The airship landed not far from where Uvogin had crashed down.
After all, the fight had broken out the moment the airship took off. In such a short amount of time, it hadn't traveled very far at all.
Ronin didn't wait for the airship to fully touch down. When it was still more than thirty feet above the ground, he leapt off without hesitation.
With a heavy thud, he landed safely on the ground.
Up ahead, the sound of sirens could already be heard. Uvogin's fall had clearly caught the attention of the airship terminal staff.
Judging by the fact that the first responders rushing over weren't doctors but police officers, it was obvious that news of Uvogin killing people on the airship had reached the ground before anything else.
There were always patrol officers near the airship terminal. Now, together with ground security personnel, they were hurrying over—likely planning to restrain Uvogin as soon as they confirmed he was still alive.
But Ronin knew better. Even if Uvogin was seriously injured, he wasn't someone ordinary people could deal with.
Even if they had guns, it wouldn't matter.
Ronin's movements didn't draw much attention. He quickly approached the outskirts of the crowd, then slowed down and slipped inside.
He didn't know Uvogin's exact condition yet.
If the injuries were severe enough to damage his internal organs and leave him unable to move, then this would be the perfect chance to kill him.
But if it was just shock damage and Uvogin could still fight back, then attacking now might mean facing a cornered beast on the brink of death.
The impulsive thoughts that had surfaced while he was falling with the airship gradually faded as time passed.
More careful considerations filled Ronin's mind.
He even had to think about what would happen if he killed Uvogin here—would the Phantom Troupe's next move be to hunt him down and kill him?
Facing pursuit from Uvogin alone, Ronin could still find opportunities to resist or escape.
But if more people came after him, given his current condition, could he really handle it?
That thought only lingered for a moment before he cast it aside.
They were already sworn enemies.
If he had the chance to kill Uvogin and didn't take it, that would be like letting a tiger return to the mountains—allowing the enemy to come back later with better intel and preparation for an even deadlier hunt.
So there could be no hesitation. Uvogin had to die.
The police and security were sealing off the area, but plenty of people had still gathered. Some were reporters; others were just curious bystanders watching the spectacle.
Blending into the crowd, Ronin looked through the gaps and saw Uvogin lying on the ground.
The police had already restrained him. From their conversation, it was clear they were waiting for medical personnel so they could send Uvogin to the hospital.
Humanitarian principles, huh. How touching.
Ronin's eyes quietly shifted into Sharingan mode as he observed the changes in Uvogin's Nen.
Uvogin's powerful physique made it hard to judge the extent of his injuries just by looking, but Nen didn't lie.
Through the Sharingan's perception, Ronin could clearly see the weakness in Uvogin's aura. It wasn't an act—the Nen inside his body was even more chaotic.
That fall from dozens of meters up had clearly done serious damage.
This was the best opportunity to strike.
Ronin scanned his surroundings, already thinking about how to kill Uvogin. Uvogin's defense was terrifyingly strong—Ronin would have to unleash a full-power attack on a vital spot to have any chance of killing him.
To guard against a desperate last struggle, the best approach would be to take advantage of Uvogin's chaotic Nen and hit him with a Sharingan genjutsu first.
While under the illusion, Uvogin's defenses would be significantly weakened.
Unfortunately, Ronin didn't have a suitable weapon. If only he had a kunai or a dagger.
With that in mind, Ronin prepared to create an opportunity for Uvogin to see him.
As long as their eyes met, the Sharingan's genjutsu would activate instantly.
But in the next second, Ronin's pupils tightened.
He saw Nen—on a nearby police officer.
It was attached to an antenna, and that antenna was embedded in the officer's body.
The officer's hand rested on his holstered pistol as he walked toward the crowd. His movements looked casual, but Ronin sensed danger immediately.
He'd been discovered.
It was Shalnark.
Ronin recognized the antenna instantly.
A member of the Troupe who often worked closely with Uvogin—and one with a sharp, calculating mind.
Shalnark's Nen ability, "Black Voice," allowed him to control others by inserting an antenna into their bodies.
But why was Shalnark here?
If he had been acting together with Uvogin, he should've been on the airship too.
Appearing here so suddenly made Ronin pause his plan to kill Uvogin, new thoughts racing through his mind.
He carefully scanned his surroundings, trying to spot Shalnark himself—or see if there were any other Troupe members hiding nearby.
After all, the Troupe usually operated in pairs.
Uvogin showing up alone on the airship had already surprised him. Shalnark appearing now actually made sense.
The real question was whether Shalnark had a partner with him.
And judging by the way that officer was approaching, Shalnark had clearly locked onto him.
Had Shalnark been watching him ever since he jumped off the airship?
Probably.
But since Shalnark hadn't acted immediately, it likely meant Uvogin had already told his companions about the abilities Ronin had used to escape earlier. That uncertainty made Shalnark hesitant to intercept him directly—which suggested one thing:
He might have backup.
Or Shalnark was waiting for the perfect moment to silently plant his second antenna into Ronin's body.
Ronin's heart tightened. Even though he didn't see another antenna approaching, his hands moved without hesitation, forming hand seals in front of him.
They were seals for the Hidden Mist Technique.
At the exact moment he finished the seals, the police officer drew his gun and opened fire—completely disregarding the crowd nearby. Bang, bang, bang—the entire magazine was emptied in rapid succession.
Blood sprayed. No one in the crowd had expected a police officer to suddenly fire into the people.
Chaos erupted across the airship terminal at the same time the mist began to spread.
Ronin wasn't hit.
With the Sharingan's perception, he could clearly see the trajectory of every bullet—and besides, he wasn't standing in an empty space.
The sudden gunfire also made Uvogin, who was lying on the ground, turn his head toward Ronin's position.
Their eyes met in an instant.
Ronin held the seal for the Hidden Mist Technique with one hand, while the other hand lifted to draw a slicing motion across his throat.
Even if he couldn't kill Uvogin right now, his presence couldn't look weak.
The chaotic aura around Uvogin surged violently as he forced himself to try to sit up.
But the thick mist spread rapidly, and Ronin vanished from his sight almost immediately.
Uvogin spat blood from the corner of his mouth again—this time not from his injuries, but from sheer rage.