HxH: I Will Be Supreme

Where there are humans, there are Nen users.

The video footage of the Bozwa tribe strongly suggested the presence of a Manipulation-type Nen user, though other Nen types remained possible.

But something felt more complex.

Their journey from Padokea to East Gorteau, which spanned nearly the entire Yorbian continent, took half a month before they reached the borders of this isolated nation.

Looking around, several dilapidated buildings and facilities stood at the base of the mountain, the landscape somewhat desolate.

Barbed wire and fences stretched for dozens of miles, patrolled by soldiers. The surroundings proved to be tolerable, if not beautiful.

Mountains and water dotted the landscape.

The only element missing was technology.

Only the checkpoint contained computers and scanning equipment.

This border crossing seemed especially deserted.

No vehicles or civilians were visible beyond the station.

The seven first established a hidden micro-base away from the checkpoint, prepared themselves, and then approached on foot.

At the immigration checkpoint, soldiers stopped them for questioning.

After presenting documents and papers, they were searched in a small, dark room.

The soldiers made sure they were not carrying contraband.

Officially, the seven entered the country under the pretext of "trade.

Simply put, they claimed to be making bulk purchases of resources from East Gorteau.

After considerable processing and warnings that even foreigners could be executed for violating the law, a soldier finally drove them along mountain roads to a designated point, indicated that someone would meet them, and then left.

The soldiers showed no concern for escape attempts. Numerous restricted areas surrounded them, and trespassers were shot on sight.

Important rules and regulations were explained in advance.

The entire process was extremely time-consuming.

Entry into the country was severely restricted.

"Security is tighter than last time. Because of the Bozwa?"

Dangeri watched as the military vehicle pulled away.

"Something significant must have happened within their borders."

Oboro added.

Even an isolated nation needed basic trade for economic survival, as Meteor City maintained trade with criminal organizations.

Therefore, these entry points could not have always maintained such tight security, or individuals like Dangeri would have no precedent for entry.

East Gorteau's monarch indulged in luxury, selling national resources cheaply to finance personal extravagance.

Oboro turned to watch Hisoka's smiling face.

"What did you discover?"

He noticed a faint trace of blood.

Earlier, at the checkpoint, Hisoka had disappeared for a moment, noticed only by Oboro.

He knew that Hisoka had eliminated someone.

Not on Oboros order, Hisoka had acted independently.

Natives naturally understood domestic affairs better than outsiders.

"Jagged mountains."

Hisoka whispered the location. "The Bozwa probably live there, although the military has blocked the area. The conflict continues."

"Conflict?"

Oboro raised an eyebrow.

The video showed the Bozwa's strange abilities, but it was a one-sided military massacre. The disparity in firepower seemed absolute. Moreover, given the age of the video, any conflict should logically have ended.

A small tribe challenging a national military force seemed implausible.

However weak East Gorteau might be, it was far beyond the capabilities of the Bozwa.

"Yes, literal warfare. This group proved to be formidable. Not only did they survive the Royal Army's attempted annihilation, they inflicted heavy casualties. The battlefield has expanded several times since the beginning, becoming increasingly chaotic. Beyond the Bozwa, frontline towns have fallen. No survivors," Hisoka explained.

"No survivors?"

Oboro confirmed.

"According to my source. We'll verify it when we arrive," Hisoka smiled.

The expressions of the others changed between nervousness and fear.

As far as the conflict was concerned, the monarch of East Gorteau must have deployed considerable forces, but failed to wipe out a small tribe?

Moreover, the impact zone seemed to be huge.

How big had the battlefield become?

"You."

Oboro fixed Hisoka with a glare.

"Do not worry, I have hidden the body thoroughly. No one will find it."

Hisoka answered teasingly, anticipating the question.

The three civilians, Dangeri and his colleagues paled. They had not expected such a reckless independent action.

A discovery by other soldiers would be fatal.

During their airship trip, the three had minimized contact with Hisoka, maintaining an inexplicable fear. Even when Hisoka showed kindness and smiled, they couldn't shake their unease.

Not only them, but also the muscular Kaki and the other Nen users deliberately avoided Hisoka. They sensed his dangerous nature as well.

Within the team, only Captain Oboro confronted Hisoka directly.

But the captain showed no intention of stopping him.

"I've heard of the Serrated Mountains, but I don't know their exact location. We should find a local guide," Dangeri suggested.

"We'll start at the nearest settlement."

Oboro gave the order.

"Yes."

Dangeri took the lead as they walked, eventually reaching a forked path.

They spotted several dark figures moving ahead of them.

Armed soldiers.

A guard post was probably nearby.

Oboro signaled to Hisoka and he understood immediately. He charged forward like a leopard, gaining speed. His movements became ghostly, his cards turning into deadly blades as he eliminated several targets a hundred meters away.

Without a sound.

Each strike proved instantly fatal, precise and clean.

The display made everyone but Oboro swallow hard.

Such strength was beyond imagination.

As an ally, it inspired confidence, but as an enemy.

"His physical abilities."

Oboros pupils contracted slightly.

In terms of talent, Hisoka was slightly ahead of him, but in terms of raw physical ability, Oboro had always considered Hisoka to be somewhat lacking.

But now, this man had become monstrous.

Perhaps a chain reaction of their common past?

Hisoka deliberately showed off his abilities and made sure that Oboro could witness them.

As the other six approached, Hisoka pulled his bloodied cards from between his fingers, making them disappear instantly.

With the evidence concealed, they pressed on.

By nightfall, they had bypassed several military checkpoints and discovered a small village.

The settlement maintained extremely basic living conditions, with households still using primitive farming tools.

Oboro used threats to secure the cooperation of a local man, and the villager agreed to lead them into the Serrated Mountains.

East Gorteau's national politics and laws naturally made civilians wary of obvious outsiders such as themselves.

The authorities forbade civilian interaction with foreigners, and imprisonment awaited those caught.

Thus, neither money nor benefits could secure willing cooperation.