The fight was chaotic, but it was over within half an hour.
Those who died were not only the Nen users inside the arena but also many ordinary Mafia members who were controlling the venue.
All the Nen users were hardened criminals from the underworld—ruthless and merciless—and once the killing started, they held nothing back.
Their abilities differed in type and effect, and as the battle heated up they stopped caring whether their blows were landing on their intended targets.
The outcome was no surprise.
The last one standing was Phinks.
Dressed in a blood‑soaked black suit, he stood alone in the devastated, litter‑strewn hall. He pulled a pristine white handkerchief from his pocket, casually wiped the blood from his face and hands, then tossed the cloth away…
His eyes were still fierce and cold.
At least the game the Ten Dons had arranged hadn't been completely boring.
It gave him something to play with—though only as a warm‑up.
Clap, clap, clap…
Applause rang out.
Phinks' eyes shifted toward the sound.
The Shadow Beasts' leader, Owl, stepped out from backstage with a bunch of nobodies in tow.
From the very start Phinks had sensed the Shadow Beasts hiding on the second floor.
He was here on Chrollo's orders—to join the Beasts as a mole—and to gauge for himself what the Ten Dons' famed enforcers were really like.
Yet after identifying their locations, he had quickly lost interest.
To his perception, these people had some skill… but not much—only a tier stronger than the Nen users he had just slaughtered.
Still trash.
He had already been briefed on every Beast by Shalnark before coming, so he could recognize each one, including their leader, Owl.
As the group approached, Phinks' gaze slid right past Owl—as if he didn't exist—and fixed on the man at the very back.
That one… must be Xiang Nan, he thought, lips curling.
Chrollo had called Xiang Nan extremely dangerous and had warned everyone—even after infiltration—to keep their distance if possible…
This was the man who had nearly killed Machi long ago, and who had mocked the Spiders to their faces in Meteor City, calling them small‑time crooks compared with true powers.
Franklin, who had once taken a job with Xiang Nan, later said that at the time fewer than three Troupe members had even a fair chance of killing him.
For the Phantom Troupe, Xiang Nan carried far too many ominous labels.
So no wonder Phinks ignored Owl.
Task was task, though. After a glance at Xiang Nan, Phinks looked back to Owl.
"Impressive. What's your name?" Owl stopped clapping and asked flatly.
"Phinks."
"Affiliation?"
"The Chelomon Family."
"Ah, Edie-sama's territory…"
Owl kept tabs on every notable family in the underworld, even the small ones—unless they were brand new. So this brow‑less man was from the Republic of Padokea.
"Know him?" Owl looked at Xiang Nan.
"Never met," Xiang Nan said, smacking his lips.
Of course he knew—Chelomon turf was under the Zatobi Family's western district, and Phinks was here only thanks to Zatobi intel and channels.
"Edie-sama's turf is full of talent," Owl remarked, showing no suspicion.
The Ten Dons and the Beasts trusted Xiang Nan absolutely. Since joining, his achievements spoke for themselves, and the Zatobi Family had recently gained Edie's favor and clout—so even if Chelomon had ties to Zatobi, so what? Phinks' strength was undeniable.
Power plays were routine in the underworld; someone like Phinks wasn't "using connections"—his skill met the bar.
"Since he's from your patron Edie-sama's territory too, Porcupine, you explain the situation," Owl said, staring at Xiang Nan.
"Sure."
Xiang Nan stepped forward and smiled at Phinks. "As you can see, the nine of us standing here are the Shadow Beasts under the Ten Dons. This contest was held to pick the winner who could join us.
"Congratulations—you passed. From now on, you'll operate with us under the code name Leech.
"I'm Porcupine, and this is our captain, Owl."
He introduced the others, but Phinks showed little interest.
"This kid's pretty cocky," Rabid Dog spat, annoyed. Most underworld folk felt some awe when meeting the Beasts, yet Phinks seemed unimpressed.
"Newbie," Fish growled, cold eyes narrowing as he stepped up, "don't think killing a bunch of trash means you can look down on us."
"Move your hand," Phinks said evenly, a vein bulging on his forehead as he glanced at Fish's hand resting on his shoulder—as if the man were filthy.
The temperature dropped.
"Easy, easy," Xiang Nan interjected before blows were thrown. "He's new. I was clueless when I joined too. Once we work together, he'll realize how strong this team is and cool off. We all have to cooperate, right?"
He slung an arm around Fish's shoulders, smiling.
"Hmph. Don't think you're really one of us," Fish sneered at Phinks. "This is only provisional. If you're not good enough on missions—if we don't accept you—we'll kick you out anytime… and then I'll be the one to kill you."
Phinks chuckled—unimpressed.
If that day came, the sooner the better.
He looked at Fish as if watching a clown.
He smiled because he had already decided: find a chance… and take this guy out.
Just not yet.