Oboro originally wanted to visit Greed Island, but not to experience the game created by Ging Freecss.
He wanted to find someone.
Abengane, the Nen user who helped Kuroro remove Nen in the original work, a specialist in the Conjuration category.
According to the original settings, this character's Nen ability development and application were at the 'Master' level... indicating that his Nen ability, the method of Nen removal he constructed, and its future development potential were nearly perfect.
And Oboro's team had always lacked a Nen remover.
He had also always had the idea of finding a Nen remover…
Therefore, Oboro had set his sights on Abengane long ago… and the only time he could be sure to find him on Greed Island was when Gon and Killua entered the game. At that time, going to Greed Island would guarantee finding this person.
Looking at the entire Hunter world, the only Nen removers that left an impression on Oboro were Abengane, a human, because he was involved with the Phantom Troupe.
And another was one of the two squad leaders under the Division Chief Haga in the Chimera Ants, an ant girl named Shizuku, who also possessed Nen removal abilities.
Division Chief Haga was the ant that resembled a lion and was ultimately defeated by Morel.
The other squad leader under him, an ant resembling a dragonfly, was named Phlatta.
Oboro decided to talk to Abengane at an appropriate time because he had ranked him at the 'Master' level in the relevant settings.
However, Oboro no longer had this idea.
Judging from the plot of Greed Island, although Abengane was a top-tier Nen remover, perhaps reaching a very high level in Nen removal itself, his actual combat strength was not very impressive… If he were to join the team and embark on the Dark Continent, he would undoubtedly be the first to die among them.
Other team members would have to expend energy to protect him… It was too late to train him now, and Menchi and the others had been training for years.
Therefore, Oboro did not go to Greed Island and had no intention of interfering.
Each player entering Greed Island had different objectives. Some aimed to break records and become the first to clear the game. Others sought the abilities or items of certain card types in the game, like Bisky and the tycoon Battler.
Overall, Greed Island's game mechanics were different from Hero's Island… After personally creating a game, Oboro's interest in Greed Island plummeted.
Moreover, Greed Island's open-ended gameplay was already outdated and old-fashioned for him, a transmigration.
Didn't Ging Freecss become so addicted after experiencing his Hero's Island…
Oboro preferred competitive game modes.
Since he couldn't find a qualified Nen remover off the shelf… he had to develop one himself.
Fortunately, soul-based Nen abilities are relatively compatible with the concept of Nen removal, so some progress could be made.
It should be enough time before heading to the Dark Continent.
As for that squad leader Shizuku, judging by her abilities, her Nen removal skills were mediocre… There were many in the Hunter world with similar levels, not worth Oboro's attention.
...
Meanwhile, on the other side.
Killua had temporarily left Greed Island.
He found the Killua family of the Fierce Foxes and, using Gon's name, had them send him to the venue of the 288th Hunter Exam.
The new year was clearly a big year for the Hunter Exam, as this year's participants numbered over 1,400, triple the number from the 287th exam he and Gon had participated in last year.
Killua also saw many familiar faces.
Like the great Tonpa…
And the Amori brothers, etc.
These people were also surprised to see Killua, unaware that he had failed the previous year and thought he had already become a Hunter.
The Amori brothers even made threats to Killua, but the little white-haired boy ignored them completely.
As for Tonpa… upon seeing Killua, he quietly took a detour and left.
The first stage of the exam was simple… a free-for-all among over a thousand participants, and obtaining five numbered badges meant passing.
Killua's number was 1219.
Ultimately, 300 people would advance to the second stage of the exam. While it was said to be 300 people, there were some unstable factors, and fewer than 200 might pass.
In other words, an elimination rate of nearly one-eighth.
Particularly brutal.
As expected, after more than an hour of fighting, when the first-stage Hunter examiner, who had been smoking several cigarettes and was drowsy, Killua woke him up with all the collected numbered badges.
Except for Killua, all other participants had been knocked unconscious.
"Do we still need to proceed with the second stage?"
Killua asked the examiner with a smile.
The answer was self-evident.
He was the sole winner of this year's exam.
Just as the examiner was hesitating, Chairman Netero suddenly appeared with a chuckle… he affirmed Killua's abilities and personally announced the early termination of the Hunter Exam, with Killua receiving his Hunter license.
The old man seemed to have guessed that Killua would participate in this year's exam, and since this was a rare big year, he appeared in person… Although it was a big year, ending it so quickly was unavoidable.
Netero saw that Killua was already a decent Nen user, indicating that further tests were unnecessary.
"I was worried that there might be someone like me in this year's exam…" Killua said, spinning the warm Hunter license on his fingertip with a proud smile.
He was referring to Nen users.
After all, in previous exams, there had been some who simply wanted to obtain a license.
With so many participants this year, there weren't any… he was lucky.
"Ho ho ho… You're not worried about that, are you?"
Netero, standing nearby, stroked his beard and winked mischievously at Killua.
"You're worried… that the first-stage examiner might be Oboro, right?"
"…"
After being exposed, Killua's small face blushed, and he retorted stubbornly, "Hmph! Even if he came, I would still pass."
That's right, Killua was afraid of Oboro.
Because if that guy were there, who knew how difficult the exam content he set would be?
Even if he learned Nen, he might not be able to pass.
Moreover, facing Oboro alone always made Killua feel uneasy.
Just thinking about Oboro's face made Killua instinctively feel a chill.
"Even if there are competitors who have learned Nen, with your current strength, obtaining the license won't be a problem," Netero said.
The old man saw Killua's astonishing growth. Compared to last year, he had undergone a complete transformation… but this wasn't what made Netero relieved. What relieved him was that he observed Killua seemed to have changed his temperament because he had become friends with Gon.
He wasn't following the path of the Zoldyck family.
Netero had long observed the talents of Gon and Killua.
Looking at Killua before him, the old man couldn't help but think of Oboro… Although there was an age gap between them, both were incredibly talented. If Oboro had had a friend like Gon early on, would it have changed him?
Netero couldn't help but think… a hint of loneliness flashed in his eyes.
The answer was… no!
Netero had already received news about the Kakin Empire… The mafia was not within the jurisdiction of the Hunter Association, so he had no obligation to intervene or issue any orders.
In fact, he had influenced Oboro somewhat over the years. At least, given Oboro's personality, he had shown considerable respect to the old man… by not going to the Dark Continent without permission and ignoring his existence.
Unfortunately… it was only a slight influence, not a complete one.
Achieving this much was already good.
But Netero wished so much… that he could completely change Oboro, or at least have him on his side.
"Of course, even if there are other Nen users, they won't be a threat… But I'm in a hurry, so the sooner the exam ends, the better," Killua's words pulled Netero back from his thoughts. Looking in the direction of the voice, he saw the little guy walking away with his hands in his pockets, looking smug. "I'm going back to find Gon. I'll visit you again if I have the chance."
Quite polite…
Looking at Killua's retreating back, Netero smiled slightly.
He has changed…
"Hm?"
Suddenly, Netero's smile disappeared. As if sensing something, he was about to move towards Killua.
His peripheral vision caught sight of the examiner beside him being pinned from behind by a black shadow that descended from the sky. The figure extended a hand, covering the examiner's mouth.
At the same time, a dagger was placed at the examiner's throat.
This forced the old man to change direction and rescue the examiner first.
However, another small figure, as if anticipating his actions, darted out from a nearby open doorway and blocked his path.
Netero tried to attack, but his movements were slightly sluggish… This was something that would never happen to him.
Yet, it occurred at this moment!
A familiar aura…
Although the enemy was weak, Netero sensed the energy emanating from the opponent… It was precisely this energy that caused him a moment of daze.
The next second, Netero's expression turned serious, his aura became sharp, and without further hesitation, he prepared to strike down the enemy blocking him.
But… his move halted after he extended it.
The mysterious figure of small stature, the hood on their head fell off, revealing their face—a young girl in her prime.
With the force of his attack, this girl would surely die!
In this momentary gap, the girl pulled a dagger from her sleeve and unhesitatingly stabbed herself in the abdomen, collapsing to her knees.
Blood immediately flowed onto the ground…
Then, an astonishing negative energy erupted from her body, instantly engulfing Netero, who was close by… With the old man's abilities, he could have completely dodged it.
However, Netero heard a familiar laugh from the cloaked figure standing behind the examiner.
That voice… made him momentarily lose focus.
All of this had been meticulously planned.
Netero had fallen into the trap.
His limbs were entangled by this burst of energy, and he was hurled into a nearby stone wall, his body embedded in the cold concrete, unable to move.
And unable to activate his Nen.
"Indeed… I'm getting old."
Netero sighed inwardly, his gaze fixed on the enemy preparing to slit the examiner's throat.
The fact that he could make such a mistake was enough to show that the visitor could affect his state of mind, and was a significant presence in his life.
If he hadn't held back and killed or knocked away the girl, he could have turned the situation around… but the opponent had perfectly grasped his thoughts, or rather, his personality.
Meanwhile, Killua had not yet left the venue.
Suddenly, the main door in front was pushed open, and a group of mysterious figures in uniform cloaks entered one after another, numbering in the dozens.
They quickly surrounded the exit, making it impossible to pass.
Killua's initially relaxed expression instantly turned murderous. He instinctively leaped back repeatedly, skillfully creating distance.
This was a conditioned reflex.
Because… these intruders were clearly hostile.
Killua landed from mid-air and turned to look at the chairman. He had initially thought that with Netero present, even if some unexpected events occurred, it would be fine.
But upon seeing Netero's predicament, Killua's pupils contracted in disbelief.
Something big was about to happen!
"What is that…?"
He saw an energy similar to 'Nen' emanating from the dying girl, but it was clearly not the Nen he was familiar with.
This energy was filled with negative emotions… just looking at it sent a shiver down his spine.
Killua was somewhat bewildered.
…
Curse.
Or rather, the opposite of Nen ability, the ability of resentment.
This kind of energy had existed in the human world for a long time, but due to its nature, and the different triggers for its appearance or awakening compared to Nen… it had always been intentionally hidden.
The damage and side effects were too great.
But resentment had one thing in common with Nen.
Both were influenced by the 'heart.'
There were also vows and restrictions.
And the girl's curse ability before him was clearly prepared solely for Netero.
"Jed, is that you?"
Netero, pinned to the wall as if his limbs were shackled, looked at the tall figure standing on the ground and said in a deep voice.
"You still remember me… I'm honored."
A face under the cloak slowly lifted, speaking with a mocking tone.
Then, under Netero's gaze, the man brutally severed the examiner's throat with his blade.
"After all these years, Netero… you haven't changed a bit…"
As the cloak was removed, the man's face was revealed, and Netero could no longer remain calm.
It was really him, Jed!
The leader of the Shadow Organization, hidden in the dark by the Hunter Association back then.
Also one of Netero's old friends, a close confidant.
He took orders directly from V5, cleaning up messes for the powerful, doing dirty work.
Assassination, kidnapping, elimination…
All the unsavory tasks were carried out by members of the Shadow Organization.
Later, as the Hunter Association grew stronger and more stable, and V5 obtained what they wanted, they worried about the existence of the Shadow Organization being exposed, causing negative public opinion and backlash. So… without the Shadow Organization's knowledge, they sent people to silently kill all their members and their bloodlines.
As if these people had never existed.
Even now, only a handful of people in the Association knew about the traces related to 'Shadow.'
The Shadow Organization was not glorious… For the Association and V5, it was a past best left unmentioned.
Netero had to admit that without Jed and the Shadow Organization he led back then, the Hunter Association would not be where it is today…
Back then, the Hunter Association was insignificant and had not gained social recognition or status.
What Netero didn't expect was that Jed, whom he had personally killed… how could he have been resurrected after so many years?
And it was clear that he was targeting this Hunter Exam… having laid out a grand scheme in advance.
"Are you surprised? The glorious, well-reputed Chairman…"
"Some retribution… must eventually be paid!"
Jed said coldly.
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