"C-rank means an initial energy circuit.""B-rank means a complete energy circuit.""A-rank—when the circuit undergoes a qualitative transformation, elevating one's very existence!""S-rank is transcendence—becoming something beyond."
These concepts surged through Aoki Hiroshi's mind like a flood.
By this logic, mastering Nen up to the point of building a complete energy circuit would take someone from C-rank to B-rank.
Netero had already accomplished that.
His Perfect Domain was a product of decades of personal experimentation—a manual method for constructing a complete energy loop.
But once there, it was a dead end.
Without external guidance, many could be stuck at that plateau for decades—or centuries.
Netero had been stuck.
While Nen prolonged his vitality, it didn't halt the decline of age.Eventually, even his sharp mind grew weary and dulled—unable to pierce the final veil.
"To go beyond the Perfect Domain, I believe there are two paths."
Aoki raised two fingers and said to Netero:
"One: Incarnation Beyond the Body.""Two: Deity Hidden Within."
BOOM.
Those words struck Netero like a divine bell—a thunderous revelation crashing down on him.
His eyes widened.His expression twisted with turbulent emotion.
It was as though a crack had torn through the barrier that had blocked him for decades.
Through that crack, he saw the faint light of a new path.
"Incarnation outside… Deity within?"
Netero muttered, eyes glowing with ever-intensifying brilliance.
"So that's it!"
"That's how it works!"
"I understand now! I understand everything!!"
He erupted into booming laughter—his entire aura surging like storm winds.
70%…80%…90%…100%!
"I see it now… that higher realm above the Perfect Domain!"
Netero roared with joy.
His once-lost power came flooding back—in that moment, he returned to his prime.
BOOM!
His jubilant roar echoed across the sundered mountain.
For kilometers around, it felt as if even the trees and rocks were celebrating with him.
In the Distance…
The V5 broadcast crew heard his laugh—and fled faster than ever.
"Go, go, GO!"
"Pedal to the floor!"
"Don't look back!!"
They were visibly panicked.
Even if Netero was known to be benevolent, no one felt safe.
Power on that scale was dangerous by default.
Like a sneeze from an elephant that could send an ant flying.
Meanwhile, in the V5 Conference Room…
Their faces turned increasingly sour.
"The two of them… they're too close!"
"It'll be hard to sow discord now."
"Another damn Ging Freaks..."
"Why couldn't a guy like that have been ours?!"
They beat their chests in regret.
Back Near the Mountain…
"Wait—Chairman's aura…"
Biscuit was making her way back when she looked up in shock.
"No way... it's returning to peak levels?!"
"Did this battle spark a breakthrough?"
Only Nen users on-site could perceive it—but Netero's aura was surging back with terrifying momentum.
Not just restored—it was denser, deeper, more profound.
"Wait a sec… shouldn't Aoki be the one having a revelation?"
Biscuit scratched her head and quickened her pace.
She was desperate to find out what happened atop that peak.
On the Summit
Aoki Hiroshi smiled calmly, watching Netero revel in euphoria.
It took a while, but eventually Netero calmed down—still flushed with excitement.
"Thank you, Aoki," he said with deep sincerity."I've seen it—the world beyond the Perfect Domain!"
With that single statement, Netero had reconnected a path he thought forever lost.
From this point forward, even aging couldn't stop his progress.
"It was just a casual remark," Aoki replied modestly."You're the one who realized the truth."
It was true.
Aoki had only offered a direction—the one who took the step was Netero himself.
"No need to be modest," Netero said, shaking his head."I owe you deeply for this."
Without that casual comment, he might never have found the answer before death.
"As long as I was helpful," Aoki said, then added:"Actually, there's something I was hoping to ask you about."
"Go ahead."
"I want to fight the Chimera Ant King."
"I see."
Netero didn't look surprised.
Aoki then laid out his plan.Netero raised an eyebrow—but nodded in agreement.
"I'll ask Zeno to help. His Nen is great for aerial combat."
"Thanks, Chairman," Aoki smiled.
Just then, Biscuit arrived, rushing up to check their condition.
Once she confirmed they were fine, she cancelled all emergency arrangements.
The three descended the mountain together.
Along the way, Biscuit heard about the "realm beyond the Perfect Domain" and was stunned.
"You bastard… are you the reincarnation of the Nen God or something?"
Aoki and Netero burst into laughter.
The mood was light as the three descended together.
Meanwhile...
News of Netero and Aoki Hiroshi's battle on Mount Takel spread rapidly among other Nen users.
Hunter Association Headquarters
"Chairman Netero fought Aoki Hiroshi at full strength—and it was a draw?!"
The Twelve Zodiac members frowned upon hearing the news.
"No way!"
"That's definitely fake!"
"How could the Chairman draw with a rookie?"
"He must've gone easy on him!"
"Bean! Which tabloid said that crap?!"
They all turned to Bean, the informant, with incredulous eyes.
None of them believed the report.