In the conference room on the top floor of the V5 Headquarters, representatives from the five most powerful nations, the architects of order in the human world, were gathered. They were currently engaged in secret negotiations and consultations with the current King of Kakin, Nasubi Hui Guo Rou, via video link. They were attempting to sign an agreement acceptable to both parties to resolve the current political crisis through peaceful means.
However, due to fundamental conflicts of interest, days of discussion had yielded no results. The atmosphere in the meeting grew increasingly volatile, with neither side willing to be the first to make a concession.
Just as the negotiations hit another stalemate, there was a sudden knock on the heavy, closed doors. A staff member entered and whispered a few words into the ear of the lead V5 representative.
Initially, the representative's brow was furrowed, but upon hearing the news, his face broke into a look of surprise followed by a triumphant smile. He looked directly at the screen and addressed the King of Kakin. "Your Majesty, King Nasubi, I happen to have received something just now from the Hunter Association. I wonder if you would be interested in viewing it with us?"
"Oh? And what might that be?" Nasubi asked, propping up his fleshy chin with a hand.
"A recording of a battle, and an official record of law enforcement. Believe me, after seeing this, you may find yourself reconsidering your position." With that, the leader signaled the staff member.
Without a word, the aide began playing the footage received only minutes prior. After a brief flicker of static, the massive electronic display revealed two opposing figures. One was Beyond Netero, the man appointed by the Kakin Royal Family as the leader of the Dark Continent expedition; the other was Allen.
The moment Nasubi saw this, he realized Beyond must have lost. V5 wouldn't have chosen this specific moment to reveal the footage unless it was the final straw intended to break the camel's back.
The battle that followed confirmed his suspicions.
Beyond, whom Nasubi had placed such high hopes in, was on the receiving end of a beating from start to finish. He failed to inflict even a shred of damage on his opponent before his head was instantaneously torn off at the end.
It was a total slaughter.
Beyond Netero was by no means weak. On the contrary, he had long been recognized as one of the world's top five Nen users, with a comprehensive evaluation even higher than that of Ging Freecss. Yet here, before this new powerhouse, he had been utterly powerless to resist.
In an instant, the name "Grim Reaper Allen" was seared into the minds of these supreme leaders, much like the invincible Isaac Netero had been in decades past.
When the footage concluded, the lead representative wore a smug smile. "Well? I wonder if Your Majesty is satisfied with this outcome?"
"You intend to use Beyond's death to force my hand? Or perhaps you believe that without him, I will abandon my plans?" Nasubi countered with a cold sneer.
"No, you misunderstand. My point is that there is no need for us to remain at such odds. The V5 is a community that represents the interests of all humanity. We are willing to accept any nation or organization with the strength to take responsibility for the fate of mankind, and Kakin is no exception. As long as you are willing to sign this treaty and guarantee adherence to all its terms, we will not only stop obstructing you but will command the Hunter Association to join the effort and contribute to the exploration of the Dark Continent."
The lead representative was a professional politician; with a few words, he had positioned himself on the moral high ground of "humanity's interests." His goal was simple: end the political crisis as quickly as possible to prevent the prestige and order established by the V5 from being further eroded.
"Very well, I agree to sign. But I have one additional condition," Nasubi stated after a moment's thought. "This young man who killed Beyond... he must also board the ship."
"You aren't planning to seek retaliation, are you?" the representative probed meaningfully.
Nasubi let out a boisterous laugh and shook his head with an air of magnanimity. "Hahaha! Of course not! I simply wish to take this opportunity to meet the talented young man recognized as the strongest Nen user since Chairman Netero, and perhaps clear up any misunderstandings between us."
"I will relay your request to Allen. However, whether he chooses to board your ship is entirely up to him," the representative replied ambiguously. He wasn't certain of the young man's true intentions, nor did he know if Allen would follow a direct order from the V5.
"No matter! Just relay the message. I believe he is a clever man; he won't refuse my invitation. Now, let us finalize the signing of this agreement."
With that, Nasubi took a pen from a nearby minister and, with a practiced flourish, signed his name to the document provided by the V5.
Thus, the V5 that had ruled the human world for over a century officially became the V6.
Simultaneously, the political crisis that had stirred up the world completely subsided. News media across the globe began a frenzied reporting cycle on Kakin's upcoming plan to explore and colonize the "New Continent." Countless "experts" emerged, using their meager knowledge to provide the public with meaningless "educational lectures."
In their descriptions, the Dark Continent sounded like a typical deserted island—dangerous only because of occasional predators like lions, tigers, or bears, but otherwise filled with harmless flora and fauna. Some even attributed the horrific failure of past expeditions and the abysmal survival rates to "unidentified bacteria" or "hallucinogenic plants."
The general public was easily swayed, and many even began volunteering for this unprecedented migration. No one knew the horrors that were destined to unfold aboard the massive B·W1.
Of course, none of that mattered to the V5. Most of those boarding the B·W1 were Kakin civilians; their deaths would not affect the interests of the five founding nations.
Once the ceremony concluded, the lead representative summoned his most capable subordinate—Slean.
Slean, who had enjoyed a meteoric rise recently, now carried the air of a powerhouse himself. His original "balding" pate was now completely smooth, gleaming brightly under the office lights. He offered a slight bow before speaking. "Sir, you summoned me?"
"Yes. Sit." The elderly official gestured toward the sofa.
"Thank you, sir." Slean sat cautiously, his eyes never leaving his superior.
The representative stood by the window, gazing at the city below. Without turning around, he said, "You did well with the hunt for Beyond. It gave us an overwhelming advantage in the negotiations. The deal regarding those Chimera Ant eggs was also excellent; it granted us over four thousand Nen users of considerable strength. Tell me... what do you think of this 'Grim Reaper' Allen?"
"Allen? Do you mean his political leanings, his worldview? Or his personality?" Slean asked tentatively.
"All of it. This pertains to our next move. He is no longer just a Hunter or a Nen user, he is a pivotal figure whose every move affects the whole board. He is now qualified to participate in the game..."