Intelligence Hunter, Shack Yak

"Such a long journey—aren't you bored? Want to play a game, guys?"

Netero, now dressed in lightweight athletic shorts and a black tank top, walked into the lounge while spinning a volleyball on his fingertip and invited everyone.

To their astonishment, they discovered that despite being over ninety years old, the old man still possessed powerful muscles and a robust physique. He was nothing like the seemingly short, withered figure they had imagined when they saw him in wooden clogs and a loose kimono. He brimmed with vitality no less than that of a young man, as though he were an entirely different person.

"How do we play?" Esdeath was eager to give it a try.

Netero smiled. "Take the ball from my hand." He tapped his head, then added, "No Nen allowed. This airship can't withstand that kind of damage."

"Boring." Esdeath hesitated. Everyone knew that Netero was the strongest Nen user, and what she most wanted to see was Netero's Nen.

With a beaming smile, Netero said, "If you don't use Nen, neither will I. Even if you kill me, I guarantee I absolutely won't use Nen."

"Really?" Esdeath's interest was instantly piqued.

Bred closed his book and spread his hands. "Don't listen to him fooling you, Esdeath! Have you ever seen a beast that guaranteed it wouldn't bite? I certainly haven't!"

"I swear it." Netero feigned outrage. "I'm Isaac Netero, Chairman of the Hunter Association and the Examination Committee—your superior! You little brat, you dare doubt my promise?"

Bred curled his lip and fired back, "It has nothing to do with status. Only when someone truly touches the edge of hell and feels the breath of death do they understand who they really are, what kind of person they are, whether they truly desire to live, and whether they're prepared to die! In that instant, countless thoughts race through the mind, and many instinctive actions happen naturally. If you slip up then, Esdeath will surely die. To protect your glorious image, those of us who know the truth will probably be silenced too."

"..."

Netero was rendered speechless.

After a long while.

Netero kept scratching his head before forcing out a sentence. "I think you shouldn't be a History Hunter. You ought to be a Crime Hunter and part-time lawyer instead. It would suit your talents better."

"Thanks for the suggestion. It's not arrogance, but my talents extend beyond my mouth. Being a Crime Hunter and part-time lawyer would be a complete waste of them," Bred said blandly.

Netero: "..."

"Whatever!" Esdeath stretched her limbs. "I also want to experience the strength of someone qualified to contend for the title of the world's strongest, even if it's limited to basic combat."

"Gallant Esdeath is so pretty~"

Melard, a lovesick fool, was like a bitch in heat, always trailing after Esdeath. Unfortunately, just as she had said that the immature Bred "lacked the capacity to commit crimes," she too lacked the capacity to commit crimes.

Kurando Akabane and Jin were both very interested, and followed them to the training ground nearby to watch.

Only Bred remained seated, continuing to read his book. Mosquito Girl therefore stayed as well, diligently studying human writing and Nen.

It was not that Bred lacked interest in seeing how powerful someone qualified to contend for the title of the world's strongest was, nor was it because he lacked the courage to face the gap between himself and such a person. It was because a toddler trying to learn how adults soared across the land was dangerous and futile—there was no value in it as a reference, and it was easy to get hurt. It was better to remain true to himself, keep his feet on the ground, and walk his own path.

Less than half an hour later.

Kurando Akabane returned first and, unusually, took the initiative to speak. "Esdeath has no chance of winning. Even if Jin joined her, it would be no different."

"With a trace of mockery and utter nonchalance, like a child highly skilled at games leisurely toying with companions who are terrible at them... right? That's my guess at Netero's expression." Without looking up, Bred added, "And while you were watching, aside from shock and admiration, your resolve was affected to a certain extent. You felt the urge to yearn for him, even imitate him, fantasizing that one day you might become like him."

Kurando Akabane sighed. "That's right. That's why I can't keep watching. Being myself is what matters most."

Not long after.

Jin returned as well and silently practiced Nen.

Esdeath, on the other hand, remained full of energy as she continued playing with Netero.

Melard crouched nearby, coveting Esdeath's beauty and pretending to be a cheerleader.

The next day.

"Chairman, we've arrived at the West Sea Branch," a staff member reported.

Netero spun the volleyball and smiled. "That's enough. You must be tired too."

Esdeath's sweat had made her ice-blue hair stick to her skin. Panting heavily, she fell flat onto the floor. She had reached her limit long ago and had only been holding on through sheer willpower.

"Leave it to me! I'll take care of Esdeath!" Melard was beside herself with excitement and pounced impatiently toward Esdeath. She had finally found an excellent chance to "get close" to Esdeath, her nimble tongue licking, licking, licking—lewd and sleazy beyond belief.

Esdeath sprang up as if she had risen from her deathbed. "Get lost!"

Then Esdeath staggered away and sought Mosquito Girl's help.

Melard was left dejected.

A moment later.

"Welcome, Chairman."

The airship landed on a prosperous large island. A mature, intelligent beauty with short hair led a group of people of all shapes and appearances to welcome Netero's arrival.

"Shack Yak, you've all worked hard!" Netero's eyes wandered, occasionally glancing at Shack Yak's ample chest. Clearly, he was not as proper as he appeared.

Shack Yak lit a lady's cigarette and leaned forward to inspect Bred and the others. "This year's newcomers? They really are just like the intelligence said... young!"

"Hahahaha~~~" Netero laughed in delight. "Their average age is only around ten."

Shack Yak gave Esdeath a particularly meaningful glance. "But shouldn't you change your habit of teasing children?"

"It was just a spur-of-the-moment thing! In any case, considering their average age is only around ten, I've changed the Association's usual practice of accepting new recruits and then letting them develop on their own. I hope your West Sea Branch can take good care of them for a while." Netero stretched his back, sounding almost mischievous. "That's it! I have to go! Bye, everyone!"

"I'm off~~~"

"Whoosh!"

"Tap, tap, tap!"

Netero broke into a light-footed sprint and boarded the airship, leaving the hunters who admired him briefly stunned and disappointed that their plans to host him had fallen through.

"All right, children. The journey has tired you out, so get some rest first." Shack Yak smiled kindly. "I forgot to introduce myself. I'm Shack Yak. You can call me Aunt Shack. I'm an Intelligence Hunter, s~~~ You don't need to introduce yourselves."

Bred muttered inwardly, An Intelligence Hunter? She still hasn't gotten together with that 'Pluto'?

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