HxH : Pokemon Master-Chapter 169: The Desert Tyrant!

The cave where Akira and the others were located sat atop a massive exposed boulder—or one might call it a small mountain.

Such small mountains were extremely common in the surrounding area; a single glance would reveal dozens of nearly identical ones.

Beneath these small mountains lay stretches of forests and rivers, forming a stark contrast to their barren appearance.

Each of these small mountains had dark cave entrances dotting their surfaces—if they were any denser, they would resemble honeycombs.

Yet, the very mountain where Akira and his group stood was now inexplicably spewing forth piles of sand.

In mere moments, yellow sand—something that should never appear in such a region—had completely overtaken the entire mountain.

Under Tyranitar’s control, the changes were confined solely to this mountain, leaving even the forests at its base untouched.

In the blink of an eye, the entire small mountain had transformed from ashen gray to yellow, with endless streams of sand still pouring forth.

Beyond the sand, Tyranitar’s overwhelming presence was equally impossible to ignore.

The aura of this steel behemoth enveloped the entire mountain.

In fact, if Tyranitar so desired, it could extend its presence to cover an even wider area.

"Crack, crack..."

Under the crushing weight of an S+ ranked aura, not just the cave but the entire mountain began to faintly fracture.

It seemed barely able to withstand the pressure, as though it might crumble into rubble at any moment.

’This... is too terrifying!’

Knov pressed himself against the cave wall, hoping to lessen the oppressive force bearing down on him.

He averted his gaze—unlike when he had watched Chairman Netero earlier, this time he couldn’t even bring himself to look directly!

Knov wasn’t the only one.

Among those present, only Chairman Netero dared to meet Tyranitar’s gaze.

Both Morel and Colt did the same, pressing themselves against the cave wall, unable to look directly at Tyranitar.

If Chairman Netero had felt like a blazing fireball standing before them earlier, then the terrifying Aura radiating from Tyranitar was like a scorching sun!

Its Aura was so blinding that they couldn’t even look at it, their skin burning as if exposed to the sun at point-blank range!

The raging Aura was like a furnace, boiling the surrounding air until it seemed ready to combust.

Knov glanced at the nearby wall—it was already covered in fissures and they were still spreading.

At this rate, the entire mountain might shatter under the pressure of Akira’s Nen beast.

If not for his desperate efforts to shield his glasses with Aura, they would have already shattered.

’So it’s that Nen beast? If I recall, it’s called Tyranitar?’

Netero also narrowed his eyes, but unlike the others, he could still look directly at Tyranitar.

Through the blinding radiance of its Aura, he could clearly make out Tyranitar’s form.

Among Akira Nen beasts, this one called "Tyranitar" was the one he was most familiar with.

It was one of the few Nen beasts in Akira arsenal that he had actually fought against.

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Compared to when it had fought him before, Tyranitar aura now was countless times stronger!

Tyranitar power was indeed terrifying.

But Chairman Netero knew that Akira true, horrifying strength had yet to be revealed.

That was the small, shadowy Nen beast he had seen last time!

That Nen beast was the most terrifying creature he had ever encountered in his life!

Its presence far surpassed even the creatures of the Dark Continent.

Not even the Ant King’s aura could compare to even one ten-thousandth of that Nen beast terror!

This was also why he had such confidence in Akira.

Not to mention whether there were more hidden Nen beasts, just the one revealed last time was enough to solve any problem.

Dealing with the Ant King and the three Royal Guards would be effortless.

For humanity to have someone like Akira was truly a blessing!

He proved that even humans could conquer that continent.

Meanwhile, Colt beside them was utterly terrified, his hawk-like eyes nearly bulging out of their sockets.

Tyranitar had once again made him experience the same feeling as when facing the Ant King!

Not only was the aura’s similar intensity, but even the domineering will contained within was identical!

Both were overwhelmingly oppressive, as if embodying the essence of a king.

Seeing that the demonstration was sufficient, Akira signaled Tyranitar to retract its aura—otherwise, the entire mountain would collapse.

In an instant, the suffocating pressure that had left everyone breathless finally dissipated and Knov and the others gasped for air.

Sweat visibly poured down their foreheads.

"Incredibly strong!"

"This steel behemoth absolutely possesses power on par with the Ant King!"

"It has the potential to defeat the Ant King!"

After catching his breath, Colt braced his hands on his knees, his expression shocked but his tone resolute.

This steel behemoth was undoubtedly comparable to the Ant King in strength!

Earlier, obscured by the fluctuations of Aura, he hadn’t gotten a clear look on it.

Now, he realized just how terrifying its appearance was.

Its entire body was covered in dark green steel, with a pair of crimson eyes.

With every breath, thick plumes of white smoke billowed out.

Just standing there, it exuded an overwhelming sense of intimidation.

"Close enough..."

Akira gaze swept past Colt, finally settling on Tyranitar.

It seemed the Ant King was most likely S+-rank in strength.

That made sense—after all, even Chairman Netero, at his peak while wearing the "Heart" T-shirt, was only S rank.

Yet he still couldn’t defeat the Ant King.

So the Ant King being S+ rank was reasonable.

The question was whether the Ant King, after consuming the three Royal Guards, could break through to SS rank, reaching -SS rank.

Akira suspected it might be difficult—even Tyranitar’ Mega Evolution at S+-rank couldn’t reach SS-rank.

The gap between S rank and SS rank was enormous.

As Marshadow’s strength demonstrated, it was an insurmountable chasm.

Still, even if it didn’t reach SS- rank, consuming the three Royal Guards would grant the Ant King a significant boost.

It would still be worth doing—the Royal Guards’ corpses could be repurposed.

"Um, I don’t know if I’m mistaken..."

"But why do I sense something similar to the Ant King in it...?"

"That... regal presence!"

Colt heart was now filled with complex emotions.

Never did it expect to sense the auras of two monarchs within a single day, both equally terrifying.

When facing this steel behemoth, it experienced the same overwhelming urge to kneel in submission as when confronting the Ant King—an instinctive reaction of inferior beings before superior ones.

"It’s perfectly normal for you to feel this way." Akira raised an eyebrow, calmly explaining to the group while a thought flashed through his mind.

"This is Tyranitar, known by the title ’Desert Monarch.’"

"Some also call it the ’Desert Tyrant!’"

"It’s the undisputed ruler of the desert!"

The... ruler of the desert!

Colt stared blankly at Tyranitar, finally understanding his involuntary reaction through Akira’s explanation.

So this truly was a monarch! And a desert tyrant sounded even more formidable than the Ant King.

After all, the Ant King only ruled over the Chimera Ant, while Tyranitar commanded the entire desert.

As Colt studied Tyranitar, Akira was simultaneously observing Colt.

The chimera ant’s reaction sparked an idea.

If Tyranitar’s regal presence could subjugate chimera ants, perhaps they could be made loyal to it?

Loyalty to Tyranitar would effectively mean loyalty to himself.

These were just chimera ants, but if they ventured to the Dark Continent in the future, could this method be used to gather more creatures?

Still, these were just speculations.

There was no guarantee Tyranitar alone could accomplish this.

Yet currently, Tyranitar seemed to possess this potential ability.

"Colt, we can agree to your request, but you must provide intelligence about the Ant King and his Royal Guards in return." Chairman Netero shifted his gaze from Tyranitar to address Colt.

"Yes, thank you so much!" Colt bowed deeply to Netero, his face overflowing with genuine gratitude.

"Colt—no, perhaps I should call you Kurt."

Noticing Colt’s emotional display, Akira suddenly interjected, having conceived an excellent approach.

This might help the remaining chimera ants adjust better.

"Kurt..." Colt murmured the name.

Though similar-sounding, something felt distinctly different.

Was there a strange familiarity to this name?

"Does it feel familiar? Because this was your human name."

Colt head snapped up toward Akira.

Seeing his serious expression, fragmented memories began slowly surfacing.

All squadron leaders knew they were transformed humans, each retaining fragments of their former selves’ memories—some more, some less.

Now Akira intended to revive their human memories for easier communication.

A flash of white light illuminated the cavern once more.

The elegant Gardevoir stood before Colt, her slender hands gathering pink Aura.

Though radiating powerful aura, Colt sensed no hostile intent within them.

The pink energy rapidly morphed forms—shifting from spherical to concentric rings of light waves that surged directly toward Colt’s head.

Psychic-type move—Hypnosis!

After being hit by the hypnosis, Colt eyes lost their luster, becoming dull and lifeless.

At the same time, a drastic transformation was taking place in his mind—countless memories from his past life surged forth like a geyser.

He had originally been an eight-year-old boy... with a younger sister named Reina...

"What’s this?"

The sudden change left Morel and Knov standing nearby in stunned silence, unsure of what was happening.

Only Chairman Netero seemed to vaguely grasp the situation.

"Simply put, it’s just using a hypnosis-like ability to awaken the human memories buried deep within him." Akira shrugged, his gaze still fixed on the dazed Kurt.

So this was possible too?

Morel and Knov exchanged glances, only to realize they weren’t as shocked as they might have expected.

Spending too much time with Akira had gradually make them feel numb.

If Neferpitou could extract memories from Pokkle by stimulating his cerebral cortex with needles, then hypnosis could naturally also dredge up deeply buried memories.

After a long while, Colt slowly regained consciousness, his eyes now more alert than before. His facial expression alone revealed the turmoil within him.

"How do you feel now?" Morel spoke softly, aware that Colt could no longer be viewed purely as a Chimera Ant.

"It feels like I just woke from a nightmare."

"Thank you for helping me recover my memories." Colt bowed deeply toward Akira.

Yet, he remained standing there, his expression still shadowed—perhaps recalling his sister.

Seeing Colt still trapped in his complex emotions, Chairman Netero resumed the earlier discussion.

"First, we need to leave this place. Only outside can we contact the specialists."

In the original timeline, Chairman Netero and the others had made the call from the nearest Hunter Association branch to NGL.

"Then let me take you out. It’ll be faster that way." Akira recalled Tyranitar, who had been standing proudly beside him and said something that surprised the group.

"Ah, right. If we use that spatial movement method, we could reach the outside in an instant." Morel picked up his large smoking pipe, his expression one of sudden realization.

***

At the Hunter Branch

At the nearest Hunter branch to NGL, thanks to Porygon-Z’s spatial traversal, the group arrived from the cave in mere moments.

Originally, it should have been Knov who transported Colt here using his ’Four-Dimensional Mansion’.

He must have already marked this location beforehand.

"An incredibly convenient ability."

"Even without having been there before, you can still reach any place."

Morel sat on the sofa, his large pipe resting beside him, glancing around.

Just moments ago, they had been deep inside a cave in NGL—now, they were inside the Hunter branch outside.

"It really is an exceptionally useful ability, far surpassing my own Nen ability." Knov too, was impressed by Akira power.

This ability to move freely through the real world via the digital world was unheard of!

Akira was likely the first person in history to achieve such a feat.

Knov noticed that none of Akira Nen beasts were ordinary.

It seemed that every Nen User’s proudest abilities paled in comparison to his.

He himself was a prime example.

Meanwhile, Colt stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, watching Chairman Netero with deep concern in his eyes.

Though he had successfully sought their help, Colt still didn’t know if they could truly save the Queen.

Even with his human memories restored, his instinct to "protect" remained.

Whether it was his sister or the Queen, he felt compelled to guard them both.

"It’s me."

"Prepare the Chimera Ant research team immediately."

"..."

"Once they’re ready, someone will escort them here."

Chairman Netero held his phone, facing the expansive window as he spoke in a low voice.

After hanging up, he didn’t turn around.

Instead, he pocketed his phone and picked up a razor.

The sharp razor cut through iron like mud, with a slight exertion, Netero cleanly severed the beard he had grown.

The floor-to-ceiling glass window reflected his aged face, yet the visage of his youth seemed to flash vividly before his eyes.

He had truly grown old.

A trace of sorrow flickered in Netero’s eyes, only to be replaced by unwavering resolve.

Let him savor the joy of battle one last time!

"Chairman?"

"Is that...?"

Morel glanced toward Chairman Netero, who had, at some point, changed into a different outfit.

As Netero turned around, Morel and the others finally got a clear look at the garment.

It was a T-shirt emblazoned with the character for "Heart"!

The stroke of the character was bold and vigorous and Morel and the others could faintly sense the aura emanating from it.

The aura did not come from the shirt itself—it radiated from the one wearing it.

"I always thought that was just a legend. Could it actually be real?"

"Rumor has it that the Chairman owns a ’Heart’ T-shirt, and when he wears it, it signifies that he’s going all out." Knov set down his teacup, his gaze fixed intently on the legendary T-shirt he had once dismissed as mere myth.

"Since no one had seen the Chairman wear it in so long, I assumed it was just a story."

"Who would’ve thought the legend was true?"

Knov truly hadn’t expected the legend to be real—let alone for the Chairman to wear it today.

"Hohohoh, it has indeed been a long time since I last wore this."

"Most likely, this will be the final time I put it on."

Hearing this, Morel and the others seemed about to say something, but Chairman Netero merely waved his hand and strode toward a nearby passageway.

"I’m going to meet an old friend. You all proceed as planned—follow Akira method and bring the medical team over shortly."

By now, Akira had already arrived at the entrance of the Ant Nest.

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