Hunter x Hunter: Did [SPOILER] Really Have to Die?

gamerant.com:

Chairman Netero was a unique character in Hunter x Hunter, originally bumbling and light-hearted, he was later revealed to be extremely powerful and serious. He was extremely influential in Gon’s life and led the Hunter association for quite some time, where his influence didn’t end at his death. Although his final mission was ultimately successful it was only so because of a suicide bomb that he had hidden within his own body. Chairman Netero was willing to sacrifice his own life in order to save humanity. But did he really need to? Was there any other way that he could have accomplished his goal?

Hunter x Hunter follows the story of Gon as he seeks to reconnect with his lost/absent father. He first meets Chairman Netero in the Hunter Exam Arc when he attempts to play a game of keep away with Gon and Killua. While Netero pops in and out throughout the next few arcs his next, and final, major appearance is in the Chimera ant arc.

Hunter x Hunter: What Makes the First Season So Different From the Rest

At this point in the show a highly dangerous species of ant, the chimera ants, have taken over a portion of the world. They have the unique ability to pass along the traits of whatever they eat to their offspring. An ant finally managed to consume a human and pass along the intelligence, cunning, and unfortunately malice that comes along with it. This generation of ants, along with their nearly all-powerful king, view humans as nothing more than livestock and playthings.

The ants are currently contained within the NGL but threaten to escape those borders. The Hunter Association has been tasked with the extermination of the threat, with extreme consequences for the organization should they fail. Netero when he receives this