Most of the people who worked for V5 were carefully selected and promoted from the official agencies of the superpowers. Their strict standards made infiltration a challenge, which was why the Fells family had been so meticulous in their operations. They could manipulate politicians from various countries precisely because V5 couldn't interfere directly.
Adding people to V5 was no easy task. Their strict vetting standards and thorough background checks ensured that core departments were staffed exclusively with "their own". For this reason, the Fells family had operated with extreme caution over the years, placing spies and insiders within V5 who wouldn't arouse suspicion. Their numbers were necessarily limited; there was no way to aggressively expand their influence the way they could by grooming new political figures.
In general, the stronger a country, the greater the obstacles to implementing any plan. The Kakin Empire was no exception.
Over the past few years, the Fells' agents had established a firm foothold in the V5. If they hadn't been used yet, at least they remained above suspicion. Now all they lacked was opportunity! Soon, the Fells family would use their influence with certain nations to provide these people with promising projects, creating carefully orchestrated "disturbances" to enhance their prospects for advancement. The key was to avoid exposure or arousing suspicion.
The details would be handled by David, and Filslily Oboro didn't have to worry about them. The Mafia had become the uncrowned nation, and next there was only one target left for him: the Kakin Empire!
After some time, the gang wars that had been raging around the world finally showed signs of stabilizing, even if they hadn't completely ceased. The armed forces led by the Yin Beast controlled underground operations on various continents, but several families remained defiant, determined to establish their own territories.
Much like the situation with the Kakin Empire, the Fells family's ability to intervene remained relatively limited. Local gangs operated independently and had largely escaped the effects of the Kuroshio incident. The Fells Family had only infiltrated most of the countries, not all of them. Royal families and dignitaries of certain nations would require new strategies to make connections, another aspect of the grand plan.
Meanwhile, Kurapika had left the Fells family, his current whereabouts unknown. Oboro suspected that if Kurapika wished to regain the Scarlet Eyes of his people from the fourth Kakin prince, his best approach would be to integrate into the underworld by joining a gang family within the Kakin Empire. Only that way would he be able to make contact with the royal family.
Elsewhere, Gon and Leorio had already gone to the Zoldyck family estate to retrieve Killua. The three had since separated, with Leorio beginning his medical training alone. Gon and Killua, as expected, had made their way to the Heavens Arena. This information had come from Illumi and Wing.
As for Hisoka, he seemed to have disappeared completely.
Uvogin and Nobunaga had escaped unharmed from the waters surrounding the Isle of Heroes, with minimal casualties to the Fells family. Their primary goal had been to divert the Fells' attention during the Kuroshio incident, not to fight to the bitter end. If Hisoka hadn't done something to provoke Machi, she probably would have joined Uvogin and the others.
After giving instructions to David and explaining a few things, Oboro left the family residence. He revisited familiar ground and returned to where his destiny had begun: Heavens Arena! He wanted to meet Gon and Killua before leaving for the Kakin Empire.
Wing had praised the two boys' talents in several phone conversations, even bluntly stating that their potential surpassed Oboro's in his youth.
"Nothing has changed, there are still so many people," Oboro muttered the next day.
He stood in the plaza in front of Heavens Arena and looked up at the towering structure that pierced the sky. Crowds of tourists and fighters attracted by the arena's reputation flowed around him. A long line stretched from the entrance, and business was clearly booming.
"That guy Hisoka, isn't he here too?" It was June now. Wing had mentioned that Gon and Killua had already learned Nen and were currently training on the 200th floor. According to Oboro's recollection, Gon would probably face Sadaso, Gido and others soon, with his first confrontation against Hisoka scheduled for the beginning of July. With these thoughts, he walked towards the entrance of the arena.
"Mr. Oboro is so amazing!"
Meanwhile, in a room within the Sky Arena, Wing was training Gon and Killua in Nen techniques with Zushi.
After an intense session, Gon collapsed on the floor, drenched in sweat, his eyes shining with admiration. He and Killua had already mastered the basics of all Nen techniques. Now they had to "release" them, the most critical step in Nen practice.
Gon's exclamation came after Wing had recounted Oboro's legendary ascent through Heaven's Arena years ago.
"You two were able to climb to the 200th floor so quickly because of him," Wing said with a smile, looking at the exhausted boys catching their breath. "Because Oboro was ascending to higher levels at such an astonishing rate, Heaven's Arena was forced to change its rules. After winning at the lowest level, the referees can now directly promote contestants to the 50th floor and above, allowing them to gradually advance to higher floors."
"Killua mentioned that he visited Heaven's Arena as a child," Gon noted. "If we calculate the timing, Oboro must have left not long before that, so Killua might have heard something about him."
"I have no doubt of his abilities," Killua admitted, wiping the sweat from his brow. "My father and grandfather both said that if Oboro ever became an assassination target, it would be extremely difficult." He glanced at Gon before adding, "I mean his personality. It's terribly insidious."
"Although he seems nice on the surface, he's actually a ruthless killer. If you're not careful, he could sell you out without anyone noticing."
"Killua seems to have always been very hostile to Mr. Oboro," Gon said with an awkward smile, scratching his head as he looked at Wing.
Both boys knew that Wing and Oboro seemed to be friends.
"Hmph, I'm telling the truth. You're the only one stupid enough to think he's a good person," Killua crossed his arms and rolled his eyes. "If you don't believe me, ask him." He pointed at Wing, confident that their teacher must know Oboro very well.
Gon also looked expectantly at their mentor.
"Let me put it this way," Wing thought for a moment, choosing his words carefully. He held up a finger: "If the strength of Hisoka, whom you have already met, is here," he held a hand half a meter in the air, "then Oboro is at least on this level. He raised his other hand to a full meter.
"At first glance, it may seem that Oboro is twice as strong as Hisoka, but that is not the case," Wing continued. "After a Nen user reaches a certain level, it becomes increasingly difficult to improve. From that half-meter mark, every few centimeters of progress can be a qualitative change. You haven't passed the Hunter's Secret Examination, you haven't graduated, and you haven't participated in the affairs of the Association as a qualified hunter. Therefore, you can't fully comprehend Oboro's achievements and the heights he has reached."
Wing's eyes grew serious as he continued. "Nen is closely connected to a person's mind and spirit, it embodies his will. In other words, to become a powerful and outstanding Nen user, one's character must be exceptional in some aspect. The more extreme and pure that quality is, the more unimaginable feats that person can accomplish.
"None of the powerful Nen users are fools. Even if they were to lose their Nen, they would still be exceptional compared to ordinary people. The world of the Hunters is complex, not simple. For Oboro to reach his current position, he must have endured countless hardships and overcome formidable obstacles. This is how he was tempered and how he grew."
Wing's voice softened. "For someone like him, every action and thought carries the power of his mind, his will, and his quest. These are imbued with his distinct personal style, and he does not surrender easily. Therefore, if something serves his purpose, he'll pursue it without hesitation. Wing smiled faintly. "I suppose that is why Killua perceives Oboro as a bad person."