Translated Story Text "What the hell did I just see?!"
"That guy actually dared to trade blows with the Chairman?!"
On the screen, Sean held the Kusanagi Sword, raising his hand for a vertical slash. The World's Greatest Swordsman's basic attack suddenly hit Netero, smashing the old man, who was stepping on the air using Moonwalk, straight into the ground!
This was a scene the Twelve Zodiacs had never witnessed since their establishment, or perhaps even earlier.
"Rabbit" Pyon, who would later host the election for the new chairman after Netero's death, had the liveliest personality. She screamed on the spot. "Eek!" Her shock made her mouth form an 'O' shape, large enough to easily fit a radish.
Cheadle adjusted the glasses on the bridge of her nose and exchanged a glance with "Horse" Saccho Kobayakawa beside her. Both saw the unrest in each other's eyes.
"Ho ho. I really was a bit bedraggled back then." Rewatching the footage, Netero savored Sean's strike. Although he had been careless, the fact that the opponent could catch him off guard spoke volumes about his ability to sixteen opportunities.
Moreover... "Not just anyone can get close to the Chairman." Pariston narrowed his eyes at Sean on the screen, his smile gradually becoming twisted. "If I'm not mistaken, he should be a Specialist."
"That Nen dragon looks like Emission."
"Manipulating Nen threads to grab people from a distance is Manipulation."
"Holding a sword to clash head-on with the Chairman without losing ground is something only an Enhancer can do."
"Looking at it comprehensively, apart from Specialist, I can't think of a second possibility."
'Ugh. Why is Pariston speaking up for that young man?' Saiyu looked askance at the handsome, wealthy young man with hanging eyes. 'We are both spies planted in the Hunter Association by Lord Beyond. Shouldn't our focus be on the fact that this young man is one of Netero's people?'
If Netero were allowed to induce him into the Association ahead of time, the old man's power would undoubtedly increase again. For Lord Beyond, who was dedicated to pushing for the reform of the Hunter Association, this would undoubtedly add another layer of difficulty.
'So... brother, why are you helping an outsider?'
Unfortunately, Pariston had never been anyone's man. If one had to forcefully define him, he preferred the title "Disrupter."
Whether it was Netero or Beyond, disrupting their plans and keeping them fighting while he stood by and watched for "entertainment" was the meaning of "Rat's" existence.
The recording was not over yet. "If you think this is that brat's limit, you are wrong."
Netero stroked his beard, taking in everyone's reactions. That brat was "supermodel" strong. giving these subordinates of his, who usually held themselves high as Zodiacs, a little shock might make some of them restrain themselves a bit.
At this moment, as time passed on the screen, the battle between Sean and Netero became increasingly intense.
When they saw Sean, expressionless, slashing one sword after another, each strike faster than the last, forcing Netero to use his Nen ability and summon the 100-Type Guanyin Bodhisattva, the huge conference room seemed to have been pressed with a "mute button." It was overly dead silent.
Pyon and Cheadle covered their mouths, trying not to scream. Saccho Kobayakawa held his breath, his gaze becoming increasingly serious.
Saiyu, who usually acted improperly, lost his lazy demeanor and nearly jumped up in shock. He was narrowly saved by a "smile" from Pariston, realizing his loss of composure. his monkey eyes rolled around, wondering what ghost idea he was thinking of now.
Boom!
Until the True Thousand Hands appeared. Sean used a move, Summit Enlightenment, instantly breaking Netero's defense and blasting him into the ground.
Then, the sound of a chair stumbling and being pushed away suddenly exploded in the conference room.
Saiyu, who had just been warned by Pariston and had only been well-behaved for a few seconds, suddenly stood up. He slammed his hands on the conference table and screeched, "That's impossible!"
That was the Chairman! The strongest human! Even if Saiyu was dissatisfied with the other party's "inaction" in the Hunter Association over the years, it did not hinder his recognition and worship of Netero. Not to mention that as a martial artist, Netero was a benchmark figure for the combat faction.
For such a person to have his defense broken... was something Saiyu absolutely could not accept.
"Don't be nervous." Saccho Kobayakawa crossed his arms and glanced at Saiyu, saying in a deep voice, "The Chairman didn't get serious. Playing a few moves with that kid with a playful attitude is just the Chairman's usual leisure and entertainment."
"Leisure and entertainment? That's hard to say." Netero looked at the Horse with a faint smile. "Saccho, I wasn't playing."
"What I can tell you is... that kid's strength is immense."
How immense? Netero rubbed his chin, glanced at everyone, and said faintly, "I estimate he's about the same as me, at the peak of the Triple Limit-Break state."
Pyon. Cheadle. Saccho Kobayakawa. Saiyu. Pariston. "..."
It was as if they had been stared at by Medusa; they were collectively petrified and speechless.
Recognition from the strongest human was by no means groundless, deceitful nonsense.
Since his power could reach such a level...
That meant... Pyon's two drooping rabbit ears suddenly perked up. She suddenly thought of a terrible fact. Aside from a certain pig who was frequently absent from work... it seemed that no one present could exchange two moves with that guy.
"Not just you, me too." Saccho Kobayakawa sighed silently. Being outdone by a rookie who hadn't even obtained a Hunter License yet was truly a blow.
"And me." Saiyu slid down dejectedly, sitting on the chair. Although he really didn't want to admit it.
"Ho ho. No need to be depressed. Breaking limits isn't that easy. Being able to achieve Double Limit-Break at your age means you have already surpassed most people."
Seeing the conference room infected by a decadent atmosphere, Netero certainly intended to use Sean's strength to kill the arrogant atmosphere in the Association, but killing it until they were like frosted eggplants was too much.
However, mentioning age... Pariston folded his hands together, rested his chin on them, and looked at Netero with a smile. "The Chairman has a deep friendship with the Zoldyck family."
"You should know how old this Sean Zoldyck is."
"Early twenties!" Netero's face became solemn as he looked around at the numb Pyon, Cheadle, Saccho Kobayakawa, and Saiyu. Finally, his gaze fixed on Pariston, and he said in a deep voice, "This is why I called this meeting to discuss granting a Hunter License to Sean Zoldyck in advance."
There was no shortage of people who spent their whole lives achieving Double Limit-Break. But a Triple Limit-Breaker in his twenties—a dragon among men, rare as a phoenix feather or unicorn horn!
He was worth making an exception for.
"So, let's talk about it. Whether to set this precedent depends on everyone's attitude."
Netero slowly took a sip of the lemon tea freshly brewed by Beans.
A cool breeze blew in, and the conference room fell into a deathly silence. No one spoke for a long time.
Saiyu looked at Pariston. Pyon and Cheadle also looked at Pariston. Saccho Kobayakawa thought it would be inappropriate if he didn't look, after all, the Vice Chairman's status was right there. He had to show some respect, so... he also looked at Pariston.
The handsome, wealthy young man always maintained that smiling appearance. Even though he felt everyone's gauze, he remained unmoved. After pondering for a moment, he looked up at Netero and said, "Logically speaking, such excellent talent should indeed be absorbed into the Association."
"Based on the talent Sean Zoldyck has shown so far, I am ashamed of my inferiority."
"But…" Pariston paused. Saiyu glanced at him vaguely, sighed in relief, and leaned back in his chair.
Saccho Kobayakawa, an old "heart-to-heart master", understood the underlying meaning immediately. He exchanged a glance with Cheadle beside him, and both kept their mouths shut.
The remaining lively and playful Pyon, a rabbit, saw that everyone was silent. Her upright rabbit ears drooped down, and she didn't speak either. She just stole a glance at Netero. She saw—
The strongest human raised an eyebrow, seemingly realizing something, and said without surprise, "But you think we still can't set this precedent, right?"
"The Chairman is wise." Pariston was not afraid to look Netero in the eye and said with a chuckle, "Principles cannot be broken. This is also the reason I have always admired you."
"Think about Ging. His talent is obvious to everyone. Since you didn't make an exception for him back then, I think there's no need to do so now."
The panda sitting on the empty chair beside Netero stared at him with dark eyes, making Netero instantly think of that brat who always wore a hat. Equally high-spirited, equally unruly. The result was as everyone saw: as the Boar of the Twelve Zodiacs, he fished for three days and dried nets for two, was frequently absent from work, and was irresponsible... He had practically become a joke within the Association.
"So, in order to prevent a situation like Ging's from happening, I agree with the Vice Chairman's opinion. It's better to follow the steps and observe this kid more." Saiyu picked up the conversation, thinking he had a tacit understanding with Pariston. Unfortunately, the handsome, wealthy youth seemed too lazy to play with the monkey. After speaking, he simply closed his eyes and sat in his seat, resting his mind.
"What do the rest of you think?" Netero's gaze swept past Saiyu and Pariston, looking at Saccho Kobayakawa, Pyon, and Cheadle.
Pyon and Saccho Kobayakawa lowered their heads and said nothing. They neither supported nor opposed. Obviously, they were both slackers without a backbone!
Leaving Cheadle alone, it was useless even if she supported Netero. She could only do the superficial work and cast a vote for Netero to save the old man's face.
Just like that, two abstentions, one in favor, two against. There was no need to vote. The result—Denied!
No one was allowed to make an exception to skip the Hunter Exam and obtain a Hunter License in advance. Even a genius like Sean Zoldyck could not be an exception!
"Ho ho ho. This is a headache." Netero slammed the lemon tea onto the conference table with a bang, raised his chin, looked down at Pariston, and said indifferently, "The balance of the exam has been broken because of that kid's existence."
"Pariston, since it didn't pass, I'll trouble you to come up with a charter to solve the immediate problem."
"That's simple." Pariston glanced at Sean on the screen, a gleam flashing deep in his eyes, and smiled. "Just restore the exam to balance."
So... "I suggest sending a Zodiac over to focus on examining Sean Zoldyck's character."
"This way, we can maintain the balance of the exam and handle a special case with special methods. It kills two birds with one stone."