Chapter 91: Interlude: The Operation Begins

The email sent to me made my blood boil.

The thought that surfaced along with the blood was exactly the same as the one I had in front of the fake Leader's corpse last night.

The difference lay in the emotions involved.

At that time, the emotion contained in that thought was a sense of emptiness born from regret and self-loathing.

Now, what is burning is the hellfire of hatred and anger.

(... Why did she have to dirty those hands!?)

Having lost so much and been wounded, Kurapika thought he had attained peace, and because peace is a treasure of daily life born from leisure, I used all my strength to grasp it, trying to get up and leave the Hotel.

"What happened all of a sudden! Hey Kurapika!! Hurry up!!"

Just when I thought he was checking his email on his Mobile Phone, he suddenly fell silent and barked sharply; without a doubt, the eyes behind Kurapika's colored contact lenses had already dyed into a scarlet red, and he was about to go somewhere.

Leorio and Gon could not help but be confused by Kurapika's sudden sharpness, but only Killua knew why he was so angry.

"... From Hisoka?"

"Oh."

The sender of this email was exactly who Killua had expected.

Killua guessed that he had said something to provoke Sora, but in reality, it was much more serious.

"The corpse is a forgery, a forgery."

"!"

He explained that someone in the Phantom Troupe possessed this ability, and Killua and Gon, having seen such examples at Heaven's Arena, were convinced.

And being detained, Kurapika must have realized where he was going and what he had to do; he took a deep breath to calm himself down, but anger and hatred welled up from the depths of his chest, surging up from the bottom of his heart, popping into his brain one after another, and it did not go smoothly.

The peace finally obtained was fake; he could not let the culprit in his heart—though it left many regrets and scars—be considered liberated by him. He had not realized this possibility.

But it is no wonder Kurapika did not realize this possibility.

The Materialization System is particularly incompatible with the Emission System, so basically, I cannot keep a materialization close at hand.

And because image Training takes time, people rarely can materialize multiple things in completely different forms.

That is why I could not believe that the corpses scattered around the cemetery building, which was quite a distance away, were created by someone with a Materialization ability. That was clearly a special and eerie ability within the Conjuration type, obtained through some kind of Contract.

Kurapika realized that he had become a blind spot because he was of the Conjuration type, and he scratched his head violently.

"What are you doing? The situation has suddenly changed completely."

Until now, Killua's head was still in a state of rising blood, but looking at Kurapika's state, he crossed his arms and asked calmly.

However, before Kurapika could answer, the Mobile Phone rang again.

This time there was an incoming call, and Kurapika let the three of them answer the phone a little further away.

Judging from the previous email, it was very likely Hisoka, so I felt it would be fine if he knew, but just in case, Kurapika contacted Gon and the others to keep them in the dark. But, fortunately or unfortunately, Hisoka was not the one calling.

"Kurapika? It's me."

"Is that Senritsu? What's wrong?"

The caller was my most trusted colleague, and I could not detect any impatience in her tone, so I felt relieved that there didn't seem to be any major trouble, but the information I received from her was not very welcome information from Kurapika's perspective.

"The Mafia has given up on hunting the remnants of the Phantom Troupe. It turns out they are from Meteor City. It seems the Jury Chief personally issued the order to end the war."

Kurapika frowned at the word "Meteor Town."

This word reminded me of the message left at the scene of the Kurta Massacre.

"We reject nothing. So do not take anything from us."

A completely incomprehensible message left by those who took everything from him.

About 10 years ago, a Meteor City resident was wrongly arrested and released three years later; I can understand the resentment of not being given a good opportunity to defend oneself by the judicial authorities.

However, although the Kurta Tribe and the settlement of Meteor Town are on the same continent, they are not close, so the possibility of the Kurta Tribe doing something to Meteor Town or its residents is very small.

Even if something happened, I would never forgive Kurapika. I have no intention of forgiving him.

Even if there were perpetrators on the Kurta side, the Kurta people were feared, discriminated against, and oppressed for their scarlet eyes, and many of them had never even left home.

There must have been some people who could not possibly be the murderers; they should not have taken anything from Meteor Town, but the Phantom Troupe members thoroughly robbed the Kurta Tribe.

Not only his life, but because of the evil desires of those brutal corpse collectors, at the end of the horrific torture, his eyes were taken—the scarlet eyes—and even after death, he was humiliated, stripped of all dignity as a human being; it is unforgivable.

As if knowing of the existence of the surviving Kurapika, and remembering the message left just now, it seemed to only serve to irritate Kurapika's nerves, and the blood in his brain rose again.

However, there was no one in front of him to vent his anger on, so Kurapika suppressed his rage, hung up the phone, and returned to Gon's group.

Killua asked, "Hisoka?"

Gon's information about the strange city of "Meteor City," its relationship with the Mafia community, and the Phantom Troupe that destroyed this relationship, left Gon unable to process the information and left Killua confused.

Although Kurapika thought that ignoring the two of them was disadvantageous to him, he still left the place again to ask the Mafia questions.

I do not want you to know that this Phantom Troupe is still alive.

By the nature of the Materialization System, no matter how Heavy a covenant is imposed, as long as one cannot feel the sensation of a dead person, it is impossible to materialize permanently even if the person with the power leaves it out of their hands.

The materialization of the corpses must have a time limit, but even so, as long as it has not truly disappeared, "the corpse is a forgery, a forgery"—even if I tell him, of course, there will be people who do not know of the existence of "Nen," and even if they do, they will be hit by the same blind spot as Kurapika, convinced that it is "impossible," so Kurapika, who points it out, would be the first, and undoubtedly suspicious.

At the beginning, the Mafia probably gave up on hunting the remnants because they were afraid of friction with Meteor City; Meteor City would choose any means of retaliation, even more than the Mafia, so Kurapika decided that even if the corpses disappeared, there would be no more conquering the Phantom Troupe.

That is why Kurapika wanted to know if tonight's Auction would proceed as planned.

I did not expect to have the support and backing of the Mafia from the beginning. It is not needed.

I know this is reckless. I know my current thoughts are hot in my mind, filled with hatred and anger.

I know I will definitely regret it.

However, Kurapika moved because he knew that if he did not do anything here, he would regret it.

Even if this hand—the Phantom Troupe Spider—Kurapika still chose it, even if she was covered in blood, even if her wish could never be fulfilled, even if she lost so much and gained nothing.

Even if you do not gain anything, as long as you can protect it, that is fine.

If only I could protect her while she sleeps at the Bechtacle Hotel now.

The reason Kurapika chose to protect that happiness is because he has already obtained what he wanted.

＊＊＊

"……How did this happen?" Killua thought.

However, without even thinking, he knew it was his best friend's fault.

Knowing that the "Phantom Troupe is still alive," Killua opposed Gon's suggestion to "capture the Phantom Troupe."

Kurapika, who had decided not to make a move just minutes ago, had been trying hard to get him to cooperate, but he was able to reciprocate. That is because I thought it would be riskier for Sora to move on his own.

If it is the remnants, I think if we cooperate with Kurapika, who is capturing top members of the Brigade, we can hunt them all down.

Even if that were impossible, they had all calculated that if they focused on Pakunoda, given her abilities, she certainly would not become a combat agent, so she would not be at a disadvantage as Sora had said.

But if everyone except the members Sora killed, especially the Leader, were still around, it would be completely different.

If they listened to the advice of Sora and his father, the Brigade would basically not act alone.

If he lost his head, I could expect him to lose control, but if there is a precedent where his comrades were killed because the Leader was still alive and acting independently, then I cannot expect more.

There is no guarantee that one of them could contend with the four of them, but if they had to deal with multiple people, they would have no chance of winning, because Kurapika is the only human resource they can use.

Since that is the case, I decided to let him pass without taking any action while Sora's position is still unclear.

Just as Kurapika said, Hisoka is obsessed with Sora, so he did not leak the information.

On the contrary, you can expect them to divert attention away from you by taking action themselves, so that your prey will not be stolen.

So, although Killua no longer has any desire to cooperate with Kurapika or capture the Phantom Troupe, Gon knows that he has not given up on capturing the Phantom Troupe.

Killua tried to make him give up the Greed Island money plan, but Gon seems to have some plan to obtain Greed Island, and even if he has the bounty for capturing the Phantom Troupe, there is no guarantee he can make the bid.

Gon did not have time to discuss it in detail, but Killua thought it was at most about 50/50, but he is a selfish and eccentric person, yet he is selfish, talking about others. Knowing he is not a coward who would go this far, Killua temporarily trusted Gon and gave in.

I know it is broken.

My thinking was not prudence, but delaying the problem. Just running away.

If I let them escape now, the members killed by Sora will be replenished. I know that while I am in it, I should at least try to minimize my own power.

The back of Killua's head hurt a little.

The pain told Killua.

"Do not fight an enemy you cannot beat," the brotherly illumination Curse was not as severe as when I was locked in the hideout room last night, but it would certainly continue to whisper.

(Noisy!!)

Killua grabbed the Pendant swinging on his chest and screamed in his heart.

The reason for the breakup must be very stubborn.

It is like how he tried to stop Nobunaga by committing suicide to let Gon escape.

Even so, I still cannot abandon this stubbornness like I did back then.

After Gon proposed cooperation to Kurapika and formulated the general plan to kidnap Pakunoda, he asked: "Why did you suddenly want to accept our cooperation?" When Kurapika replied, "Because the risk has increased," he told the story himself, and it was not just Killua and Leorio who were angry.

However, the next words made me even more frustrated, unable to get rid of my own stubbornness.

"I am fine. But without the Phantom Troupe guys, they cannot be intimidated; no matter what, I will protect her."

I feel like I was told, "You and I have different resolutions regarding 'I want to protect Sora.'"

Of course, I know Kurapika does not think so.

Rather, at this moment, Kurapika absolutely does not have Killua.

That is why he only sees Sora.

As for the role assigned to Gon, Kurapika is determined to sacrifice everything, including Gon, to protect Sora and save his life.

As if this is the qualification to stand by her side.

So that is what it means.

To be honest, I do not want to be enemies with those people, I do not want to do reconnaissance, and I do not want to die.

"I also want to protect Sora!"

So, in order to guard this wish, in order to realize it, I will stick to it.

I want to protect, I do not want to lose.

Of course it is Kurapika, and also Gon.

"Your resolution, I certainly accept it."

Kurapika, who set the restriction that only the squad cannot attack, why can't Gon place a Nen Blade in his heart?

To reduce the risk, the two left their seats, but unless I explain it to Gon, there is nothing I can do; he never gives in until he is satisfied, but Kurapika would rather put all three of them in danger. Because it is clear that he would choose to say nothing and refuse to cooperate.

However, the two of them did not intend to let Gon take the risk, rather than asking honestly.

"Those blades, can you take out three of them?"

"After completing the mission, can you unlock the rules?"

Saying this, he told Kurapika, "Also, be careful to stab yourself."

He said that the two of them had a discussion, but they did not talk enough. This was nothing more than confirming intentions, asking: "Do you want to do it?" and "Yes."

I do not want to risk my life for Kurapika, but if it is for Sora, if it is to protect Sora, then I would rather risk my life than not risk my life.

Killua's resolution, Leorio probably also cares about Kurapika, Gon, and Killua; it is not just himself risking his life, everyone is taking the same risk, and Kurapika must have noticed his intentions.

""The answer is?""

Answering Killua and Leorio's question.

"Both are possible."

After answering, I untied the chain Materialization on my right hand and added a sentence.

"But there is one thing wrong with the three of us.

I never intended to stab you with a Sword from the beginning, did I?"

In Kurapika's words, he complained that this time Gon was at risk of being captured, but he did not know if Pakunoda's touch would immediately read his memories, and whether that memory was related to Kurapika, even if it were read. Immediately tell my friends, "If Pakunoda touches me," rule, rule, if you do this, you will be persuaded by the correct argument, you will destroy your own chance for a counterattack, and you will be unable to make a sound of guilt.

However, Gon and Killua wanted to know why he didn't say so at the beginning since he had thought so much.

Gon is Absolute in his refusal to bow, but for better or worse, he is honest, simple, and kind, so it is relatively easy to persuade him.

If Kurapika had explained earlier, he would have thought of giving up easily, but when Gon asked him why he bothered talking about the risks, Kurapika, whose face had been serious since Hisoka's message, said: "She was still a little embarrassed, but she smiled gently."

"Gon. I think it's because I want to let you know what I think of you."

"...... I don't doubt you, because I don't think you would betray me. Because I trust you all, no matter how the secret leaks out, I don't think it is betrayal. I don't feel regret about this."

"I have good friends."

The Curse whisper that made the back of my head ache stopped.

I remember hearing those words.

These are words for me.

"——I only like people who can betray me."

Who wants to be friends with Gon, and the person I want to be Together with forever, Sora; however, he hugged Killua, who should have given up out of fear for his own life, and expressed that he still loved him.

"I won't fall in love with someone I can't betray, but I won't regret trusting them."

If you regret betraying me, if you really want to protect me and don't want to betray me, then tell me, betraying me is an instinct, not a nature. The logic Kurapika and the person who forgave him spoke is the same.

"I won't regret it."

I will protect Sora at all costs. So I cannot let you die.

If you all die, I will be unable to protect Sora's "happiness." Me too.

Without Sora, I cannot live. If I lose you, I will be unable to live a happy life."

Hearing Kurapika's honest words, the three were stunned for a moment; if they knew exactly what had happened, they simply couldn't believe it.

"...... This isn't fair, Kurapika."

It was hard to say, awkward or embarrassed, but Gon broke the silence that made him proud of his trust.

"If you say that to me, I will feel even greater pressure than risking my life."

Seeing Gon's distressed expression, Kurapika's embarrassment finally vanished, and he laughed: "That is your purpose."

Gon understood his words and began to laugh, but in Killua's view, this was not a funny matter at all.

As if knowing this, the look in Kurapika's eyes when he looked at Killua was kind, but at the same time, his expression was incomparably apologetic.

Those eyes were implicit.

"I don't want to sacrifice your life."

The look that made Killua succumb to instinct, the look hoping Killua could survive even if he betrayed him... When I was crying, he held me, continuing to hold the hand I swung to kill her. It looked a lot like her, and contrary to Kurapika's intention, it made Killua even stronger.

"Needless to say, I have no intention of dying!!"

Killua stood up after bluffing out a word.

It was a lie; I don't want to die.

I hate dying and am also afraid, but I would rather die than abandon Sora and run away again.

However, if this is the reason for destroying Sora's happiness, then I think I will live on.

I know I am just making excuses to satisfy my survival instinct and desire. But that she would rather live than die is a fact.

Being able to accept the Curse that binds me and the desire to resist it makes me feel better.

"Hmm... then I'm going, it's too much of a waste of time."

"Killua, be careful!!"

This is why I have the motivation to become a relay runner or a scout.

Because I think I am absolutely prepared to stand by her side.

"Oh, leave it to me."

Chrollo checked the fortune-telling of the four people whose deaths were predicted again.

"Always chasing the Shadow of the next month and the enemy of Mutsuki,"

"Burning up at the end of hesitation,"

"Do not ignore your enemy,"

"Because the Sun is at the end of the lost and wrong path."

"Do not answer the phone,"

"Because that is the footsteps of the Death God,"

"Most afraid of loneliness,"

"Nothing is more terrifying than loneliness."

"You are forced to make two choices in a small private room."

"Only pride or obedience is the answer,"

"If you choose pride, shoot through it,"

"Because it becomes a Magic Bullet, shattering the emerald."

"The eleven-legged Spider has nostalgia,"

"Will lose five legs,"

"Do not leave the temporary residence,"

"You are one of those legs."

"Alright, let's decide the lineup."

"Next week, basically everyone move into this group, absolutely avoid acting alone."

I have already decided to stay in Yorknew, but there are too many decisions to make, rather than leaving.

Therefore, to avoid acting alone, Chrollo temporarily observed the fortune-telling of Nobunaga, Shalnark, Boyuetian, and Hisoka, and decided on the groups by dispersing the death prophecies as much as possible.

All the women in the Brigade were grouped together, and the three people lacking data were also assigned to the same squad.

Nobunaga, who is most likely to lose control, was arranged in a team with himself and Shalnark as pilots, while Hisoka, who cannot be trusted under any circumstances because "Kogyoku" cannot be trusted, remains calm no matter what happens. I left it to Franklin and Bonolenov, and I trust they will not lose their dignity.

"Leader, do you want one?"

No one had any complaints about the group division, so Chrollo was thinking about what to do next, what to do at tonight's Auction, but Machi raised her hand, completely forgetting about this matter, and had not yet formed a concrete shape. Report any information.

"The children know where this place is."

"Children?"

"One!"

It seemed that the fact that the person who had the worst relationship with them knew the news about the hideout made Chrollo somewhat puzzled, but Nobunaga had not yet suppressed his killing intent toward Hisoka, and his mood was even worse. In fact, I said I would recommend the child of norinori.

However, for some reason, this man was curious, so I became interested in a child that Nobunaga liked very much, so I listened to his words for the time being.

As far as the story I heard goes, it is certainly interesting.

It is clear that Nobunaga likes this child because he saw Uvogin's expression on the child, and even if only once, he won an arm-wrestling match against Nobunaga, and he had the courage and ideas to escape Nobunaga's surveillance.

So, please, the children of the Phantom Troupe Spider did not look like he intended to enter, but if Nobunaga were to persuade him, he judged that one look would be enough.

Machi opposed this decision, but Chrollo did not give permission because he was a little amused and wanted to see the child out of curiosity.

"Well, wait a moment. Remember Nobunaga's Prophecy."

This guy's Prophecy says that he will die because he continues to pursue the enemy and the Shadow of the next month. That is why it might be a good idea to leave the child who is the Shadow of the next month alone, or not to get involved, but your intuition, and the fact that the Prophecy mentions not only the enemy but also the Shadow, means that the child is that child. The Chain Bastard, the red coat, and the important relationship with Sora Shikiori, if something goes wrong, that child might be a member of the "Sapphire Guard".

You should avoid actively searching for it, as it might lead to the fulfillment of Nobunaga's Prophecy, but if you have the chance to capture it again, you should extract all the data.

"Nobunaga. Got it? Just take him, but don't pursue too far."

When I explained that he is very likely a person who cannot be alone according to Nobunaga's Prophecy, Machi persuaded me and shut up. He replied, "Hehe."

Chrollo wanted data on what the child knows, but if the child is a "Defender" who might hinder them, he hopes to avoid direct confrontation as much as possible. Order to make a copy.

By the way, I just learned that Koltopi's copy also has a "Circle" effect, which makes it easier to capture, so let's finish talking about the child and get to the point.

"... Will you catch the Chain Bastard before the auction?"

Nobunaga was overjoyed at the conclusion the Leader muttered, but the other members were reluctant.

"Commander. Compared to Sora Shikiori and the red coat who only do mischief, the Chain Bastard is certainly the most certain and easy to deal with, but is he really the younger brother of Sora Shikiori, and the key to causing the 'Goddess Heresy' in the 'Sky'? If so, isn't this a bad ending?"

"That's right, so I didn't kill him, but took him as a hostage."

As far as Hisoka's story is concerned, Sora Shikiori and the Chain Bastard... Kogyoku definitely did not cooperate. You can judge that there was no cooperation at all."

After confirming Shalnark's complaint, Chrollo explained the conclusion he drew from it.

"Although I can talk about Sora Shikiori normally, I cannot talk about stories related to the industry, so there are huge loopholes in the rules that the industry imposes on Hisoka. Confidentiality is not perfect."

This is because Kogyoku does not know that Sora Shikiori is also related to us, or Kogyoku did not treat Sora Shikiori as her sister, just using that woman, anyway, it is hard to imagine that these two people work together. If they could cooperate a little more, they should have imposed a rule on Hisoka not to say anything to Sora Shikiori.

If that is the case, then that is the gap they are using. If you use the Chain Bastard well, you can keep Sora Shikiori and his defenders out.

Taking him as a hostage might make her go crazy, but if she can come to her senses at the last minute and kill her brother, that is the reason why all of us are taking revenge regardless of her, and it won't turn the tables on her head. Right.

First of all, it is almost impossible to participate in the auction or stay here until next week without being related to them. In that case, you should at least know the appearance and name of the missing Chain Bastard. For now, there is too little information for us to take appropriate measures."

Because Hisoka did not know at all that Chrollo stole his Fortune Telling ability, Chrollo decided to lie and get rid of him, which is disadvantageous, but Hisoka's modified false Prophecy made Chrollo realize what Hisoka wanted. You will be guided in the right direction.

From Hisoka's true Prophecy that "the person waiting for Kogyoku will come," it might be correct that Chrollo and Kurapika should be involved.

Sensing the Fate that should have happened next week, which was accelerated and interrupted this week, Hisoka smiled inwardly.

None of the members other than Hisoka could get rid of their frustration, especially Nobunaga, who was dissatisfied with not being able to kill the Chain Bastard, but if they decided to take some action, Chrollo said, only the Chain Bastard could guess where he was, only one.

Then, let's review the information we currently know about the Chain Bastard for the time being.

"Shalnark. The information you heard from Uvogin about that Chain Bastard is just the amount you said before, right?"

"Yes."

First of all, as the most fundamental confirmation, I personally met the Chain Bastard and re-examined the information told to me by Uvogin, who should have known his face.

Shalnark showed the others a photo of the Chain Bastard's comrade-in-arms that Uvogin found during his investigation on the 1st.

However, the photo on the paper was of two people. It seems the information was updated in just one day.

With this speed of information update, I have been checking this for almost a day, so the information might have been updated, so Chrollo ordered Shalnark to confirm it, while also taking a photo of the boss's daughter on the side. Sent to the members.

The only reason I showed it to him was that if the Chain Bastard is a Bodyguard, as long as he remembers the face of the escort target, he can reach the Chain Bastard from there.

However, Chrollo arrived from an unexpected direction, deviating from that guess.

I was caught completely off guard, realizing that I had fallen into a blind spot.

"Bodyguards of seven or more...?"

"You are an idiot parent."

"That ability seems to be more important than the daughter herself. It seems that the father relies on the daughter's fortune-telling to establish his current status. Someone always feels it's not fun."

While looking at the photo of the boss's daughter Neon, exchanging their impressions, Chrollo added some information to the impressions as if they were chatting.

And when Neon's photo was sent to Boyuetian and Shizuku, they also chatted casually.

"But why did this child come to Yorknew?"

"Well, isn't it for the auction?"

I let all the members look at the photos of Neon and his Bodyguards to remember their faces, but when the photos came back, Chrollo's eyes widened slightly, and he put his hand on his chin, maintaining a thoughtful posture.

"Commander?"

Shalnark noticed Chrollo's stiffness and called him. Chrollo, who was already easier to thaw, sat on a suitable piece of Stone Crushing, struck a thoughtful pose, called Shizuku and Pakunoda, and praised them, saying, "Not bad."

Of course, the two women didn't know what they were talking about, so not only were they not happy to be praised, but they were confused.

Chrollo ignored the confusion of the two, looked up at the ceiling, and mocked himself.

"I mean, I'm an idiot. Damn it... I did something wrong."

"Why did the boss and the boss's daughter come to Yorkshin? If I had noticed this point, I would have made contact with the Chain Bastard sooner...!!"

During their conversation, Chrollo finally realized that although he knew the Chain Bastard was "Kurta"... he was a person of the Kurta Tribe, he discovered information he hadn't noticed at all.

I should have noticed it sooner.

If it were for fortune-telling work, there would be no need to come all the way to Yorkshin, and it could be done without facing the target directly; even if it weren't Hunter territory, one could find them immediately.

A father who obtains current locations from his daughter's fortune-telling—I should have thought it unnatural for the Phantom Troupe that he would usually bring her to Yorkshin, as Yorkshin is a place where someone might very well target his daughter out of resentment.

A father cannot go against his daughter just because her ability allows her to climb to the top. So, even if I knew it was dangerous, if my daughter wanted to attend the Auction, I would take her along as she said, and if she said she wanted something, I would get it no matter how much it cost.

And what this young girl wanted was—

"This girl came to Yorkshin with her Bodyguards.

She was fully focused on her fortune-telling ability and didn't notice, but according to information on the website, this girl also has another face as a Human Collector."

If we speak of a "Human Collector," then what does the Chain Bastard want with the Nostrade family? It is obvious he belongs to...

"Human...!! Scarlet Eyes!"

"Oh. The Chain Bastard is in the Nostrade family; my entering this was not accidental because I knew in advance that the Scarlet Eyes would be exhibited at this Underground Auction, and Nostrade's daughter is precisely aiming for them.

The Chain Bastard has two goals. To take revenge on us, and to take back the eyes of our companions."

If their only goal were revenge, when the community abandoned the Phantom Troupe, even if they belonged to the Mafia, it would not be a backing, but a shackle limiting their actions; thus, it is possible the Chain Bastard has abandoned the Contract and is acting on his own, but if his goal is to "take back the eyes of his companions," the Chain Bastard would not leave the Nostrade family so easily.

It is certain that the Nostrade family should be bidding for the "Scarlet Eyes" for their daughter. Then there is no need to go to the Hunter website to check if the information has been updated, or to wait for an update.

If Kortopi's copy has the effect of a "Circle," then its function is the same as a transmitter.

Even without that Chain Bastard, there must be someone connected to that Chain Bastard, so I can at least determine his face and name.

I had Kortopi find out where the Scarlet Eyes are now; when I checked the map 2500 meters straight ahead from here, it was one of the residences studied by Shalnark and Uvogin, the Bechtacle Hotel.

According to Shalnark's research, the captain of Neon's Bodyguards who took the room, named Dalzollene, should have left the hotel immediately after rescuing Uvogin, but he likely changed to a room under another name.

It is much easier and faster than moving, and because it has a blind spot, it is rational, but when Chrollo was impressed, Nobunaga stepped forward to plead with Chrollo.

"Captain, let me go. Please."

"………………"

No matter how you look at it, Nobunaga has not given up on Uvogin's revenge.

Just as the Prophecy said, it chases the enemy and the shadow.

I don't know if the "I cannot see my enemy" and "surpassing the lost" in the Prophecy are metaphors or what they mean, but regardless, it is so narrow that you can feel the ending even without the Prophecy.

That is why I know I should say "no" here and order them to wait.

"…………It's fine."

However, Chrollo chose to respect Nobunaga's wishes.

Chrollo is the head of the Phantom Troupe, the Spider; he should live not as an individual, but as the Phantom Troupe, the Spider.

But the priority should be the Phantom Troupe, the Spider; even if it is just that, it cannot stifle the will and emotions of an "individual."

If other members of the Phantom Troupe who are involved also sincerely desire the same thing, then even more so.

"Instead, you are with me; I will not allow you to act alone.

And do not kill the Chain Bastard until the Prophecy is completely wrong and there is no more danger."

Sure enough, complete freedom of action was not allowed; when Chrollo insisted on the conditions and granted permission, Nobunaga looked Chrollo straight in the eye and also asked him.

"... No danger, what about after confirming the Prophecy is completely wrong?"

"Do as you wish."

Facing Chrollo's direct response, Nobunaga's face was filled with joy, and he shouted: "Understood!!"

Similar to Uvogin, Nobunaga, who seems like a simple Enhancer, would not forget the prophet's advice as long as there was food hanging over it, so Chrollo took action immediately.

"Pakunoda, Machi, Shizuku. Come with us."

"Okay."

In order to investigate the details of the whereabouts, the previously determined squad members were slightly modified, and the members to lead were determined; Chrollo announced.

"Then let's begin."

＊＊＊

Deepen your consciousness.

An act usually not performed intentionally or unintentionally.

I like to dream, but I don't like to fall into a Dream World.

Sora's sleep is usually very shallow because he knows that once he sinks, that place connects to that place, connects to the end, connects to the Abyss, connects to the origin, connects to the Root, connects to "".

With no one he can trust by his side, Sora cannot sleep deeply unless he feels a warmth he can count on to rouse him from the state of sinking.

But today, I deliberately sank my consciousness deep into it, even though I was so afraid that my tooth roots could not mesh with the fear of trauma.

To protect Sora, to protect Sora, it has a powerful ego, but it sealed that ego and sank into the person who continued to sleep.

"Grasp."

My own Pitch Darkness, the depths of the darkness.

When he sank into the pure psychological realm, Sora had already closed his eyes and blocked his ears, like a frightened child curled up into a fetus.

The darkness and silence are terrifying, but even if you open your eyes, even if you move your hands away from your ears, the darkness and silence continue.

In the darkness of the space, like the deep sea, where up and down are blurred, in that place where it seems about to melt into the darkness, I grab Sora's hand as if to prove "I am definitely here."

Do not let Sora fall to the furthest corner from which she escaped.

To protect herself, the Servant who stayed by my side even when I severed ties with the throne smiled a little awkwardly.

"……Karna."

Although we met last night, it has been four years since I last saw him since he hugged me from behind.

And he, this Heroic Spirit, it doesn't matter if he is 4 years old, 40 years old, or 400 years old.

For the first time in four years, nothing had changed, Sora said to his loyal and reliable partner, who greeted him with a sunny, clumsy, yet warm and gentle smile.

"Mr. Karna, do you prefer the throat flute or your stomach pit?"

"............ As long as there is no Yutian Pavilion, Master is benevolent. Regardless, I must ensure you are satisfied."

The reunion and conversation between the master and servant of Airbreaker began amidst Sora's anger and shame.

I did not write it in the text because I thought you could understand it using "telephone" and "Magic Bullet," but the second death Prophecy is Shalnark, and the third is Pakunoda. Shizuku has already escaped the death Prophecy, and Nobunaga has come in as a replacement.

Furthermore, in the Jump released on August 28, "Emperor Time" was depicted as an afterthought following the Yorknew version, but it is too late to change it now; if it is an afterthought, it ends up being "Emperor Time," which is an amazing cheating ability!! That is what I thought, so in my serialization, I will use the settings promised from the beginning. I have already explained the reason I made this promise.

In the work currently being serialized, creating such contradictions is a difficult point.

...... When will HxH collect hints in every sense?