It had been a month since Oboro began working with the Sori group at the ancient ruins. His mission was twofold: to protect the excavation teams and to safeguard any antiquities that might be discovered. So far, he'd managed to eliminate two of the three hostile teams operating in the restricted area. The last group, which happened to be the one that had made the most significant finds, had fled immediately upon learning of his arrival.
Oboro hadn't pursued them, but not for lack of trying. This last team was formidable, consisting of five exceptionally powerful members, including two national-level Nen users. Even for someone of his caliber, facing the entire team alone would be a challenge. He'd considered using Ekko's ultimate technique, Time and Space Fracture, but one of their members possessed telepathic abilities. Their only confrontation had ended with the group disappearing before his eyes, their retreat clearly planned well in advance.
Despite these complications, the work of Oboro and his team had far exceeded the expectations of the Sori group. After clearing the area of hostile elements, he'd officially joined their ranks, lending his expertise in ancient Chinese to help translate the site's texts. While there were no books to be found, all writings and images were carved into stone or wood, many wooden artifacts had deteriorated beyond recognition over the centuries. Nevertheless, Oboro's contributions proved invaluable.
The ruins contained crucial information about humanity's migration from the Dark Continent to the Sea Island. The earliest texts, predating organized human society, resembled the pictographic traditions of the Kuruta and Bozwa tribes. The next day, standing before the ruin's outer wall, Oboro pulled aside dense vines to reveal faded murals. "It's a monster," he muttered, studying the ancient images.
Nearby, teams worked to evacuate precious artifacts from the ruins-valuable treasures, collectibles, and long-sealed coffins. The site appeared to have once been a small royal palace, home to a particular human lineage that had fled the Dark Continent. Based on the partially translated texts and stone statues, this group seemed to have a special relationship with magical beasts, perhaps even domesticating them.
These early migrations weren't limited to humans. Weaker creatures from the Dark Continent, especially certain reptile species, had also fled to the Sea Island, unable to survive in their homeland. Like humans, they were victims of the harsh environment. The same pattern would be repeated generations later with the Chimera Ant Queen. Even now, magical beasts could be found all over the human world, some even showing remarkable intelligence, like Chilluko, the creature who'd led Gon's group to the Hunter's Trial and who resembled a butler serving the Zoldyck family.
Oboro had encountered many monsters over the years, but these magical beasts were only the bottom of the Dark Continent's food chain. Those that had escaped into human lands had essentially been cast out, unable to integrate into their original ecosystem. The creatures of the Dark Continent far surpassed their counterparts in the human world in both strength and diversity, though several generations of breeding had diluted their original potency. Different environments inevitably shaped different life forms.
"In general, the earliest migrating humans and monsters are actually the same," Oboro mused, wiping dust from the wall. His eyes suddenly narrowed as an idea struck him. His Nen abilities, Absolution and Hell Curse, had no effect on normal humans, but what about monsters? As a member of the Hunters Association, he couldn't freely kill Nen users due to the organization's Ten Commandments and the Chairman's watchful eye. Even without such supervision, indiscriminately targeting Nen users would be problematic.
He'd previously considered places like Heaven's Arena and Greed Island as potential "hunting grounds," but they were off limits, including his own Hero Island. Even if he could orchestrate bloodshed in such places, the souls and black fog he could harvest would be limited, and there would be few truly powerful targets.
The passive effects of his abilities scaled with the strength of the target; his current attack range had increased to 20 centimeters, with a critical hit rate of 7%. His telekinetic power had improved by a tenth, and his physical defense had improved significantly. But such advances depended on high-level Association missions, which weren't always available.
The effects of Soul and Black Mist correlated directly with the vitality of the target. While ordinary humans and animals fell below the threshold, perhaps magical beasts would qualify. Their numbers far outnumbered the active Nen users, and a gradual accumulation could lead to significant growth.
This revelation solved his immediate dilemma. The alternative would have been to manipulate international conflicts, perhaps fomenting friction between the V5 and other nations to create opportunities amid the chaos. While challenging, such a plan wasn't impossible. The Fells family had already infiltrated various governments and royal families, their trained operatives rising through the official ranks as radical elements capable of manufacturing conflict.
Nations like East Gorteau weren't unique. V5's relationship with the United Nations remained tenuous; the Ruins incident had exposed the cracks in their superficial harmony. Despite V5's formidable background, there were ways to apply pressure indirectly. The later actions of the Kakin Empire and Beyond Netero would show how international public opinion could force V5 to compromise.
Brute force wasn't always the answer. Success required the use of both national authority and international momentum. Individual actors and small organizations, including the Hunters Association, lacked the standing to challenge V5 directly. The Association's structure as a civilian organization, fragmented by competing factions and interests, made this particularly true. Only nation-states could effectively challenge other nation-states.
This understanding showed how Oboro's approach differed from Beyond's. He'd recognized V5's true vulnerability.
"Worth testing," Oboro smiled. If Magical Beasts could serve as fuel for his growth, he'd be one step closer to his ultimate goal.
Half a month later, having completed his work with the Sori group, Oboro returned to the Association. Once again, he'd led a team to complete a two-star mission with remarkable efficiency, this time in just two months. During the operation, they'd even managed to eliminate a two-star criminal hunter who had violated Association regulations. This feat was even more impressive considering that none of the six members of the team had any stars, and two of them were complete rookies. Most importantly, they'd received perfect marks from their client.
After submitting detailed reports to the relevant departments, the team's contributions were evaluated. Oboro, of course, received the highest marks, with additional recognition for his professionalism. His return to active duty after several years had caused quite a stir, cementing his reputation within the association. It also reinforced an unspoken rule: those favored by the chairman were never to be underestimated.
Immediately afterward, Oboro accepted a one-star mission, working alongside Menchi, Rita, and Anthony. Fant and Gabvich remained on the sidelines, still recovering from their injuries.
One day, the Zodiac Twelve gathered in the Association's meeting room, or rather, ten of them. Ging Freecss was absent as usual, and the position of Tiger was vacant after Yin Fu's sacrifice.
"I have called you here to discuss the vacant Tiger seat," Chairman Netero said casually, sipping his tea with one foot raised. "Do you have any thoughts or candidates to suggest?"
"Since when do you care about our opinions on appointments?" Cluck asked incredulously, the rooster's wing ornament shifting as she rested her chin on her hand.
"Oh my," Netero took another sip. "You're going to be working together. Compatibility is important. Your input is important, of course."
The Zodiacs had considerable influence within the Association, often taking over operations when the Chairman got lazy. "Chairman, you don't have to ask us. Your decision is our decision," Piyon the Rabbit said dismissively as she played her handheld game.
Everyone knew that Netero had already made his decision. This meeting was just a formality.
"Let's begin." At Netero's word, Beans activated the screen and showed two photographs. On the left was Oboro, stern-faced in his suit and sunglasses. On the right, a blond youth with an impatient expression, Kanzai, a treasure hunter who would later join the Zodiacs.
The choice surprised no one. Kanzai had achieved remarkable success in his field at a young age, and his personality matched the attributes of the Tiger. As for Oboro, his achievements spoke for themselves. Two missions, one two and a half stars, another two stars, accomplished almost entirely through personal skill. Only the former Ging Freecss could claim similar achievements.
"These candidates need no introduction," Netero smiled. "Although I will make the final decision, I would like to know your preference."
"Then let's vote," Pariston interjected, raising his hand. "I choose Oboro!"
Netero's smile remained unchanged as he looked at his vice chairman, not surprised by the choice.
"I choose Kanzai," Yorkshire countered. "While I recognize Oboro's strength, I am concerned about his methods. This position requires more than raw power; it requires legitimacy to command the respect of one's peers. Physiognomically, Kanzai is better suited."
She adjusted her glasses. "I know you'll choose whomever you want, Chairman, but I must warn you that appointing Oboro could destabilize the team, just as Ging did. Even if he proves himself quickly, it could affect your reputation."
"On second thought, I agree with Yorkshire," Cluck added.
"Oboro," Botobai said simply, his seniority among the Zodiacs adding weight to his terse reply.
Saiyu yawned. "Since our opinions don't matter, we might as well go with the flow. You have Oboro in your sights, don't you, Chairman? Then he has my vote. Makes no difference either way."
Yorkshire slapped the table. "This is serious! We'll work with whoever gets elected. It matters!"
"Well, Yorkshire makes sense. I choose Kanzai," Ginta said naively.
"Kanzai!"
"Oboro!"
The final count: six votes for Oboro, four for Kanzai.
Yorkshire frowned. She'd expected a seven to three split in favor of Kanzai, with only Pariston, Saiyu, and Botobai supporting Oboro. This result contradicted her calculations. Her gaze fell on Pariston's smiling face. He must have intervened.
"Are you and Oboro close?" she asked coldly, suspecting an alliance that could shift the future power dynamics in Pariston's favor.
"Not at all~ In fact, he hasn't said a word to me since he joined the Association," Pariston smiled. "I'd like to befriend him, but he seems to dislike me."
Yorkshire remained skeptical, watching the chairman intently. Surely he'd noticed Pariston's machinations.
"Well," Netero sipped his tea comfortably under their scrutiny. Instead of announcing his decision, he asked Beans to make a phone call.
"Hello," Oboro's calm voice filled the room.
"After some discussion, I want to appoint you Tiger of the Twelve. Thoughts?" Netero asked cheerfully.
"I refuse!" The answer came without hesitation.
Pariston's eyes narrowed as Yorkshire sighed with relief.
"Why?" Netero asked unsurprised.
"What a waste of time. If you insist, I cannot resist, but I will not guarantee the consequences," Oboro replied flatly.
"Oh my," Netero laughed heartily before ending the conversation.
"Well, my decision is Kanzai."
Pariston rose. "Since that's settled, I'll take my leave." His eternal smile remained as he headed for the door, though he cast a final glance at the chairman before leaving.