It was as if it was merely a simple, minor conflict, one that could have been resolved just by sitting down and talking things out.
Lan's casual attitude significantly eased the tense and explosive atmosphere on the scene.
But for the Ant King, who stood at the front, none of it mattered.
"Take me away."
Silence was finally broken as Meruem spoke: "I completely understand your intentions to minimize human casualties while also completing your mission."
"The whole reason for all the effort, the chaos, and the assault was simply to separate me from my royal guards."
"I don't mind..."
The Ant King turned his head slightly, his calm and indifferent eyes glancing at Lan and Chairman Netero: "Take me with you."
Netero looked silently at Lan, who simply clapped his hands lightly.
"Shinra Tensei."
This ultimate move, which uses repulsive force as its core, was something Lan had already mastered with ease.
He gently pushed both Netero and Meruem away, allowing them to soar through the air using the momentum of the force.
As Lan's aura surged, even the Ant King couldn't help but glance at him again.
Out of respect, Lan's aura carried not a shred of bloodlust.
Guided by the repulsive force, the two were sent flying far into the sky.
Watching the two figures depart, Gon and Killua finally snapped back to reality.
And then, they were faced with a difficult decision:
Should they head to the royal palace to find Gon's father, Ging Freecss?
Or should they stick to the original plan and go to the guest house to confront Neferpitou?
One was the father Gon had longed to meet.
The other was the mission, the reason for the Chimera Ant Extermination Team's operation.
Put side by side…
"The mission comes first!!"
Gon made his decision without hesitation, taking just two seconds to think.
He wasn't going to let personal matters interfere with the bigger picture.
Right now, they were facing a grave and dangerous threat: The Chimera Ant crisis.
He wasn't about to let everyone's efforts go to waste over something selfish.
In the original timeline, even with the unresolved grief over Kite, Gon remained clear-headed.
"Kite always taught us what it means to be a great hunter."
"And the most important thing... Is to always remember a hunter's duty and responsibility."
"Given the situation, taking down the Chimera Ants and completing the mission is what matters most!"
"If I recklessly ran off to see Ging right now..."
Gon's eyes, bright and pure, burned with determination.
"Ging would probably be really disappointed in me!!"
His heart was clear. There was no more doubt, no more hesitation: "Let's go, Killua!"
"Right!"
Killua had no objections. In fact, he was relieved.
This time, it wasn't like the original timeline where he had to watch Gon fall deeper into despair and madness, powerless to stop it.
Back then, he could only act as an unwilling accomplice, forced to follow along.
But now, they were still partners, working together, shoulder to shoulder, against a powerful enemy.
Their bond, forged in the face of danger, was stronger than ever.
"Looks like you two are in good shape."
Lan said, smiling in approval as he looked at the approaching Gon and Killua.
Gon's eyes were still kind and pure, no longer clouded by rage and hatred.
As for Killua, his eyes were much clearer than before.
It looks like the silver needle on his forehead has been removed.
That was a good thing, especially now, with life-and-death battles looming.
If Killua were still haunted by that pressure, still prone to fleeing in fear, it would've been devastating for both of them.
However, with Killua like this now, he likely couldn't continue as the heir to the Zoldyck family.
He was straying further from the path of an assassin.
"So? What's the situation, Lan?"
Killua asked directly as they approached.
They didn't know exactly what had happened, so it made sense to ask Lan to catch up.
"The chimera ant you're looking for, Neferpitou, is inside that room."
knowing their target, Lan simply pointed toward the guest building: "What happens in there... Is for you two to decide."
Netero had realized it the first time he saw the Ant King hugging Komugi.
The enemy wasn't as cold-blooded and brutal as they had assumed.
So now, the question of destruction or salvation was passed on to these two children.
But judging by their current states…
Lan figured it would likely be the latter.
"Inside...?"
Gon and Killua exchanged a glance, both confused.
But now wasn't the time for questions.
They said a brief goodbye to Lan and hurried toward the building.
After passing through the dim corridor, they finally entered the guest house.
But the scene that unfolded before them was something they never expected.
Neferpitou was kneeling beside a severely injured human girl.
With a conjured object from their tail, clearly a manifestation of Nen, she was healing the girl's wounds.
"Is it... Healing her?"
That was the first thought that came to Gon and Killua's minds.
As they stood there, stunned, Neferpitou's ears suddenly twitched.
Even though she had retracted her En in order to use Doctor Blythe to heal Komugi, she was still paying close attention to their surroundings.
The moment Gon and Killua entered, Neferpitou immediately noticed them.
Slowly, Neferpitou turned to look at the two familiar figures, and her pupils narrowed.
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