The 287th Hunter Exam quickly unfolded in full swing.
Oboro had also arrived early at Piska Forest Park, not far from Zaban City, where the registration office was located, and adjacent to the Milsy Wetlands.
The Association had built a small wooden house here for him to rest.
Next, he just needed to wait quietly.
However, during this period, he wandered around Zaban City... Just like the Hunter Exam he had participated in back then, a large number of outsiders poured into this city every day. Judging from their temperament and eyes, without exception, they were all examinees who had stood out.
The people who could reach the end were all quite distinctive.
Most importantly, there were quite a few familiar faces among them.
Oboro's daily pleasure was to squat at the registration office, which was on the street outside the restaurant, at the entrance of a juice shop... Sitting under a parasol, while looking at the newcomers who walked into the restaurant with arrogant and smug expressions, he counted the order in which each person arrived, and ranked them.
Some examinees came with tour guides, and some had found out the location, and had come alone... The trial missions in each region were different.
Oboro also saw an old acquaintance, Tonpa.
But Tonpa didn't discover him.
This guy was very cunning, and was also hiding on the street outside the registration office, pretending to be a passerby and wandering back and forth, secretly observing each of the incoming competitors.
For many days in a row, Oboro saw him running back and forth on the street, and he never tired of it.
Tonpa's number plate was 16, which meant that he was among the first group of people to arrive at the venue.
He could have plenty of time to prepare, and collect information.
There were even several times when Tonpa walked past the entrance of the juice shop, and was less than a few meters away from Oboro, but even so, he didn't notice his existence.
Oboro had concealed himself with Zetsu.
"Is anyone sitting here?"
The next day, Oboro habitually sat under the parasol, holding a newspaper in his hand, looking at it with a lack of interest, sucking on a straw, and drinking a beverage, with an attitude as if he was on vacation.
Suddenly, a voice came from in front of him.
Oboro lowered the height of the newspaper in his hand, and caught sight of a clown-makeup man with an evil aura standing in front of the table.
Hisoka.
"Why are you so slow..."
Oboro propped his chin, and tilted his head.
The two of them had contacted each other before. Oboro had asked Hisoka if he would participate in this year's Hunter Exam... He knew that Gon and Killua would definitely come, but Hisoka wasn't sure, and there might be some butterfly effect.
After learning that he was the examiner for the second round, Hisoka had expressed his desire to participate.
"Did you miss me?"
Hisoka sat down, and said jokingly.
"Yes... The exam hasn't started yet, and I'm a little bored alone."
Oboro nodded.
Hearing this, Hisoka rarely wasn't happy. Although he was smiling, his eyes were very heavy.
"Yo... You've improved a lot... You're so calm."
Oboro raised an eyebrow, and teased.
"..."
Hisoka was speechless, and kept turning a playing card with his fingertips.
He and Oboro had known each other for too long... And were too familiar with each other.
From the beginning, Hisoka had sensed that Oboro harbored some kind of vigilant hostility towards him... This feeling had always been there, even when Oboro had become one of the Ten Elders, and even later when he had gone to East Gorteau with him, he had still been wary. This showed that he was dangerous to Oboro... It was precisely this sense of crisis that had prompted him and Oboro to grow together.
But right now... This feeling on Oboro's body had disappeared.
Oboro didn't seem to hate him anymore... On the contrary, he was talking and laughing with him.
This could only show one thing... In Oboro's eyes, he wasn't a threat anymore.
Seeing him again, Hisoka had some premonition in his heart. The scene of Oboro killing the chief of the Gyudondond Tribe that year was still vivid in his mind. That kind of power... Made Hisoka very excited.
He had predicted that Oboro would be reborn, and become stronger at a faster rate than before, but he hadn't expected him to be so strong.
He couldn't detect any unusual aura... It was as if he had blended into this street scene.
Including Oboro's figure, who seemed to be sitting lazily under the umbrella, without any defense, but Hisoka couldn't find any point to attack at all... He had been thinking of giving Oboro a little 'surprise' just now.
According to his past personality, Hisoka would have shown a joyful and climaxing side this time, but he was very calm right now.
Which made Oboro slightly surprised.
"120 points! It exceeds my expectations for a perfect score..."
After pondering for a moment, Hisoka suddenly smiled.
He was giving Oboro a score.
"0 points."
Oboro also said a number.
"Do you have a 100% certainty of killing me?"
Hisoka narrowed his eyes.
"Is there even a need to answer? Your instinct and sixth sense have already told you the answer."
Oboro sucked on the juice, and his eyes wandered over Hisoka's body, "The growth of your physical strength is very scary... It seems that you haven't slacked off in these few years."
Oboro seemed calm on the surface.
But he was actually touched in his heart.
Hisoka... Wasn't at the level of a national-level Hunter!
Instead, he was infinitely close to the sub-world level... He gave him a feeling that was even above Saiyu, the Monkey Zodiac.
This rate of growth had definitely surpassed him at this period in the original story.
Hisoka must have been secretly doing something these past few years.
"I changed his fate..."
Oboro thought to himself, and then asked with a smile, "Are you learning from me?"
"There's no way. If I want to kill you, I have to compare myself in all aspects. I can't fall behind in any way."
Hisoka also ordered a glass of juice, "However, compared to you, my speed still seems to be a bit slow... But if we really fight, I don't think I'll lose."
"Because... I am the strongest."
"You also think so, right? That you yourself are the strongest..."
Hisoka stared at Oboro's eyes.
"Of course."
Oboro revealed a row of white teeth.
"Don't be in a hurry. I'll give you time... Until you're ready. Or, we can start 'performing on stage' now, and follow the script you've written... I'll listen to your command."
After saying this, Oboro continued, "Back then, Troupe Leader Chrollo Lucilfer had the intention of training you, and seemed to be training you as a successor, which shows that... At least in terms of performing, your talent has won against mine. Therefore, I won't doubt the brilliance of the performance you've planned."
"Hehe..."
Hisoka had a Joker card clipped between his fingers, and a bloodthirsty red glow flashed in his eyes. He stretched out his tongue, and lightly licked the edge of the playing card.
Oboro was 'teasing' him, and he was about to lose control.
The next second, Hisoka frowned, as if he had been cold water.
Realizing it, his expression was resentful, "Are you deliberately trying to make me lose control? Are you playing with me?"
"Tsk tsk, I thought you had really improved a lot, but I didn't expect you to expose your true nature with a little flirting. How disappointing."
Oboro shook his head, pretending to be disappointed.
Even if Hisoka really became a sub-world-level Nen ability user... He wouldn't have the capital to challenge him.
Once he was thrown off, Hisoka would never be able to catch up, because... Humans had limits.
And his ability... Had no limits.
"Don't talk about me. Aren't you the same... Even worse. For the first time... I kind of hate you."
The two of them were silent, and drank their juice on their own.
"I came to bring you a message."
Suddenly, Hisoka put down his cup, and showed a mischievous expression, "Chrollo and the others... Are already in the Republic of Padokea. After I get my license, I'm going to rush over there too."
He had only said this now because he wanted to see Oboro's reaction, and see if he would be anxious.
After so long, the Phantom Troupe's revenge against the Feil Shi family had officially begun!
"Oh... If you hadn't said it, I would have almost forgotten about them."
Oboro smacked his lips.
"You're not worried?"
"These past few years, they have been acting separately, and have been maximizing their growth as much as possible, and have also been avoiding the danger that you have brought them. This group of people hates you very much. This time, they specifically summoned everyone for you! Chrollo is determined to kill you!"
Hisoka said.
"When Illumi comes, let's play a game together..."
Oboro smiled slightly.
"A game?"
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