Arrival

Plans have changed. Leon didn't expect the old man to be so cunning, but he had to give him credit. Now all they had to do was sell him on the idea of going into an alliance with them. Even if they didn't, Leon knew Netero wouldn't wage an all-out war against him.

And if it came down to it, Leon was sure he could take him in a fight, but that was a very worst-case scenario. Leon didn't know what kind of state the haven was in, but he hoped his people had enough time to get in there and start making the place look presentable.

Sighing, Leon rubbed his temples. This was not how he wanted things to go, but he had a backup plan. But this might be even better. If he could get the Hunters Association on his side, their growth would grow exponentially.

From his brief interaction with other hunters, Leon knew the lot would be greedy and thirsty for power. All he had to do was bend that greed to suit his purposes and make sure it didn't end up biting him in the ass.

A few minutes later, Leon got a text from Gotoh saying Netero had signed contracts. For the trip duration, the hunters association wouldn't try to set up any base outside the haven.

Leon felt some weight taken off his shoulders while Netero was crafty. He didn't take the man as one who would outright backstab you in an alley.

Leon then got another text. He recognized the number as one of the family transmitters he had given the Phantom Troupe members.

"Who is it?" Leon asked.

"Leon, what's going on over there. They're saying that you want us to fly out this instant and start to build up infrastructure." Leon could almost feel Machi's glare coming through the phone.

"Tell this only to the other Troupe members. There's been a slight change in plans, Netero knew about the haven, and I'm going to let him see it."

"Go on." Machi said in a cold voice, "So we signed a contract, if we can sell him on the that we can provide the right conditions, no Hunters will be allowed to set up any operations outside the Republic."

Leon could hear the gears turning in Machi's head, "It's not like I had a choice. They were going to force me to lead the expedition. I have the advantage here. Trust me. Everything will turn out just fine. Maybe even better."

Machi sighed, "I know the rest of the Troupe will put their trust in you as they have before. Just don't let this be the first time you don't deliver."

Leon nodded and said, "Thanks, Machi, I love you." Before quickly hanging up, grinning like an idiot. In a few hours, people started to load themselves into Airships. They were the larger kind use to ship cargo across the ocean.

Each could carry about two thousand people. Leon had bought five of them for his people to make it there on time. Instead of boarding with the others, Leon was pulled aside to a fancier blimp where he saw the Zodiacs boarding earlier.

Netero wanted to keep an eye on him. No doubt, they were about to enter the most dangerous place on the planet. It was a wise move. If Leon were in Netero's situation, he wouldn't want any unknown variables just floating around.

Leon didn't speak to anyone inside the blimp, acting like they didn't exist. The plane ride was long and monotonous. For the entire ride, Leon could feel the Zodiac's eyes on him, each waiting to see if he would do anything.

But his training in seclusion wasn't for nothing. Leon estimated that only three people in the entire world could challenge him. And two of them were in his family, so he wasn't worried at all.

The entire trip took three days. As they drew closer and closer to their destination, Leon could feel the atmosphere grow tense. When they finally touched down, Leon was white-knuckling his armrest as they were here in the Dark Continent.

Stepping out of the cramped airship was a blessing on its own as Leon barely moved from his seat. Looking around, the airship had landed on an island surrounded by a swamp. Reaching out, Leon could feel the surrounding area teeming with life, and much to his surprise, some of the creatures had activated nen nodes.

The larger blimps were slower than the ones they were flying, so it would take them another day to arrive, "The Dark Continent I never thought that I would step foot in the place ever again."

Leon looked over at Netero, who was looking around in awe, which went for the rest of the Zodiac.

"I suggest we don't stay in place too long. Our entrance had undoubtedly drawn attention. And I, for one, don't plan on dying to the first creature we come across." Leon said as he started walking in a seemingly random direction.

Netero turned to Leon. "Where are you going so quickly?"

"To a warm shower and bed, if we don't dawdle, we can make it there before nightfall. Also, tell your people where we're heading. I don't want to send out rescue parties to find lost hunters." Leon said over his shoulder as he started to run.

Netero grinned as the feeling of being in the hunt surrounded him, "Well you heard him, I don't know about you but I want that shower." Netero started to run after Leon forcing the Zodiacs to follow suit.