To pursue criminals, one didn't need prior authorization like mission commissions.
However, Blacklist Hunters had to register with the relevant authorities first.
Only by obtaining this status could they operate legally and claim bounties.
The purpose of this regulation was to allow authorities to coordinate information more easily and, more importantly, ensure smooth tax collection.
Of course, because of this rule, a minority chose not to register.
They typically found a registered Blacklist Hunter to claim the bounty on their behalf after capturing a criminal.
However, such cases were rare, as registration was a simple matter for those with legal identities.
In short, registering with the relevant authorities was a mandatory requirement for Blacklist Hunters.
It was worth noting that Pro Hunters holding Hunter Licenses didn't need to go through this process.
The Hunter License itself already contained the holder's identity information, which not only the authorities could directly access but also institutions like banks could verify through the license.
What Mizaistom wanted to confirm was precisely Morrow and Kalluto's status as Blacklist Hunters.
The relatively detailed self-introduction and profession were merely to make Morrow and Kalluto understand he had the legitimate right to inquire.
Faced with Mizaistom's sudden questioning, Morrow frowned slightly, while Kalluto simply stared coldly at Mizaistom.
A brief silence fell over the room.
So it seemed…
Blacklist Hunters might also need some form of identification similar to a license.
From Mizaistom's words, Morrow immediately grasped this point.
But the problem was that he didn't truly possess the identity of a Blacklist Hunter.
From the moment he decided to act against Bazel, the issue he had considered was always how to minimize risks.
Mizaistom calmly observed Morrow's silence, his mind quickly reaching clarity.
These two powerful Nen users before him were not legitimate Blacklist Hunters at all.
Thus, he could use this point to have Morrow and Kalluto cooperate with a background check.
Mizaistom didn't press them, patiently waiting for Morrow's response.
His actions held no malice.
The fundamental reason was that he sensed an unstable factor in Morrow.
As a Double-Star Crime Hunter, it was his duty to investigate Morrow and Kalluto's backgrounds.
If their identities checked out, he would let them leave without hesitation.
But until the background check was completed, he would have to restrict their freedom slightly.
"Before 'cooperating' with you, can I make a phone call?"
After a brief silence, Morrow finally spoke, already pulling out his phone as he sought permission.
He could tell that Mizaistom was the type who strictly followed protocol.
Dealing with such people meant that as long as you cooperated within the rules, no conflict would arise.
But to Morrow, the most troublesome part was precisely that Mizaistom's actions weren't targeted, he was simply following routine procedures.
"Of course."
Mizaistom nodded calmly.
Morrow immediately dialed Kanzai's number.
To shake off Mizaistom's entanglement, all he needed to do was resolve the issue of their Blacklist Hunter status. He thought Kanzai might have a way to help him solve this problem immediately.
As for Kanzai and Mizaistom both being members of the Zodiac Twelve...
Given Mizaistom's by-the-book approach, it would be better to address the issue at its root.
However, the call didn't go through.
Morrow tried three times, but there was no response.
Pro Hunters often lacked the conditions for phone calls, making real-time contact difficult.
Considering this, the Hunter Association had specifically developed a messaging app for Pro Hunters to leave each other notes.
But in this situation, leaving a message was clearly pointless.
Without changing his expression, Morrow dialed Biscuit's number.
Still no answer.
Right, at this hour…
Given Biscuit's obsession with "beauty sleep," she must have set her phone to Do Not Disturb mode.
With neither Kanzai nor Biscuit, the two he thought most capable of solving the problem, answering, he had no choice but to put his phone away helplessly.
For a brief moment, he even considered reaching out to the One-Star Bounty Hunter Tsezguerra.
Never mind.
Morrow pocketed his phone and turned his gaze to Mizaistom, preparing to simply admit he didn't actually have a bounty hunter identity and see how Mizaistom would react.
Mizaistom glanced at Morrow putting his phone away. Though he didn't know the purpose of the call, it no longer mattered.
Just as he was about to begin his routine, by-the-book questioning...
Over a dozen black cars pulled up.
With screeching brakes, a group of armed men in black suits stepped out.
These men were the subordinates of the bald middle-aged man Bazel had called over.
Bazel had intended to use them to create chaos or replenish his puppet numbers.
But when arranging this, Bazel likely never imagined he'd die so quickly.
Upon arriving, the gang members immediately took in the gruesome scene at the warehouse entrance before shifting their gaze to Morrow, Kalluto, and Mizaistom.
"Take them out!"
Without hesitation, the leader barked the order.
In an instant, gunfire erupted across the area.
Morrow and Kalluto didn't need to communicate. Sidestepping the hail of bullets, they distanced themselves from Mizaistom's position, vaulting over the scattered corpses and rushing into the warehouse.
Mizaistom, due to his positioning, had no choice but to evade the gunfire from another direction.
—--
Inside the warehouse.
Morrow took the lead, blasting a hole through the metal wall before exiting, leaving the gunfire behind as he and Kalluto sprinted away from the port.
—--
Soon after, they reached their parked car.
"Hm?"
Morrow and Kalluto halted simultaneously, their eyes landing on a slender, tall woman standing beside the vehicle.
She wore a skimpy, provocative outfit resembling a swimsuit, exposing large swathes of skin.
A striking feather crown adorned her head, while angel-wing-like accessories hung from her back. Knee-high black boots accentuated her voluptuous yet slender legs.
Her blue-green hair was neatly slicked back, revealing a smooth forehead.
Even so, her delicate features remained undiminished, only enhancing her striking beauty.
"What's the deal? Making me wait this long?"
The woman glared at Morrow, her tone dripping with impatience.
A flicker of surprise passed through Morrow's eyes.
"You're Cluck, the Chicken?"
"Otherwise? Who else would come looking for you in the middle of the night besides me?"
Cluck's way of speaking seemed naturally aggressive.
But she was actually holding back.
If they'd been more familiar, her first word would likely have been "idiot" or "moron."
As she spoke, she raised her hand, allowing a pigeon on the car roof to hop along her arm and perch on her smooth, alluring shoulder.
Morrow didn't respond. Instead, he suddenly seemed to notice something and raised his hand to point behind him at the moonlit road.
Cluck, puzzled, followed Morrow's gesture and saw Mizaistom approaching with cards in hand.
Then she abruptly understood the meaning behind Morrow's pointing gesture: there really was someone else besides you.
"..."
Cluck fell completely silent.
--------
Bonus chapter.