"Hisoka, would you consider working with me?"
Kurapika hesitated, uncertainty clear in his voice.
Hisoka is far stronger than me...
And more than that, there was something deeply unsettling about him.
They had crossed paths. The power Hisoka displayed left Kurapika feeling utterly powerless.
Not to mention, Hisoka's demeanor was anything but normal.
Could he really be trusted as an ally?
"It's up to you to decide," Kaizen said. "At the very least, Hisoka is strong. And he doesn't seem to have any killing intent toward you. His interests lie elsewhere."
Kurapika fell silent for a moment before nodding.
"Alright, Kaizen. Thanks."
...
Night fell.
Kurapika left his room and made his way toward Hisoka, who watched him approach with an amused glint in his eyes.
"Hisoka."
"Hmm? What is it?"
"I want to talk about the Phantom Troupe."
Hisoka squinted, studying Kurapika for a few moments. Then, a smirk tugged at his lips.
"Kaizen told you, didn't he?" Hisoka mused. "It doesn't really matter."
Kurapika appreciated Kaizen's help in opening this path, but he didn't want to drag him into it.
Hisoka shrugged. "Come with me."
He led Kurapika to a secluded corner where no one was around.
"So, what exactly did Kaizen tell you?" Hisoka asked, idly shuffling a deck of cards. "That I'm a member of the Phantom Troupe? That you should take revenge on me? Or did he tell you the truth—that I'm just pretending to be one?"
Kurapika's expression must have given him the answer.
"Ah. The last one, then," Hisoka said, smiling.
His fingers flicked, sending a card spinning through the air before catching it effortlessly.
"It's true that we have the same goal."
Hisoka's smile widened. "I want to fight the Troupe's leader, Chrollo. So I infiltrated them. You, on the other hand, want revenge for your people. You want to kill all of them.
"But tell me, why should I help you?"
Hisoka leaned forward slightly, his gaze sharp.
"Do you have any idea how weak you are right now?"
"You're not even close to their level."
"Even the weakest member of the Phantom Troupe could crush you."
Kurapika's fists clenched, his eyes darkening with anger. Scarlet flickered in his irises.
Hisoka grinned.
"That's a nice look," he murmured. "I like it."
Hisoka let out a soft chuckle, the amusement in his voice unmistakable.
"Alright. I'll consider working with you."
Kurapika's heart leapt.
"However," Hisoka continued, "I decide the terms of our cooperation. And I'll provide you with opportunities for revenge."
Hisoka's voice turned silky. "Bearing the weight of genocide, hunting down the Troupe one by one... I wonder, what kind of expression will you wear when you finally succeed?"
A shiver ran down Kurapika's spine.
"And more importantly..." Hisoka's tongue flicked over his lips. "What expression will Chrollo make when he realizes his precious Troupe is being dismantled by you?"
He shuddered in visible excitement. "Just thinking about it makes me thrilled."
Kurapika suppressed a chill. He had initially felt relief at securing Hisoka's cooperation, but now...
Now, he wasn't so sure if this was a good idea after all.
Yet, what choice did he have?
...
"Pass the Hunter Exam first. Right now, you're not even qualified to stand before the Phantom Troupe."
Hisoka's voice lost its playfulness, his gaze suddenly cool.
Kurapika gritted his teeth. "Then tell me—how strong are the Phantom Troupe members?"
Hisoka smirked. "There's no way to quantify it exactly. What I can tell you is this: Right now, you don't stand a chance."
Kurapika frowned. "And what about you?"
"I'm a Troupe member," Hisoka answered cryptically. "What do you think?"
Kurapika's expression darkened. "Among the Hunter Exam candidates, is there anyone strong enough to match a Phantom Troupe member? I'd like to use this exam as a benchmark."
Hisoka chuckled. "Want the truth or a lie?"
"The truth, obviously."
"Besides me, Kaizen, and Gittarackur? The rest don't even come close."
"Just the three of you?" Kurapika asked in disbelief.
"That's right."
"No one else?"
Kurapika's eyes widened. "What about Killua? Hanzo? Pokkle? Bodoro? Ponzu? Geretta? Some of them are incredibly skilled! Geretta even finished the third phase faster than Kaizen."
Hisoka chuckled, shaking his head. "They're promising—but if we're talking about the Phantom Troupe's level, they're nowhere close."
Kurapika fell silent. Just how powerful was the Troupe?
Killua could assassinate a seasoned killer like Johness in an instant. Hanzo was an elite warrior. Geretta was cunning and skilled.
And yet, to Hisoka, none of them mattered.
"Things might change after they pass the exam," Hisoka conceded. "But as of now? No."
Kurapika clenched his fists. "Then... what about Kaizen? How strong is he compared to the Troupe?"
Hisoka's eyes gleamed. "One of the strongest. But don't ask me for specifics. You'd be better off asking him yourself."
He twirled a card between his fingers. "Oh, and if Kaizen does tell you? Pass that info along to me."
Hisoka smiled slyly. "I might even make things easier for you when the time comes."
Kurapika didn't respond immediately.
"So for now, all I can do is focus on passing the exam?"
"Exactly."
"Fine. I understand. Should we exchange contact information?"
"Give me your number," Hisoka said. "I'll reach out when it's time."
Kurapika hesitated before nodding. "Alright."
...
Kurapika returned to his room.
Kaizen lay on the bed, his eyes half-closed in rest. Kurapika glanced at him but said nothing.
He could ask about Kaizen's strength.
But that was his business, not Hisoka's.
For now, Kurapika was simply relieved to have gained an ally—if Hisoka could even be called that.
And as for trusting him?
That was another matter entirely.
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