"Leader, are we really just going to let this go?!"
Nobunaga couldn't help but curse loudly.
In the past, he would never have questioned Chrollo's judgment or orders.
But now, counting Uvogin... four members of the Troupe had already died at the hands of the enemy, and Phinks and Kortopi, who were left in the enemy's hands, were also unlikely to be left alive.
Nobunaga found it unacceptable to retreat at a time like this.
"No... this grudge will never end."
Chrollo's tone was icy, his voice incredibly firm. Although anger surged in his heart, his thinking remained exceptionally rational as he continued:
"It's just that seeking revenge with our current strength... is obviously not enough."
"Then how long do we have to wait?" Nobunaga asked.
"I don't know, maybe a few years... maybe longer."
Chrollo analyzed for everyone: "Since an Enhancer of Uvogin's level couldn't break through the opponent's defensive barrier, it means breaking through with force... is basically unrealistic."
"The Troupe is missing half its members, and now is our most vulnerable time.
Our next goal is to search for talent, especially talents with outstanding abilities... Until I gather enough members again, no one should act rashly."
"What we need to do next is turn our anger into motivation and strengthen our wings... until our fangs are sharp enough to tear the enemy apart, that is when we will reappear."
Chrollo said, sweeping a meaningful glance over Nobunaga, Machi, Shalnark, and Franklin, the few remaining original members of the Troupe, and finally emphasized:
"Revenge is only a matter of time, but we need to accumulate strength."
Hearing this, Nobunaga and the others understood the Leader's meaning and said no more. With gloomy faces, the members left the scene one by one.
Until finally, only Hisoka and Chrollo remained.
"Seems like you have something to say to me alone."
Chrollo spoke first, looking at Hisoka beside him.
"That's right~"
Hisoka smiled and said:
"I joined the Troupe just to wait for this moment... I just didn't expect to get the chance to be alone with you so soon."
Hisoka's fighting spirit surged. He casually tore off his shirt, then ripped the spider tattoo from his back, saying:
"This way, it won't count as infighting among members. You should be able to fight me freely now."
"Come on, do it!"
"I can't hold back anymore."
Looking at Hisoka's slightly crazed smile, Chrollo's anger had not subsided. He said coldly:
"Right now, I only want revenge on that guy. I have absolutely no mood to fight you..."
With that, Chrollo stood up to leave, not even bothering to defend against the playing card Hisoka threw at him.
Just as the attack was about to hit.
Hisoka used 'Bungee Gum' to pull the card back, then forcibly suppressed his high fighting spirit, regretting: "How disappointing..."
"Seems like you won't fight me until your grudge is settled."
...
On the other side.
After confirming Uvogin was thoroughly dead, Yuu chose to leave the scene.
A long time later, Kakin's special forces arrived at the scene. After briefly understanding the scene, they quickly confirmed the identity of the deceased through the spider tattoo.
It was a member of the Phantom Troupe.
However, no trace of a second person was found at the scene, and it was unknown who had been fighting him earlier.
In short, after learning that such a terrifying guy was lurking in the city, the King of Kakin ordered increased security in the city and made the requirements for the princes' guards much stricter.
Midnight.
Yuu stood on top of a high building, looking at the noisy city at night, feeling much more relaxed physically and mentally than before.
His phone suddenly rang.
"Ring ring——"
Checking it, he found it was Valtz calling. Yuu didn't think much and chose to answer.
"Mr. Yuu, our boss just received a call from a rival gang, saying the Miss has fallen into their hands... They are now demanding a huge ransom from the boss."
Valtz hurriedly explained the situation, then continued with a worried tone: "Actually, the ransom itself is fine.
But our boss is worried that they won't release her even if the ransom is paid."
"That's highly probable."
Yuu checked the time and said:
"However, this place is so far from Yorknew, they couldn't have taken her back so quickly... so they should still be on the way."
"But we don't know their route or destination... We are completely clueless about how to rescue her.
Plus, with so much time wasted, it should be too late to set off now. They will definitely arrive before us," Valtz said.
"Leave this to me."
Hanging up the phone.
Yuu couldn't help but sigh that there were really a lot of things going on.
Now, the rest of the Troupe hadn't appeared yet, probably having left the city. After returning... it was time for him to arrange a vacation for himself.
As for Neon, Yuu could only pray silently for her that the killers hadn't killed the hostage midway.
Otherwise, even he couldn't help.
Thinking of this, Yuu immediately moved to high altitude.
Then, he thought for a while and decided to rush towards Yorknew quickly.
...
At this moment.
Inside the helicopter.
Neon, who had been stuffed into a box, woke up groggily. When she opened her eyes, it was pitch black. Although her mouth and nose weren't blocked, her hands and feet were tied, so she subconsciously began to struggle violently.
The commotion startled Illumi and Killua.
"See, you were too gentle... now the target has woken up," Illumi said to Killua.
"I'll be careful next time."
Killua acknowledged his shortcoming, then proactively went to check the situation.
A moment later.
Killua opened the box containing Neon.
Light flooded in. Neon couldn't open her eyes for a moment because she wasn't used to the light. It took a long time for her to see the figure in front of her clearly.
Familiar white hair.
But...
He looked a bit young, his face was relatively immature, and his eyes weren't that beautiful, realizing it didn't seem to be the same person.
Neon's brain was confused for a moment, not understanding the current situation, but looking at the other person's appearance, it was hard for her not to associate him with that indifferent white-haired guy, so she abruptly asked:
"Yuu?"
"Hmm?"
Killua was just about to act, but hearing this, he made a confused sound, couldn't help but stop his movement, frowned and asked:
"What did you just call me?"
Although the other party's voice was a bit muddled, Killua seemed to hear a familiar name.
Neon endured the pain from the back of her head, simply sorted out her thoughts, and explained:
"Sorry, I mistook you for someone else. I just think... you look a bit like Yuu."
"You've met him?" Killua pressed.
"He was the guard hired by my father... but he left early before."
Hearing this, Killua confirmed that the other party had indeed met Yuu, and suddenly realized that the current situation seemed a bit complicated.
Illumi also came to Killua's side and asked: "Killua, is the name she just mentioned... someone you know?"
Killua didn't notice Illumi's footsteps at all. When he heard the voice, his thoughts were interrupted. He turned back to look at his big brother and shook his head repeatedly.
"No, don't know him."
After all, until now, Killua didn't dare to mention the incident in the arena to his big brother, let alone the person who knocked him unconscious.
...