Hearing Auren's dismissive reply, Kurapika looks utterly shocked, unable to come up with a response he deems worth saying out loud.
"I'll throw you a bone, though. Didn't I promise you two," Auren adds, looking not only at Kurapika but also at Leorio standing next to him, "along with Gon- a little reward? Once your friend is back on his feet and you've got your licenses... we'll talk."
"Vanessa, Neffi," Auren says. "We're leaving for now. Let's get something to eat."
"Hehe," a female voice snickers from behind. "Don't forget... we have a separate deal, Auren! I haven't forgotten the taste of that delicious white treasure I swallowed earlier... I still smell it... so divine."
"Uhm... Auren, are you that kind of person?" Leroute asks. "Though... I guess I can understand... maybe if you ask me..."
"Shut up!" Vanessa snaps, smacking her over the head. "And you as well, you idiot food junkie; choose your words more carefully!"
"Idiots..." Neffi mutters, grabbing Auren by the arm and walking away. "Let's leave."
"Damn, he is so lucky! I want to be a Hunter like him as well! Rich, famous, and popular." Leorio complains, while Tonpa's eyes widen with greed.
"For once... I agree with you, idiot." Tonpa mutters.
Vanessa and a partially dizzy Leroute follow swiftly, the latter forcefully getting dragged along by Vanessa like a puppet, her feet off the ground, as if she doesn't weigh anything.
"You're not getting rid of me that easily!" Menchi yells, following after them as well.
"..."
Back on Auren's airship, Menchi sits with the group. "Now... you said after this exam you'd tell me. Just stop with the excuses."
"I'll tell you," Auren says, shrugging. "But the price is probably more than what you're willing to give up."
"... You're saying that now... you want money?" Menchi asks, visibly angry. "Fine! I can earn as much as you want by cooking for rich clients; don't underestimate me! If I gather exclusive ingredients, I can earn hundreds of millions within weeks. Don't think I'm just a cook or some food enjoyer. I just usually focus on my own interests and projects."
"I am neither underestimating you... nor looking down on you," Auren says. "Let's cut this short. The price is complete silence and compliance. You'll find yourself in a situation where you can't reveal most of the things I'll tell you and other things you learn, even though you might desperately want to. However, doing so will be impossible... I can promise you that... in short, I demand a signed Nen contract, prepared by an expert of my choosing."
"... If it's just about keeping secrets... I don't mind at all. I don't care about your politics either!" Menchi declares. "Buhara wasn't too keen on learning, as he already sensed that you wouldn't tell him just like that, but a true Gourmet Hunter is willing to give up everything for food! I am willing to go to the ends of the world for new, rare ingredients."
"Heh... I am not sure you realize what you're saying." Auren chuckles, Vanessa and Neffi nodding along.
"It's kinda mean that you won't tell her... I never realized that we're so well informed," Vanessa comments.
"We always were... because of Auren. Even a Single-Star Hunter doesn't have a clue." Neffi states. "You should value your place and position more."
"Just tell me! I swear on my Nen. I must know," Menchi begs, losing her patience.
"Well... we have all day... and evening," Auren says. "But... instead of just a Nen contract, you'll have to give me consent to something else."
"Consent to what?" Menchi wonders. "Don't tell me you really want to..."
"Leak what I'm about to tell you... and die!" Auren replies, his eyes ice-cold as he stares right at Menchi, ignoring her attempt at a joke.
However, instead of a fearful or intimidated gaze, her bright green eyes stare right back at him, full of determination. "No problem... for an expert Hunter!"
That is impressive.
"Wow... she's kinda cool!" Vanessa says. "Not bad!"
"Heh, I agree. You're also kinda cool," Menchi returns the compliment. "Though I'm only that bold when it comes to food and ingredients...."
"Are you sure you can trust her?" Neffi whispers to Auren.
"Of course not," Auren replies. "Sooner or later, you'll be betrayed, and your good intentions will be trampled into the dirt... but will you live your life like some scared and paranoid pessimist? I'll live like I want... true to myself. If things go wrong, despite taking careful preparations... I'll cross that bridge when I'm at it."
"I'm trusting you... Menchi!" Auren says. "However, I'm still going to make you sign that contract later down the road, but for now... let's talk about food."
"Marsha!" Auren calls out. "Can you come over for a second?"
A second later, Jolt's wife, Marsha, joins the group in the lounge. "What is it, Auren? Are you guys hungry? Should I whip you something up?"
"This is my pilot's wife and my hired cook and housekeeper. Trust me, her cooking is first-rate. She's one of the most important and invaluable members of my team," Auren explains. "This young woman is Menchi, a Single-Star Gourmet Hunter," Auren explains.
"A Gourmet Hunter?" Marsha wonders. "I believe I've heard not only about them, but about you specifically. Didn't you release a bunch of cookbooks about rare and exotic dishes? I believe the Peanat fruit, which used to be eaten and farmed only by locals living in the northern parts of the Begerosse Union, exploded in popularity just a few years ago. By now, it's sold as a luxury fruit. You introduced that one to the world."
"Wow... so you know! Yes, indeed. Trends are a scary thing... from a worthless fruit eaten en masse by poor locals to a luxury fruit enjoyed by rich people all over the world, who pay more for one than the locals used to earn in an entire day," Menchi explains, her eyes lighting up.
"Can you do me a favor, Marsha?" Auren asks.
"Of course, Auren, dear. What is it?" she asks.
"Show her how to cook with our special rice... after you've shown her, she can try to cook a few dishes herself," Auren explains. "Under your supervision."
Is she going to complain now that she has to watch someone else cook?
"That sounds great!" Menchi says, accepting it without complaining at all.
A couple of hours later, as the group enjoys their dinner, the discussion keeps circling back to the rice.
"So many options... with such special rice of that size, I could use it to replace potatoes... or maybe even substitute beans in a classic Balsa Wild Pot..." Menchi explains, eagerly tasting Marsha's dishes along with her own creations. "Marsha, you're quite a good cook! I could use someone like you as my assistant! You don't know how annoying it is to find capable sous-chefs... anyway, I also want to try an..."
"...so that leads me to ask..." she finally states, looking at Auren. "What kind of rice is it... and where did you find it? I can tell that it's special... my body feels so light and full of energy. This is incredible."
"A weed-like rice, completely inferior to the product valued by true experts. Bred by a desperate person who had no other choice, until it stagnated and reached the limits of its potential... arriving at its current state. It doesn't grow anywhere... in this lake."
"Lake?" Menchi and Leroute both ask.
"Heh, we might as well explain to them why you threatened to kill them for leaking this secret," Vanessa says with a grin. "I always love these reactions."
After an extremely long discussion, Menchi looks deep in thought.
"So... I can join your group... and also participate in... expeditions to the Dark Continent... where things even more incredible than this rice, which slightly raises vitality, lifespan, and Aura, exist... I just have to fully commit... right?" Menchi asks. "No alternatives?"
"Of course not," Auren replies. "Don't you know how valuable these secrets are? As for you, Leroute... realize that you can't ever leave until we fully trust you."
"That's fine...!" Leroute replies. "How could I leave after hearing something like that?"
"No, I meant... I can't obtain this on my own?" Menchi clarifies. "I'm fine with joining... but you aren't ready yet, right?"
"The V5 made sure of that... nobody can obtain it just like that. I told you about the five grand expeditions. It's hopeless. Because of its secrecy, nobody will even work on projects like that, and even if they do, the V5 will target them. I'm in a unique position because I have the resources and... now even an inside source. I'll dare to say that only I have a small shot at making it... and even then, it's extremely risky, and the chance of losing your life is quite high. If that's too much for now, even here... we've established certain zones that are inhabited by unknown beasts and contain various mushrooms, herbs, and other things that are unique. If you truly want to experience ingredients you can never obtain on your own, join me... permanently and become a member of my group."
Menchi thinks for a moment, then smiles. "If that's all it takes? Sure! As long as I can focus on food and won't have to participate in any acts I disagree with... along with keeping silent. No problem!"
She's quite simple... an Enhancer?
Auren extends his hand, which she eagerly shakes.
"Welcome to the team, then," Auren says, satisfied with the outcome.
Temporarily, at least. I believe... she'll leave soon and might join up with another enthusiastic woman.
"Another female... this is so annoying..." Vanessa mutters, while Neffi also lets out a long breath.
The next day, filled to the brim after Menchi's special breakfast, of course using the rice in various dishes like omelets and even sausages filled with crispy fried rice, the group leaves the airship and heads back towards the hotel, their stomachs filled to the brim.
Auren and Menchi briefly meet up with the other examiners, who are about to say their goodbyes, with the exception of Satotz, who decides to stay a little longer, intending to look after Gon and have a private chat with him. The assistants also leave, having earned their rewards and pay to Netero's satisfaction.
"Hopefully I'll see you again," Lippo says, grinning, before his face turns serious. "Miss Caras... I expect your rampage to come to a halt... or I'll meet you again. Along with a few Blacklist Hunter acquaintances."
"Huh?" Menchi wonders. "What do you mean?"
"None of your business," Lippo replies, walking off.
Buhara, after saying his goodbyes to the others and to Menchi, also leaves.
"There is one more serious thing we need to discuss before we can disband," Netero says.
"Auren... did you really befriend yet another woman? How dare you? Leave some for your ma—"
"Shut up," Auren replies, cutting him off. "Similar goals... that's all. Isn't it good to aim big? Our dreams and ambitions aren't the same... they're even better aligned because they perfectly complement each other."
"That is true," Menchi says, smiling.
"You're spreading awfully dangerous knowledge... it's supposed to be a secret for a reason..." Netero mutters. "If it's what I'm thinking... which I'm sure it is. You dangerous brat... you'll doom yourself one day. Hopefully you won't drag mankind down with you."
Even if... some dreams are worth sacrificing everything for.
"Okay then," Beans interrupts. "The presentation will begin soon, and the licenses will be handed out as soon as they're ready."
"We'll meet in the meeting room next door... in thirty minutes. I'll gather the rookies," he continues.
"Make sure nobody comes after me for a minute," Auren whispers to Vanessa and Menchi as he heads into a certain room.
Entering it, he sees a spiky-haired boy sleeping peacefully, looking healthy aside from his arm, which is now in a cast.
No cameras...
Auren approaches him, turns him around, chops at the side of his head, knocking him out, and then grabs his arm.
Immediately, azure-colored Aura seeps into it.
That should... be about... enough!
Just a minute later, Auren leaves, leaving the boy alone, while using Zetsu.
Walking past Satotz, who doesn't see him as he heads inside the very same room, Auren can't help but grin in satisfaction.
A short while later, Auren and his group stand quite a distance away from the small meeting room.
Everyone steps inside and, to everyone's surprise, Gon follows after them, even before the door can fully close.
"Your arm!" Killua yells. "How is it reco—" before the door fully closes.
"You are too kind, Auren," Neffi says, tugging on his sleeve.
Instinctively, Auren gently places his hand on top of her head, causing her to blush just a little.
"That's unfair!" Vanessa immediately complains, grabbing his other hand and inadvertently pressing it against her well-endowed breasts.
Instead of indulging her, Auren pulls back his hand and smacks her right over the head.
"There you go... you wanted the same thing, right?" Auren jests.
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