HxH: I Will Be Supreme

Minutes later, in the devastated square, Sato's smoking body flew backward from Oboro's kick. He bounced like a ball against the ground, blood spraying from his mouth. A dark shadow descended from above like an ink cloud, forcing him to move despite his battered state.

Using every ounce of remaining strength, Sato launched himself forward like an arrow, barely avoiding the tree monster's core attack zone. The thunderous impact sent debris flying, the shockwave hammering his already grievous injuries. Even with his abilities at full focus, he could barely evade the two monsters. The "rule" of guaranteed hits left him with minimal options.

The monsters' attacks were simply too destructive, their range too vast to completely escape.

Before Sato could create distance, Oboro closed in with a precise strike to his chest. Blood vessels burst in Sato's eyes as he finally screamed in agony.

"This one isn't affected by the monsters' attacks," Sato's thoughts raced. "Even direct hits cause no damage. What kind of Nen ability is this? I saw the restrictions but missed the deeper truth. His ability is far more complex than I imagined. Some hidden rule or factor influences everything."

This revelation shook Sato's worldview. In all his years as a fighter, he'd never encountered such an enigmatic Nen ability. It completely upended his understanding of what was possible. Even with his experience, he'd only glimpsed the surface.

"I created them with my thoughts," Oboro stepped through the settling dust toward where Sato lay immobile. "Do you know how long it took to create just these two? How many hours invested?"

"Yes, this is a game with rules. As creator, I enjoy certain privileges and special benefits. But each time I exploit these natural advantages, the game world shows signs of instability. It requires constant refinement and adjustment, time-consuming, meticulous work."

Oboro continued his explanation as he approached. "Developing this ability has been an immense undertaking. I'm working to privatize the game world, to transform it into a personal server that aligns with my role as GM. But private servers mean instability, backdoors, crash risks, vulnerability to intrusion. Against a true master, the rules and compulsory effects might fail completely. The situation could turn against me."

"To prevent exploitation of loopholes, the system must maintain stability and fairness. For now, I'm bypassing 'fairness' through maintenance modes, creating a limited private server. But patching it constantly is exhausting. Once the game world reaches completion and full stability, such tricks won't work in reality. I can adjust fair rules to benefit me somewhat, but it never feels sufficient. Not twisted enough."

Sato's pupils contracted as understanding dawned. The rules of the game, of course. Everything suddenly made sense.

Oboro swept away the lingering dust with a casual gesture as he stood before Sato. The massive monsters ceased their attacks, waiting.

"Want to know why I'm telling you all this?" Oboro smiled at the disheveled ninja before him, true appearance now revealed. "I think you're exceptionally strong. Perhaps you could offer valuable insight."

Sato remained silent, understanding the implications. He had no path to victory. Oboro revealed these secrets because Sato would take them to his grave. No one divulges such information unless their opponent is marked for death.

He'd attempted to damage the monsters, but their health bars proved too substantial for quick elimination. If Oboro hadn't engaged directly, Sato might have found an opening. Surviving this long was already impressive.

"Heh," Sato's bitter smile pulled at his wounds. "Listen to yourself. The fact you developed this ability shows you're far beyond my level, beyond what I can even comprehend. What advice could I possibly offer?"

Sato strongly suspected Oboro's ability wasn't developed alone. He must have powerful allies.

"Brainstorming has value. Different perspectives reveal different solutions," Oboro replied. The system had provided optimal answers, but that was beside the point.

"If I hadn't seen your ability firsthand, I wouldn't believe anyone capable of this," Sato spoke truthfully. "It's already beyond normal. What more could you want?"

"No, no. You think it's abnormal because you haven't witnessed the truly terrifying existences in this world, certain species and unknown things," Oboro shook his head. "What I've accomplished is far from enough."

"Then I can only wish you luck, though I doubt you'll find what you seek."

"Really? No suggestions at all?"

Oboro's disappointment was evident.

Instead of responding, Sato gripped his knife handle and channeled his Nen, not at Oboro, but at his own throat. A clean suicide rather than execution. It reflected the dignity expected of a ninja.

"What a shame. I'd hoped you might destroy two monsters so I could test the red and blue buff combination," Oboro remarked as he turned away.

Elsewhere, Brown's sole remaining Nen user had managed to eliminate the Demonic Swamp Frog and Razorback Bird. Creating distance from monster attack ranges required both speed and power, attributes this fighter sorely lacked compared to Sato. 

The Tenth Elder's presence as a normal human forced the Nen user to split focus on protection. Just as they prepared to flee after dispatching the monsters, a hand burst through the fighter's chest from behind.

The man's eyes widened in disbelief. Had the other battle ended so quickly?

Oboro withdrew his bloodied arm, face showing signs of fatigue.

Brown stood frozen, understanding the implications. Sato's death meant the loss of his strongest protector. No amount of denial could change this reality.

"I'll surrender my position! The seat among the Ten Dons, everything, it's yours!" Brown's carefully maintained composure crumbled, panic consuming him.

"You still don't understand? I told you before, I have no interest in you." Oboro's calm voice carried finality.

As he turned to leave, a dark shape swept past Brown's upper body. In an instant, the Don's torso exploded, leaving only his lower half to collapse.

"I'm tired. Time for some proper rest." Oboro yawned as he walked away.

News of the Tenth Don's death spread rapidly through the underground, first nationally, then globally. The remaining nine Dons intervened as expected, but their choice of successor surprised everyone, instead of Brown's chosen candidate, they selected Oboro, former head of the Fields family.

The Republic of Padokea's criminal elements were especially shocked. They knew Brown had sent forces to eliminate the Fields family, yet key figures like Fields Lily and Oboro had escaped. In retrospect, the entire incident revealed itself as a power struggle between the Fields family and Don Brown.

The public received a different narrative. The other Dons effectively contained information about Brown's death, directing blame toward Oboro while maintaining their prestige. With their unified support behind Oboro's promotion, even those with complaints could only accept the outcome. The Fields family's reputation had grown considerably through this conflict.

A month later, Oboro moved into Brown's former palace with his housekeepers David and Lily. The building now served as Fields family headquarters.

"Master, we've secured Brown's armed forces with minimal resistance," David reported. "His business interests are another matter, the local gangs are severely weakened and will need time to recover. Several family representatives request meetings."

"Handle it," Oboro replied dismissively.

"Yes, sir. The other Dons hope you'll meet with them soon. You are... new to their ranks."

"They want me to state my position. I've just taken the title, real influence will take time." Oboro smiled faintly, glancing at the woman in the wheelchair. "I'll meet them and sort things out, but I won't return afterward. I'll arrange to transfer the Don position to David."

The old butler startled at this declaration.

"Don't worry. You'll only be the public face. I dislike complications," Oboro explained, seeing the misunderstanding.

David relaxed visibly.

The perceptive Lily grasped his meaning. "You prefer being a shadow boss, working from behind the scenes?"

"Can you really give it up? You'd be one of the Ten Dons, with all the status and resources that brings."

"Such things don't interest me. David can handle it as well as I could. I remained with the gang this long for specific purposes, longer than I'd planned, honestly." Oboro stated plainly.

His goal was already achieved.

"True enough. Even now, you don't carry yourself like a typical gangster. It suits you better this way." Lily nodded.

"That's settled then. My mind's made up." Oboro clapped his hands with finality.

"Even the Ten Dons can't bind you. May I ask what you plan to do next?" Lily's eyes sparkled with curiosity.

Despite their time together, neither she nor David truly knew Oboro's background or identity. They knew only of his connection to Heaven's Arena.

Oboro rarely discussed himself.

"What next..." Oboro considered the question before smiling. "Dreams."

The housekeeper and woman exchanged bewildered looks, unprepared for such an answer.

But Oboro offered no elaboration. He had appointments to keep.