The next day, in the training room of Colton Manor.
Morning light slanted in from the high transom window, and the air was filled with the faint scent of sweat and metal.
Leo stood shirtless in the center of the training ground, striking a specially made metal post with his fists in alternation.
Sweat streamed down his back, dripping onto the floor, where it was quickly evaporated.
Kastro, Goreinu, Nico, Kalluto, Ashir, Sophia, and Shizuku had formed a seven-person team to hunt down wanted criminals.
It just so happened that Kastro and the others were also planning to accumulate merit points to be promoted to One-Star Hunters.
Leo had specifically instructed Kalluto to join them, intending for them to get used to working together in preparation for heading to the Dark Continent.
The door to the training room was tightly shut, sealing out the noise from the outside.
In this manor, this was the only place that truly belonged to him.
No need to think, no need to make decisions, no need to deal with those eyes hidden in the shadows.
All that was needed was to throw punches, breathe, and feel every contraction and relaxation of his muscles.
His phone rang.
Leo stopped his movements, picked up a towel from the chair nearby to wipe his hands, and glanced at the screen—an unknown number.
He pressed the answer button.
"I am Morel."
A hearty voice came from the other end of the line, full of vigor and carrying a weightiness that was inexplicably reassuring.
The corners of Leo's mouth curled up slightly.
"Hello, Mr. Morel. I am Leo."
"I asked Ashir for your number because I wanted to call you and ask about something personally."
Morel didn't bother with pleasantries, getting straight to the point with a crisp and decisive tone.
"No problem. What is your question?"
Morel paused for a moment.
"Regarding your request, I should be able to finish up what I have on hand in about three days and then head to Tote City. Before that, I want to ask—why did you choose me? Logically speaking, it's just sailing out to find an island; anyone with experience in ocean voyages could do it."
There was a hint of confusion in his voice, but it wasn't skepticism; it was more out of curiosity.
He had seen too many employers; some sought him out for his fame, others because of connections, and some just randomly picked a name from the Hunter Association list.
But Leo gave him a different feeling.
Leo did not answer immediately.
He walked to the window and looked out at the neatly trimmed lawn in the garden.
The morning light spilled onto the grass, making it glow green.
"Because you are a one-star Ocean Hunter with a wealth of knowledge and experience regarding the surrounding seas."
His voice was very calm.
"You are warm-hearted, steady in your work, able to calmly make correct judgments, and you wouldn't sell out your employer's information. Moreover, both you and I are members of the Hunter Association; you are trustworthy."
Leo paused, then continued.
"I admire you greatly; you are the perfect candidate for this sea exploration. Aside from you, I wouldn't hire anyone else."
There was silence on the other end of the line.
Leo could hear Morel's breathing; it had become slightly heavier than before.
A few seconds later, Morel spoke, his voice lower than before and carrying a trace of suppressed trembling.
"Are... are you serious about what you just said?"
"I am serious."
Silence again, this time for even longer.
Leo faintly heard a slight sob from the other end, very soft and short, as if it had been forcibly suppressed.
Morel was holding back; he was holding back tears.
He was deeply moved, not expecting that there would still be someone who understood him so well.
"Ahem."
Morel cleared his throat, his voice returning to its previous heartiness, though the tail end still carried a trace of imperceptible hoarseness.
"Since you think so highly of me, I will definitely complete this request to Perfection. I will be there in five days."
Leo smiled.
"No problem. I look forward to your arrival, Mr. Morel."
The call ended.
Leo put the phone aside and walked back to the center of the training ground.
Why did he seek out Morel?
The reason was simple. This man was truly impeccable in his work; he was an absolutely good man.
During the Chimera Ant subjugation incident, he was practically a super workhorse, the MVP of MVPs.
As a Manipulator, he was adept at using smoke, successfully holding off two Royal Guards, Youpi and Pouf; if it had been anyone else, they probably would have died long ago.
He was better at playing with smoke than a certain smoke man from the neighboring pirate series, and his combat intelligence was terrifyingly high.
Befriending Morel was a very good choice, especially regarding the exploration of the Dark Continent, where Morel's abilities would also be very useful.
He wanted to bring Morel along to explore the Dark Continent; his team was still missing a talent like Morel who could look at the big picture.
His strength was greater than Sophia and the others, but he wasn't good at commanding a team.
If they encountered danger in the Dark Continent, he might not be able to look after the safety of Sophia and the others, so a team-oriented talent like Morel could play a crucial role.
In the original story, Morel did not board the ship to follow the Association to explore the Dark Continent, which suggested he wasn't very interested in it, but Leo still had to try and see if he could recruit him.
Leo took a deep breath and struck the metal post with his right fist again.
Bang Bang Bang~ Bang—
Monotonous, boring, repetitive.
But this was his training.
No need for flashiness, no need for shortcuts; he just needed to keep striking, punch by punch.
Time reached the fourth day.
Colton Manor, lounge.
Leo sat cross-legged on the floor, eyes closed in meditation.
Nen flowed slowly through his body, cycling endlessly.
As long as he waited two more days, once the creatures were all in place, he would be able to advance to level eighty.
Once Morel arrived and the preparations for the transit base were ready, it would be time for him to set off, heading to the outer seas to find an island to build his exclusive base.
His phone rang.
Leo opened his eyes and picked up the phone.
There was no number on the screen, only "Unknown Caller" displayed.
He pressed the answer button.
"Mr. Leo."
Liam's voice came from the receiver, carrying a sense of self-satisfied amusement.
"How is your consideration going?"
Leo stood up, walked to a nearby chair, and leaned back against the backrest.
"Collaborating with you is not out of the question."
Leo's voice was very calm.
"First, tell me who the people behind the Doctor are."
Liam laughed.
The laughter wasn't loud, sounding like a Hunter who had finally waited for the prey to step into the trap.
"No problem,"
His tone was light.
"I will have someone deliver it to you right now. In ten minutes, you will receive their files."
Leo's eyebrows arched slightly.
Deliver?
Not send, but "deliver."
This meant someone would hand the files to him personally.
And it would be within ten minutes.
This indicated one thing: Liam also had subordinates with teleportation abilities.
And that person was already nearby.
Around Colton Manor, they had set up teleportation markers.
"Fine."
Leo said.
The call ended, and Leo placed the phone on the table, tapping his fingers lightly against the surface twice.
This guy had truly made thorough preparations.
From the beginning of the Doctor incident, to the fall of the Ten Dons, to the assassination by Zoldyck, and now to today's collaboration—
Every step was within his plan.
This kind of person was terrifying, but also usable.
He didn't care what kind of minister this Liam was, but he had to make foolproof preparations himself.
After dealing with those people, it would be his turn.
A family, of course, should be kept together!
He could use him, and he could use him back. Although he was an Enhancer, he wasn't stupid; if he really collaborated with him, he wouldn't want to be sold out without even knowing it.
Being so generous in telling him about his situation meant Liam had a trump card and wasn't afraid of him coming to kill him.
Leo chuckled, his gaze becoming sharp.
"Let's see who gets the last laugh!"
Ten minutes; he would wait.