[World's No. 1 Princess: "I haven't been to Kurapika's world, so I can't make a definitive judgment. The Chat Group uses Dragon Balls points for a rough estimation, which isn't necessarily completely accurate; it can only be used as a reference."]
[World's No. 1 Princess: "Since it reached 6000 points, it's indeed possible for beings at the Soul King level to exist."]
[Uchiha Madara: "How is specific strength judged in the Hunter World? Is there a standard of measurement?"]
[World's No. 1 Princess: "Yes, it's usually judged by SABCDE. The Soul King's strength, according to the Hunter World, is probably S+, which means he's among the top-tier powerhouses."]
[Aizen Sōsuke: "@World's No. 1 Princess, if the Soul King is S+, then during the Thousand-Year Blood War, were I, Yhwach, and Kurosaki Ichigo S-rank in strength?"]
Aizen was quite interested in the strength divisions.
[World's No. 1 Princess: "Yes, the focus is different, and while there's some disparity in strength, it's not a dimensional gap."]
Yhwach was the strongest among the three, and he even devoured the Soul King.
But devouring the Soul King doesn't mean Yhwach is already the Soul King.
It's like playing a game; can the experience you gain from killing a monster above your level make you reach the monster's current level?
At most, it just gives you a bit more experience.
[Uchiha Madara: "Then what level would I and Kumoko be, according to the Hunter World's ranking system? And what about this Netero?"]
[World's No. 1 Princess: "Six Paths level is equivalent to S-rank; you can figure it out by applying that. As for Kumoko... as of now, she's S-rank, very close to S+."]
[World's No. 1 Princess: "As for that person named Netero, if we don't consider the issue of age causing a decline in strength, his peak strength would probably be A+, but now, he's only about A."]
Netero's strength declined due to old age, which is why he couldn't defeat Meruem. If he were younger, even if he couldn't win, he might have been able to fight Meruem to a standstill, or perhaps Meruem would still be slightly stronger.
And Meruem's strength was explicitly stated to be A+ in the Hunter x Hunter storyline.
Actually, the easiest way to judge A+ and S strength is through the laws…
If Meruem could reach S-rank, he wouldn't be afraid of nuclear bombs at all.
Just like the current Kumoko, nuclear radiation would not cause any effect on her.
Even if it did cause an effect, she could simply abandon this body and reform a new one.
For example, Black Dragon Acnologia, whom Vegeta almost killed during the previous gathering.
He reached S-rank in a certain aspect; although he wasn't a complete S-rank, even if his body was destroyed, he could still take time to reform it, it would just take a very long time.
Of course, this doesn't include the Dragon Ball World's side.
In the original work, Netero opposed exploring the Dark Continent. Besides the Dark Continent itself possessing countless powerful beings and oddities, there was probably another reason.
That is, existences above S-rank are not afraid of nuclear bombs; if their wrath were to be provoked, humanity would be completely unable to resist.
After understanding the strength divisions, Uchiha Madara lost some interest in Netero.
He was more interested in the Dark Continent, but one day was completely insufficient.
This interest could only be suppressed.
"Kumoko, resolve the matter as quickly as possible," Uchiha Madara said. "I'll handle this Netero."
Shiraori nodded: "Okay, don't kill anyone. Kurapika still needs to be here."
Kumoko, uncharacteristically, didn't send a message in the Chat Group, but replied directly to Uchiha Madara.
"I know."
Uchiha Madara was exasperated. Was this spider treating him like Uchiha Sasuke, who only knew how to recklessly rush in?
Although he was also an Indra reincarnation, Uchiha Madara's intelligence was very high.
Something like the Hunter Association, just by hearing its name, you knew its influence was not weak.
Unless it was completely eradicated, it would definitely pose a danger to Kurapika.
They were here to solve problems, not to cause trouble for the group members.
"Netero, right?" Uchiha Madara lowered his arms, which had been crossed over his chest. "I can feel your fighting spirit, but the target of that fighting spirit isn't me, and I'm very uncomfortable."
Kumoko is strong, yes, but is he, Uchiha Madara, weak?
You, with only A-rank strength, dare to pick a fight?
And not even pick him, Uchiha Madara.
"I'd be quite willing to fight you, but tell me, are you people from the Dark Continent?"
"No," Uchiha Madara said. "We have nothing to do with what you call the Dark Continent. Kurapika is a member of our group. Someone bullied him, so we came."
As he spoke, a powerful surge of chakra erupted and pressed straight down upon them.
Everyone from the Hunter Association, except Netero, was simultaneously pushed back several steps by this surge of energy.
Although it was a surprise attack, seeing that only Netero was unaffected, Uchiha Madara somewhat acknowledged Netero's strength.
Indeed, he possesses strength not inferior to mine and Hashirama's at the Valley of the End.
"What terrifying pressure." Netero's expression also became serious. The energy on Uchiha Madara's body indicated an opponent that would require his full effort to possibly defeat.
"How about we go to the other side?" Netero pointed to the distant forest.
"As you wish." Uchiha Madara didn't care at all.
Netero went first, with Uchiha Madara following closely behind.
After Netero and Uchiha Madara left, the area returned to calm.
On Kurapika's side, Gon, Killua, and Leorio had recovered and gathered around Kurapika. They all seemed to have something they wanted to ask, but none of them spoke.
Shiraori directly generated a magic circle beneath her feet, then instantly appeared in front of Hisoka.
Her speed was so fast that even the Hunters standing in the middle didn't have time to react.
"This... how is this possible!" Morel exclaimed, turning his head to look behind him.
Hisoka was casually restrained by the white-haired girl.
As examiners, they allowed examinees to fight each other freely.
But outsiders were not allowed to kill examinees; this was a matter of principle.
Just as they were about to take action, the magic circle generated beneath their feet, however, restrained the movements of the seven Hunters.
"Please don't act rashly. I don't want to kill anyone."
Light, ethereal words filled the air, and the voice, imbued with magic, instantly caused a sense of powerlessness in the hearts of the seven people.
"Just a voice..."
What kind of Nen user was this?
This chilling sensation made it feel as if they would be instantly decapitated if they made a move.
Shiraori slowly raised her slender arm, and a magic circle condensed in her palm.
She slowly read Hisoka's memories related to the Phantom Troupe.
Hisoka tried to resist, but the Nen he released was forcibly destroyed by Shiraori's mental power.
The magic circle glowed, and time passed minute by minute.
Suddenly, Shiraori sensed something, suspended the magic circle above Hisoka's head, and slowly turned around.
Her closed eyes suddenly snapped open.
Unusual, colorful light swirled in her pupils.
The next second, invisible energy shot out, destroying the Nen needle flying towards them.
As the energy spreads, the entire forest was split in two down the middle.
Along the way, it left scorching light and burning marks.
The several Hunters nearby, seeing the terrifying sight of the forest being pierced through and a distant mountain being sliced in half, couldn't help but swallow.
"He got away."
Shiraori murmured, then no longer bothered, turning her gaze back to Hisoka.
The enemy who had just attacked Shiraori now had an expression of having survived a great calamity.
All the Nen needles on his body were removed, and he returned to his pretty-boy appearance.
Seeing the towering mountain thousands of meters away casually erased, Illumi Zoldyck looked down at his trembling hands, his voice trembling slightly.
"As an assassin, I actually feel fear."