As expected?
Hisoka wasn't surprised by the answer; he had more or less guessed it would be the case. His strength was decent but not quite enough, yet he was listed among the highest ranks of the Zoldyck family, indicating other influencing factors.
With a smile playing at the corners of his mouth, he awaited Illumi's response.
"It's Morin from your Phantom Troupe."
Illumi calmly revealed an answer that Hisoka hadn't anticipated at all.
"Him again?!"
Hisoka's pupils contracted slightly but quickly returned to normal. "Why him?"
"Because Kastro is his disciple."
Illumi once again shared this secret with Hisoka. It seemed their relationship was good enough that Illumi dared to tell Hisoka anything.
"A disciple, huh..." Hisoka murmured, repeating the word. "If just a disciple is already this strong, then how powerful must the master be?"
"I haven't met him," Illumi said, "but from my father and grandfather's descriptions, you can sense it."
"If he were to face Netero from the Hunter Association, he would likely have more chances of winning than losing."
"I see."
Illumi's words carried some weight. Although Hisoka knew Illumi wasn't lying, he chose not to fully believe it. After all, some things require personal experience to have judgment and a voice.
However...
"I really did join the right group with the Phantom Troupe!"
A sinister smile gradually spread across his face. "I originally thought only the leader, Chrollo, was interesting. I didn't expect such a small team to hide such a formidable figure. I really want to meet him!!"
"Hehehehe!!"
His twisted laughter, enough to give anyone goosebumps, echoed in the area.
The meeting between Kastro and Hisoka ended just like that. Not only did nothing spark between them, but there wasn't even a bit of interaction. Even if there was, it only made Hisoka pay more attention to Morin.
Later, Wing and Zushi met with Kastro. The latter was very polite and respectful to his senior uncle and junior brother. Although he wasn't very familiar with Wing, he could sense he was a good person.
Hmm, Togashi once specifically commented that Wing was a very good husband worth marrying.
Such small events happen all over this world. Thus, 1997 was just as uneventful, without any grand waves.
Except for the spiky-haired Gon adjusting his hat, picking up his fishing rod, and preparing to catch the King of the Swamp to fulfill his promise to Mito. The silver-haired Killua was also gradually becoming dissatisfied with his family's training methods. The gentler side of him subconsciously resisted this kind of teaching.
Thus, the thought of running away from home gradually formed in his mind.
And so, another year quietly passed.
It was now 1999.
Not long into the year, a major piece of news came from the Hunter Association. During this year's 26th Hunter Exam, a certain candidate, disliking the examiner, beat the examiner half to death, resulting in disqualification. Besides the examiner, he also left 20 candidates unable to recover, leading to no one passing this Hunter Exam.
And that candidate's name was Hisoka.
Incidentally, the one handling this severe incident was Kastro. The two directly confronted each other at the test site. If it weren't for Mr. Beans rushing in to interrupt the rhythm and atmosphere, Hisoka and Kastro might have actually fought.
"So, if you really fought, who would win?" Morin curiously asked over the phone.
"Is that the point, Master?" Kastro was full of the urge to complain. "I looked into that Hisoka and found his previous records almost blank. Could it be..."
"That's right, he's from Meteor City," Morin directly answered. "And he's also a member of the Phantom Troupe."
Kastro: Why are all the Phantom Troupe members so troublesome?!
Of course, he didn't dare say this out loud, or he'd be immediately seen as a disrespectful disciple and dealt with. But it's undeniable that the Phantom Troupe has indeed caused a lot of trouble for the Hunter Association recently, especially the group of five led by Chrollo and Uvogin, wanted by the V5. Almost every place they go, they cause chaos, making it hard for peace to prevail.
If it weren't for the V5 providing the Hunter Association with enough funds to handle the aftermath, the Zodiacs would have started cursing long ago. Coincidentally, the five wanted by the V5 are all restless individuals. Others are relatively better; Machi and Pakunoda rarely cause trouble. Shalnark, aside from flirting, has no major issues. Kortopi can even use his abilities to earn extra money, living a carefree life.
So, it leaves Hisoka as the only pervert.
"So, Master, could you manage your Phantom Troupe members a bit?" Kastro suggested tactfully. "I'm really busy with work here, almost unable to handle it."
"I've even lost a few strands of my beautiful, silky silver hair!" Kastro felt heartache at the mention of his hair.
"I'm busy~" Morin casually replied. "I'm preparing for next year's Hunter Exam, so don't bother me during this time."
"Master, what do you mean by not bothering you? I... wait?!"
Just as Kastro was about to complain, he suddenly realized something.
"Master, are you saying..."
He brought his phone closer and cleaned his ears. "You're preparing to take next year's Hunter Exam?!"
He almost doubted his ears.
"That's right," Morin nodded, smiling. "After playing outside for so long, I've realized that having a Hunter License makes things a bit more convenient."
"That's great!!"
Confirming he hadn't misheard, Kastro stood up in excitement, startling Piyon, who was working beside him.
The Hunter Association was in shock! Netero's involvement and examiner arrangements!! Everyone was preparing for this!!
For Morin joining, Kastro was absolutely welcoming with open arms. Having both master and disciple become Hunters would be a great story.
"If you're participating, I can arrange..."
He was excitedly saying when Morin interrupted over the phone, "Just do your job. It's just a Hunter License; I haven't fallen to the point of needing my disciple to arrange it."
"Yes! I understand!!"
Kastro realized he was getting carried away.
"If you need anything, just tell me, and I'll help you."
Then he continued to chatter on endlessly. Morin, unable to take it, hung up on him.
Really, it's just a Hunter License exam. Is there a need to be so excited?
Morin thought indifferently.
However, the truth is, taking a Hunter License exam isn't a big deal. But it depends on who is taking it.
"Who was that on the phone just now?" Piyon, the Rabbit Zodiac beside Kastro, blinked her big eyes, curious.
"It was my master," Kastro replied with a smile, feeling incredibly pleased. "He's planning to take next year's Hunter Exam!!"
Piyon blinked twice. After a second of delay, realizing who Kastro's master was, her pupils slowly widened.
"Really?!"
Soon, the news of Morin planning to participate in next year's Hunter Exam spread throughout the entire Zodiac.