"The Fells family has been training Nen users for years," the Knight began, "but they haven't put their people underground. They've been placing them elsewhere."
He reached into his bag and pulled out several handheld game consoles, distributing them among his companions. "Pakunoda and I have been researching a recently popular game called Hero Island. It's caught on with both adults and children, largely due to its marketing. Players choose heroes with different abilities to complete levels and fight bosses. These bosses are technically heroes too, just from opposing factions."
The Knight's eyes gleamed. "This is where it gets interesting. After you defeat the final boss, you will receive a hidden message. Just before he dies, the boss mentions one word: 'Nen. Ordinary people wouldn't think twice about it, but for Nen users," he let the hint hang in the air.
"What's the connection?" Lev asked through his bandages, leaning forward with interest.
"The game exists in reality, it's the property of the Fells. And Oboro himself is probably the creator! Most of the Nen users trained by the Fells family have been placed in this game. I've personally confirmed it." The knight turned to Lev with a smile. "I've preloaded your consoles with the death scene of the final boss. When he speaks his last words, try to activate your Nen."
The party followed his instructions. As the final dialog between the protagonist and the boss played, they channeled their Nen into the devices. Suddenly, a set of coordinates materialized before their eyes, hovering in the air for several seconds before disappearing.
"These coordinates mark the entrance to Hero Island," the Knight explained, "located in a private stretch of ocean owned by the Fells family in the Republic of Batocchia. The entrance is a small sea-based facility."
His expression grew serious. "Revealing the coordinates requires extraordinary sensitivity. Once the game ends, you won't be able to retrieve them, no matter how much Nen you channel. Only those with refined Nen control can detect it at all. Also, the game ties player data to specific consoles - one person, one console. You can't use the same Nen signature twice. I have created separate accounts for each of you, as my Nen Signature is now recorded and unusable. You'll have to activate them yourself."
He stroked his chin thoughtfully. "It's clearly designed to screen for quality and qualifications among players."
"There's more," he continued. "Although the Fells family covered their tracks well, Pakunoda's abilities helped us uncover some secrets. They have ties to several governments. Oboro's ambitions run deep. We kept our distance to avoid detection, using Pakunoda's female identity for brief contact."
"So we destroy the game?" Feitan's brow furrowed.
The knight shook his head. "No. Hero Island is the main source of income for the Fells family. Even as a Ten Don, they need these resources to maintain their political influence. The importance of the game makes it incredibly well defended; we'd likely face formidable opponents and unknown rules that could restrict us once inside."
"Instead," he outlined, "before we attack the Fells family, Nobunaga and Uvogin will attack the naval bases at the game's entrances to divide their attention and forces. Meanwhile, we'll target the family's base at Oboro's palace. When word reaches them, Oboro will have to choose between defending the base or the game. With Zoldyck assassins blocking his path, his threat to us is greatly diminished."
The analysis was painstaking and logical.
"When do we move?" Feitan asked coldly. He'd wanted to destroy the Fells family from the beginning, but had been held back by Chrollo. After years of waiting, his patience was wearing thin.
"After the hunter's test is over," Chrollo said calmly. "First, if Hisoka's identity is revealed, Oboro will not let him leave alive. Their lack of connection indirectly proves that we haven't returned to their radar - the operation remains safe. Second, Hisoka's successful return and completion of the test increases our chances. If something happens to Hisoka, it means Oboro has been watching us all these years and we abort immediately."
Veins appeared on Feitan's forehead, his eyes grew cold. But this time, he didn't direct his anger at Chrollo.
Chrollo turned to the knight. "Are you sure that you and Pakunoda have not been discovered?"
"Absolutely not. Our contact was Chico, one of Old Man David's followers. He's intellectually limited, to say the least. No tactical sense, completely stupid. He lives off the Fells family name and indulges in every vice imaginable. That's the only reason we've been able to approach him. Yet oddly enough, David holds him in high esteem - he's slated to be the next head of the family and succeed the Ten Dons."
"Oboro's plans, no doubt," the knight mused.
Even Machi understood the implications. "The Fells have outgrown the underground. The gap between them and the other Ten Dons is huge. Are they shifting their focus entirely to government control?"
"But why choose such an incompetent puppet?" "Chico has one redeeming quality: his only quality is absolute loyalty to the Fells family," the knight explained. "He is a survivor of the time when Oboro first took control."
"The Fells family's focus on Hero Island and official channels, while neglecting the Mafia, gives us our opening. It's why the leader gathered us here, and how Pakunoda and I completed our investigation."
He continued, "No matter how powerful, everyone has limits. As the Puppet Master, Oboro must control every aspect from afar. Gaps are inevitable. The family's success depends heavily on David and Fell's Lily, but even they can't maintain perfection. We will find the cracks and strike; if we can't kill this beast, we will at least drain its vitality.
The knight often served as Chrollo's voice in the brigade, explaining strategies and plans.
He clapped his hands. "Even though we will not be facing Oboro directly, I should share what we have learned about him. Over the past few years, while everyone worked separately, Pakunoda and I gathered information through various channels. We learned a hard lesson last time; we won't repeat those mistakes.
"Oboro made his first public appearance in the Sky Arena. Although the Fells family tried to erase the records of his presence, I found traces! Two members of the Hunters' Association were close to him there: Wing and Bisky. Both are formidable, especially Bisky. Their direct connection made the investigation too risky, so we focused on peripheral figures."
"After reaching the 200th floor, some who fought him died, while others survived. His influence was so great that it changed the rules of Heaven's Arena, changing the way fighters compete and advance."
"The older generation of the underground witnessed the rise of the Fells family in the Mafia. No wall is truly impenetrable. Combining eyewitness accounts, recovered video, and the leader's analysis, I can explain Oboro's Nen ability."
The members listened intently as the Knight continued.
"His ability, 'Endless Dreamer's Treasure House,' materializes game elements into reality for personal use. Those who have fought him or observed him describe how he has split this materialization into several branches and developed them uniquely. Based on our intelligence, the leader and I identified key aspects: summons, skills, hidden equipment blessings, and" Night fell as the knight detailed his analysis of Oboro's abilities, combat skills, and Nen mastery. When he finished, shock registered on every face.
"Essentially, he's a monster without weaknesses, which is why he killed Finks so quickly," the Knight observed their reactions with a grim smile. "But he's only one person, unlike the Zoldyck family with their multiple monsters. We'll take our time. There will be other opportunities."
The Zoldyck family had killed the first eight members of the Brigade. Chrollo had pursued Silva, but found himself outmatched and forced to watch the assassin's casual departure. Since Silva wasn't part of Zeno's mission, the encounter ended there.
But it left lasting impressions on both sides.
From the Troupe's perspective, Oboro was dangerous, but he couldn't be compared to the entire Zoldyck family. Revenge was still possible.
This incident led to the Troupe's business dealings with the Zoldycks and Chrollo's connection with Illumi during operations.
Faced with an unstoppable force, the Brigade's first choice was to retreat.
But Oboro was not at that level. Not yet.