EXPECTATIONS

Explosive impacts continue as a massive clawed hand smashes through the air, sending shockwaves and debris flying. Youpi is driven backward, body slamming into a cracked wall with tremendous force. In the next panel Netero is shown soaring through darkness, limbs outstretched. A close-up reveals Meruem's intense eye and part of his face as the caption box declares "THE KING". A large clenched fist dominates the foreground, emphasizing the ongoing clash of power.

Netero hovers high against the black sky, his body multiplied into overlapping afterimages with arms outstretched and hands clasped in prayer. Narration states that during all this he felt just one thing. Time compresses until following Netero's afterimage with his eyes is all that can be done. Below, the scene erupts in motion: Netero crouches low in a powerful stance, one hand extended forward as a colossal explosion bursts outward in a spray of debris and radiating shock lines. A massive, stylized face with a circular emblem on its forehead looms on the right, its eye fixed on the blast.

A colossal multi-armed statue of Hyakushiki Kannon towers over a traditional Japanese garden, its many hands raised in various mudras while flames and smoke swirl around its form. Netero stands atop the statue's extended arm, body leaning forward with one leg raised. Below, a small figure in a striped outfit and another character tumble amid flowers and lanterns. Large stylized text reads FOR HIS ENEMY and PURE ADMIRATION. Vertical Japanese lettering on the right declares the absence of hatred toward the foe. The entire composition radiates overwhelming power and reverence.

A massive impact erupts in the upper panel, sending shockwaves and debris flying outward. In the next sequence, Meruem is hurled violently through the air by enormous black fist-like constructs, his body twisting amid swirling clouds and motion lines. Netero appears in a dynamic pose within a spiraling vortex background, arms extended as he directs the assault. A small inset captures a shocked close-up of Meruem's face with wide eyes and an open mouth. At the bottom of the page, Netero stands in a low stance with his signature multi-armed Hyakushiki Kannon manifestation fully manifested, hands pressed together in prayer while additional spectral arms extend outward in defensive and offensive positions.

Meruem continues to be struck by the giant black constructs as Netero presses his hands together before launching another attack. Narration notes that when Netero joins his hands before striking, his speed surpasses Meruem's. A close-up shows Meruem's intense expression with the words '...This is it.' Netero stands alone in a bright flash, arms spread wide, as internal monologue questions the logic of his prayer gesture during a life-or-death battle. Additional narration states there is no use questioning it and that Netero must have abandoned himself to some sort of madness. A panel shows a close view of Netero's foot and the ground. The final wide panel depicts a snowy mountain range with overlaid text reading '10 years or even ten years' and '5 years for five'.

A powerful figure with long flowing hair and a muscular build stands barefoot amid a swirling storm of countless leaves. His stance is low and focused, one arm extended forward as though channeling everything into a single motion. The leaves spiral violently around him, filling the air and ground. Below, a massive multi-armed entity erupts from the earth in a violent explosion of debris and impact lines, its countless hands reaching upward with palms open. Large Japanese characters dominate the left and right sides of the page, accompanied by the English narration "IMMERSED IN IT." and "HE IS SIMPLY." The entire scene conveys total immersion in the moment, with the lower panel showing the devastating force of the technique colliding with the ground.

Youpi's massive striped foot looms in the foreground while Meruem stands calmly in the center, hands at his sides and tail curled. Speech bubbles convey Youpi saying "YOUR SKILLS" and "THAT IS JUST THE RESULT OF YOU HAVING POLISHED." In the distance, Netero sits cross-legged on rubble beneath a cracked wall as a small panel shows him with the line "I HAVE DECIDED" and an ellipsis. Meruem continues with "LONG TIME." and "FOR A VERY." Morel stands to the side with his back partially turned, commenting "NOT THAT I REALLY EXPECTED ANYTHING DIFFERENT." and "AFTER ALL, THERE'S BARELY A SCRATCH ON HIM." In close-up panels, Morel reacts with surprise "HUH?" while Meruem's hand is shown and he states "OF ONE WHO HAS TRAINED HIMSELF TO THE UTMOST LIMITS." and "YOU ARE JUST A RARE EXAMPLE OF." The final panel shows Morel looking at Meruem as the King concludes "IN OTHER WORDS."

The colossal Hyakushiki Kannon looms with hands pressed together in prayer, its serene face streaked with heavy tears as motion lines radiate outward. A small figure clings near its chest while bold Japanese text and overlaid English fragments declare 'THEMSELVES!!' and 'SHOULD NOT GET ABOVE'. Below, the entity unleashes a devastating strike, sending debris flying. In a narrow side panel, a helmeted fighter with goggles and a thick beard stares intently, a speech bubble declaring 'BRAVO.' Smaller text beside him reads 'PRAISE HIM, THEN MAKE HIM CRAWL.' while he mutters '...INSECTS...' with a grim expression.

The helmeted fighter launches into a high-speed assault, body twisting mid-air amid explosive impacts and speed lines. A massive round object hurtles forward while smaller panels capture a bald man with glasses reacting with a bright flash. Below, the same fighter is hurled backward violently, mouth open in a roar, limbs flailing as cross-shaped impact marks and debris fill the frame. The Hyakushiki Kannon entity continues its barrage, striking with multiple glowing hands that send shockwaves through the air.

Netero kneels in prayer with hands clasped before his chest, eyes closed in concentration. The King launches a ferocious assault, his body twisting through the air as he strikes repeatedly at the massive multi-armed construct of Hyakushiki Kannon. Explosions and impact lines erupt across the ruined hall as the King smashes through the golden arms one after another. Text reads: "THE KING'S TACTICS WERE VERY SIMPLE. HE JUST KEPT ATTACKING." Another panel shows the King continuing his relentless barrage, the construct's arms shattering under the blows. A final caption states: "BUT IF IT CAUSED NO DAMAGE, THERE WAS NOTHING TO FEAR. HYAKUSHIKI KANNON WAS NETERO'S ONLY ATTACK THAT SURPASSED THE KING."

Meruem hovers in the air, body angled toward Netero while declaring his strategy. Netero crouches low, one eye visible in close-up as he analyzes the situation. Text reads: "IT WILL SIMPLY STRIKE AGAIN. HE CAN ONLY CONTROL HIS PUPPET'S FISTS. IF I ATTACK FROM AN ANGLE THE BLOWS CAN'T COMPLETELY BLOCK, I HAVE VERIFIED THE COMBINATION." Netero stands on a giant shogi board, feet planted firmly among the pieces. He resolves: "I WILL SIMPLY ATTACK FROM ANGLES WHICH FORCE HIM." The page ends with a massive explosion radiating outward and the word "HOWEVER..." in large letters.

Countless massive hands fill the panel, their forms shifting endlessly. They may as well be infinite. Though the form is limited, the combinations are enormous. Netero launches forward in a powerful stance, his body radiating energy as an enormous impact erupts behind him. A close-up of a wide eye stares intently. But... In a stormy, lightning-filled space, a figure in a black-and-white striped suit floats above a glowing grid, analyzing the patterns. The suited fighter declares that everyone has a particular trick. Below, a branching tree-like diagram spreads across the darkness while the grid shows countless squares. I will easily be able to figure out which of the many possible attacks he will use! If I can just grasp the gist of his trick. There are forms one favors and disfavors unconsciously. That naturally shapes one's characteristic flow.

A dark, ruined chamber filled with countless tall metal poles embedded in the ground. A tiny bright light gleams at the top of the frame. Japanese text describes the difficulty of threading a single needle through a towering forest of poles. Netero appears in close-up, his face intense and scarred. Beside him, another character smirks with 'HE HE HE'. In a dramatic full-panel close-up, Netero's glasses reflect a blinding flash of light as he shouts with fierce determination. Bring it on!! I can do it!! The surrounding poles and the distant figure emphasize the impossible precision required.

A towering armored fighter descends with a devastating punch aimed at the prone Netero. The attacker snarls, "YOU SENILE OLD SOLDIER," while urging him not to run out of energy. Netero lies on the debris-strewn floor, looking up with a composed expression. He replies, "WELL, I'M ENJOYING THIS, TOO, SO I GUESS WE'RE EVEN." A nearby voice remarks, "HE'S LAUGHING?" The massive fighter continues pressing the assault, his fist glowing with power as motion lines and impact effects fill the panel.

Netero crouches in a black-and-white maze-like space, arms crossed, analyzing the fight. He notes that even with blows coming from every direction he can still counterattack by changing his stance quickly. He reflects that the battle requires unparalleled accuracy and that he must continue making the best choices without losing focus. In a lower panel Netero is shown lunging forward, declaring "THAT WILL BE YOUR CHANCE!" His face is intense as he thinks, "THE MOMENT I FALTER."

Netero's weathered face fills the upper panels, eyes narrowed as he addresses the King of Ants. "...THAT'S WHAT YOU THINK, RIGHT?" he says. In the next panel his expression shifts to a fierce grin. "IF YOU THINK YOU CAN CHECKMATE ME, THEN DO IT." Below, the scene explodes into motion. Netero launches forward in a powerful stance, his body twisted and arms extended. Behind him, the massive form of Hyakushiki Kannon materializes, its armored hands reaching out with explosive force. Ink splatters and motion lines emphasize the sudden release of power. Netero declares, "I'LL SHOW YOU HYAKUSHIKI ZERO." A caption at the bottom reads: "NETERO'S FINAL SECRET WEAPON EXPLODES... IN THE NEXT CHAPTER!"