Kurapika's grip tightened on the phone as he read Hisoka's message. Beneath his colored contact lenses, his scarlet eyes burned with intensity.
"The corpse is fake."
At the base, Hisoka, lounging like a relaxed predator, casually sent the brief message to Kurapika after answering Chrollo's question. For now, he played the role of the quiet, enigmatic figure, masking his ever-present anticipation.
He wouldn't let Kurapika abandon his path of vengeance so easily. Hisoka was eagerly waiting for their inevitable clash with Chrollo, craving the thrill of that battle.
"Through the setup with that 'anti-cross' guy, I'll finally get Chrollo alone. Alone... just the two of us… Hehehe. Chrollo, how could I pass up the chance to fight you?!"
As he shuffled a deck of cards in his hands, Hisoka's twisted grin deepened, recalling his personal fortune-telling and the fight that awaited. The mere thought of their duel sent a shiver of ecstasy through him.
Though Hisoka reveled in his fantasies, whether or not he'd actually get that fight was another matter.
Ronnel, observing Hisoka's unmistakable expression, smirked faintly.
Chrollo, meanwhile, deliberated on the answers given and decided they'd stay put for now. To uncover Kurapika's next move and provoke a confrontation, he opted to split their group for efficiency.
Before setting out, Chrollo turned toward Ronnel.
"Ronnel, those two kids we captured earlier—Gon and Killua—they're important to Kurapika, aren't they?"
At the mention of Gon and Killua, Nobunaga stiffened momentarily before turning away. He sat down with a deflated sigh, a far cry from the fierce determination he'd shown moments ago.
"Yeah," Ronnel confirmed, his tone neutral. "Not just because of their own backgrounds, but also due to their bond with Kurapika. They're pretty close."
"I see…" Chrollo covered his mouth, deep in thought.
Pakunoda stepped forward. "Leader, based on their memories, that spiky-haired boy—Gon—met Kurapika even before the Hunter Exam, back in January. The Zoldyck kid joined them during the exam."
"So, they've only known each other for a few months," Chrollo mused. "Ronnel, Pakunoda, what's Kurapika like?"
"Very calm, meticulous, and rational," Pakunoda replied, with Ronnel nodding in agreement.
Chrollo's eyes gleamed as he pondered aloud:
"If Kurapika values logic and vengeance so highly, then here's the question: if forced to choose between saving those kids and killing us, which would he prioritize?"
"His enemy," Feitan answered flatly, not even looking up from his book.
"Enemy," Phinks echoed, arms crossed.
"It depends," Franklin offered. "While I'd normally choose the enemy, special circumstances could shift things."
"For me, it's like choosing between the enemy and a troupe member," Shalnark added. "Ideally, I'd save my comrade first and deal with the enemy after."
Even Feitan shrugged. "Sure, but if it's one or the other, the enemy comes first."
Ronnel raised an eyebrow, smirking slightly. "Feitan, what if it were Phinks instead of just anyone?"
"Still the enemy." Feitan's response was immediate. He glanced at Phinks and then back at Ronnel.
Phinks threw his hands up with a grin. "Yeah, yeah, I figured as much. Not that I'd pick any differently."
Chrollo's lips curved upward as he observed the consistency in their reasoning. "Then, it seems Kurapika would also prioritize his vengeance. He wouldn't risk sparing us, no matter the cost to his companions. After all, a grudge like his isn't so easily set aside."
Machi, standing quietly to the side, frowned. Something about the conclusion didn't sit well with her, but she couldn't pinpoint why.
Chrollo continued his analysis, his voice calm and precise:
"So even if we capture those two kids, it won't amount to much. On one hand, their influential families limit how far we can go. On the other, Kurapika likely doesn't value them enough to halt his pursuit of revenge."
Pakunoda nodded thoughtfully. "Leader, when I searched their memories, I didn't find anything about Kurapika's Nen abilities."
Chrollo nodded. "That's likely because Kurapika deliberately kept his powers hidden from them. It aligns with someone who prioritizes his mission over his teammates."
Of course, the truth was that Kurapika had kept Gon and Killua in the dark out of a desire to protect them. But the Phantom Troupe didn't see it that way.
"So what if those two brats help Kurapika again?" Feitan asked, his tone casual.
Chrollo's gaze darkened. "If their parents sent them out into the world, they've tacitly accepted the risks. As long as we don't kill them, do whatever you want."
"Can I cut off their limbs?" Feitan inquired with a devilish grin.
"Do as you please, just don't kill them," Chrollo replied without a flicker of emotion.
"Understood," Feitan muttered, turning back to his book.
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