Izuk, standing beside them, was extremely shocked, but Roy himself only smiled faintly and said, "I came here specially this time not because I wanted your favor, but because I feel this Black-White Fish should have more than just this flavor and effect. There should be other cooking methods and other uses for it. But I am not a professional Gourmet Hunter, so I can only trouble you, senpai."
When Linne heard this, she smiled and shook her head. "For a Gourmet Hunter, being able to personally cook a legendary-grade ingredient like this is the thing one longs for most. Even if you had not said anything, this old woman would have swallowed her pride and asked you for a few fish to study properly.
"Leave these fish safely to this old woman. This old woman does not have many other skills, but when it comes to handling ingredients, even if I cannot claim to be number one in the world, I am at least among the very best. Once this old woman has studied the cooking methods for this fish a little, I will have Izuk notify you."
"You are being too modest. Then I will trouble you."
…
After leaving behind some Seven-Treasure Glazed Wine and Earth-Yellow Fish, Roy took his leave.
This trip had not only allowed him to form a connection with Linne, the grand matriarch of Gourmet Hunters, and gain the friendship of the Gourmet Hunter profession, but he had also obtained the favor Linne had promised him, as well as the new cooking methods Linne would develop for the Earth-Yellow Fish.
It could be said that he had gained several benefits at once!
Izuk respectfully escorted Roy to the door, then bowed deeply to him. "Thank you for making sensei regain hope in the world again."
Even Roy could see the lifelessness around Linne. As her disciple, who had always stayed by Linne's side, Izuk had naturally noticed it as well.
But he had no way to do anything about it. He had never known the root cause of his teacher's condition.
It was not until Roy arrived today, bringing those two new ingredients, that Linne successfully regained her spirit. How could that not make Izuk feel delighted while also feeling deeply grateful toward Roy?
At the entrance, Roy watched Izuk walk lightly back into the castle. After sighing with emotion for a moment, he used Instant Transmission and left the ancient castle.
After returning to Limeiro Castle, List and the other two had already finished all the wine in their cups and were still savoring the taste from earlier.
Seeing them like that, Roy did not disturb them and left again.
Over the next few days, Roy first claimed the title of One-Star Story Hunter through his achievements with Dragon Ball, Sailor Moon, and other manga. Then, he officially took over the identity of the Monkey of the Twelve Zodiacs.
After splitting off a Four Bodies Technique clone to accompany Gel in her experiments, Roy began checking the privileges of the Twelve Zodiacs.
It had to be said that the title of Twelve Zodiac truly came with many conveniences within the Hunter Association.
The title itself represented a certain recognition of strength. There was not a single weakling among those who could obtain a Twelve Zodiac title.
After all, when Netero first founded the Twelve Zodiacs, it had simply been because he wanted to find playmates he could spar with in his spare time. From that alone, one could see the strength of the Twelve Zodiacs.
Everyone in the Hunter Association knew how powerful the Twelve Zodiacs were, so they all carried a certain amount of respect for them without even realizing it.
Furthermore, the Twelve Zodiacs had gradually changed from simply sparring with Netero to helping maintain the operation of the Association. They possessed tremendous prestige within the Association.
Naturally, while helping maintain the Association's operation, Roy also felt the benefits, resources, and privileges enjoyed by the Twelve Zodiacs.
Then, after the Twelve Zodiacs changed members and the Monkey position was replaced with a new member, it naturally caused heated discussion within the Hunter Association.
Most of them questioned whether Roy had the strength to take over a Twelve Zodiac position. Especially after they learned Roy's exact age and accomplishments, the voices of doubt grew even louder.
The original Monkey, Saiyu, had been a Bounty Hunter and martial artist, so within the Association, he had been in charge of certain matters related to pursuing wanted criminals.
Roy had no intention of changing that authority. With Shalnark operating in the underworld, tracking down these wanted criminals was extremely convenient.
Moreover, Roy had never intended to worry too much about the internal affairs of the Hunter Association in the first place. At most, when Netero asked them to take action, he would simply do his part.
However, a new official had to show some capability after taking office. Since he was a newly appointed Zodiac member, he had to display his strength one way or another, right?
After thinking about it, Roy made a phone call each to Shalnark and Android 18.
…
Over the following week, several earth-shattering incidents occurred in the Hunter Association!
S-Class criminals who had fled outside, who were burdened with countless crimes, possessed great strength, and had still never been arrested and brought to justice, were captured one after another within a few days!
Previously, Roy had called Android 18, then brought her to the Hunter Association to officially certify their master-disciple relationship.
As for why he did this, of course it was because, aside from making achievements in multiple fields, a Double-Star Hunter also had to train a disciple who became a One-Star Hunter.
Roy wanted to use this to be directly evaluated as a Double-Star Hunter.
Android 18 and Roy had graduated from the same year's Hunter Exam. Under normal circumstances, certifying a master-disciple relationship between them would have been impossible. But for such a small matter, it was easy enough to settle by slightly using the privileges of the Twelve Zodiacs.
With his achievements in the manga field, plus his achievements in the Bounty Hunter field of capturing criminals, Roy and Android 18 captured every S-Class criminal they could get their hands on this time.
One had to know that ever since the Hunter Association was founded, it had never captured more than ten S-Class criminals in total.
Their strength was indeed very great. Unfortunately, in front of Roy and Android 18, they were as weak as insects. Every one of them was beaten half-dead and locked in the Hunter Association prison.
Because of this, while the entire Hunter Association was shocked by the professionalism of Roy and Android 18, they also deeply respected their strength.
Thus, after Roy threw those criminals into prison, all the gossip and rumors inside the Association immediately vanished without a trace.
Roy and Android 18 also used this opportunity to become a Double-Star Hunter and a One-Star Hunter respectively.
At this point, Roy had completely secured his position among the Twelve Zodiacs.
Aside from Roy, Netero also ran into a little trouble on his side.
(End of Chapter)
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