The Nen-ability combat unit that once served the Ten Dons' Edi has also joined Pandora's Box. They haven't been influenced by Omokage and are currently under Owl's command.
Before Xiang Nan returned, Pandora's Box was effectively split into two camps—Owl's and Omokage's… Of course, most of the power still sat with Omokage. Even though Owl had been appointed deputy of the organization by Xiang Nan, Omokage clearly didn't take him seriously.
Owl never said it outright, but Xiang Nan could guess that after Owl entered Pandora's Box and arrived at the military district, he must have had some "friction" with Omokage… maybe even brushed against death.
Good thing it was Owl. If it had been someone else, they might not be alive now that Xiang Nan is back…
After meeting Omokage's people, Xiang Nan went to see the Nen users led by Owl—those who used to operate in the underworld.
Back then, they'd followed Xiang Nan to carry out missions for the Ten Dons' Edi, so they trusted and respected Xiang Nan as their leader.
As for Omokage's little schemes, Xiang Nan didn't take them to heart at all.
Omokage's thinking still lived in the wild-law jungle of the strong devouring the weak, not on the level of power and authority.
In the military, status and the right to speak are absolute will.
As Nen users within the organization and soldiers at the same time, they're supposed to obey and execute.
With the Republic of Padokea's national strength, if it can cultivate a unit of Nen-ability troops like this, it can just as easily "wipe them out."
Omokage may have rubbed off on their personalities, but he still can't change the bones of other people in a short time… Once Omokage dies, whether by reality or by the soldier's code, these Nen users will fall perfectly in line. That's exactly why Xiang Nan doesn't train "players" and specifically set his sights on soldiers—environment and upbringing matter a lot.
The only thing worth minding is to school their temperament a bit and scrub out the bad habits Omokage spread.
He believed… with Owl's ability, that much could be done.
Besides, a little rough edge is acceptable. In some ways, it's even a good thing.
The next day, Pandora's Box held an internal "training match" under the banner of sparring.
Everyone participated.
It was also Xiang Nan's first inspection of the organization as its leader.
But the fighting was bloodier than he'd imagined.
The main reason was that the soldiers trained by Omokage went all-in when facing Owl's people—absolutely ruthless, no mercy at all. And those Nen users from the underworld? They were hardened killers who once licked blood off the blade. The two sides went at it "tooth and nail," further inflaming their "feud."
Xiang Nan didn't step in to stop it. He let others drag away the seriously wounded.
They left glaring streaks of crimson behind.
On the sidelines, Owl and Omokage stood to Xiang Nan's left and right.
He kept commenting on each soldier's Nen ability and laid out targeted development plans.
"Manman, come here…"
At that moment, one bout ended in overwhelming fashion.
The two fighters were Manman and another soldier.
Xiang Nan keenly noticed that Manman not only had more aura in her tank… even without awakening her second personality, she was using several Nen techniques pretty well. She hadn't reached a high level yet, but the progress was real.
Her increased reserves weren't just the effect of Altana… her body had clearly been trained up to a degree.
What concerned him more… was the hint of ruthlessness and savagery in Manman's attacks.
This was her main personality we were talking about, not the second one. When she'd stayed by his side before, Xiang Nan had already corrected her fear of fighting, but it had never been this "obvious."
Omokage beckoned Manman over to congratulate her on the win.
"Manman's a bit older than Retz, but she's also a little sister I value a lot… Among everyone in Pandora's Box, her talent is the standout. If we train her well, she might become Pandora's Box's ace one day," Omokage said with a smile that carried a subtext.
Manman shot Xiang Nan a glance as she walked over, then stopped in front of Omokage, who reached out and stroked her hair in a gesture that looked doting.
Xiang Nan could tell… Manman's personality had been influenced by Omokage. While he'd been away, the girl had spent all that time with this dangerous man. Who knows what happened between them.
At least the goal Xiang Nan set—having Omokage raise Manman's power—had been achieved.
Xiang Nan lit a cigarette, took his eyes off Manman, and said nothing.
Everyone in the military district knew he and Manman had a close relationship… and now Omokage was making a point of showing "closeness" with her, right to his face—no need to spell out what he was aiming for.
The annoying part was… Manman, fully aware of everything, wasn't resisting Omokage.
Not like the old her.
She didn't even wear her favorite skirts anymore. Word was she didn't really eat sweets or snacks now either…
And it wasn't just Manman. Garo, Sigma, and the others still respected Xiang Nan deeply, but their feelings and ties to Omokage looked a lot like Manman's.
Xiang Nan noticed, of course.
Omokage was a former Phantom Troupe member with real power… Against a story character like that, people at Manman's and Garo's tier getting played in the palm of his hand is perfectly normal.
Xiang Nan didn't worry much. Either way… Omokage didn't have long to live.
"For Pandora's Box's rookie training plan, add two more steps… Pick outstanding soldiers from each military district and send them to Heaven's Arena to rack up real combat experience. Then exile them to Meteor Street. I've already arranged things over there. Those who make it back alive will become Nen users, then go temper themselves in the underworld, and finally return to the military."
Xiang Nan issued the orders between drags.
"Got it."
Owl nodded.
He had to hand it to Xiang Nan: by tying together past groundwork in the underworld, he was linking up every resource.
Squeezing the most "potential" out of Pandora's Box.
"No problem," Omokage answered as well.
Then he suddenly looked at Xiang Nan. "By the way… are we not planning to recruit people from the Nameless Town? Every country seems to be gearing up for that…"
"No need," Xiang Nan said.
"Then didn't everything you did in Yorknew City end up for nothing?" Omokage shot back.
"You sure know… a lot," Xiang Nan said with a half-smile, glancing at him.
"Backed by the military, it's not that hard to dig up information… Besides, you made such a big splash—hardly a secret," Omokage replied.
"The real reason you're asking is because you want to know about the Multiverse, isn't it?" Xiang Nan said.
"I already asked Manman… but I didn't learn much. Seems like the only way we get the Multiverse's treasure is if you agree," Omokage said, smiling.
Hearing that, Xiang Nan glanced at Manman.
Her eyes flickered… dodging his gaze.
"Don't blame her… I pressed her for it. I figure this isn't just about the Republic of Padokea's future direction—it also affects Pandora's Box's growth and strength," Omokage explained right away.
"You want to go to the Multiverse?" Xiang Nan chuckled. "Sure. We're all on the same side… of course I'll bring you."
"Really?"
Even Omokage got a little excited at that.
"Of course."
Owl pretended not to hear their exchange.
But he knew that smile on Xiang Nan's face wasn't a kind smile—it was the grin of a man who just got a fish on the hook.
The fact that Xiang Nan wasn't letting him onto the battlefield—yet—already told Owl how terrifying and dangerous it was. Xiang Nan was protecting him.
As for Omokage's request, Xiang Nan didn't lift a finger to stop it.
In Owl's eyes, Omokage was already a dead man…
And he was the one biting the bait.
The worst part? Omokage thought it was a windfall from the heavens.
Sold off, and he'd still help Xiang Nan count the money.
Sure enough, of all the people to cross, you never cross Xiang Nan… or you won't even get to pick your manner of death, the time, or the place.
"Nice weather today…"
Owl sighed, glanced up at the sky out of boredom, and smacked his lips.