Kurapika and Leorio take their seats as the Rat and the Boar, and Cheadle briefs the reformed Zodiacs: the V5 is now the V6 with Kakin inside it, the Five Threats outrank the Chimera Ants, and the mission is to bring one home alive while managing Beyond. Kurapika immediately asks the question nobody wanted aired — who are Beyond's allies inside the Association? — and Mizaistom quietly confirms the worst in private. A month later, Beyond's failed exam plants give Ging and Pariston an ultimatum, and get two worse counter-offers back.
- DecisionCanonicalThe V6 is born; the Zodiacs take their stations
Cheadle briefs the full Zodiacs — new Rat and Boar included — that the V5 has admitted Kakin and become the V6, and that the Five Threats have been re-ranked above the Chimera Ants. The mission: capture at least one Threat, survive the trip home, and manage Beyond throughout. The twelve split into Science, Intelligence, Defense, and Flora/Fauna teams.
InvolvedCheadle Yorkshire · Kurapika · Leorio Paradinight · Mizaistom Nana · Botobai Gigante · Saiyu · Kanzai · Gel · Saccho Kobayakawa · Ginta · Cluck · PyonLocationHunter Association HQ▸Consequences (2)
- Kurapika is codenamed Rat; Leorio, Boar
- Kurapika lands on the Intelligence team, handling Beyond and Kakin secrets
- InvestigationCanonicalKurapika names the possibility of a Zodiac mole
In his first meeting, Kurapika asks whether anyone has identified Beyond's allies inside the Association — Beyond planned around his father's death for years, so infiltration is certain. Mizaistom hustles him out and admits he and Cheadle reached the same conclusion: the mole may sit among the Zodiacs themselves, and it must never be mentioned aloud again.
InvolvedKurapika · Mizaistom Nana · Cheadle YorkshireLocationHunter Association HQ▸Consequences (1)
- Kurapika and Mizaistom begin a private counter-intelligence operation
- ConversationCanonicalThe mercenaries force the No. 2 question
A month on, Beyond's assassins have all failed the 289th Hunter Exam — rumor says the new Rat can read minds. Muherr's soldiers present Ging and Pariston two options: one of them leaves the team. Ging offers a third — the assassins leave — and Pariston a fourth: the assassins die.
InvolvedGing Freecss · Pariston Hill · Kurapika
- Kurapika (Rat) and Leorio (Boar) formally join the Zodiacs
- Kurapika and Mizaistom form a covert counter-intelligence pact
- The V5 has become the V6: Kakin is inside the treaty system
- The Five Threats are re-ranked B+ to A — above the Chimera Ants at B
- The Zodiacs will operate as Science, Intelligence, Defense, and Flora/Fauna teams
- Mission fixed: capture one of the Five Threats and survive the round trip
- A mole is presumed to sit among the Zodiacs themselves
