Leaving Pariston behind, he headed towards the restricted ward area.
Arriving at Netero's ward, the only outsider present was the female doctor, Lita. There were no other medical staff, likely because all necessary measures after Netero woke up had been taken.
On the bed, Netero's gaze was calm as he watched Law approach the entrance.
Seeing Law enter the ward without knocking, Lita frowned slightly and slowly put down her notepad.
"I have something to say to Netero. Could you please step out for a moment?"
Law approached, looking at Lita politely.
Lita hesitated, but then heard Netero speak in a low, dry-throated voice, "Listen to him."
"Okay."
Unable to refuse, Lita could only obediently leave the ward.
As the door closed, Law came to the bedside, slowly sat in the chair, then released his Nen, forming a field that enveloped the entire ward.
Netero's Nen was depleted, equivalent to an ordinary person, but his experience and perception remained. Though he couldn't see the field, he could sense its presence.
Even without asking, he knew the field's purpose was to prevent sound from leaking.
"I just woke up. What about the Ant King?"
"Dead."
"You killed him?"
"Yes."
Without asking how Law did it, they skipped over the earth-shattering battle process with such concise dialogue.
Upon learning the Ant King was dead, Netero visibly relaxed a lot. He didn't react much to Law killing the Ant King, as if it were a matter of course.
"What about the others?"
Netero's eyes seemed to still hold the image of that figure relentlessly attacking him.
"All gone, except for Nique."
"That's good."
Their conversation felt like casual talk. Throughout, Netero in Law's eyes showed no apparent emotions, calm like a windless lake.
But the vitality Netero once had was gone.
Then, as Law expected, Netero changed the topic, saying in an utterly flat tone, "I'm preparing to resign."
Law didn't object immediately, but asked, "Is it because the current you can only lie on the bed, unable to move?"
Netero remained silent.
No answer was needed… it was an obvious fact.
Law looked at the silent Netero, his face devoid of vitality, like an elderly person in the final stages of a terminal illness, ordinary and unremarkable.
Anyone seeing him wouldn't think this old man was the Chairman of the Hunter Association.
"Don't rush to a decision. Maybe I have a way to restore you to your original state," Law said.
A glimmer of light appeared in the depths of Netero's dull eyes as he quietly looked at Law.
Though he lost that battle with the Ant King, he had gained something.
Thinking the end was death, he didn't expect to open his eyes again.
But... now with a ruined body, even digesting the experience gained from that battle would be in vain.
Clearly aware of his own shortcomings, clearly aware that the path of martial arts still had room for advancement.
Yet, his legs could no longer carry him forward.
Thinking about it, how could he not feel resentful?
Was there still a possibility of recovery?
Law saw the faint glimmer in Netero's eyes, then smiled and said, "Believe me."
"Okay."
Netero replied very straightforwardly.
However, he had already let go of all his attachments.
Regardless of the outcome, what couldn't be forced couldn't be forced… what couldn't be changed couldn't be changed.
Law wasn't aware of Netero's thoughts. He stood up and said, "I notified Linne. She might come in a few days."
"..."
A helpless expression appeared on Netero's face.
"Also, Pariston will be here shortly. But even if I didn't say it, you could probably guess."
Netero nodded slightly.
Law suddenly turned to look at the door.
Bang.
The door was pushed open, and a short figure stumbled in.
"Chairman!"
It was Beans, tears and snot streaming down his face.
He hurried to the bedside, looking at Netero with teary eyes.
"I'll take my leave."
Having conveyed his message, Law patted Beans's shoulder and walked towards the door.
Netero and Beans watched as Law left the ward.
Outside the ward, he saw Lita standing by the door.
Law nodded at her, a sort of greeting.
Lita seemed to want to say something but ultimately said nothing, watching Law head towards the other end of the corridor.
Inside the ward, Netero fell into deep thought.
Beans cautiously asked, "Chairman, how should we handle the two farewell message DVDs?"
"Keep them. You never know... they might still be needed."
"Chairman?" Beans was startled.
Those were farewell message DVDs, and they would only be used when the Chairman died.
"Everyone has their own fate."
Netero said softly, then closed his eyes.
There were people who wanted him dead, and the saying 'take advantage of your illness to kill you' applied now.
What needed satisfaction was satisfied. If there were regrets, perhaps a little remained.
If he unfortunately died, so be it.
Calmly accepting death's arrival was not something he couldn't do.
Beyond...
That name surfaced in Netero's mind.
Ten minutes later, Pariston 'arrived fashionably late'.
Lita, who had only recently entered the ward, was once again 'excused' for 'avoiding suspicion'.
Beans was Netero's own person, so he could stay in the ward.
The first thing Pariston said after Lita left the ward was, "Are you still able to serve as Chairman?"
Not a work report, but a rather polite inquiry.
"Yes."
Netero replied very directly.
Pariston saw Netero's seriousness and knew this was due to Law's influence.
The corner of his mouth lifted into a gentle smile, and he said, "That's wonderful. Regarding the follow-up to the Chimera Ant incident, it's necessary to report to you. There are also a few matters that require your decision."
As he spoke, he looked at Beans, took out a pen and notepad, and said considerately, "After all, the Chairman has just 'recovered'. Could you please take notes on the work content, in case the Chairman can't remember?"
Hearing this, Beans glanced at Netero, who showed no reaction.
So, Beans silently took the pen and notepad.
Seeing Beans was ready, Pariston took a list from the file and said seriously, "First, the credit allocation for this commission. This list is the roster of action personnel authenticated by the Review Department."
As he spoke, Pariston handed it to Beans.
Beans took the list. Before handing it to Netero, he scanned it first, his expression changing abruptly.
The list did not include Law and the others.
Beans glanced at Pariston, who smiled without speaking, then held the list up for Netero to see. The latter browsed the names on the list, his expression calm.
The incident was successfully resolved, and the Hunter Association would receive a super-sized reward from V5. The resulting credit was unimaginable, enough to immediately promote any key member to Triple-Star.
That was something probably dreamed of by over 95% of the Association's Hunters.
However, Law and Ging were part of the 5%.
Although Netero clearly knew Law and Ging wouldn't care about such things, he didn't want to let it go just like that.
Pariston calmly looked at Netero.
He had told Law in the elevator that nothing would change, no matter what.
The true meaning of those words was: even if Netero didn't want to resign, he had ways to make Netero resign.
Moreover, at some future moment, perhaps an assassin would come to visit.
At the same time, Kukuroo Mountain, deep within the Zoldyck estate, in a sealed room.
There, Killua and Alluka were happily playing.