Problems Yet to Be Solved (Bonus chapter)

Thank you for you support ! Here is the bonus chapter for reaching 100 power stones, let's get to 200 now to get that second bonus chapter !

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Peijing lay just five kilometers from the palace.

At this range, the royal structure was clearly visible through binoculars from the city's taller buildings.

The first to arrive were Morel and Knov.

Veteran hunters.

Their task required close observation of the palace itself.

The first fact they confirmed upon arrival—

Neferpitou's En had a radius of roughly 2,000 meters.

A thick, malicious aura loomed over the palace like a beast coiled in endless slumber.

No one could approach it unseen.

No one could guarantee a stealthy infiltration.

Worse—

Peijing crawled with puppet soldiers and hidden Chimera Ants.

The capital was a hot zone, firmly under Pitou's control.

Its population? Nearly gone.

The first batch of chosen "subjects" had come from here.

"Kite already took care of Flutter," Morel said, pipe in hand, eyes squinting behind dark glasses.

"Next up is Hagya—what's he call himself now? Leol?"

He grinned slightly.

Knov noticed it.

He knew that smile.

It meant one thing—the plan was working.

Joey and Gon's respective distractions had stirred up enough trouble to delay the selection process.

For now, the influx of new victims was halted.

"Leol and the remaining Division Leaders aren't the problem," Knov muttered.

"The real issue is this—no one can infiltrate the palace.

Without a planted beacon inside, we can't execute the synchronized split on the Royal Guards."

He adjusted his glasses, light reflecting off the lenses.

"We need Pitou to drop her En for a few seconds."

"We'll wait for Kite and Andre," Morel replied.

"They might figure something out.

Until then, we keep the city distracted. The televised general's speech should delay more civilians from arriving.

We can't stop the assembly—but we can flood Pitou with disinformation."

He paused. Then chuckled.

"By the way, Joey's improving crazy fast.

With that strange Nen beast of his, he's almost caught up to Killua and Gon.

Hell, if it came to a death match… Gon might not beat him."

Morel was impressed.

He'd taken a liking to Joey since that first promise—

If Joey hadn't already chosen Kite as a mentor, Morel might've taken him as a disciple himself.

Joey's Specialization ability had immense potential—

especially for emergency medical support.

"If the Association knew what he could really do," Morel muttered,

"they'd probably force him off this mission and lock him up for safekeeping.

Even if he was a damn serial killer, they'd still find a way to protect him."

Knov nodded.

But he shifted the conversation back to the logistics.

Morel didn't argue—he was used to Knov's focus.

Honestly, if Kite hadn't already gotten involved with the NGL incident,

the Association never would've allowed a One-Star Hunter to join this death trap.

Even Morel and Knov had to negotiate hard to be allowed in.

Joey, unaware of the discussion, handed Andre a scribbled note written by the baboon Ant.

The contents were… disturbing.

In the palace gardens, massive meat trees bloomed.

The flesh-pods were incubators for modified warriors—and meals for the King.

Eating them would evolve the King.

Most importantly: Pouf's ability may allow him to create clones.

The baboon and his allies had seen him in multiple places at once.

"He also helped us develop our Nen abilities," the note claimed.

Everything but the last point matched Joey's own knowledge.

That last bit?

Crucial.

He'd assumed Pitou taught the others Nen.

But if Pouf had guided ability development…

"It complicates everything," Joey murmured.

"He's not just a manipulator or messenger—he's a strategist."

Andre finished reading.

"This… changes things. We'll go over it with the others in Peijing."

He didn't doubt the note's truth.

What surprised him was that the baboon knew so much.

Joey explained it simply:

"His ability turned against him.

Now he ranks below me.

Disobedience means punishment."

No lies there.

It lined up with the nature of his Nen.

With Flutter dead, the rest of their journey went smoothly.

Two days later, they met up with Knuckle and Shoot at the first rendezvous.

Both were capable hunters.

For them, infiltration was routine.

What surprised Joey was something else—

Dogs.

Dozens of them.

Knuckle was swarmed with mutts of every shape and size.

Filthy, ragged, but friendly.

"Looks like you're popular," Joey said, petting a labrador.

"Most of their owners probably went to the capital," Knuckle replied, pulling out a pack of sausages.

"Guess the dogs followed their noses."

He passed out treats to each one.

"They seem to like you too. Want to adopt a few?"

"Nah," Joey smiled.

"I can barely feed myself.

They deserve better."

Not that he didn't love dogs.

But now wasn't the time for pets.

It was time for war.

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For this week I will do more release depending on the power stones !

100 Power Stones = 1 chapter (in addition to the daily update) 

So give stones if you want mooooar !