HunterxHunter: I Became Stronger After Death

The morning sunlight dispelled the lingering mist.

After a heavy downpour the previous night, the forest was saturated with moisture. Broken branches and leaves blanketed the forest floor, now wet and sticky from the rain.

A group of weary travelers trudged through the damp terrain, eventually spotting a small mountain encircled by trees. On the mountainside was a conspicuous cave entrance.

The sight of the cliffside cave lifted their spirits.

In the humid forest, finding a suitable campsite was a rare luxury. After enduring the storm, the group was desperate for a safe place to rest.

The leader, whose pale face showed a hint of color, took a step toward the cave. But just as he did, the flapping of wings echoed above.

The group looked up to see a massive bird with a wingspan of seven or eight meters descending from the sky. It landed on the platform in front of the cave.

However, the moment it touched down, the bird suddenly appeared alarmed, flapping its wings wildly and fleeing the cave in a clumsy panic.

The group exchanged confused glances.

The leader hesitated before stepping forward. When his boot pressed against the wet grass, realization dawned on him.

"That's…"

His eyes widened as he stared at the cave, which seemed still and quiet. Yet, in his mind's eye, he could see dark mist rolling out of it like waves.

A suffocating aura of death emanated from the cave, so dense it was almost tangible.

The leader's face lost its color, his earlier flush vanishing. Memories of a canyon he'd visited years ago surfaced—a desolate place littered with animal bones, where the air was thick with the same oppressive aura of death.

It was an identical sensation.

"Turn around!"

Shivering, he barked the order, his pale face rigid as he led the group away.

The thought of investigating the cave never crossed his mind. Avoiding danger was his sole priority.

Inside the Cave

Moro gazed toward the entrance and caught a glimpse of the bird fleeing into the distance. A faint look of surprise crossed his face.

When the bird landed, he'd intended to use his aura to scare it off. To his surprise, it had fled on its own.

"Could it be because I overused the death replay and unconsciously mixed negative emotions into my aura?"

Watching the bird vanish into the sky, Moro shook his head, dismissing the thought. Exhaustion tugged at him, and he closed his eyes.

The previous night had been spent developing his new ability, leaving him sleep-deprived. Rest was his priority now—recovery was essential before he left the forest.

Three Days Later

The sky was overcast, shrouded in a dull gray.

By now, Moro had contacted both Kanzai and Argo.

Kanzai, though spared from a swamp, hadn't fared much better. His landing point was a fast-flowing mountain river. After several mishaps, his phone was destroyed, explaining the delay in communication.

After confirming each other's safety, Moro and Kanzai agreed to reunite if the opportunity arose.

Argo, meanwhile, assisted Moro with his navigation, helping him navigate the forest over the course of another day.

Thanks to Argo's efforts, Moro also obtained replacement documents and digital entry permits. These allowed him to seamlessly cross the border of the Mingbo Republic and enter a nearby city, where he caught a flight to his next destination.

All permits and logistics were handled by Argo—a testament to the value of a skilled intelligence operative.

En Route to the Kukanyu Kingdom

Aboard a spacecraft bound for the Kukanyu Kingdom, Moro put his phone down.

Moments earlier, he had sent intel about the Phantom Troupe's movements to Silva Zoldyck.

However, given Silva's tendency to use disposable phone numbers during assignments, Moro wasn't sure if his message would be received—or believed.

Regardless, it was a minor gesture on Moro's part, requiring little effort.

Arrival at Kukanyu Kingdom

Several days later, the spacecraft landed at an airport within the Kukanyu Kingdom's borders.

With all his documents in order, Moro encountered no obstacles.

After leaving the airport, he hailed a cab to Kanda City—a destination noted in Argo's intelligence reports.

According to the data, the Phantom Troupe initially moved as a group after entering the Kukanyu Kingdom. They brazenly roamed the country, seemingly unbothered by the bounty placed on their heads by the Navis Nation.

However, five days ago, the Troupe split up and adopted varying strategies.

Some members, led by Uvogin and Nobunaga, continued to act openly, showing little regard for discretion.

In stark contrast, Chrollo and his group adopted disguises and became noticeably more subdued, likely at Chrollo's behest.

Kanda City was the nearest location where Chrollo's group had been spotted.

Kanda City

Kanda was a modern metropolis, its skyline filled with towering buildings and well-maintained infrastructure.

Unlike the glitzy, hedonistic aura of Yorknew City, Kanda exuded a refreshing sense of vibrancy and ease, reminiscent of the urban centers of Moro's past life.

After notifying Argo of his arrival, Moro entered a nearby café to await a response.

The gentle chime of a bell greeted him as he pushed open the glass door. Choosing a seat near the entrance, he ordered a drink from the server and passed the time idly with his phone.

Ten minutes later, a cup of coffee arrived at his table, but Argo's reply had yet to come. Moro didn't mind. Sipping his coffee, he waited patiently.

A Sudden Encounter

The bell chimed again.

The glass door swung open, followed by the distinct sound of heavy heels striking the wooden floor.

It was a rhythmic, clear sound, like high-heeled shoes—but the newcomer was a man.

Tall, slender, and sharply dressed, he had striking red hair styled upright and star-and-tear tattoos on his face.

His flamboyant appearance clashed starkly with the café's subdued atmosphere, drawing curious glances from other patrons.

Moro, too, turned to look.

The moment he recognized the man's face, his expression shifted, and he quickly averted his gaze.

Hisoka?

What was he doing here?

Moro's thoughts raced, but the most plausible explanation surfaced almost immediately:

He's here for the Phantom Troupe.

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