The Dark Continent Expedition Team (
Overview[]
Ging meeting the team
The group's leader is Beyond Netero, who began to plan a second expedition to the Dark Continent around half a century before Cheadle became Chairman of the Hunter Association.[2] Pariston, his second-in-command, was instrumental in recruiting the necessary personnel[3] and enjoyed deputy power in Beyond's absence until Ging supplanted him. On the battlefield, however, Muherr's authority exceeds that of the team's second-in-command.[4]
Aside from its leading figures, the team is estimated by Ging to have around 25 Temp Hunters,[3] to whom at least 11 mercenaries (the members of "Stone Wall" minus Golem) must be added.[4] Beyond offered 
1.5 billion to those who would actually set foot on the Dark Continent and 200 million to the alternates.[3] Saiyu also seems to be an ally of the team, and according to Kurapika, his role is to free Beyond from the Zodiacs' custody.[5]
The original patron of the expedition was Nasubi Hui Guo Rou.[1] Kurapika stresses that Beyond will want to highlight Nasubi's achievement and won't cause any problems until they reach the New Continent since the V5 could turn the ship around if he breaks his promise and disappears (even if it means ending their partnership with Kakin).[5]
Members[]
Active/Alive • Deceased • Former/Arrested
| Beyond's Expedition Team | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leading Figures | ||||
| No. 1 | No. 2 | Former No. 2 | Mercenaries Leader | |
| Temp Hunters | ||||
| Support Personnel | ||||
| Others | ||||
| Mole | Explorer | Explorer | Explorer | |
History[]
Beyond's First Journey[]
A former Hunter infected with Zobae
Beyond was one of the experts hired by the V5 in matters related to the Dark Continent. Against his father Netero's advice (around fifty years before Cheadle became Chairman of the Hunter Association[2]), he insisted on taking unexplored routes[6] and personally participated in the expedition organized by the Kukan'yu Kingdom to retrieve the alchemical plant Metallion, which resulted in him bringing back the Zobae Disease.[7] Due to the high number of victims, Netero made the Dark Continent taboo even for Hunters and personally forbade his son from venturing there again until his after death.[6]
Alliance with Pariston[]
When Pariston became a Hunter, he facilitated the admission into the Association of some of the experts who had agreed to participate in Beyond's expedition. They thus became Temp Hunters and, to maintain balance within the organization, hid their real abilities.[3] At some point, they also told Saiyu about their project and brought him on board as a mole within the Zodiacs.[5] Beyond then turned to Nasubi Hui Guo Rou to gather the necessary means to start the expedition without the V5's approval.[1]
Plot[]
Dark Continent Expedition arc[]
Beyond promising to take people to the new world
At a meeting of the Zodiacs, Beans bursts into the room and shows them a video in which the King of Kakin announces that he plans to expand their empire to the Dark Continent, adding that they have hired Netero's son, Beyond, to lead their expedition. Beyond gives an impassioned speech urging people to make the journey with him.[1]
Inside a lavish building, Beyond is told that the video has over a hundred million views on EyeTube after only an hour and that a hundred thousand phone lines can't handle the flood of applications. Curly tells him that the King received a formal requisition from the V5 to withdraw the announcement and sign the treaty, but Beyond tells him to ignore it, asking about the V5's rules. Curly explains them in detail, but Beyond tells him to be quiet and eagerly expresses how much he wants to explore the Dark Continent. As Pariston and the nine other present members listen intently, Beyond adds that while he won't turn down anyone who joins or chase after anyone who leaves, he will crush anyone who tries to interfere. Ging is then seen near Beyond's location, appearing to be interested in his plans to visit the Dark Continent. Cheadle tells the other Zodiacs that they have been contacted by the V5 to hunt down Beyond.[1]
The Zodiacs taking Beyond into custody
From the video message left behind by Netero, the Zodiacs learn that Beyond's previous journey brought back new threats. He had forbidden his son from going there again until after his death, and he then orders the Zodiacs to explore the continent before his son does, telling them to return with hope. Beyond meets with the Zodiacs and allows himself to be put in their custody,[6] confident that they will accompany him to the Dark Continent. Steiner discusses the situation with V5 officials and suggests allowing Kakin to join the organization (to become the V6) and having the Hunter Association supervise Beyond during the journey, with both sides ultimately agreeing to the deal. Ging later appears in front of Beyond's team and asks to let him join.[8]
Ging dismisses Pariston's assumption that he will join, claiming that he is there to stop them. He thinks that the Hunter Association has become too boring for Pariston's tastes and that Pariston is letting the Chimera Ants loose in the world to find new amusing targets, which would also change the Hunter Association's policy regarding the Dark Continent. Alternatively, he could send the Ants to attend the Hunter Exam, which they would pass easily, although Ging concedes that he does not understand what Pariston would do with the Association after that. He concludes that both of them think in unorthodox ways, which is why he can understand his mental processes.[9]
Ging appearing to punch Usamen
Seemingly affected by Ging's insults, Pariston begins to explain his need to have others hate him and hurt the things he loves, asking if it is normal. Ging responds by saying that, in his case, it is past normality. Pariston just watches as Ging is confronted by Usamen, who imagines himself being punched in the face repeatedly by Ging. He tells Usamen to stay out of it and wonders if Marione calls the shots. When Pariston happily states that he is the second-in-command, Ging guesses that their hierarchy isn't based on strength then, which leaves Pariston feeling underestimated. Ging says that if Pariston was just some muscle head, he would defeat him in a fight, but he knows that he needs to break his spirit instead. He then declares that he is the new second-in-command and asks if any of them have a problem with it.[9]
Ging assures them that he doesn't plan to make any changes to the team's plans or give orders; he only wants the nominal authority of the second-in-command. He then states that he will double the money Beyond has promised them and pay upfront. As the team members consider his offer, Pariston admits he is happy that Ging is their second-in-command. However, since Pariston is not being paid by Beyond, Ging does not give him any money. After a moment of tension, Pariston agrees. He listens in silence as Ging explains the Five Threats and the resources that can be found on the Dark Continent, as described in the book written by Don Freecss.[7]
Beyond signing the contract
While Ging was talking on the phone with Gon, the team members split into two groups: those who are willing to take his money, and those who refuse, with Pariston siding with the former. Ging tells them he is well aware that they are not just Temp Hunters, but experts in their fields who were hired by Beyond for their abilities. As he goes on to explain that Pariston used to be Vice Chairman of the Association to restrain Netero's authority while gaining power, Pariston is irritated by how similar their ways of thinking are, and wonders to himself if he will really hate someone for the first time in his life, admitting that he looks forward to it. He complies with Ging's request to inform everyone in the team about his offer. At the Association's headquarters, Beyond signs the contract that puts him in their custody during the journey.[3]
At his first meeting with the group, Kurapika believes that Beyond has allies inside the Association and even a spy among the Zodiacs. One month later, Ging is seen displaying his outstanding abilities in Pip-Play to the team and beating Curly in a contest on Ancient Kappe. Pariston tells Ging that all the assassins they sent to hinder the 289th Hunter Exam failed, apparently thanks to Kurapika, his replacement in the Zodiacs. One of the assassins, Muherr, reports that Kurapika can seemingly read minds. Pariston introduces him to Ging, but the two already know each other. Muherr says that he wouldn't be surprised if Kurapika had found out about their escape plan, but Pariston smiles and replies that there is no plan to free Beyond: he must escape all by himself once he reaches the Dark Continent and then meet up with them.[2]
Muherr's soldiers firing at Ging and Pariston
Muherr questions Ging's motives to join their team, suspecting that he might double-cross them, and Ging replies that he is closer to Beyond because he wants to be free to do what he wants at the destination. Furthermore, Ging reveals that he intends to prevent Pariston from completing his destructive plans while supporting Beyond. The assassins refuse to accept his presence and demand that Ging and Pariston choose which of them will leave the team. However, Ging offers them a third alternative, and Pariston a fourth. Ging's alternative is that the assassins leave, and Pariston's that they die.[2]
As Muherr's henchmen materialize guns and attack them with Nen bullets, Ging and Pariston escape down into an underground passage. After the two argue back and forth, Ging analyzes their abilities, and Pariston asks if it's okay for him to watch Ging fight. Ging then unleashes a flurry of punches into the ground, and Pariston watches in amazement as Ging reproduces Leorio's remote punch to knock out three enemies. Pariston wonders if his ability allows him to copy other people's abilities, but Ging describes it as a talent, explaining that he can usually imitate any punching ability as long as he's been hit with it.[4]
Muherr introducing Ging to Golem
After Ging defeats the remaining henchmen, he tells Pariston that he was aware it was all staged by him to discover Ging's abilities, suggesting that Pariston fight him himself if he wants to figure out what his abilities are. The two then head upstairs, and Ging tells Muherr that his troops aren't strong enough to face the Dark Continent. Muherr replies that they are there to cover for them and then introduces Golem, a symbiotic-type who conjures heavy firearms and carries an Emitter who provides the bullets. Muherr adds that the scouts, cover-fire personnel, and Golem make up the 11-man force known as the "Stone Wall", the only mercenary group to fight in the Lubo Civil War without a casualty.[4]
Ging playfully asks Muherr if he can tell his men to take his money, but Muherr confronts Ging and reveals that he didn't have anything against him becoming the team's second-in-command, but the fact that he tried to buy their trust with money was unforgivable. Ging apologizes and offers to donate their money to the Norwell Fund. Muherr and his men then acknowledge him as the second-in-command, but not before making it clear that despite this, it will be Muherr that will give the orders to everyone on the battlefield and that his orders are absolute. Ging agrees and salutes while comically answering, "Sir! Yes, sir!". Pariston then walks in and announces that he can now donate his money to all of Beyond's men, claiming that Ging is now officially the second-in-command. Ging reminds him that it's in name only and tells him that he can lead just as he has been. However, Pariston happily refuses and says that he wants to see what Ging can do, with Ging replying that he won't hesitate.[4]
During a meeting of the Zodiacs, Kurapika uses his Dowsing Chain while in Emperor Time to determine that Saiyu is the informant.[10]
Succession Contest arc[]
Kurapika explaining his plan to Mizaistom
After questioning Beyond, Kurapika and Mizaistom conclude that Saiyu is working with Pariston to break Beyond out of custody. Mizaistom worries about Beyond escaping before they reach the New Continent, but Kurapika points out that Beyond's contract with Kakin included taking the civilians there. He adds that Beyond wants to highlight Nasubi's achievement and won't cause any problems during the voyage, guessing that the V5 might turn the ship around if he breaks his promise and disappears (even if it means ending their partnership with Kakin). After continuing to watch Saiyu and learning his ability, Kurapika tells Mizaistom to monitor him with surveillance cameras and call logs. He then suggests restraining Saiyu right before they reach the New Continent, guessing that the escape plot will be carried out right after the landing festival. The two discuss the importance of finding evidence that ties Saiyu to Beyond and worry about what the other Zodiacs will think if they arrest Saiyu and don't find any.[5]
After an attack from several Guardian Spirit Beasts, Bill explains to Kurapika that their real mission is to make it to the Dark Continent with Beyond, but says that they won't neglect this current mission. He worries about the danger of Kurapika's mission to make contact with Tserriednich, but Kurapika assures him that he has Oito's consent and that their safety is still his top priority. Bill is left unsure and says that their safety has to be the priority. Kurapika presses the point and says that to truly keep them safe, they should find a way to escape the battle for succession entirely. Bill replies that it's a possibility and assures Oito that they currently have three ways to escape.[11]
Kurapika asking Bill about the ways to escape the ship
Kurapika asks Bill whether Sayird's ability is needed in the three ways they can escape the ship, and Bill reveals that they needed Kurton's Conjuration ability, which allowed him to transform into a ship or car that could carry five passengers (though he needed to use their aura as well).361 Later, Kurapika asks Bill about the two other ways to escape without Kurton's ability, and he says that one needs Pariston's help and will be difficult, and the other needs Beyond's help and will be even more difficult.[12]
Kurapika thanks Bill for helping him with the Nen classes and for being so open with his ability. He asks him if he wants to continue, considering the possibility that they may not make it to their real destination, and Bill says maybe. He explains that Beyond stationed him aboard the ship, but he himself chose to be a guard for Woble, having hoped that there wouldn't be any real combat since she was a baby.[13]
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Hunter × Hunter - Volume 32, Chapter 340
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Hunter × Hunter - Volume 33, Chapter 346
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 Hunter × Hunter - Volume 33, Chapter 345
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 Hunter × Hunter - Volume 33, Chapter 347
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 Hunter × Hunter - Volume 33, Chapter 349
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Hunter × Hunter - Volume 33, Chapter 341
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Hunter × Hunter - Volume 33, Chapter 344
- ↑ Hunter × Hunter - Volume 33, Chapter 342
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Hunter × Hunter - Volume 33, Chapter 343
- ↑ Hunter × Hunter - Volume 33, Chapter 348
- ↑ Hunter × Hunter - Volume 34, Chapter 360
- ↑ Hunter × Hunter - Volume 35, Chapter 361
- ↑ Hunter × Hunter, Chapter 388
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