HxH : Pokemon Master
Chapter 175: Gon’s Dark Side?

Chapter 175: Gon’s Dark Side?

Inside the hotel where Gon and the others were staying.

"Keep it up like this. The deadline is just a few days away—you’ve got to push through."

Biscuit Krueger lounged on the sofa, flipping through a magazine of handsome men while shouting encouragement at the two boys.

Though she was instructing them, her eyes never left the magazine—completely engrossed in it.

"Yes!" Gon and Killua responded in unison.

The two stood side by side, wearing thin T-shirts, hands resting at their sides.

A steady stream of Aura radiated from their bodies, dense and well-honed, a testament to their solid fundamentals.

They were currently exerting their Aura at full force, creating waves of wind pressure in the room.

The strong gusts billowed their shirts and even caused the flowerpots in the room to sway slightly.

Yet, Biscuit’s magazine remained perfectly still, firmly gripped in her hands.

Gon and Killua were now mirroring Chairman Netero’s earlier stance.

They were performing one of the four fundamental Nen techniques—Ren—with textbook precision.

’Ren’ was the technique of releasing one’s Aura outward at full power, capable of producing effects like intimidation.

But its most common use was in "expanding Aura capacity."

Since it involved maximum Aura output, those with insufficient reserves would quickly exhaust themselves.

However, after significant depletion and adequate rest, their Aura capacity would increase slightly.

Think of it as unlocking the body’s latent potential.

Thus, ’Ren’ was often used as a training technique for Nen Users.

If maintained over long periods, Aura capacity would continue to grow—though the rate depended on talent.

If Gon and Killua kept training under Biscuit’s Shingen-ryu methods,

they might one day develop Aura as refined as Chairman Netero’s.

"Hmm?"

Biscuit suddenly seemed to sense something and set down her magazine, her eyes flicking towards the door.

This feeling—?

Click.

Just then, the door swung open slowly, and the two youngsters turned their gaze towards the entrance.

Was it Palm returning from shopping?

However, the person who appeared before them wasn’t Palm.

When Gon recognized the familiar face, he couldn’t help but exclaim softly.

"Akira?!"

"Hey, working out, huh?"

Akira stepped into the room, greeting the two youngsters with a wave before turning his gaze to Biscuit Krueger sitting on the sofa.

"Reading your handsome men magazines again?"

"Ahem!"

"Well, it’s one of my rare hobbies, after all."

Biscuit casually placed the magazine on the nearby table and asked Akira curiously.

"Why are you back so soon? Have you already dealt with the Chimera Ants?"

They still didn’t know that the Ant King had left with the Royal Guards.

Seeing Akira return, they assumed everything had been dealt with.

"No, most of the Chimera Ants have been taken care of. Some who wanted to remain living like a human were sent to Greed Island."

"..."

Akira briefly explained the current situation to the three of them, while Morel and Knov went to find Knuckle and Shoot.

Logically, Knov should have gone to look for Palm, since she was his disciple and she was with Gon and Killua.

But due to Palm’s obsessive feelings toward him, he wasn’t too keen on facing the student he had trained.

So he simply stuck with Morel instead.

"So that’s how it is? The Ant King and the Royal Guards have gone to the East Gorteau."

Biscuit Krueger nodded.

As a woman in her fifties or sixties, she had naturally heard of that bizarre Republic of East Gorteau.

"The remaining Chimera Ants are quite pitiful. Ordinary people turned into these grotesque creatures."

Biscuit sighed lightly and shrugged.

There was nothing else she could do but lament.

After so many years as a Hunter, she had encountered tragic situations like this more than once in her life.

The world was full of mysteries worth exploring, but it was also filled with countless dangers.

Only by growing stronger could one gain a greater sense of security.

"Akira, did Kite come back with you?"

Seeing Akira return, Gon could no longer suppress his emotions and immediately asked.

If Kite had died because of this, he would never forgive himself!

In the original timeline, Gon had always blamed himself for Kite’s sacrifice.

If only he had left sooner, Kite wouldn’t have lost his right arm in the first encounter.

If his arm hadn’t been severed, maybe Kite wouldn’t have died.

That was what Gon believed.

He couldn’t let it go until Neferpitou personally confirmed Kite’s death, forcing him to face reality.

Then, consumed by overwhelming guilt and rage, Gon made an extreme Restriction and Vow, transforming into the dark, adult version of himself.

He beat Neferpitou like a ragdoll, turning the fight into a complete slaughter.

In the end, Gon was practically no different from dead.

Even with the Hunter Association mobilizing its highest-level resources, they could only barely keep him alive.

It was only thanks to Killua bringing Nanika—the "wish-granting machine"—and using her cheat ability from the Dark Continent that Gon was saved.

So, if he teased Gon now, would he instantly turn into the adult Gon?

"Gon..."

Killua stood behind him, conflicted, reaching out as if he wanted to say something but couldn’t find the words.

Back when Gon first woke up, he had comforted him by saying Akira would definitely bring Kite back.

But that had been nothing more than a desperate attempt to console him.

From the time they left the scene until Akira and the others appeared, nearly half a day had passed.

Though he reassured Gon verbally, deep down, he didn’t believe Kite could have lasted that long.

And if Kite had returned with Akira, why wasn’t he here now?

Most likely, he was already...

Biscuit, standing nearby, also realized this.

Watching Gon’s determined gaze, she sighed inwardly.

"About Kite... I have two pieces of news for you."

"One is good and the other is bad. Which do you want to hear first?"

Akira smirked, choosing not to state it outright but rather to tease the two of them.

Upon hearing the mention of bad news, Killua’s heart skipped a beat, his expression shifting slightly.

"First, the bad—"

Gon’s words were cut short as Killua immediately covered his mouth, hastily saying.

"Tell us the good news first."

Though he didn’t know what the good news might be, perhaps it could soften the blow of the bad news about Kite’s death?

Akira hadn’t even mentioned the bad news yet, but Killua had already assumed it was about Kite’s demise.

"The good news is, I brought Kite back."

Hearing this, Killua’s tense expression relaxed and his hand covering Gon’s mouth instinctively loosened, allowing Gon to speak.

"Really? You brought Kite back? But where is he?"

Under the weight of this "good news," Gon ignored Killua’s earlier action and glanced behind Akira.

But no matter where he looked, Kite was nowhere to be seen.

This only made Killua’s expression grow darker.

Kite hadn’t appeared, yet Akira claimed to have brought him back.

Had he brought back Kite’s corpse?

"Right here."

With a casual wave of his hand, a figure suddenly appeared beside Akira.

"What is this?!"

Gon’s pupils constricted sharply as he murmured under his breath and he leaned in for a closer look.

When Killua saw the figure clearly, his expression completely dark, his internal alarm bells ringing at full force.

This is bad!

Gon is definitely going to lose it!

What appeared before their eyes was unmistakably Kite—his entire body stitched together, giving off a ragged, broken appearance.

Or rather, what remained of Kite.

When leaving the ant nest, Akira had also taken Kite’s corpse, which Neferpitou had left behind.

Perhaps it could serve as a memento once little Kite grew up in the future?

Being able to keep his own corpse was certainly a uniquely "meaningful" experience.

Not many people got the chance to see their own dead body.

The once cool and handsome Kite now resembled a monster straight out of a zombie film.

Stitches covered his entire body, evidence of the many shattered pieces that had been forcibly sewn back together.

But no amount of stitching could restore the human natural body form—his limbs and head were twisted into grotesque, unnatural angles.

It looked as if an ordinary person had been struck by a speeding truck.

His once silver hair now hung lifelessly on either side of his face, adding to the eerie horror.

"Akira... what’s the bad news?"

Gon stared quietly at the lifeless Kite, the light in his pupils gradually fading, leaving behind an empty gaze.

His face darkened.

Everyone present could feel Gon’s emotions teetering on the edge of madness.

The restless surge of his Aura made him resemble a volcano on the verge of eruption, ready to explode at any moment.

Seeing this, Biscuit Krueger took a half-step back, clearly preparing to flee if things took a turn for the worse.

But remembering Akira was still present, she ultimately chose to stay rather than leave outright.

Admittedly, Gon in this state was quite intimidating, exuding a pressure that far exceeded his current strength.

"As for the bad news~"

Akira drew out the words before finally saying.

"It’s that Kite has turned into a girl."

???

The three of them froze simultaneously, their minds struggling to process the information.

What did he mean by "become a girl"?

Wasn’t his corpse right in front of them?

Especially Gon, whose head turned robotically as his brain completely shut down.

He’d been preparing to unleash his pent-up fury.

And now akira said Kite became a girl?

"Or perhaps it’s more accurate to say Kite has become a Chimera Ant now."

"I’ll take you to see kite yourselves."

****

Limerio City

The final city in Greed Island, also where the staff resided.

Within a castle rich with Western-style architecture,

Gon cradled little Kite in his palms as if holding a priceless treasure.

His movements were soft, terrified any excessive motion might harm the tiny being.

Even as little Kite’s cries pierced the air with remarkable volume, not a trace of impatience crossed Gon’s face.

Staring blankly at the miniature Kite, Gon’s heart churned with indescribable emotions as he lost for words.

Though those eyes held the same emptiness, the feeling now was entirely different.

Where before his body had burned with hatred, now he was filled with joy.

Forget the Chimera Ant body—the simple fact that Kite still alive was enough.

Though no trace of Kite’s former appearance remained, some familiarity told Gon this was indeed kite.

Besides, Akira had no reason to lie.

"So he is really reincarnated as a Chimera Ant after all?"

Killua and Akira stood behind Gon, equally able to observe little Kite.

"But honestly, this might be the best possible outcome."

The tension finally drained from Killua’s face, his anxious heart settling at last.

Kite’s "death" had been a fact, yet gaining a second life as a Chimera Ant was nothing short of miraculous.

A silver lining in the darkest cloud.

As Akira explained, once Kite grew slightly larger, they could help restore his former memories.

Then there’d be no lingering concerns.

The same person, just in a different vessel.

While Gon and Killua marveled at Kite’s situation, Akira was equally astonished—though for different reasons.

’To grow this much in just a few hours?!’

Akira watched little Kite in Gon’s hands, inwardly baffled.

Hardly any time had passed since Colt extracted the infant kite from the Queen’s body.

Yet little Kite had already grown noticeably larger.

****

Upon reflection, Akira found this made sense.

In the original timeline, little Kite would reach the size of a 5-6 year old within a month.

Being a Chimera Ant, normal human growth metrics didn’t apply.

After what felt like an eternity, Gon reluctantly placed little Kite back into the specially crafted cradle.

They’d likely need to replace this cradle every few days given Kite’s rapid growth.

"Killua."

Gon cast one last look at Kite before turning to face Killua directly, his eyes blazing with determination.

"We absolutely cannot lose the challenges ahead!"

Though relieved by Kite’s survival, Gon’s thirst for revenge burned fiercer than ever.

Kite’s current state was partially his responsibility—he owed it to Kite to personally deliver justice.

For this reason, the two of them had to defeat Knuckle and his partner to join the Ant King extermination team!

"Akira, do you have any suggestions? Something that could help us grow stronger faster?" Gon asked Akira again.

In his eyes, Akira had always been the strongest, so asking him was definitely the right move.

"I can’t really help much with that. Teaching is more Biscuit’s expertise. You should just listen to her carefully." Akira shook his head.

He had nothing to teach the two of them.

"However, there is one thing I can remind you about."

"Killua, you need to learn to use your brain." Akira looked at Killua and pointed to his own head, his words seemingly carrying deeper meaning.

Use his brain?

Killua lowered his head slightly, pondering what Akira’s said.

He vaguely grasped something but couldn’t quite figure out what it was.

In Akira’s eyes at that moment, there was an Aura needle deeply embedded in Killua’s forehead!

It had been placed there by his brother Illumi.

The main purpose of the Aura needle was to influence Killua’s consciousness.

Whenever facing slightly stronger opponents, the Aura needle in his head would take effect, combined with the beliefs instilled in him since childhood.

Killua would prioritize escape, even if the opponent might be evenly matched with him and victory was entirely possible.

This was Illumi’s twisted love for his younger brother Killua—preventing him from taking any risks.

This was also why Killua had instantly distanced himself when facing strong presences like Akira, appearing even more scared than Gon.

The Aura needle limited his true potential, making him think only of fleeing whenever encountering slightly stronger foes.

There wasn’t much Akira could advise Gon about, but Killua was different.

If Killua could remove the Aura needle, he could unleash his true strength.

And it would be best if he pulled it out himself—the effect would be even greater.

So Akira only gave a slight hint.

Whether Killua could realize it depends on himself.

"Let’s head back for now."

The spatial portal opened again.

After they stepped through, they quickly reappeared in their original hotel room.

"Ding."

Right then, Akira’s phone chimed—a notification for a new message from Netero.

’I’m going into seclusion for a while. Wait for my signal to launch the full assault. Don’t go stealing this old man’s target when the time comes~’

Though the old man wasn’t physically present, the words felt as if he were speaking directly to Akira.

"Don’t steal the old man’s target, huh..."

"If you can’t handle it yourself, don’t blame me for stepping in old man."

Akira stared at the words on his phone screen, murmuring to himself.

He didn’t just want the Ant King’s experience points—he wanted the enhanced version!

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