Hunter x Hunter : Germain Joins The Hunt

"Smoky Rabbits" hopped one after another from the dense bushes.

They paused, jumped, and despite being cautious, they still triggered the trap. Large plants hidden underground, resembling a pitcher plant, burst out of the ground and swallowed them in one bite.

However, the plant's large mouth only chewed a few times, and the "Smoky Rabbits" quickly vanished, leaving the plant with no taste at all.

Hundreds of meters away, two figures walked steadily forward.

"My 'little treasures' have once again triggered a landmine for us," Morel said as he slung his heavy, enormous pipe over his shoulder and adjusted his sunglasses. "Germain, did your 'En' sense anything?"

"No special response," Germain shook his head. "I can sense many life signals, but no one has used 'En' or anything else to respond to me."

Morel nodded. "When you release your 'En' so openly, whether it's Ging or Knuckle, as long as they're within range, they'll definitely notice and respond."

He gritted his teeth, a bit suspicious. "Could we have chosen the wrong direction for our search?"

"Don't worry," Germain said. "The mountain range is vast. We've only searched for a morning, so it doesn't prove they aren't on this side."

The afternoon sun began to set in the west, heating up the open land. Even though they were walking through the tree sea with the canopy above, both of them were already sweating profusely.

After hearing Germain's words, Morel realized he had been overly anxious, so he slowly adjusted his breathing and quickly regained his composure.

This was only natural. With Knuckle's life still uncertain, Morel, being a person who valued relationships deeply, had kept his feelings hidden for the greater good, but inside, he was undoubtedly as anxious as ants on a hot pan.

"I might have gotten a little heatstroke," Morel casually covered it up, chuckling. "Speaking of which, this is our first time working together since we became part of the 'Hunter Association's Zodiacs."

"Indeed," Germain nodded. "After the Chimera Ant extermination, I took over the 'Rat' position, and you took over the 'Monkey'. This is really our first time cooperating."

Morel frowned again. "I just don't know what those two are up to now… I mean, Pariston and Saiyu. What are they doing?"

"I was really shocked when I found out they were both related to Chairman Netero, and that they were part of the group led by Beyond." 

"I don't like Pariston, but I never thought he would be an undercover agent. And Saiyu... he always seemed so loyal to Chairman Netero..."

"Chairman Netero, too. He kept letting those two potential threats slide, and later even let them escape without a hitch."

"They must be preparing to head to the Dark Continent," Germain answered. 

"Chairman Netero reached a deal with Beyond, and now they're pushing for V5 and the Kakin Empire to return to the Dark Continent."

"I think by the time we return, they should have some results on their side."

Morel asked, "Do you think they'll succeed?"

"Yes," Germain recalled the Kakin Empire's methods from the original storyline—such forced two-choice tactics. It was possible Pariston had suggested them. "They might have already met the conditions for departure."

"Mm…" Morel straightened up his pipe and, as he spoke, slammed a venomous snake flying from the branches onto the ground, crushing it into a mush. "Looks like both Chairman Netero and you are quite confident."

"Next, we just need to wait for the 'two paths' to meet on the Dark Continent, and we'll have accomplished a great feat."

"At that point, I should be able to apply for 'Triple-Star Hunter'. Your achievements will probably allow you to jump two ranks and directly become a 'Triple-Star Hunter' as an exception."

Germain shrugged. "I don't care about that."

If it had been when he first entered this world, becoming a 'Triple-Star Hunter' would have been a huge achievement for him, but now it didn't mean much.

Germain always had someone to catch up with at each stage. His previous target was Chairman Netero; now, it had become Don Freecss.

That legendary figure, who was unparalleled.

"True. You're just like Ging." Morel smiled. "The only reason Ging is still a 'Double-Star Hunter' is because he's too lazy to apply. That reason makes it hard for us, who are aiming for 'Triple-Star Hunter', to decide whether to laugh or cry."

"By the way, I remember your disciple, Kurapika. His goal is to become a 'One-Star Hunter,' right? Maybe it won't be long before he catches up with Knuckle and Shoot."

"Step by step," Germain said. "With his current strength, becoming the 'Heavens Arena Floor Master' shouldn't be a problem. After that, the Greed Island and the Dark Continent will be stages where he can truly show his skills."

In the original storyline, Chrollo and Hisoka were both 'Heavens Arena Floor Masters,' but that doesn't mean all 'Heavens Arena Floor Masters' are at their level. After all, these two are already monsters.

Hisoka easily won ten matches and then challenged the 'Floor Master,' becoming the 'Heavens Arena Floor Master.'

The three losses were because he didn't want to participate, so he forfeited and lost, which already proved that he was one of the top in the 'Heavens Arena Floor Master' group.

Kurapika doesn't need to reach Hisoka or Chrollo's combat power. As long as he can become a 'Heavens Arena Floor Master,' it will mark his step into the 'Elite' level or above.

"Indeed, it's all about taking it step by step," Morel said. "You're also planning the same for Killua Zoldyck and Gon Freecss, right? And with Leorio, you've invested in quite a few young people..."

"To advance to the Dark Continent, 'The Stagecoach Group,' 'Hunter Association,' and 'Greed Island' will need more fresh blood," Germain replied. 

"We are just pioneers and the vanguard, but to fully develop and utilize the resources of the Dark Continent, more talents are needed."

"I agree," Morel smiled slightly. Then, suddenly, his smile froze, and his tone became serious. "My 'Smoke Rabbit' seems to have encountered something..."

He pointed in a direction.

Germain immediately focused his 'En' and rushed toward that direction. Soon, he caught up with Morel's 'Smoke Rabbit' and indeed sensed something.

"There's a response from 'Nen,'" Germain turned to face Morel. Morel's spirit lifted immediately. "It should be Ging. His 'Nen' is something I'm familiar with."

"And what about Knuckle?" Morel couldn't help but worry again.

Germain extended the "En" a little longer. After a moment, he spoke again:

"Got it. There's another reaction near Ging... but it seems rather weak..."

Morel paused for a moment, then didn't say much. He quickly followed Germain as they rushed towards the direction.

Soon, they came across a cliff that looked like it had been cut with an axe, almost vertical to the ground. At the top of the cliff, close to the peak of the mountain, there were several caves.

One of the caves, shaped like a lotus root, had a head poking out. Wearing a worn-out felt hat and sporting a stubble, it was unmistakably Ging.

Ging saw them as well. He waved his hand at them, then pointed towards the top of the cave, signaling them to find the landing point where he had jumped.

It seemed that this cave, shaped like a cross-section of a lotus root, was Ging's temporary base.

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