An Assignment

Throughout their entire conversation, the two never mentioned the words "Dark Continent".

But both sides understood what the other was saying.

Have you figured yourself out?

"As expected of you."

Long, impressed by the old man's imposing aura, inwardly praised him.

Meanwhile, Biscuit was shaken... She also understood what the chairman meant and knew that he was referring to the Dark Continent.

But... why this attitude towards Oboro?! She had never seen the old man treat anyone with such severity and caution.

You know, it's perfectly normal for Hunter x Hunter in the Association to often talk about the Dark Continent... Some even joke about exploring the Dark Continent in front of Netero, and the old man just laughs and warns that someone might die if he says that, and then moves on.

Why? Why treat Oboro like this?...

Is it because he looks Beyond?

The fact that the chairman has another son is known to very few people within the Association, Biscuit happens to be one of them. It's a secret... absolutely not to be told. However, knowing the chairman as she does, even someone like Beyond wouldn't go to such lengths...

Are there other reasons? Or perhaps... the hidden danger within Oboro is even greater than that person's...

"If I become stronger than you one day, you won't be able to stop me..." Oboro suddenly spoke, looking directly at Netero.

"Let's talk about it after you can do it."

Netero said in a deep voice, "From the day you joined the Association, as long as your strength is inferior to mine, or as long as I am still alive... you are not allowed to set foot there!"

"It's best not to even have the idea..."

"Is this... a constraint you imposed on me?"

Long smiled slightly, "You really did set a trap for me, but... it was also out of kindness. Don't worry, I'm not that stupid."

From Netero's perspective, if he hadn't become a member of the Association, in the near future, perhaps a few years or ten years from now, given his personality, he could have easily used the power of the underworld and the pawns of the government to smuggle himself to the Dark Continent.

Even obtaining a permit is not impossible...

But now that it has the Association's status... things are a little different.

Of course, Oboro could also sense that Netero was acting out of a protective instinct.

Protect him?

No...it's more about protecting humanity.

Going to the Dark Continent to die... I don't care.

What's frightening is that the person didn't die, but came back...

Suddenly, the old man withdrew his aura, and the three people in the room immediately felt the pressure disappear.

Hot water spilled from the broken teacup, Beans hurriedly picked up a handkerchief and began to kneel down to wipe it clean.

"We know you're very smart... but you're too audacious. No one can be sure what choices you might make at any moment." The old man smiled warmly.

It was as if what had just happened was an illusion.

"So, that's why you've kept me tied to your side and watching me?" Oboro whispered.

"Tie him up? Who can tie up a guy like you?! At most, I'll take care of you as an elder before you're 'underage'..." Netero laughed.

"Oh... then thank you so much."

The tone was sarcastic.

"You're welcome..."

"After going around in circles and giving us all the feedback, are you satisfied? Can we get down to business now...? Let's hurry up," Oboro urged.

The way to become stronger! Biscuit squinted her eyes... Luckily it was her. If it were anyone else, they would probably be completely confused and anxious by the conversation between the two foxes, one big and one small.

Sometimes you can understand them, sometimes it's like they're exchanging secret codes.

But both of them understood each other's meaning...

Even she had to scrutinize and analyze it before she could understand it.

"Wow... these young people nowadays really have no patience..."

Netero gave an order, and the Beans handed Oboro a document that he had prepared earlier, asking him to take a look.

"You know the East Gorteau Republic, right?"

While flipping through the documents, Beans Jianlong said, "We have received information that there is a rather special ethnic tribe within this country... The Association needs to send someone to investigate."

"Because this country is completely closed off and is not a member state, the outside world knows very little about it."

Long's heart stirred.

He had assumed that the method the guild leader mentioned for becoming stronger was some kind of technique or cultivation, but he never expected it to be a mission!

And... the United States of East Gorteau? Isolated from the world... it feels similar to Meteor City.

It is also a small, autocratic, monarchical country that will be conquered by the Chimera Ant King Meruem in the future.

"The need for investigation... means they pose a potential danger to society, right?"

Long was somewhat wary. The East Gorteau Republic was cut off from the outside world, and whatever unrest occurred internally was their own business. Not to mention the Association, even V5 had no right to interfere or meddle. This small country, like Kakin, was not a member state, and the regulations set by V5 had no effect on it.

The fact that a special person needs to be sent there suggests that... this tribe has serious problems, and once it erupts, it will affect more than just the East Gorteau area... similar to the situation of Chimera Ant.

Judging from the original work, the impact was probably not that serious, since there was no relevant description.

Or it was resolved by the Association.

In other words... this mission is an event that goes beyond the realm of Oboro's memories.

It is full of uncertainty.

"This information is too simple... There are no important clues, just a map." Long closed the file and said calmly.

"Given their national circumstances, there's nothing we can do about it... Otherwise, we wouldn't have sent people."

"Beans is saying."

"It's very difficult...it could be life-threatening, you can refuse!" Netero chuckled and held up one finger, offering his advice.

"Completing the mission will significantly enhance my strength... Are you sure?"

Long remained unmoved and waved the documents in his hand.

"Um."

The old man nodded.

Long had a premonition that this task... would be very troublesome.

Ethnic groups...

There are many mysterious and special ethnic groups scattered across the continents, such as the Kurta Clan, the mummy wrapped in bandages in the Phantom Troupe, the Bonolenov with holes all over his body, Gyudondond Tribe from which he was born. These are only a small part of the total.

After all, the current human continent is just a small island in the center of Mobius Lake, and humans are just people who migrated from the Dark Continent in ancient times.

Different ethnic groups have different cultures and beliefs...

The level of danger is also different.

"Good."

After thinking about it for a moment, Long agreed.

"Keep it up... I have high hopes for you!" Netero winked.

"..."

Hazy.

He understood that the old man had accurately predicted his desire for power...

"You're not going alone, are you?" Biscuit asked hurriedly from the side.

"Of course not, I need to go and prepare."

Long slowly got up.

"Need any help? Although we don't get along very well, well... I'm a kind-hearted woman, so if you lower yourself and ask me for help, I might be able to agree. Anyway, I'm not busy lately... But... my reward won't be cheap..."

Biscuit revealed a smug look on her face, as if she was about to extort money from him.

Unexpectedly, Long seemed not to hear her at all, walked right past her, closed the door, and left.

"..."

Biscuit could finish speaking, her smile froze on her face.

The room fell silent for a moment.

The atmosphere was a little awkward.

"Aaaaaah! Damn it, that little bastard... He's ignoring this beautiful woman right in front of him and going looking for someone else?! You'll regret this! Don't even think about coming back to beg me!"

Biscuit's cheeks began to heat up and turn red, and then she yelled angrily.

The Beans picked up a handkerchief and slowly wiped the spit that had been sprayed on his face, appearing very calm.

He looked at Netero and asked, "President... aren't you being too reckless... Even if Oboro has some strength, he has never completed a mission like this before; he's a complete novice. Besides... the danger level of this mission is quite high, and there's very little relevant information available, meaning everything is unknown... The Association was originally planning to send an investigation team... but now it's just him..."

"This little guy has always been moving forward in a stable environment. He has a plan and understanding of information, danger and security, and even the roles involved in his plans... All factors are controllable. To put it bluntly, he has grown up within a framework that he is familiar with and can anticipate changes, adjusting his response strategy at any time... But this is far from making him an excellent Hunter x Hunter."

Netero said softly, "The true measure of a Hunter x Hunter's strength is their ability to face the unknown..."

"Unknown environment, unknown enemy, unknown danger... Hehehe..."

"But... I'll die."

The Beans understood what the chairman meant, but still couldn't help but say something.

He felt the speed was a bit too fast... Oboro might not have the ability to handle it right now.

"Death is what he needs to face most right now."

After speaking, Netero looked out the window at the sky.

His gaze was deep... as if he were lost in thought.

Biscuit also fell silent.

Whether Oboro can return from this journey means... whether he will undergo a transformation...