Nobunaga glanced back at Bonolenov, whose face was tightly wrapped in bandages. Despite the bandages, it was obvious from his posture that he was trying to stifle a laugh. Nobunaga shot him a warning look that said clearly: If you dare to laugh out loud, you'll regret it.
Meanwhile, Hisoka, who had already laughed his fill earlier, had lost interest in the situation. He was now fully engrossed in shuffling and dealing his poker cards, a sly smirk playing on his lips.
Ronnel trailed behind the group, observing the subtle dynamics at play. He knew Nobunaga, ever the straightforward Enhancer, had likely been duped by Gon and Killua. He couldn't help but chuckle to himself, though he kept his amusement well hidden.
The escape of Gon and Killua had left a bitter taste in the air, casting a shadow over the Phantom Troupe's latest operation. While most of the members found the setback irritating but manageable, what happened next left everyone utterly stunned.
Just as Pakunoda and the others were coming to terms with the embarrassment of their failure, Chrollo returned.
"Boss, what the hell happened to you?!"
Phinks was the first to react, rubbing his eyes in disbelief as if to confirm what he was seeing.
The rest of the Troupe froze, each processing the sight of their leader differently. Franklin and Shalnark exchanged grim looks, while Pakunoda's expression was filled with concern. Feitan narrowed his eyes suspiciously, and Nobunaga's shock was written plainly across his face.
Chrollo stood before them, his usual calm aura intact despite his disheveled appearance. One arm hung limp at his side—severed and hastily reattached. For a leader known not only for his strategic brilliance but also for his formidable strength, it was almost unthinkable for him to be injured in this way.
"It's nothing serious," Chrollo said, his tone casual, though he must have anticipated their reactions. "I ran into someone... difficult."
His gaze shifted to Machi, who was already stepping forward, threading a needle with practiced ease.
"Machi, could you sew this back properly?"
Without a word, Machi got to work, her focus unwavering.
"Who was it?" Hisoka's voice broke the heavy silence, drawing everyone's attention. His tone was unreadable, but the playful gleam in his eyes betrayed his intrigue. "Who could've done this to you?"
The others, even Nobunaga, stayed silent, letting Hisoka ask the question that lingered in their minds.
"A hitman hired by the Ten Dons," Chrollo replied evenly. "He was skilled—on par with the head of the Zoldyck family, perhaps even more versatile. He used multiple forms of Nen, including clones, flight, muskets, and a cutting technique."
The Troupe members exchanged uneasy glances as Chrollo continued.
"The world is vast, full of unknown threats and abilities. Encounters like these are bound to happen. Next time, we'll simply approach with more caution."
Chrollo's composure and acceptance of the incident were characteristic of him. Despite his criminal nature, he had always maintained a certain reverence for the unknown and the limitless possibilities of Nen.
Ronnel observed Chrollo quietly, admiring his leader's ability to remain unshaken even in the face of such a challenge.
"Leader, what did he look like? Did he have a name?" Hisoka pressed, licking his lips as curiosity burned in his eyes.
"He wore a human skin mask," Chrollo said, thinking back. "His appearance was unclear, but he was dressed in a bodyguard's suit—likely hired by a powerful family."
"...Multiple Nen abilities," Shalnark muttered, his brows furrowing.
"It's done," Machi announced, biting off the thread and stepping back.
"Thank you," Chrollo said, testing the motion of his reattached arm. Satisfied, he addressed the group. "Despite the setback, the mission was a success. We achieved all our objectives."
Shalnark's eyes lit up. "You mean you've obtained the Nostrade Family's divination ability?"
Chrollo gave a slight nod, which was all the confirmation they needed.
"Perfect!" Nobunaga bellowed. "Now we can deal with the traitor properly!" His gaze shifted to Hisoka, who remained perched above them, seemingly indifferent.
Without another word, Chrollo took out a pen and paper, activating his Nen ability to write prophetic verses.
"Ronnel, what's your date of birth?" Chrollo asked, preparing to write.
Nen Ability: Lovely Ghostwriter
Effect: Predicts future events in poetic form.
Conditions: Requires the target's name, birth date, and blood type. The user cannot view their own predictions.
------------
+250 chapters on patreon.com/FanficsHub