In a law firm in Swardani City.
Mizaistom, a member of the Zodiacs who always wears black-and-white cow-patterned, set down the document in his hands and picked up his vibrating phone from the desk.
"Hm?"
With just a glance at the screen, a look of surprise flashed across Mizaistom's face.
"September 9th… isn't that-?"
Compared to the directive's content, Mizaistom noticed the mission date first, and then his eyes narrowed in contemplation.
He didn't quite understand Netero's motive behind this special directive.
Although every member of the Zodiacs has the freedom to refuse this special directive, for Mizaistom, as long as it was a direct order from Netero himself, he would never decline.
"'By any means necessary'… I hope the other colleagues who accept this directive understand the meaning behind those words."
Mizaistom murmured to himself, and then pressed the button on his phone to send a reply saying 'order accepted'.
If the mission was just about restraining Moses, then this directive suited him perfectly.
After all, his Nen ability, [Cross Game], had the power to restrict movement.s
However, judging by the scope of action Netero had given, it seemed like he expected them to go all out.
And it requires at least six members of the Zodiacs to participate in this mission...
'Was Chairman overestimating Moses, or underestimating us?'
'Wasn't he afraid of provoking those people's pride?'
Mizaistom shook his head slightly.
The content of this special directive was simple and clear, but since the person who issued the instruction was Netero, Mizaistom could already smell the chaos brewing.
…
Hunter Association's Headquarters.
Botobai, who had just dealt with a terrorist act, was walking in the corridor of the Hunter Association's Headquarters.
His towering physique made him stand out even among the Zodiac, and walking in the corridor at this moment, there is a sense of oppression, making the entire corridor looks quite crowded.
'The Chairman's directive…'
Botobai took out his phone and read the message from Beans.
Afterwards, he just took a few careful glances, and after confirming the general content, he expressionlessly replied with an 'Order Accepted' without hesitation.
The entire process was brutally efficient.
As for the additional requirements, such as confidentiality and voluntary participation, Botobai didn't care.
He simply believed he had the capability to complete a mission personally assigned by the Chairman, so he didn't waste time hesitating.
…
In an artificial botanical garden somewhere.
Cluck, the Zodiacs' Chicken and a Botanical Hunter, happened to be working alongside Gel, the Zodiacs' Snake and a Poison Hunter.
Their usual relationship wasn't exactly warm, but they weren't strangers either.
This time, they bumped into each other because of a commission, which was actually a small coincidence.
"Here, take it. This thing's toxicity is no joke."
Throwing the poisonous plant to the side of the research table, Cluck, who was dressed in revealing summer attire, gave a rare warning.
But to Gel, a top-tier Poison Hunter, the reminder sounded slightly condescending.
"Cluck, although this botanical garden is artificially created, in order to ensure the biological accuracy, the person in charge of this botanical garden's project team released a lot of venomous insects and snakes here..."
At this point, Gel's eyes flickered briefly over Cluck's exposed arms, legs, chest, and stomach, and then she said in a calm tone: "Your 'exposed surface area' is too large."
What this means is that there is a high probability that she will be bitten.
Cluck rolled her eyes and retorted, " "Aren't you a Poison Hunter? Haven't you learned any protective measures? Then you should know how to prevent mosquitoes' bites, right? Do you want to borrow my mosquito repellent spray to try it out?"
"…"
Gel's eyebrow twitched a few times. She knew Cluck's personality well enough to understand that arguing further would only make her words harsher, and maybe even escalate into full-blown cursing.
After all-
Cluck was the undisputed swearing champion among the Zodiacs. Even the former Zodiacs' Monkey, Saiyu, couldn't hold a candle to her.
With that in mind, Gel swallowed her irritation and focused on her work.
When Cluck saw Gel fall silent, she smirked victoriously like a triumphant general.
She deliberately waited until Gel was fully absorbed in her task before speaking up again:
"Hey, check your phone. There's a special directive from the Chairman."
"…"
Gel's eyebrow twitched and she looked at Cluck with a cold gaze.
Cluck grinned when she saw this.
A moment later-
After reading the directive, Gel seemed a little surprised.
Cluck looked at Gel's reaction and asked excitedly, "Decline or accept?"
"Accept."
Gel's voice was flat.
Hearing this, Cluck asked with great interest, "What's your reason for accepting this? Do you think Chairman is making a big fuss over nothing?"
"The mission requires restraining Moses, so my abilities and expertise are just right for this mission. That's all."
Facing Cluck's questioning, Gel's expression remained unchanged.
Cluck hummed, but still narrowed his eyes annoyingly and asked: "Is that really all?"
"…"
Gel ignored her.
Cluck didn't care about Gel's reaction, and said seriously as if no one was around: "I also accepted the order, but honestly, I think Chairman's giving Moses way too much credit-"
"And as far as the mission requirements are concerned, I have no reason to refuse."
…
Saccho, the Zodiacs' Horse and a Problem Hunter, was sitting in a warmly decorated office, carefully polishing his beloved sword with a cotton ball.
He had just received the special directive from Netero.
Although he had a decent relationship with Moses, his Nen Ability specialized in control effects, and there is really no reason for him not to respond to Netero's orders.
"My sword can cut through troubles."
Saccho raised the freshly polished sword. His somewhat ugly face was reflected on the shiny blade.
"At the very least… I'll be of some use."
…
Hunter Association's Headquarters, Chairman's Office.
Beans received replies from the members of Zodiacs.
So far, only Cheadle and Pyon had outright declined the directive.
Beans knew the close relationship between these two and Moses, so he was not surprised by this result.
Except for Cheadle and Pyon who refused the order, and Kanzai and Ging, who hadn't replied yet, the other six members of the Zodiacs all chose to accept the order.
In this way, the action condition of having a minimum of six members of the Zodiacs participate is met.
"Huh?"
Suddenly, Beans received a reply from Ging.
"How could I not join in on something this fun?"
Seeing Ging's reply, Beans suddenly looked dazed.
It is extremely rare to receive a reply from Ging-
But he didn't expect that Ging would also accept the special directive from Netero.
Considering Ging's relationship with Moses, Beans hesitated whether to confirm the situation further.
…
"A-choo..."
In the temple courtyard, Moses suddenly sneezed several times in a row.
Seeing this, Shizuku, who was walking towards him, tilted her head slightly and said, "Moses, I've heard a saying about sneezing."
"Hah, the old superstition, right? Three sneezes mean someone's cursing you… or missing you?"
Moses rubbed his nose, turned back to look at Shizuku, and said with a smile: "But I think I sneezed more than three times just now."
"You just sneezed five times."
Shizuku stretched out her hand and said seriously, "According to that logic, Moses, you-"
"Hmm?"
"Might be catching a cold."
"…"