Maha Protects His Grandson × Kanzai Makes an Appearance (3K)
What's the date today?
Kukuroo Mountain, Republic of Padokea, home of the Zoldyck Family.
In the dimly lit little room on the first floor of the Ancient Castle, near the garden... Maha was rocking back and forth in a rocking chair, enjoying a massage. Zeno wasn't there, and the "technician" had been replaced by Tsubone.
A few days ago, Silva said he wanted to come in person, but the old man shut him down with a simple, "Take good care of your wife."
Kikyo's belly was getting bigger every day, and if something went wrong, she would go crazy... That's when Tsubone came.
"Number 23." The old butler's technique wasn't as precise as Zeno's, but it was more persistent. It seemed... with the Young Master and Second Young Master not at home, they had a lot more free time.
"It's been almost a month..." Maha grumbled, the blanket slipping down his knees, but Tsubone, quick as a flash, caught it and covered him up again.
"Yes, it's been almost a month. The master called and said he'll be back in a few days, probably around the same time as the Young Master."
Tsubone knew what Maha was talking about, and while massaging him, he chatted to keep him entertained, saying, "I heard that this Hunter Exam will end very quickly. The Hunter Association intends to tighten restrictions and never planned to recruit anyone from the beginning."
"Too much water? Add flour. Too much flour? Add water. It's all the same..." The old man chuckled mockingly. "People get confused when they get old. They only think to tighten the reins when there's too much 'water' in the mix. By then, it's too late."
Indeed, that was a bit excessive.
Relaxing the restrictions makes people think the Hunter Exam is easy, thus reducing the value of the "license". When they finally decide to increase the "value", they often end up not hiring anyone, which dampens the public's enthusiasm for obtaining the "Hunter License".
The Hunter Association boasts Netero, the "Strongest Human," and numerous low-level staff, but it lacks a crucial "middle layer" to coordinate and plan the organization. This is evident, at least in the case of Zoldyck Tsubone for nearly forty years...
The Hunter Association's organizational structure is currently unhealthy.
This may be one of the reasons why Netero plans to establish the "Zodiacs" in the future.
But this is... a pity for Young Master Young Master Roy Illumi.
Tsubone frowned. "I heard from the master that, besides Botobai - Gigante, who is favored by Netero, the examiners for this session also include the ' Pig-headed Monster ' that he copied from Lord Jager's memories as a scout."
"That C-rank monster?"
"Yes."
Tsubone clasped her hands together and gently tapped Maha's shoulder. Two pink braids hung down her back as she said with concern, "Ordinary Nen user will have a hard time breaking through those guys' defenses. The Hunter Association also requires all examinees to last for more than ten seconds to pass."
"I'm afraid even without Botobai -Bai Gigante's intervention, just the Pig-headed Monster alone would be enough to give everyone a run for their money."
Hmmm... Maha closed his eyes, tapping his fingers on the armrest without saying a word. After a long while, he said softly, "Nothing is absolute. You are, Silva so is Zeno... They always like to judge today's young people based on their own experience, even more old-fashioned than me..."
"Knock... knock... knock..." His fingers tapped rhythmically on the armrest, just as the curtains were lifted by a corner of the cold wind, casting a ray of sunlight... He looked out the window and Silva helping Kikyo finish breakfast and take a walk in the garden. Suddenly, he recalled the stubborn and strong-willed little face of the Sun-Earring Boy that had been appearing in his mind from time to time these past few days.
He snorted coldly and said, "Ten seconds isn't enough to stop the Zoldyck..."
"He thinks Netero can just stop people from passing by like that? Go call Zeno and ask him if his last name is Zoldyck or Isaac? And who gave him permission to copy memories?"
I can't answer that...
Maha paused, then said, "There's no need to go back to this house then."
You like to push your grandson to higher levels all the time, huh? Well... this old man's itching to give you a good push too.
The dimly lit room seemed unlikely to remain calm today.
Tsubone cautiously replied "Yes," took out his phone, and made a call. The other end was... Zaban City.
Formal venue.
In conjunction with the "Memory Film" and the "Ghost-Obsessed Cedar," and the simulated illusion created by the God Script "illusion," Botobai has already gone in and out seven times.
It's been a long time since I've had such a satisfying battle with someone.
These naturally Enhancement Pig-headed Monster are not only as proficient as humans in using the [Four Major Principles] and other advanced application skills, but surprisingly, there are five of them in total, each with a different "profession".
There were [Barbarian] specializing in clearing the way with hand axes, [Scout] throwing projectiles to observe enemy positions, [Rogue] providing support from the center and looking for opportunities to launch surprise attacks... and the [Pig-headed General], who was clearly a head taller than the four in front, stationed at the rear...
Botobai felt refreshed and exhilarated as he finally escaped the "illusion." He glanced at his right shoulder, thankful it was just a memory; otherwise, the [Pig-headed General]'s powerful axe strike would have severed his arm on the spot.
"That guy is more than C," Botobai moved his right shoulder, and two long streams of gas shot out from his nostrils.
Beside her, Gell closed the "Pharmacology" book, covered the word "Illusion," and glanced at it unexpectedly. She rarely saw her colleague so engrossed in the subject and thought to herself, "Only the Dark Continent could captivate such a boorish old man."
Unlike Gell, Botobai, as a junior colleague favored by Netero, clearly knows more...
I've heard Netero mention more than once that the Dark Continent is teeming with uncivilized Magic Beast.
However, the Pig-headed Monster squad was well-trained, and with a [Pig-headed General] leading the way, they didn't seem uncivilized; rather, they appeared to be orthodox soldiers from some tribe or nation.
Botobai aspires to become a "three-star Terrorist Hunter," and in the future, he will simultaneously serve as a "prosecutor" and a "military analyst," so his insight is naturally extraordinary.
He shook his arms, not understanding why the guild leader chose to lie about the "Dark Continent." He vaguely guessed that it might be related to the "Calamity" he brought back from his past expedition into the Dark Continent.
They remain silent because they fear these "Calamity" will endanger the human world and even lead to the extinction of humanity.
He even went so far as to establish "Vow and Limitation" to prevent Beyond from exploring the Dark Continent; of course, Botobai is currently unaware of this...
The square face hidden beneath the Peking Opera mask seemed lost in thought.
Coming to his senses, the man crossed his arms, his tall figure standing at the entrance of the passageway like a guardian deity, quietly waiting for the examinees to arrive.
At one point, he and Gell both looked ahead...
"Clang~"
Basement entrance...
The elevator doors opened, and candidates, each wearing a candidate number pinned to their chest, stepped out one after another...
Among them are many familiar faces, such as... the Bald Ninja Yusuke, the Bandage Man appears to be from the Jutundu Tribe, Snake Handler, Bow-bearing Boy, and Kite and Illumi.
The two who arrived later immediately began searching for someone, only to discover that they were among the first to arrive. They each found a corner to hide in.
The elevator doors opened, and another group of people entered. Among them was a guy with spiky blond hair who seemed to have a bad temper. He complained that the venue for this test was too remote, and he kept spouting idioms, always backwards, making himself a laughingstock...
"Hey~ what's so funny? Watch out or I'll beat you up!" He always threatened others verbally at this point, but never actually did anything. When he couldn't take it anymore, he angrily yanked his hair and punched the tunnel, creating a dent. The other person was so scared that they had no choice but to shut their mouth.
"Kanzai...
Someone called out his name, saying they had seen him during his time as a bodyguard.
However, not only Kanzai, but similar situations occurred from time to time as more and more candidates arrived. Although there were frictions among them, they mostly maintained a high degree of vigilance and subtle hostility, after all, they were in a competitive relationship.
Who knows if someone who's a friend one second might become an enemy the next?
It's always good to be cautious.
"100...200...300...400..." As it approached two o'clock in the afternoon, the venue became increasingly crowded.
Gell was in charge of counting the number of people. According to the "quota" reported by various places, a total of 408 people had passed the "preliminary test" and arrived at the venue. Currently, 405 people have arrived, so there are still three people short.
1:56, 1:57, 1:58... Less than two minutes before the official exam, "Clang!"
The last elevator door opened, and three people and a bird slowly stepped out, appearing before everyone's eyes.
Many eyes were focused on her... Kurajing's throat tightened, and she quietly moved closer to Roy.
Gotoh stood half a step behind on the left rear, adjusting her glasses perched on her nose. She didn't have time to glare at her... Right now, over four hundred pairs of eyes were staring at her, many with hostility in them. The pressure was immense.
"Gah--" Little Gold and Roy are connected at heart, so Xiao Jin's perception is more acute than that of Gotoh.
It immediately put its wings on its hips, glared back, as if to say... "What are you looking at? I'll kill you all one by one later!"
Look at that, even more ruthless than the Gotoh!
"Don't be nervous." Roy patted its little head, leaned on his Cane Sword and walked slowly over, followed closely by Gotoh and Kurajing, and found a secluded corner to stand.
His gaze lingered for a moment in several directions before finally settling on the man directly in front of him, a man with an extremely exaggerated build and wearing a Peking Opera mask. He narrowed his eyes slightly, recognizing him...
He is the Samsung Terrorist Hunter, the man rumored to be closest in strength to Netero, Botobai Gigante!
Um?
Botobai sensed something, and at the same time, he glanced at the boy and saw him nod slightly. The Sun-Earring Boy looked somewhat like Silva Zoldyck, a man he had met on several occasions.
His thick eyebrows shot up immediately, and he recognized Roy as well...
He's the eldest son of the Zoldyck, the kid the chairman specifically told us not to hold back.
What was it called again?
Roy Zoldyck!