Currently, the entire world is caught up in a wave of re-examining the Kurta Clan massacre and condemning the V5, which has severely damaged the credibility and reputation of the V5.
It's not just Morin's propaganda bots; some shady organizations lurking in the shadows have also seized this opportunity to stir up trouble behind the scenes. As a result, this incident has become the biggest scandal of 1995.
The Kurta Clan involved in this may even be recorded in history. Meanwhile, the criminal organization originally blamed, the Phantom Troupe, has gained even more notoriety from this turmoil. At least their fame has increased significantly.
From the perspective of ordinary people, they only see the disgrace of the V5 this time and do not pay attention to the people orchestrating everything behind the scenes. To have orchestrated such an effect, making it uncontrollable even for the V5, which controls the world, is clearly not something an ordinary person or ability could achieve. Moreover, the original blame for the Kurta Clan massacre was forcibly placed on the Phantom Troupe...
All these factors combined have led some insiders to gradually connect the dots. And then? Morin's phone was flooded with calls.
With such a huge uproar worldwide, it's easy to guess that it must have been done by an extremely powerful organization or individual. As for organizations, those that can exist under the V5's nose are usually very good at keeping a low profile or have a keen sense of when to adapt. No one would risk provoking the V5 over a mere Kurta Clan.
Especially since the V5 went so far as to impersonate the Phantom Troupe and annihilate the entire Kurta Clan to accomplish this. Clearly, something exceptionally important to the V5 is involved here. These organizations would have to be crazy to meddle in such a troublesome matter!
As for powerful individuals? The world's strong ones can be counted on one hand. Most of them are straightforward Enhancers with no interest in such convoluted schemes against the V5.
Moreover, they have no reason to do so. Powerful individuals, globally recognized strong ones, meticulous planners who have achieved what ordinary people and forces cannot, with reasons to target the V5—if you still can't guess who did it, you could be called an idiot. Besides Morin, a member of the Phantom Troupe, and his many magical tools, there's no need to think of anyone else.
"Hey, I say, aren't you being a bit too high-profile with this...?" The first call came from Biscuit, his teacher. "You're making it easy for the V5 to target you, you know?!"
"Don't worry~" Morin, sitting next to Baise, smiled and said, "Before doing these things, I naturally considered the relevant situations and have corresponding countermeasures."
"True." On the other end of the line, Biscuit thought for a moment. "With the tools you have, these things shouldn't be too difficult for you." After saying that, she added, "Looks like I was worried for nothing." "That's it, I'm hanging up!" With that, she hung up the phone in a huff.
Before Morin could say anything, the phone rang again.
"Master, the Hunter Association is almost in an uproar over this matter!!" Kastro expressed his concern over the phone. "Currently, the Twelve Zodiac meetings are frequently held to discuss this matter. The V5 has also issued a strict order to our Hunter Association to investigate this incident thoroughly.
Except for Mr. Ging, who often skips meetings, the other Zodiac members have been intensely discussing this. However, most of them lean towards perfunctory responses and superficial compliance, as the V5's actions this time were too underhanded."
"But..." At this point, Kastro hesitated a bit.
"If you have something to say, just say it." Morin remained calm.
"It's... it's Pariston. He knows your identity and related abilities, Master, and plans to report you as the primary suspect in this incident to the V5." Kastro paused, then laid everything out.
"I see." Morin chuckled, "So what happened next? Did he report it?"
"Of course not!!" Kastro's voice rose, and Morin could almost see him standing tall. "Under our strong opposition, his attempt failed. Many other Zodiac members also strongly opposed it, like Mr. Botobai the Dragon."
At this point, Kastro paused slightly: "Master, actually, Mr. Botobai wants to say a few words to you." "Is that okay?"
Morin agreed. Soon, Botobai's deep voice came through the phone: "This is Botobai." The low male voice came from the other end. The first sentence that followed made Morin slightly pause: "I apologize for this incident."
"When I first heard the news, I instinctively assumed it was the Phantom Troupe who committed such an atrocity. But everything that happened afterward made me realize my shortcomings. It's unacceptable to make assumptions just because the other party is a criminal group." Botobai solemnly said, "I apologize for my previous thoughts."
"Hmm?" Morin, who initially wanted to hear what Botobai had to say, didn't expect him to choose to apologize.
"He's quite a serious person, isn't he?" Morin thought to himself as he listened to Botobai continue: "Even so, it doesn't change the fact that the Phantom Troupe is a criminal group." Botobai's tone was firm: "If we ever meet, I will definitely not show mercy!!"
Morin: "----" Alright, do as you please, as long as you're happy. Morin realized that Botobai was even more black-and-white than he had imagined. One is one, and two is two. He wouldn't let a good person off the hook for committing a crime, nor would he turn a blind eye to a criminal being wronged.
He always managed to sort things out and distinguish the main points. Such determination and principles are what brought him to his current level.
"With Chairman Netero's instructions, we won't let Pariston have his way. This isn't his one-man show." Botobai said solemnly, "The crime belongs to whoever committed it, and there must be no embellishment or framing!!"
Hmm, brother, it's fine when dealing with others, but if it's against the V5, you might not get far because the path narrows... Morin thought silently. However, he didn't say it out loud because Botobai himself was also a very sensible person.
He knew what he was doing and what consequences would follow. Yet he still chose to do it without hesitation, all for the sake of justice in the world. It was precisely because of this that he was so respected.
"I understand." Morin replied solemnly, "What I can assure you is that I won't take any further actions; just the media bombardment is enough." Just the media bombardment... That's quite enough. What more do you want? Hearing Morin's words, even Botobai was a bit speechless.
Everyone knew the power of the media and the consequences of a media explosion. It could even cause more damage than directly attacking the V5.
After all, it undermines the V5's image and support among the people. Once the negative impact takes hold and the public loses faith and support, the collapse of this powerful organization is imminent. That's why the V5 has been so agitated lately.
"What you do is your business, as long as it doesn't endanger the safety of the people." Botobai, the Three-Star Terrorist Hunter, remembered his duty. "I understand that, but there's one more thing." Morin chuckled.
Botobai: "Please go ahead."
"That is, could you please tell Pariston for me?" Morin's smile became subtly mischievous: "Do you want to die?"
Botobai: "..."
Pariston, with his constant scheming, was truly infuriating. He wasn't really planning to report Morin's situation to the V5... Otherwise, he wouldn't have brought it up at the Twelve Zodiac meetings but would have quietly submitted the information himself.
Morin guessed that Pariston was probably just trying to test Morin's attitude or had other motives. He might even have brought it up just to provoke Kastro, watching him jump around and harbor resentment to derive some twisted satisfaction.
Yes, Morin believed Pariston was capable of such things. That's why Morin planned to nip it in the bud. If Pariston continued to deliberately cause trouble for Morin, he wouldn't hesitate to remove the Rat from the Zodiac, making him the first to be replaced.
After asking Botobai to pass the message to Pariston, Morin hung up the phone. A few seconds later...