HxH : Pokemon Master-Chapter 171: Guess Where Kite Is?

In a forest filled with towering trees.

"I wonder how things are going over there?"

"I heard those Chimera Ants have grown quite strong. Maybe I should go take a look?"

"These creatures are quite valuable for research. Truly worthy of being beings from the Dark Continent."

"After combining with human genes, they can even use Nen."

"But no matter what, it shouldn’t be a problem. After all, that guy went along too. Those ants probably won’t be able to cause much trouble."

A man muttered to himself as he walked through the forest.

The man wore loose blue-and-white robes, with a dark scarf wrapped around his neck.

It seemed he wore this scarf all year round—whether to ward off insects and dust or perhaps to hide his face when he felt shy.

This man was none other than Ging Freecss!

"Bzzz~ Bzzz~"

Just as he was muttering, the sound of a phone ringing suddenly echoed through the quiet forest, drawing his attention.

A flash of surprise crossed Ging’s eyes.

The place he was in right now shouldn’t have any signal. How was this call coming through?

If there was anyone who could turn the impossible into possible, only one person came to mind—Akira!

Sure enough, when Ging pulled out his phone, the name "Akira" was clearly displayed on the screen.

What a coincidence.

He’d just been thinking about him and moments later, here was his call.

If it was Akira, then receiving a phone call deep in the wilderness made perfect sense.

In fact, this was also how Akira managed to make calls from the NGL Autonomous Region.

He relied on Porygon-Z’s influence over the digital world to make calls even in areas without signal.

And the person on the other end could receive the call even in a no-signal zone.

All of this was thanks to Porygon-Z’s recent promotion to S- rank!

After eliminating countless Chimera Ants and absorbing vast amounts of data from the digital world, Porygon-Z had finally advanced from A+ rank to S- rank, becoming the seventh Pokemon in Akira’s possession to reach S-tier.

For Porygon-Z, breaking into the S-rank wasn’t just about a sudden surge in power.

It also meant its control over the digital world had reached new heights.

Now, Porygon-Z had initially achieved Akira’s vision—evolving from merely utilizing the network to actively creating it.

Though Porygon-Z’s network-creation abilities were still relatively weak, this was already quite impressive.

Being able to create its own digital world was a milestone achievement.

In the future, Akira would feel even more at ease utilizing Porygon-Z’s self-created digital world.

He could treat it as his own ’Four-Dimensional Mansion’, storing anything he obtained from the Dark Continent inside.

If it were some rare plant, it might be possible to cultivate it along with the soil inside.

Ging’s confusion lasted only a moment before he pressed the answer button.

"Hello? Old Ging, does Greed Island need more hands?"

"Just say the word, and I’ll send people over right away."

The voice on the other end of the line was unmistakably Akira’s.

"Greed Island is indeed a bit short on manpower, but it depends on what kind of people you’re talking about."

"Razor and the others have managed things for so many years—it’s been tough on them."

"But don’t go dumping any useless rejects on me."

Why did Ging feel like Akira wasn’t being this generous for no reason?

Since when did he care about Greed Island’s staff?

"Of course not! The ones I’m sending you are all promising talents."

"Though, they’ve only just learned to use Aura and haven’t fully developed their Nen abilities yet."

Only just learned to use ’Aura’ huh...

Akira’s words made Ging realize something.

Could it be that the "people" he was talking about were...

Those Chimera Ants?

"But their Nen abilities are anything but ordinary. In fact, one of them even has the potential to become a Nen Exorcist."

As he spoke, Akira glanced at Hina beside him.

Hina was a Squad Captain under Hagya command—Hagya being that ambitious lion Chimera Ant who would later rename himself Leol.

Hina appearance was almost indistinguishable from a human girl and she had a lively personality.

She had golden hair, wore yellow fur clothing and had an unknown pink creature perched on her head like a hat.

In the story, she would later travel to Meteor City with the human Bizeff and the wolf-type Chimera Ant Welfin in search of Gyro.

In the original work, when Cheetu was struck by Knuckle’s Nen ability, it was Hina who helped remove the Nen Knuckle had implanted.

The cost? Hina stomach swelled up several times.

This proved that Hina Nen ability was related to Nen exorcism.

"What? A Nen Exorcist?!"

Akira’s words completely captured Ging’s attention, making him exclaim aloud.

Akira might act indifferent, but that was only because he was the ’World’s Strongest Nen Exorcist’ himself.

And not just by a small margin—no other Nen Exorcist could even compare to him.

What other Nen Exorcist could remove an entire ruin’s Death Aura in such a short time?

Forget a short time—most couldn’t do it even if given a lifetime. That was the difference in their exorcism abilities.

But that didn’t diminish the status of Nen Exorcists in the world.

After all, even the vast Hunter Association had only one Nen Exorcist—an elderly woman past her fifties.

A rare talent like a Nen Exorcist? Ging would take them no matter what.

Even if they had a bad attitude or refused to follow orders, he’d find a way to make them work for him willingly.

At this point, Ging had completely forgotten all about the Chimera Ants.

As long as they had the ability to exorcise Nen, he didn’t care if they were Chimera Ants or any other creature.

"Fine, then. I’ll come over now and you can explain everything to them when you bring them along."

After saying this, Akira hung up.

Huh?

Come over now?

Even Ging, usually quick-witted, found his head spinning from the sudden turn of events.

First, Akira calls to offer him manpower, then mentions a potential Nen Exorcist and now wants him to come over immediately?

Wait a minute...Didn’t Old P mention before that Akira has a Nen beast that can...

Ging froze in place, the thought barely forming in his mind when countless spatial fragments began falling around him.

In the blink of an eye, a radiant white passage appeared before Ging eyes.

His pupils contracted—just as he suspected!

"If you keep standing there dumbfounded, I won’t give you the Nen Exorcist. I’m sure the old man would be happy to take them instead."

Akira’s voice echoed from the passage, snapping Ging out of his daze as he hurriedly stepped through.

He knew exactly who Akira meant by "the old man."

"Absolutely not! The old man already has his granny—that’s more than enough. Leave this one to me."

As the spatial passage vanished, so did Ging’s figure.

The towering forest returned to its usual tranquility.

****

Inside the ant nest,

"Oh? So these are Chimera Ants? Truly something you have to see with your own eyes."

Ging rested his chin on his hand, studying the sweating Bihorn with evident interest in his eyes.

Or rather, he was interested in anything new.

Unlike typical Hunters who specialized in one field, Ging was different.

He dabbled in numerous areas, yet somehow achieved remarkable accomplishments in each.

His most notable achievements to date included:

Discovering the Ruruka civilization ruins, establishing breeding methods for two-headed wolves, excavating the Kongo gold mine, eliminating the Kud Bandit Group...

These alone spanned archaeology, biology, mineralogy and bounty hunting fields.

The only reason Ging remained a Double Star Ruins Hunter was because the Hunter Association chose to recognize just one of his specialties.

Had he cared for such titles and applied, he would undoubtedly be a Triple Star Hunter—

Like Akira, a multi-disciplinary Triple Star Hunter.

"Hmm... retaining human consciousness while possessing Chimera Ant physiology..."

"This would indeed be problematic across the Six Continents."

"Few places would accept them."

After carefully examining each Chimera Ant, Ging finally spoke.

Just as Bihorn and the others held their breath in suspense, Ging casually added.

"Greed Island would be their best option."

With those words, Ging had agreed to take the Chimera Ants to his Greed Island.

As a keen observer, Ging had already discerned during his inspection that these Chimera Ants would be easy to coexist with.

Likely pre-screened by Akira.

Those with problematic temperaments or traits had probably been eliminated.

Greed Island would not only provide these unfortunate souls sanctuary but also allow him to study them conveniently.

The perfect solution.

"Here—this is the one with Nen Exorcist potential."

Akira pointed at Hina, immediately drawing Ging’s attention.

Truth be told, the Nen Exorcist was his primary reason for coming here, the other Chimera Ants were mere bonuses.

"Oh? So this is the one with exorcism talent."

During his earlier inspection, Ging had already noticed Hina more than the others.

Unlike the other Chimera Ants, Hina’s appearance was nearly similar to human’s.

Could this relate to her exorcism abilities?

"Eh? Is... is something wrong?"

The adorable Hina immediately began rubbing her small hands together, a habit she had retained from her human days.

In fact, this was a habit many people shared.

Under stress, people often unconsciously rubbed their fingers to soothe their nerves.

As her tension grew, the hat-like creature atop her head also took on an anxious expression, mirroring her own.

This was the only visible difference between Hina and an ordinary person.

Whatever emotions she felt, the hat-shaped creature on her head would reflect them.

Like Reina, Hina had most likely been a young girl in her previous life.

This was evident from her demeanor—she carried herself like an innocent girl who had yet to experience much of the world.

"It’s alright, just relax..."

Ging’s words worked like magic, causing Hina to unconsciously exhale in relief.

Both her face and the expression on the creature atop her head softened.

"Alright then, I’ll take them with me."

Ging didn’t doubt Akira’s words in the slightest.

If Akira said this Chimera Ant girl would develop an ability to remove Nen curses in the future, then she definitely would.

In the field of curse removal, Akira was the best.

However, it seemed none of them had yet developed their own Nen abilities.

He’d have to ask Razor to train them later.

"Wait a moment, please."

Meleoron, who had been silent until now, suddenly spoke up.

"May I ask—are you planning to go after the Ant King next?"

Meleoron directed the question at Akira, his eyes brimming with unmistakable hatred.

"Yes, but you’re not strong enough to come with me yet."

Akira didn’t even need to guess what Meleoron wanted to say—he shut it down before the words could leave his mouth.

A Meleoron who hadn’t even awakened his Nen ability was useless to him.

Even if he did awaken it, Akira wouldn’t need Meleoron’s help in fighting the Ant King.

Meleoron was a rare Specialization-type, with the Nen ability ’Perfect Plan’.

By holding his breath, he could make himself completely undetectable.

The ability was indeed powerful—even the Ant King’s Royal Guards couldn’t sense him.

This ability was likely derived from his innate chameleon-like talent for "invisibility."

Later, he even developed a branch ability—God’s Accomplice—which allowed him to take others into hiding with him, greatly expanding its utility.

But to Akira, it was still useless.

At least for now.

Akira figured that once they reached the Dark Continent, Meleoron’s Nen ability might finally prove somewhat useful—for reconnaissance, perhaps.

Akira’s words plunged Meleoron back into silence.

It was true—when facing the Ant King before, he hadn’t even been able to move.

What help could he possibly offer?

"Ging will take you to Greed Island. Once you’re there, focus on training your Nen."

"If you can develop a useful Nen ability before the Ant King’s extermination, I’ll consider bringing you along."

Akira’s additional words reignited a spark of hope in Meleoron’s eyes.

That’s right!

He would train hard in Nen, then contribute his strength to the fight against the Ant King!

"Thank you so much! May I know your name?"

Meleoron hurriedly expressed his gratitude to Akira for giving him a chance at revenge.

"My name is Akira."

Having lived in the NGL Autonomous State with his adoptive father, Meleoron had no way of knowing Akira’s name—despite his fame over the past two years.

Yet he would still keep the name "Akira" in his heart.

He thought that after arriving at "Greed Island," he would look into Akira’s deeds.

He believed someone like Akira could never be an unknown existence.

"You should be able to open a path directly to Greed Island right?"

"Can you send us there directly?"

"Of course, that’s possible. But there’s no need to be so impatient. I still have someone to introduce to you later."

At this, Akira’s lips curled slightly, as if there was more to his words.

Who knew what expression Ging would make when he later met Kite.

"Who is it?"

Ging scratched his head, somewhat puzzled, but he couldn’t shake the feeling that Akira’s smile seemed "mischievous."

At the moment, he had tied his hair back with a cloth strip again.

"Kite was killed by Neferpitou, one of the Ant King’s Royal Guards. Did you know that?"

When he first heard these words, Ging’s breath hitched slightly before returning to normal.

With a confident tone, he replied.

"I didn’t know that, but don’t worry. Kite is my disciple—there’s no way he’s dead."

"His Nen ability has an ’absolute death resistance’ effect, right? I’m not wrong about that, am I?"

Akira’s words startled Ging again.

He scrutinized Akira up and down, taking a long moment before finally squeezing out a sentence.

"How do you know everything?"

"Don’t dwell on that. The point I want to make is that Kite is right here."

"And I guarantee you’ll never guess which one he is."

Kite was still inside the Ant Queen’s belly, just a tiny speck—Akira didn’t believe Ging could possibly detect him.

There was no way he’d figure it out.

He’s actually here?!

"So... after being eaten by the Ant Queen, he was reborn as a Chimera Ant?" Ging spoke slowly, deliberately, while scanning all the Chimera Ants present again.

Kite is among them?

This simple-minded bull seems a bit like Kite in temperament—dull and straightforward—but it doesn’t feel right.

This chameleon seems oddly fixated on the Ant King, which doesn’t match Kite’s personality.

...

After looking around, Ging finally settled his gaze on Hina, the one he had been particularly drawn to earlier.

Out of all of them, she was the most human-like.

Though clearly a female-transformed Chimera Ant...

But then again, Akira had just said he’d never be able to recognize Kite.

Could it be...?

"Kite, I’m your master—how could I not recognize you?"

"That’s right, you’re Kite!"

Ging suddenly thrust a finger toward a bewildered Hina and declared with absolute confidence.

Hina: "Huh?!"

Kite: ???.

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