And not just the results, Botobai could faintly discern that Luke's aura flow resembled that of someone he knew.
Someone extremely skilled.
If Botobai hadn't gone in person two days ago to a certain country and seen that the other party was alive and well, choosing gemstones with perfect ease, and confirmed that her aura was flowing normally, he would've suspected she had met with disaster or had her aura stolen.
Naturally, he had no way of guessing that Luke had copied Biscuit's entire memory and training experience.
Of course, he couldn't tell Botobai that.
And so…
"No comment."
Luke spread his hands slightly: "A Nen user has no obligation to reveal their training history, right?"
"And if I recall correctly, casually probing another Nen user's training is rather impolite, isn't it?"
He looked at the silent Botobai and smiled as he said this.
The unspoken rule among Nen users is that you cannot casually probe into another person's ability.
This includes training; these are all matters that touch on the very bottom line of a Nen user's survival.
Once you cross that line, it will cause many unnecessary problems and arouse others' suspicion.
Even if Luke wasn't willing to speak, there would be absolutely no issue.
"... I was being presumptuous."
Botobai fell silent for a moment, then nodded.
Because the Phantom Troupe had mastered Nen techniques from Shingen-ryu, he had grown more curious about Luke.
But based on Luke's own unwillingness to talk, and on the basic unspoken rules between Nen users, he absolutely could not force the other party to reveal his foundations.
That would be taboo.
So if he wanted to truly figure out and understand Luke's real situation…
"Then if there's a chance, I'd like to learn a thing or two from you."
Botobai lightly nodded toward Luke.
Nothing allows you to understand and sense someone more clearly than actually crossing fists with them.
Likewise, Botobai's gaze swept toward Kanzai, who still looked a bit eager to go.
It would be perfect to let this reckless guy test things out first.
The onlooker sees more clearly than the participant.
Maybe he could pick up something from watching their fight.
Of course, the best option was still for him to personally take the stage and face Luke directly.
"Then I'll reserve my opinion."
After speaking, Botobai closed his eyes again and said no more.
"In that case, the Zodiac Twelve have more or less finished expressing their stances."
Luke lifted his fingers and began counting: "[Ox], [Tiger], [Dragon], and [Chicken] reserve their opinions; [Rabbit], [Horse], [Boar], [Dog], and [Sheep] express support."
"[Snake] abstained; [Rat] and [Monkey] opposed..."
"Wait."
At this point, Pariston finally lifted his hand gently and spoke: "I don't think I ever stated my objections to Mr. Luke, did I?"
Pariston smiled warmly, his face cheerful, giving no hint of his real thoughts.
However…
"Good. That means I already have five votes of approval from the Zodiac Twelve."
Luke nodded and continued on his own.
"Since [Snake] has already abstained, I only need one more affirmative vote."
"With six approval votes, then regardless of the attitudes of the remaining five—"
"Even if they agree, oppose, remain undecided, or also abstain, none of it will affect the final result."
Luke laid everything out openly, then swept his gaze across the Zodiac's members seated on the two sides: "Deciding whether I can assume the position of Vice-Chairman through a majority vote seems perfectly reasonable, right?"
Everyone here was a renowned and highly respected hunter.
After Luke looked at them and asked this question, of course, none of them voiced any objection.
Not to mention Ginta, who supported him unconditionally, even someone as prideful as Cluck wouldn't stoop to rejecting a collective vote.
For matters the twelve must decide together, if they couldn't even accept majority rule, then what was the point of the so-called Zodiac Twelve existing at all?!
"So in the end, it all falls onto me, huh!!"
Kanzai grinned widely.
Among the members who had reserved their opinions, the rest either required long, tedious processes, like Mizaistom, or had vague, unclear criteria, like Cluck.
Only he, Kanzai, had a simple, crude, and fast method to form a conclusion: Just fight!
"So your opinion is completely irrelevant!!"
Excited and carried away, Kanzai saw Pariston quietly lower his hand, and couldn't resist mocking him.
Irrelevant?
In terms of a twelve-member majority vote, it really did look that way…
Pariston's smile remained, but his eyes deepened.
'Looks like I'll need to take a different path, then.'
He murmured silently in his heart.
Pariston was far from someone incapable of winning people over.
In the future Chairman Election Arc, he had initially secured a huge number of votes from hunters, for example.
Even applicants like Cutie Beauty formed a dedicated fan club just to fully support him.
It was clear that Pariston maintained good relations within the Hunter Association, but only among those who didn't truly know him.
To those unaware, Pariston, who always wore a gentle smile, genuinely seemed like a nice, friendly guy.
But to the Zodiac Twelve present, while they couldn't fully read him, they understood enough to strongly resist him.
So it was perfectly normal for him to be shunned during Zodiac's meetings.
Perhaps when Chairman Netero selected the Zodiacs, aside from strength, character, and ability, he intentionally chose people capable of counterbalancing Pariston.
In terms of emotional manipulation, these people were no match for him.
But as long as they united to oppose him, it was enough to stop him from achieving his goals.
This resolution made Pariston feel that point very deeply.
Originally, he didn't care much; his attitude was quite casual.
To him, obtaining the Vice-Chairman position was simply a matter of time.
Among the Zodiacs were difficult people like Botobai, Mizaistom, and Cheadle, all openly opposing him.
But there were also people like Cluck and Gel who didn't concern themselves with others' schemes, focusing only on their own pursuits.
In Pariston's original calculation, he could slowly work from people like Cluck and Gel, eventually breaking through the Zodiacs' united resistance and taking the Vice-Chairman seat.
Even if they opposed him openly, he didn't worry.
Until… Luke appeared.
Without question, things had developed to the point where Luke's momentum was unstoppable.
"... I really lost out due to lack of information."
Pariston silently summarized his errors and flaws.