Hello everyone, this is Gon Freecss, who successfully eliminated the Phantom Troupe. There's more backlash than expected, but I can use Ko now and my enhancement rate hit the major milestone of 200%, so it's a huge net gain.
"Try this next! Wear this one! Ahh, why are you so adorable, Gon!"
The target of an overexcited Neon's dress-up doll play was Gon himself—now even smaller than his age-appropriate appearance due to the backlash from Maximum Power—All I've Got.
"Seriously though, I was freaking shocked. I woke up this morning and I'd shrunk."
"Did you use Maximum Power too long, or did you make the backlash heavier so you'd return to normal faster? Either way, Nen sure is mysterious."
The day after the decisive battle, around noon—Leorio had somehow managed to treat the surviving Shadow Beasts through the night and was barely suppressing his exhaustion from the all-nighter.
Of the ten Shadow Beasts, only half had survived—five total. Of those, only three could continue active duty: the Owl, the Porcupine, and Rabid Dog.
"But that Rabid Dog guy? How'd he survive? When I saw him, I thought he was done for."
"Right? Apparently my aura lingering in his remaining teeth barely kept him alive. And after treatment when he regained consciousness, he created a jaw from aura. At this point, does everyone just power up when they're near death?"
Rabid Dog was currently ordering subordinates to collect his scattered teeth, searching for the ones Leorio had treated him with.
The Owl had lost part of his stomach and intestines, while the Porcupine had lost some skin. In exchange, both showed increased aura capacity and improved abilities.
"Good, excellent! While we're at it, prepare girls' underwear too, Eliza!!"
"Can we skip the underwear, please?"
The heroes Gon and his group—excluding Kurapika—were enjoying a brief respite at the Nostrade Family's hotel.
"Speaking of which, it's pretty late but is Kurapika okay? Can she handle Ruling Chain's backlash right after battle?"
Killua voiced his concern for Kurapika, currently absent while piercing the Phantom Troupe with her chains, posing the question to Leorio who'd accompanied her partway.
"That's fine. She stole aura with Assassin Chain from the Troupe so she had plenty. Plus, her new ability Empress Time apparently has almost no backlash like Emperor Time does."
After the complete resolution and crying her heart out, Kurapika had left with a refreshed expression, using Titan Chain to transport all the Phantom Troupe members to a hospital connected to the Ten Dons.
Leorio had gone to the same hospital with the surviving Shadow Beasts, and despite his depleted aura, saved five lives through ordinary surgical procedures.
"Man, she was incredibly lively."
While Baise, dragged in as an interrogator, cowered before the immobilized yet tremendously powerful Troupe members, Kurapika had been cackling with late-night energy at the prospect of completing her revenge.
"Too cute! This level of cuteness attracts perverts! I need to put you in a birdcage to keep you safe!"
"Well, the pervert situation is, hmm..."
Despite the underground auction starting tonight following the Troupe's defeat, Neon was more captivated by the miniaturized Gon.
The most worrying pervert was apparently dealing with Illumi and had vanished after receiving minimal treatment for the arm he'd severed himself.
As Leorio dozed off and Killua joined Neon in fussing over Gon, the hotel door burst open with force.
"I'm back! Finished binding the spiders and completed the handover procedures to the Hunter Association!"
The slightly emotionally unstable returnee was Kurapika, with bags under her eyes and looking somewhat haggard.
"I worked hard, Leorio. Even though you told me to go rest, it was lonely when you left first. You're drooling, honestly."
Still, her expression glowed brighter than ever before. The release of suppressed emotions combined with sleep deprivation had triggered a serious character breakdown.
"Welcome back. Looks like you got the chains in properly?"
"Of course. They'll be taken to a Nen user-only prison now. I can't wait to see what kind of retirement they'll have."
Seeing Kurapika embrace Leorio from behind on the sofa while laughing gleefully, everyone in the room—the Nostrade members as well as Gon and Killua—widened their eyes.
"Huh? When did you two become like that? I had a feeling, but Kurapika, you have terrible taste."
"Fufu, only I need to know Leorio's virtues as a man. But I'm surprised you realized I'm a woman, Neon."
'Wait, what?'
"Of course I could tell. But you've gotten prettier. I want to preserve you in wax and turn you into a doll."
Leorio sighed at the girls' talk happening on either side of him, then turned his gaze toward the members frozen in shock.
"Well, I get why the Nostrade folks didn't notice, but Gon and Killua, you really didn't realize? I thought you'd know from things like muscle development, gait, or bone structure."
"When you're killing people, gender doesn't matter, so I never paid attention to that stuff. Wait, seriously a girl? Gon didn't notice either?"
"I never thought about differences in male and female muscles either. And, um, there was no blood smell, so I thought you were male."
Killua expressed shock at never considering it, while Gon awkwardly mentioned his reason for the misunderstanding.
"Ahh, I see—that's where Gon got confused. These days there are good medications with minimal body burden. Guess it's a knowledge gap."
Leorio nodded in understanding at Gon's words, while Killua, not quite getting it, tilted his head.
"Sorry, Leorio, but I actually haven't started yet. Though I somehow know it's coming soon, so I'm healthy."
"What!? Hmm, well, that's still within individual variance. Your mental state probably threw your hormones off too. If it doesn't come within a month, let me examine you."
"Blood smell, coming or not—what are you talking about? Do males and females have different blood smells?"
"Umm, Killua, you should get a health education class from Leorio sometime."
"Health education—what's that? And when did Leorio realize Kurapika was female?"
"Before we reached Heavens Arena. Once I could spot minor injuries just by looking, I noticed while checking you all out constantly. Sorry for doing something like peeping, even if unintentional."
"I don't mind with Leorio or Gon and the others. I was the one pretending to be male for self-defense. I'd have laughed it off even if we'd run into each other in the bath."
Gon's group continued their lively time together, but when Light Nostrade and Dalzollene returned from negotiations with the Ten Dons, the mafia's response to Gon's group was explained.
First: As maximum gratitude for enabling the underground auction to proceed safely, they'd provide one item per person at minimum bid.
Second: If interested in filling the Shadow Beasts' vacant positions, they'd welcome them with the highest treatment. Otherwise, they'd provide favors, so please don't become enemies.
Third: Mafia under the Ten Dons' influence—excluding Nostrade—vowed non-interference with Gon's group, so please don't favor any particular family. Preferably, avoid actions benefiting Nostrade.
Fourth: They'd provide every possible favor, so please, please don't become enemies.
Fifth: They requested permission to trade recorded footage and photos among mafia families, and they'd buy autographs for the Ten Dons at high prices, so please and thank you.
"Those are the five notifications from the Ten Dons and mafia community to you all. If you have other requests, I'll relay them to the Ten Dons. Sign this board, and Gin, we need your paw print too."
"Is that really how the underworld works?"
"Heh, Killua. Compared to your Zoldyck Family, we mafia are just street thugs—a gang of children who never grew up. Honestly, just having this direct conversation makes the Nostrade Family the envy of everyone."
Hearing they'd be bought at high prices, Leorio eagerly signed first. The others reluctantly added their signatures—or rather, their names—to the boards.
After writing over ten autographs in a collection format, Kurapika stated her request to the Ten Dons:
"I don't need one item each. Just let me purchase the scarlet eyes. And if you have information about scarlet eyes, please share it."
"Aww, you're taking the scarlet eyes? That's what I wanted most."
Though Neon looked genuinely disappointed, both Dalzollene and Light were shocked she didn't throw a tantrum.
The main reason was her satisfaction from fussing over mini-Gon, but it showed Neon had grown a little in her own way.
"...Then, Neon, let me show you something good. In exchange, I want you to continue collecting scarlet eyes."
"Ehh? Hmm, depends what you show me. Of course, you'll show me that good thing again, right?"
"I swear to show it whenever we purchase scarlet eyes. Now, I'll show only you in another room."
"What could it be, what could it be?"
The two disappeared into the bedroom without even an attendant, but after little time, Neon's delighted voice pierced through the decent soundproofing.
'So cuuute!! Wait, what? This is incredibly beautiful and adorable!! No way, no way—formaldehyde-preserved scarlet eyes are garbage!! Ahh, sorry sorry, the scarlet eyes are pretty too, but I prefer this!!'
Neon's voice continued echoing for a while, but after several minutes, an unusually radiant Neon and an even more haggard Kurapika returned.
"Papa! From now on, definitely buy scarlet eyes when you find them! Otherwise I won't do fortune-telling!!"
"U-understood. But what did you see that impressed you so much?"
"Hmph, I won't tell even you, Papa. Only Gon's group and I know. As a collector, I rarely get to feel this superior!"
Neon had been moved by living scarlet eyes rather than formaldehyde-preserved ones, but then her heart was stolen by the legendary crimson-violet eyes of Kurta Clan lore.
She felt they surpassed even the World's Seven Beauties, and that deep pink color was a perfect bullseye for Neon's normal girly sensibilities.
"It's all about seeing them alive. Videos, photos, much less formaldehyde—they can't show the true radiance."
Watching Neon boast proudly, the sharper Nostrade members realized Kurapika was Kurta Clan. Seeing Kurapika's wry smile of resignation, they silently conveyed they wouldn't leak it elsewhere.
Light and Dalzollene headed back to the Ten Dons carrying autographs, while Neon and her bodyguard team began preparing for the underground auction they'd been permitted to attend.
After parting with the Nostrade Family and returning to their base, Gon's group received a visit from one Pro Hunter.
"Sorry to interrupt dinner. I came to report the Phantom Troupe's transport concluded safely. It'll take a while—may I have coffee? I'll add my own milk."
The visitor was a man in cow-print clothing with a horned cap and black rim around his left eye—a bold appearance.
Mizaistom Nana, one of the Hunter Association's highest executives—the Zodiacs—and a Crime Hunter holding the Double-Star title, appeared before Gon's group.
After a coffee break, Mizaistom once again praised their achievements, announcing that capturing all Phantom Troupe members earned Gon, Kurapika, and Leorio—excluding Killua—Single-Star Hunter status.
However, Hisoka, who also contributed to the Troupe's capture, was passed over due to his usual conduct and murder charges from before becoming a Hunter.
Additionally, there was discussion about promoting Wing to Double, but Wing himself declined. Promoting Gon to Double was postponed considering his age.
"If Killua becomes a Hunter, we plan to make him Single after observing for about half a year. Though a rookie, realize you already stand above many Hunters and continue working hard."
Normally a greater achievement than becoming a Pro Hunter and the envy of all, Gon's group received the notification with remarkable composure since Single-Star rank barely related to their individual goals.
Since most Single-rank and above Hunters—including Mizaistom—had been promoted while pursuing their interests, the conversation continued without awkward atmosphere.
"The Troupe's transport—I can't discuss details, but they've already arrived at the prison via Nen ability. Accepting Kurapika's request, they'll live like other inmates."
"I still think it's too soft. What restrictions did Kurapika actually place on the Troupe?"
To Killua's somewhat dissatisfied question from his assassin background, Kurapika explained the restrictions placed on each Troupe member.
No. 1 - Nobunaga Hazama
Considering his loyalty and care for comrades, touching his aura makes him lose his fundamental emotions.
No. 2 - Feitan Portor
Already made to feel pain as pleasure. Through several interrogations by Baise, he now twitches at ordinary flicks.
No. 3 - Machi Komacine
Like Nobunaga, strongly comrade-oriented, so similarly made to lose emotions.
No. 5 - Phinks Magcub
Comrade-oriented but strongly battle-crazed, so prevented from secreting brain chemicals that produce excitement.
No. 6 - Shalnark Ryusei
Touching his aura reduces thinking ability. Through several interrogations by Baise, while not outwardly visible, he's become fatally unable to think from his own perspective.
No. 7 - Franklin Bordeau
Holding extremely neutral mental perspectives. After much deliberation, Kurapika made him lose emotions.
No. 8 - Shizuku Murasaki
Also gave Kurapika great trouble before she settled on making her lose emotions.
No. 9 - Pakunoda
Since memory is crucial to her ability, each time her aura is touched, the amount she can remember decreases. Eventually she'll only remember and think about three things.
No. 10 - Bonolenov Ndongo
Since he activates abilities through music, he's made tone-deaf with terrible pitch. Even performing set dances identically, his ears will feel dissonance, eventually making even dancing difficult.
No. 11 - Uvogin
Like Phinks, battle-crazed, so prevented from secreting brain chemicals. The fist Gon crushed received only minimal treatment—he'll never grip properly again.
No. 12 - Kortopi Tonofmale
Since his ability perfectly copies objects, his dexterity is reduced to prevent replication. Eventually even activating his ability will only materialize distorted objects like an amateur's copy.
No. 0 - Chrollo Lucilfer
Injected with Gon's Muscle Brain Banzai—Power is Everything, making Skill Hunter temporarily vanish. When it returned, all stolen Hatsu had disappeared. On top of that, he's made to lose his fundamental collecting desire.
Everyone can still engage in combat if determined, so they can't let their guard down. However, at worst, making them touch aura through En or abilities means losing either the mind or technique from Nen's essential mind-technique-body trinity, making weakening easy.
"The fact they can still fight is what I consider brilliant. If they consider revenge against us, they can't weaken, so they must endure. They'll maintain their current strength while desperately clinging to the miracle of us appearing before them with no obstacles."
At Kurapika's villainous laughing explanation, Killua accepted it with a "if you're satisfied, that's fine."
Mizaistom also highly praised Kurapika's competence in thoroughly implementing Exorcist countermeasures, requesting to utilize Ruling Chain through commissions if opportunities arose.
"Now, reporting duties regarding the Phantom Troupe conclude. From here, these are questions from my personal curiosity—you needn't answer if you don't want to."
After that preface, Mizaistom asked: Would Killua continue as a Zoldyck Family assassin? What activities would Leorio pursue after getting his medical license? Kurapika's future after completing revenge? And what were Gon's group's upcoming plans?
"I won't do boring work like assassination anymore. As a Hunter, getting stronger is top priority for now."
"I'm still conflicted. Half wants to build a hospital with an attached orphanage, half wants to travel freely treating sick and injured people."
"I'll collect and memorialize scarlet eyes while helping Leorio. Considering what's ahead, bodyguards are definitely necessary."
After Killua's group answered their questions, Gon considered briefly under their gazes before stating his plans.
"For now, I'll try to get access to Greed Island. I'm like this now, so think of it as a brief recovery period."
At those words, unable to leave weakened Gon alone, all of Killua's group declared they'd accompany him, caring for his diminished body.
Watching the four's harmonious interactions, Mizaistom nodded, thanked them for answering, drained his remaining coffee, bid Gon's group farewell, and left the hotel.
When Mizaistom reached his lodging after leaving Gon's hotel, the smooth-talking man who'd been conducting judicial deals—effectively recruitment—with the Phantom Troupe sat on the sofa wearing his usual fake smile: Pariston Hill.
"Welcome back, Mizaistom! Sorry for leaving you with the tedious work."
"I didn't follow your instructions—I met them of my own will. Don't act like you're in charge when you just tagged along uninvited."
Though Pariston was simultaneously a Zodiac and Hunter Association Vice Chairman, making him Mizaistom's superior, he'd tagged along this time solely to stake claim on the Troupe despite zero relevance, and was simply disliked, earning harsh treatment.
"No way! I'm not acting like I'm in charge. Well, I am Vice Chairman despite my inadequacies, so in that sense, you could say I'm second-in-command after Chairman Netero."
At first glance a smiling, personable, clean-cut nice guy, but the darkness evident in his words, actions, and unmasked aura left few taking him at face value.
Declared troublesome even by Netero—the Hunter Association's unshakable charisma—Pariston was broken in a different way than Hisoka: a dysfunctional personality.
"Speaking of which, that recently rumored boy, Gon? He's the Chairman's new favorite who suddenly appeared, right? What impression did you get meeting him, Mizaistom?"
Whether prioritizing the Troupe or simply uninterested, Pariston asked for Mizaistom's assessment rather than his own observation. Seeing nothing particularly worth hiding, Mizaistom honestly shared his impressions.
"Definitely remarkable. Seems he paid considerable cost, but surviving against the Phantom Troupe at that age proves his ability beyond question. I was surprised how likable his personality was—you'd never think he's Ging's son."
That was Mizaistom's sincere impression, and he judged Netero's favoritism stemmed from expecting future potential.
Actually, Kurapika—who materialized chains with diverse abilities—and Leorio—whose medical ability was effective enough to understand just from hearing about it—left stronger impressions.
"Certainly surprising for someone that young to be that strong! When I was that age, I was obsessed with 'toys'!"
Though Pariston felt slight dissonance, his impression mostly matched Mizaistom's, so he dropped the Gon topic.
Rather than messing with some nobody he disliked's son, he prioritized playing with Netero, who'd been increasingly regaining youth and strength.
(From what I investigated, he's just a boy dreaming of strength. After the Chairman and Ging have their fill playing with him, maybe I'll give him some attention.)
Both Pariston and Mizaistom made tremendous underestimations.
Netero and Ging's impressions were too strong—they failed to notice their thinking had stalled midway.
While not incorrect that Gon fought and survived the Phantom Troupe, they didn't properly understand the accuracy: victory against Uvogin—strongest in close combat—while bearing Illumi's interference as a handicap.
Despite the power gap now being so vast that once his backlash-weakening ended, Uvogin fighting at full capacity would have zero chance of victory.
Netero's rapid rejuvenation stemmed not only from anticipation of Gon's growth, but also from pressure from the approaching muscular menace.
Despite muscles completing their super-recovery rest period preparing to forcefully wedge themselves into the world's strongest echelon.
The intellectuals who stopped thinking would never notice the brutality named muscle brain lurking right before them.
***
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