Chapter 147: Do Not Return to the Covered Basin

"Okay."

The answer was light, too easy.

As if this were a matter of course.

Just as if the person responding had grasped the hand seeking help.

Sora said with a smile.

"!?

Even if he suddenly severed his relationship with the child, even if he struck him with the force of a broken wine bottle, not only injuring him but also claiming he hadn't noticed the drunkard's presence. With the person behind him, the drunkard would be blown away for a moment. He was stunned, but the overly carefree exchange annoyed the man.

Whether it was because he felt ignored or because he realized the person who interrupted him was a woman, for a thug who could not be expected to act rationally even when sober, the exchange between Killua and Sora was unreasonably unpleasant. It was something.

So I left this feeling to the alcohol, shouted, and took action.

The man shouted while raising the wine bottle again.

I tried to swing the jagged edge of the broken bottle toward Sora.

Of course, there was no reason for Sora not to notice this Malice, nor would she be unable to react because her eyes had been stolen.

She immediately let go of Killua, whom she was holding, and while still sitting, turned to face the drunkard.

But after that, Sora could not move. It had stopped.

The man was nothing more than a thug; if he didn't do well, she could deal with him in her sleep.

Because the threat was insufficient to take away Sora's composure and reason, Sora's movements stopped.

If this were a Nen attack, the madness of "I don't want to die" inside Sora would increase and smear over her reasoning, looking through the bandages without hesitation; even if she lost her eyeballs, she would be able to see a "line" full of Sight Vision. And "points" should be used to exclude.

However, since the opponent was the smallest of Small Fish, the madness inside Sora could not take away Sora's reason. She did not need to kill to realize the wish of "I don't want to die."

In Sora's current field of vision, wanting to retreat was quite difficult.

However, even if it were a kick to break the opponent's balance, it would be even better if it were an amputation; let alone a fatal wound, it would be easy to push him to the furthest end where he couldn't even see the afterlife, so Sora protecting herself and Killua. Turning around for it wasn't bad, but because I had a reason, I couldn't move from there.

I didn't know what to do.

At this very moment, Sora, who appeared abnormally calm due to thoughts of death, froze with an expression of "What should I do?"

Although I was able to catch the wine bottle with my bare hands, grab it, and crush it, through the bandages, I could only see "death," but I could still see it.

"What are you doing, you idiot!!"

I was scolded, grabbed by the shoulders and hugged, protected by Killua.

Although Sora was wrapped in bandages, she stared at him blankly, leaving him alone for a moment; Killua glared at the drunkard, holding Sora tightly.

"Oh, hey...! Oh, sorry! I was wrong!"

Killua glared at him, and the man's demeanor changed completely.

Killua's action of crushing the wine bottle as a matter of course, and even dropping the glass shards of the crushed bottle, showing off his unscarred palms because he had the protection of his aura, finally seemed to be an instinct that rang an alarm bell even in his dull, alcohol-addled brain.

The boy in front of him was not someone he wanted to mess with. Instead, the man, knowing he was in a position to be punished, knelt on the spot and began to beg for his life.

Of course, such an action only made Killua feel even worse.

This was why Killua intimidated his opponent by further amplifying the aura around him.

"Disappear!!"

"Hey, hey, hey!!"

Perhaps because his body was weak and he couldn't even stand up, or perhaps because he felt he would die if he didn't follow orders, he clumsily crawled away.

Sending him away, Sora leaned against Killua's chest and looked up at him.

"... Haha. Sorry, I was saved."

Sora said this with a smile, and Killua knew it was unreasonable, but he still wanted to shout at her.

I wanted to scream, "It's not like that."

The reason I was able to save Sora, and the reason I didn't have to kill the opponent, was because they were both overestimated by the term "small fry."

If it were Illumi, Killua knew he wouldn't be able to do anything.

This was the reason I ran away.

This was why I was alone in a place like this.

However, just like her own birthday six months ago, Sora was soaked in the rain, at a time when she thought it was impossible for her to be here, impossible for her to appear—

"... So, furthermore, I still have to help you."

His hands, trembling in fear, still gently stroked Killua's cheek.

He accepted and responded to the wish for "help" that Killua should have lost or spilled.

"Hey, Killua. What happened?"

Killua didn't know how to stubbornly answer this question.

I could only grab his cheek, as if grabbing my own fingertips, the fingertips brushing away the tears flowing under the rain, spitting out words of confession and resentment.

I ran again. While weighing my own life and Gon's, I prioritized self-preservation. Yesterday and today, Gon protected me, protected me, yet I was powerless. Your actions are less trustworthy than those you suggest not trusting. The promise he made with his father had long been broken many times.

The chronology was a mess, and unable to clarify it, Killua just spat out all the regrets that popped into his head.

Sobbing, I confessed all my sins and all my guilt to Sora, not even thinking about how pathetic it was.

"... Because I was there... Gon's eyes... I... did as Illumi said... I couldn't do anything.

Everything is too late... This is irreversible... Everything... even though this is true... I like Gon... I don't like killing anymore... even though it's true that I want to protect Gon... However, I... this is my fault... I am weak... stupid... a coward... I want to protect her, but... all the water is overflowing from the Container..."

"... You stupid little sister, you really only know how to say unnecessary things."

Sora's first impression after hearing Killua's complaint was severity toward the younger sister.

Killua, who had no time to delve into this matter, continued to cry like a child much younger than himself.

Watching him like this, Sora took a deep breath and asked.

"Killua, do you think you are all bad?"

Hearing Sora's question, Killua shrugged as if startled, then nodded slightly.

He nodded, sobbing out words of excessive self-deprecation and self-reproach.

"... Because if I weren't there, Illumi's Doll wouldn't exist... After all, if I weren't there, Gon could have escaped... Even though someone told me I was in a doll, I was still too scared to move... Precisely because of that, Gon had no chance to escape... He walked toward me to protect me... But I alone... abandoned Gon... alone... ran away..."

What Killua said was nothing more than hindsight. It was also an illusion too convenient for Gon.

Of course, if not for him, Illumi's Doll would not have been made by Omokage, but in that case, it would not have been Killua, but a doll that Gon might have been obsessed with, an important person who would never be hurt. It was clear that Gon's brain was simply being toyed with.

Even without Killua, there was no guarantee that Gon would have escaped from Illumi. More precisely, not only Killua, but even Illumi himself had a younger brother who was obsessed with him. Or rather, not only Illumi, but when there was also the sea, no matter how much the two struggled, the success rate of escaping was not that high.

Thinking about it calmly, what Killua said was full of nonsense.

However, it was also clear that my mindset could not accept such an argument.

Most importantly, Killua must surely understand such a correct argument in his own mind.

This was his redemption.

He tried to make up for it by taking responsibility for everything that was not his fault.

If spilled water could never be retrieved, he at least had to try to make up for it by suffering and hurting himself, even if this could not compensate for what he had lost.

Gon's eyes were stolen, like spilled water, and no matter how much he struggled, they would not come back.

To make up for it, Killua was prepared to throw away everything he dreamed of, to give up. Losing his own light must be the compensation for stealing Gon's eyes, his light.

But even this compensation was self-satisfaction.

So Sora said.

"I agree."

I affirmed Killua's words.

"It is true that you ran away, and you were scared by Illumi to the point where you didn't need to be, which is why you stole Gon's eyes.

So, you are a bad person."

If Killua was at fault, he asserted that it was Killua who caused the irreversible situation.

While gently stroking his cheek.

While wiping away tears, as if saying "you shouldn't be blamed," she said with a smile.

"And Gon is also terrible."

Gon, who should have been the victim, also said it was his own fault, which made Killua's tears stop for a moment.

Although she could only see "death," Sora seemed to be able to see through everything.

"That, is that child Retsu? Regardless of whether you believe that child or not, you shouldn't have brought him to a place like a hideout in the first place. Because I didn't enter a place I knew.

Even if I faced Illumi's Doll, I knew you weren't good with Illumi, so I should have hit you the moment Illumi appeared, knocked you out, and then taken you away.

So even Gon is terrible.

And then, first of all, my eyes shouldn't have been stolen, and even if my eyes were stolen, I shouldn't have relied on you guys, so this is also my fault. Kurapika is bad because I was able to explore with you guys so smoothly, and Leorio is bad because he hasn't passed the secret exam yet, and his strength isn't great either.

Most importantly, Omokage, who is related to us, is terrible!"

She told Gon's problems in the same way Killua did, then said that not only Sora herself, but Kurapika and Leorio were also bad people, and finally brought out the root of all evil, Omokage.

Sora's remarks were full of nonsense, but Killua, who had regained his calm, knew that if he poked in, his own remarks would also be stabbed by a boomerang, so he didn't know what to refute. He continued to look down at Sora, looking puzzled.

Even in the rain, I just looked at her sunny smiling face.

"Killua. This is something I finally understood recently, but there aren't many war criminals who say 'if it weren't for this guy' in an 'irreversible situation.' It wouldn't have happened without that person.

Most 'irreversible situations' are 'everyone is getting a little bit worse.'

Not only the people involved, but even those who didn't directly participate say: 'This is enough.' Think about it."

I know this is because of Sora's kindness.

Killua could not accept the words "you are not bad." Killua was very shocked by what he had done, because he did not want to take these words seriously and become someone who could do things he hadn't done.

Sora never denied Killua's crimes. Although I affirmed it, without denying it, I knew I said this to let Killua throw away what he didn't need to carry, to the extent that Killua wouldn't collapse.

And these words made me happy. Admittedly, my heart became lighter without giving up my crimes.

But at the same time, Killua also realized the cruelty of Sora's words.

"... What is this... that..."

So, the tears that should have stopped welled up again, blurring his vision.

But this time, I couldn't throw away my stubbornness, I couldn't cry.

I remembered that I had no right to cry.

"Then... in the end, no matter how much you struggle, it's useless! 'Irreversible things' are... Gon's eyeballs were taken, this is a Fate that no one can change. Problem!!"

Sora's words were well-intentioned for Killua, but too cruel for Gon and Sora herself.

I cannot admit that I am destined not to be saved, even if it is just a story. I don't want to admit that Killua doesn't agree.

However, Sora is an apprentice to a Magic user of possibilities.

She knows more about what "Fate" is than he does.

That is why I said it without hesitation or doubt.

"Yeah, the more 'irreversible' it is, the more meaningless my Magic becomes. Even if you redo it, it will only create a small tributary, and if you didn't make the same mistake yourself, someone else would have. It will reconcile the balance and join the mainstream.

If the tributary doesn't join the mainstream as it is, it won't join anywhere, or the thin tributary will definitely dry up somewhere, and that will be the irreversible thing."

Even "Magic" cannot change it. The Warlock's apprentice said that even if it changes, it will only head toward a more cruel "Fate."

Even if she was wrapped in bandages, even if her eyeballs were all gone, she still wore a smile, convinced that what was tucked under her eyes was "hope." She spoke.

"But, Killua. All 'irreversible things' are hindsight. 'Irreversible things' are only because of the consequences.

If you didn't get the result, it's time. Even if the mainstream rushes toward tragedy, there is a trump card that can avoid the tragic part of the narrow tributary and join the mainstream where the future you want to reach is."

Killua. Gon's eyes were stolen, and you ran away without saving him; just as the sea said, the water has already spilled out of the Container. This is irreversible.

But... Killua. Has the water not already seeped into the soil, unable to be scooped up? Is it dry, not remaining anywhere at all? Is it not?"

Something irreversible has happened.

However, Sora told Killua that things were not over yet.

The water that spilled from Killua told him it was still "there."

"The pure water that filled the vessel certainly cannot return. Even so, if you crawl on the ground to dig for it, even if it is unsightly, even if it is mixed with mud, it is not as if half cannot be returned." Container. Even if you do not return... you might still be able to take it back.

Well, if you say you do not need that kind of water, I have nothing to say... Nevertheless, when you scoop it up, it is much cleaner than you imagine, and you might get more, much more water."

Gon's eyes were stolen, and Gon's abandonment and flight are unchangeable facts, but the irreversible situation is that spilled water cannot be recovered. Sora said that is just the "past."

I will tell you, there are still some things that can be Recycle-d now.

Even if the fact that Killua betrayed him becomes muddy, losing trust, even if he does not believe in him as he did at the beginning, even if he does not like him as he did at the beginning... Killua does not give up, and no matter how hard it is, he must try to return. Sora told me this is just a struggle, and the water splashed onto the boat might return.

Killua understood that all of this was for comfort.

But for Killua, that word, that possibility... this is what he wanted, even if it meant crying and hugging his knees.

"... Hey... Sora... I am the worst.

... Although I abandoned you... I betrayed you... but I... I still want to be Together with you..."

Although he did not want to cry and he wanted to be stubborn, the woman before him took away all his stubbornness. Do not think about whether the other party is in pain, just embrace them, hide your crying face on their shoulder, and tell them.

I threw away the true feelings I could not say, because I thought they were unforgivable.

"... Even if I am not forgiven, I still... want to be Together with Gon... want to be Together with you, this time I will become stronger... like him... and... be completely forgiven. I do not have to be Together with you... but I hope to be able to say 'friend' again... I want to get it back... I want to be forgiven..."

Hearing Killua's true feelings, selfish but sincere, wanting to obtain something, Sora still felt afraid, but still touched Killua from the beginning.

Even though she was afraid, Sora still gathered her courage to pull Killua in and pat his back, lest an "irreversible thing" happen if she did not touch him.

"... I cannot guarantee it will come true.

But, hey, Killua. If "irreversible" is the accumulation of trifles, then "irreplaceable happiness" is also the accumulation of trifles. Even if you throw away many things, many times you cannot reverse the tide that leads to tragedy. Then, it is much better to build small tributaries to avoid that tragedy.

-Are you alright. The things you work hard to protect, Snatch, and take back will one day become things that are irreplaceable and shining to you. I promise..."

That is how it is; it has been a while.

That day, Killua embraced the irreplaceable brilliance he had obtained from a casual whim and curious trifle on an airship a year ago, thinking this in his heart.

For a while, Killua kept his forehead pressed against Sora's shoulder until his sobbing subsided.

Sure enough, this is a true feeling I can never tell anyone, but Killua himself did not want to leave, so he could not make himself stop crying.

"Killua!!"

However, as if Killua's self-esteem was reawakened by the voice behind him, his tears stopped instantly, almost pushing him away from Sora.

At the same time that Killua turned around, he was seized by Killua's nerve plexus with great force, and Killua fell down together with Sora behind him.

"Killua!!"

"Jajanken!"

"Goo!"

"... What are you doing?"

Leorio, holding an umbrella, stared dumbfounded at the three people who had been rear-ended, and Kurapika, also holding an umbrella, was somewhat flustered; the three of them... or rather, they rushed toward Sora.

However, the war criminal Gon, who was involved in the crash, was different.

"You idiot Killua! Why did you suddenly leave? I was happy to be with Leorio and the others, but it started raining, I couldn't smell Killua's scent, and I was worried I would be attacked by ghosts... Ah, Killua is already stupid!!"

"Ah!?"

As an emergency measure, Gon bandaged his eyes like Sora and put Killua on a horse.

Hearing this exciting remark, Killua's eyes widened, and his anger at the sudden attack was blown away.

Not noticing Killua's movements at all, Gon grabbed Killua's shoulders between his stupid shouts and asked.

"Hey, Killua!

Killua was stunned, unable to understand Gon's question. Still stunned, a word spilled from his mouth: "... It's nothing."

However, Gon did not seem convinced by Killua's answer; instead, he asked even more cautiously.

"Really! It smells like alcohol and blood, but are you really not hurt!?"

"Eh? Seriously, you are hurt...! But that wasn't me! Hey, Sora! Is your head alright!?"

"If you are worried, then leave here quickly! What are you saying, even if it is Sora's Detachment! Or rather, what on earth happened!? Is this guy hurt!?"

Under Gon's Stick, this time he was startled by another feeling, remembering that Sora had hit the back of his head with full force with a wine bottle while protecting him, Killua hurriedly used Gon's shovel to grab Sora. Toward Sora, he also rushed in.

However, Sora ignored Kurapika's worry, and when Killua and Gon walked away, she stood up with a look of disgust and said: "Ah, I am fine. Or rather, am I hurt!?" Let you waste it!!"

Sure enough, the pain made Sora faint from the pain; she did not know whether she should worry about Kurapika and Leorio, or if she should be surprised.

"I mean, Gon. Why are you here..."

"That is because Killua was going to go somewhere alone!"

Before he could finish speaking, Gon answered indignantly once again.

No matter how you look at it, the anger was anger at "leaving without permission," just like parents scolding a lost child, never blaming Killua for "running away."

Killua, who could not understand this, shouted at Gon.

"I didn't go anywhere! I ran away! I!!

I was protected by you time and time again, although you saved me... but I abandoned you because of my cuteness..."

"I didn't abandon you! Even if you can't see, I know Killua tried to resist Illumi after my eyes were stolen!"

Gon roared at Killua's words.

Killua insisted that he had never betrayed or abandoned him. It was as if Gon had betrayed him, but he held onto him tightly, telling him not to abandon him.

Of course, if you can accept this excuse, Killua is not here right now.

This is why he tried to say things like "but..." to Gon's words, but Gon wouldn't let him say it at the start, let alone the end.

"And I... I don't mind being betrayed by Killua!"

"Hm?"

Quietly, Gon said.

To Gon, Killua running away out of fear for his own life was by no means a betrayal.

No matter what happens, even if I can't help myself, I want my friends to survive, so if Killua does something stupid and kills himself without considering the difference in ability like I do, I would be self-destructive. I want you to help me, but that is Gon's true intention.

"Because Killua is my friend, I will help Killua no matter what.

This is much better than Killua being hurt or dying!"

Killua received help from his own selfishness and those who care about him... his family undoubtedly loves him, even if it is not what Killua himself wants to be given. As well as the loyalty of the Zoldyck family servants.

Taking him out of the Zoldyck house meant risking the resentment that the family business would certainly buy, even if it wasn't Killua himself who did it.

The reason I put myself in such danger is because a year ago in the Zoldyck family I realized I was selfish, wanted to be Together with Killua, and didn't want to let Killua kill anymore.

So I swore to protect him.

Because this is the best sincerity I can offer, and also proof of friendship.

To Gon, everything was a matter of course, but Killua didn't know what to say or how to react, and sat there with his mouth open.

Then you would be weak. He thought he had spilled the water... Killua himself tried to regain Gon's trust and friendship. When I heard this, my thought before being happy was "What are my guilt and determination?"

"Huh? Huh? Killua, what's wrong?"

"... Ah! What's wrong, Killua. I just scooped up all the water you spilled."

Gon was as straightforward and innocent as ever, but Killua was intimidated by his reckless selfishness.

Unable to stand up, Killua said: "Let's go Together." Knocking as much as possible, then stood up.

... Neither holding the two people's hands, nor relying on his own feet, standing up by his own strength.

"Oh!

When saying this, it was like a desperate scream.

Believe your tears are blurred by the rain.

No matter how much Gon says "I am your friend, I don't mind being betrayed," Killua still cannot erase the guilt of "betraying me." I don't want it to disappear.

After all, if he really kept his promise, then the act of abandoning Gon and running away would not be "instinct," but "natural." I am no longer Gon's "friend."

That is why I still cannot get it. I swore I would not grab it, I would not destroy it.

I cannot grab it now, but I want to grab it again, without hesitation, without guilt, without inferiority.

This is not because I want to cheer up and take me somewhere, but because I want to take him.

So Killua stood up and told them that they would be fine on their own now.

Smiling and saying

"-Thank you."

"Are you finished talking? Then, it's time to explain the situation to me too. I heard a little of what Gon said, but I still don't know what exactly happened to you guys, because it's a bit confusing."

After Killua's rare sincere thanks, Leorio, who was awkwardly holding up an umbrella, raised his hand slightly under the umbrella to make a request, and the three realized that Leorio and Kurapika were out of the loop, and raised their voices.

However, before explaining the situation on Gon and Killua's side, Killua realized he should have asked earlier, so he asked this question first.

"I mean, Sora. How did you find me? First of all, why are you acting alone?"

There was no need to ask why Sora and the others were here.

I told him not to overdo it, but I know that neither Sora nor Kurapika are the type to listen quietly. I know that's why I couldn't stay calm on the Mobile Phone this morning, just turning to you.

And with Kurapika's ability, he could perfectly discover Killua wandering aimlessly, or Gon looking for Killua.

I don't understand why only Sora could find Killua first.

These two, especially Kurapika, shouldn't have left Sora alone when they lost their eyes, but why did Sora act alone, and if she acted alone, how did she find him? As I asked this, the air froze.

"... Hm?... Did I ask you something strange?"

After a short pause, Killua asked Gon beside him, and Gon also noticed the commotion in the air and shook his head.

Killua's reaction made him believe the reason the air froze was not him, but he couldn't calm down.

Of course, the reason I was uneasy was not Leorio's "I did it" face, nor Kurapika's pale face gently moving away from me, but Sora smiling before my eyes.

Sora is smiling.

And that smile, even though her eyes were covered by bandages, was like that flower. Looking at the appearance, this is an indescribably beautiful smile, but the eyes were not smiling at all.

So Killua glared at Kurapika, no matter what you think, Kurapika is the culprit of the trouble, but before he could confess, Sora said:

"This is how I found Killua.

This Needle moves along with the Pendant I gave you, so I found it. Even if I can't see, as long as I concentrate, I can sense the direction of the crossed hands and feel the Mana."

With a smile on her face, Sora suddenly pulled something like a three-chain pocket watch from her suit pocket and opened the lid of one of them.

The thing inside the opened lid was not a clock but a compass. However, the swaying Needle inside was the same bright red as Killua's Pendant, and the Needle pointed directly at Killua, not North.

Killua expressed anger at the fact that his birthday present was used as an Emission, saying: "Are you a stalker?" I don't care about it, just like my mouth.

The anger was not about the violation of privacy, it was very likely used to eliminate the danger to Killua without him knowing.

However, Killua's anger was parried by Sora's smile. Or rather, the reason Sora was able to find Killua first by herself was because she blew away all sorts of things.

"Ahaha. But I was too focused, so I rushed over alone and left Leorio on the road. Kurapika? Who is that?"

"'Eh?'"

If Leorio could find Killua even without vision, I could guess why she had to act alone, so I could only say "I guess" to Leorio, but regarding the Kurapika she mentioned, Gon was confused.

Naturally insisting on "Who?", while Kurapika behind him had a sad face, as if he were hurt, Killua and Gon were even more confused, and Gon timidly pointed out, "Um... Sora... Kurapika is behind you...", but Sora answered with a straight face.

"The person behind you? Leorio is another person I don't recognize."

"Hey, Kurapika! What on earth did you do to this guy!?"

"Sora! My skills are truly terrible, so you should recognize my existence!!"

Sora stubbornly insisted on considering himself a "stranger," and his polite language was not a joke, which shocked Killua, who found it absurd.

However, although Kurapika was strict with him, it was also because of his doting; Sora, who should have been too naive, simply ignored Kurapika as if he couldn't hear his voice at all.

"……Uh? Kurapika, what on earth did you do?"

"I don't know. I'm the one asking."

Gon was frightened by Sora's behavior and asked Leorio, but Leorio told him with a cold look that he was also unable to help himself.

According to Leorio, ever since Kurapika healed his wounds with his own power, Sora had completely ignored Kurapika.

Sometimes he would react and then treat him with polite language, just like treating a stranger, even when Leorio asked him: "What are you angry about? Kurapika? Why would I be angry at someone I don't know?"

Kurapika himself seemed to have some understanding of Sora's madness, but did not tell Leorio why. No, I wanted to talk, but at that moment Sora squeezed the juice in the steel can containing juice and smiled silently, and both gave up.

For Leorio, this was a good kind of trouble.

Sora was so angry that he didn't realize he was causing such trouble, or even if he understood, he couldn't stop it.

"By the way, Gon, what happened to Retsu?"

Sora, who could at least understand the outline of Killua's incoherent story, asked Gon, and Gon answered honestly, although he was a bit surprised by Sora, who was still ignoring Kurapika.

"Hm?"

While answering Sora's question, Leorio asked Killua, "Who is Letz?" Yes.

"Have you returned to the origin of the ○Mo power game now?"

"Hm?"

Killua's eyes widened, and Gon smiled slightly embarrassed.

"Ever since I met Retsu, I've felt it was very strange. Contrary to his expression, he always has a pair of sad eyes... I don't think those are Retsu's eyes."

"……Yesterday you said the Doll that appeared with the sea also had no eyes. Hey."

While Sora was talking about Killua, he might have already known Retsu's true identity, so he calmly stated a guess that fueled Gon's imagination.

And with Killua's words, the discomfort that had been stuck in his chest finally formed a line.

When Retsu left the clothing store, the Doll in his hand was never there.

Perhaps this is the ability to sneak into people's minds.

Thinking about it carefully, even if the ability to sneak into the human heart itself is harmless, you wouldn't notice it, but Sora and Kurapika, who knew nothing about the opposite shadow, already possessed this ability. Killua was somewhat wary of him; it was unreasonable that he used his ability from such a long distance that he wouldn't notice and sneak into his mind.

Especially for a Specialist type, which doesn't quite match with the Emission type who excels in long-distance abilities.

However, when he used Sora and Illumi's obsession with Killua's heart to create a Doll without Killua noticing, he should have noticed.

I thought about the possibility that Letz and Omokage had a connection behind the scenes, but if that were the case, I thought she would catch up to us, so she didn't try to hurt us directly. Killua finally realized that he was looking for an opening to sneak into the "heart" and clicked his Tongue.

"Damn it! I should have noticed when Illumi's Doll appeared... If I were a little stronger, Gon wouldn't have been deceived..."

"Well, this is good."

"Kurapika! Didn't you see where my eyes are in Kurapika's Chain? I still feel my eyes have more aura than now!"

Listening to Killua's frustrated voice, the person himself laughed happily and said something unreasonable to Kurapika.

Kurapika stopped being frustrated at Gon's Suggestion, opened his eyes slightly in surprise, and then answered with an angry face and voice.

"……You really shouldn't be unreasonable."

"I don't know how far the calculation is, but I can do it. Or rather, when I arrived in this town and tried to find you all, I don't know why there were two reactions pointing to Gon's whereabouts."

"Eh!?"

Kurapika's answer not only surprised Killua and Leorio, but even Gon, who made the Suggestion, didn't know why, and everyone looked at him with a "Hey" look.

After all, Gon didn't want to steal his own eyes through calculation, but he seemed to have just done it in a hurry, and then said: "Is this impossible?" I know.

By the way, Sora didn't react to Kurapika's words, but for a moment a look of innocence appeared on his face, as if saying: "Really? That's great!"

Thus, Kurapika realized that he wasn't disliked by Sora to the extent of being a "stranger," so he felt relieved, Materialized the Chain on his ring finger, and continued.

"At first I didn't understand the meaning, but I understood."

"That's right, Omokage's ability is not limited to its owner's eyeballs. Because the Life Energy Aura accounts for the majority... if it was just stolen, then the eyeball's aura is more than a person's. It's a pity that Sora's eyes didn't react because the time was too long, but... Gon's eyes are fine."

While explaining, Kurapika fixed the umbrella between his chin and shoulder, unfolded the map, and let the Chain hang down.

Seeing the movement of the Chain, cheers erupted.

It's hard to say it's lucky that Gon's eyes were stolen, but it wasn't like he was beaten beyond recognition just because they were stolen.

Not just Gon, Killua, and Leorio, but even Kurapika showed a militant smile at the fact that they could finally fight back, and Sora shouted happily.

"I did it! Now I can go find him! Thank you for saving me, stranger!!"

"Am I still a stranger!?"

Kurapika rushed into the unexpected treatment of others, and the three lost their strength.

I didn't want to worry, and I started to feel uneasy about going to Omokage's hideout.

＊＊＊

"……Here. Without a doubt."

Kurapika said gloomily in front of the mansion and the swaying pendulum.

In the suburbs across from the ruins, the sea and the Illumi Doll were waiting.

The Western-style building standing on the steep cliff was much larger and more magnificent than the ruins, but my first impression was a haunted house, just like the ruins during the day.

Killua, like Omokage, stared at the mansion with eyes full of anger and spoke first.

"Omokage is a very dangerous opponent. We need a strategy."

"Ah, avoiding battle and taking back their sight is my top priority... Gon and Sora, please hide. Or rather, seriously, don't do anything unnecessary."

Listening to Killua's words, Leorio offered a suggestion, or perhaps it was a plea.

Because the imitation was so poor and his spirit had been severely abused, Leorio and Killua now suppressed the urge to slap the shadow; to deal with it calmly, they first took their eyes off it. A bit displeased, Sora started laughing. "Hey!" "Pah!" he shouted.

But they forgot one thing.

Killua and Leorio had both completely forgotten that there was still a reckless idiot among the members.

The one who realized what they had forgotten was Leorio, who was startled by Killua's shout and the two people being scolded.

While looking at it and thinking, "Are you saying...", he noticed the sound of a door opening behind him; Kurapika was about to launch an attack alone.

"Hey, Kurapika!"

"The wounds have completely healed, and my aura has recovered, so it's fine... I will defeat him. Leorio and the others should avoid dangerous battles; it's best not to follow him."

A panicked Leorio grabbed Kurapika's shoulder and pulled him back outside to stop him, but Kurapika shook off Leorio's hand somewhat rudely and said without even looking at him.

His side-eyes were dyed a deep red like hellfire. He was completely driven by bad habits and emotions, with blood rushing to his head.

Killua and Gon rushed over to stop Kurapika.

"You're going to fight alone!?"

"You can't, Kurapika! Your opponent isn't just a Ghost!!"

"Omokage is an original Phantom Troupe Spider; if you are a member of this group, I am the one you should be taking revenge on."

However, if such persuasion could make his blood boil, then his parents, close friends, and elders, since they were in Kurta Village, would not have had it easy either.

If he were only driven by revenge now, perhaps there would still be a way to persuade him.

Even if it couldn't be finished, if only the fire of revenge made him lose his cool, he wouldn't hesitate to steal his consciousness with a punch and hide it there.

The reason he hesitated to stop him with such violent means, and didn't know what to persuade him with, was because to him, the proportion of revenge compared to anger was small; it was just a tool used to stop people other than himself from getting involved.

"Besides, he is a Flame Soldier... He used my best friend to steal Sora's eyes. And, he even used Sora's sister as a pawn, and even hurt Gon..."

"Kurapika..."

The reason the bad habit that should have been corrected during the Yorkshin incident was reheated was because Omokage stepped into a holy ground that Kurapika absolutely could not enter; instead of angering him, he acted as if he were blackmailing him. I am willing.

Gon muttered sadly, realizing that the reason he couldn't calm down was because his actions could only be called superficial, and had a lot to do with protecting Killua.

But even so, this is why I can't let you go alone.

So Gon gave up on persuading, but when he tried to get rid of his usual selfishness, "Then I'm going too!!"

"……Hmm?"

Everyone, including Kurapika, was startled by this muffled voice.

The moment he heard this voice, the originally rising blood-red color suddenly dropped, the face that had been flushed red with anger suddenly turned pale, and the scarlet eyes quickly lost their color.

Then, Kurapika turned around slowly and awkwardly with a pale face to confirm the owner of the voice.

"……So, ……Sora?"

Turning back, Sora smiled.

I am smiling, but why? Kurapika was not the only one who felt that something extremely dark and ominous had appeared in the background. Killua and Gon hid behind Leorio.

"Huhu... I don't know what kind of mouth would say, 'Don't take responsibility for everything.'"

Setting aside Kurapika's sermon to Sora, blaming him for everything going wrong, even though it was obvious he was trying to do something unreasonable, Sora still treated him like a stranger and walked in front of him.

Kurapika could no longer bear the frustration of Sora treating him like a stranger; as Sora approached him, Kurapika couldn't help but shrink back.

However, I immediately hit the door I had opened once with my back and stopped.

While chasing him to that point, Sora smiled and walked closer to me, saying.

"It's fine, but... I'm a little angry."

Kurapika couldn't think of an excuse because he knew he had done something unavoidable. Or rather, I didn't have the courage to speak even if I floated.

When I looked around for help, the three people who had been by my side trying to stop me suddenly became very far away.

Even if Kurapika stopped his ridiculous behavior that made his blood boil, Sora didn't seem to have any intention of helping him. Even Gon put his hands together, signaling "Sorry."

Knowing full well it was my own doing, but even so, when I cast my gaze toward Sora and spat out the resentment in my heart, "Traitor!!", she closed the distance to the point where if I took one more step forward, I would be hugging him.

With a bandaged face, the eyes that should have been hollow looked straight at Kurapika and said:

"——No matter how ridiculous the imitation is, I have never done it with the feeling of 'I don't care if I die.'"

If it seems to me that I am sacrificing or exchanging my own life and longevity, then I am wrong. I always do nothing but perform, because I don't want to die, I want to live. Kurapika."

"Ah? Ah!?"

I was confused because for the first time in hours, someone calling my name blew away my impatience and fear, but of course, I didn't give them time to be happy.

Sora beat Kurapika's one-sided words into a daze, and then kicked the door open with a Hatsu.

Sure enough, I didn't kick Kurapika. I kicked the door behind Kurapika, kicked it open, and Kurapika, who was leaning on the door, fell backward.

By the way, the door Kurapika was leaning on that Sora broke open was a sliding door.

Sora stepped over Kurapika, and Kurapika collapsed along with the door with broken hinges, entering the mansion.

Seeing this, Kurapika stood up in a panic, and the separated Gon, Killua, and Leorio shouted "Sora!!", but of course, Sora had no reason to listen.

She turned around and shouted with a face that looked like she was about to cry even with the bandages on.

"Kurapika, you idiot!! I hate people who don't care about their lives! Don't force me to say things like Ghost Princess! I have no persuasion even if I say it myself!!"

"You said you'd do it yourself, so I'll do it alone, and I'll beat your enemy until you sympathize with me!!!!"

Despite the sadness on her face, Sora made a tense and serious statement, and with that, Sora rushed back into the mansion.

It's fine, but I didn't realize that this line wasn't Ghost Princess, but the work of my son Gedosenki. You are completely wrong.

"What on earth did Kurapika do!?"

"Wait, Sora! It's my fault! It really is my fault, I am reflecting on it!! I won't say or do anything stupid again, you stop first!!"

"Wow, your speed has increased!!"

"Kurapika, don't say anything! It's all counterproductive!!"

Gon questioned Kurapika again about why he was angry at Sora, but Kurapika, having no time to answer, apologized again while chasing Sora; however, just as Killua said, Kurapika's apology was like adding Fire to the flames.

The four of them chased Sora with no other options, pondered for a moment, and sped through the mansion.

Sora was going crazy at the front door, about to defeat Omokage with eight hits. There was no loyalty to the back door.

Setting aside Omokage, who was caught between the sisters Airbreaker and Airdestroyer, Sirius began to worry greatly about whether she could survive.

By the way, the method to reach Omokage's hideout is completely different from the original work and the main storyline.

The original work was "Gon put a halo in his eyes and found it through Tracking," but I thought, "No, that's impossible. So, Kurapika's eyes are safe, and I changed it to the main storyline."

Gon is an Enhancer and not an Emission type, so I don't think it's absolutely impossible, but even so, even if he had the courage to do something like that in that situation, I don't think he was actually strong enough—isn't that the assessment?

First of all, even if it were your own eyes, if you could easily track and search for something stolen by someone else's ability, I feel like you wouldn't be a person who used most of your memory to create such an ability at all.

I mean, why is there a part in the movie that can be called official, which makes me wonder, "Doesn't it fit the settings of the original work (manga)?"