In HxH with Doraemon Pocket

Chapter 397 - 397

Faced with Morin's teasing and jokes, Netero chuckled but didn't say anything.

"I'll call you directly when the time comes. By the way, your phone should still have a signal, right?" Morin fished out his phone.

"Of course," Netero replied confidently. As the Chairman of the Hunter Association, the organization had naturally equipped him with a Nen-powered phone that could connect instantly no matter where he was, much like the one Ickshonpe had made for Morin.

"Then there's no problem. I'm off!" Morin said, clapping his hands and placing one on Colt's shoulder.

"I'll go with you," Ging suddenly chimed in, not giving Morin a chance to refuse as he draped an arm over his shoulders.

"An extra person means extra help, and I can look out for you too," Ging grinned, showing a set of gleaming white teeth.

"Oh, really?" Morin glanced at him, then looked toward the nearby forest. With a quick shift of his eyes, he almost immediately understood the reason.

"You're not trying to avoid someone, are you?"

"Of course not!" Ging replied with a straight face. "I genuinely just want to help you."

"Heh?" Morin chuckled softly. He could sense Gon and Killua rapidly approaching. Still, Morin chose not to expose Ging's little scheme. After all, everyone has their shy moments, right?

Morin: "First, get your hand off me!"

Ging: "??? What do you mean?"

Morin: "You just picked your nose with that hand, didn't you?!"

Ging: "...Don't worry about those details. I've already cleaned it thoroughly with Nen!"

Hearing this, Colt quietly distanced himself from Ging.

Morin looked at Ging with a smile and whispered, "Scram!"

Such elegant language~ After a bit of commotion, Morin activated his teleportation ability, and the three of them vanished from the spot.

"The Ant King, huh?" Netero gazed in the direction Morin and the others had left, remaining silent for a moment before pulling out a special phone from his dimension apartment, brought in by Knov.

"Get me in touch with Dr. Li from xxx Medical University, along with skilled and passionate surgeons, and experts in artificial organs."

"Chairman?!" Morel and Knov looked at Netero in confusion.

"Since something like this happened on the ants' side, we can't just do nothing. We need to show those ants what humans are capable of," Netero said with a cheerful smile, hands clasped behind his back.

"Then again, by the time Dr. Li and the others arrive, Morin might have already healed the Ant Queen. He does have some rather miraculous healing tools, doesn't he?"

"But Chairman..." Morel began, wanting to say more.

"I heard news from outside that the results of the backup team's match are out. Your two disciples lost to Gon and Killua, didn't they?" Netero shifted the topic.

Morel: "...Yes, that's true." His expression was a bit pained. It was like hitting where it hurt.

Before coming here, he had sternly lectured Killua about what it meant to be a true Nen user and the nature of Nen battles. Yet, his disciples, who he had confidently claimed would win without a problem, ended up losing. Meanwhile, the side he had reprimanded emerged victorious and was already on their way here. It was a harsh blow to his pride, leaving Morel helpless.

There was nothing he could do; his disciples lost fair and square. If they weren't as skilled, there was no use arguing. He just had to swallow his pride. After sensing Neferpitou's aura up close, Morel had to admit, Gon and Killua's loss wasn't entirely their fault. Even if it had been him and Knov, they would have been in the same position.

"Then let your two disciples assist Dr. Li and her team when they arrive."

---

Netero stroked his beard thoughtfully. "Ah? Oh, I understand!"

Morel was initially taken aback but then quickly became delighted. This meant that Knuckle and Shoot could also join the expedition team and come here!

"The situation has somewhat spiraled out of control, and we're currently short on manpower. We need some people to lend a hand," Netero arranged with a cheerful demeanor.

Meanwhile, as Colt sought Morin and the others for help, in another part of the Ant Queen's chamber...

After the Ant King and his three Royal Guards left, making it clear that other ants were unnecessary, the present squadron leaders glanced at the devoured turtle. They then looked at the dying Queen, being tended to with utmost effort by the elderly fish-ant, who was stopping the bleeding and stitching her up. The atmosphere grew subtly tense.

"So, what should we do now?" Cheetu, the carefree cheetah, oblivious to the mood, simply felt bored and asked.

"What do you mean, what should we do?" The loyal crocodile-ant was displeased.

"If the Queen is going to die, then there's no point in us staying here, right?"

"Hehehe, I think it's been pointless for a while now," Leol the lion crossed his arms, chuckling with an inscrutable tone.

"The Queen has birthed the King, which means she's lost her reproductive ability. Even if saved, she serves no purpose."

A scorpion-ant, destined to invade Meteor City and be slain by Feitan while claiming to be the "new Queen," stepped forward and echoed his sentiments.

"Exactly. Given the circumstances, I believe we should each declare ourselves as kings and act according to our own will, no longer subservient to anyone!"

Leol and the scorpion-ant spoke in tandem, almost as if performing a comedy routine, clearly having premeditated their plan.

Their words undeniably had an effect, causing many squadron leaders to waver, their faces showing signs of hesitation.

"Do you... do you even know what you're saying?!" The crocodile-ant was furious, anger blazing in his eyes. "Do you really think you can act so recklessly?!"

"Oh, really?" Leol, unfazed by the crocodile's glare, wore a confident smile. "I bet we're not the only ones who want to leave this place."

With that, he snapped his fingers.

Instantly, a variety of ants emerged from the passage behind Leol. Among them were some hidden squadron leaders and numerous army captains.

With so many standing behind Leol, he wore a triumphant smile. Seeing this, the already hesitant squadron leaders quickly made up their minds. Scorpion-ant Zazan, cheetah Cheetu, and wolf-ant Welfin all chose to side with Leol.

Ox-ant Bihorn and prawn-ant Brovuda hesitated briefly but followed the crowd, blending into the larger group.

"You all..." The crocodile-ant looked at his dwindling allies—only the elderly fish-ant tending to the Queen and the silent yet steadfast mole-ant remained by his side. He trembled with rage.

"Hahaha, do you see now?" Leol could no longer hide his smug expression. "Who's the minority now?!"

With so many behind him, Leol felt emboldened! Thus, the Chimera Ant collective was completely divided into two factions.

The crocodile's nostrils flared with heavy, agitated breaths, releasing two puffs of white mist. His fists clenched tightly in frustration. It wasn't the betrayal of so many that saddened him, but rather the dissatisfaction of being outmaneuvered by Leol's words and the support Leol garnered.

When the Ant Queen was on the brink of death, he too had thoughts of leaving to establish his own kingdom. Originally, he had planned to venture to the seaside and create an underwater kingdom of his own, to propagate his lineage.

"Hmph, let's go!" Seeing the crocodile's silent turmoil and wavering resolve, Leol wore a victor's smile, waving his hand with bravado as he prepared to leave. Just then, a soft chuckle came from behind him:

"Leave? Where do you think you're going?"

"Hmm?" Leol and the other ants turned at the voice, hearing footsteps from the tunnel behind them.

The sound, distinctly different from their ant-like movements, immediately put them on alert.

"Those footsteps... are they human?" Leol's eyes narrowed slightly, releasing a subtle aura of intimidation toward the tunnel.

Yet, the footsteps continued unaffected, steady and unbroken in rhythm. Seeing this, Leol's eyes sharpened, but he took no further action, waiting silently for the figure to emerge from the passage.

Gradually, as the footsteps drew nearer, two blurred silhouettes came into view for all the ants.

"Colt?"

Read my other novels HxH: Manipulation, HxH: The inventor