Chapter 281

Blooming at an inopportune time

Cherry blossom spirits seeing off the sinking moon

Submitting to the examination of the spirit

The black goods lying on the ground will eventually awaken

I tried to force myself to decipher those fortune-telling words that made me feel uneasy just by looking at them.

It blooms at an inopportune time... you don't need this part. Delete everything.... I can perform a Prediction.

Spirit of the cherry blossoms... I don't know who it is. I don't care at all. Kape.

Watching the sinking moon... I don't know why it's the moon, but it might be a Phantom Troupe. Subtle.

Letting myself be immersed in the melody of the soul... No, why are you being so poetic in vain? It makes me itch.

The black goods lying on the ground have awakened... indicating that the lost Underground Auction items have been found.

"This...

Do I have to provide an explanation?"

"I would very much like to hear your opinion.

This will also follow the results of the fortune-telling."

"......

The inopportune cherry blossoms... hmm, it's about me. I am willing to admit it.

My hair is cherry-colored, and after the Brigade was captured, I came to Yorkshin, only to end up doing nothing but tapping."

"I don't know why you compared it to the moon, but if the moon refers to the Phantom Troupe, then you are saying that I brought the Phantom Troupe."

"That might be correct.

I had him check the surveillance footage as much as possible, but the only person who fits the requirements is you."

"......

Devoting oneself to the investigation of the spirit... the explanation is a Split.

The word 'investigation' has the meaning of a song, so it can be interpreted as 'listen to me,' or it can literally mean 'let me investigate.'"

"Or perhaps both.

Fortune-telling sometimes plays with such words."

"Pah.

Finally, the black products lying on the floor will eventually awaken...

This means you will eventually find the lost Underground Auction items, right?"

"...... I have calculated it many times, but my view is the same as yours.

Do you know what we are going to ask now?"

"Hmm...

Searching for Underground Auction items? If you ask me, you can find it..."

"That is correct.

You really helped me. I am looking forward to it."

"No, wait.

I haven't said I would get it yet. I don't understand why you are explaining; if it were me, you would find me."

"Don't you have the Hatsu to find what you are looking for?

In fact, didn't you discover where we were and tell us?"

"Wait.

Although I don't know the specific things, I was told what to look for.

First of all, I don't even know the abilities of the Shadow Beast. Is this information enough for a search?"

"If there is necessary information, we will provide it to the best of our ability.

──But that is when you accept.

Information cannot be exposed to irrelevant people.

If you refuse, we will continue to look."

... You are right. If it is discovered by someone other than the Mafia, should I consider the possibility of it returning to these guys to be low?

"Are you going to decide whether to refuse or accept now?"

"If it is within an inconspicuous range, I cannot pass on information.

Honestly, we are also at a loss."

"──Wait.

I haven't agreed to the child's request yet."

"Even I...

am very doubtful whether you have the ability to search in the first place..."

Both Juro-gashira have come out. It's that guy who is unwilling to applaud. Did you take my previous words as cowardice? If you don't believe me, then so be it.

That said, if I refuse at this point, it seems it will rot later...

Is this a serious request? This might be a bit unexpected. It's getting more and more troublesome.

An Elder tapped the table irritably, tapping the table with his Finger,

"First of all.

This child protected and stopped what our community should have retaliated against.

Originally, they should have received the same reward."

Ah... I wonder if the stories from the surroundings will come out. Well, I want to know if anyone wants to talk about this kind of thing.

The heads of the Ten-rou began to glare at each other. Oh Oh Oh, the Sword's...

Even those waiting outside the door were confused.

"The conclusion is to shelve this matter for the time being.

At the very least, do you really intend to make the person who answered our call the target of retaliation?"

"I cannot praise such a careless arrival in enemy territory."

"It can be said that he is very confident in his own techniques."

"Undeniably, you are outnumbered; if you had brought your comrades, it would still be understandable."

"However, facing a Phantom Troupe, our Shadow Beasts are simply no match...

Originally, killing each other was not my specialty..."

"In any case, at this speed, there will be no end or signs of one.

The anger of the family regarding the sacrifices made to participate in the Underground Auction is immeasurable.

If I cannot find the Auction Items, I will have to pass judgment."

Ha. Looks like this will be a long time. You can obtain information by listening.

"You know"

As soon as I spoke, the gazes of the Elders gathered together all at once.

"Didn't you withdraw the assassination order for the Phantom Troupe?"

"... More than once.

I withdrew the request given to the Assassin.

But the policy within the community scope has not yet made any provisions.

Kill me, don't kill me. I am waiting for your judgment."

"Ah, what?

Didn't the Juro-gashira issue an order to find the Phantom Troupe and kill them?

This in itself is retaliation, so they started striking back?"

"..."

I cannot say that I have kept it under control.

Indeed, we allowed the dispatch of Shadow Beasts, but the request itself came from outside.

Even if it was an instruction from the community, through our affairs and on-site judgment—"

"Wait. Stop talking to him."

The other Ten-rou heads stopped him from talking to an old man with a scar on his mouth.

I crossed my arms.

"If you continue to treat me as an outsider, you cannot continue to talk to me about various things.

However, if this topic also seems to be a parallel line, there will be no end at all.

Hurry up and call me, talk to me directly. Aren't you in a hurry?"

The Elders looked at each other and let out a groan.

I waited for a while, but no one offered a Suggestion. This was a story that wouldn't be solved until I came. Where I came from is the same.

... That is to say, I can only make concessions. Not good.

"Tsk tsk...

Fine.

As for the Auction Items, I will try my best to search for them."

The facial expression of the Juro-gashira changed. A bit brighter. How much trouble have you encountered, Omara?

"But don't get your hopes up too high, okay?

No matter how much I like it, there is no guarantee that I will find it.

I can accept the request, but I am sorry for searching until I find it.

If you don't mind."

"... This sounds like a way to extract information from us."

"Even if you say such things.

This is just a question of trust or not; first of all, this is fortune-telling, isn't it?

Isn't it just a question of whether or not to believe that fortune-telling?

... Deciding whether to entrust oneself to a spiritual investigation."

I walked away, pulled a chair from another table nearby, and sat down with a bang facing the Elder's head. Don't just sit and talk. Haven't I been standing and talking the whole time?

"I believe you. Neither the fortune-telling nor this guy."

"Indeed there is no other choice... I will vote in favor."

"I object... compared to whether it is credible or not, I am more concerned about the suspicious points..."

"I feel that capable people are generally like this; everyone is always an oddball."

"Except for this child, I believe in that fortune-teller's ability. So I agree."

They argued with each other, but overall they seemed to agree.

A few minutes later, the discussion seemed to end. The opposition also had no good counter-suggestions.

"Come here, Uranus-Cherry.

I have reached a conclusion."

I opened my closed eyes, stood up from the chair, and approached Ten-rou's head once more.

"We are making a formal request to you.

This is to find the missing Underground Auction items. Once you accept the request, we will provide you with the necessary information.

I will accept, and if I find them, I will hold you to a generous reward."

"...... I will pretend I did not receive a reply.

I certainly accept the search request for the Underground Auction items.

Once the contract is signed, can you listen to my request immediately?"

"Oh, feel free to tell me."

"I want the information needed for the search.

First, information regarding what happened on the day the Phantom Troupe raided the Underground Auction. As much as you can understand.

The scene of the death of the Shadow Beast who took out the Auction Items. That Shadow Beast's Nen Ability.

Also... if you can meet the fortune teller, let me see you. I have a question regarding a Prophecy.

That is all for now."

"...... That is fine.

Let me first explain what happened when the Phantom Troupe launched their attack on September 1st.

This will be a long story. Please come join our roundtable."

As he spoke, the old man with a scar on the corner of his mouth moved his chair aside to make room for me. I really did not want to sit there.

Since it was a major matter, I reluctantly pulled out a chair and sat next to him.

We could see each other's faces well.... Everyone was tired. I was too.

Then he explained what happened on September 1st.

It is said that the Cemetery Building collapsed first. This was the location of the Underground Auction.

Every year from September 1st to the 10th, Yorkshin City hosts a Large Auction Market unique in the world.

Under the cover of the Large Auction Market, an Underground Auction for stolen and contraband items is also held once a year. The dark relationship between the mayor of Yorkshin and the Mafia is no longer an open secret.... First of all, a large number of Mafia members transfer to Yorkshin at this time. You cannot hide it.

And this year, the location for the Underground Auction was the Cemetery Building. Why was such an ominous name chosen again, and why was a building named after that chosen as the venue? It collapsed without even fulfilling the role of a tombstone.

The Phantom Troupe raided the Venue.

It seems that inside the Venue, most of the customers who intended to participate in the first day of the Auction were confirmed dead.

Hundreds of Mafia executives—bosses, underbosses, and a few Bodyguards.

In principle, it is forbidden to bring all weapons, recording equipment, and communication devices into the Underground Auction. All such communication and security are handled by the Mafia community itself. If you break it, you will of course be punished.

Anyway, the Mafia community did not even set up security videos, and the fact that the Phantom Troupe raided the site and killed the participants is based on the testimony of survivors present and the investigation results of the collapsed building. After all, people who did not participate in the Auction, such as the guards of each family, were not allowed within 500 meters of the site. In any case, it can be said that the habit of trying not to cause Fire has become a taboo. It seems the security on the community side was also wiped out. Apparently, the bodies were never found.

However, the Mafia side will not be defeated. Even without knowing the Phantom Troupe was coming, he foresaw the possibility that someone would attack the Underground Auction. There was also the possibility that the Ten-rou leader would be assassinated.

Needless to say, I could not say I was going to stop the Auction because the results of my Prophecy were bad. I completely broke down; I could not believe it. There are probably many Mafia who do not know of the existence of Nen Ability.

So one of the Shadow Beasts, Owl, and Owl ordered Nen users in advance to take the Auction Items for the first and second days out of the vault. Perhaps when the Auction started, he himself intended to go there as a safe. If there were no problems.

The Underground Auction was originally scheduled to be held for four days from September 1st to the 4th. The Auction Items for the 3rd and 4th were stored in a completely different place and are safe. The Auction itself does not seem to have been held yet, as the situation has not calmed down.

The real reason is that the Auction Items for No. 1 and No. 2 are missing. Since they had already been displayed as exhibits, it was obvious if they did not appear at the Auction.

What's more, a Shadow Beast took them out of the vault and was then killed, and the mess is not funny. So many dead people... well, the person in charge is going to come out.

It is said that the Phantom Troupe, the target of revenge, is no longer in Yorkshin, and each family is arguing about how to auction and retaliate in the end. It seems they are being ordered to stay, but there are families that ignore it and have long since evacuated, and there are families that are gathering their own armed forces.

I must put forward the opinion of the Mafia community as soon as possible, but—

"...... That should be troublesome.

There were survivors in the Cemetery Building, right?

Why did that building collapse?"

"Because all the survivors managed to Escape.

If I had stayed until the last minute, I would have been caught in the collapse.

Of course, no one knows the reason."

"...... Hmm, I see.

Did you not check the building itself?"

"I am not an expert.

The story is that it might have collapsed because the pillars were destroyed."

"...... That is not impossible.

But, if you go to the trouble of destroying it.

Why do such a conspicuous thing?"

On the side of my conversation with the scarred old man, another Ten-rou interjected.

"Isn't this a case of destroying evidence?"

"No...

Therefore, the collapsed building is nonsense, and in the first place, the Phantom Troupe is not a ball that can be Hidden and destroyed. It would be more natural to think that there was a battle of that scale."

Even so, it is said that the community's security was all gone, so there must have been some means of concealment.

"Hmm...

The reason for the collapse of the other building was clearly that one of the Phantom Troupe destroyed the ground. During the battle with the Shadow Beasts. As you said, the Cemetery Building was most likely affected by the battle."

Listening, I was thinking, that scarred old man,

"But Ten-rou.

Who fought a Phantom Troupe with enough strength to single-handedly annihilate the Shadow Beasts?"

I know that others besides us captured this Phantom Troupe. As a Professional Hunter.

Do Professional Hunters have such great talent?"

…………If I explain it in detail, that would be a leak. Must you blur it well?

"If there are a few, then there are.

However, as you know, the Phantom Troupe is an A-rank Bounty. The total bounty for the entire Phantom Troupe is 36 billion.

They are famous for being well-trained, so even experienced Professional Hunters cannot carelessly capture them.... Since the self-proclaimed Shadow Beasts were annihilated, it must have been learned by you yourself.

Even the Mafia world could not have anticipated the Phantom Troupe's raid on the Auction, but the possibility that a Hunter comparable to the Phantom Troupe happened to be present—considering everything, it is almost zero."

Core. Calm down. Great, it cannot be dismissed as a Coincidence...

"By the way, do you know who the traveler who annihilated the Shadow Beasts is?"

"Yeah. He is a big guy, savage—"

"Ah, yes. Understood."

No matter how you look at it, it is Uvogin.... Just as I thought, he is weak.

"You yourself don't know the Professional Hunter who fought against the Phantom Troupe, right?"

Asked, I scratched my forehead.

"……I was just asked to help transport the Phantom Troupe at the request of the Chairman.

That is why I don't know who captured this Phantom Troupe, nor do I know how they were captured. I asked the Chairman, but he refused to tell me.

However...

I don't think many Hunters were sent to capture this Phantom Troupe. If that were the case, it would be known just by investigating, and there would be many sacrifices like the Shadow Beasts.

But at least I haven't heard of many Professional Hunters sacrificing themselves while on duty."

"Oh really?

Some Professional Hunters must have been killed by the Phantom Troupe."

"Yeah. Even if you say professional, there are those who are mixed and weak.

It is an unknown rank, just obtaining a License and practicing just in case.

Because one of the qualities required of a Professional Hunter is crisis detection.

Dying in the face of obvious danger is a hopeless fool."

In that sense, Professional Hunters who engage in the underworld where retreat is not allowed are quite stupid. I believe that becoming a Professional Hunter is the only way to enjoy freedom.

"In my opinion, you are like that too..."

Yes? Hmm... is it the look of a Fugura? Yes, if you ask me, I think so too.

"I won't deny that I am stupid.

I don't even know why I am arguing with you in a place like this."

Hahaha, a few people smiled bitterly. I puffed out my cheeks. Hey, not funny!

"Conversely, have you ever witnessed a battle between the Phantom Troupe and a Professional Hunter with your own eyes?

This is strange to me."

"Hmm...

Even when I asked the survivors of the cemetery building, the answer was that they didn't really know.

Shall I ask you again?

——Among them!! Is there anyone who witnessed the battle between the Phantom Troupe and the Hunter!?"

A man with a sore mouth asked loudly. I guess he was listening to the guards in the room.

... No answer. Either they really don't know, or they know and are avoiding involvement.

The uncle shrugged his shoulders,

"It seems there is no one here."

"……Then, it is highly likely to be a small number.

To be honest, the Phantom Troupe is a small group of strong people, and they were all captured alive, it's really hard to believe."

"That's right, but you are also skilled, aren't you?

I have never heard of a Zoldyck taking on five people at the same time and taking them out."

As soon as this was said, the surrounding guards suddenly roared. Wait...

"Yeah, yeah. Wait, wait, wait.

Don't wear ridiculous tail fins.

The Chairman and we are Together, you know that, right?

Isaac Netero. Without a doubt, he is one of the strongest people in the world.

Don't say I was fighting alone."

"... But.

Zeno Zoldyck, who is called the master assassin, named you and Chairman Netero, and said that this was too much of a workload for you, you know?

As far as I know, that is the biggest compliment I have ever heard."

Old man Zeno... how else can you let go of a compliment. You bought too much.

"There is no such thing.

In terms of ability ratio, Netero is 9th, I am about 1st."

My actual work is 9 for me, and 1 for Netero.... That old man is truly stupid.

"Really.

... Actually, I have a fortune-telling, and I haven't shown it to you yet."

"Hey. Can I show this to Uranus?"

"……I won't show you anything that involves my privacy.

If it were the first week of September, I wouldn't mind."

"Oh. That's fine."

From there, pass the paper here. The Elders walked to my side while lightly reading the newspaper. What is this black relay?

Let's take a look……

The Shimotsuki shining in the night sky steps on the Shadow Beast and crawls along the laws of nature of the rainbow

Fallen Angel Wings flap

All of the everything Teno calendar small reading stripping teeth out

The moon falling into the harbor is the Buddha's your hand look entrusted to

…………I understand, the month is the month in the calendar. The Phantom Troupe is composed of 13 people, so 1 to 12, excluding the leader.

Shadow Beast is Shadow Beast. A member named Shimotsuki, most likely Uvogin, stepped on it.

Fallen Angel…… who are you talking about? You said I am a soul, so it's not me, is it?

Does someone call you that? …… I don't have any hints.

The harbor would be the harbor town of Yorkshin. The sunken moon... were you captured and left somewhere in the city?

Entrusted to the hand of the Buddha…… indicates that contact has been made with Netero. I don't understand what it means to call such a battered old man a Buddha.

"How is it?"

"I cannot live up to your expectations.

Fallen Angel or wings, I don't know what this keyword refers to.

Other than that, it is easy.

At night, a Phantom Troupe wiped out the Shadow Beast, and something called Fallen Angel Wings captured the Phantom Troupe in Yorkshin. After that, I contacted Chairman Netero, right?"

As a possibility, it was the person Netero was talking to on the phone, but…… Netero spoke too interestingly. I think I mentioned your name, but I forgot……

"──Huh?"

"What's wrong? Any Discovery?"

"No……

It's just the fortune-telling I showed you. Aren't they different from each other?

I feel very uncomfortable."

"Did you notice? That's right.

This is the first time we've seen them side by side, but the results seem to change depending on the time of the fortune-telling.

Let's try to arrange them in an easy-to-understand way."

The old man with the aching mouth stood up and spread out the paper on the table with the fortune-telling results written on it. I stood up to look. Or rather, everyone stood up from their chairs and stared at them.

"……Hmm.

Can this fortune-teller be called here now?

I would very much like to hear your opinion."

"Oh, okay.

We also want to hear the detailed story, so we asked them not to listen.

Nostrad Family! Enter my room!"

Immediately, a door slid open, and several people entered. …… Everyone was very nervous. You are right…… you might have done something wrong.

Without approaching here, everyone stopped at a certain distance.

A young girl stepped forward to greet them, while spreading the hem of her skirt.

"Elders, this is my first time meeting you.

Neon Nostrad.

May I call you that?"