Beans stepped forward immediately and announced the list: "... The following are the members appointed to the Hunter Association Zodiac Twelve: [Rat] Pariston Hill, [Ox] Mizaistom Nana..."
The list of the Zodiac Twelve was exactly the same as in the original story, still the original twelve people.
"... [Boar] Ging Freecss."
After announcing the final member, Beans cleared his throat.
"After the meeting ends, the review committee will make this list public."
"And the results of this meeting, including the authority granted to the Zodiac Twelve, will also be fully explained and announced."
Which meant that the identity and authority of the Zodiac Twelve would be firmly established.
There would be no room for objections; it would simply be announced to all hunters for them to accept.
This was only a notice; there was no public review period.
There was no such thing as sending objections or feedback.
This was simply an announcement: Telling you that this is how it is.
Even if you disapprove, it's completely useless!!
This was the Hunter Association's extremely straightforward approach…
After Beans finished announcing this resolution, everyone who had officially become a member of the Zodiac Twelve made no reaction at all.
They didn't even move.
Instead, they all simultaneously looked again at Beans and Chairman Netero.
Just now, they had heard clearly that this meeting had two resolutions.
The announcement of the Zodiac Twelve, the list, and the authority granted to them was only the first matter.
There was still a second matter.
For it to be listed after something as major as the forming of the Zodiac Twelve meant that the second matter was faintly even more important!
"Regarding the second resolution of the Hunter Association review committee..."
Facing the Zodiac Twelve's collective gaze, Beans once again felt his scalp go numb.
He once again experienced the pressure he had felt when he first arrived at the meeting room.
But seeing that Chairman Netero did not intend to speak, he could only brace himself and announce: "... Is the matter concerning the selection of the Vice-Chairman of the Hunter Association…"
…
The configuration on the Hunter Association's side had always been dual-track, with the Chairman and the Vice-Chairman running in parallel.
And the applicant for Vice-Chairman mainly came from V5's side, who used it to keep the Chairman in check.
In the past, even when Netero was elected as Chairman, there had been arrangements for a Vice-Chairman.
But… Netero lived too long, and his age was too great.
He was already well over a hundred years old this year.
In the meantime, he outlasted two Vice-Chairmen.
And given that Netero had always worked with the attitude of a hands-off shop owner, all the exhausting work was basically done by the Vice-Chairman.
Although the position held considerable authority, still… But with Chairman Netero being the strongest person in the world, his personal prestige and charisma were at their peak.
Inside the association, among the professional hunters, and even the external departments and agencies, they only acknowledged Netero.
As for everyone else... Whoever you are, whatever.
Due to this, the position of Vice-Chairman became something dispensable, left vacant until now.
And at this moment, during this meeting, this long-vacant position was brought up again.
The meaning behind it was self-evident.
Especially after all members of the Zodiac were announced.
All the professional hunters seated on both sides of the table, Pariston included, received a codename from the Zodiac.
Everyone except Luke, who sat right across from Chairman Netero, received a corresponding title.
But Luke didn't show any emotion at all. Combined with the seat directly facing Netero… when the already-confirmed Zodiac members heard this second agenda item, they pretty much understood what was going on.
It turns out this guy was aiming for the position of Vice-Chairman of the Hunter Association.
Everyone kept a calm expression on the surface, but inside, ripples appeared in their heart.
He was already seated here with them, and it was Beans who personally brought him; that alone was enough to prove that Chairman Netero had already decided this beforehand.
Sure enough, next, Beans continued reading out the requirements for the Vice-Chairman of the Hunter Association.
They were the same three requirements he previously mentioned to Luke.
First, the length of time serving as a professional hunter must not be lower than that of at least eighty percent of all hunters within the association.
Second, the applicant needs the support of more than half of the hunters in the association.
Third, one's achievements must be at least at the level of a Double-Star Hunter or above.
Right now, Luke has already met the third requirement.
As for the first, the length of time as a professional hunter, Chairman Netero had already written and stamped a signed document.
That counted as an official exception, a qualification granted beyond normal rules.
Which meant, the only thing left was…
"The second requirement: needing the support of more than half of the hunters in the association."
After the Zodiac heard all three requirements, they all realized what this meant.
For Luke, the only obstacle was this one.
And even for that, Chairman Netero would obviously help him.
Yeah, didn't they already see the stamped document for the first requirement?
Chairman Netero had already prepared everything!
He wasn't even trying to hide it; it was an openly displayed card.
And if nothing unexpected happened, Chairman Netero would definitely help with the second requirement too…
"Luke is someone I value greatly."
Chairman Netero didn't even bother pretending anymore and personally stepped in: "So, during the voting process, I will briefly introduce him to the hunters in the association."
Are you sure that's just a brief introduction?!
The Zodiac turned to look at him, deeply suspicious.
Especially when Chairman Netero glanced toward Cluck: "When the vote begins, I'll be relying on you."
Cluck had a Nen ability that allowed her to send messages and distribute items to multiple people.
In the original Chairman Election Arc, she was the one responsible for distributing the voting papers to all hunters.
"I understand..."
Cluck had nothing to complain about; naturally, this task fell to her.
Chairman Netero had already clearly placed his support behind Luke.
The others had nothing left to say.
But just then, Chairman Netero asked: "Well then, since everyone was present, does anyone have any objections?"
Objections... Chairman, you've practically announced that this was decided long ago.
You've already shown your hand fully. What objections could they possibly still have?