Summary: Hisoka's creepy obsession is focused on Pariston for this chapter.
Disclaimer: Hunter X Hunter is Yoshihiro Togashi's baby. It's not mine.
Toy box: Pariston
A ringmaster with a wide, cheerful smile and a luxurious suit and tie, Pariston commanded the show that was the 13th Hunter's Association Chairman Election. A wielding nothing but a sly choice of words he controlled his crowd and inflamed his critics. Each meeting he shocked his political opponents with a new trick.
However, as amusing as the show was, being the audience wasn't to Hisoka's taste. It was performing acts of flashy stunts, daring feats, and dazzling skills with a partner that really made him schwing.
Pariston didn't merit much in that regard, but intellectually he was a fascinating subject. The ability to improvise, plan, and use creativity were reliable signals of a skilled nen user; Someone who was worthy of joining Hisoka in his glorious performance of a death match.
Playfully poking his enemies, Pariston liked to play with fire; Hisoka loved to play with his enemies too. They were two birds of a feather, what brought them joy was the sense of control: the terror their victims felt when they realized they'd be led along to their slaughter all along and the passion they inspired when they were hated.
It was for that reason there would be no battle.
The magician admired his work far too much to steal the stage from him just yet. As a fellow performer, Hisoka understood; Losing the spotlight was worse than death.
It was becoming nothing.
Nothing wasn't for them, becoming nothing was the fate of those they crushed. Those they had squealing in terror as they struggled against them until they suddenly went quiet marking their death. They weren't people, just broken toys that had no more worth.
Hisoka knew from experience Nen users made the best toys. They didn't die easily, they thrashed and squealed in a melody he found beautiful till their last moment.
Most of the Association hated his song. Leading to the enforcement of rule four: Hunters may not hunt their fellow Hunters, except for those who have committed atrocities.
Hisoka enjoyed the hatred and bloodlust seeping out of the audience from the other zodiacs after each of Pariston's speeches.
Ging's eyes, in particular, spoke volumes as they stayed locked on Pariston, a hunter watching his prey. The physically powerful boar vs the clever rat promised to be a duel worth watching and more than worth taking the risk of joining.
Hisoka was tempted to stick around to witness the event, but Illumi had contacted him earlier and he had work to do.
'A shame I'll miss the show. We'd make a lovely threesome.'
Leaving the hall, Hisoka cast his ballot again. This time for the man who loved the sound of the same morbid tune.
The rabbit zodiac waving a friendly good-bye to him, just as she did for everyone.
He smiled as she said, "Thank you, let's all vote for a better Hunter Association!"
In the three years of Pariston's term as Vice-Chairman, eighteen hunters mysteriously disappeared, an average of six per year.
The average before his term was a mere 0.2 per year.