novelraw Chapter 353 354
Chapter 353 354
"It's a Chimera Ant from the Dark Continent."
"You mean a Chimera Ant?"
Clearly, Ging was no stranger to this species of ant. Moreover, "It seems Kite is also investigating the Chimera Ants?"
Ging hadn't forgotten the mechanism he designed for the Greed Island clearance card. If the target was named "Nico," using the single-person teleport "Magnet" would transport them to his side. However, if they used the multi-person teleport "Accompany," they would be sent to Kite.
Currently, Kite was investigating the Chimera Ants. If Gon met Kite and got involved, then...
"This trial might be more challenging than I initially anticipated," Ging remarked, smacking his lips. The reason he arranged for Gon to be with Kite was part of Ging's plan. He wanted Gon to undergo trials and understand what it truly means to be a Hunter!
Passing the Hunter Exam, learning Nen abilities, and training on Greed Island to master more Nen techniques. But this didn't mean that having strength and combat experience would make someone a real Hunter. What Kite was responsible for teaching Gon was the true meaning of the Hunter profession.
Ging had been deeply concerned about Gon's growth path. "Chimera Ants from the Dark Continent, after all, have some research value." Ging rubbed his chin with his fingers. "At least I haven't seen many creatures from the Dark Continent."
A faint glimmer of interest shone in his eyes. Not only was he interested in the unknown aspects of the Dark Continent, but Ging also had a thirst for exploration and knowledge about living creatures. After all, Ging was well-versed in many fields, and one of his achievements was developing the breeding method for the two-headed wolf. He had made significant contributions to biology.
So, Ging and Gon really were two extremes. One had exceptional intelligence and proficiency in various fields but was capricious and often criticized. As for Gon's mind... well, let's not say too much. The key was that people who interacted with Gon always unconsciously considered him a companion and friend, and they liked him a lot.
"Where are the Chimera Ants from the Dark Continent currently located?" Ging asked.
"If nothing unexpected happens, they should still be drifting on Lake Mobius. It might take less than a month for them to arrive here," Morin replied. "As for where they'll be released... can you guess?"
"Where..."
Ging casually pulled out a world map from the documents beside him and searched around. Finally, his gaze locked onto a certain spot.
"Most likely here, right?" Ging tapped the back of his finger on a small island on the map. "There's no more suitable place to release creatures from the Dark Continent than this."
The place Ging pointed to was the Balusa Archipelago, the Mito Federation. Even Kite could deduce the location where the Queen Ant would land, and naturally, Ging could analyze it too. Although there wasn't much information, just hearing about the customs and people of that place was enough to get a rough idea.
"The most likely landing spot should be the NGL Autonomous Region."
The NGL Autonomous Region is located at the western end of the Balusa Archipelago, the Mito Federation, surrounded by the vast ocean. The country aims to protect nature and has abandoned mechanical civilization. The main mode of transportation is horses. Ninety-nine percent of the citizens are members of a group called NeoGreenLife, and the remaining one percent are volunteers who came to support, hence the name NGL.
The NGL Autonomous Region is known as "the most difficult nature reserve to enter," because before entering the country, one must cross the river between NGL and the neighboring Rokario. Then, they must pass through a checkpoint and embassy built from large trees and undergo extremely strict entry inspections, including checks on the reason for visiting, the items carried, and a detailed inspection.
During the detailed inspection, medical machines are even used to check if the entrant is hiding any prohibited mechanical items inside their body. In 1987, three TV crew members who infiltrated for coverage were detained by authorities. One was executed, and the other two are still in custody. This may be to show the world the consequences of violating the rules and to deter illegal entry.
There were also people who hid devices in their bodies, carried guns, or placed cameras or phones in their rectums, and trained animals to transport mechanical products. These people were undoubtedly severely punished. The NGL Autonomous Region is determined to isolate itself from the world.
To handle diplomatic affairs, embassies near the border use machines like computers to exchange information. However, in the country, essential facilities of civilized society like electricity, gas, and water pipes do not exist. Ordinary citizens live a self-sufficient farming life, reminiscent of the agricultural era.
The NGL Autonomous Region's characteristic seems to be an ecological group returning to nature, but this is only a surface phenomenon.
NGL's entry regulations prohibit the import of mechanical products, Ging's belongings, petroleum, glass products, and artificially refined items. Thus, plastic products, dental implants, and cosmetic silicone are all banned. If these items are implanted in the body and cannot be removed, entry is prohibited. During entry, you will undergo strict inspections at the checkpoint.
The reason for such strict measures is not just for the so-called return to ecological civilization. Naturally, it's because there are unspeakable secrets within the country. The real purpose is the manufacturing and trafficking of the drug "D2," with caves dug and factories built in the nature reserve. Banning mechanical products and setting up restricted nature reserves effectively prevents the leakage of drug manufacturing information. The factories are equipped with machinery and armed forces for manufacturing.
So far, only the upper echelons of NGL are aware of the drug situation. The general public believes NGL is a simple community living in nature. In reality, it's a hotbed of crime, using the guise of ecological civilization to hide its ugly, dirty transactions. Drugs, firearms, arms trafficking, and various criminal activities flourish here under the pretext of ecological civilization.
Therefore, releasing creatures from the Dark Continent in such a place is indeed exceptionally suitable. "V5 probably had this idea a long time ago; otherwise, they wouldn't have sat back and watched the growth of the NGL Autonomous Region." "They just see NGL as an experimental base."
Ging scratched his head. "Otherwise, they wouldn't let a guy, just over thirty with no background, establish a country." The leader of the NGL Autonomous Region is named Gyro. He is the founder of NGL, later consumed by the Queen and reborn as an ant.
The only ant not under the Queen's control, retaining his past memories and strong evil will. In the original version, he was heading to Meteor City to carry out his evil plan. However, due to Togashi's hiatus, we still don't know what his plan is.
Gyro grew up in a slum, lacking love, with a father who never cared for him, not even his life or death. Realizing he wasn't loved by his father, Gyro developed a nearly twisted mindset, even thinking he wasn't considered human.
After killing his father, Gyro left and founded the NGL Kingdom. Later, when the Queen invaded NGL, Gyro was eaten as food, but his evil will allowed him to retain his memories and eventually leave the Queen to execute his evil plan in Meteor City.
In Volume 20, Chapter 204, when Gyro left, it was when Gon and Killua were looking for Knuckle for a challenge; they narrowly missed each other in the same small city. This was another foreshadowing by Togashi in the Chimera Ant arc.
Later, the wolf-type ant Welfin, frightened by the King's aura and the fear of death, lost his fur and changed appearance but still pledged loyalty to Gyro. Afterward, Welfin and other ants went to Meteor City to find Gyro, showing Gyro's status in the minds of these criminals.
However, even with Gyro's strong charisma and methods, in the face of V5, he's just a small fry. They could easily crush him if they wanted to. Now, with ants from the Dark Continent, NGL serves as the perfect trial ground.
Isolated from the world, no one knows what kind of harm it might cause outside. And if the ants are formidable, they might even help clean up the NGL Autonomous Region. If possible, they could even stir up trouble in the neighboring, equally isolated East Gorteau Republic.
For V5, the entire Balusa Archipelago can serve as a breeding ground for experimenting with Chimera Ants. "Are you planning to take a look?" Morin asked, noticing Ging's sparkling eyes. "Of course, it's a rare opportunity to encounter creatures from the Dark Continent before heading there. I must observe them up close," Ging admitted without hesitation.
Morin wasn't surprised by Ging's reaction. In the original version, not knowing about the Chimera Ants was one thing, but now that he was aware of the situation, Ging wouldn't miss this opportunity. At the same time, the original Chimera Ant extermination team was rather underwhelming.
Apart from Chairman Netero, the only reliable ones were the experienced Hunter Morel and the seemingly elite Knuckle. In terms of experience, they were indeed excellent Nen users within the Hunter Association.
But in terms of strength, they were far from matching many of the Chimera Ants. Not to mention their apprentices, Knuckle, Shoot, and Palm. Adding Gon and Killua to the mix, the lineup was indeed lacking.
If it weren't for Netero's self-detonation, triggering the "Poor Man's Rose," which contained potent toxins that killed the Ant King, Shaiapouf, and Menthuthuyoupi, the core forces among the ants, the outcome might have been different.