As Kanzai had said, when dealing with a criminal organization of the Phantom Troupe's caliber, the bounty agency demonstrated remarkable efficiency.
After the staff arrived, there was no delay whatsoever. The entire process proceeded with unusual smoothness.
Morrow stood to the side, watching as Kanzai and the bounty agency staff completed a series of procedures with practiced ease, wasting no time at all.
From submitting the application to confirming acceptance, and finally transferring the bounty reward, it was as if they had been fully prepared for this moment.
Was such efficiency truly because of the Phantom Troupe?
Morrow didn't think so.
Kanzai's status as one of the Zodiac Twelve must have played a role as well.
Though the Hunter Association was merely a civilian organization, its long-established reputation had secured it major commissions from powerful nations and renowned corporations.
As the saying goes, leave professional matters to professionals.
And the Hunter Association was undoubtedly the very definition of professionalism.
This allowed it, despite being a civilian organization, to enjoy a transcendent status and authority across the world, even surpassing some official institutions.
As one of the Hunter Association's Zodiac Twelve, Kanzai naturally commanded greater respect from certain agencies.
The bounty payment was swiftly completed, and the agency staff left with the Troupe's corpses.
After consulting Kurapika, Kanzai transferred the entire post-tax bounty sum to Morrow's account.
"This achievement is more than enough to earn you a 'Single Star,' Kurapika," Kanzai remarked with some admiration after finalizing the transfer.
For a Pro Hunter to earn the Single Star Hunter title, they had to make significant contributions within their professional field.
This was no easy feat.
At the very least, there weren't many Pro Hunters who could claim a Single Star.
Let alone someone as young as Kurapika.
Kanzai knew that Morrow had contributed the most to the operation to eliminate the Phantom Troupe.
But that didn't stop him from acknowledging Kurapika's worth.
In his eyes, Kurapika's ability and skill unquestionably merited the Single Star title.
Kurapika, however, had no interest in the Single Star title. Upon hearing Kanzai's words, he merely gave a faint nod, offering no further reaction.
Seeing this, Kanzai drooped his eyelids slightly, thinking to himself that this kid was just like Morrow, completely lacking the enthusiasm most people had for fame, money, and power.
Perhaps this was Morrow's influence.
And then there was that other brat from the Zoldyck Family...
His thoughts wandered, and he couldn't help but glance at Kalluto, who was puffing his cheeks in frustration. He then noticed Morrow waving a bag of sugar pancakes in front of Kalluto, trying to cheer him up.
Having interacted with Kalluto, this young assassin from the Zoldyck Family, Kanzai had revised his previous assumptions. It turned out that even Zoldyck assassins had a human side.
But this was likely the result of emotions like admiration and reverence, changes brought about by influence.
And the one responsible for these changes was...
Kanzai grinned as he watched Morrow trying his best to placate Kalluto.
Night deepened.
The matter of the Troupe was settled. To make it in time for the Yorknew auction, Morrow decided to set off immediately, first sending Kalluto back to Kukuroo Mountain before heading straight to Yorknew City.
However, Kukuroo Mountain and Yorknew were separated by vast oceans and the continent where the Kukan'yu Kingdom lay, practically worlds apart.
From the Kukan'yu Kingdom, it would take at least three days by airship to reach Kukuroo Mountain.
Turning around afterward to head for Yorknew on the Yorbian continent would be impossible in time.
Considering this, Morrow simply contacted Menchi, who was still in Jappon, instructing her to bring the Chimera directly to Kukuroo Mountain for a rendezvous before proceeding together to Yorknew.
Once these arrangements were made, Morrow made a stop at Hisoka's hospital room.
At that moment.
It was already 2 a.m.
Hisoka wasn't lying obediently in bed but remained perched by the windowsill, idly watching the wind-tossed leaves under the dim glow of streetlights.
A faint sound came from the door, yet he didn't even turn his head, his posture relaxed as if indifferent to everything.
But this was just an illusion.
In truth, he had already recognized the footsteps.
Not because he had some special ability to identify people by sound, but simply because...
Everything about Morrow had long been carved into his bones.
It was a pathological level of attention, all for the sake of savoring an ultimate thrill in some future battle.
So no matter how lightly Morrow stepped, he could always tell.
"We're leaving."
Morrow stopped a short distance from the door, his gaze resting on Hisoka's back by the window.
Hisoka tilted his head slightly, his voice dripping with lethargy. "Coming all this way to say goodbye? How touching~~"
"Focus on recovering."
Morrow's tone was calm. "Once you're healed, you can pick the time and place."
"Oh?"
Hisoka's interest was instantly piqued, and he turned to lean against the windowsill.
Under the dim light, his eyes gleamed with a dangerous glint, his naked desire completely unrestrained.
"How rare for you to be so proactive. I'm delighted, Morrow."
"Is that so..."
Facing Hisoka's twisted and menacing aura, Morrow's expression remained unchanged as he replied evenly, "Then enjoy it while you can. Next time we meet, you won't be smiling."
"Wonderful. That's exactly the kind of 'sweet talk' I wanted to hear~~"
Hisoka trembled with excitement, his voice laced with a distorted pleasure.
Under the influence of this emotion, his lips curled into an exaggerated grin, uncaring of the pain it caused his wounds.
Morrow sighed faintly at the sight.
He was no longer the rookie who had to struggle on the brink of death. Now, there was no need to humor Hisoka's dangerous aura.
"Hisoka, you can't keep up with me anymore."
Morrow turned and walked toward the open door, his voice steady. "Frankly, I only have two joker left. Even so, do you still want to keep drawing?"
"Heh..."
Hisoka stared at Morrow's back, finally showing a trace of seriousness as he replied earnestly, "Being underestimated like this only excites me more."
"Suit yourself."
With those final words, Morrow left the room.
Moments later.
A black car pulled away from the hospital, heading for the airport.
By the time they arrived, dawn had yet to break. Here, Morrow bid farewell to Kanzai and immediately boarded the earliest flight to Kukuroo Mountain with Kurapika and Kalluto.
Kanzai watched as Morrow and the others boarded the airship but didn't wait for it to take off. Instead, he turned and left directly.
He still had things to do.
Namely, compiling and summarizing the report on the subjugation of the Phantom Troupe. This was a significant achievement, one that would serve as Kurapika's ticket to earning a Single Star Title.
Of course,
Such formal tasks were beyond his own capabilities, so he could only enlist the help of a certain lecturing woman from the Zodiac Twelve.
After all, matters like promotions to Single Star had to go through the motions in a Zodiac Twelve meeting before being finalized by Chairman Netero himself.
So entrusting the report compilation to that lecturing woman would likely expedite the process.
Kanzai walked out of the airport, pulling out his phone to dial a number.
—--
Three days later.
The airship carrying Morrow and his companions was about to arrive at Kukuroo Mountain.
At this point, they were still unaware that news of the Phantom Troupe's annihilation had already caused an uproar in relevant circles.
Bounty agencies, aiming to boost the morale of Blacklist Hunters, seized the moment to heavily promote the event and even increased the associated rewards with real incentives.
Naturally, this policy change benefited many Blacklist Hunters.
But what most Blacklist Hunters cared about even more was the downfall of the infamous Phantom Troupe.
Who was responsible?
Many were intensely curious about this.
Meanwhile, the Hunter Association, now fully informed of the matter, began formalizing the credit for the Troupe's eradication.
As the chairman of the Hunter Association, Netero, despite his usual laziness, took such significant achievements seriously.
After all, events like these also signaled the growth of fresh talent within the Association.
Especially since...
Netero had caught wind of Morrow's involvement in this feat, which piqued his interest immensely.
So before officially convening the meeting, he extended an invitation to Kanzai.
Tea, games, and a thorough explanation.
At the same time.
The airship landed at the airport in the Dentora Region.
Morrow, Kurapika, and Kalluto disembarked and had just stepped out of the airport when they spotted Amane, who had been waiting by a luxury car for some time.
Seeing Morrow and the others emerge, Amane, dressed in a black butler's uniform, bowed to Kalluto before opening the car door.
But this prearranged pickup did nothing to lift Kalluto's spirits.
Having reluctantly accepted being sent home by Morrow, Kalluto had hoped to spend one last day with Morrow in the town at the foot of the mountain before returning to Kukuroo Mountain. Yet now...
It was no surprise Kalluto's mood soured further.
"Leave."
With worsening temper, Kalluto drew the purple bamboo fan from the obi of their kimono and pointed it at Amane from a distance.
"Uh."
Amane hesitated, quickly explaining, "This is Madam Kikyo's..."
"I don't care. I just want you gone from my sight."
Kalluto's gaze was sharp.
Faced with Kalluto's hostility, Amane bowed apologetically but stood their ground. "I'm sorry, but Madam Kikyo's orders come first. I cannot obey you, Young Master Kalluto."
"You...!"
Kalluto seethed.
Morrow could sense Kalluto's inner turmoil.
He knew Kalluto was in a foul mood, and Kikyo's arrangements were only pouring fuel on the fire. But in the past, even when Kalluto was in the worst mood, he would only bury it deep inside and obediently follow the family's arrangements.
Now, it was clear he didn't want to get into Amane's car. While this showed newfound independence, it was more about cherishing the limited time he had left with Morrow.
Morrow hesitated but ultimately stayed silent.
This was another family's matter. No matter how close he was to Kalluto, it wasn't his place to interfere.
Amane was usually excitable, but when it came to missions, she wouldn't back down.
Even if Kalluto radiated bloodlust, her reaction and actions would remain the same.
This was the unwavering stance expected of a Zoldyck Family butler.
Kalluto wasn't like Illumi, who could casually turn butlers into Needle People. No matter how foul his mood, he wouldn't take it out on a butler who only knew how to follow orders.
In a way, was he really any different from these butlers?
With that thought, Kalluto tucked his fan back into his sash and pulled out his phone instead.
Should he obediently get in the car and go straight home?
Or should he fight for the chance to spend one more day with Morrow in town?
Kalluto stared at his phone, taking a deep breath.
He knew Mother would never agree; she might even fly into a rage, but...
"I don't know when I'll see Morrow again, so... I want to spend more time with him in Chiselwood Town, buy chocolate beans for Killua, and see if that sugar pancake shop has any new flavors..."
He muttered this to himself before dialing Kikyo's number.
But just as he pressed call, a familiar voice called out.
"Hey, Kalluto."
It was Killua's voice.
Kalluto reflexively hung up before the call could connect and turned toward the sound. Killua had just stepped out of the airport and was waving at him with a smile.
"Killua."
A grin spread across Kalluto's face at the long-awaited reunion.
Morrow and Kurapika also turned their attention to Killua as he strode toward them.
Once close, Killua flashed Kalluto a grin before shamelessly scrutinizing Morrow.
"So, where've you guys been all this time?"
The silver-haired boy, the most beloved of the Zoldyck Family, asked this outright.
From his reaction, it seemed he still didn't know about Illumi.
Faced with Killua's blunt question, Morrow answered as always, "The request was tough, but thanks to Kalluto, we managed to complete it."
"Tch, boring."
Despite his youth, Killua was sharp enough to realize he wouldn't get anything out of Morrow. He'd have to ask Kalluto later at home.
Still, having just finished a job himself, he couldn't help but envy Kalluto.
Sure, he could go off on his own adventures too, as long as he completed his assignments, but what was the point of wandering alone?
"Young Master Killua, please get in the car as well."
Amane hadn't expected Killua to return just then, so she naturally invited him in, assuming Kalluto would follow.
Killua nodded and moved to enter, but Kalluto grabbed his sleeve.
He turned back, puzzled, only to see Kalluto's clear reluctance.
Quick on the uptake, Killua immediately understood.
"Amane, go back by yourself."
He spoke to Amane calmly.
Amane hesitated. "Young Master Killua, I..."
"Forget it." Killua took out his phone and dialed Kikyo's number without hesitation.
Once the call connected, he only needed one sentence to make Kikyo agree to let him and Kalluto stay in town for a while.
That sentence was simply stating that he wanted to buy Kikyo a gift.
"Done."
After hanging up, Killua waved his phone at a bewildered Kalluto.
Then, recalling the unyielding firmness in Kikyo Zoldyck's tone when giving orders, Amane also boarded the car in a daze, returning alone to Kukuroo Mountain.
Morrow watched as Killua effortlessly put away his phone, thinking back to Kalluto's slight hesitation earlier when taking out his own...
Even though Kalluto had grown a lot during this time, he was still far behind Killua.
Those who are favored will always act without fear.