"As for that life-saving grace, once this homeless man's murder case concludes, I will properly express my gratitude to you, Mr. Luke."
Mizaistom Nana's words were very clear.
Everyone present knew Luke came from Meteor City, so it was impossible for him not to intervene in the homeless man's murder case.
Therefore, Mizaistom Nana wanted to see exactly how Luke would act in this matter.
If he used methods that violated justice and the law, things that went against public morals… then even with a life-saving grace, he could only apologize.
Luke completely understood this.
For someone who had become a truly respected top lawyer, Mizaistom Nana absolutely did not lack a sense of justice.
In fact, it was precisely this sense of justice that made people admire and respect him.
It was what allowed him, in the original story's Chairman Election Arc, to reach the top four.
This very justice was also why Chairman Netero valued him, allowing him to serve as the Ox of the Zodiacs.
"The conscience of the Zodiacs, and someone even the chairman's faction acknowledges as a man of great character."
The weight of such a title needed no explanation.
To be crowned with the name of conscience, with even his opponents fully acknowledging him.
In this alone, Mizaistom Nana's character was beyond dispute.
"Of course."
Even Luke nodded with admiration.
After all, who wouldn't prefer dealing with good people day to day?
Even if Pariston might be more capable, if given the choice between him and Mizaistom Nana… most people would probably choose the latter.
So Luke had no complaints.
Mizaistom Nana giving him this much face was already quite good.
Even choosing to reserve his opinion, at this moment, counted as giving Luke goodwill.
Had it been someone else, he would surely have opposed it.
Even in the original story, when Pariston wanted to become Vice-Chairman, there must have been all kinds of resistance.
At the very least, in Luke's view, Cheadle, Mizaistom Nana, and Botobai would all definitely oppose it.
Otherwise, Pariston wouldn't have had to spend three years climbing to the Vice-Chairman's seat before the story began.
Now, with Mizaistom Nana merely, reserving his opinion, for a man with such firm principles, this was already not easy.
Speaking of resistance…
Luke shifted his gaze from Mizaistom Nana to the remaining members, his eyes pausing particularly on Botobai and Cluck.
"What about your opinions?"
"I don't care."
Cluck tilted her head slightly. The proud and picky woman spread her hands: "Whoever becomes the association's Vice-Chairman, I don't care."
"If they all agree, then I'll also agree."
Her completely unconcerned tone made it obvious she didn't regard the Vice-Chairman position as anything important.
Whoever filled the position, as she said, she basically didn't care, as long as they didn't disrupt her work or life.
Otherwise, let alone Vice-Chairman, even Chairman... Well, that's fine.
But in any case, if they clashed with this proud and picky woman, she would not buy any so-called Vice-Chairman's authority and would naturally ignore the position entirely.
Thus, besides Kanzai and Mizaistom Nana, Cluck could also be counted as someone who wouldn't give an opinion.
Three approvals, three reserved opinions, one abstention.
As for the remaining five...
Ding.
Beside Cluck, Saiyu flicked a coin into the air.
It dropped with a pap sound into his palm, and he covered it instantly with his hand.
"Heads is approval, tails is opposition..."
Saiyu lifted his hand, revealing the tail side of the coin.
"Then forgive me."
He shrugged at Luke, the meaning perfectly clear.
As someone to Pariston's side, Luke hadn't expected his support anyway.
Opposition at this moment was well within expectations.
Including Pariston himself.
Based on what Luke understood of him, before the situation became clear, he would definitely not speak.
Either at the critical moment before success, he would deliver a fatal interception or, seeing that the situation had collapsed, he would remain silent and stay in place without saying anything.
Luke estimated it would be the former.
Even Mizaistom Nana's and Kanzai's reserved opinions, and Cluck's personality, were likely all within Pariston's calculations, with him adding fuel behind the scenes, leading to the current situation.
Otherwise, with Mizaistom Nana owing Luke a favor, if Pariston hadn't brought up this case, perhaps Mizaistom wouldn't have overthought.
Letting him assume in advance that Luke would use some special means to intervene in the case.
This caused Mizaistom Nana, in dealing with Luke's proposal, to prioritize his principles.
If Luke's guess wasn't wrong, Pariston would likely stir the remaining members as well...
Pyon puffed up her cheeks, preparing to raise her hand in opposition.
Earlier, Luke's the Honest Woodcutter story had left her quite traumatized, to the point she almost changed her phone.
Even before the meeting, Pariston had teased her about her phone and that story.
Becoming the association's Vice-Chairman wouldn't be that easy…
"You're a Paleograph Hunter, right?"
Luke spoke, slightly interrupting her.
"What about it?"
Pyon wasn't angered by being interrupted; instead, she glared vigilantly at Luke, afraid he was about to pull some trick again!
Pyon is a Paleograph Hunter, as well as a linguist and interpreter.
Her outward appearance is that of a cute girl who never parts with her mobile phone, but whether in thinking or in strength, she is far more radical.
In terms of strength, Hisoka's evaluation of her ability is 77 points, and in terms of attitude, she is a hawk who has always wanted to push forward reforms in the association.
You could say that people like this are the hardest to change.
However, for Luke, the more someone is like this, the more he needs to prescribe the right medicine, and then he can easily settle things.
And for a Paleograph Hunter who works in the field of interpretation and linguistics, the most suitable medicine is…
"This thing, I think, should be useful to you."
Luke casually took out a soft, squishy square object and slapped it onto the table in front of them.
His action instantly drew the attention of the other Zodiac members around.
As everyone knows, Luke is an inventor.
This means he has many peculiar inventions in his hands.
Judging from Ging Freecss's earlier behavior, who, taking advantage of this Vice-Chairman election and risking offending Luke, absolutely insisted on getting inventions, it's clear that the inventions in Luke's hands must be very interesting.
And this time, after Luke produced such an item, it naturally attracted quite a few gazes.