If I didn't know you both so well, I might have jumped to conclusions—thinking you were conspiring to set something up for Gon and Killua.
First Ging Freecss, and now Milluki Zoldyck.
What a coincidence.
Ronnel was slightly emotional, and the expressions of the other members of the Phantom Troupe grew stranger. After learning who was on the other end of the phone, the room fell into a tense silence.
Even Chrollo didn't know what to say or think for a moment.
The group remained as they were, silently watching Ronnel talk on the phone.
In a well-known teppanyaki restaurant in Yorknew City—
"Ka~!"
Milluki Zoldyck shoved a fatty piece of meat into his mouth, chewed loudly, and then spoke into the phone, still chewing:
"Just call me Milluki.
Ickshonpe and I are friends, you see. I have some matters I'd like him to help with, but he's tied up right now. So he recommended you to me.
When do you have time? Let's meet, have a meal, and get to know each other better.
"You still there?"
"…Yeah, I'm here."
"Haha! Great! So, when are you free?"
"It might take a few days—I'm in the middle of something I can't put off right now."
"Ah, no problem! I'm free until the Auction begins, so just give me a call when you're done. Oh, and Yorknew City's food is amazing! I've already found tons of good spots. Dinner's on me, hahaha!"
As he talked, Milluki began drooling, the saliva dripping onto the sizzling hot iron plate, releasing a plume of steam.
"Well," Ronnel muttered as he hung up the phone, "it has nothing to do with Killua. That silver-haired brat's brother was the one who called me. Just like Ging, he's looking for my help."
"Is that so?"
The others listened to Ronnel's explanation, still skeptical. They couldn't help but feel a strange, indescribable tension.
But seasoned as they were, the Troupe wouldn't be rattled by a couple of phone calls.
Chrollo quickly moved on to business. "Kortopi, Pakunoda, and Machi—you'll join me for the next operation."
Kortopi, with his ability to predict outcomes, was essential. Pakunoda's memory-reading Nen and Machi's supportive combat skills rounded out the team.
"Shalnark," Chrollo continued, "I'll describe the appearance and attire of the Nen user who possesses multiple abilities. See if you can determine whether they're affiliated with any of the mafia families or bodyguard groups."
"Understood!" Shalnark replied cheerfully.
Nobunaga, however, stepped forward, looking agitated. "Leader, let me go, too! I'll find that chain-wielding bastard myself!"
Spittle flew from his mouth as he leaned closer to Chrollo.
"He killed Uvogin—I have to take him down with my own hands!"
Chrollo calmly sidestepped the spray and nodded, his expression briefly clouded with melancholy at the memory of their fallen comrade.
"All right. But you're too impulsive to go alone. Take a partner with you."
Nobunaga hesitated, then turned toward Ronnel. "Ronnel! You're sharp—come with me! You'll be a big help!"
"Sure," Ronnel replied with a faint smile, a glint of something unreadable in his eyes.
As the Troupe rested and recuperated in the abandoned building, outside, Killua stood beneath the drizzle.
His dark gray raincoat clung to him as he surveyed the area, his face shadowed by unease.
"Is it just me," he murmured, "or have these buildings multiplied?"
The scattered structures seemed out of place. Killua suspected it was a form of concealment or Nen camouflage.
"Can't sense what's inside, but if I keep an eye on the entrances, I'll see them as soon as they come out," he reasoned.
At that moment, his phone rang. Glancing at the screen, Killua answered, meeting Melody shortly after.
Elsewhere, Kurapika, Leorio, and Gon were deep in discussion.
"Killua mentioned the enemy has a memory-reading Nen user," Gon explained. "If they accessed memories about Kurapika, then Leorio's involvement might also be known."
"In that case, Leorio, you'd better avoid appearing in front of the Phantom Troupe," Kurapika said firmly.
"Eh? Then who'll act as backup if things go south?" Leorio asked, gripping the steering wheel with a worried expression.
"Don't worry," Gon reassured him. "I've got someone reliable. I'll share their contact info—they can help if things take a turn."
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