"Luca, what do you think?"
"What do I think? Anyone who comes all the way here just to donate money is either a fool or a pervert with ulterior motives."
"So what should we do?"
"What else can we do? Report it... There's only so much money in a month; why risk your life? Don't take chances, just report it directly!"
The two men in black guarding the entrance were initially stunned, then exchanged a glance. The slightly more alert one took out his phone and immediately made a call to the higher-ups.
At the door, Roy patted Haseki Dorou's shoulder, indicating that there was no need to be nervous. By using En to capture inner thoughts, he unexpectedly heard a familiar name—Kuroro.
A cool face with a cross imprinted on the forehead instantly appeared in his mind.
"Kuroro, what's your take?"
At the corner of Third Street, West District of Meteor Street.
Unlike other areas full of trash piles, a rare open space had been cleared at the street corner, where a beautiful standalone villa was built. Around the villa, green plants and flowers were planted to create a yard, attempting to fully isolate it from the surrounding trash piles. Overlooking from above, it was exceptionally eye-catching and highlighted the villa owner's status—
One of the Council of Elders of Meteor Street—
The Tenth Elder... "Pseudo-intellectual"... The residence of Belmont Raymond.
Now over fifty, Belmont, with his hair slicked back and wearing bifocal glasses, was sitting in the study, reviewing the production progress of the scrap station, paper mill, and other factories under his charge for the month. He was planning to utilize plastic waste to open an injection molding factory. Suddenly, he received a phone call. Among them, the one cleaning his residence for a meal every half day—Kuroro, Shalnark, Pakunoda, and others—was present. He asked with a smile.
The sweeping Shalnark and the vase-cleaning Pakunoda stopped their work to look...
Kuroro, responsible for cleaning the coffee table, straightened up and pondered for a moment, "The boss often teaches us that pies don't fall from the sky."
The boy's bright eyes reflected Belmont's encouraging gaze as he expressed his opinion, "I don't believe people donate without a purpose if there's no motive behind it."
"Watching 'Cleaning Squad' wasn't in vain." Belmont pushed the bifocal glasses up his nose, looking at Kuroro appreciatively, as if he saw his younger self...
In the face of an extremely harsh survival environment, he remained rational, thought about solving problems instead of resigning to fate like livestock that's led to slaughter. Smiling, he said:
"I remember there was an episode in 'Cleaning Squad' where a rapist posed as a 'missionary,' deceived girls to become followers, and under the guise of 'God's blessing,' raped them...."
Belmont closed the ledger, his gaze swept over Kuroro, Shalnark, Pakunoda, noting Pakunoda's frowned brows, and calmly said, "Here we only have 'scraps' and 'people'... Since the other party chooses 'charity,' they must not lack money, so it must be... people they want!"
"Ah... I know, they're in cahoots with those human traffickers!" Shalnark's OCD acted up at the sight of dust in floor cracks. He squatted down, using his fingernails to scrape it out. Nearby, Pakunoda wrinkled her high nose, crossed her arms over her chest, revealing ample bosom despite being in her teens, already showing a 'career woman' vibe.
Realizing all at once, "Sister Lianzi from the church reminded us yesterday to avoid unnecessary outings lately. If we must go out, it's best to go in pairs, saying that... a few waves of human traffickers have entered the area lately."
The girl glanced at Kuroro, then at Belmont, tentatively asking, "Isn't that their intention too?"
Belmont didn't answer, but instead looked at Kuroro with a studying gaze.
Kuroro, with his jet-black hair not yet styled like Belmont's, still wore a bob. Expressionless, he said, "We'll know if we try."
The boy raised his eyes to meet Belmont's gaze, "The boss recently is planning on Fourth Street, negotiating land purchase with Elder Ilya, right?"
"The other party is envious of the boss's legitimate businesses, demanding exorbitant prices. Just as there's an abandoned church on Fourth Street, they want to preach and donate, let them have it for free, if they can deal with Bolton."
"The Paired Destroyers"——Bolton!
Steer tigers to swallow wolves... Smart kid! Belmont looked approvingly at Kuroro, lighting a cigarette and saying into the speakerphone, "You've all heard it, let's do it."
Smoke curled up from the study, Belmont pushed the chair back and looked out the window. Not far from the villa was Fourth Street, also known as 'Flesh Street,' specializing in the 'organ trade'... daring to compete with Ilya, Bolton for business... Belmont's gaze deepened, warning, "Be careful or you'll enter intact and leave in pieces!"
"Yes." The call ended.
Belmont finished his cigarette, turned to Kuroro and his team, "There's an extra meal today."
Kuroro, Shalnark, Pakunoda bowed and left joyfully after cleaning the room, leaving Belmont alone watching the 'unsightly' scenery outside, sighing silently...
"Still too weak...."
Whether he himself or the 'one' behind him, few can confront Bolton with capable 'Nen users' at the moment... Over the years, Belmont had in open and secret tried 'inviting' some Nen users, even hiring some Hunters at high costs to back him up, but... compared to Bolton, those he hired were insignificant, instead becoming 'food' for Bolton, completely outmatched, even...