With the help of staff members, Haze registered the mission at the Hunter Association.
There were two types of registration. The first involved missions requiring accomplishments or points in a related profession.
This type would attract compatible Hunters.
Upon completion, the Association would provide a basic reward… but most who chose this type of mission didn't care for the small payment they simply sought to increase their star rating.
The second method required the project leader to pay a higher salary out of their own pocket to hire Hunters through the Association.
This was also the more common approach.
From what Haze knew, the Association's internal factions were clearly divided.
Notably, the type of mission posting Haze chose was only open to professional Hunters.
Privately, such Hunters were often called "Star Carriers."
Professional Hunters specialized in missions commissioned by governments or corporations and accepted through the Association. Unlike Gourmet Hunters or Music Hunters, they could be considered employees of the Association rather than freelancers forming their own private teams.
There were many reasons to become a full-time Hunter for instance, stable income and workload, or simply lacking the skills or prospects to work independently.
Before becoming established, many relied on the Association's platform to grow.
Within the Association, full-time Hunters were the norm the choice of most.
Moreover, to accept missions, Hunters had to pass a review system. Each mission required evaluation by a review team to determine one's capability and qualification to complete it. Not every mission could be accepted freely.
However, since Haze had been personally commissioned by the Chairman, he bypassed this process. Otherwise, with his current qualifications, he would never have been approved for such a large-scale mission.
"It's been posted. If a suitable candidate applies later, the Association will notify you," said the receptionist with a polite smile.
"How long does that usually take?" asked Haze.
"Well… that depends on the mission."
"Thank you."
Haze nodded and turned to leave.
It was going to be difficult.
This recruitment method was like forming a team in a game even if someone was interested, they'd probably back out after seeing the leader was an unknown novice.
Besides, the mission details were vague, and the risk level high. Even if Haze offered a generous salary, most would lose interest.
"No choice… I'll have to rely on the Fields Family's manpower," Haze thought.
Over the past few months, the Fields Family had been rebuilding after the death of the former Ten Dons' Brown.
They had expanded their base, recruited new members and thugs from Meteor Street, and even spent a fortune hiring powerful Nen users.
Given their background, forming a temporary team wouldn't be difficult but their professionalism might be questionable, their abilities limited… and worst of all, their weakness could become a burden at a crucial moment.
Team composition and size mattered more than numbers.
Moreover, entering the Eastern Gudo Republic required immigration paperwork and had a cap on group members.
Involving government officials would complicate things it wasn't as simple as sneaking in. If discovered, it could trigger a serious diplomatic incident.
As Haze left the Association, intending to return to the Fields Family, his phone rang.
Upon answering, a staff member informed him that someone had already applied to join his mission.
"So fast? Without even a review?" Haze was surprised.
For the review department to approve immediately meant the applicant had both experience and power.
What luck!
Having a veteran on a rookie team would greatly reduce casualties.
The Association's review process prioritized mission efficiency and Hunter safety when recommending candidates, but the final decision always rested with the team leader in this case, Haze.
The Association sent him the candidate's profile. Initially curious, he opened it and immediately deleted it.
Pariston a two-star Hunter, the Rat of the Zodiac, and the first among the Twelve Earthly Branches.
That guy again.
He'd clearly set his sights on him simply because Haze had caught the Chairman's attention. Pariston's only goal was to toy with him for amusement.
The best way to deal with someone like that was to ignore him. With Netero still around, even Pariston would have a hard time dragging him into trouble.
"This guy's already planting people inside the Association…" Haze muttered disdainfully, turning off his phone.
He took a taxi to the terminal.
A few days later, he arrived back in Bartokia Republic, returning to Fields territory.
As expected, the Association hadn't contacted him again.
In other words his mission recruitment had failed.
There was a fixed time to enter Eastern Gudo… and Haze still needed to assemble a team in advance to appear before the Association and complete the necessary procedures.
—
At the Fields Family's headquarters
Haze explained his need for personnel without disclosing the mission's details or purpose.
"Do they all have to be Nen users?"
David pondered after listening. "We'll also need specialists in reconnaissance, language, and field survival…"
"Too detailed. Finding them isn't an issue hiring them in time is," David added.
"That's exactly why I came back…"
Haze sat on the sofa, rubbing his temples.
He could go alone, but that meant bearing all the risk and no backup.
Everything ahead was uncertain.
One more person meant one more chance at survival.
David fell silent.
He understood his patriarch's strength and from the way Haze spoke, it was clear the team he needed wasn't made up of small-time thugs.
Otherwise, with a single order, he could gather hundreds from the underground families overnight.
But that wasn't what Haze wanted.
"How much time?" Lily asked softly from her wheelchair.
"Two days," Haze replied seriously.
"David, first notify all families and groups in our territory to recommend suitable personnel. Then, bring them here.
Second, gather the security team we recently hired," Lily instructed.
"Yes," the old man nodded and immediately set to work.
Moments later, the Fields Family's security unit entered nearly twenty Nen users.
Their captain, Mondel, had a cruel expression, numerous piercings on his face and body, and exuded a menacing aura. His Nen ability was impressive —
yet Haze dismissed them with a single glance and wave of his hand.
"No?" Lily asked, disappointed. She had hoped to help Haze.
"Too weak," Haze said flatly.
The mission assigned by Netero was undoubtedly of extreme difficulty.
A weak Nen user was barely more useful than a regular human.
"The procedures are complicated. We can't take more than eight people… seven would be ideal four Nen users and three professionals, maybe even one normal person. That means the Nen users must be top-tier," Haze murmured thoughtfully.
"I roughly understand the caliber you need… It'll be hard to assemble such a team in a short time, given the specific skill divisions. We may have to relax the requirements a bit. What you're planning is very dangerous if there are seven of you, including yourself, at least two must be strong enough to protect the rest while they do their jobs.
In other words, even if they lack experience, as long as they're powerful, it'll work," Lily reasoned.
"Right," Haze nodded.
"Why not contact him? Aren't you two friends?" Lily asked suddenly.
Haze paused. "Honestly… I don't want him to know about this. We don't get along."
"But given the situation, he might be your best option…"
"Tch."
Haze frowned. He had thought of Hisoka… but asking that guy? It didn't feel safe.
"What you're about to do requires both professionalism and power," Lily said gently. "I'll have the family continue recruiting according to your requirements. Next time, we'll be better prepared."
She smiled faintly.
Haze looked down at his phone, hesitated, then finally dialed a number.
"Hello."
Almost instantly, the line connected. Hisoka's playful voice came through:
"Well, well. Didn't expect you to call. Looks like you're in trouble."
"I told you friends are important," Haze replied coolly.
"…," Hisoka chuckled. "Come find me."
"I refuse!" he said teasingly. "I'm busy too… You figure it out."
"You owe me a favor, remember? Time to pay it back."
Haze knew Hisoka was just toying with him the rejection didn't surprise him.
"When was that? I don't recall…"
"…" Haze sighed.
"Hehe… It's been a few years. A perfect chance to observe me up close. Sure you don't want to come? Well, your choice. Bye!"
Haze smirked as he hung up only for the phone to ring again seconds later.
He let it buzz for almost a minute before answering calmly.
"Who is it?" he asked.
"Mmm… fine. I admit it I'm very interested."
At that, Haze's lips curled into a faint smile.
A little trick always worked.
He sent the location and put his phone away.
With Hisoka joining, at least the team's safety was somewhat guaranteed.
Still, he needed two more strong enforcers.
Since this was a temporary team, professionalism wasn't the priority —
as long as there was money, the rest would follow.
(End of Chapter)