Kaghan Kingdom, southwestern Gobi Desert.
The sun shone brightly, and the sky was cloudless. On the boundless Gobi sand dunes, a convoy of black sedans with an inverted V logo slowly moved along the only asphalt road in the Gobi. The journey stretched on, surrounded by endless yellow sand.
Illumi and Killua were currently inside one of the sedans, traveling with the convoy.
"So, someone commissioned you to assassinate an agent of the Kaghan Kingdom's Special Services Bureau?" Illumi, dressed in a suit, rested his elbow on the window, enjoying the cool breeze from outside as he gazed at the Gobi Desert. "And it's the president's personal bodyguard."
"Hmm, that's right," Killua said flatly. "That's why I called you along."
At this moment, Killua, like Illumi, was dressed in a suit, though his was a child's suit. Illumi, on the other hand, had used his ability to transform into a black-haired, short-cropped, double-chinned middle-aged man. From his appearance, this middle-aged man exuded an air of composure and calmness, with an impressive aura.
"Is the target anyone special?" Illumi glanced at Killua, asking casually.
"The target's name is Hiram Hobbert," Killua said, holding a needle in his hand, with Nen infused into it, constantly playing with it. "He's the next director of the Kaghan Kingdom's Special Services Bureau."
"..." Illumi gave him a sidelong glance upon hearing this, feeling somewhat speechless. "You really do pick tricky missions."
Both were sitting in the back seat, Illumi on the left, Killua on the right. As for the driver, his head was fully studded with needles. He was a random target Killua had found upon arriving here, his car and himself conscripted as a driver and mode of transportation.
"Police tactical team members killed while pursuing terrorists. Edimea United States authorities state that the casualties from yesterday's hotel bombing have risen to 124 dead, 312 injured." Suddenly, the car's radio came on, broadcasting news of a terrorist attack. "This is the most severe terrorist attack in Edimea United States in the past decade."
"It's unprecedented in Macnilla's history."
"No organization has yet claimed responsibility for the incident."
"But Edimea United States intelligence agencies, based on chemical traces at the scene, have determined that the bombing was the work of the notorious warlord and arms dealer, General Ilya Bakawi."
"National Security Agency experts state that the Bakawi family is inciting violence and fueling social instability in the capital of the Aztec Republic, thereby expanding global sales of weapons of mass destruction."
Illumi listened to the news on the radio, a smile playing on his lips. 'That guy Envy, he's already inciting riots in the Aztec Republic.' And conducting terrorist attacks in the Edimea United States; he clearly intended to instigate war between the two nations.
However, the Edimea United States and the Aztec Republic were already at odds. The Edimea United States secretly supported warlords and drug lords in the Aztec Republic, creating many disgusting and vile incidents for the Aztec Republic government. It was just that the Aztec Republic had always been plagued by both external threats and internal strife, never able to free up its hands for retaliation.
Now, Envy, using General Ilya's influence, extended his power to the capital and dragged the Edimea United States into the fray, thereby initiating a war between the two countries. During the war, General Ilya would then use his own power and reputation to rally anti-government armed forces, further aided by the full support of King Bradley and Illumi, among others.
Amidst the chaos, Ilya Bakawi would seize the opportunity to annex other warlords and smaller forces, thereby strengthening himself and confronting the Edimea United States and the Aztec Republic government, until he replaced the current government and established a new one. As for the Edimea United States afterward, some special methods would be needed.
"What, are you very interested in this warlord, Ilya Bakawi?" Killua noticed Illumi carefully listening to the news and the smile on his lips, and couldn't help but ask curiously.
"Yes, I am very interested in him," Illumi admitted frankly. "You should know about my company."
"A giant in the biomedical industry, a global multinational monopoly group, Umbrella Bio-Tech Corporation," Killua put away his needle and looked at Illumi. "It's a household name."
"This Ilya Bakawi is my person. If anyone tries to touch him..." Illumi turned and met Killua's gaze. "You need to tell me."
"No problem." Killua nodded impassively, but he was curious about Illumi's current situation. "But when did you develop your influence to this extent?"
"While you were busy training hard, taking on assassination commissions everywhere, and traveling the world," Illumi looked back out the window. In the distance, an oasis stood in the desert, and within the oasis, city buildings. This was Gadhmixia, the capital of the Kaghan Kingdom.
And the purpose of Illumi and Killua's trip was a luxurious mansion located in the northern district of this city, right next to the presidential residence. His current identity was that of a successful university classmate of the mansion's current owner, attending his daughter's birthday party.
Screech... The convoy stopped in front of the estate gates. Dignified figures in expensive suits stepped out of the cars one by one. Of course, also stepping out of the cars were noblewomen in splendid gowns and exquisite, mischievous boys and girls, Killua being one of them.
"Boss, I have something to report to you." Just as Illumi pushed open the car door and stepped out, the miniature earphone behind his ear immediately picked up a communication from Ickshunpe.
"What is it?" Illumi casually closed the car door, calmly surveying his surroundings.
"According to intelligence from the Kakin Empire Intelligence Bureau, three destroyers responsible for escorting Beyond Netero's party were pursued by unknown monsters."
"Beyond Netero?"
"Yes, according to the intelligence we've gathered."
"Cervantes, upon returning to the human world, immediately organized personnel to go to the Kakin Empire to negotiate with King Nasubi Hoicorroh."
"He promised to hand over all gains and everything seen and heard from this Dark Continent expedition to the Kakin Empire, and furthermore, he will unconditionally accept their commission should the Kakin Empire require a future expedition to the Dark Continent."
"Who is the person in charge of negotiations?"
"Pariston Hill, the rising star of the Hunter Association."
"Interesting." When Illumi heard that name, the image of the blond young man from the Hunter Exam years ago instantly appeared in his mind, his face having a somewhat wretched expression that always gave one the urge to punch him hard.
"What were the results?"
"Three destroyers plus a ten-thousand-ton cruise ship, everyone but Beyond Netero was wiped out."
"And Beyond Netero?"
"He is currently recuperating at the Ozma Federal National Hospital, accompanied by the Hunter Association Chairman Netero."
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