There wouldn't be any issues with the president's suggested candidates, even if one of them was part of a gang.
As for the role of "Boar," Larry decided to put the two-star gourmet hunter Menchi in charge. Since he didn't know many people suitable for this position, Menchi was the best choice.
First, the "Food Hunter" category didn't overlap with any other Zodiacs, so it fit the rules perfectly. Second, thanks to his rewards from the recent food competition and his experience gained during that time, Menchi had officially become a two-star food hunter.
In terms of strength, skill, and rank, he was more than qualified to take on the role of the Pig among the Twelve Zodiacs. For Menchi, this was just a temporary assignment since Boar hadn't really done anything since taking office.
Menchi only needed to show up occasionally for meetings. Interestingly, both of the women linked to him also seemed to belong to the Twelve Zodiacs.
"That Menchi? I know him," said Beanmen.
He was already familiar with the name, even more so than "Kurapika," whom he knew well.
"I'll handle things on Menchi's side, and you can focus on finding Kurapika," he added.
"Alright, I'll get going then," Beanmen said, hurrying off.
But before he left, he carefully closed the door behind him, making sure it was shut gently.
After watching Beanmen leave, Ging turned to Larry and asked, "The one who just called was Beyond, right?"
"Since you took over as captain, is he now the second in command?"
"Yes," Larry replied calmly.
Ging paused, then said, "Do you have plans for the second in command position?"
Larry shook his head lightly.
"No. I don't think I can unseat Beyond. After all, he basically built the entire team. Larry can pressure Beyond because he's capable and can convince everyone, but I can't do that. My real target is Pariston," Ging said.
Ging was clear about his goal: he wanted to compete for the third in command spot, which he believed belonged to Pariston.
Larry nodded.
"Third in command? You have a shot, but you'll have to fight for it yourself and earn the respect of the other members."
Ging understood what Larry meant. Larry's support could help him get the title, but whether others truly accepted him was another matter.
To secure that position, Ging would have to prove himself and make sure his status outshone Pariston's in the eyes of the team.
"Alright, I've heard enough. I'm leaving now!"
"Next time you see me, I'll be the third in command."
The Hunter Association wasted no time. After receiving Larry's orders, the bean-faced man quickly gathered a steady stream of information, including Kurapika's current location.
Once they pinpointed where Kurapika was, the bean-faced man consulted Mizaistom, the "ox," to decide who among the Twelve Zodiacs would be best for negotiation and communication.
Mizaistom worked as a management lawyer for a private security firm, known for being calm, rational, and an excellent communicator. Conveniently, Kurapika was staying in the same city as Mizaistom's company.
As soon as he got the message, Mizaistom set off without hesitation.
Standing in front of a tavern connected to the Nostrade family, he muttered, "Is this the place? The target should be inside."
He still found it surprising that both Ging and Pariston had resigned at the same time. He had no clue why they suddenly stepped down, maybe it had something to do with President Netero's absence from the association.
'Well, it's probably for the better that those two left.'
'Since Mr. Larry became president, things seem to be looking up for the association.'
His eyes caught the tavern's sign, something about it felt off. It read "Rest Place," which seemed unusual.
Mizaistom, always trusting his instincts, sensed there might be a hidden meaning behind the name. Still, he shook off his doubts and focused on his mission.
The door was slightly open, so he pushed it and stepped inside. The interior was old-fashioned, with a wall behind the front desk lined with all kinds of wine bottles.
The tavern was mostly empty except for one large, broad-shouldered man with slicked-back hair, puffing on a cigarette. He definitely wasn't Kurapika.
The man exhaled a thick cloud of white smoke, and Mizaistom couldn't help but notice he reminded him of Morel. Both clearly had a fondness for smoking.
Since the Nostrade family was still thriving and the battle for the throne hadn't started yet, this man, Basho, was still working for them.
"Here to drink?" Basho asked, his jacket half open as he blew another smoke ring.
"Go to the front desk and get it yourself."
Basho was still enjoying his smoke, casually pointing toward the front desk as Mizaistom approached.
"No, I'm actually here to find someone. Is Kurapika around?" Mizaistom replied softly, walking slowly toward him.
Basho waved his hand lightly, blowing away the white smoke.
that clouded his vision, and looked closely at Mizaistom as he came closer.
'Have I seen this guy somewhere before?' Basho wondered, setting his cigar down for a moment.
"I was sent by the Hunter Association. I need to speak with Kurapika about something."
Suddenly, it clicked. This was Mizaistom, the ox from the Twelve Zodiacs!
In the basement of the tavern, the atmosphere was dark and heavy, illuminated only by a faint red glow emanating from a single spot.
The entire room was bathed in a scarlet hue, casting patches of red light across the ceiling, floor, and even Kurapika's face.
He sat quietly in a chair, staring intently at the table before him.
On it rested several transparent jars, similar to the ones Larry had seen in the ferry hall, each filled with a formalin-like liquid.
Inside every jar was a pair of fiery red eyes that emitted a faint, eerie glow.
As Kurapika gazed at the eyes of his fallen clansmen, a subtle redness appeared in his own eyes.
No matter how many times he looked at this sight, he couldn't calm his restless heart.
After all his relentless efforts since joining the Nostrade family, he had finally managed to collect some of the eyes.
Yet compared to the countless clan members who had died, the number of eyes he had gathered was still only a small fraction.
That's why he spent time every day in the basement, watching over the eyes, both as a form of remembrance and a constant reminder that his mission was far from over.
This was also why he named the tavern "The Resting Place," a solemn tribute to the many eyes of his people stored there.
Every time he looked into those eyes, Kurapika couldn't help but feel a surge of gratitude, especially toward Larry.
Without Larry's help, he doubted he would have made any headway in his quest for revenge or even had the courage to face the spirits of his dead clansmen.