The date had finally arrived: March 18th.
In the weeks before, the Fells family had prepared for Cheko's rise to power. Their influence had spread to several neighboring towns, which had become havens for underground elements. Even ordinary citizens had begun to whisper about the countless criminals who seemed to be gathering to pay tribute to a major mafia figure.
Yet despite the gathering storm, there was an eerie calm. There was no sign of Spider activity.
Oboro could already see the events of March 18th unfolding in his mind's eye.
"You should go there first," he said to Kurapika.
The young Kurta's retreat training had been completed in less than two months, an extraordinarily compressed timeline. The most time-consuming elements had been the forced awakening of his mind and the direct transmission of developmental concepts, sparing Kurapika the need to discover everything by trial and error. Oboro had personally overseen both aspects, guiding Kurapika in establishing his nen foundation and mastering his newly awakened abilities.
As an instructor, Oboro had proven himself more than capable, and Kurapika's growth reflected that guidance. While his raw talent might not rival that of prodigies like Killua and Gon, it far surpassed that of ordinary practitioners.
The Kurapika who now stood before Oboro was transformed. A chain adorned his right hand, and his eyes had lost their childlike sparkle, replaced by something harder and more focused. During their time together, Oboro had done more than just supervise his training; he had imparted vital knowledge about Nen users and the wider world they inhabited.
He had given Kurapika a scientific framework for understanding the Nen, including a clear perspective on where the Phantom Troop stood in the hierarchy of power. The gulf between them and ordinary Nen users had been made painfully clear.
"You're not coming?" Kurapika asked calmly, looking up at the private ship hovering above them.
Three days remained. If Oboro didn't leave now, he would be too late.
"Don't worry, I'll be there," Oboro smiled. "But if you stay with me now, you'll encounter some unnecessary complications."
The Fells' private craft descended, and a contingent of black-suited subordinates emerged from the cabin. Several Nen users among them saluted Oboro respectfully.
"Complications?" Kurapika pondered the word, but decided not to press further.
Without another word, he boarded the smaller ship and left.
The Nen users who had disembarked lined up in front of Oboro.
"Good enough," Oboro nodded slightly as he looked at them. His assessment had nothing to do with their fighting abilities.
Instead of leaving, Oboro stayed in the mountains. Hours passed, and as darkness fell and the stars began to pierce the evening sky, his phone rang.
He answered without surprise. "You've arrived?"
"Yes." Illumi's voice came from inside the Fells' palace. David stood beside him, while Lily sat nearby in a wheelchair.
"So in this game, I just have to keep these two safe? Everyone else is expendable?" Illumi asked.
"Correct," Oboro confirmed.
"What about the Ten Dons?" Illumi pressed.
The Ten Dons were also part of the Mafia. In fact, they were the Fells' allies in this conflict. If anything happened to even a few of them, it would send shockwaves through the underworld power structure.
Illumi also subtly reminded Oboro that his fees were charged per person protected.
"No need. They're bait," Oboro replied simply.
"You plan to have the Spiders eliminate all ten Dons? To consolidate control over the Underground? I understand why you're keeping those two visible, they're additional bargaining chips. I've dealt with Chrollo before; he's cautious. If these two weren't there, it would definitely raise his suspicions. He must also understand their importance to you."
Illumi paused before making another suggestion: "I could also help you eliminate the spiders. I'll even offer a discount. Don't worry, I'm fully capable of both assassination and protection."
"No need. You're just an observer in this game. Watch and nothing more," Oboro said through a yawn.
"You can't be short on resources."
The implication that he was stingy came through clearly.
"Besides your fee, Hisoka pays you as well. Don't think I'm unaware of that," Oboro said quietly.
"By the way, where are you now?" Illumi's attempt to change the subject was obvious, even if clumsy.
"I'll send my location later, so the two from your family won't have to search."
"You knew?" Illumi asked in surprise.
"Your grandfather and father, right?"
Oboro smiled.
"That is correct. That's why I offered to help with this problem. With those two involved, the timing might be tight."
"As long as it's not Maha, it's fine," Oboro replied.
He had kept track of the bounties the Zoldyck family had placed on him. Even if the Troupe hired them, they would have to change the terms of the contract. For a guaranteed kill, they would have to use Maha.
The appearance of Zeno and Silva would probably only complicate his plans.
In this situation, hiding was pointless. Even without Illumi's information, Zeno and Silva could easily track him down.
This was the expertise that had kept the Zoldycks at the top of their profession for generations.
Even when avoiding official channels and routes, every conflict in the Republic of Bartochia carried some risk of exposure.
"So confident?" Illumi asked.
"You would be too. You have my exact location. The price for that information wasn't cheap, was it?"
"Mm."
Oboro had noticed one of Illumi's defining characteristics: his obsession with money. He would do almost anything for the right price.
The members of the Zoldyck family worked independently, collaborating only on difficult missions where mutual benefit was clear. But they were always precise about payment. Zeno and Silva had probably paid Illumi handsomely just for Oboro's current location.
"That's all, then."
Oboro ended the call.
Illumi hung up as well and turned to his younger brother Kalluto, who stood nearby in a dark kimono, his features as delicate as a girl's.
Then he looked at David and Lily. "Would you like me to eliminate the spiders? Although Oboro and I go back a long way, this is our first meeting. As new clients, you're entitled to a first-time discount" "Everything in the Fells family is under his control," David replied with a slight bow, maintaining his aristocratic courtesy. "Since he has made his arrangements, we have no right to interfere with his plans."
"Very well," Illumi said, dropping the matter.
At noon on March 18th, Oboro finally sensed the approach of his expected "guests".
A commotion erupted in the forest ahead, birds taking to the air in panic, wild animals fleeing in terror. Something terrible was approaching.
Oboro, who had apparently been sleeping on the ground, stretched lazily and smiled as he rose. "Finally here." The nearby Fells Family Nen users tensed as they sensed the approaching presence.
A minute later, two figures appeared, walking side by side. Their mere presence seemed to darken the bright day, radiating an invisible pressure that chilled the air itself.
The Mafia members around Oboro turned pale as they felt the overwhelming aura. Their fighting spirit began to crumble, as if being swallowed whole.
"Are you two lost?" Oboro asked with a smile, stepping forward to stand about ten feet away. He addressed Zeno with his hands clasped behind his back, his waist slightly bent.
Silva remained motionless, barely glancing at the people surrounding Oboro. Such trash wasn't worth his attention.
"Hmph, the arrogant brat didn't even run away," Zeno sneered, cracking his neck.
Silva had always been direct in his work and did not like wasting time. They all knew why they were here.
"Father," Silva muttered, stepping forward as violent energy surged through his body. His gaze locked on Oboro with deadly focus.
This was their first meeting since that day years ago. But the Zoldyck family had never stopped gathering intelligence on Oboro. They knew exactly how many national-level hunters had fallen to him during his rise through the ranks of the Association, all of them among the most powerful Nen users alive.
Seeing Oboro in person only confirmed what Silva had suspected: in single combat, he probably couldn't win.
Bringing his father had been the wise choice.
No further words were necessary. Silva's single utterance had conveyed everything to Zeno. That was their understanding.
Zeno's aura erupted like volcanic fury. The sheer life force emanating from the two Zoldycks seemed too vast to be contained by mere human forms. They looked more like giant primordial beings than men.
Silva's plan was clear: eliminate Oboro's subordinates immediately, then let Zeno attack him while Silva finished the cleanup. Then they would face Oboro together, one at the world-class level, the other at the sub-world-class level.
But compared to the two assassins ready to strike, Oboro remained completely relaxed. His casual demeanor only increased their caution.
Old Zeno had just stepped forward to attack when Oboro raised a hand and smiled. "You two are here to keep me busy, right? In other words, we don't really need to fight. So why waste the energy?"
"Hmm?"
His words made both Zoldycks pause.
"What do you mean?" the old man demanded.
"I have no intention of leaving, nor do I plan to return to the Fells' residence." "What game are you playing, boy?" Zeno's eyes narrowed. "You think you can fool me?"
"I'm already here. Even if I left now, you couldn't stop me in time, could you?"
"Your job is to watch me. That way, as long as I behave, you can easily earn your fee, right?"
Hearing this, Silva looked at his father.
Indeed, Oboro showed no sign of resisting or fighting.
"Every second that passes only proves that I'm telling the truth," Oboro said. Then, to their amazement, he lay back down on the ground. "The view from here is beautiful, and it's even better at night." "What the hell?
Zeno exchanged glances with Silva.
If Oboro really had no intention of fighting, there was no reason to force the issue.
Their job was simply to watch him.
'Stay alert.
Silva sat cross-legged on the ground, his eyes fixed on Oboro.
Zeno moved to take position in another direction.