"Ho ho..."
The old man took another sip of tea, and laughed, "After all, you'll be working together in the future... So, the new people who join need to have compatible personalities. Your opinions are naturally very important."
The Zodiacs had a lot of status and power in the Association. They were actually involved in the management. Sometimes, when the old man was lazy, he would directly entrust them to help operate and handle the Association's work affairs.
"Chairman, you don't need to ask us. Your decision is our decision."
The Rabbit Zodiac, Pyon, said indifferently while playing his handheld game console.
Everyone understood that the old man already had an idea... He had just called them over to go through the motions.
"Then let's begin..."
After Netero finished speaking, the Bean, who was standing obediently on the side, turned on the TV screen, and two people's photos appeared on it.
The person on the left was wearing a suit, sunglasses, and had cold eyes. It was Oboro.
The one on the right was a blonde young man, who seemed to have a very irritable temper, and whose expression was full of impatience...
Both of these photos had been taken secretly.
The blonde young man on the right was one of the Zodiacs in later generations, the Tiger Zodiac, Kanzai, a Treasure Hunter.
As expected, it was the two of them!
The few people at the table weren't surprised when these two appeared on the screen.
Kanzai's strength wasn't bad. He was talented, and his achievements in his professional field at a young age had already reached a certain level... His personality was also very in line with the characteristics of the Tiger Zodiac. It was only normal that he would be favored by the old man.
As for Oboro... There was no need to say more. Although this person's qualifications were still shallow, what he had done was something that the vast majority of the Zodiacs present couldn't do.
One two-and-a-half-star mission, and one two-star mission... He had almost completed them all by relying on his personal ability.
The only one with this level of strength was Ging Freecss back then.
If they were to choose based on strength alone, Oboro would definitely win with an overwhelming advantage.
Moreover, everyone knew that the Chairman favored Oboro.
"I don't need to say much about these two people... Although I'm the one who makes the final decision, I still want to see your choices." The old man said with a smile.
"Then... Let's start voting."
Pariston interlaced his fingers, echoed, and raised a hand, "I vote for Oboro!"
The old man glanced at his Vice Chairman out of the corner of his eye. His smile didn't change, as if he wasn't surprised by Pariston's choice.
"My choice is Kanzai."
Yorkshire explained her reasons, "I acknowledge Oboro's strength, but I've heard some things about his way of doing things. Moreover, I think that qualifications are also very important for this position, besides strength... Otherwise, it will be difficult to convince the public, and gain the recognition of his colleagues. Judging from compatibility alone, Kanzai is more suitable."
"I know that with your personality, Chairman, you'll never care about these things, and you'll still choose whoever you want to choose, but I have to remind you that if Oboro becomes one of us, I think he will disrupt the team's stability like Ging Freecss... Even if he can quickly meet the standards in terms of qualifications and performance, it will still have some impact on your personal reputation, Chairman, during this time."
Yorkshire reached out and adjusted her glasses. She spoke appropriately, and gave sufficient reasons.
"I second that. I agree with Yorkshire."
Cluk also raised a hand.
And Potter White, the Dragon Zodiac, who was the closest to the Chairman in terms of reputation and strength in the eyes of others, and was also the most senior among the Zodiacs, said in a deep voice, "Oboro!"
He only uttered one word.
"Since our choices are useless anyway, we might as well do a favor. Your intention is that Oboro, Chairman, right?" Saiyu, the Monkey Zodiac, yawned, "Then I'll choose him! It's all the same anyway... There's no difference."
Slap.
As soon as his voice fell, Yorkshire slammed her hands on the table, and said with a serious expression, "I hope everyone takes this matter seriously. The new people who join will be working with us in the future. This is very important!"
"Uh... I think Yorkshire makes sense. I choose Kanzai."
Ginta, the Sheep Zodiac, with his afro, said honestly.
"Kanzai!"
"Oboro!"
The others also gave their answers one after another.
The final result was 4 to 6. Kanzai had 4 votes, and Oboro had 6 votes!
Yorkshire's expression wasn't very good... With her mind, she had even guessed the reason why the Chairman had called them here this time in advance, so she had taken the first step to give the few people some food for thought.
Originally, according to her prediction, it would be 7 to 3... Oboro would only have Pariston, Saiyu, and Potter White's three votes.
The current result had completely exceeded her prediction.
With this thought, she immediately turned her head and stared at the smiling man, Pariston!
It must have been this guy's doing!
"You and Oboro are on good terms?" Yorkshire asked coldly.
She thought that Pariston had made some dirty deal with Oboro.
If the two of them 'formed an alliance', and it affected the decision-making in terms of management in the future, Pariston would be able to devour the 'power' that he wanted as he wished. This would be very detrimental to the future development of the Association.
"No~ Actually, since Oboro joined the Association, he hasn't said a single word to me... I really wanted to be friends with him, but he... Seems to hate me." Pariston smiled lightly.
Yorkshire looked incredulous, and sat down in her chair with a grave expression, and looked at the Chairman.
She would see what the Chairman would choose...
The Chairman should have noticed Pariston's thoughts.
"Well..." Under everyone's gaze, Netero took a comfortable sip of tea.
The old man stroked his beard, and looked at the younger generation at the table. He didn't give a name first. Instead, he had the Bean make a phone call.
Soon, the communication was connected.
"Hello..."
A calm voice came from the other end of the phone.
Oboro.
"It's like this... After a meeting and discussion, I'm preparing to appoint you as the Tiger Zodiac among the Zodiacs. What do you think?" Netero said with a smile.
"I refuse!"
Oboro rejected him without even thinking.
This made Pariston narrow his eyes.
Yorkshire, on the other hand, breathed a sigh of relief.
"Why?"
Netero didn't seem surprised at all by this answer. Instead, he asked with a smile.
"It's a waste of time... If you insist on appointing me, I naturally can't resist, but I don't guarantee what will happen." Oboro said calmly.
"Ho ho..."
The old man laughed loudly.
Then, the phone hung up.
"Hmm... My decision is... Kanzai."
The Tiger Zodiac, Kanzai.
Hearing these words, Pariston immediately got up from his chair, and waved his hand, "Since there's already a result, then the discussion is over. I'll take my leave first."
He was always wearing a smile.
After saying this, he walked out of the conference room in front of the old man.
However, before pushing the door open, Pariston turned his head and glanced at the Chairman's figure, and the corners of his mouth rose.
Then, he strode away.
I worked overtime yesterday, and came home late... Sorry.
I'll make up for it today.
Did Oboro not want to join the Zodiacs?
No, of course he wanted to.
But not now... After becoming a Zodiac, he could use his management rights to do many things.
He could touch some official levels.
The Phyllis Family was currently laying out their plans, and it might take a long time before they initially saw results.
Relying solely on the intricate network of contacts wasn't enough. As the existence who ruled the Phyllis Family, Oboro's personal influence also had to be improved.
What he wanted... Wasn't just the Zodiacs, but even... The position of Chairman.
The increase in identity and status could make his actions more free in the future... And not be bound by the V5.
To put it bluntly, everything was for the sake of power.
Putting down his phone, Menchi, who was on the side, looked over. She had heard Oboro's communication with the Chairman just now... She was a bit shocked that Oboro had the opportunity to join the Zodiacs, but she also understood.
Although Oboro had only completed two missions in the few years before and after joining the Association, given his ability, his reputation had truly entered the vision of every Hunter in the Association, and had spread.
"Why did you refuse?"
Menchi couldn't help but ask.
This time, their mission was to protect a very important museum. There was news that a powerful gang was preparing to destroy it.
This would start a power grab in the upper echelons of this country... It involved the regime.
Of course, all of this had nothing to do with them. They were only responsible for preventing the venue from being destroyed.
Oboro chose the mission, and didn't pick one with stars in his field of expertise first. Suitable difficulty wasn't always available, and he needed to wait.
____________________
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