Chapter 7: The Plan for Tomorrow
It happened during a conversation with Father about two weeks after my one-year training milestone.
We were sitting on the roof of our home, watching the sunset paint the mountains in shades of gold and crimson. The Kurta village spread out below usâ€"maybe three hundred people total, living in traditional homes, following traditional ways, isolated from the world beyond the forest.
"Father," I said carefully, "what do you think the Kurta clan's future looks like?"
Father was quiet for a long moment, his eyes distant. "The same as our past, I suppose. We live peacefully, we cultivate our Nen, we maintain our traditions. We hope the world leaves us alone."
"And if it doesn't?" I asked. "If the world doesn't leave us alone?"
Father turned to look at me, his gaze sharp. "You're thinking about something specific. What is it?"
I chose my words carefully. I couldn't tell him about the Phantom Troupeâ€"not directly. But I could hint at the danger, at the need for change.
"Our isolation makes us vulnerable," I said. "We're unknown to the world, which means we're also unprotected by it. If someone decided to attack us, who would even know? Who would care? We'd just... disappear."
Father's expression grew troubled. "You're not wrong. But our isolation is also our protection. If we don't interact with the outside world, we don't draw their attention."
"But we already have something that draws attention," I said, touching the corner of my eye. "Our scarlet eyes. They're valuable. If someone in the outside world learns about them, learns about us..."
I didn't finish the sentence. I didn't need to.
Father sighed deeply. "You're suggesting we should integrate with the outside world. Become part of it, rather than apart from it."
"Yes," I confirmed. "If we're part of the worldâ€"if we have businesses, connections, allies, legal protectionsâ€"then we're not just a isolated tribe that can be erased without consequence. We're citizens. We're people with rights and connections."
Father stood and walked to the edge of the roof, looking out at the village. "That's a massive change, Ben. Our people have lived this way for generations. Many of them won't want to give up our traditions, our way of life."
"I'm not suggesting we give up our traditions," I said. "I'm suggesting we adapt them. We can still be Kurta. We can still honor our heritage. But we need to exist in the world, not apart from it."
Father turned back to me, and there was something in his expressionâ€"respect, perhaps, or recognition. "You've thought about this a lot."
"Yes," I admitted.
"And you have a plan?"
I nodded slowly. "The beginnings of one."
Over the next week, I formulated my plan in detail. It wasn't enough to simply say "the Kurta need to integrate with the outside world." I needed specific, actionable steps that would make that integration possible and beneficial.
The first phase would be about understanding the outside world and acquiring the capital needed to establish a business presence.
I would leave the village and travel to nearby cities. I would observe how the economy worked, what businesses were profitable, where opportunities existed. I would also use my Error Pathway abilities to acquire initial capitalâ€"not through theft exactly, but through strategic acquisition of resources that wouldn't be missed.
The Hunter x Hunter world had a thriving underground economy. There were black markets, gray markets, places where someone with my abilities could acquire valuable items and convert them into legitimate currency.
I would need approximately 500 million Jenny (the currency of the HxH world) to establish a significant business presence. That was a substantial sum, but achievable if I was strategic and patient.
Once I had capital, I would establish a legitimate businessâ€"something that could serve as a foundation for Kurta integration.
The business needed to meet several criteria:
- It had to be profitable enough to support multiple Kurta families
- It had to be legitimate and legal, creating proper documentation and protections
- It had to be expandable, capable of growing to accommodate more Kurta people over time
- It had to be compatible with Kurta skills and abilities
After considerable thought, I settled on three possible business models:
**Option 1: Security Consultation Firm**
The Kurta had strong Nen abilities and combat training. A security consultation firm would allow us to leverage those skills legitimately. We could provide bodyguard services, security assessments, protection for high-value targets. The Hunter Association would recognize this as a legitimate profession.
**Option 2: Rare Materials Trading Company**
The forests around the Kurta village contained rare herbs, minerals, and natural resources. We could establish a trading company that sourced these materials legally and sold them to pharmaceutical companies, research institutions, and collectors. This would create a legitimate economic connection between our village and the outside world.
**Option 3: Information Brokerage**
The least obvious but potentially most powerful option. My Error Pathway abilities allowed me to steal information, secrets, and knowledge. An information brokerageâ€"operating within legal boundariesâ€"could sell research, market analysis, and strategic intelligence to corporations and wealthy individuals.
Each option had advantages and disadvantages. I would need to research further before committing to one.
Once the business was established and profitable, I would begin the gradual process of integrating Kurta people into it.
This wouldn't be a mass migration. Instead, I would start with volunteersâ€"young Kurta who were curious about the outside world and willing to work in the business. They would receive training, documentation (legal identities, citizenship papers, etc.), and support.
As they succeeded, other Kurta would see that integration was possible and beneficial. Over time, more families would choose to participate.
The key was to make it voluntary and gradual. No one would be forced to abandon their traditional life. But everyone would have the option to engage with the outside world if they chose.
Simultaneously with integration, I would work to establish legal protections for the Kurta people.
This meant:
- Registering the Kurta as a recognized ethnic minority with legal rights
- Establishing legal ownership of our traditional lands
- Creating documentation proving that Kurta scarlet eyes were not commodities but part of living people with rights
- Building relationships with Hunter Association officials who could serve as allies and protectors
The goal was to make it legally and practically difficult for anyone to attack or exploit the Kurta clan. We wouldn't just be an isolated tribeâ€"we'd be citizens with documentation, legal protections, and powerful allies.
I spent three days preparing a detailed presentation of my plan. Then I requested a meeting with the village eldersâ€"the council that made decisions for the Kurta clan.
The council consisted of seven elders, including my father and several other respected Nen users. They gathered in the central meeting hall, curious about what I wanted to discuss.
I stood before them and began.
"Honored elders, I want to talk about the future of the Kurta clan."
For the next hour, I laid out my entire plan. I explained the vulnerability of isolation. I described the opportunities of integration. I detailed the three business options and how they could create economic stability for our people.
The elders listened in silence. When I finished, there was a long pause.
Finally, one of the eldestâ€"a woman named Sheila who was respected for her wisdomâ€"spoke.
"You're very young to be proposing something this ambitious," she said.
"Yes," I acknowledged. "But I believe I'm capable of executing it. And I believe it's necessary."
"Why now?" another elder asked. "What makes this urgent? Our people have lived this way for generations."
I chose my words carefully. "The world is changing. Technology is advancing. Borders are becoming more defined. Organizations like the Hunter Association are becoming more powerful and structured. In the past, we could remain isolated because the world was large and communication was slow. But that's no longer true. Eventually, the world will find us. I'd rather we meet it on our terms."
Father spoke for the first time. "My son has shown exceptional ability in Nen cultivation and strategic thinking. I support his proposalâ€"not to force change on anyone, but to create options. Those who want to remain traditional can do so. Those who want to engage with the outside world will have a path to do so safely."
The discussion continued for another two hours. Some elders were enthusiastic. Others were skeptical. A few were outright opposed, arguing that integration would destroy Kurta culture.
Finally, Sheila called for a vote.
"The proposal is this: Ben will be authorized to leave the village, establish a legitimate business in the outside world, and create a framework for voluntary Kurta integration. He will be given limited tribal resources to support this effort. Those who wish to participate may do so voluntarily. Those who wish to remain traditional may do so without pressure or judgment."
The vote was 5-2 in favor.
I had permission to proceed.
That evening, I sat with my family and explained what would happen next.
"I'll be leaving in two weeks," I said. "I need to travel to York New City firstâ€"it's the largest city in the region and the best place to establish business connections."
My mother looked stricken. "You're leaving? For how long?"
"Probably six months for the initial phase," I said. "Maybe longer. But I'll return regularly to check on the village and report on my progress."
Kara, my sister, looked excited rather than sad. "Can I come with you? I want to see the outside world."
I considered this. Kara was talented and curious. Having a companion could be valuable. But I also knew that my journey would be dangerous at times.
"Not this first trip," I said. "But once I've established a safe foundation, yes. You'll be one of the first to join the business."
Father nodded approvingly. "You're taking this responsibility seriously. That's good. But rememberâ€"you're still young. Don't sacrifice your own future for the clan's benefit."
I didn't tell him that my entire future was already bound to the clan's survival. That in one year and four months, if I failed, none of this would matter anyway.
The next two weeks were intensive preparation.
I needed to learn about the outside world before I ventured into it. Father provided books and maps that described the geography, economy, and culture of the regions beyond our forest.
I studied the Hunter Association's structure and regulations. I learned about the Jenny currency system and how banking worked. I researched the black markets and underground economy of York New City.
I also prepared myself physically and mentally. I continued my Nen training, but now with a focus on techniques that would be useful in an urban environment. Zetsu for stealth in crowded areas. Precise Ten for protection in dangerous neighborhoods. Controlled Ren for intimidation when necessary.
I practiced using my Error Pathway abilities for non-combat applications. Stealing information from documents. Stealing passwords and access codes. Stealing the certainty that a person had seen me, effectively erasing my presence from their memory.
These were morally gray applications of my power, but necessary for what I was planning.
Rai approached me one afternoon during training. "I heard you're leaving. Going to the outside world."
"Yes," I confirmed.
"Take me with you," he said suddenly. "I want to help. I want to be part of this."
I studied him carefully. Rai had been a loyal friend and training partner. He wasn't as powerful as me, but he was competent and trustworthy.
"Are you sure?" I asked. "The outside world is dangerous. Not like the forest. There are people there who will kill you for money, for fun, or for no reason at all."
"I'm sure," Rai said firmly. "You shouldn't do this alone. And I want to be useful."
I considered his offer, then nodded. "Alright. You can come. But you follow my lead, understand? If I tell you to hide, you hide. If I tell you to run, you run."
Rai grinned. "Understood."
On the morning of my departure, the entire village gathered to see us off.
My mother hugged me tightly, tears in her eyes. "Come back safe. Don't forget us."
"I won't," I promised. "Everything I'm doing is for our family, for our clan."
Father walked with Rai and me to the edge of the village. There, he stopped and placed a hand on my shoulder.
"You're undertaking something important," he said quietly. "But rememberâ€"no matter what happens, you're still my son. The clan's survival is important, but so is yours. Don't sacrifice yourself for us. We wouldn't want that."
His words were heavy with meaning. Did he suspect something? Did he sense that I knew more than I was saying?
"I'll be careful," I promised.
Father nodded, then stepped back. "Go. The world is waiting."
Rai and I turned and walked into the forest, heading toward the distant cities that represented our future.
As the village disappeared behind us, I allowed myself a moment of reflection. In one year and four months, the Phantom Troupe would arrive. By then, I needed to have:
- Established a profitable business
- Created legal documentation and protections for the Kurta people
- Advanced to at least Sequence 7, possibly Sequence 6
- Built a network of allies and resources
It was ambitious. Maybe impossible.
But it was the only path I could see that led to survival.
As Rai and I traveled through the forest toward civilization, I explained my full vision to him.
"It's not just about business," I said. "It's about changing how the world sees the Kurta clan. Right now, we're unknownâ€"which makes us vulnerable. But if we become known as a legitimate business entity, as citizens with rights and protections, as people with value beyond our scarlet eyes..."
"Then we're harder to attack," Rai finished, understanding. "Because there would be consequences."
"Exactly," I confirmed. "The Hunter Association protects its registered Hunters. Corporations protect their business partners. Nations protect their citizens. We need to become part of those systems of protection."
"And if someone does attack us?" Rai asked. "Even with all these protections?"
I was quiet for a moment. "Then I deal with them personally. But the protections make it less likely. They make it more difficult. They make it so an attack would have consequences that extend beyond just our clan."
Rai nodded slowly, processing this. "You've thought about this a lot."
"Yes," I admitted. "More than you know."
We walked in silence for a while, the forest gradually thinning as we approached the boundary between Kurta territory and the outside world.
Finally, Rai spoke again. "Ben, why are you really doing this? And don't tell me it's just about the clan's future. There's something else. Something you're not saying."
I looked at him carefully. He was perceptive, more than I'd given him credit for.
"Let's just say I have reasons to believe that danger is coming," I said carefully. "I can't explain how I know. But I know it's real, and I know we need to be prepared. This business, this integrationâ€"it's all preparation for something that I hope never happens but believe inevitably will."
Rai absorbed this, then nodded. "Alright. I trust you. Whatever you're preparing for, I'll help however I can."
"Thank you," I said sincerely.