"Impossible! How are you in NGL? If you were there all along, why didn't you report to the Association?" Cheadle shot to her feet, not even waiting for Chairman Netero to respond.
"Is that Cheadle I hear?"
On the phone, Oboro smiled softly. "I apologize, but I just arrived."
"Just arrived? Then how could your information about the Chimera Ants be more detailed than what the Association already has?"
Cheadle sensed something was off. The situation didn't add up.
How to explain this
If Oboro had known about the Chimera Ants earlier, he should have informed the Association before Kite did. That would have prevented unnecessary casualties.
"Don't get so worked up," Oboro replied calmly. "This is NGL, which has business dealings with the mafia. These ants have been around for some time. Compared to outsiders, the locals of NGL naturally know more Getting information from them is simple for someone with the right connections."
The vague explanation left Cheadle feeling like something was stuck in her throat, rendering her momentarily speechless.
Everyone present had overlooked this crucial detail.
NGL's shadowy background involved organized crime
One simple fact made it difficult for the Twelve Zodiacs to find any holes in Oboro's story.
NGL would never easily cooperate with outside organizations, except the mafia.
"Since you witnessed the ant fighting with Kite that means Kite is most likely dead." Yinda, the Sheep of the Twelve Zodiacs, had tears in his eyes.
He was always an emotional person.
"That ant is merely one of the Royal Guards serving the King. There are two others of equal rank their strength remains unknown, as I've only observed from a distance. Additionally, from what I've gathered there's also a ruler known as the 'King' in the Chimera Ant colony, who may be even more powerful Therefore, if the Association takes action, extreme caution is advised! My suggestion is to first provide hunters with targeted training. And if the Chairman personally participates, I suggest you find your true form"
Oboro continued.
"What are you implying? Are you planning to ignore this crisis? Since you're already in NGL and have sufficient strength to join the mission, why are you running away?" Cheadle demanded, anger seeping into her voice.
"I apologize I've been quite busy lately, so I merely stopped by to assess the situation. I believe the Association can handle this with its resources. Besides, with the Chairman personally taking action, there's no need for my interference." Oboro's indifferent tone further fueled Cheadle's anger.
This man has no sense of responsibility as a Hunter.
He was already in NGL! Why wouldn't he help?
The exchange between the two made Pariston's eyes gleam with interest.
He became even more certain that Oboro definitely wasn't in NGL!
Cheadle looked to the Chairman. All it would take was one word from Netero, and Oboro would have to comply!
"Hmm Very well, you've been helpful"
Netero stroked his beard and smiled with genuine pleasure. "Hearing you speak of these ants makes me rather excited to face them"
"I won't let you down," Oboro replied before hanging up.
"Chairman"
Cheadle stared at Netero in confusion, not understanding why he hadn't ordered Oboro to join the mission.
"What Oboro said is correct. If I, as Chairman, cannot resolve this matter myself, then it's beyond the scope of what our Association can handle."
The old man laughed heartily.
Shortly after, an Association member brought the information Oboro had mentioned into the conference room.
Pariston personally accepted it, casually asking whether the document had been delivered to the Association by fax or brought by someone from the Fells Family.
The answer: it was hand-delivered.
Pariston smiled, looking around at everyone. "Oboro's efficiency is truly remarkable It's almost as if he knew we would hold this meeting and had people prepare the documents in advance. It doesn't seem like he just arrived in NGL"
He had his suspicions.
"What exactly are you implying?" Geru stared at him with steady eyes.
"Nothing at all I simply admire him."
Pariston waved his hand dismissively.
Cheadle, standing off to the side, gave Pariston a cold, calculating glance.
On the other end of the line, Oboro set down his phone and muttered, "Stupid woman."
He had anticipated Cheadle would try to cause trouble for him.
So he deliberately left an opening for her to question, allowing her to unwittingly play into his hand and act out a performance with him.
A performance for Pariston's benefit.
The woman has some intelligence but not enough.
With his warning delivered, combined with the situation Killua had reported, the Association would certainly take notice They wouldn't dare launch an attack on the ant nest without preparation.
As for how long the delay would last that depended on Netero's confidence in his own abilities.
The timeline had already been altered, so even with less than a month of preparation time, Pouf, Youpi, and the Ant King would all likely be born by then.
Oboro lay on a tattered bedroll, the floor stained with dried blood. This farmer had clearly been dead for some time and now the place served as shelter for the three of them.
Hanzo was feeding firewood into a small stove. "The Association will probably send people to assess the ant colony from the outside first but they won't venture too deep, which will prevent them from understanding the true strength of the colony as it stands now."
"If they knew everything, following what you said, Chairman Netero would never give the ants any breathing room" Morel added, attempting his own analysis.
"As long as I encounter ants at the squadron leader or officer level, they'll confirm the accuracy of my information, and the Association will naturally believe what I've reported," Oboro stated calmly.
"But Captain, now that you've killed Neferpitou, will the other ants still dare to venture out?" Hanzo asked.
"Yes, the Queen has an enormous appetite for food. No matter how dangerous, the ants must forage Additionally, after the birth of the remaining two Royal Guards, Pouf and Youpi especially Youpi even if he knows Pitou was killed and that powerful Nen users exist among humans, his temperament won't allow him to show fear. He might even come searching for me, just as Pitou did."
Oboro stared at the rotting beams overhead and continued, "Moreover, if I disappear for a while, some ants may assume I was gravely injured by Pitou and forced to flee their territory Naturally, they'll believe the threat no longer exists."
The phone that Oboro had just set down suddenly rang.
"Who is it?"
Hanzo and Morel looked over simultaneously.
"Ging Freecss."
Oboro uttered the name without even checking the caller ID, somehow knowing who was calling.
He answered and held the phone to his ear.
"Was Kite's soul taken by you?" Ging asked calmly from the other end.
"Is the meeting over?" Oboro replied, deliberately avoiding the question.
"Mm"
"When I arrived he was already dead," Oboro said with convincing sincerity.
"I know that. I'm asking about his soul"
"It's gone."
Oboro's lips curved upward as he spoke. "His body was likely taken by the ants. The Chimera Ants have awakened intelligence and are using humans as research specimens, so they wouldn't leave it behind."
Silence hung on the other end of the line.
"When the body dies, the soul dissipates. Some powerful individuals retain consciousness through Nen after death, but this manifestation remains tied to the physical body as its driving force The ants took Kite's remains, so there's nothing I can do."
"The soul's dissipation it has a time limit, doesn't it?"
Ging hit the mark precisely: "Just like in the game"
"Hehehe"
Oboro laughed appreciatively. "You truly are perceptive. Nothing escapes you Yes, I could have done something about Kite's soul, but this time, I genuinely couldn't help What I told the Chairman is true! That ant is extraordinarily powerful. Even I could only observe from a distance, not daring to approach."
"Well nothing to be done about it then. I did warn him," Ging sighed.
"This Chimera Ant situation was it Pariston's doing?"
"Oh? Really?" Oboro feigned surprise.
""
"You went to NGL for the soul, correct?"
"Furthermore, V5 issued this order, one that even the Chairman couldn't refuse Consequently, the Chairman's life is likely in danger. You've known this all along and have been waiting for this opportunity! The Chairman must have noticed but his confidence in himself is absolute that's always been his approach."
"From the current circumstances, even if you and I intervened, it would make no difference This 'King' you mentioned in the meeting is beyond what conventional means can handle, isn't that right?"
"This is a dead end."
"Additionally, you deliberately created a diversion to shift Pariston's attention away from the ant crisis and used the Dark Continent as bait. Quite convincing and alluring."
"Heh and the result?" Oboro asked with a smile.
"He took the bait," Ging replied.
"Oboro, how about we make a deal?"
"Go on."
"I'll ensure you become Chairman, but the actual administrative authority of the Association will be delegated to the Zodiacs After all, you want the chairmanship merely to check and balance V5 and gain leverage. What you desire is simply the title and symbol. Power and its trappings aren't that important to you"
"Sorry, I refuse! I dislike anything beyond my control adding uncertainty. Besides the position of Chairman is already predetermined you can't prevent it."
"Are you certain? Sometimes excessive confidence is unwise."
"Are you declaring war on me?"
"If you refuse, so be it"
This time it was Oboro's turn to fall silent.
"Consider it. This arrangement doesn't harm your interests. I don't particularly want to involve myself in these matters, but the Hunter Association is what the Chairman values most what he's dedicated his entire life to. There's one more thing, outside the scope of our negotiation. It's merely a personal request I hope you'll spare Pariston."
"Ging, being too clever isn't always beneficial."
Oboro suddenly spoke up. "I accept your challenge."
Beep, beep
A busy signal sounded from Ging's phone.
"Ah troublesome."
Outside the Hunter Association headquarters, Ging ran his fingers through his hair, unsurprised by the outcome.
He glanced back at the towering building behind him and slowly walked away.