Hunter X Hunter: Tombbound Power

"Don't overcomplicate things. Remember, we have business to handle."

A raspy, almost deathly hoarse voice interrupted Ronnel's thoughts. He glanced over to see a small, wiry man standing next to a towering figure dressed in black.

"Nen?"

Ronnel raised an eyebrow as he studied the smaller man.

Even though the man used Zetsu to suppress his aura, he hadn't mastered it fully. A faint leakage of aura betrayed his lack of skill.

In contrast, the hulking man in black had no signs of Nen at all. Yet, his subservient demeanor suggested he was following the smaller man's lead.

'A Nen user and a non-Nen user... Did his Aura Nodes accidentally open, and now they're using their newfound power to rob people?'

The thought crossed Ronnel's mind, but something felt off. His sharp instincts detected more than mere thuggery.

"No, these aren't just petty punks. The two of them reek of killing intent and malice. They've taken many lives."

Though they tried to conceal it, their murderous aura seeped out faintly. The oppressive atmosphere made the other passengers on the airship shiver.

In the Hunter world, individuals with such an aura were either unhinged killers driven by twisted pleasure or calculated assassins who killed with cold precision. Judging by their behavior, Ronnel guessed the latter.

'Interesting. What could two dangerous criminals want on an economy-class airship? Surely, there's a more lucrative target than this...'

Folding his arms across his chest, Ronnel decided to stay quiet. He kept to the shadows, blending into the corner of the cabin, observing silently.

What he didn't expect was that someone else had also chosen this inconspicuous corner.

The man was holding a book, dressed in purple with distinctive "~"-shaped eyebrows and braided hair. His sharp features—long face, prominent front teeth—were unmistakable.

"Hello~"

The man noticed Ronnel's gaze and offered a warm smile. His calm demeanor and black, star-like eyes exuded a disarming gentleness.

"The Noon Horse of the Twelve Earthly Branches... Saccho Kobayakawa."

Ronnel recognized him immediately. Saccho, a Double-Star Problem Hunter and a member of the Zodiacs with the codename "Horse", was known for his intellect and friendly nature.

Saccho served as a detective and an excellent psychiatrist. He had even run for the Hunter Association presidency but lost due to his balanced, moderate stance.

During the Dark Continent expedition, Saccho worked in intelligence alongside Kanzai and Gel—members who preferred to avoid the association's political disputes.

"It's unusual to see Saccho here."

This marked the third Zodiac Ronnel had encountered, after Ging and Mizaistom Nana. Ging was unreliable as ever, and Mizaistom's brief interactions offered little insight. This, however, felt like a proper meeting.

Saccho glanced at Ronnel, his eyes sparkling with curiosity. After a polite examination, his face lit up with recognition.

"Ah, the champion of the Battle Olympia tournament! What a pleasant surprise to meet you here."

Saccho bowed slightly in the cramped space, his scholarly air evident even in such a casual gesture.

Ronnel responded with a courteous nod and a handshake.

"It's an honor to meet a legend like you, Saccho of the Zodiacs."

Saccho waved off the praise with a modest smile.

"Legend? Hardly. The real legends are those who paved the way for us. If anyone deserves that title, it's those three..."

His voice trailed off, a nostalgic look crossing his face.

Ronnel's curiosity piqued, but he chose not to press further.

Their conversation shifted naturally, Saccho recounting the moment he first heard of Ronnel.

"The first time your name came up wasn't at Heavens Arena. It was after the Hunter Exam last year. Chairman Netero visited the Grasp to honor the martyrs of the association."

Saccho's tone grew solemn.

"All of us in the Zodiacs were present. During the gathering, Mizaistom mentioned how the chairman's visit was inspired by a particular examinee—a young man who paid his respects at the graves during the exam."

Saccho's gaze softened as he looked at Ronnel.

"Thank you, Mr. Ronnel, for reminding us of the sacrifices made by those who came before us."

His words carried deep gratitude, and for a moment, the weight of history seemed to linger between them.

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