"So it's begun…"

Half a month later, while Xiang Nan was eating with Mia, he glanced at the newspaper and spoke softly.

Mia, sitting across from him, looked up.

By now, she was one of the Ten Dons—and her whole aura had changed completely. Colder, yes, but also carrying the weight and authority that position demanded. From what Xiang Nan knew, even the remnants of former Don Edi's faction—some of whom had backed her rise—had all been eliminated by her without needing the Phantom Troupe's help in the shadows.

No loose ends. Ruthless methods.

All he could say was that identity, power, and status can remake a person frighteningly fast.

"You mean those people from the Nameless Town?" Mia flicked a glance at the paper in Xiang Nan's hand and asked.

"Mhm."

"V5 has been moving quietly, but they've definitely been trying to track down members of the Nameless Town lately, even dangling extremely tempting offers… especially some countries within V5, like the Federation of Ochima—their officials even went on TV and openly announced they'd recruit Nameless Town members at the national level. And that's just what we can see. Behind the scenes, who knows what they've done to win that group over… with V5's clout, I wouldn't be surprised if they're using some heavy-handed methods."

Mia dabbed the corner of her mouth with a napkin and added her voice to his thoughts.

"Heh."

Xiang Nan smiled.

From a player's perspective, it was a good thing.

At the very least, the Hunter x Hunter world's environment and attitude toward players had shifted. In the past, the other powers didn't even bother with the player group. But after two consecutive battles across the multiverse, V5 now took them seriously.

That shift would subtly reshape this primary world, giving any players who arrive later more options—just like in other worlds, they could align with a major faction here and receive cultivation and backing.

Whether V5's members are courting in broad daylight or maneuvering in the dark… they're the first crabs daring to taste the soup.

Of course, thanks to his reminder, the Republic of Padokea wasn't going to be left behind either—it also extended an olive branch to players, just not as aggressively as V5.

Also, judging from media reports and various rumors, while V5 is the "ruler" of the human world, its constituent countries and power blocs aren't exactly of one mind.

In this tug-of-war over players, the member states are clearly each doing their own thing—there's even a whiff of competition between them.

"You've already heard from V5, right?" Xiang Nan shifted the topic.

"Mhm…" Mia nodded, answering as if giving a report. "The situation in the other territories is gradually coming into focus. Since my identity and position are settled, I was among the first to be notified… When the time comes, the new Ten Dons are supposed to meet with senior V5 officials to discuss cooperation between the underworld and V5, and to set some rules and frameworks."

"How many have been picked?" Xiang Nan asked.

"As of now, four more candidates for the Ten Dons are confirmed… Five regions are still in chaos, the mafia wars there haven't cooled yet, and it will probably drag on for a while. Those four are basically the successors designated by the previous Ten Dons. The upheaval in the underworld was loud, but in the end it didn't break 'the rules.' I'm probably the only outlier within the system the Ten Dons set up. Fortunately, I was considered Edi's close confidant before. Even if I wasn't the chosen successor, the others will acknowledge my status… I've already spoken with those four."

"One of the remaining five should be connected to Meteor City," Xiang Nan said, "but their surface identity likely won't be exposed. Also, there's still a decent chance a Nameless Town player will pop up. Keep your guard up."

"Understood."

In Xiang Nan's view, players didn't have the power to overturn the underworld's order, but a handful of high-level or elite players could absolutely snag some storyline resources and… become one of the Ten Dons.

Back when the Ten Dons were still alive, his own intervention—as one of the Shadow Beasts—kept the players from succeeding and they were nearly wiped out before the Yorknew arc.

Now, with the Shadow Beasts gone and his influence withdrawn… capable players would have a far easier time surfacing.

Those Ten Dons who've already established authority and fear don't offer many openings—both their territory and backgrounds are relatively straightforward.

But the five unsettled territories still without a clear winner? That murk is exactly where a player could rise and take a seat among the Ten.

Then there's Meteor City. The Phantom Troupe is in play, and they personally took part in the Yorknew incident and were the "culprits" behind the Ten Dons' downfall. There's no way the spiders will pass on a share of this pie.

In the original story, Meteor City didn't dare meddle in the underworld because they lacked the qualifications and capital. Now… with Xiang Nan and the Zatobi family backing them—and with Meteor City laying out its underworld network early—the elders of Meteor City won't have trouble taking their cut.

Of course, Meteor City's influence can only hide behind a puppet Don—just like Xiang Nan's relationship with the Zatobi family. They can't take the throne openly. If V5 ever caught wind of it, the consequences would be more than Meteor City could bear.

"Your Nen unit and your personal guard—both sorted?" Xiang Nan asked, thinking of something.

"Mhm… We've already sent Edi's former men to the military district… Most of those dozens of Nen users have fairly clean backgrounds, and with Owl involved, they're more than happy to serve you… Loyalty shouldn't be an issue. The Nen users stationed with me are mostly 'new recruits' funneled in from Meteor City… plus we've screened a few from our own territory.

Once the underworld stabilizes, we can filter further based on performance on subsequent missions and send the outstanding ones to you."

"Good… but anyone with a Meteor City background is off-limits for the army," Xiang Nan said evenly. "If they're purely underworld-bred Nen users and their skills are excellent, send them into the 'Pandora's Box.' The Zatobi family is now deeply bound to Meteor City, and because of me, Meteor City won't dare make waves. The people they send will try their best to serve you for the time being—don't worry about that. Later, when someone from Meteor City gets a Ten Don seat, with you two among the ten, you'll have a real voice in decisions.

"Even so, while Meteor City's Nen users are great talents, their upbringing and environment mean they will never submit to the military. If we let them seep into the army, that's asking for trouble. Remember—when dealing with them, strength is the only language that matters. Never place absolute trust in people like that."

"Yes." Mia nodded.

By this time, the Phantom Troupe had already left the Republic of Padokea. Xiang Nan didn't have to guess—chances were they'd moved through other Don territories and started making big moves, paving the road for Meteor City's interests.

A "puppet" was bound to appear.

After a few more minutes of conversation, Xiang Nan finished his meal and stood to leave.

His layout was about done: one prong in the Republic of Padokea, one in the underworld with the Ten Dons; he'd also gained a solid foothold in the Hunter Association, and he'd reshaped the ecology for players in the Hunter world. The groundwork was set.

Truth be told, the Association wasn't in his original blueprint—he didn't think much of it. In his eyes, the Association was less attractive than a Ten Don seat—more of a resource node to round out his own combat power. But plans never keep up with change. That's life.

"Then… the next step is simple."

Walking through the palace, Xiang Nan's gaze was steady and cool.

Next, have the Republic of Padokea devour Kakin.

Annex it.

This was the critical, core move in his plan—one he'd been setting up for a long time.

...

Elsewhere, at Hunter Association HQ—

Smack.

Without warning, a figure shoved open Chairman Netero's office door—downright rude.

"What is it?" The old man was kneeling on a cushion, chatting with Beans over tea. Seeing Cheadle rush in, panting, he chuckled.

"Chairman… was it you who decided to have Xiang Nan replace Pariston as the Rat of the Zodiacs?" Cheadle asked between breaths, visibly upset.

Clearly, she'd only just gotten the news.

Netero had left Yorknew ahead of everyone; Cheadle had stayed on in Yorknew to coordinate the Association's relief work and the city's reconstruction. She hadn't expected to return and immediately be hit with something she simply couldn't accept.

"Ho ho ho… That's right. I originally wanted to make him Vice Chairman, but he refused," Netero laughed, tossing out an even more dramatic bombshell.

"Why?! Even if he's strong, he's still a newcomer to the Association with no track record… I doubt the members will accept this," Cheadle said, displeased. One Pariston was enough trouble; now they suddenly had someone even harder to handle stepping into the Zodiacs.

"Sigh." Beans let out a breath, as if he'd already known Cheadle would show up.

"I just think the kid is interesting," Netero stroked his beard with a mock-serious face. "Him joining the Zodiacs should be… fun."

"Is this V5's idea?" Cheadle ground her teeth.

Only after the Yorknew incident had ended did she work through the whole sequence of events. She'd lost sleep for days before she finally understood what Xiang Nan had really been after.

Taking out Pariston had been incidental; the key was making the outside world grasp the danger of the multiverse and recognize the importance of the Nameless Town group.

You could see as much from V5's recent moves and media coverage.

Obviously, V5 hadn't made contact with Xiang Nan; otherwise they wouldn't be casting such a wide net "outside" for Nameless Town members to recruit and collaborate with.

Even so, Xiang Nan's importance was undeniable. They couldn't afford to fall out with him; they needed to keep lines open and relations good.

Which meant the best move was to keep Xiang Nan inside the Association and use Netero as the channel for continued contact.

Given that, giving Xiang Nan some formal position and status in the Association was the natural next step.

From V5's perspective, it was just a word.

And V5 never cared much about the Association anyway—shuffle things however you like.

That was probably V5's thinking. From Cheadle's perspective as part of leadership, though, it all felt a bit too flippant.

But there wasn't much she could do. The Zodiacs were always handpicked by the Chairman, and he had the authority to do it. Cheadle just felt that Xiang Nan had barely become a Hunter—he wasn't even a 1-Star yet—and he was already a Zodiac. It was undermining the Association's institutional credibility.

Plus, she personally had… serious "issues" with him.

To her, Xiang Nan was a ticking time bomb—more dangerous than Pariston.

"It's related to V5 a little… but mostly it's my call," Netero smiled.

"I don't agree with your decision, Chairman!" Cheadle shot back, firm as iron.

"Mm… then how about we put it to a vote?" Netero didn't pull rank. Seeing Cheadle argue her case, he thought for a moment and offered.

"Fine!" Cheadle nodded.

…

Soon the Association had the full Zodiacs assembled.

Because the Yorknew incident had such a huge impact and touched on some secrets of the multiverse, even the Zodiacs who were out on missions had returned to get briefed.

Right now, the unknown "multiverse" that could threaten the entire world and humanity itself was what every Hunter cared most about.

That afternoon, everyone showed up—except Xiang Nan.

As the "host," the Chairman briefly relayed Cheadle's objection to making Xiang Nan the Rat, then invited comments and called for a vote.

Ging Freecss—who had been sitting with his eyes closed like he'd dozed off in his chair—lifted his arm first, listlessly.

The first vote in favor.

Then Monkey—Saiyu.

The third was Botobai, the Dragon.

The fourth, Ginta, the Sheep.

To Cheadle's surprise, even Mizaistom—who'd handled the Yorknew aftermath alongside her—hesitated for a moment and then raised his hand.

Within minutes, the ayes were already over half.

Only Cheadle, Gel (Snake), Pyon (Rabbit), and Saccho Kobayakawa (Horse) voted no.

Pyon's vote was basically for Cheadle's sake; she didn't care about Xiang Nan and didn't know him. Gel and Saccho were independent thinkers in the Association—more inclined to their own judgment. They, too, seemed to vote against just to keep Cheadle from being completely isolated.

"In principle, we have no standing to meddle in whom the Chairman appoints to the Zodiacs. While bringing in a newbie feels shaky… based on his performance and contribution in the Yorknew incident, I don't see a problem," Gel said coolly, glancing at the unwilling Cheadle.

"Even if Pariston's death is tied to Xiang Nan… I don't think the blame lies with Xiang Nan. Pariston brought it on himself," Mizaistom sighed, blunt as ever.

"Oh? So that guy was taken out by Xiang Nan?" Kanzai, the Tiger, perked up.

"There's no proof… it's just my guess," Mizaistom said helplessly.

Officially, Pariston had died at the hands of a Cursed Spirit.

"Ho ho ho… Seems the consensus is clear enough. I originally wanted Ging to take the Vice Chairman's seat, but he hates trouble and refused. Then I thought of Xiang Nan, but that felt a bit much—I figured some of you wouldn't accept it… and, well, he himself wasn't interested either. So… now I'm considering Cheadle as Vice Chair. What do you think?" Netero said, sounding almost like he was joking.

But it was a calculated prod.

"I accept!" Cheadle answered without a heartbeat's hesitation—afraid Xiang Nan might change his mind and steal the post.

She wasn't power-hungry; she simply believed that only as Vice Chair could she restrain this "bomb" named Xiang Nan and safeguard the Association's balance.

"Ho ho… then it's settled," Netero laughed.

Ging propped his chin on one hand, glanced at the fuming Cheadle, then turned his eyes away with a yawn.

That woman… the old man played her like a fiddle.