"Still way too green…"
After parting ways with Gon and Killua, Xiang Nan let out a small smile.
Right now, those two were basically just beginners when it came to Nen. Most of their techniques were still rough, and they hadn't even begun to grasp anything advanced.
Their aura output was weak and one-dimensional, and it wasn't even properly integrated with their own bodies. To top it off, neither had created a personal Nen ability yet.
Xiang Nan had originally assumed that with the Star Group gone, the influx of new fighters into Heavens Arena, and even soldiers from the Republic of Padokea challenging the tower, things would be more intense. He thought that would push Gon and Killua to grow stronger than they did in the original story.
After all, those two had monstrous potential.
But looking at them now… not quite there yet.
A bit of progress, sure—but nothing impressive.
Just then, his phone rang.
He glanced at the number and picked up.
"What's up?"
Xiang Nan asked.
"Did the Ten Dons really hand over all tonight's auction goods to the Shadow Beasts?"
Chrollo's voice came through the speaker.
"Phinks is one of the Shadow Beasts. He heard the Dons' plan—he must've told you already. Still not reassured?"
Xiang Nan chuckled.
Tonight's auction was bait—a trap set by the Ten Dons to lure out the Phantom Troupe.
The idea was to force the Spiders into the open so the mafia could ambush them and have them clash directly with the Shadow Beasts.
Phinks was undercover. So naturally, Chrollo knew about the plan in advance.
"I don't trust the Dons," Chrollo said, "but I'm willing to trust you for now."
Clearly, he still didn't fully buy into Xiang Nan's whole plan about planting Phinks.
If this was a setup between Xiang Nan and the Dons to fool the Troupe, things could go south fast.
What he needed was Xiang Nan's direct assurance.
"You're a careful one, huh…"
Xiang Nan smiled faintly and looked up at the sky.
"Even if this is a trap, you guys still need to walk into it yourselves—because the Shadow Beasts have to be taken out first. If you don't show up, they'll still be alive, and things will just get messier. After this, the Dons will come after you harder than ever. Add the Beasts to that equation, and you're looking at even more chaos."
He paused.
"You already know the Dons hired the Zoldyck family, right?"
"Of course."
"The Shadow Beasts might not be top-tier, but they're strong enough to cause serious problems for you guys…"
"You once said the Troupe could suffer major casualties during this Yorknew auction—did you mean that?"
Right then, in a half-ruined building, Chrollo sat on a crate with sunlight filtering through the broken roof. He held the phone to his ear, face expressionless.
"It's not about the Ten Dons," Xiang Nan said, his tone suddenly cryptic.
"It's the consequences of your own sins."
Sins?
Enemies of the Troupe?
Chrollo went quiet.
The Spiders always operated under one rule: leave no survivors.
If they hadn't, there's no way the underworld would still be so clueless about them.
They had plenty of enemies—but most were long dead.
Sins? What sins?
"Relax. As long as I'm around, nothing's going to happen to you—this time."
Xiang Nan said.
"But if I step in to save you, then like we agreed, the Troupe follows my lead from now on—at least when we run missions in other worlds. If not, don't blame me for burning the bridge."
"This time?"
Chrollo instantly picked up on the phrasing.
"If you already know who our enemy is, why not just tell me? If we're working together, shouldn't you at least show some honesty? Or… does this enemy have something to do with you?"
Chrollo countered.
"Don't rush it. You'll find out tonight."
Xiang Nan said, then hung up.
The Chain Bastard—Kurapika.
If the original timeline stayed on track, Kurapika would capture Uvogin tonight in the Gorde Desert outside Yorknew. The Nostrade family would lock him up, and by tomorrow night, Kurapika would kill him in a direct showdown.
But Uvogin couldn't die.
To Xiang Nan, every Spider was valuable. Each one was a strong fighter who could help Hunters gain the upper hand in battles across the multiverse.
So, he had no choice but to interfere with the plot—even if it meant making Kurapika an enemy.
He already had a plan: just don't reveal his identity.
He'd disguise himself as a Troupe member and take Uvogin away.
That was the only way.
"Better to die in the multiverse than in the main world. From my perspective, that's a much more meaningful death," Xiang Nan thought.
As for Kurapika… he didn't really care.
The only one he was worried about—was Hisoka.
Xiang Nan knew Hisoka too well.
This Yorknew job was the first time in years the entire Troupe had assembled—and to Hisoka, it was also the only real shot he had at fighting Chrollo.
And Hisoka knew that Xiang Nan was the keystone of this whole operation. If it served his own twisted desires, he wouldn't hesitate to sell Xiang Nan out.
And Hisoka definitely knew about the grudge between Kurapika and the Troupe.
"No way."
Xiang Nan narrowed his eyes and dialed Hisoka's number.
…
At that moment, Hisoka was at the Troupe's base—a rundown, abandoned building. The place was dim and quiet. Chrollo was deep in thought, Shalnark and Machi were analyzing possible mafia movements. The rest of the Spiders were around, but there wasn't much talking.
In that silence, Hisoka's ringtone cut through the air.
Chrollo glanced over.
The timing of that call was… suspicious.
Hisoka's card tower toppled as he smirked, then casually answered the phone in front of everyone.
"Hello~"
"Hisoka, don't do anything shady behind the Troupe's back while we're in Yorknew."
"Why not?"
Hisoka replied with a grin, not bothering to lower his voice.
"I told you—the time for your fight with Chrollo isn't now. I'll give you your chance later."
Xiang Nan said directly.
"And why should I believe you?"
Hisoka's tone was full of doubt.
"Don't test me. I know your weakness. If you mess up my plan, I'll make sure you never get the thrill you're after."
Click.
Xiang Nan hung up without giving him a chance to respond.
"Who was that?"
Machi narrowed her eyes at him.
The Troupe had just arrived in Yorknew, and this was a critical time. Any outside contact needed to be taken seriously. Especially when it was coming from the most unpredictable guy in the group.
"Just… an old friend," Hisoka said with a sly smile, holding up one finger proudly.
"Hmph. You? Friends?"
Machi said with a sneer.
Chrollo, still sitting calmly, suddenly smiled.
"It was Xiang Nan, wasn't it?"
"Bingo. Right on."
Hisoka admitted without hesitation.
"You know that guy?"
The whole room shifted.
"Yep."
"Why didn't you ever tell us?"
Machi looked annoyed.
"You never asked. And besides, it's a personal matter, right?"
Hisoka replied nonchalantly.
Everyone went quiet.
"When did you meet him? How long have you known each other?"
Machi asked sharply.
"Probably before any of you. Been a few years now…"
"You bastard!"
Machi snapped.
Hisoka's playful vibe vanished. He grabbed a card and stood up, aura flaring—because Machi had already released her killing intent.
If Hisoka had fed Xiang Nan info, it would be a betrayal.
"Machi."
Chrollo suddenly spoke, stopping her.
"It's not Hisoka's fault."
He stepped in for Hisoka, recalling their past dealings with Xiang Nan. If Hisoka had really turned on them, things would be way worse by now. And even without Hisoka, they didn't have many ways to handle Xiang Nan and the Nameless Village.
"Hisoka… I have just one question. Will you answer it?"
Chrollo locked eyes with him.
"Depends on my mood. Your question might get too personal."
Hisoka smirked.
Even under all those suspicious stares, he stayed completely calm.
"Have you done anything to harm the Troupe or betray us?"
"Nope. No plans to quit, no reason to turn on you guys. So no—I haven't."
Hisoka slowly lowered the card in his hand and smiled softly.
"Good."
Chrollo nodded, seemingly satisfied.