"Impossible! How are you in NGL? If you're there, why haven't you reported to the Association?" Before Netero could reply, Yorkshire stood up and questioned.
"Is that Yorkshire?"
From the phone, Oboro chuckled softly. "Sorry, I just arrived."
"Just arrived? If that's the case, how can the information you have about the ants be more detailed than the Association's?"
Yorkshire sensed something was amiss, detecting a hint of something.
How would Oboro explain?
If he had known about the Chimera Ants long ago, he should have reported it to the Association, before Kite… This way, unnecessary casualties could have been avoided.
"Don't get agitated... This is NGL, and we have business dealings with the mafia. The appearance of these ants isn't a recent thing; they've been around for a while. Compared to outsiders, the locals in NGL would definitely understand them better... So, getting any information from them is as simple as a word from me..."
Oboro's voice immediately left Yorkshire speechless, choking him.
Yes, everyone present had forgotten this point.
Oboro's background was in the mafia…
With just one sentence, the Twelve Zodiacs found it difficult to find any further fault.
NGL doesn't easily cooperate with any external organization, but… the mafia is an exception.
"Since you saw the ant that fought Kite... it means Kite has likely perished." Gin, among the Twelve Zodiacs, had tears welling up in his eyes.
He was such an emotional person.
"That ant was just one of the Royal Guards. There are two others of the same rank... their strength is unknown, and I only saw that one. Also, from my observation... within the Chimera Ant species, there are 'Kings,' rulers who are likely even more powerful... So, if the Association takes any action, it's best to be cautious! My suggestion is to conduct targeted training first. If the Chairman personally intervenes, I also suggest you get into shape..."
Oboro continued.
"What do you mean? Are you planning to ignore this matter? Since you're already in NGL and have the strength to participate in the mission, why are you avoiding it?" Yorkshire asked angrily.
"Sorry... I've been a bit busy lately. I just happened to pass by to take a look. I believe the Association's capabilities are more than enough to handle this. Coupled with the Chairman's personal involvement, there's no need for me to interfere." Oboro's somewhat indifferent tone greatly angered Yorkshire.
This guy had no sense of responsibility as a Hunter.
He was right there in NGL!
The conversation between the two sparked a gleam in Pariston's eyes.
He became even more certain that Oboro was definitely not in NGL!
Yorkshire looked at the Chairman. Now, as long as Netero spoke, Oboro would have to comply!
"Ho ho ho... very good, you've already been helpful..."
Unexpectedly, Netero stroked his beard and chuckled happily. "Hearing you say that, I've suddenly become a bit curious about these ants..."
"I won't disappoint you."
Oboro replied and then hung up the phone.
"Chairman..."
Yorkshire looked at Netero in confusion, not understanding why the Chairman wasn't assigning Oboro a task.
"Oboro is right. If I, as the Chairman, can't solve this problem even by personally intervening, then... this matter is beyond the scope of what our Association can handle."
The old man chuckled.
A moment later, an Association member brought the documents Oboro mentioned into the conference room.
Pariston personally received them and casually asked if the documents were faxed to the Association or delivered by someone from the Fiers family.
The answer was delivered by person.
Pariston smiled and looked at everyone. "Oboro's efficiency is truly remarkable... It's as if he knew we were having a meeting and had someone prepare the documents in advance. He doesn't seem like someone who just arrived in NGL..."
He had an idea.
"...What are you trying to say?"
Galut stared at him and said faintly.
"Nothing... I'm just admiring him."
Pariston waved his hand.
Ging Freecss, on the side, glanced at Pariston's expression, his gaze indifferent.
...
Meanwhile, Oboro put down his phone and said softly, "Stupid woman."
He knew Yorkshire would definitely confront him.
So… he deliberately left a hook, letting the woman find fault, and unconsciously made her play a supporting role, acting out a play with him.
A play staged for Pariston.
This woman had some brains… but not much.
With his warning beforehand, coupled with Killua's relayed situation, it would definitely arouse the Association's attention… They wouldn't dare to launch an attack on the ant nest easily and would certainly make some preparations.
As for how long it would take to stall… it depended on how much confidence Netero had in himself.
The timeline was already delayed, so even if the preparation time was less than a month, by then, Pouf, Youpi, and the Ant King should have all been born.
Oboro lay on a patched quilt, the floor still stained with dried blood. This farmer's house had clearly been dead for a long time… now it served as their resting place.
Fante was adding firewood to a small stove. "The Association will likely send people to scout the ant colony's situation from the periphery… but they won't dare to go too deep, which will also lead to them not fully understanding the ants' current true core strength."
"If they knew the details, then as Captain said, Netero would definitely not give the ants any breathing room..."
Anthony also analyzed in a seemingly serious manner.
"As long as they encounter squad-leader or division-chief level ants, they will confirm the accuracy of the information I provided, and naturally, they will believe what I say."
Oboro said calmly.
"But... Captain, now that you've killed the cat-woman, will the ants still dare to come out?"
"They will. The Queen Ant has an enormous appetite for food. No matter how dangerous it is, the ants will come out… Also, the remaining two Royal Guards, Pouf and Youpi, will be born. Especially Youpi… even if they know the cat-woman was killed and there are powerful Nen users on the human side, given its personality, it still won't be deterred. It might even come out looking for me, just like the cat-woman."
Oboro looked at the decaying roof beams above and continued, "Moreover, I've been missing for a while. It's likely that some ants believe I was severely injured by the cat-woman and had to leave their territory… so the threat is naturally gone."
Beep beep beep.
The three were chatting.
Suddenly, Oboro's phone, which he had just put down, rang.
"Who is it?"
Fante and Anthony looked over simultaneously.
"Ging Freecss."
Oboro uttered a name. Without even looking at the number, he knew who was calling.
He answered the phone and put it to his ear.
"Kite's soul… you took it, didn't you?"
On the other end of the line, Ging asked calmly.
"Is the meeting over?"
Oboro replied evasively.
"Mhm..."
"When I arrived... he was already dead." Oboro said sincerely.
"I know. I'm asking about his soul..."
"It's gone~"
Oboro smirked. "His body was probably taken by the ants. The Chimera Ants have awakened Nen, and they are using humans as research subjects, so… they wouldn't leave it behind."
There was a moment of silence on the other end of the phone.
"When the body dies, the soul also dissipates. Some strong individuals might retain some consciousness due to awakening post-mortem Nen, but this lingering obsession will remain in the body as a driving force… Since that ant took Kite's remains, there's nothing I can do."
"The dissipation of the soul... has a time limit, right?"
Ging asked pointedly. "Just like in games..."
"Hehehehe..."
Oboro chuckled. "You're truly smart; nothing escapes you... Yes, I could have done something with Kite's soul, but this time, I was truly powerless… What I told the Chairman is true! That ant is not ordinarily strong. Even I could only observe from a distance, not dare to approach."
"Alas... then there's nothing that can be done. I did warn him."
Ging sighed.
"The ant incident, it's Pariston's doing, isn't it?"
"Ah? Really?"
Oboro asked in surprise.
"…"
Ging.
"You went to NGL for the soul, right?"
"Moreover, this matter was a direct order from V5. Even the Chairman couldn't refuse… Therefore, the Chairman is likely in mortal danger. You knew this all along, and you were waiting for this opportunity! The Chairman couldn't have not noticed… he just trusts himself, which is his usual way of operating."
"From the current situation, even if you and I intervened, it would be useless… The 'King' you mentioned in the meeting earlier is beyond ordinary means to deal with, right?"
"This is a dead end."
"Also, you deliberately created a false impression, diverting Pariston's attention from the ant incident, using the Dark Continent as a lure. This certainly had enough credibility and appeal."
"Heh heh… And the result?"
Oboro asked with a smile.
"He took the bait."
Ging replied.
"Oboro, how about we make a deal?"
"You say it."
"I'll ensure you become Chairman, but the actual management authority of the Association will be delegated to the Twelve Zodiacs… After all, you want to become Chairman mainly to check V5 and increase your options. You only want a title and a symbol; power isn't that important, is it…"
"Sorry, I refuse! I don't like anything that is beyond my control… increases uncertainty. Besides… the Chairman position is already set in stone; you can't stop it."
"Are you sure? Sometimes being too confident isn't a good thing."
"Are you… declaring war on me?"
"If you refuse, then yes…"
This time, it was Oboro's turn to fall silent.
"Think about it. This doesn't harm your interests. I actually don't want to get involved in such matters, but the Hunter Association is what the Chairman values most, and it's the foundation he's strived for his entire life. Also, there's one more thing, not part of the deal, but a personal request… I hope you'll let Pariston go."
"Ging, being too smart isn't always a good thing."
Oboro suddenly spoke. "I accept your challenge."
Beep beep beep…
Then, a busy signal came from Ging's phone, indicating the call had ended.
"Sigh… troublesome."
Outside the main entrance of the Hunter Association headquarters, Ging rubbed his hair, not surprised by the outcome.
He glanced back at the towering building behind him and slowly walked away.
____________________
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