HxH: I Will Be Supreme

"Oboro, are you leaving?"

"You should get back to work... It's a shame, really. It's rare that I meet someone I get along with... We barely got to know each other..."

"Peng, what are you thinking? Oboro is from the big city, he must have important business... Not like you, drinking your days away!"

"Haah? Peyton, are you looking for a fight?"

"Bring it on!"

The pub in Mito's tavern was buzzing with its usual lively atmosphere. One drunken patron raised his glass to Oboro, who was sitting at the bar, his farewell tinged with reluctance. Another quickly mocked him, and both men nearly took their brewing conflict outside before others intervened.

"Don't worry, I'll be back when I can..." Oboro raised his glass and toasted them all.

"Next time, you come to my place!"

"Whale Island is worth coming back to!"

"We'll miss you!"

The crowd grew more boisterous, though Oboro's words were merely polite. While Whale Island held significance for him from his knowledge of its place in history, one visit was enough. Over the past month, he'd occasionally emerged from the forest to visit the tavern. After several visits, he'd become familiar with the locals, and now, on the eve of his departure, those who'd heard the news came to join the festivities - with Oboro picking up the tab.

'These people are... interesting,' he thought. Simple, honest, and deeply attached to their homeland.

"Thank you for looking after Gon during this time," Mito said from behind the bar, bowing slightly to Oboro.

"I should thank you," Oboro replied with a small smile. Although he'd paid his way, Mito had made sure that Gon had brought him lunch boxes during his stay. She'd even cleaned one of his suits that very day.

"Gon has been without parents since he was young... He..." Mito hesitated. "I rarely see him get attached to anyone..."

"It's not attachment - you're thinking too much. Gon is different from other children; he's surprisingly mature inside. His interest in me comes from the new experiences I can share with him, which feeds his curiosity. His thirst for knowledge is remarkable - once he starts asking questions, it's hard to stop him. It's natural for a child his age. Our relationship is more like... friendship."

Seeing her expression, Oboro emphasized his point with a raised finger.

There was a hint of loneliness in Mito's eyes.

"May I give you some personal advice?"

She looked up at him.

"You can't keep him locked up forever... I understand your feelings, but sometimes it is better to let go. It might make life easier. Who knows? The future might surprise you. You're incredibly important to him - like a mother. So before you let go, cherish these moments of his childhood. They'll become precious memories.

"He and Ging are cut from the same cloth... The difference is that Ging is a terrible person. Gon isn't."

At the mention of Ging's name, Mito's expression changed instantly.

"You... as I thought..."

"I don't know Ging, nor am I a hunter. Don't misunderstand me - I was just putting things together. Don't worry, this is his home. No matter how high or far he flies, he'll always return."

Oboro saw through her worries and smiled.

"Thank you," was all Mito could say.

It seemed that his guidance hadn't fully resonated. She had won Gon's custody by legal means, and after Ging had left and his relatives had died, he hadn't returned. Perhaps in Mito's eyes, Ging wasn't just an unfit father, but an incompetent family member altogether.

Noticing Mito's tearful eyes, Oboro suppressed his emotions and turned to chat with other guests. Upstairs, Gon stayed in his room and practiced the breathing techniques. Oboro had noticed how quickly the boy could immerse himself in new subjects - an invaluable trait.

As for the breathing exercises... Gon only learned the basic meditation breathing, which might bring subtle changes, but nothing transformative. After all, the world of the hunters had its own power system. Without extraordinary practice, the benefits of the internal coordination of breathing would remain limited. Oboro could predict that it would help Gon to grasp Nen more easily when the time came.

He had planned to leave much earlier, seeing little reason to stay. His extended visit wasn't for Gon's sake, but because the quiet forests of Whale Island were an ideal training ground for his breathing techniques.

The next morning was bright and clear. Oboro threw his suit jacket over his shoulders and walked out into the sunshine to say goodbye to Mito's family. Gon waved enthusiastically, showing no sadness at Oboro's departure. Everyone understood that someone like Oboro couldn't stay in such a small place forever.

Whale Island wasn't his home.

"Mr. Oboro, you must come back!" Gon's voice sounded behind him.

Oboro answered with a simple gesture and did not turn around. Unless something extraordinary happened, he had no intention of returning. It followed the same principle as tasting fine cuisine - the anticipation often outweighs the experience, and a return visit holds less appeal.

He planned to reach the pier by noon and board a ship to his next destination.

*Beep, beep...*

Suddenly his phone rang. He had instructed David, his housekeeper, not to disturb him during this time of relaxation...

"Hello," Oboro answered lazily.

"Hello, my friend..."

The voice on the other end froze his comfortable expression in mid-step. A familiar face flashed across his mind.

Hisoka.

"I heard you were traveling... That doesn't seem like the you I know. Or has your strength reached a level where you no longer need such rigorous training?" Hisoka's tone carried his usual mixture of mockery and evaluation, tinged with malice.

"Has your sense of crisis... disappeared?"

There was no way that Hisoka should have this number... It belonged to David. Which meant that Hisoka was currently at the Fells' residence.

"Or should I call you the Tenth Don now... the shadow ruler of the Fells family."

Oboro sighed. "You really are like a ghost... It must have been quite an effort to track me down."

"I had no choice... I gave you my number, but you seemed reluctant to use it. As a friend, I was hurt... This was my only option!" Hisoka laughed. "You've been making waves lately... I was asking around, which led to this call."

"Nothing excessive, I hope? A year in the mafia has given me quite a temper... Believe me, you don't want to test it." Oboro walked on.

He knew Hisoka only too well.

"I know my limits. These are your people... I wouldn't do anything to endanger our friendship..."

In the mansion, Hisoka sat cross-legged on a sofa, a phone in one hand and a playing card in the other, covering his mouth to hide his pleasure. In front of him was a conference table, riddled with holes and splintered. The walls and floor of the room were riddled with bullet holes - clear signs of recent violence.

Mafia bodies with broken limbs and scattered weapons littered the floor, creating a bloody tableau.

Phyllis Lily and David had survived. The woman appeared unharmed, while the butler bore superficial cuts.

"The security here is pretty impressive. Not just anyone can get in... So I had to use some little tricks to see you. You don't mind, do you?" Hisoka changed the subject.

'Small tricks...' 

Oboros eyes narrowed.

"Are you angry?..."

"Don't worry, I'll keep the woman and the butler alive..."

Hisoka's chuckle indicated that he sensed something.

"Suddenly, I feel like killing you." Oboros voice became icy.

"Did you forget what Morel said? A good performance requires adequate preparation... a stage that belongs only to you and me. Now... it is far from time for our performance... even though I am looking forward to it!" Hisoka's tone became heated, his restraint audible - the same reaction as during their first farewell at the hotel.

"Don't misunderstand... your people were not very welcoming."

"Handle it through the housekeeper... I was in a good mood until I heard your voice. Now I'm just disappointed..."

"Are you upset?"

"What do you think?"

"..."

"Even with my number, don't contact me unless it's important."

The line went dead with a click.

Hisoka showed no shock. If anything, this familiar dynamic pleased him.

"You heard him... Tell those outside to disperse..." Hisoka waved the phone at David. "I told you... your master and I go back a long way. We're good friends..."