While Shalnark uses Nicolas to send the thieves "status updates," Auren quietly keeps watch. The thieves never reply, but according to past patterns, their silence is considered normal and not suspicious.
Later, when Laura has dozed off in one of the spare rooms, Auren approaches Pakunoda.
"I have a question about your ability," he says. "You can only extract information directly related to what you ask, correct?"
"Yes. You should know that by now," Pakunoda replies.
"When she wakes up…" Auren lowers his voice, "I want you to question her again, but without her realizing it. Touch her and casually ask something seemingly innocent. She still feels suspicious to me. She broke down earlier, but then… she accepted Orto's change too naturally, and adapted to all this far too easily. I want you to probe deeper—her connection to Pariston, what she might be hiding from us. I just can't trust Pariston. He commented about that woman, but she seems incompetent and useless. Nah, maybe he is messing with me… if you can do it."
Machi crosses her arms. "You suspect her, too? I've been getting the same feeling. She's too calm. But… we asked her everything before. No one has ever resisted Pakunoda's ability."
"I know," Auren says. "I guess there is no need to overthink. Let's just focus on the task at hand."
Even with Pakunoda's discreet questioning later, nothing new is revealed. Laura remains perfectly clean.
With Nilo and his girlfriend essentially confined to their room, and Auren and Shalnark continuing to use the license, the group finally decides to make their move.
"I sent a message from Nicolas's phone," Shalnark explains. "He wrote that we're close to giving up and will leave soon. It's better not to make things too easy for them. This way, they'll be forced to strike directly. Machi can set traps with her threads, and we'll react the moment they move."
"When are we pretending to leave?" Auren asks.
"Tonight," Shalnark suggests.
Auren nods. "Then tonight it is. It's finally time to catch them."
A few hours later, while Laura is asked to leave, Auren and the troupe discuss their plan under the pretense that she is not allowed to learn about their Nen abilities, which is, of course, partially true as well.
"Orto should stay behind," Shalnark says. "That way our disappearance will seem less suspicious. Machi, can you leave a few threads behind and construct a trap?"
"I don't think it will work. If I move too far away from my strings, they lose much of their strength. I'm also not good at emission and can't use it effectively with my strings," Machi explains.
"I see," Shalnark responds, maintaining a calm expression.
"I will use Zetsu later and approach the house again. With En, I will be able to easily catch anyone approaching. My En has a rather large range—I should be able to catch whoever arrives," Auren notes.
"We will stay in the house next to this," Shalnark says.
What?
"When I left that one time, I checked out the neighborhood, and it looks like the house next to us is empty. Can your En range cover the house if we're hiding in the one next to it?"
"Yes, no problem," Auren says.
"That's an incredible range," Pakunoda notes, a hint of surprise on her face.
"I think we are clear on what to do. However, there is one more thing," Auren whispers. "We tell Laura that Orto has the actual license… which won't be the case. I'll hang on to it myself!"
Machi smirks. "You really don't trust her? We cleared her. You need to admit when you were wrong—you're just stubborn. I admit I was wrong, too."
They blindly trust Pakunoda's Nen ability. I would trust it, too, if not for Pariston's grasp over this situation. I can't believe a thing he says. This whole thing might actually be a game, and I can't ignore his comments about her. She must have a role to play during this. She is not someone stupid, I just know it… or am I really being paranoid? Maybe Machi is right.
"Any proof, Auren?" Pakunoda asks, genuinely interested. "You are not a dumb boy. You have defeated me and Jack. Your decision-making thus far is impressive. To tell you the truth, even Chrollo praised you secretly. He called you smart and decisive, always making the most reasonable decisions, even under stress. This is why I am a little confused. There must be a reason for your doubt."
"There is just one thing…" Auren says, a little shocked that Chrollo praised him like that. "Besides, my distrust of Pariston, which alone is not a valid reason. Laura may have committed a small slip-up! Her only one. Do you remember what she said when we asked her about her Nen affinity?"
"Transmutation," Machi says. "It's a nice affinity, obviously, you know that I am a transmuter as well! Though I also focus on Enhancement, despite being a natural Transmuter."
Auren ignores her. "I know a certain Nen user… he is incredibly strong, experienced, and he has a certain kind of wisdom to him, despite being a little mad as well. He told me that Nen affinities are often related to personalities."
"Really?" Shalnark says. "I wasn't aware of that. Enlighten me."
"According to the person who told me about it, Enhancers are simple and determined. They rarely lie and are rather straightforward. They often act according to their feelings, and they are often selfish and focused on their goals."
"It fits… Uvo perfectly personifies this. Nobunaga as well, at least mostly," Pakunoda says.
"So does Phinks!" Machi notes.
"Emitters are impatient, not detail-oriented, short-tempered, and quick to react volatilely," Auren says. "They are somewhat similar to Enhancers, but they calm down and forget about grievances far quicker. They generally prefer long-ranged combat."
"I'd say about half of it fits Franklin…" Machi says.
"You are wrong about Franklin Machi," Pakunoda says, "He may act stoically and calm, but deep down, the description fits him rather well. I know him well."
Auren continues, "Conjurers are often extremely serious, stoic, and sometimes nervous. They are cautious, observant, and logical, and they rarely get caught in traps. They often calmly analyze situations, which is their strength."
"From the Conjurers I know, this is mostly true," Shalnark nods approvingly.
Auren then, with just three affinities remaining, looks at Pakunoda, "Specialists are independent and charismatic. They won't say anything important about themselves and will refrain from creating close relationships. They still attract a following because of that natural charisma."
"It fits the boss," Pakunoda says. "I myself lean towards Conjuration a little. That might explain why I may fit the descriptions of them more, despite my natural affinity."
Auren then stares at Shalnark, "Manipulators are argumentative and logical. They often live their life at their own pace and want to keep their friends and families safe. They also care about their own goals a lot and tend to disregard others' advice."
"Most of it is true in regards to me…" Shalnark says, his face full of concern.
Auren continues, "Finally, Transmuters are whimsical, prone to deceit, and fickle. They often play the role of tricksters, putting up a facade to hide true parts of their personality. They rarely reveal their true intentions."
"I think that's generally true," Shalnark comments.
"No, it isn't!" Machi snaps. "I'm a Transmuter, and I'm honest and not deceptive."
Auren shakes his head. "You lean toward Enhancement as well, Machi. You said it yourself. And besides, it's true. You often hide your emotions, and you can be extremely fickle." Auren then grins, "Though admittedly, you like to deceive yourself and not others."
"…"
"There is some truth to it," Shalnark admits. "So this is your reason? You believe her clumsy, nervous, simple personality is just an act? How do you explain her passing Pakunoda's hatsu then? It has never failed. She reads the memories of her targets—this isn't something you can easily fake or avoid."
"Either she's being deceptive and is somehow connected to Pariston… or she lied about her affinity. Both explanations make sense. Either way, her declared affinity doesn't fit her personality. As far as avoiding Pakunoda's ability, there are bound to be ways to manipulate, alter, or even resist hatsus. Maybe she even manipulated her? You just think you used your hatsu, while you didn't. You can read memories—maybe she can alter them? I am just guessing here, I admit it, however, think about it. Pakunoda, maybe you've never failed before, but I can guarantee you it is possible! Nen does not have limits! Everything is possible. Also, there's one last thing that worries me."
"I know what it is…" Shalnark interrupts softly. "Pariston. He knew about us. There's a chance he's aware of some of our abilities."
This guy… he really is sharp.
"Judging by your frustrated expression, Auren, Shal is right," Machi says, looking smug, as if she's enjoying herself.
Pakunoda exhales and shakes her head. "Alright, Auren. Aside from your arguments—which are persuasive but still circumstantial—I trust Machi's instincts. The boss told me once she has the special ability, that her hunches usually prove correct. So let's assume you're right for a moment. Is she working for Pariston? Is she aligned with the thieves?"
Auren shrugs. "Look, I don't know… I'm just suspicious. Something about her doesn't sit right."
There's also the reason I haven't said aloud—the most important one. As far as I know, Pariston has never been shown to keep assistants. Not like this. Maybe it's a coincidence, but someone so close to him, who seems so ordinary… maybe her disappearance or lack of presence in my memories has a reason.…
Shalnark softly claps his hands and begins to speak, "Let's keep our eyes open and search for clues. Be prepared for everything. We need to act carefully, because there are too many possible variables. Machi, trust your instincts. If anything goes wrong, we don't risk a thing. Do not hesitate, kill if necessary."
Night eventually falls. After giving Nilo only the most basic details of the plan, Auren, Shalnark, Pakunoda, Machi, and finally Laura leave the house together and sneakily enter the one right next to it.
"Why does Orto still keep the license?" Laura complains, puffing her cheeks like a sulking child. "After everything, after his betrayal, that feels wrong. I can't believe he tricked me the entire time…"
Auren raises a finger, answering steadily. "They might have a Nen ability to verify certain things. And remember—the license itself is special. Using a fake one could ruin everything and tell our targets that we are onto them. Orto has the real thing, and that way there's no risk. It doesn't matter in the long run. Orto will redeem himself, and now we can trust him, I'm sure of it. What matters is that this plan doesn't fail, and that we don't alert the thieves prematurely."
"Okay!"
Finally, Auren sits as close to the wall as possible and activates En, his softly expanding and shrinking Nen cloud, easily enveloping not only the house with Orto and the couple, but reaching far enough to even reach the one behind it.
I am ready!
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