Joey chose to stay behind—not because he didn't want to meet the First Prince, but because it was necessary that Kurapika be the one to go.
During negotiations with the Third Prince, Kurapika had been the one to escort Prince Woble. Letting him do so again showed respect toward Benjamin, while also emphasizing Kurapika's central role in Woble's team.
It also ensured that if any other princes wanted to get in touch with them, they'd go through Kurapika first.
Kurapika's mission was clear: to create a chance for direct contact with Prince Tserriednich. No matter how small the odds, Joey would capitalize on anything that might bring Kurapika closer to his goal.
"Kurapika probably doesn't know that Chrollo's Nen has returned," Hisoka murmured, when they were alone.
And just like that, Joey realized why Kurapika had remained calm despite suspecting Phantom Troupe members were onboard the ship.
Kurapika, the last of the Kurta Clan, had dedicated his life to two things:
First, recovering his clan's stolen Scarlet Eyes—something he'd nearly completed. Only one set remained, held by Prince Tserriednich Hui Guo Rou.
Second, hunting down the Phantom Troupe, the murderers of his people.
That pursuit had hit a pause after Yorknew City, ending with Chrollo Lucilfer losing his Nen.
But if Kurapika found out Chrollo was on the ship—and that he'd regained his Nen—the fire for revenge might ignite all over again.
Joey kept his expression neutral.
"That doesn't matter. Right now, his priority is retrieving his clan's eyes from Tserriednich."
"Shame," Hisoka replied airily.
"Don't stir the pot," Joey warned. "Not until the succession war is over. As for your grudge with the Troupe or Kurapika's, settle it on the Dark Continent. Besides—you said yourself, you don't like games that are too easy."
"Relax. I'm just curious," Hisoka smiled. "That Prince Benjamin... he's strong. Looks like fun."
"I can arrange a little arena for you two," Joey offered, intrigued.
That'd be great.
If Hisoka was interested in the princes, especially Benjamin, Joey could absolutely set the stage.
But Hisoka shook his head.
"I'm more interested in Tserriednich. He reminds me of Chrollo. Too bad he doesn't know Nen. He's Kurapika's target after all… otherwise, he'd be delicious."
"Actually, he's already learned Ten. Seems like a natural talent. You should give it a shot," Joey baited him further.
Whether Hisoka fought the First Prince or the Fourth, it was a win-win.
"You really want me to pick a fight," Hisoka's grin widened. "What's this? Are you interested in me, Joey? Why don't we have a fun deathmatch, just you and me? Or better yet, a little game: see who can kill the most princes before this boat hits land?"
Hisoka's eyes sparkled with mania. Joey could tell: if he said "yes," Hisoka would start a massacre right now.
How many would die… was anyone's guess.
"Don't underestimate the Kakin royals. They're not that easy to take down," Joey scoffed.
"Oh, I know. You and I—we're alike. We don't care who dies. So a few royal corpses? Meh."
"Alike, huh? Maybe." Joey didn't deny it. But he had no plans to indulge Hisoka further.
Kurapika had no wiretap or recording gear on him. That would only risk arousing Benjamin's suspicion.
So Joey had no choice but to wait for Kurapika to return.
Prince Benjamin Hui Guo Rou and his Private Guard Captain, Balsamilko—this was the negotiation lineup.
Shurikenkov, who had escorted Kurapika, remained outside in the drawing room, alongside Babimainna, who had returned after questioning.
Kurapika took it all in silently before calmly sitting across from Prince Benjamin.
"Why did your comrade reveal the existence of Nen?"
Benjamin got straight to the point. His tone was that of a ruler interrogating a subordinate.
But from Benjamin, such dominance felt natural—an innate authority rather than arrogance.
"Because there's no longer any need for secrecy. All serious threats already know about Nen," Kurapika replied crisply.
He wasn't wrong.
Only the Top Five Princes posed any real threat.
And among them, only the Fifth Prince had lagged in gathering information about Nen.
The rest had either witnessed the explosion near the border between Benjamin's and Zhang Lei's territory, or learned through Hisoka's capture.
Camilla, the Second Prince, was already a Nen user.
Zhang Lei, the Third Prince, had been briefed personally.
Tserriednich, the Fourth Prince, had recently acquired Ten, thanks to training.
The lower princes? Irrelevant to Benjamin.
Still, Kurapika's blunt tone touched a nerve. A prince might not care for etiquette, but Benjamin did not appreciate being spoken to like an equal.
Balsamilko sensed the twitch in Benjamin's forehead and quickly interjected.
"Why did you attack the Fourth Prince?"
Kurapika didn't flinch.
"I don't know what you're talking about."
A direct, clean denial.
And a trap deftly sidestepped.
Balsamilko narrowed his eyes.
"That's my oversight, then. What's your offer?"
Kurapika laid it out:
"When Prince Benjamin wins the succession war, we ask for amnesty for Prince Woble and Prince Marayam."
The exchange of glances between Benjamin and Balsamilko was immediate.
No mention of Prince Tyson.
So… this wasn't about protecting the princes—it was about taking out Tserriednich?
A personal vendetta?
Before they could speculate further, Kurapika removed his contact lenses.
Scarlet Eyes blazed before them.
"You probably know what this means. Even if not, you'll find out soon enough. I want a chance to meet with him. In exchange, I'll offer something you want: Guardian Beast intel."
Kurapika wouldn't admit to anything on record.
Not a single detail that could incriminate them.
Admitting to a hit on Tserriednich would put Joey, Juan, Bisky, Izunavi, and himself under threat of execution from Kakin's Royal Army.
And if they resisted, the incident would be reported to the V5.
They'd be hunted by the Hunter Association.
Instead, the reveal of the Scarlet Eyes told Benjamin everything:
"We have a personal grudge with Tserriednich. We can eliminate him for you. But we need your help."
They offered value—intel, action, and full support for Benjamin's claim to the throne.
Prince Woble would renounce her claim entirely. She was just a figurehead in the room, calm and silent.
To Balsamilko, the meaning was clear.
Scarlet Eyes were priceless.
And only one man was known to collect them: Prince Tserriednich.
Kurapika was here for his clan's eyes.
That's real commitment, Balsamilko thought. But what's the catch?
He reviewed the deal carefully.
"A meeting" with Tserriednich—not an attack.
The move would happen during that meeting.
Could Kurapika really confront Tserriednich alone?
Would Tserriednich try to negotiate?
Unlikely.
That man would never give up a trophy.
He believed himself divine.
So the meeting would fail.
There'd be no betrayal.
Just a spark for war.
But what if it was a trap? A chance to analyze Benjamin's abilities?
No—it didn't line up. Kurapika's tactics didn't require direct contact.
Just then, Balsamilko made his move:
"We accept the terms—but only for Prince Woble. There's no need to pardon Prince Marayam anymore."
Kurapika's brow furrowed.
The implication was clear:
Prince Marayam… is dead.
Assassinated while I was negotiating?
But the First Prince's guards weren't in that area.
Kurapika composed himself.
Prince Marayam had always been a bargaining chip, not their true focus.
"Understood."
His calm response surprised Balsamilko.
"Deal," Benjamin said, slamming his hand on the table. "Now. Give me the intel."
"I'll give you some. The rest will come once conditions are met." Kurapika handed over a prepared slip of paper.
It contained Guardian Beast details for Prince Tyson and Prince Sale-Sale.
Benjamin frowned.
He wanted more.
But Kurapika's next statement shook the room:
"From now on, I will train the guards of each prince in Nen. If yours wish to join, they are welcome in Zone Twelve."
He rose to his feet.
Benjamin slammed the table.
"Are you testing my patience?!"
"Not at all," Kurapika said, calm as ever. "This is simply how guards from the lower ranks strive to survive this war."
Benjamin glared—but after a moment, he grinned wide:
"Hahaha! You're impressive. I hope you survive and stay in Kakin. We need warriors like you. We'd offer you the highest honors."
Kurapika bowed slightly.
"Thank you, but after this, I only want to rest among my people."
"A shame," Benjamin nodded. "But the doors of Kakin will always remain open to you."
Kurapika made note:
Benjamin was more dangerous than he appeared.
At 9:30, Kurapika returned to Zone Twelve with Shurikenkov.
Two others also left Benjamin's room—a buzzcut soldier and Babimainna.
The soldier knocked on the door to Zone Eight—Benjamin was preparing a move against Prince Sale-Sale.
Babimainna bypassed Zone Thirteen entirely, heading to Zone Fourteen to replace the guard stationed there.
Joey saw Kurapika at the door.
His face was grim.
Prince Marayam had been shot in the head, not drained by the mysterious entity from before.
Every guard with a firearm had been taken by the Royal Army.
Bisky and the remaining guards had no one to protect.
They now waited for Queen Sevika to return.
The other guards who had been assigned to Prince Woble used this chance to return—bringing the team's total to ten, with guards from the First and Third Princes included.
Soon, phones from other zones began to ring.
Benjamin had spread the word about Kurapika's training offer.
That surprised Joey.
He hadn't expected the First Prince to support the idea.
But what does Benjamin gain from this?
Kurapika shared everything about the meeting, and Joey's view of Benjamin shifted.
Just as they prepared to receive waves of guards and aides, Joey received today's Beetle intel...