Chapter 131: The Hidden Appetite
The President, Isaac Netero, and the Twelve Zodiacs had arrived.
As soon as Haze landed, a place for her interrogation was prepared.
Menchi and the others had already reported the details of the mission to the Association from the ship. Since they were unaware of Saiyu's death, they were excluded from the proceedings.
The focus of the entire event was Haze.
Because this coastal city was far from the Association's headquarters, the higher-ups had come personally.
Even the President himself had been alarmed.
The death of a member of the Twelve Zodiacs was no trivial matter.
Three of the Twelve Zodiacs, accompanied by Biscuit Krueger, surrounded Haze and escorted her to the entrance of a tall building.
Although Biscuit was on good terms with Haze, their relationship was temporarily strained until Haze's innocence or guilt was determined.
Still, compared to the grim Mizaistom and Kanzai, Biscuit seemed unusually relaxed chatting the whole way, mostly scolding and nagging Haze.
Knowing her well, she could tell there was more to this than met the eye.
And if Haze really intended to escape, even Gel wouldn't be able to stop her alone.
"Oh, even you're here."
At the entrance stood an old acquaintance Wing.
He looked almost the same as before.
His presence felt calmer, his strength greater than in his days at Heaven's Arena.
But no matter how much he had improved, his speed would never catch up to hers and with time, the gap would only widen.
Wing still wore his shirt half tucked and half untucked a strangely mismatched look.
He must have come after hearing the news, worried for Haze's safety.
Seeing Haze's calm smile and casual wave, Wing secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Adjusting his glasses, he asked meaningfully:
"Are you all right?"
"I'm fine… don't worry."
Haze smiled as she walked past him.
"Good to hear."
Wing said no more and followed the group upstairs.
He couldn't attend the interrogation or judgment all he could do was wait outside.
Meanwhile, Haze and the three Zodiacs entered the rooftop conference room.
When they opened the door, everyone was already seated around the round table.
Her arrival immediately drew every gaze.
"Huh? Even you're here?" Haze said, a little surprised.
King Freecss.
"I was bored… and I wanted to see what kind of fate awaits you, sinner," the King said, resting his chin on one hand and drumming the table with the other clearly irritated and uncomfortable in this setting.
"Then I'm afraid you'll be disappointed," Haze replied with a faint smile.
"I didn't expect much anyway," the King pouted.
"Heh-heh… since we're all here, let's sit down," Netero laughed heartily, waving his hand as though this weren't a trial at all, but a cheerful family gathering.
"President!" Cheadle snapped, his tone edged with frustration.
"Ahem… very well. Since Haze is here, let's begin."
The old man's expression grew a shade more serious.
At that moment, Haze's eyes fixed on Pariston, seated nearby with his hands folded on the table and chin resting on one palm. He returned her gaze with that infuriating, ever-present smile.
It was the first time Haze had truly looked him in the eye since joining the Association.
Their gazes met briefly.
Bean, the round-faced secretary, began reading the mission report aloud listing every member's actions in detail. Haze's report matched the others… except for one blank section.
As expected, that blank space corresponded to Saiyu's death.
"According to Gele, he personally confessed to killing Saiyu," Bean read.
Cheadle stood abruptly. "That's right. I killed him with my own hands."
Mazaistom and Kanzai also raised their hands in agreement, confirming what Haze had told them on the way.
"That's right. I killed him myself," Haze echoed.
"Then there's nothing left to discuss. According to Association protocol, after internal review, the case will be referred to the Department of Justice," Cheadle said coldly.
"Don't rush to condemn me," Haze replied, raising a finger. "According to the rules, if Saiyu attacked me first, then my killing him was an act of self-defense simple survival instinct."
"Where's the proof?" Cheadle demanded. "We know you killed him, but there's no evidence he was hostile toward you!"
"Dead men can't speak," Cheadle continued sharply. "You can twist the truth however you like."
Netero, sitting quietly in his chair, seemed amused by the argument, showing no intention of interfering as if watching a play.
He even asked Bean to prepare a pot of tea.
"Mmm… not completely brainless, but not exactly sharp either," Haze muttered. "No wonder you've never beaten him."
"Huh? Are you talking about me?" Pariston asked, feigning surprise, his smile unchanged. "Oh my, this is the first time you've actually acknowledged my existence!"
Bang!
Cheadle's face flushed red as he slammed the table. "We're talking about murder, not your petty rivalries!"
"First of all," Haze continued calmly, "Saiyu was sent by the Vice President for this mission. I believe the Vice President knows exactly what her purpose was." She shot Pariston a faint smile. "Second, we encountered a Kakin Empire research team on the island all Nen users, some of them top-tier. If they were only there to investigate, they wouldn't have ambushed us. It's clear they came for me."
"I can confirm that," Gele said, raising his hand. He had seen the corpses himself the ones Haze mentioned. If the attackers had truly fought Menchi and the others, their team would've suffered casualties. But instead, all the enemies had been killed by Haze and it wasn't a small number.
"The three-star mission was classified," Haze continued. "Their timing and precision prove it was premeditated. The mission was leaked meaning there's a traitor among us. If that becomes public, it'll damage the Association's reputation."
"Are you suggesting… Saiyu was working with the enemy?" Cheadle's tone shifted.
"But why would they target you? What's the reason?"
"The reason is…" Haze paused deliberately.
"Enough," Netero interrupted suddenly. "What Haze says is essentially true. I've also received physical evidence of a connection between Saiyu and the Kakin Empire."
At his signal, Bean handed out a folder.
Cheadle's expression froze. It was now clear the President had known the truth from the beginning.
This "trial" was merely a formality a show to explain things to the Association… and to them.
Inside the documents were records of Saiyu's visits to the Kakin royal palace and even photographs.
"The royal family of Kakin?"
The Zodiacs exchanged puzzled looks.
King Freecss didn't even bother to glance he'd expected this.
Pariston, however, opened his perpetually squinting eyes, and the way he looked at Haze changed.
These documents weren't something an ordinary person could acquire.
At the very least, they proved one thing the Fells family had dealings inside the Kakin palace.
"Don't be too shocked," Haze said with a wry smile. "You'll be seeing much more surprising things soon enough."
"Was this all prepared especially for me?" Pariston asked, amused.
"In this game, you're the jackal and I'm the wolf," Haze replied dryly. "You're just a supporting role not worthy of more."
"No matter how much perfume you use, you still stink," she added coldly.
Even after being publicly insulted, Pariston remained perfectly calm.
The other Zodiacs exchanged wary glances the tension between the two was obvious.
The "Journey to the West" operation had been orchestrated by Pariston himself; attacking him from that angle was pointless.
He had covered his tracks well and officially, all motives pointed to Beyond Netero.
"As for this matter," Netero said, setting down his teacup, his usual smile fading, "the Association will conduct a follow-up investigation. For now, Haze hasn't violated any regulations she is innocent."
He already knew this had ties to his son.
Cheadle gripped the document tightly, frustration in his eyes.
There was something deeper here the President and Haze both knew it, but the old man had already decided not to reveal it.
Yes, what Haze said was true… but not entirely innocent.
He couldn't believe Haze didn't intend to dismantle the "Journey to the West" faction.
And why not? One Zodiac seat was now vacant meaning Haze could legitimately take it.
Unconsciously, Cheadle imagined a giant hand reaching for the Hunter Association's throne.
He slumped back into his seat.
What a failure. He'd jumped in too hastily, only to make a fool of himself.
And when Haze said he couldn't defeat Pariston Cheadle wanted to sink through the floor.
He knows too?!
Cheadle looked up suddenly Pariston met his gaze and smiled faintly.
Damn it…! Cheadle nearly groaned aloud.
"Well then," Netero said quietly, "since this matter is settled for now and with Saiyu's passing Haze, you…"
Everyone knew what he was about to say.
This time, he didn't even ask for a vote it was going to be a direct appointment.
"I'm sorry, Chairman," Haze interrupted. "But I won't be joining the Twelve Zodiacs. Please choose someone else."
The room fell silent.
Cheadle, who had been staring at the floor, looked up in shock.
Everyone else wore similar expressions of disbelief.
Only King Freecss looked at Haze with a grave expression.
And Pariston… understood.
This guy… has an appetite too big to measure, King thought.
It seemed their first clash Pariston versus Haze would end in a draw.
Pariston had achieved what he wanted, but gained nothing concrete.
Should I stop them? the King wondered.
But stopping them… would be pointless.
He turned toward Netero again, frowning.
(End of Chapter)