Chapter 97: Incidents, Determination

Just before arriving at Lin Gong Airport, the Mobile Phone Pakunoda used to communicate with the Chain Bastard rang, and Pakunoda clicked her tongue as if she were being watched.

In fact, it was just like being watched.

Senritsu's Nen Ability was more convenient than I had imagined. Not only could he understand the other party's psychology from their heartbeat, but he could also tell where the other party was and what the surrounding environment was like from the noise on the phone; it was highly likely that he was being subjected to Harassment.

Realizing the situation had not yet reached its worst degree, Pakunoda felt even more frustrated, but the opponent she would have to face later, the Chain Bastard, could be a rival if she did not stay calm. I am not the other party, so I managed to calm myself down and picked up the phone.

"An airship is parked on Highway 3. After boarding, wait near the entrance."

Following the instructions, Pakunoda boarded the small airship alone, and the airship immediately lifted off the surface.

In the event that the pursuer was not listening to their communication, Pakunoda, after being reminded of the other party's situation and the disadvantages, could not stand it and clicked her tongue again.

"Confirmed. It is Phantom Troupe member Boyuetian."

The airship had no intention of going anywhere; it circled slowly above the airport while gaining altitude, reaching a height from which escape was impossible unless one possessed a teleportation system or the ability to fly oneself, and finally, he appeared.

Reading from her memory, a boy who had not yet entered puberty and whose features were not androgynous, dragging Chrollo, whose mouth was gagged by a chain—let alone any physical movement—walked calmly toward Pakunoda. He appeared in front.

"Of course," Pakunoda replied, as Kurapika bumped into Pakunoda's blind spot and glanced at the corner of the corridor.

Senritsu might be nearby. I probably heard about Pakunoda's Nen Ability from those children, but I was worried that the condition for reading was not "contacting the other party," and that I could get a little information just by looking at it, so I was cautious. I didn't want any more information to leak. It seemed she was being Hidden just in case.

An opponent as shrewd as possible would surely say "Ruby, Ruby," as he turned his scarlet eyes toward Pakunoda, telling us calmly and quietly.

"... I give the commander two conditions, and one condition for you. The Leader will release..."

Hearing this, Pakunoda showed a somewhat puzzled expression.

I had not yet heard of the important "conditions," so I could not say anything, but I still suspected that the "conditions" placed on me were fewer than I had imagined.

So I looked at the commander inadvertently, as if asking: "What does this mean?"

Pakunoda understood what those eyes were saying.

He said: "Kill me."

Of course, this was about the Chain Bastard, but Chrollo certainly included himself.

(Kill it! Pakunoda!! Kill me and this guy right now, even if it means we are Together!!)

Chrollo himself, including Pakunoda, understood why he wanted her to kill the chained Chain Bastard Kurapika, even if it meant sacrificing himself, but why did Chrollo want to kill him at this time and place? I don't understand what you are trying to do.

Although they were so obsessed, what shook their dominance the most was the awakening of the "Goddess of the Sky"... and the anger of Sora, so they chose to give her up. Also, although Nobunaga ordered Nobunaga not to interfere with this boy who had angered her until the crisis was completely over, Pakunoda still wondered why he had ordered him to be killed immediately; I could not understand it.

Knowing the content of the Prophecy, the relationship between Sora and Kurapika, and Kurapika's personality, Pakunoda hesitated and did not follow Chrollo's instructions, making the wrong decision and missing the opportunity.

"First, the conditions for your Leader. One, from now on, you will be forbidden from using your Nen Ability."

These two conditions. And to protect them, the rule's little finger chain, the "Judgment Chain," on the Leader.

Is it good or not... decide for yourself. Pakunoda."

Perhaps he did not realize that Pakunoda was puzzled by Chrollo's reaction, or perhaps he just noticed it, Kurapika calmly told Chrollo his own situation, while pinching the chain from his right hand to his little finger with his left hand, forcing Pakunoda to make a choice.

(Pride or resignation...)

The prophecy in my mind, my choices, revived.

I don't know if that prophecy is still for next week, or if it has been pushed to this moment.

However, Pakunoda thought it was time to make a choice, and then replied.

(--I'm sorry... Leader)

"Okay."

For Chrollo, this situation was the most humiliating thing he had ever known.

There was no need to think that accepting this condition was not "pride."

However, dying here without satisfying that condition was by no means "pride."

Even if the conditions were not met, Pakunoda and the Leader could do nothing.

If he refused the condition, he would easily be captured by other comrades who might be hiding inside this airship, such as the injured Pakunoda, who was not originally a combat member.

His goal was to take back the hostage, so even if he captured Pakunoda, he would not be killed.

Although the humiliation of the commander, Pakunoda, and the entire Phantom Troupe would only drag on, refusing had no pride, not even a sense of being neither humble nor arrogant. It was just foolish, a resignation to the future.

So Pakunoda endured the humiliation, apologized to the Leader over and over in her heart, and accepted Kurapika's conditions.

This situation was humiliating, but even so, if there was a "future," if there was a "future," we could recover.

Just because the Nen Ability was Sealed did not mean the Leader was powerless. I do not admit that I became the head by relying on this trick called Nen Ability.

Even if the connection with the members was blocked, anything could be done through non-members. I just wanted to show you something.

Knowing that Pakunoda's choice was nothing more than a clumsy "wandering," he never gave up and made his choice.

"... Really."

Kurapika's face, which had been expressionless like a doll, relaxed slightly.

It was not a mockery, nor a calm, disrespectful smile, but the kind of smile that one could not help but show in this situation.

And that numbness turned into a chill when seeing something incomprehensible.

"You are the one who got the premise wrong."

Saying this, Kurapika shot a chain with a blade toward Chrollo's heart, a smile on his face.

At that moment, the smile on his face was neither a joyful smile of revenge, nor a calm smile of overwhelming advantage, but the kindness toward Sora that Pakunoda had read in her memory. It was a smile.

With a sympathetic smile on his face, he planted a vicious blade into Chrollo's heart without hesitation, saying: "If you break the rules, you will die."

I remembered that figure who acted without hesitation, completely inconsistent with his expression.

Why was he Sora's anger?

Who is this boy?

This boy, Kurapika, was a family without blood ties, without paperwork, connected only by the desire for existence.

I remember he was the younger brother of the woman named Sora, who was destroyed by madness and kept alive by madness.

"You are next, Pakunoda."

Kurapika wore a gentle smile on his face as he pulled out Chrollo's heart, leaving a chain wrapped around it, ready to crush the heart with the Sword of Law at any moment.

I felt a madness similar to my sister's; she threatened with her own eyes, mocking how hopeless her vision was. A chill ran down her back, but Pakunoda still did not flinch.

I had no intention of giving up.

Even if the situation was dire, even if it was a struggle, Pakunoda had come here determined to retrieve the leader, so Pakunoda put strength into her high heels and faced Kurapika directly.

"I have only one condition for you.

Release Sora and Gon effortlessly before midnight tonight. I will explain how to deliver them later."

"............ Hmm?"

However, the passion I had poured in was interrupted.

The "condition" Kurapika calmly announced was so minimal that it probably didn't even need to be said.

Yet Kurapika retorted, "Do you have any dissatisfaction?"

Thus, before she knew it, Pakunoda asked, "... What are you planning?"

The plan itself was known, not even needing to be asked.

To take revenge for the massacre of all his fellow Kurta Tribe members five years ago. It went without saying that they would destroy themselves, the Phantom Troupe.

Even if it were him, his enemies, his companions, or his beloved Sora, no one could guarantee the specific method would be asked of him. Pakunoda thought, "I asked such a stupid question," and immediately regretted it. Kurapika answered without even thinking: betraying Pakunoda's prophecy.

"I don't have any plan. The only ending I truly want is for the two of them to return safely.

If the two of them return safely, knowing my face, name, and the weaknesses of my abilities, it wouldn't be too much to let them know."

I could say it once and for all, but of course, I didn't believe Pakunoda.

However, I couldn't help but believe the next line.

"That is why I won't stab you with a blade."

"Ha!?"

Hearing Kurapika's words again, I couldn't help but speak up.

But this time it wasn't just Pakunoda; it also came from behind Kurapika.

Since Senritsu knew beforehand what her heartbeat was going to say, it was highly likely that the man listening to the radio and the only child rescued, named Killua, had said it.

To Pakunoda, this number did not seem to be out of caution. Pakunoda did not use force, which was within my expectations, but Kurapika's answer was clearly beyond their expectations.

"Oh, sorry. I didn't explain."

Yet Kurapika had a suspicious look on his face, clearly saying he really felt bad, with friends scolding him from behind, "Don't be stupid!"

Nevertheless, he explained with a clear face devoid of any guilt why he hadn't stabbed Pakunoda with a chain like the captain, to prove he wasn't joking.

"There is no point in stabbing this woman with the condition 'do not reveal our information to anyone.' It should still have the ability to quickly convey past memories to the other party. Once this guy, the leader, confirms we are safe, I will use that ability, even if it means I have to give up my life, and entrust as much information as possible to someone in the Brigade.

So, I am sorry for you who are involved, but please be prepared for a certain amount of information leakage."

Kurapika inadvertently mentioned the existence of Pakunoda's trump card, "Memory Bomb," which even Nobunaga, who had associated with her for over 10 years, did not know, proving that Pakunoda was a star without losing her cool. I opened my eyes to do so.

However, the other party did not say it as a bluff to shake her spirit; he seemed to have been convinced long ago when he said this, indifferent to Pakunoda's reaction.

Instead, it was as if he had heard the voice in Pakunoda's heart and answered her question: "How did you know my secret?"

"The 11th Brigade, the Chain Bastard who killed Uvogin, not only you, but the two people acting with you also know it was Sora, right? One of them is a close friend of that person who wanted his image and wanted revenge so much that he wanted to recruit a child to join him.

Such a person, upon learning that Sora was his enemy, would never react so gloomily and depressed. It must be a miracle that I didn't kill her when I knew she was my enemy.

Because of her personality, like, 'Did you kill Uvogin?', he would immediately answer 'Yes,' so it's impossible he didn't know. However, when I thought about why he appeared depressed in front of his enemy, the most natural thing is that the information you gave him was much more accurate than what you could explain with your mouth.

... Even if said out loud, someone dominated by the eyes of revenge alone could not accept it. The fact that Uvogin died having fun from the bottom of his heart.

That is why he was sleepy, as if he had lost sight of his enemy, right? She was undoubtedly the enemy of her best friend, but after learning that her best friend did not die in the way she initially wanted to take revenge... she must have seen it too. The same as what Gon saw, but deeper in color.

Is it because he felt his best friend was very similar to his girlfriend, and he couldn't hate the person he hated most, so he ended up in that state?"

It doesn't matter; it was based on Nobunaga's appearance at the Hotel, the personality obtained from Gon and the others, the relationship with Uvogin, and Sora's personality, all of which he knew best, but Kurapika's story was just that, just a guess.

However, like Pakunoda, he had the ability to read other people's thoughts and memories.

Hearing about Uvogin's "death" from someone's mouth, although not directly involved, and far from being an accomplice, was extremely unpleasant.

However, Uvogin, as he said, read from Sora's memory that if he denied that he hadn't had fun, he would be so happy from the bottom of his heart that a ghost would crawl up from hell to attack him. Nothing could be said.

On the contrary, she gritted her teeth and glared at her; although she knew more about the boy in front of her than anyone else, she had misunderstood what a troublesome opponent he was.

Although I knew the opponent's brain speed and the ruthlessness of using any means to achieve his goal, I read the memory of someone who knew his weaknesses and immaturity like the back of his hand, so I might have been optimistic without knowing it.

His only and greatest flaw, his immaturity, even if he had so many plans, the emotional part showed at critical moments. The most hateful Brigade, we Pakunoda realized that he had high expectations for the weakness of not being able to keep calm because blood rushed to his head.

I don't know what happened to the boy in front of me, but he had already overcome his shortcomings and weaknesses.

Even in front of his most hated opponent, he did not remain composed; no matter how Pakunoda stared at him, he felt no hatred or guilt, and he smiled gently as if he were satisfied with this reaction.

I was not secretly happy about her anger. To him, the Brigade's anger, hatred, and sadness were insignificant.

The Phantom Troupe also had human "feelings" like his own, which made him incredibly happy.

He calmly, coldly, and ruthlessly understood that the Troupe had weaknesses like him, and there were gaps that could be exploited, and chuckled.

"I won't cut you.

Even if I stab you, if information is leaked to the Brigade in exchange for your death, it makes no sense.

You, a person with a cracked face, someone who knows a certain amount about your abilities, still catching a leg of the Spider as it is, rather than having a new member, might be more troublesome after you die, without information, so it is also easier to take measures. Leaking information is painful, but it is much better than not knowing the leak.

And, this guy, the leader, even if your ability is sealed, you are not allowed to contact your comrades; if you are still alive, even if it takes time, you will definitely be able to recover, and you cannot cut off your head."

The Brigade's most important Troupe, the Spider, Kurapika denying the rules and insulting the members who accepted the rules, made Pakunoda frown, but Kurapika still kept smiling, as if he had read her feelings again.

"I am not unaware of or disbelieving your rules, 'If it is to keep the Brigade alive, even cut off your head.'

However, the rules are contradictory. The person who makes the rules is the only one who can always follow them.

... The existence of the 'Phantom Troupe' should indeed be placed first, rather than individual life, but some giant spiders have eliminated this 'humanity.' This is your will as an individual 'human.' Decided to become. I don't understand, but because of this person... Chrollo Lucilfer is the head, you swore to follow this rule and become a leg of the Spider, right?"

In response to Pakunoda's question, "Why are you sure the leader won't abandon you?"

Kurapika glared at Chrollo's face, holding an impression of the emotional, shortsighted, foolish, and weak boy from Pakunoda's memories, but his scarlet eyes were not merely stained with hatred.

"You are not shortsighted, because you only see one goal. Rather, the further I look, the less I can see the Chrollo before my eyes."

Emotion and youth—that is why there was no hesitation.

He declared war on Chrollo with eyes full of a will that "would not lose," then turned his gaze toward Pakunoda.

With the Brigade before him, there was no hot blood in his head, for he could no longer see the Brigade.

He only saw what would happen after the Phantom Troupe no longer posed a threat to them, no matter what, by any means.

"Connecting you to the 'Phantom Troupe,' a shameless, impersonal organization, is the 'humanity' you hope to 'follow this person' with."

If there were a way to avoid cutting off your head, you would stick to it. If he were not interested in such a method, he would not have joined the Brigade in the first place, would he?

If there is a possibility that the Brigade would be at a disadvantage after losing its head, and if there is a chance to return by remaining silent, then some people respect this man's will and prioritize the rules. But... if you follow the quiet instructions, you will surely return; you wouldn't pretend to kill me, would you?

"Only those who do not understand their own value can sacrifice themselves for the rules they have set."

Pakunoda clearly understood why Chrollo told him, "Even if they are with you, kill them!"

Originally, he was naturally intelligent and did not feel like a teenager, but he did not suppress or truncate his weaknesses; instead, he tried to motivate himself by removing his youth. Part of it. I use it, and the light of reason will never dim.

Because he never discards his emotions, his humanity, he never lets go of any opportunity to utilize the Brigade.

If you discard your humanity, you cannot read the Brigade's actions.

Even though they cut off their heads for the sake of the Brigade's continuation, they cannot understand those seemingly contradictory and far-from-rational behaviors of continuing to hunt down the enemies of those heads to the ends of the earth; this is why they are tripped up.

But he, Kurapika, perfectly read and controlled the Phantom Troupe's actions.

He said this Phantom Troupe is not a bloodless heretical organization, but has a compassionate side, even if only among his comrades. Kurta Tribe, we did not turn to me!?', and because of the guilt of destroying the Brigade, he accepted the fact he wanted to turn a blind eye to, and utilized it.

"... So, this is enough. Rather than unwisely killing you and earning extra resentment, there will be people driven by shortsighted revenge who will find themselves in a situation they cannot abandon. Far. Chrollo, if you let this guy go, you will prioritize 'replacing the Leader' rather than countering and retaliating against us, so we can formulate measures to deal with the information leaked to you."

"This is the reason for the conditions I gave the commander, not imposing information restrictions on you, not placing restraints on you."

He, a boy named Kurapika, is just as the Leader feared. The Phantom Troupe Spider is the natural enemy.

Keeping the Leader alive is also governed by Pakunoda's heart. The little finger chain and Judgment Chain not piercing him is gratitude toward the Brigade, and easing his own guilt is not a weakness.

To achieve his own goal, safely retrieve the hostages Sora and Gon, and to buy time to formulate countermeasures against the weaknesses known to the Brigade, he groped for the best method and conditions, and executed them.

As he said, even for the hardliners like Phinks who tried to kill Sora or might follow him, if there were a way to "certainly" make him return, he would never take means that would let him die.

Even if their abilities are sealed, even if they are forbidden from contact, the commander will take action. The Phantom Troupe Spider deprives you of the choice to "cut off your head to save your life," limiting your actions.

Searching for the "abandoner," said to be harder than searching for exorcists, is a perfect mission to buy them time to plan their countermeasures.

Just because there is no information control, even if they go back and immediately talk about this condition and Kurapika's weakness, now that the commander has embedded the blade of vigilance, it is meaningless.

Due to the nature of "Nen," it is impossible to kill Kurapika. If he is killed, the Brigade's resentment and the will of the dead, "I will not let Sora interfere," will further strengthen the "Nen" on the commander, which is the only way to cancel it. Similar to Sora, but she, who killed her beloved, cannot untie that "thought."

If that is the case, if I had negotiated directly with Sora from the beginning saying "I will never interfere with you again," Sora would likely have understood better.

Blocked.

If Kurapika showed he wanted to kill as many Brigade members as possible, or blocked their abilities so they couldn't fight, and this became a long-term battle, it would be due to his own youth and lack of experience, and the gap in ability with other comrades, which could count on a chance to take advantage, but he wants nothing but hostages and time.

He did not give up, did not ask for more, so he did not give me time to think, nor did he walk into a position where I could interfere.

The initiative did not pass here.

If Pakunoda decided to follow Chrollo's orders and kill Kurapika at the cost of herself and Chrollo, he might not even share the pain.

The "Goddess of the Sky" that I fear has awakened, and I can see the Brigade will be destroyed.

Furthermore, Chrollo no longer gives such orders.

He knew Pakunoda had changed her mind; at this moment, Chrollo's heart was pierced by a sharp blade and locked Chrollo.

Those pitch-black, lightless eyes did not mean to blame Pakunoda for dancing in the enemy's hands.

This is why I do not lament that the situation is hopeless.

Chrollo seriously thinks he is not worthy of being a hostage. Honestly, I am really surprised that Pakunoda followed Kurapika's instructions and came alone.

But this does not mean he has suicidal tendencies.

If the hostage exchange is established as is, the Brigade's actions will be dedicated to "removing the 'memory' long placed on Chrollo." "Countermeasures," the Brigade, we cannot mess around; I was just brought into a 50/50 situation no different from the present.

If the Brigade did not fall into "annihilation" that should be avoided even if it meant sacrificing herself, Pakunoda, or others, if there is a future, Chrollo would not imitate his own death.

The reason I do not blame Pakunoda's choice is not because Kurapika sarcastically said, "I am a kind leader." This situation is certainly shameful, but Chrollo thinks choosing to die here is something to be proud of. Because there is none.

Of course, I have no intention of directly denying that I am the "coward" Kurapika told me about in the car, immature.

If there is a future, I will continue to fight.

Chrollo's gaze, staring straight at Pakunoda, is already looking at the future.

He ordered them to hurry back and end this farce; before Kurapika's side completes the countermeasures and overcomes their known weaknesses, they will find an exorcist and remove the "Nen" from their bodies.

Pakunoda, who understood enough of the meaning of the commander's gaze, was relieved; he did not choose to give up like himself, but chose to be their "head."

I thought I couldn't imitate choosing death, but the Phantom Troupe is a group created by Chrollo and led by Chrollo, but Chrollo never thought of becoming the "Leader"; after all, it is precisely because you know him so well, hmm, there is a part of you that is uneasy, is he not really going to throw away the "Leader" position? The doubt is cleared.

So Pakunoda finally answered.

"Okay."

He replied that he would accept the terms proposed by Kurapika.

Not surrender, but a declaration of war.

Before you show your fangs again, I will tell you, this time, I will try to kill you by removing the "consciousness" the leader gave you.

＊＊＊

"... That kind of nonsense often comes out of your mouth."

"What are you talking about?"

Seeing Pakunoda leave the airship to return, Killua looked sideways at Kurapika and said, but Kurapika didn't even look at him and answered calmly.

Killua and Leorio were annoyed with Kurapika, which reminded him of the Hunter Exam, or worse, he looked calmer than he did during the Hunter Exam, while Senritsu looked like she couldn't help but smile bitterly.

Kurapika is right by Chrollo's side; I know I shouldn't say it, but even if I don't say it, Kurapika's words and actions are very likely to have already let the other party know. Wanting to say it instead of enduring what he wants to say and accumulating pressure.

"You are Pakunoda," the reason your Judgment Chain did not pierce her is simply that you did not want to kill the other party.

"Yes. However, I don't think this is a scam. Everything I told Pakunoda is true. If the disadvantages of not killing her outweigh the disadvantages of killing her, I will kill her, so I have proven my personal wish. I am not doing this for your sake."

"I just didn't tell her the main reason why I didn't pierce her with the blade."

However, even if Kurapika's information were known to Chrollo, it would not be a problem; Killua's way of relieving stress ended in failure because he is not shy.

Killua hummed gloomily, while Leorio muttered "Explosion" at Kurapika's words, but seeing that he was not empty, truly relaxed, he also breathed a sigh of relief.

Moreover, since Senritsu understands Kurapika's psychology better than anyone else, perhaps even better than he does himself, I asked him what he had been suspicious of from the beginning.

"...... Kurapika. Why aren't you worried about Sora and Gon?"

Killua and Leorio widened their eyes at Senritsu's words, looking alternately at the questioning Senritsu and the questioned Kurapika.

"It's okay if you don't want to say it or can't say it right now," Senritsu added, but listened to his heartbeat for an answer.

Kurapika was not truly unconcerned about the two hostages. I knew painfully that he was genuinely worried about the safety of both of them.

But at the same time, when his anxiety reached its peak, he would place his hand on his Earrings to calm himself down.

At first, I thought she was calmly thinking about Sora, just like when we first met, but when I listened to her heart more carefully, it was very different from when I thought about Sora.

Or rather, I was certainly calm, but for some reason, I was simultaneously in a mysterious psychological state, and I was a bit angry.

So, compared to Killua's sarcasm, I felt that in a situation where Chrollo was by my side, I shouldn't ask this question, and even if I did, I wouldn't get an answer, but Kurapika answered it anyway.

Looking into the distance, there was still some annoyance in his heart.

"............ Yeah. Actually, I don't think the worst-case scenario will happen to the two of them."

"No, why are you able to come up with such an optimistic idea when you are already in a near-worst-case situation, Gon and you surrounded by the Phantom Troupe?"

This time, Killua asked honestly, rather than sarcastically.

Like me, he should be the cautious type, or the type that assumes the worst-case scenario first, but he believed there was no reason for him to think "the worst-case scenario is unlikely to happen" without any basis; no matter how he looked back on the past, nothing could make me believe in such hope.

If there was no special basis, because he was in a manic state in a sense after being blown away by various things, Killua thought he would hit him without hesitation because he had crossed a bridge that was too dangerous, even if the result turned out to be good.

However, whether it was lucky or not was a delicate point for Kurapika, let alone Killua, but there was a basis.

Kurapika looked further away and talked about the "foundation," and the heartbeat at that time made Senritsu unravel his own doubts.

"............ Sora has the strongest Bodyguard."

"Let me talk about the details later. But if it's his personality, he will definitely help Gon and Sora. So I am very sure the worst-case scenario will never happen."

"...... Teeth?"

Facing Kurapika's answer, Senritsu replied, "That Bodyguard had an accident...", guessing the reason for Kurapika's calm yet annoyed state. Their reactions were exactly the same, but it was clear the reason for the details I couldn't say was because I didn't want to provide more information to Chrollo next to me, so neither of them said much more, nor did they ask.

Instead, he said, "If it's true, why do you say that?!" I observed the situation.

Chrollo, who was also watching Kurapika, made eye contact with him, which made him feel uncomfortable, but his reaction convinced him that he knew of the existence of "Karna."

Sora barely remembered that exchange, but if Hisoka, Illumi, and Kalluto had encountered Karna, then it didn't seem wrong to think Chrollo would be informed of Karna's existence.

Killua's father and grandfather were Assassins gathered in the cemetery building as members of the Brigade, so even if Sora told him "Illumi and Kalluto were there," he would think it was an assistant to his father's work or something. I think he would, but if I were an assistant, I would be introduced to that place, so if I knew Chrollo and the others were still alive, Illumi and the others would rather be hired by the Brigade. Kurapika came to the idea of letting things take their course.

From his abilities I saw in the Hunter Exam, Illumi is definitely a Manipulation type.

He could create "puppets" that could speak and act according to the Phantom Troupe's convenience, rather than just killing Leader Ten-rou, so various parts like declaring the end of the war made sense.

Although it was only temporary, if his subordinate Hisoka and the Illumi he hired fought Karna, Kurapika thought one of them would report Karna's existence to Chrollo, so Kurapika answered Killua's question, intending to confirm it.

Even if he didn't know at all, information like "Sora has the strongest Bodyguard" was not a weakness. Impossible, or more accurately, they usually wouldn't think they were in a state that should be called "possessed," so it was convenient because they could warn them in the wrong direction.

If I knew, I would know; after all, the Phantom Troupe wouldn't get rid of Sora that easily.

Kurapika didn't know much about Karna's abilities, but what was certain was that he had the ability to deal with an Illumi who was enraged and seriously wanted to kill him without harming Illumi, so if Chrollo also knew this, even if it required several people, if we didn't have to mess with it, we shouldn't.

Since Sora collapsed due to lack of Qi, the Magic Aura was not lacking in seeds of anxiety, worrying about whether Karna could come out, and even if he did, how far he could fight, but at least the Brigade couldn't possibly have more information about Karna than I did. Also, even without Karna, Sora had many mysterious powers, so I thought the possibility of me messing with her was extremely low, so I guess that's why Kurapika didn't lose his cool.

Thus, Kurapika ignored Chrollo, who seemed to want to say something, and turned his face away.

Waiting for Chrollo to be allowed to speak, this man, in order to kill time and harass him, said: "That Bodyguard is Karna, and he revealed in front of his brother and Hisoka that Illumi is in love with Sora? Kurapika's judgment was correct." Mainly targeting Illumi and Killua.

Kurapika naturally didn't know he would be harassed by such an absurd thing, staring in the direction Pakunoda left, the direction she should have returned with the hostages, and muttered to himself.

"...... Anyway, wait for Boyuetian to contact the hostages to confirm their safety first."

"Well, as long as there are no unexpected situations, there shouldn't be any more problems."

Speaking of this, Kurapika envisioned some "unforeseeable situations," continuing to think about how to prevent them in advance and what to do if they really happened.

Even in this situation where almost everything went according to his calculations, he did not complacently stop thinking.

"The decision is like this," he continued to think, without determining the future.

...... However, even so, it was impossible to assume "unexpected situations," so a few hours later, you would be reminded that this was an "unexpected situation."

＊＊＊

"In this situation, do you think you will drink?"

Although it was somewhat expected, Pakunoda was still a bit puzzled when Phinks was angrier than he had expected.

Pakunoda returned to the hideout and fired Memory Bombs at all members, showing his interaction with Kurapika. At this time, they still misunderstood that Pakunoda would be manipulated by the chain bastard and attacked, but thanks to the Memory Bombs used on Nobunaga and Kortopi beforehand, the communication went smoothly.

And just like Pakunoda, almost everyone was immersed in the memories they were shot with, and they firmly believed they had no choice but to do what the chain bastard said, despite the bitterest expressions on their faces.

Like Pakunoda and the Leader, deciding to eliminate the Leader first, or Kurapika completing the response measures to the leaked information first, first come, first served, he approached the unbelievable exception while rolling his shoulders.

With a Nen user, the buttons couldn't move in an emergency, so after being entangled by a very thick chain, the chain was shot into a large piece of concrete and tied up, and Sora was still sleeping, just like Sora. Go.

"！What on earth are you doing!!"

Nobunaga unfolded a "Circle" and asked Phinks in an iai-nuki stance.

Not only Nobunaga, but Boyuetian also held a gun instead of a Memory Bomb to attack, and other members didn't openly intercept like the other two, but they were already prepared to act no matter what.

Gon knew Phinks wasn't approaching them for any reasonable purpose, but he was still confused by this exaggerated reaction.

However, when he was stopped by Nobunaga and turned around, that aura surrounded Phinks... when he noticed the aura around the right arm on his shoulder was strangely amplified, he realized the members' reaction was not exaggerated at all.

Phinks slowly turned around and responded casually, while ensuring his fist could hit anyone, and the aura emitted from his body amplified as he turned his shoulder.

"What will you do? Killing or you decided to go"

"Are you an idiot!? That kind of thing has no meaning; it's nothing but a reason for danger!! Or rather, if the Leader has already had a blade embedded, killing the Chain Bastard is the best retreat. I can't get it!!"

"What did you see in the memory Pakunoda shot!! Perhaps you are the only one who saw something completely different!?"

Nobunaga spoke on behalf of Phinks, as Phinks attempted to do something that could only be described as self-destructive rather than sharing the pain, but my line is that Phinks saw something different.

"If this woman is the Chain Bastard's weakness, then if I tell her I'm going to break her neck, she might just cancel the 'Nen' she put on the Leader!"

"I mean, why are you so wary of a woman who won't wake up even if you kill her? If you had used this guy as a shield from the start and watched a bit more, you wouldn't have had to keep getting hit actively!!"

At Phinks's insistence, some members—those who had never had a relationship with Sora, or those who had little relationship with him—felt satisfied with the "affirmation," while those who had had a relationship with Sora felt the opposite, wearing sour expressions as if they had a headache. Indeed.

It seems Phinks knew almost nothing about Sora, which is why he thought he had placed himself in such a disadvantageous position, as he overestimated the wariness toward her.

Of course, outside the scene, the defense against Sora was also too exaggerated. It would be fine if she were awake, but her aura was almost gone, she had fainted, and from a person's perspective, having this woman say, "I'm already out of aura, I can't do anything," is just too stupid.

It is undeniable that Sora's abilities and actions were too crazy to overestimate, but even so, considering the number of things he had actually done, Pakunoda and the others felt there was no harm in being overly cautious.

However, those who remained wary of Sora, those who said, "I don't know what they are going to do, it's unfathomable," could not understand unless they had truly seen and experienced it. We know very well.

This is completely unreasonable. Instinct calls out.

This is why Pakunoda thought of shooting the memory of the fatal battle with Uvogin, and the threat of blinding herself when he grabbed her, but deemed it meaningless and gave up.

The memories Pakunoda read were raw memories that could not be forged, because they were just extremely accurate information, so when you are hit, what you feel is not the emotions of the memory owner, but what the person being hit generates themselves.

If you shot Phinks with a memory showing Sora's abnormality, he might understand her abnormality and danger, but what Pakunoda and the others wanted to convey most might not convey anything at all. Instead, because he knows the danger, he views the weak present as the greatest opportunity, and he can see the conclusion that he will exhaust it and kill him.

Therefore, Shalnark, who was particularly wary of Sora, and Pakunoda, who understood Sora as both reason and information, tried to persuade Phinks with words.

But if Phinks thinks the wariness of Sora is exaggerated, then they know the greatest opportunity—the Chain Bastard's face, name, ability, weakness, and their current location—and we think missing the greatest opportunity to have a weakness is stupider than the weakness of "death" being easier to use, so we couldn't think of any convincing words.

If Sora were used as a shield instead of a hostage and taken to Kurapika, it is highly likely the Leader would be sacrificed, but conversely, it is highly likely he would be the only victim.

Considering the danger that if I let the Chain Bastard escape and give him time to resolve the situation, the Brigade would be wiped out this time, everyone knows it is best to kill the Chain Bastard and Sora right here without even thinking about it.

This is why Feitan, who was relatively wary of Sora, agreed with Phinks, and because Nobunaga was also "hesitant" about Sora, the Brigade decided to "kill" Sora if possible now. I don't understand the position without iai, but I won't even try to persuade Phinks.

"............ Don't be stupid."

As the other members began to lose their way, the murmurs caused by the confusion subsided for a moment, the words filled with quiet anger.

"... Kurapika said that if he brought us here, he would return the Leader, but he managed to bring Pakunoda back, and you are using Sora to deceive Kurapika, threatening him, and you want to kill?"

"Even if it's someone you truly hate, you tried to faithfully return Kurapika, but you would kill them both, ignoring the feelings of the Leader and those who absolutely want him back!?"

Gon held Sora from the start, glaring at Phinks, shouting with a firm will, never letting anyone in the Phantom Troupe touch a finger, repelling any killing intent directed at him.

Pakunoda shot the members with a Memory Bomb, but not Gon.

I haven't provided any information to Gon yet; that shrewd Chain Bastard might have hinted at something in his words, just as he did when he successfully kidnapped the Leader. However, he seems to have grasped some situation from his conversations with the members, and is angry at the intention to kill Kurapika and Sora, who do not accept conditions that would not be extremely disadvantageous even to the Phantom Troupe side.

Startled for a moment by Gon's sudden sword, Phinks let out an annoyed snort, spitting out: "Shut up, brat! Are you in such a hurry to save your life?" I tore off the binding chains.

He didn't use aura to strengthen his muscles, but destroyed them with innate strength, yet he still didn't let go of Sora's hand, with a body smaller than Sora's, as if protecting him, Gon shouted again.

"That's not what I said myself! Cancel it!"

Anyone can understand, except for those who haven't seen it from the beginning when they started licking it since they were little.

In Gon's eyes, from the beginning, there was no worry or fear of being killed. The light in his eyes now was pure anger, not a bluff to suppress his fear of death.

"... You know why Kurapika hates you, you know how important Sora is to Kurapika... but you don't even know Kurapika's thoughts on keeping the Leader!?"

"Kurapika is! He is trying to save me and Sora, but to save us, you say you will return the person you hate most, so you won't do anything to us! If you do this, you believe you will repay us and try to show your sincerity, but you haven't betrayed Kurapika's sincerity and trampled on it, even letting your Leader die!? Is this trampling on the feelings of a comrade who wants to help the Leader!?"

"So, without a hostage, not knowing Kurapika's weakness, how can he fight!? You can't match Kurapika or Sora head-on, so you are doing something like this!?"

"Coward!!"

Gon's eyes were filled with tears, biting his lip in anger and frustration, because he couldn't express Kurapika's sincerity, which he must have chosen out of blood, but most of Gon's words didn't grasp the point.

Kurapika's "sincerity," in Gon's eyes, might be real, but from the Brigade's perspective, that doesn't count for anything. It seems they are using the humanity that prompted them to decide to become members of the spiders known as the "Phantom Troupe," because they cannot let go.

It is precisely because they don't know what kind of group the "Phantom Troupe" is that they let the Leader die and trample on the feelings of their comrades.

Phinks never wanted to abandon the Leader or kill him.

When discussing whether to pursue Boyuetian, it wasn't that I didn't understand Nobunaga and Machi's feelings. On the contrary, he didn't trust Kurapika at all, and because he was afraid of being lured one by one and killed, he tried hard to follow the Leader, knowing there was a danger of being killed. There was no reason for the Leader and his friends not to be important.

However, if Kurapika continues to take the initiative, even if they release the Leader, they will still fall into the other party's hands.

It seems their demise is just a matter of time, so I decided to become a member of the spiders, "I want to follow you," is meaningless.

Most of Gon's words were inappropriate, bordering on accusation.

--But

"Phinks."

Franklin called out softly:

"Stop. You're right. Let me go."

"What... what are you talking about!?"

I don't agree with Phinks's opinion, but I didn't oppose it either. Franklin couldn't believe what he said, with a slight look on his face. He asked.

"Phinks. The worst thing for us is not that the Leader is dead, nor that the spider's legs were cut in half as predicted, nor that the information we struggled to obtain after being escaped by these guys became useless because the countermeasures were taken away."

"The worst thing for us is that we are annihilated; the Phantom Troupe spiders are dead."

"... That's right. That's why you said you wanted to smell it here, the Chain Bastard, this woman, and all the kids in the way!"

"If you don't do it now, the Phantom Troupe spiders die?"

Addressing Phinks's question, Franklin reiterated what the absolute rule of the Phantom Troupe was for, and what the worst thing for the Phantom Troupe was.

Franklin answered that angry voice straightforwardly.

After being asked back, Phinks was dumbfounded. It wasn't just Phinks; most of the Phantom Troupe stared with wide eyes, as if they didn't quite understand the meaning of Franklin's line.

"Phinks. Just like you said, if you leave the Chain Bastard and those two alone, they will kill us someday. The Phantom Troupe spiders are natural enemies."

"But 'now,' must I kill him? Is the Phantom Troupe spider situation a fatal despair? You're wrong. Even if the conditions the Chain Bastard told Pakunoda were all lies and traps, if only Pakunoda takes hostages, the only sacrifices are the Leader and Pakunoda."

"If it's a trap, replenish the missing members and try again. I hope I can save power for the Phantom Troupe spiders. It's just that we don't have to look for abolitionists, so maybe this is more convenient for us."

"What you are trying to do might be the fastest and correct thing. But if it goes on like this, those who are unconvinced will not cooperate with you. Even if you force them to cooperate, they won't cooperate well, and if it becomes unnecessarily complicated, the Brigade might decisively disintegrate."

Under these circumstances, it is best to postpone the question. If it is a trap, those who do not agree with your opinion will not complain next time; if it is not a trap, the situation is 50/50. Now is the time to outsmart the chain bastard.

... Most importantly, Phinks. If he cannot save him by taking risks and being prepared to sacrifice, is our leader now an unreliable opponent?

Just as this child said, are we cowards, or are we cowards who cannot fight unless we have hostages and know our own weaknesses?"

Speaking of this, Phinks finally understood why Franklin affirmed Gon's words and clicked his tongue in embarrassment.

Most of what Gon said was irrelevant, but one thing was right.

If there is no hostage, and if the hostage is not weakened by weaknesses, are you a coward who cannot fight without knowing the opponent's weaknesses? The word is correct.

At this point in time, under these circumstances, insisting on killing Kurapika is equivalent to affirming Gon's question.

No one in the Phantom Troupe is interested in "fairness and justice." If it is for the sake of the goal, I will not choose the means.

However, I must choose a method for this.

Even if they are given the conditions to safely release the commander, and the possibility of it being a trap is low, it is still the commander taking the risk, using the most cowardly means to try to kill Kurapika. In this way, it is equivalent to saying that there will be no chance to kill Kurapika and Sora and the others in the future.

If this moment is missed, it is equivalent to saying that I have no confidence in killing Kurapika and the others.

Not only themselves, but even the commander, and the Phantom Troupe itself, are being looked down upon too much, and it is too insulting.

As the hot blood boiled in our brains, I could not stand the hostage ace being thrown into the sewer, or letting go according to the chain bastard's calculations, so when Pakunoda went to the chain bastard alone, I stopped them. It seems that Phinks finally realized that he had made a proposal that insulted the Phantom Troupe more than Nobunaga and Machi, which was the result of infighting and was close to the Phantom Troupe's greatest betrayal.

Hearing Franklin's words, Feitan, who agreed with Phinks' opinion, seemed a bit dissatisfied but still backed down, and the other hesitant people also agreed to follow Kurapika's instructions again.

"Yes.

Pakunoda, who finally reached a consensus, breathed a sigh of relief, realized there would be a problem, and frowned in front of Gon, who was holding Sora.

Pakunoda did not know how to transport this woman who was sleeping like a doll, motionless like a corpse.

"I'll carry you!"

"I would be grateful if you could do that, but this girl is much taller than you, so even if you use 'Ken' to hide her presence, you will be in trouble if someone with intuition discovers you. It's broken, I can't even carry her on my back..."

Guessing what Pakunoda was worried about, Gon hugged Sora tightly as if to protect her, but was rebuked as "impossible."

As for the others, as long as they bring Gon and Sora at the agreed time, and there is still spare time, perhaps it is the recoil of being nervous until now. "Then why don't you put it on top?"

Pakunoda asked me to take things seriously instead of being rude, but before that, she said something.

"No problem."

A majestic voice rang out in the hideout.

As soon as the words fell, the motionless Sora's hands also moved, touching the hands of Gon who was holding her, and she said gently again.

"It's okay. 【Garbled text】"

After waking up, her voice was not even hoarse, but the incomprehensible lines made Phinks and Feitan very angry, and Franklin and Bonolenov were also surprised.

Nobunaga, Shizuku, and Kortopi were stuck in the corner of their heads. It was just that he couldn't even grasp the source of the discomfort, let alone the origin, and just tilted his head slightly.

The complexions of Shalnark, Pakunoda, and Machi all changed.

I don't know what the chill rising from my back is. But my intuition attracted me.

I was just afraid of "that."

Then... Illumi, disguised as Hisoka, swallowed this sound.

The swallowed words will not be digested. In my chest, it amplifies further.

Then Gon... trembling, put his hands together, with a blank face, as if he had seen something he did not understand, the fear that had not been shown for the few hours he had been held hostage was dyed red by the overwhelming powerhouses around him, his face was heavy, and his lips trembled as he asked the man in his arms.

"---Who?"

"She" smiled and stood up from Gon's arms and left.

Soft as a flower.

Shining like a star.

Beautiful as the moon.

Luxurious as a Jewel.

Fleeting as spring cherry blossoms.

Clear as the summer blue sky.

Calm as autumn leaves.

Brilliant as winter snow.

It was a smile, as if all the beautiful things in the world, especially things that can be compared to women.

She smiled gracefully and elegantly in a way that would be considered "feminine" and "more popular as a woman" in any cultural field.

That smile looked like the innocence of a little girl, and also like the smile of a beautiful old woman, old just right, missing something.

I turned that smile toward Gon.

More feminine than anyone else, with a beautiful smile.

Like a flower,

Like a star,

Like the moon,

Like a Jewel,

Like spring cherry blossoms,

In the summer blue sky,

In the autumn fallen leaves,

Although like winter snow,

"She" seemed to see all the filth, rot, brokenness, theft, loss, and death, her eyes full of helplessness and despair, and the beautiful colors of the sky.

"First eye Devil death hand."

The Spider's four limbs will be half-severed by the cyan warrior, but

your Paper hegemony will not be shaken

, unless the Goddess of the Sky awakens.