Chapter 65: A Challenge

"Xiang Nan, on April 27, in Zerta City, you utilized your authority in the military district to requisition…"

"Xiang Nan in May was absent from military district activities…"

A few days later, Xiang Nan returned to the military district in Kotaki City.

As soon as he arrived, he was immediately summoned by the top brass—taken into a small, dark interrogation room.

Inside sat leaders personally dispatched from the military's headquarters—the true heads of the entire Republic of Padokea military.

They placed so much importance on holding Xiang Nan accountable because, while he did have quite a track record of misconduct, he also happened to be undeniably capable.

Although he frequently left his post and ran off outside, within the military district he was often training the soldiers, resulting in very tangible improvements in several units' physical and combat performance. They'd frequently clinch the championship in various fighting contests, and his teams always took first place in major field exercises.

Because of his involvement and the logistical-medical plans and guidelines he formulated for real-combat drills—along with the medical expertise and on-site surgery training he provided—practically the entire Republic of Padokea armed forces benefited. Moreover, in the military district, many people were truly convinced by him. Overall, Xiang Nan stood out with exceptional merit.

Besides, the missions Xiang Nan led with Garo and others outside involved hunting down Nen-users—a sign of his remarkable ability. And in Heaven's Arena, those Nen-using contestants he killed also indicated that Xiang Nan's personal strength was no small matter.

As for the other events that caused some negative social impact, the high-ranking officers didn't particularly care. Those who died or got hurt were just normal people. Xiang Nan could kill them at will—as long as it didn't blow up into a major public crisis.

The main reason they came was to verify Xiang Nan's attitude. As a high-ranking serviceman, he still needed to show some respect for the military's chain of command. Additionally, he couldn't keep provoking the mafia. Although the army didn't really fear them, if it escalated to the level of the Ten Dons, it would become a real headache. They couldn't just stand by and watch Xiang Nan stir up bigger trouble.

In this dark room, a few glaring lamps shone harshly on Xiang Nan, while several desks surrounded him. Behind each desk sat a stern-faced leader. Someone read aloud from a prepared statement, listing Xiang Nan's abuses of power and violations of regulations since he'd become an officer.

"Anything you want to say for yourself?"

A senior official asked coldly.

"I figure the biggest reason we're meeting is probably the mafia, yes? Or rather, the Ten Dons…" Xiang Nan said softly, smiling. "Indeed, with how frenzied the underworld can be, even for the Republic of Padokea's military—if we genuinely end up provoking the Ten Dons, it'll get troublesome. So it's not you who's worried, but certain higher-ups in the government, right? They told you to watch me, because if the Ten Dons decided to get rid of them, it'd be easy enough."

"Sigh."

Another official let out a weary breath.

"Since you're aware of that, you really do need to rein yourself in going forward."

They too were under pressure, forced to come warn Xiang Nan. Otherwise, they'd have to put significant effort into constantly protecting those politicians.

"The nation is supposed to have a program for training Nen-users… I've heard mention of it from my superiors. In theory, with our army's cohesiveness and professionalism, we shouldn't be worried about the mafia."

"Indeed, the Ten Dons' influence is huge, spanning multiple continents and all sorts of trades, they even do gray-market deals with some countries—even V5 may have connections to them… They look like a scattered underworld, but in reality, their cohesion is high, their influence can reach national scales."

"But for all that, the underworld itself has flaws."

Xiang Nan changed the subject. He handed over a prepared dossier to the leaders.

"Phantom Troupe? 'The Spider'?"

A few of the superiors thumbed through the pages, puzzled by what Xiang Nan intended.

"They are a band of thieves from Meteor City—a group of outlaws, one might say. They commit every imaginable crime and made a name for themselves quite some time ago, each member is a Nen-user with blood-stained hands."

Xiang Nan added: "They've roused utter hatred from the underworld. There have long been bounties on them… But so far as I know, it hasn't affected their operations at all. Recently, a world-famous tycoon was found dead at home—all his priceless treasures and high-value artworks stolen. That tycoon was a close friend of one of the Ten Dons. The man's house-guard security supposedly rivaled a military bunker. Rumor is it was them again. In their eyes, even the Ten Dons you fear aren't worth much… Meanwhile, your entire national army claims to be powerless to do more? Isn't that quite laughable?"

He asked.

These documents were all compiled by Mia—the boss of the Zatobi family—under Xiang Nan's instructions. After verifying the Heaven's Arena timeline, Xiang Nan was sure that in the current continuity, the Phantom Troupe had long been notorious in the underworld.

"…"

The leaders looked among one another, waiting for him to continue.

"Because they're strong. Each member is a rare Nen-user. Even though they have diverse abilities, they're united as a team with intense synergy—even ideologically they align. That's how they can run wild, unbound by conventional rules."

"What's your point?"

One higher-up sensed Xiang Nan had a motive.

"I don't know how far the Republic of Padokea's official Nen-user program has progressed, or what level they've reached. But judging by your reactions—and those of the top politicians—I guess it's pretty mediocre…" Xiang Nan sneered openly.

His remark made some of them grimace.

"Everything depends on strength and confidence. The Phantom Troupe dares do what they do because they're absolutely sure of their power."

"You're implying… we don't dare act because we're not strong enough?"

"Precisely."

Xiang Nan dipped his head slightly.

"Look a bit deeper: A gang of vagrants crawled out of the junk-heap of Meteor City, and they can rival the best any nation's forces can muster? That's downright pathetic."

"You think it's so easy to produce an outstanding Nen-user?!"

A certain leader blurted out, somewhat annoyed. "If it were that simple, there wouldn't be so few licensed Hunters, nor any need for that big Hunter Exam—and even they can't accomplish it."

"Now you claim you can do it? You sure talk big… And if you know about V5, then you realize we're also under its monitoring. Should any 'dangerous' or 'threatening' sign arise, they'd pressure Republic of Padokea into compliance."

"Yes, that's exactly why I say that even if you want to raise a formidable Nen-user force, it can't go too far… We can't cross certain lines. That's why my plan is that the group of Nen-user soldiers I'll cultivate won't be large. Provided it's only a handful, presumably you don't need V5's consent to train them, right?"

"We'd be producing them for national defense, so we don't have to cower whenever we step on the Ten Dons' toes. Don't you see? If someday the mafia realized the Republic of Padokea's military had top-grade Nen combatants they couldn't handle, guess what their attitude would be?"

Hearing this, a few leaders looked intrigued.

"Finally… Suppose you're still hesitant and don't trust me—thinking I'm all talk."

"In that case… let's make a bet."

"A bet?"

"Right. Gather all the Nen-users the country has been training, have them come at me together—yes, all of them. If any of them can beat me, this project will be canceled. All those deeds I did—I'll accept whatever punishment you decide."

Xiang Nan declared.

"You're serious?" asked one official. This was no trivial matter. Once it began, it would mean the plan was effectively in motion. If he lost, Xiang Nan alone must bear all consequences. There would be no sweeping it under the rug.

"Yes, I'm serious. But I have two conditions."

"Let's hear it."

"First, if I succeed, I want absolute command and leadership over this Nen-user unit."

"Hmph! Bold or arrogant… not sure which."

A top brass man retorted. Yet, from his tone, it sounded like they were already half-sold. They found it tempting.

"Second, the existence of this unit must remain highly classified—top secret within the military alone."

"We'd do that anyway…" someone muttered, "But let me remind you… have you ever heard of 'XXX'?"

Referring to the Zoldyck family, Xiang Nan guessed.

"Yes."

"Our army once invited someone from that family to instruct us…"

"And…?"

Xiang Nan pretended not to know.

"Cough, cough. We failed."

Strictly speaking, it wasn't absolute failure; the Zoldyck member did have the ability to train good Nen-users, but it would take a long time.

Meanwhile, that Zoldyck's fee was astronomical. Even a few days of payment made the Republic of Padokea's government blanch. The total sum required was beyond the army's means. So that plan fell through—and before leaving, that assassin gave them a parting remark: "A bunch of trash."

"When you hired the Hunter Association, it was probably more casual. But for the Zoldycks, the training was brutal—some of your people died, right?"

Xiang Nan asked with a small laugh.

The official, somewhat startled, nodded.

"Yes, indeed."

"That once again shows it's about using the right methods. I personally favor the Zoldyck approach. If you want to get stronger, casualties are inevitable."

"But the complexities with a formal national institution hamper them from training Nen soldiers that harshly. Hiring top-tier Hunters or assassins from outside is a political minefield. …So better to have it managed by our own people."

"You decide when. I'll wait for your call."

Xiang Nan finished calmly.

"Great. Since you're so confident, we'll see how capable you truly are."

"Don't choke on your own words, now!"

~~~

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