Tiger Kanzai, Joining the Hunt for Criminals

As the conference room door was pushed open, Kanzai sat at one end of the table with his legs crossed, his fingers tapping the tabletop impatiently.

He had a mouthful of sharp teeth and wore a striped outfit resembling a baseball uniform.

Most striking of all was his yellow-striped hair—like a fierce tiger perpetually poised to hunt.

The moment he saw Mizai Istom enter, he spoke up, his tone brimming with irritation.

"Didn't you say we were here to discuss this? You kept me waiting all this time!"

Before his words had even faded, his gaze passed over Mizai Istom and landed on Leo behind him.

Kanzai frowned and leaned forward slightly, as though he had spotted a target that needed assessing.

"Hm? What's he here for?"

Mizai Istom walked to the table, pulled out a chair, and sat down, still as composed as ever.

"Sorry, Kanzai. I kept you waiting. This capture operation carries a certain degree of danger, so to be safe, I asked him to assist us."

He gestured to the side.

"Leo. A newly licensed Hunter from this year's Hunter Exam."

Leo walked over to the table and gave Kanzai a friendly smile.

"Hello, my name is Leo. It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Kanzai."

Kanzai did not respond immediately.

He looked Leo up and down, his gaze as sharp as a scalpel.

A few seconds later, he finally spoke with his trademark bluntness.

"Oh? A newly licensed Hunter?"

Kanzai tilted his head, the corner of his mouth pulling into something resembling a smile.

"For this stinking cow to invite you... you must have a little skill!"

Leo nearly burst out laughing.

He had long known that Kanzai was not very good with words and often said things awkwardly, but hearing such a strange expression firsthand still struck him as rather comical.

He kept his expression under control and replied sincerely.

"You flatter me. As one of the Association's Twelve Zodiacs, Mr. Kanzai must be exceptionally strong. As a junior, I have much to learn from all of you."

It was a well-phrased remark. Flattery could get through anything.

A timely compliment could quickly improve Kanzai's impression of him—and that would be very helpful for their later teamwork.

Sure enough, Kanzai's expression softened somewhat.

He waved a hand, a hint of embarrassment in his voice.

"Not at all, not at all! My skills are nothing special... Please take good care of me in the future!"

Leo smiled and corrected him.

"It's 'please take good care of me.'"

He held out his hand.

"I'm glad to be friends with you, Mr. Kanzai."

Kanzai stared at the outstretched hand for a second before extending his own.

Their hands clasped—Kanzai's palm was rough and covered in calluses.

They shook for two seconds before letting go.

"Alright."

Mizai Istom spoke at the right moment.

"Now that you've met, take your seats."

He took several folders from the briefcase he carried with him and handed one each to Kanzai and Leo.

"These contain detailed information on the Jackal Trio. Read through them first. Ask if you have any questions."

The conference room fell quiet, leaving only the soft rustle of turning pages.

Leo opened his folder.

The first page contained photographs of three men arranged side by side.

On the far left was a bald, muscular man. A savage scar ran from his brow bone to his jaw, and his eyes were fierce.

Note: Codename "Jackal," leader of the trio. Suspected Enhancer. Violent fighting style. Habitually uses heavy blunt weapons.

In the middle was a tall, thin man with a sinister complexion and long, slender fingers.

Note: Codename "Coyote." Suspected Enhancer or Transmuter. Skilled at ambushes and stealth. Uses poisoned daggers.

On the right was a red-haired man with an ordinary face, though an eerie smile lingered at the corner of his lips.

Note: Codename "Fire Wolf." Confirmed Transmuter. Ability related to fire. Cruel by nature. Enjoys torturing opponents.

The following pages contained detailed files: known criminal records, areas of operation, methods, victim information, records of clashes with Hunter Association Hunters, and more.

Leo read quickly, but carefully.

About ten minutes later, he closed the folder and raised his head.

Almost at the same time, Kanzai set down his documents, looking as relaxed as if he had just finished reading a magazine.

"Alright, I'm done."

Kanzai leaned back in his chair, clasping his hands behind his head.

"I don't see any problem. We just charge in and take them all down in one go."

Typical Enhancer thinking—direct and straightforward, overcoming technique with brute force.

Leo looked at Mizai Istom and gave his assessment.

"I don't have any issues either. The information says the Jackal Trio once escaped an encirclement by four Association professional Hunters—but that does not fully reflect their strength. The professional Hunters' abilities vary greatly, and the trio excels at teamwork and escape."

He paused before continuing.

"Of the three, leave their leader, Jackal, to me."

That made Kanzai raise an eyebrow.

He turned to Leo, his gaze gaining a touch more scrutiny.

"Oh? You want to deal with Jackal?"

There was no disdain in Kanzai's tone, only surprise.

A newly licensed Hunter was voluntarily asking to face the strongest member, their leader. Either he was overly confident, or he genuinely had the ability to back it up.

Given that Mizai Istom had invited this man to join the operation, it was likely the latter.

"Fine."

Kanzai did not ask any further questions and immediately claimed the second target.

"Then Coyote is mine."

Mizai Istom nodded.

"I'll handle the remaining Fire Wolf. This division is reasonable. Each of us will face the type we are best suited to deal with."

He opened the final page of the folder. It displayed a map of Ibaraki City, with one area circled in red.

"Intelligence indicates that a high-end jewelry exhibition will be held at the Ibaraki City Convention Center four days from now. Several priceless pieces worth tens of billions of Jenny will be displayed."

"The Jackal Trio is highly likely to appear there. For the past six months, they have specialized in high-end jewelry robberies. Their methods are clean and efficient, and they quickly fence the goods after a successful job, making them difficult to track."

Mizai Istom tapped the convention center on the map.

"My suggestion is that we arrive in Ibaraki City in advance, familiarize ourselves with the area, and formulate a detailed operational plan. On the day of the exhibition, we will blend in with the visitors. The moment they appear, we will make the arrest."

"What if our judgment is wrong and they don't show up?"

Leo asked.

"Then we switch to tracking mode."

Kanzai picked up the thread, his tone matter-of-fact.

"I've already memorized those three guys' scents. As long as they've appeared in Ibaraki City, I can find them."

His expression was calm as he said it, as though he were talking about something completely ordinary.

The ability of Tiger, one of the Twelve Zodiacs, truly lived up to its reputation.

Mizai Istom looked between the two of them.

"Then the plan is settled. Any other questions?"

Leo and Kanzai shook their heads at the same time.

"Good."

Mizai Istom rose to his feet.

"Meet at Hangar Three at headquarters in one hour. We'll take the Association's private airship to Ibaraki City. The flight will take around two days."

He looked at Leo.

"You can use that time to familiarize yourself with the files or make other preparations."

"Kanzai, remain on standby."

Kanzai snorted in acknowledgment.

An hour later, at Hangar Three.

The Association's private airship was far larger than any Leo had ridden before. The Hunter Association emblem was printed on its hatch. Inside, it was spacious, with separate lounges, a conference room, and an equipment room.

Kanzai sat quietly in the lounge. When he saw Leo enter, he pointed at the dinner beside him.

"Yours. I happened to make one extra."

Leo walked over and thanked Kanzai.

"Thanks."

Kanzai waved a hand, then reclined in his seat and closed his eyes to rest.

Mizai Istom was the last to board.

He held a computer in his hands, its screen displaying a real-time satellite map of Ibaraki City.

"Everyone ready?"

he asked.

Kanzai and Leo nodded.

"Then let's go."

The airship's engines let out a low roar as it slowly lifted into the air.

Through the windows, the Hunter headquarters complex gradually shrank until it finally vanished beneath the clouds.

The flight was smooth and quiet. Leo practiced Nen in the lounge.

Kanzai spent most of his time sleeping, his snores thunderous.

Mizai Istom remained before his computer the entire time, making notes now and then.

The two days passed quickly.

As the airship began its descent, Ibaraki City's outline was already visible through the windows—a modern coastal city with towering buildings, a winding shoreline, and a harbor packed with ships of all sizes.

The airship landed at an inconspicuous private airport on the outskirts of the city.

The hatch opened, and damp sea air rushed in.

They had arrived in Ibaraki City.