Even though he wasn't under direct attack, Ronnel felt uneasy.
"The champion of the Battle Olympia... Is this the extent of his strength?! His Nen is terrifying, and his physical power is equally impressive. Even the other members of the Phantom Troupe, including that short one in the skull cape, don't stand a chance against Ronnel!"
Killua's evaluation was immediate and sharp.
Feitan, the short Troupe member in question, was bearing the brunt of Ronnel's overwhelming aura. He could feel it acutely, and he knew—this wasn't a fight he could win.
The moment Ronnel's aura flared, Feitan realized he was outmatched. If they clashed again, the outcome would remain the same.
Whether it was Nen mastery or raw power, Feitan was completely outclassed.
This bitter realization filled him with both frustration and helplessness.
"Is this man... unstoppable?!"
Noticing the unwillingness burning in Feitan's eyes, Ronnel's gaze sharpened momentarily.
What he had displayed so far wasn't even his full strength—only about 70% to 80% of his true capabilities. Holding back was intentional, everyone needed a trump card, after all.
Ronnel's power had surged dramatically since his fight with Feitan in the Republic of Padokea. He had absorbed the Nen of enemies such as Uvogin and several Shadow Beasts, as well as various gangsters and assassins. The experience and enhancements provided by his Nen ability, Upgrade Game, had pushed him far beyond his previous limits.
Even with Feitan's own rigorous training during that time, Ronnel's growth had left him far behind.
This difference was now unmistakable to everyone in the Phantom Troupe.
Feitan's grip tightened on his umbrella sword, his knuckles whitening.
"No! I still have my trump card—Pain Packer: Rising Sun! If I unleash it, I'll win! He won't be able to withstand it. I'm sure of it!"
In Feitan's desperate eyes, a glimmer of hope reignited.
His Nen ability, Pain Packer, created a miniature sun fueled by his emotions and the pain he endured during battle. When unleashed, the blistering heat incinerated everything around him, leaving only destruction in its wake. To protect himself, Feitan would manifest a protective suit using Nen.
However, activating Pain Packer came at a steep cost. Feitan needed to lose himself in rage or other strong emotions, reverting to his native language as his power escalated.
Confident in the move's destructive force, Feitan was certain he could defeat Ronnel—if he got the chance to use it.
"Alright! That's enough! Have you had enough trouble already?!"
Franklin's booming voice interrupted the tension, drawing everyone's attention.
"The leader's rescue is our priority right now! Everything else comes after. And besides, Ronnel, Machi, and Pakunoda haven't been brainwashed. Can we all agree on that?"
Shalnark and Phinks exchanged glances before shaking their heads.
"Brainwashed? That's ridiculous. Look at him," Shalnark said, gesturing toward Ronnel. "If someone as strong as Ronnel was brainwashed, we'd already be dead, or at least in pretty bad shape."
Phinks nodded in agreement. "There's no way Kurapika could pull that off. If he tried to ambush us, Ronnel would've taken him out before we even knew what hit us."
Feitan growled under his breath but reluctantly lowered his umbrella sword. His frustration remained, but he acknowledged Franklin's authority.
Ronnel, too, dissipated the aura that had been radiating off him. The oppressive atmosphere eased, and the tension in the room gradually subsided.
Franklin turned back to Ronnel. "Alright. Let's focus. What's your take on rescuing Chrollo?"
The rest of the Troupe turned toward Ronnel. His words carried weight, his strength had earned him an undeniable position of influence within their ranks.
Machi and Pakunoda shared a glance, hope flickering in their eyes. They believed Ronnel supported their plan to exchange Gon and Killua for Chrollo's freedom.
Ronnel nodded slightly. "I agree with Pakunoda. Using the hostages to negotiate is our best option."
Phinks frowned, clenching his fists. "Why?"
"Because it minimizes risks and potential losses," Ronnel replied calmly.
"Think about it. We have two choices: follow Kurapika's terms and exchange the hostages, or try to locate him ourselves and rescue Chrollo by force. When you compare the risks and outcomes of these options, the answer is clear."
Franklin crossed his arms, nodding thoughtfully. "I see. So you're saying we need to prioritize results over pride?"
"Exactly," Ronnel affirmed. "We aren't in a life-or-death situation as a group. The leader's safety should take precedence."
The room fell silent as the Troupe members considered Ronnel's reasoning.
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