HxH: I Will Be Supreme

With the help of the association staff, Oboro first registered the mission.

There were two kinds of registration. The first involved achievements and points for certain hunter specialties, which attracted hunters of matching types. Upon completion, the Association provided basic compensation. Most people who chose this type of mission cared little about the rewards, preferring to pursue star progression.

The second method required the project leader to pay out of pocket, increasing the base salary to hire Association Hunters. This was the more common method.

Based on Oboro's understanding, the factional divisions among the members were quite clear.

In particular, Oboro's chosen release format targeted only contract hunters.

They privately referred to Star Hunters as "the uncles with stars.

Contract Hunters specialized in government or corporate missions that were first accepted by the Association. Unlike other types, such as Gourmet or Music Hunters, they essentially functioned as employees of the Association, rather than those who worked freely or formed private teams.

Many factors drove people to become Contract Hunters: stable work and income, limited individual skills, or the inability to succeed on their own. Before becoming independent, they relied on the Association's vast platform for growth.

In the Hunters' Association, being a contract hunter was the norm, the choice of most members.

In addition, accepting a contract required approval from a special review board within the Association. Hunters had to pass the review team's assessment of their skills and qualifications. Some missions couldn't be accepted on a whim.

Like now, Oboro received his mission directly from the chairman. Otherwise, with his qualifications, it would have been impossible for him to accept such an important mission right after joining.

"The announcement has been posted. If there are any suitable candidates, the Association will notify you directly."

At the office desk, a female employee smiled and gestured to Oboro.

"How long does it usually take?"

Oboro asked.

"That depends on the nature of the mission."

"Thanks."

Oboro nodded and left.

This would be difficult.

The method was similar to forming a gaming party.

Even interested candidates would probably withdraw if they saw an unknown newcomer in charge. Moreover, with minimal mission information and a high danger level, even generous compensation might not overcome their hesitation.

"No choice. We'll have to use the resources of the Fells family."

Oboro thought.

Over the past few months, the Fells Family had expanded their resources and regained their vitality after the death of Old Man Brown.

They recruited from Meteor City and spent heavily on powerful Nen users. With underworld connections, forming a temporary team was not a problem.

However, these people might lack professionalism.

More importantly, their caliber would be low.

Strength was the most important thing, and at critical moments, weak members could become a liability.

In terms of team composition and size, quality was more important than quantity.

In addition, entering East Gorteau required special procedures with numerical limitations.

Dealing with the authorities complicated matters.

Simple infiltration wouldn't do. Discovery would cause a "major diplomatic incident".

Just as Oboro was preparing to leave the Association and return to the Fells family, his phone rang.

A member of the Association was calling.

Someone had applied to join his mission.

"So quickly? Without checking?"

Oboro was surprised.

Direct "approval" from the review department meant that the applicant must be well qualified and powerful.

Good news!

The addition of a veteran would greatly reduce the number of casualties.

The Association's review considered both mission efficiency and hunter safety before making recommendations.

The final selection still rested with Oboro as mission leader.

The Association sent the applicant's information to his phone. Initially expectant, Oboro deleted it as soon as he saw it.

Pariston, the Rat of the Twelve, current Two-Star Hunter.

He has me in his sights.

The reason was simple: Oboro had attracted the Chairman's attention, and Pariston's entire existence was focused on opposing the Chairman and finding amusement in it.

It was best to ignore such people at first. In Netero's presence, even Pariston would find it difficult to create problematic situations.

"He's already positioning people in the ranks of the Contract Hunters."

Oboro sneered.

He turned off his phone.

He took a taxi to the terminal and returned to his territory in the Republic of Padokea a few days later.

As expected, the Association never contacted him again after that first call.

In other words, his mission was likely doomed to failure.

The entry into East Gorteau had a strict timetable. Oboro had to organize his team in advance, report to the Association, and go through various procedures.

---

At the Fells' palace, Oboro explained his need for help without giving details or reasons.

"Do they all have to be Nen users?"

After listening, David fell into deep thought. "We also need experts in investigation, languages, field operations."

"That's too specific. It's not impossible to find such people, we can hire them, but it will take time."

"Time is exactly what I lack."

Oboro sat on the sofa and massaged his temples.

He could go alone, but that meant taking all the risks without support.

Everything before him remained unknown.

Another person meant another source of strength and hope.

David fell silent.

He understood something of his master's abilities. To see Oboro so serious meant that the members he needed had to be exceptionally capable, not ordinary agents. Otherwise, a single order to the country's underworld families would gather countless people overnight.

But that wasn't what Oboro needed.

"How long?"

Lily, sitting in her wheelchair, asked quietly from nearby.

"Two days."

Oboro said seriously.

"David, first notify all families and groups in our area to provide personnel recommendations for screening. Then call in the recently recruited members of the security team," Lily ordered.

"Yes."

The old man complied immediately.

Shortly thereafter, the Fells' security team entered, nearly twenty Nen users.

Their captain, Mondel, wore a sinister expression, his skin adorned with rivets: lips, nose, and more. He appeared to be a ruthless character who "licked blood from the edges of knives. His temperament and attitude seemed solid.

But Oboro only glanced at her before waving her away.

"No good?" Lily seemed disappointed.

She had hoped to help.

"Too weak."

Oboro said casually.

Netero's assigned task would prove to be extremely challenging.

Weak Nen users offered little advantage over ordinary humans.

"Entry procedures limit us to a maximum of eight. Seven would be ideal, four Nen users, three professionals. Ordinary people work well for the latter. However, this raises the quality requirements for the Nen users," Oboro muttered, considering the options.

"I roughly understand your required level. Forming a perfect team on such short notice with specific professional divisions is really difficult. We have to compromise somewhere. What you're about to do is very dangerous. Out of seven people, including you, at least two must be able to reliably protect the team and ensure safe operations. In other words, even without professional knowledge, sufficient strength will suffice.

The woman observed.

"Yes."

Oboro nodded.

"Why not contact him? Aren't you friends?"

Lily suddenly suggested.

Oboro hesitated. "I'd rather he didn't know about me. We don't get along well."

"But in this situation, he seems to be the best choice."

"Tsk."

Oboro frowned. He had considered Hisoka, but going after that man didn't feel safe.

"Whatever you're planning, it will require both expertise and strength. I'll have the family recruit according to your needs. We'll form a permanent team so we won't be rushed next time."

Lily laughed.

Oboro picked up his phone, stared at it, then finally dialed.

"Hello."

Hisoka answered almost immediately, his tone teasing. "Didn't expect you to call first. Must be in trouble~"

"Let me tell you, friends are important."

"..."

Oboro spoke coldly. "Come to me."

"I refuse!"

Hisoka replied directly, playfully. "I'm pretty busy, can't get away, take care of it yourself~"

"You owe me a favor, remember? Time to repay it."

Oboro, familiar with Hisoka's games, expected the refusal.

"When was that? I don't remember."

"..."

"Haha, it was years ago. Good chance to observe and understand me at close range. Sure you won't come? Well, I respect that. Goodbye!" Oboro laughed sharply and hung up.

The phone rang immediately.

Oboro ignored it, letting it ring for almost a full minute before he slowly answered it.

"What?"

"Well, I admit I'm interested."

Hearing that, Oboro's lips curled upward.

A simple trick.

After sending the location, he pocketed his phone.

With himself and Hisoka present, the safety of the team members was somewhat guaranteed.

However, they still needed two more capable fighters for support.

For a temporary team, expertise was less important.

That aspect could be covered by three ordinary human specialists, everything else would work out with sufficient funding.