killua asked, sensing his intentions.
"Indeed," Mika confirmed. "I'm embarking on a long journey, and for various reasons, Airmid and Mellie can't accompany me. I was wondering if you two would be interested in joining me."
His experiences in the Demon Slayer world had made him realize how lonely solitary travel could be, especially a journey that spanned years, not just days or months. While he was capable of handling such a journey alone, having companions would make it more...enjoyable. If not for Airmid and Mellie pursuing their own paths, he would have invited them as well.
"A long journey? How long?" Gon asked curiously.
"We'll travel all over this world, then leave it entirely—venturing to the Dark Continent. How does that sound? Interested?"
"The Dark Continent?!" Kite exclaimed, before Gon or Killua could respond. "Absolutely not! It's far too dangerous!" He tried to dissuade them.
As Ging's disciple, he knew a bit about the Dark Continent, and he knew that Ging was trying to obtain a permit to go there. That alone spoke volumes about its dangers.
———
"The Dark Continent? What's that?" Gon and Killua, intrigued by Kite's reaction and Mika's words, were now incredibly curious about this mysterious and dangerous place.
Mika, seeing their curiosity, explained the true nature of their world, the vastness that lay beyond the known world, and the perils of the Dark Continent.
They were stunned, their understanding of the world shattered.
"Does such a place really exist?" Gon asked, his eyes wide with wonder.
"It does. And according to Chairman Netero, your father, Ging, is trying to get a permit to go there. He seems rather eager to visit."
"Ging wants to go to the Dark Continent?!" Gon's voice was filled with a mixture of excitement and resentment. He had learned very little about his father since leaving Whale Island.
And now, this revelation—this shared ambition—sparked a new determination within him. He looked at Kite expectantly.
Kite, unable to lie to him, sighed. "Yes, he was trying to obtain a permit. But that was a long time ago. I haven't seen him in years. I don't know if he's changed his mind."
"He hasn't," Gon said firmly, clenching his fists. He looked at Mika, his eyes shining with a newfound resolve. "If Ging is also aiming for the Dark Continent, then if I go there as well—I'll eventually meet him, won't I?"
"Indeed," Mika confirmed.
He had told Netero he could choose a few companions for their journey to the Dark Continent. He preferred traveling with a larger group; it was more entertaining.
And perhaps Netero would invite Ging. He suspected Netero's reason for preventing his son, Beyond, and Ging from visiting the Dark Continent stemmed from his concern for their safety.
Having been there himself, Netero understood the dangers.
However, with Mika leading the expedition, it would be a much safer journey. Perhaps, experiencing the Dark Continent firsthand, they would reconsider their ambitions.
And even if they didn't, having survived one trip would significantly increase their chances of surviving another. They would be more prepared.
———
"In that case, I'll join you, Mika! I'll travel with you and go to the Dark Continent!"
Gon declared, his desire to find his father, combined with his newfound curiosity about the Dark Continent, fueling his resolve.
Ever since he was a child, he had wondered what could possibly be so alluring, so captivating, that it could make his father abandon him. He had initially believed it was the life of a Hunter, hence his determination to become one, to see the world through Ging's eyes. But now, he suspected the true answer lay in the Dark Continent.
"I'll go, too," Killua said with a grin.
Killua didn't particularly care about traveling the world or visiting the Dark Continent; his priority was staying with his friend. He would follow Gon anywhere, even to the ends of the earth.
"Excellent. But be warned, the Dark Continent is dangerous. I'll be training you both along the way. Don't complain when things get tough—" Mika said with a smile.
"We can handle it!" Gon declared confidently.
Killua nodded in agreement. They were both eager to enhance their Nen abilities.
"Then it's settled."
"Hey! Wait a minute!" Kite exclaimed, exasperated. They had completely ignored his warnings about the Dark Continent's dangers.
They simply chuckled, having collectively decided to ignore him. However, they couldn't just leave him hanging.
"Kite," Mika said, turning to him, "Are you interested in visiting the Dark Continent?"
"Me?" Kite was taken aback, then fell into thought.
The Dark Continent—a land practically untouched by humans—was undoubtedly teeming with undiscovered species.
The temptation, for a biologist like him, was immense. After all, for a Hunter, the unknown was the ultimate bait.
"If you are, then you'd better start honing your Nen abilities. It's a dangerous place. And don't change your phone number. I'll have Gon contact you when the time comes."
With that, Mika and the two boys quickly departed. They knew if they didn't leave now, Kite would try to dissuade them. And by the time he recovered from his surprise, they were gone.
Kite looked at the empty space where they had been standing moments before, lost in thought.
The Dark Continent... should He go...or not...?
———
After escaping Kite, Mika took Gon and Killua to the Vongola Family's base. He gathered his affairs, then summoned Leorio and Kurapika. After making the necessary arrangements, the five of them embarked on a journey across the Hunter x Hunter world.
It would be a long one.
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