When the door to the meeting room was pushed open, Kansai was sitting at one end of the conference table with his legs crossed, his fingers tapping the tabletop impatiently.
He had a set of sharp teeth and wore striped clothing similar to a baseball uniform.
Most striking was his yellow striped hair—resembling a fierce Tiger constantly in a hunting state.
Seeing Machi Komacine enter, he immediately spoke, his tone full of irritability.
"Didn't you say we were going to discuss things? I've been waiting so long for you to show up!"
Before he finished speaking, his gaze moved past Machi Komacine and landed on Leo behind him.
Kansai's brow furrowed, and he leaned forward slightly, as if he had discovered a target that needed evaluation.
"Hmm? What is he doing here?"
Machi Komacine walked to the conference table and pulled out a chair to sit down, his movements still composed.
"Sorry, Kansai, for making you wait. This arrest carries a certain level of danger, so to be safe, I asked him to assist."
He gestured to his side.
"Leo. A new Hunter from this term's Hunter Exam."
Leo walked to the table and gave Kansai a friendly smile.
"Hello, my name is Leo. It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Guanxi."
Kansai did not respond immediately.
He sized Leo up, his gaze as sharp as a scalpel.
A few seconds later, he spoke, his tone carrying a characteristic bluntness.
"Oh? A new Hunter?"
Kansai tilted his head, his mouth curling into something resembling a smile.
"For this Smelly Cow to invite you... it means you must have some 'not-so-big' skill!"
Leo almost couldn't help but laugh out loud.
He had long known that Kansai's speech wasn't very good and that he often failed to express himself clearly, but hearing such an awkward expression in person was still quite amusing.
He controlled his expression and said sincerely:
"I wouldn't dare. As one of the Association's Zodiacs, Mr. Guanxi's strength must be very formidable. As a Junior, I have much to learn from you all."
Those were well-chosen words. Flattery will get you everywhere.
Appropriate praise could quickly change Kansai's impression of him—which would be very helpful for the upcoming team operation.
Sure enough, Kansai's expression softened a bit.
He waved his hand, a hint of embarrassment in his tone.
"Not at all! My skills aren't worth mentioning... please give me your 'gaidance' in the future!"
Leo corrected him with a smile.
"It's 'guidance'."
He extended his hand.
"I'm glad to become friends with you, Mr. Guanxi."
Kansai looked at the hand extended in front of him, dazed for a second, then also reached out his hand.
The two men's hands clasped together—Kansai's palm was rough and covered in calluses.
The handshake lasted for two seconds before they let go.
"Alright."
Machi Komacine spoke up at the right time.
"Since you've met, everyone please take a seat."
He took a folder out of the briefcase he was carrying and handed them to Kansai and Leo respectively.
"Here is the detailed information on 'The Three Jackals Trio'. Look it over first, and ask any questions at any time."
The meeting room fell silent, leaving only the rustling sound of pages being turned.
Leo opened the folder.
The first page was a photo of three men, arranged side by side.
On the far left was a bald, burly man with a hideous scar running from his brow bone to his jaw, his eyes fierce.
Note: Code name 'Jackal', leader of the trio, suspected Enhancer, violent fighting style, habitually uses heavy blunt weapons.
In the middle was a tall, thin man with a sinister face and long, slender fingers.
Note: Code name 'Coyote', suspected Enhancer or Transmuter, specializes in sneak attacks and stealth, weapon is a poisoned dagger.
On the right was a red-haired man with an ordinary face, but a strange smile on his lips.
Note: Code name 'Fire Wolf', confirmed Transmuter, abilities related to fire, cruel personality, likes to torture opponents.
The following pages were detailed files: known criminal records, active areas, methods of operation, victim information, records of encounters with Association Hunters, and so on.
Leo read quickly but very carefully.
About ten minutes later, he closed the folder and looked up.
Kansai put down the materials at almost the same time, his expression as relaxed as if he had just finished reading a magazine.
"Alright, I'm done reading."
Kansai leaned back in his chair, his hands behind his head.
"I don't think there's any problem. We'll just charge in and round them all up in one go."
Typical Enhancer-style thinking—straightforward, using force to overcome subtler challenges.
Leo looked at Machi Komacine and gave his judgment.
"I don't have any problems either. The data shows that The Three Jackals Trio once escaped from a siege by four Association Specialized Hunters—but that doesn't fully demonstrate their strength. The level of Association Specialized Hunters themselves varies, and they specialize in teamwork and escape."
He paused and continued.
"Among the three, I'll handle the leader, Jackal."
This sentence made Kansai raise an eyebrow.
He turned to look at Leo, his eyes filled with a bit more scrutiny.
"Oh? You want to deal with Jackal?"
There was no contempt in Kansai's tone, only surprise.
For a new Hunter to take the initiative to request dealing with the strongest leader of the three, it was either overconfidence or genuine capability.
Judging by the fact that Machi Komacine invited this person to join the operation, it was likely the latter.
"Can do."
Kansai didn't ask more and directly took the second target.
"Then I'll take Coyote."
Machi Komacine nodded.
"The remaining Fire Wolf will be handled by me. This distribution is reasonable, with everyone facing the type they are best at dealing with."
He opened the last page of the folder, which was a map of Tsumuri City with a certain area circled in red pen.
"Intelligence shows that in four days, the Tsumuri City Convention Center will host a high-end jewelry exhibition, with several treasures worth over billions of jenny on display."
"The Three Jackals Trio is likely to appear there—they have specialized in high-end jewelry heists for the past six months, with clean and efficient methods, and they quickly dispose of the stolen goods, making them hard to track."
Machi Komacine's finger tapped the convention center on the map.
"My suggestion is that we arrive in Tsumuri City in advance to familiarize ourselves with the environment and formulate a detailed action plan. On the day of the jewelry exhibition, we will blend in with the visitors and implement the arrest as soon as they appear."
"What if the judgment is wrong and they don't show up?"
Leo asked.
"Then switch to tracking mode."
Kansai interjected, his tone matter-of-fact.
"I've already memorized the scents of these three guys. As long as they've appeared in Tsumuri City, I can find them."
He said this with a flat expression, as if he were talking about something perfectly ordinary.
The ability of the Zodiac 'Tiger' was indeed well-deserved.
Machi Komacine looked at the two of them.
"Then, the action plan is settled. Any other questions?"
Leo and Kansai shook their heads at the same time.
"Good."
Machi Komacine stood up.
"In one hour, assemble at Headquarters Heliport 3. We will take the Association's private airship to Tsumuri City; the flight time is about two days."
He looked at Leo.
"You can use this time to familiarize yourself with the materials, or make other preparations."
"Kansai, you stand by."
Kansai grunted in agreement.
One hour later, Heliport 3.
The Association's private airship was much larger than the ones Leo had taken before, with the Hunter Association logo printed on the hatch. The interior was spacious, with separate lounges, meeting rooms, and equipment rooms.
Kansai was sitting quietly in the lounge. Seeing Leo come in, he pointed to the dinner on the side.
"Yours. I happened to get an extra portion."
Leo walked over to thank Kansai.
"Thank you."
Kansai waved his hand and lay back on the seat to rest with his eyes closed.
Machi Komacine was the last to board.
He was holding a computer, the screen displaying a real-time satellite map of Tsumuri City.
"Is everyone ready?"
He asked.
Kansai and Leo nodded.
"Then let's head out."
The airship's engines let out a low roar as it slowly ascended.
Through the porthole, the Hunter Headquarters buildings could be seen gradually shrinking, finally disappearing beneath the clouds.
The flight was smooth and quiet. Leo practiced his Nen in the lounge.
Kansai spent most of his time sleeping, his snoring loud enough to shake the heavens.
Machi Komacine, on the other hand, was constantly at his computer, recording something from time to time.
Two days passed quickly.
When the airship began its descent, the outline of Tsumuri City could already be seen through the porthole—a modern coastal city with towering buildings, a winding coastline, and a harbor filled with ships of all sizes.
The airship landed at an inconspicuous private airport on the outskirts of the city.
The hatch opened, and the moist sea breeze blew in.
Tsumuri City, we've arrived.