The incident with Franklin had forced the Phantom Troupe to agree to stay out of the Republic of Batocchia, which was firmly under the control of the Fells family. But after several years, they broke that agreement. Perhaps they believed their growing strength could finally challenge Oboro again.
Through his conversations with Hisoka, Oboro learned of the Troupe's recent activities: the massacre of the Kurta clan, Silva Zoldyck's elimination of Number 8, and other significant events. Since Oboro had not interfered with these events, they had unfolded as they were meant to. He also learned that Hisoka had claimed Menkage's position, becoming the troupe's No. 4, though Oboro knew that Hisoka's true target was Chrollo alone. The other Spiders barely registered as worthy opponents in Hisoka's eyes; only Chrollo could stir the familiar thrill of the hunt in him.
Oboro noted that Hisoka's current strength surpassed even his level in the original timeline. If Hisoka and Chrollo were to meet now, the outcome might be quite different from their doomed battle in the Heaven's Arena. Chrollo might even fall, for this future confrontation had been carefully orchestrated, with at least three Spider members supporting Chrollo behind the scenes. One of them was almost certainly Illumi, that expressionless assassin who had probably already made his deal with Chrollo.
The thought made Oboro eager to speed up the inevitable confrontation between Hisoka and Chrollo.
Days passed, and Illumi appeared before them with a changed appearance. Using his Nen ability, he had changed his features into those of a grotesque figure, his head covered with Nen spikes. Oboro shared his strategy with Hisoka, who eagerly agreed to participate after being promised Chrollo as his reward. Illumi's involvement was simpler, he was merely hired help.
There was no need to rush their game. The Hunter Exam came first. Even if Chrollo and his spiders tried to infiltrate Batocchia, the lessons of the past would keep them cautious. Chrollo would move cautiously, meticulously planning each step.
As the Hunter's Trial began, Oboro returned to his hut in Piska Forest Park. He sprawled on a lounge chair outside, basking in the sunlight as he waited for the candidates to arrive. Throughout the first phase, Satotz, the phase examiner, kept key personnel informed of the candidates' progress.
Oboro recalled that Hunter trials typically lasted anywhere from two weeks to a month. The 287th trial had been particularly quick, completed in only sixteen days. He dozed off in his chair, a book draped across his face, his soft snores carried on the still air.
The first candidate to emerge from the Lost Melody Wetlands wasn't Hisoka or the disguised Illumi, but rather a nondescript contestant. The exhausted man caught his breath before noticing the suited figure sleeping in front of the wooden hut. Like many experienced examinees who had taken the exam several times, he realized that this probably marked the second phase. Quietly, he settled under a nearby tree to rest.
Hanzo, the bald ninja, arrived second. Soon, more familiar faces appeared: Bodoro, the martial artist destined to fall into Killua's hands; the Amori brothers; Geretta, the skilled blacklist hunter; and Anita, the twin-tailed girl seeking revenge against Killua. Though Oboro recognized each character from the original timeline, he merely shifted in his chair, maintaining his facade of sleep.
Satotz watched from his hidden position in the trees, curious to see what test Long had devised. Several early arrivals had caught his attention, but the candidates kept their distance, each finding a spot to rest while studying the sleeping examiner.
"Huh?"
One candidate fixed an intense gaze on Oboro's form, his expression suggesting recognition. While the others watched, he crept forward with exaggerated caution. His strange behavior caught everyone's attention, though no one understood his intent. The candidates remained silent, wary of disturbing the examiner.
"Excuse me, is he a benefactor?" Tonpa hesitated, stopping two meters from the chair. The book slipped from Oboro's face, revealing his sunglasses.
"Ah!" Tonpa exclaimed. "It's you," Oboro lifted his sunglasses slightly and looked at Tonpa out of the corner of his eye.
"You remember me?!" Tonpa's face lit up with joy. During their time together in the Hunter's Exam, Oboro had shown him special favor, mainly because Tonpa had proven to be an exceptional sycophant.
"Of course I remember." Oboro stretched lazily and sat up, quickly surveying the gathering. Most of the expected candidates had arrived. Illumi stood in the shade of a tree, while Hisoka was absent, probably still engaged in his bloody pursuits in the wetlands.
"You're the examiner for this phase?" Tonpa stepped closer.
"Yes." Oboro nodded.
"I didn't mean to disturb you. Since we parted, I've been so grateful for your kindness that I've often thought of you. To see you again after so long is overwhelming!"
Oboro smiled. "I see." Tonpa hadn't changed, still honey-tongued and manipulative as ever.
Without hesitation, Tonpa stepped forward and began to massage Oboro's shoulders, falling naturally into his role as an attentive servant.
"You haven't become a hunter yet, have you taken the test often?"
"Well" "Or I could use my authority to pass you directly," Oboro mused, enjoying Tonpa's skilled massage.
"Really?" Tonpa's eyes lit up. He immediately dropped to his knees and pressed his forehead to the floor. "Thank you, benefactor!"
"Very well. I declare you the first to pass the second phase," Oboro announced with casual authority.
The surrounding candidates stood stunned. Was this really happening? Such blatant favoritism?
"Hey! What does that mean?" The first person to arrive protested. "This is completely unfair, you're abusing your connection!"
"I am the examiner. My word determines who passes," Oboro yawned and patted Tonpa on the shoulder. The kneeling man rose gently and resumed his duties. "If you have any objections, you are welcome to withdraw."
"That's right, those are the rules. Understand?" Tonpa sneered, enjoying his newfound advantage.
The other candidates exchanged worried glances, their discontent evident, though none dared to challenge the examiner directly.
From his hidden vantage point, Satotz studied Oboro's actions intently, trying to decipher his true purpose.
Suddenly, Hanzo stepped forward, muscles flexing as he flashed a confident grin. "I get it now. This is the hidden content of the second phase. Satisfy the examiner and you pass."
He approached Oboro, striking a pose with his thumb raised high, his bald head gleaming. "I've been giving my master bone-loosening massages since childhood, I'm quite skilled!"
Understanding dawned in the candidates' eyes. They rushed forward as one.
"I'll go first, I'm excellent at this!"
"Out of my way!"
The crush of bodies led to inevitable conflict, and fights broke out as the candidates jockeyed for position. Only the strongest made it to Oboro.
Tonpa was unceremoniously pushed aside. Soon, Hanzo was kneeling at Oboro's feet, working on his leg muscles. The spike-headed Illumi manipulated Oboro's arm while Bodoro concentrated on his shoulders. Someone had even removed Oboro's leather shoes for a foot massage. Ponzu started to sing a soft ballad.
Each candidate tried to please the examiner in his own way.
"You are unqualified!" Oboro told the swaying Illumi.
"Da da da" Illumi could only make strange sounds, his head bobbing unnaturally. After Oboro's pronouncement, he stood up and walked away, his garbled sounds suggesting plans for personal revenge.
"You too, your touch is too forceful. Next!" Oboro dismissed Bodoro. The martial artist retreated, his expression dark with suppressed anger.
The candidates glared at their lounging examiner, hatred building as they watched his obvious enjoyment. What kind of test was this? Pure self-indulgence without any professional value?
"I'll report this to the Association!" A long-haired man, Examiner #89, Shishitou shouted in outrage.
"Quiet," Oboro winked at Hanzo.
"Yes!" The ninja's eyes shone with understanding.
In a blur of movement, Hanzo lunged at the long-haired man. Shishitou tried to defend himself but the difference in their abilities was too great. Hanzo's fist drove into his stomach, forcing out a spray of saliva, followed by a devastating roundhouse kick that sent the man tumbling unconscious across the floor.
"Well done. You're the second to pass," Oboro announced.
"Yes!" Hanzo pumped his fist in triumph before walking over to join Tonpa.
The remaining candidates fell silent, stunned by the casual approach of their examiner.
Finally, Hisoka arrived, his body splattered with blood, his face still showing traces of crimson excitement. He carried an unconscious Leorio, his cheek showing an impressive swelling. After placing Leorio on the ground, Hisoka glanced at the emperor-like Oboro before standing next to Illumi.
Oboro watched him with mild interest. Hisoka's rampage through the wetlands hadn't been about bloodlust or killing; he had simply been venting his frustrations. The ones who really made Hisoka angry would arrive soon.
The remaining candidates began to arrive. Killua appeared first, followed by Kurapika and Gon together. Although Killua noticed Oboro immediately, he showed no inclination to acknowledge him.
Kurapika and Gon were distracted by other matters at first. First, they eyed Hisoka warily, then checked Leorio's condition before taking in their surroundings.
"Um?" When Kurapika finally noticed the examiner surrounded by candidates, his expression froze in recognition. He remembered this man!