The V5 compromised.
They had no choice but to compromise...
The Fels family is a nation without territory, but that doesn't prevent it from joining the V5 and becoming a member... It should be said that from now on, it will be V6.
The Kakin Empire replaced the Fels family in entering the V5. Simultaneously, led by the Fels family, a massive business network was formed in conjunction with multiple governments, controlling the global economy, the so-called World Trade Organization.
The actual controller, naturally, is Oboro.
Of course, although these matters caused some discussion in various countries... as time passed, they quickly subsided.
For ordinary people, these matters were relatively distant from their lives.
This included the V5's public announcement officially recognizing the Hunter Association as an official department, and that during missions, all countries would need to cooperate to the best of their ability, and so on.
As a result, the status and social recognition of Hunters soared.
Led by Yorchha, the Twelve Zodiacs were well aware that all this power and glory came from Oboro.
Even Netero didn't have this capability.
However, at the same time, it also meant... that from now on, the Association would be Oboro's absolute domain.
This man, whether in terms of strength or power, stood at the pinnacle of humanity.
...
Oboro's team was ready to depart.
They were preparing some matters for their journey to the Dark Continent, and the V5 was providing substantial assistance.
Oboro was not in a hurry because he needed to stay in the human world for a short period to ensure the Fels family had a firm grip on the situation, preventing the V5 and some countries from reneating on their agreements after he left. This was highly likely... The Fels family needed to establish deep ties with various forces during this period.
Another aspect was infiltrating all aspects of the Kakin Empire. With this great nation as their backing, Oboro had no need to worry even after he left.
If David and Phillia Lily failed to protect the 'assets' he left behind, it would only mean they were incompetent... Oboro had already achieved his goals.
He didn't actually place much importance on this 'industry.'
Of course, having accompanied him all the way, Oboro had some faith in David and Phillia Lily's abilities.
Moreover, as long as he didn't die, he would eventually return from the Dark Continent.
Based on this, it would deter those with ulterior motives from acting rashly.
Some things had happened during this period.
But Oboro didn't pay much attention to them.
For example, Gon, under Alluka's 'treatment,' had fully recovered and had now bid farewell to Killua and returned to Whale Island.
As for Kurapika, after the death of the First Prince Benjamin, it had triggered infighting among the remaining Kakin princes. They wanted to seize Benjamin's influence and personnel... but the ultimate victor was the Fourth Prince Tserriednich, that perverted man. Kurapika, as a member of the mafia, participated in this power struggle, seeking revenge against the Fourth Prince, but... he did not succeed.
And now, apart from King Nasubi Gray Pear, all the princes and consorts were dead... Although on the surface, Kakin appeared to be operating as usual, the astute Kurapika realized that Kakin had fallen into the hands of the Fels family. Therefore, he personally approached David, and after receiving Oboro's approval, handed over all the Scarlet Eyes collected by the Fourth Prince to him.
Ultimately, he did not achieve his goal through his own abilities but benefited from Oboro's influence.
Kurapika also heard about Gon's situation... After fulfilling his lifelong wish, he went to Whale Island and met with Gon.
Oboro had altered the plotline and timeline. To some extent, he had actually saved Kurapika.
If he had boarded the Black Whale as in the original work and ventured into the Dark Continent, not to mention the unknown dangers he might encounter... his Nen ability was such that each overuse would drain his life force.
Oboro's departure to the Dark Continent was within the expectations of the Twelve Zodiacs.
Yorchha was an interesting person. Although she was dissatisfied with Oboro becoming Chairman, after learning that Oboro had begun preparations, she approached him again, saying that as Chairman, Oboro should not shirk his responsibilities. If he left, what would happen to the remaining members of the Association?
Oboro's reply was simple: he would leave it to the Twelve Zodiacs.
He also said... he had great confidence in Yorchha.
Although she looked unconvinced, she knew she couldn't stop Oboro.
The Fels family had already secretly taken control of everything, and with Ging also involved in the Hunter Association... Oboro was not worried about anything going wrong.
Because it was uncertain whether Oboro would return alive from the Dark Continent, the Twelve Zodiacs drafted a resolution: if news of Oboro's death was confirmed or if he did not return within a certain period, Yorchha would succeed him as Chairman.
Oboro also agreed to this.
The current situation was that it didn't matter who became Chairman... The Fels family had already secured a central position in the world.
Furthermore, Oboro did not believe he would die.
Netero had ventured into the Dark Continent twice... It was impossible for him not to return after just one trip.
Moreover, his first venture would not be a direct plunge into the Dark Continent, but rather an adaptation phase... wandering the edges of the Dark Continent, observing and gathering information. This was only the first step.
It was about gradually entering the Dark Continent and finding that door.
Not something to be accomplished all at once.
That was unrealistic.
...
The next day, at the Hunter Association headquarters, in the Chairman's office.
Oboro lay in Netero's former chair, resting with his eyes closed.
Before him stood Yorchha, her face contorted in anger, holding a large stack of documents, grinding her teeth.
Yes... Yorchha disliked Oboro because, like Ging, after becoming Chairman, he had become a hands-off manager, merely directing the people below him and doing nothing all day.
His secretary, Knuckle, was even more overworked by Oboro, constantly shuttling between departments.
Yorchha adjusted her glasses and left the room, carrying the pile of documents in a disheveled state.
There was no choice. Oboro now had unprecedented prestige among Hunters.
Better treatment, improved social status. Presenting a Hunter license anywhere would earn respect from official bodies of all countries... These were tangible benefits. Who wouldn't support him?
Given that some Star Hunters were aware of Oboro's background, they were even less likely to cause trouble.
In terms of unity, the current Association was far better than during Netero's time.
Everyone greatly supported Oboro.
Of course, in the eyes of outsiders, Chairman Oboro was brilliant and radiant, but in the eyes of the Twelve Zodiacs, Oboro was a 'lazy bum' and a 'devil' who constantly ordered them around.
As Yorchha left, she brushed past someone without paying attention.
Before the door had fully closed, a figure slipped in.
Smiling, he looked at Oboro resting in the chair.
"You're quite idle, aren't you..."
This person was completely unceremonious, sitting directly opposite Oboro.
Hisoka.
"You're still alive?"
Oboro yawned and stretched his arms.
The series of events that had transpired meant Oboro had no time to contact Hisoka after leaving Heaven's Arena... Moreover, there was nothing to contact him about.
However, Hisoka had called him several times, but Oboro hadn't answered.
"When does your death match begin?" Oboro asked with a smile.
He was referring to the agreement between Hisoka and Illumi.
In the original story, during the arc where Killua saved Gon, Hisoka had colluded with Illumi to come to the Hunter Association and kill some Star Hunters... According to the rules, Hisoka should have been classified as a criminal Hunter.
However, Ging was in charge at the time... He made some arrangements, preventing this from happening, so Hisoka could still openly enter and exit the Association.
Otherwise... he might have already been a wanted criminal.
"He has to wait a bit, maybe not long from now..."
Hisoka smiled.
"Alluka?"
Oboro sat up straight in his chair.
While Alluka 'resurrected' Gon, Illumi had also thoroughly witnessed Alluka's power. Now, Alluka and Killua were traveling together, and it was likely that this brother-complex demon had some new scheme in mind.
"Shall we set a date for our business too... How about it?"
Hisoka said softly.
His expression was unusually serious for the first time.
"Sigh... You really are... persistent." Oboro chuckled, suddenly extending a finger towards Hisoka opposite him, resting his other hand on his chin, tilting his head slightly, and saying softly, "It wouldn't take me even a second to kill you... You wouldn't even feel any satisfaction before you die."
"…"
Hisoka's gaze sharpened.
"I know you too well... Simply put, I've surpassed the realm that can bring you spiritual pleasure. You can only find emptiness and powerlessness in me... The reason you're persistent is nothing more than an obsession. Like a child who can't get a lollipop, crying and making a fuss..."
Oboro understood Hisoka's feelings.
He was about to leave the human world, and Hisoka couldn't help but feel anxious.
The moment Hisoka heard the news, he called Oboro, suggesting they go to the Dark Continent together, but Oboro had refused.
This was also why he was in the office today.
"There's no other way... You're too tempting."
Hisoka suddenly smiled, a red glint flashing in his eyes, "If you don't agree, then today, right now... even if I can't savor the 'delicacy' I envisioned, I'd be happy to die here..."
Saying this, Hisoka's fingertips began to shuffle cards.
He unleashed his killing intent without any reservation.
But in Oboro's eyes... this move had no provocative effect.
The opponent was too weak...
It couldn't even arouse the slightest interest in Oboro.
Hisoka was too stubborn, to the point of obsession...
"How about this... Let's make an agreement between us."
Oboro curled his lips.
"Oh?"
Upon hearing this, Hisoka's aura immediately subsided, and he waited for Oboro to continue.
"My plan to explore the Dark Continent is divided into several stages. Initially, I will just get to know the land and adapt. I will return then, and after accumulating some experience, I will venture deeper into the Dark Continent... When I reach the heart of the Dark Continent, one day, when you are ready, you can also go... try to find me. If you can find me, then when we meet again, it will be time for our performance."
Oboro said word by word, "Otherwise... I really won't be interested."
"Morelton said that performers on stage should complement each other, and it's the same for you and Illumi... When a performer cannot elevate the show, it loses its meaning. It's like the vast difference in strength between you and me... there's no excitement at all."
"If you can establish yourself in the Dark Continent and find me, it will be equivalent to having the qualification to fight me... Then, you'll be happy, and I'll be happy too."
"All along, you've been nurturing the 'fruit.' Now it's my turn to wait for you... Let's see if you can do it. Of course, if you die, it means... you're not worthy of performing on the same stage as me, and I can only regret it for you."
"…"
Hisoka narrowed his eyes, remaining silent.
"Are you showing mercy because you don't want to kill me?"
He suddenly asked.
"Where did you get that idea... Why would I pity you? Don't be ridiculous..."
"I just... don't find you worthy."
"…"
"Prove it to me."
Oboro met Hisoka's gaze, "Let me look forward to seeing you."
"I believe that if I see you in the Dark Continent, I will be very happy, genuinely happy... unlike now, where I've been ignoring you, you madman. I sincerely want to wait for a 'friend' in that land, even if we have to fight... with your own strength."
"Because, by then, I will surely be very lonely."
Although Oboro did not directly call Hisoka a friend, these words undoubtedly acknowledged their relationship indirectly.
It had been over ten years. This was the first time.
Hisoka had always been rebuffed by Oboro, trying to get close but being pushed away.
Snap.
Hisoka smiled.
A playing card was sharply embedded in the tabletop. Hisoka slowly stood up, "Then it seems... we'll have to part ways for a while."
The last time they were separated for a long time was at the hotel after leaving the troupe. He had left Oboro a card with his phone number on it. This time, he left another card as a token, just like before.
This card carried Hisoka's will.
The two of them were so in sync that words were unnecessary.
Oboro knew that the card on the table was something Hisoka would take when he found him in the Dark Continent.
It was the same principle as the number card Hisoka left for Gon.
Hisoka's expression became somewhat melancholic as he turned to leave.
But the sharpness in his eyes was extremely striking...
He would definitely fulfill his promise and step onto 'that stage' with Oboro.
"Be careful, don't die prematurely. Although I haven't seen Illumi, he's not someone to be trifled with," Oboro said with a chuckle, looking at Hisoka's retreating back as he walked out the door.
The only response he received was Hisoka raising an arm.
Forming a fist.
Signaling that the one who would survive in the end would definitely be him!
...
"He's really... easy to fool. Just like back then, nothing has changed."
After Hisoka left, Oboro curled his lips and flicked the card stuck in the table away.
Even if Hisoka's strength had increased compared to the original story, he was still not qualified to venture into and explore the depths of the Dark Continent.
Based on Oboro's understanding of him, Hisoka would definitely go.
But he would most likely die.
In the entire history of humanity, apart from Don Freecss, who might have truly stepped through that door, no one had managed to reach the depths of the Dark Continent. Netero, Beyond, the V5 joint forces – none of them could.
Furthermore, according to the Eastern Volume of Don Freecss's New World Records, Don Freecss found the location of that 'door' and encountered the 'guide' and the 'gatekeeper,' but there was no information indicating that he had truly stepped through the door. In other words, even after hundreds of years, Don Freecss might still be wandering the edges of the Dark Continent. After all, even the edges, given the vast and boundless area of the Dark Continent, the time required for a human to fully explore it would be unimaginable.
Naturally, the greater possibility was that he had already crossed the threshold.
"I hope... I can find you."
With this thought, Oboro murmured.
____________________
For more advance chapters visit my patreon
patreon.com/kane45
Tier: 10$ Casual Reader - +20 Advance Chapter
20$ Intermediate Reader - +40 Advance Chapter
40$ Expert Reader - +80 Advance Chapter
Update: "Monday to Friday - Update 3 Chapters a Day"
"Saturday and Sunday - Off"