Mia left the Ten Dons' territory.
Because of the Ten Dons' prestige, the Zatobi Family rose from the dead.
In an underworld where "survival of the fittest" prevails and men hold nearly all the power, Mia—a woman—became the mafia boss of the Western District inside the Republic of Padokea, successfully taking Brunson's place.
The underworld buzzed with shock and gossip, yet almost no criminal organization dared oppose her openly, cowed by the Ten Dons' authority.
Few people knew what had really happened or how Mia had climbed to the top; the outside world never learned of the assassins the Ten Dons dispatched or of the Shadow Beasts who died.
…
Inside a palace hall, Xiang Nan stood behind the Ten Don named Edi, smiling as he watched the line of mafia kingpins seated on either side of a long table.
These confidants of the Ten Dons were locked in a fierce quarrel over business interests and turf.
Some played the "bad cop," some the "good," and their dealings spanned everything from routine trafficking, smuggling, and arms to financing political parties and royal houses in minor nations; the conversation was fiery and colorful.
Mia, the newcomer among them, stayed on the sidelines. She was smart enough not to speak—she lacked the seniority the others enjoyed under the Ten Dons.
"Enough."
After a moment, Edi tapped the tabletop with a finger.
The red‑faced bosses fell silent at once.
Whatever plans they hatched, the Ten Dons alone would make the final decision.
Xiang Nan's gaze brushed across Mia's.
He was no longer a Zatobi Family member; he was now one of the Shadow Beasts, charged with running the Ten Dons' Nen‑capable security forces—handling all territorial security and … carrying out confidential orders from the Dons.
Only recently promoted, he had yet to receive a direct assignment.
Owl had already vetted his background: a professional Hunter, fresh from the Hunter Exam—and nothing more.
Because Xiang Nan had once been a senior Padokean military officer, all files on him had long since been wiped; not even the Ten Dons could dig up more. Conveniently, that fit his origin from Meteor City: as someone "from the land of the forgotten," he left no trace in normal society.
A boss at the table slammed a fist. "Those Padokean politicians have gotten awfully tough. Ever since they forged ties with the Kakin Empire their spines have stiffened. We used to sway policy and win advantages for our businesses, but now it's hopeless. Just recently one of my men got wiped out by the army…."
Another boss added, "Boss, word is the Mimbo Republic and Padokea split up angrily at a recent summit—over Kakin, apparently. And the little state of Rabi's been busy; rumor has it they've planted spies here for some scheme. Their troops even exchanged fire with Padokea's on the high seas last night… looks like war's brewing."
Turning to Edi, he said, "My take? Secretly bankroll Rabi. Let Padokea learn what it costs to cross us. Everyone knows Rabi's been Mimbo's lapdog forever. A tiny country daring to challenge Padokea must have V5's backing—I don't buy any other explanation."
"Right, Boss," the first man chimed in. "If Padokea keeps this up, our turf and business will suffer. If we don't smack them down, we're done."
"Do nothing rash," the Ten Don said darkly.
His vision far exceeded his men's. Power games among great nations were not the mafia's playground; one misstep could spell annihilation.
Even if V5 truly was probing Padokea, that pitted V5 against both Padokea and Kakin—two rival blocs. At such scale, outright war was impossible; the entire human world would flip.
Only V5 could counter the combined might of Padokea plus Kakin, and those seven great nations already held most of the globe. Both sides knew the stakes; at worst there would be skirmishes, nothing more.
Xiang Nan listened, eyes narrowing. He had not contacted the military in ages and knew none of this. V5's hands were off Kakin partly out of fear of Kakin's strength and its uncontrollable royal family. Padokea, by comparison, was a "softer" target; limited clashes would stay manageable.
V5 is testing the Padokea–Kakin alliance, Xiang Nan thought. Prod them with a minor nation, see how hard Padokea hits back, see if Kakin intervenes. They want to uncover whatever secret made those two suddenly become allies.
But the timing felt too neat. The alliance had existed before he joined the Hunter Association—so why act now? Someone was pushing from behind. Was it aimed at him? Or was Kakin's Hui Guo Rou staging a ruse—using V5's pressure to break the alliance and avoid "breaking faith," while ensuring that if Xiang Nan meddled with the Padokean military, V5 would spot it and revoke his Hunter license?
Rabi was a small, forgettable country, but if it fought Padokea that would be a bona‑fide war. Something's off, Xiang Nan thought, reviewing every event since he triggered the "Kakin Empire" plotline. Who knew his identity, knew he was now powerless to command the army personally, and had the clout to steer events so he'd be expelled from the Association?
Not the Kakin royal family—Hui Guo Rou wouldn't risk exposing Kakin's national treasures.
Not his own military circle—no motive. V5's sudden lunge didn't fit their usual caution.
Eliminating every other factor left only two names: Beyond … and Pariston.
Beyond cooperated with Hui Guo Rou only because he wanted the shackle—the presence of Chairman Netero—removed. For now, their interests aligned: he needed Kakin to move the Chimera Ant project forward and pave the way back to the Dark Continent.
Pariston, though also allied with Beyond, played his own game. He'd agreed to be Beyond's spy because the "game" sounded fun—a challenge to Netero. Yet when Netero died, Pariston felt more emptiness than joy; he even cried talking to Ging. Hurting Netero had been "fun," proof of his own "talent," but the quick, unfitting death robbed him of the process he craved.
Only Pariston knew Xiang Nan's background and present bind, and was mad enough to pull strings on both Kakin's and V5's sides just to destroy Xiang Nan's plans.
That rat must have a whole scheme: keep Kakin's secrets safe, protect Beyond's stance, juggle every power—all to mess up my intentions. A wave of nausea hit Xiang Nan. This was why he'd left right after joining the Association: to dodge Pariston's meddling. He pictured a rat squeaking at his feet—no wonder he wanted to crush it.
Terrifying mind and depth… Most Zodiacs loathe him but can't touch him. Only Ging can match him head‑on. Pariston must have guessed I'm cut off from the military; with no intel I'd let Padokea suffer, then, panicked by newspaper headlines, I'd have to pick between the Association and my country—and my background means I'd choose the country.
At that thought, Xiang Nan's murderous aura exploded. He and Pariston had no prior feud—yet the man came looking for trouble? He'd expected mischief, but not this fast.
The entire hall froze as if plunged into ice. Mafia bosses and even Edi trembled, the scene warping under the pressure. Realizing the slip, Xiang Nan instantly withdrew his aura and smiled.
"Forgive me… I startled everyone. Seeing you argue over trifles and trouble the Don, I thought you needed a reminder. All of you owe your status to Edi-sama. If you can't weigh importance, how will the underworld thrive? Even I, an outsider, know to keep clear of national affairs—once the army steps in, nobody wins."
His deft words both elevated Edi and defused the crisis.
"Silence," Edi warned, no longer angry.
"Yes, sir," Xiang Nan replied.
In Edi's eyes he was just a tool, but hearing him speak so aptly pleased the Don—it showed this new Shadow Beast was already fitting his role, better than the late Porcupine.
Xiang Nan stepped back, face calm, mind racing. He had to snuff out this budding war before Pariston found pleasure in it. That rat only knew Xiang Nan's visible cards; he had no idea about the hidden ones—nor that Xiang Nan now held first‑hand intel.
Heh.
Xiang Nan chuckled coldly to himself.