Hello Everyone! I'm a little late but today is this authors Birthday, and I've stepped away to celebrate for a while and now I'm going to celebrate with new chapters for you! Hope you enjoy
If you have any questions or you want to reach out Please do it through TUMBLR ONLY: tumblr.com/blog/katsura369
After two more tries to call Kurapika; Leorio, Sakura, Gon, and Killua concluded that he was likely working at the present and wasn't able to take personal calls-at least they hoped that was the case. Their search for the Phantom Troupe began that night, but with little information to go on other than the images they would be depending on luck as they split to venture around the busiest city areas.
"Well I sort of expected this outcome," said Killua.
Leorio frowned, "So you're dissing my plan?"
"No (well yes), but what did you expect?"
Sakura sighed, "You're right, these guys aren't amateurs or they would've slipped up already. What I'm wondering is, where exactly could you hide when you have half the city looking for you now?"
"If only we had some sort of lead," Leorio said. "But we can't use the Hunter website for info because of the price. And we can't get in touch with Kurapika either-who would have probably been our best bet,"
Sakura nodded, "Yeah, except if Kurapika had information what are the odds he would share them with us?"
Gon looked curious, "What do you mean?"
"Those who are out for revenge often try to isolate themselves when it comes to achieving their goals. It's doubtful he would even want our help and if we force the issue he'll probably just shut us out completely."
"I was thinking the same thing," said Killua, "Though you sound like you're speaking from experience,"
Sakura shrugged, throwing her hands behind her head, distant in her eyes. "Something like that, but it's not important. What we need to figure out right now is how we're going to get the intel to find these guys and catch them,"
Gon spoke before the silence could envelop them, "We'll just keep going by ourselves for now. I'm sure Kurapika will be there when we need his help and I'm sure he'll call when he needs us,"
The shift of unspoken tension had lifted as continued down some stone steps, heading further into the city. Stepping a little lighter.
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The Net Café was nearly empty by the time they had finished trying to dig up information on the Troupe. Killua, Gon, Sakura, and Leorio leaned back in their seats, staring at the ceiling at a loss.
Leorio clicked his tongue, "Not one useful message. The prize money's attractive but catching these guys is another matter,"
Killua added, "You need a good intelligence network working around the clock and it's only the four of us."
"Shouldn't we then consider offering a reward for information?" Gon said.
"That could work if we could actually rely on people, to tell the truth. I'm sure others looking for these guys are trying to do the same. So we'd need to put up a bigger reward and sort through them all. I'm not sure if it's worth that effort. Don't forget the auctions in three days." Sakura said.
Gon dipped his head in thought, "I guess we'll just have to offer a bigger reward than the others and we'll only accept concrete information. Like the Troupe's current location."
"That could work but we don't have the money for that," Leorio stated but Gon had already thought ahead and was ready to take a drastic measure.
He digs into his pocket, he pulls out his Hunter's license, "We can cover it all with this,"
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It was maddening, absolutely maddening. As well as efficient under the circumstances. Even so, that didn't stop his friends from trying to convince him until the last second not to do it. But he did. Gon pawned his Hunter's license. Sakura tried getting him to use her license instead of his own, but Gon refused as Sakura had been using her card as her form of official documentation for everything. It was clear that nothing would change his mind and all they could do was watch as he handed in his card and later checked his account for 100 million.
"There it is," Gon said, looking at the numbers.
"You are an idiot,"
Ignoring Killua's comment, Gon looked to Leorio. "Well, what should we do first?"
"Let's start by purchasing a Southern piece catalog."
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The auction house was an exceptionally large building, curving like a corner of a square, mainly of tinted glass. According to Leorio, this was Yorknew's leading auction house and the only way for them to be granted admission would be to buy a catalog which was the ticket and that cost 12 million Jenny.
They easily found the reception where they could purchase the catalog, Sakura giggled as the employees watched Gon sign the papers for payment.
They received the catalog, a thick book with a card included which would allow up to five people to get into the auction. The card was also registered under Gon's name to partake in the auction.
"Of course, there's no change in the price," Sakura said, scanning the single page of Greed Island. Although all the information they had received from the Hunter website was also in the catalog. Including a warning about the danger of death.
But that was going to have to be neatly put away for another time. Their main concern was still raising the funds to bid for the game. They already posted online for information regarding the Phantom Troupe members along with the promise of the reward. And they tried to be as specific as possible, demanding photographic or recorded evidence of their current whereabouts.
What raised a concern then was the But she told herself that if this was the way to get to Greed Island, then she promised to do everything in her power to make sure they got there. She was now a part of this story and she wanted to integrate her role to ensure the best outcome.
"Now we wait for the information to come in. First, we catch one of the spiders and then make them tell us where the rest of them are hiding!"
Sakura chuckled, "Oh how easy you make it sound."
"Well maybe it will be!" countered Leorio.
"Hey, Gon!" Killua realized that their jovial friend had remained behind at one of the stores. He was crouched down in front of many times but only focused on an oddly shaped knife.
"What's wrong?" asked Leorio.
"Oh, that's a Ben's knife, good eye Gon."
"What's a Ben's knife?" Sakura asked.
"It's part of a collection of knives produced by a mass murderer," Killua took the knife from Gon, "This looks like one of his lesser-known originals that collectors are after,"
"You're kidding, Gon how did you know about it?"
"I didn't," the boy replied surprising the pinkette. "It just caught my attention, so I got curious and when I looked closer at it with Gyo, I noticed a faint aura,"
Sakura and Killua activated their Gyo in their eyes and saw a small amount of white mist pouring from the blade.
"You're right,"
Leorio was puzzled, "What's Gyo?"
"It's another form of Nen," explained Killua, "Basically you look really hard at something…..That's it!"
His friends jolted.
"What's it?"
"Another way to make money!" KIillu exclaimed, "Remember, four-eyes said that really talented people use Nen without even realizing it? If we search for items with aura in them like this knife, it's likely some genius made them!"
Sakura and Gon smiled in realization, "I get it! We can find hidden gems with no formal appraisal training!"
"And auction off what we find!" finished Sakura.
"If you guys want that, write down your price," said the salesman.
"Customers get to name their own prices?" asked Killua.
"Yes. This is a silent market. You write down what you're willing to pay and when the time expires the highest bidder wins the item,"
The items that were present on display, all had prices written on them but several of the numbers had been scratched out on the cards, only increasing the value of items.
"You three go ahead and handle the treasure hunting, I'm gonna check our online forums to see if any new information came in," said Leorio.
"Alright, but we're working on teaching you Gyo when we get back," Sakura teased running in a separate direction to Gon and Killua.
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While the task was made easy with Gyo and despite the time the three spent searching through the entire marketplace; Sakura, Killua, and Gon returned with one item each. They had agreed to bid at least 2.5 times higher if there was already a bid placed on an item, and most of the items that emitted aura already had bids, but they were all by the same person. Someone named Zepile.
"Well, that wasn't too bad. We got three and lost one,"
They managed to get a hold of a beautifully handcrafted porcelain doll, a painting, and a wooden statue. Gon had tried to also get an oddly designed pot with a face carved into it. However, this mysterious Zepile bidder continued to outbid him until he eventually won the vase at the deadline.
"I really thought we'd find more here," Sakura had to be disappointed after searching the entire market like that. Looking ahead for 8 billion was so far in the distance they couldn't even see their target yet.
Capturing the spiders was looking to be their only option.
The auction house was their first stop to present their finds, however, when they got there, they were informed that with the catalog already printed it was impossible to allow additional items in the auction. Then they were advised to try the trade market. Leaving the auction house they returned to the market with their goods in hand.
"I'm kinda disappointed," Sakura admitted.
"Same here," said Killua.
"Do you think where we auction off will affect the price of these?" Sakura asked.
"Well there will be professionals at the trade market, so if any of these are genuine we should get a great price," said Gon.
"Just hope we don't get scammed,"
"What do you mean? Why would that happen?"
Sakura turned to Gon, with a deadpan expression "Short-term memory Gon? Without us knowing the prices we're running a bigger risk of getting tricked just like we were with the online auction,"
Killua grinned, "Then let's go find out,"
Gon nodded, "By the way; getting scammed. That was all your fault guys,"
"HEY!"
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The musky scent of old antiques permeated the air, filling the small shop with a sense of nostalgia and history. Shelves and tables were cluttered with an assortment of items, stacked haphazardly as if each one held a story waiting to be discovered.
The husky owner inspected the items with eyes that made the three friends feel a bit too hopeful. Passing themselves off as siblings to add to the illusion that the items were found in their cellar and having parents who sent them to sell it for the right price. All for the sake of preventing annoying questions and suspicion. Also serves as a reminder not to underestimate Killua's skills of deception.
The painting and doll were both items of value and prices estimated were profitable; however, the wooden statue that Gon had managed to get a hold of was a loss according to the dealer.
"The box and statue are from different periods," he explained. "It's probably only worth 1500 jenny,"
It had them at a loss, because if that was the case then why did it have aura? Of course, this wasn't a question they could ask. With their appraisal skills nonexistent the only choice was to believe the words of someone who had been doing this job longer than they have taken interest in it.
Then the dealer flashed them a smile "However, that would be its appraisal as artwork, the wood, on the other hand, is quite valuable. It's hard to come by these days and I know someone who would be willing to pay 100,000. So I'll make you an offer. If you sell me the painting and doll for 420,000 I'll buy the wood for 80,000"
"500,000 huh?" Killua looked to his friends, "What do you think?"
"Feel free to think it over, but you probably won't get a better offer." The dealer took the wooden statue turning towards the door that, led to the backroom, "In the meantime, let me check the age of the wood,"
The three were ready to let the man walk away with the statue so that they could privately discuss their next move to make when the bell signaling another customer entered but it was a forceful ring; followed by a booming voice.
"Don't take another step! Put down the statue!"
A man with short cut hair, long sideburns, and thick oddly curved eyebrows that made it hard to identify his frown appeared through the door, tightly grasping a covered passel in his right hand and pointing directly at the antique dealer with his left in accusation.
"What's the meaning of this?"
"Don't let him scam you, kids," the stranger warned stepping further into the shop.
"What are you talking about?" asked Sakura.
"I have done no such thing! Who are you to accu-
Pointing to the statue, he said, "The price for the doll and painting were accurate but not what he said about the statue," he glared at the dealer, "He only wanted to 'inspect' the statue to take what's inside!"
"Inside?" The three echoed.
"It's a wooden trove. Three hundred years ago, it was a way for the wealthy to hide their valuables,"
The statue was a vault? That would explain why the shop owner was so eager to cut them a deal like this, but at the same time, the three were skeptical. If they argued against him now, it was likely they wouldn't be able to trade with him. On the other hand, if they were being scammed…
"Then how can we prove it?" Sakura chided.
"Exactly," a new voice entered the mix. From the door behind the counter entered another individual. An appraiser for the store owner. "How can you prove it's a real trove? For starters, while the wood indicates it's three hundred years old, the statue might be modern. This is known as hoodwinking, kids. A method for counterfeiting."
"But that's not what I'm doing," The unknown man said, stepping in front of the statue, drawing his finger on a line in the middle of the wood, "This seam contains an adhesive used back in that period,"
That didn't deter the appraiser, "You're insisting it's real? But it's possible that the contents have been switched out with fakes and the statue reassembled. We call that a dud. By double-dipping, using new adhesive to create it. But only an amateur would do that. A professional would melt the adhesive with a flame. This is known as welding,"
"If the fire was used, the wood will be scarred or the adhesive would dissolve,"
"Boy they don't let up," Killua whispered, his friends nodded in agreement. Somehow this had become a battle between these two strangers over their treasures. They were going back and forth about the wooden vault before the unknown stranger finally confessed.
"I'm a professional appraiser and I swear by my eyes this is a real wooden trove!"
Sakura interjected, "Then let's open it. Right here, right now, and settle this. Any objections?"
There were none and the antique dealer was forced to recede.
Sakura, Killua, and Gon stared at the statue as they allowed the man to take a hammer and crack one of the wood clean down the middle. Out poured the sound of precious metal clinking against each other as they fell from their hold, putting awed gleams in the three children's eyes.
There was an even bigger surprise when the three left with their treasures and the stranger professional appraiser who identified himself as Zepile. The one who had been trying to outbid them at the silent market and now they knew why.
"Thanks for the help back there Zepile-san," Gon smiled.
"Consider it give and take, my fair share, twenty percent of the profits,"
Killua and Sakura's smiles instantly dropped. He was actually commanding commission for appraising their items without them even giving consent and they were expected to pay?
"You're going to rob us?" Killua gritted.
"Hey if I hadn't shown up, you kids would've been scammed big time without even knowing it,"
"Can't be any worse than last time," Sakura said out loud.
"But he did save us a lot of money," countered Gon, to which Killua was quick to retort.
"Are you forgetting we have to make as much jenny as possible and on a deadline? We can probably buy him lunch,"
Zepile agreed quickly, "Sure that's fine too,"
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Before any demands were made of them, they took Zepile to a nearby restaurant; with the time already passing lunch, it wasn't a waste anyway. Leorio still hadn't contacted them on anything so there was no rush either. Between raising money for the auction, contacting Kurapika, and now searching for the Phantom Troupe, they had to savor whatever leisure time they had.
Zepile certainly attempted to get the most out of Killua's suggestion for a free lunch, by ordering as much as he could eat, their table was emitting the smell of warm food ranging from meat, salads, seafood, pasta, and more.
"Glad you didn't offer to buy him dinner too," Sakura said, sipping her juice.
"Maybe we should pay him a commission," suggested Gon,
"Dude, you are such a pushover!" exclaimed Killua.
Zepile waved his hand because his mouth was full before he swallowed. "It's alright, I just want to know something; what made you bid on those items?"
Forks nearing or in their mouths froze; the three looked at one another in uncertainty.
"What do you want to do?" Sakura asked,
"Should we tell him?"
"Beats paying him," shrugged Killua.
They gave Zepile a brief but discrete explanation about their Nen ability to see the aura from the items they bided on which indicated talented individuals. Though they were discrete, the explanation was long enough for all of them to finish their meal and pile the plates in a corner of the table.
"Well, that explains why you bought the statue and those other items, and why you didn't bid on the other collectibles,"
"There were others?" Killua asked.
There had been but according to Zepile, they were listed as manufactured-not handmade items which meant no aura and that meant no clue for the three.
"So why do you need money so bad?"
Killua interjected before one of his friends answered, "We'll do this. We answer your question and you answer ours,"
"Fine, mine first,"
Zepile was told that they wanted to buy a specific item at the auction, but before he could ask which Killua asked him how much they would likely receive if they sold the contents of the trove at the market, which would depend on the dealers there.
"So what item do you want to buy?"
"A game called Greed Island," Killua answered.
Zepile nearly fell out of his seat, "That ridiculously expensive game,"
"How much is that pot you bought worth?"
Zepile put his hand on the covered item, "This is garbage. Why do you want that expensive game?"
They gestured to Gon, "We're looking for Gon's dad. The game has a clue inside. So why did you choose that pot, if you knew what was in the wooden trove?"
"Yeah, I've been curious," Sakura said.
Zepile rubbed the back of his neck, "I made this pot but it wasn't an original, it's counterfeited. This was how I used to make my living before I became an appraiser. I feel mortified when I see how poorly made these are, so promised myself whenever I saw them to buy them back,"
"How much would a real one cost?"
"My turn," Zepile mocked, he pointed to Gon, "What does your dad do?"
"He's a pro hunter," the boy answered without delay.
"HOW MUCH WOULD A REAL ONE COST?"
"Forty to fifty thousand," Zepile dismissed, more interested in Gon's father now. "A pro hunter? There are a few in the antiques and none of them are normal. Won't it be impossible for the three of you to find him alone?"
"It's fine," Gon said, "Because I'm also a hunter and so is Sakura,"
That time Zepile slipped almost completely under the table; he knew that Gon and Killua couldn't be older than thirteen and Sakura had to at least be fifteen or sixteen; it was intriguing to think that such young children who were about to get scammed at the antique dealers were hunters themselves.
"Okay this is my final question," Zepile smiled, "Is there anything I can help you with? If you want to make money you'll need an appraiser. You can even set the price you want to pay me,"
Sakura leaned back, "That's a very generous offer. But why?"
"Yeah, why do you want to help us?" asked Gon.
A severe expression glimpsed over Zepile's face for an instant before it softened again when he turned to the pot on his seat, "It made me happy that this piece of junk caught your eye,"
Gon nearly jumped off the seat and he would have if he hadn't been between Sakura and Killua. "It's not junk! It holds your Nen and though everyone has it, only a few people can use it. That just shows how talented you are! So it's not junk-not even close,"
The diligence in the winsome boy's eyes confirmed for Zepile that he had not been deceived. He had followed the three from the marker to the dealer and he knew that he wanted to work with them. In all his time as an appraiser, Zepile had become accustomed to appraising people as well. He thought something different about Gon in particular, and he finally came to understand that this was a boy with no particular concern for what was good or bad if it sated his curiosity. Very childlike but in a terrifying manner.
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After paying the bill, with free time on their hands Zepile offered one more source of distraction. Gon had been curious about the different methods of counterfeiting appraisers and though it irked his friends who were struggling to keep the boy's mind on one track instead of allowing it to wander, Zepile wanted to show them one more method.
Taking a small toy from a vending machine, he presented the sphere to the three. Twisting the top and taking out a dog-shaped toy that fits in his palm "This is another technique that recently surfaced known as exposing. You reveal the opened statue with a fake treasure. Because people assume you wouldn't open it if the treasure is fake, you can fool them however it isn't a technique long-lived. Therefore another was developed, can you guess what it is?"
Sakura leaned on her hand, staring at the plastic container, "You fake the treasure?"
"Nope,"
Killua then chided, "Remove the treasure from a different place!"
"Bingo!" Zepile snapped his fingers, "You remove the treasure by creating a new opening and replace it with fakes and reseal the hole. That is side-stepping and it's fooled many professional appraisers,"
"Wow, you live in an incredible world" Gon admired. Just then his cell phone rang in his pocket. "Hello?" he waited for Leorio to respond, and while Sakura and Killua couldn't hear what he said, they understood when Gon responded, "What? A Spider?"
The Phantom Troupe.
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Their advertising method had come through, and Leorio confirmed the evidence having viewed the video himself. Sakura, Gon, and Killua left Zepile with their items, entrusting him to handle the auctioning and he gladly obliged.
Their targets were two of the spiders listed in the picture and now they were only a little ways from them in a crowded area, seated among one of the many tables. A lanky man with a straight face, and long straight dark hair; there was also a woman with dark pink hair wilder than Sakura's and stern blue eyes.
Gon, Leorio, Killua, and Sakura had a clear view of the pair, but they were distanced in a restaurant inside a building. They were not only keeping an eye on their targets but on a couple who were acting as their temporary informants who were only a table away from the troupe members.
Leorio had a short conversation with them over the phone and Killua wired the money promised for the intel. Sakura watched the two get up and make a hasty leave. At least it didn't like they would be having any casualties in broad daylight.
'Even so, this makes me nervous,'
"So how do we catch those two?" Leorio asked.
"It's impossible," Killua stated.
Sakura jutted her elbow into his side, "Don't say that, it's not impossible but it's not something we should rush into just because we've found them. As for a head to head fight-we should avoid that at all cost,"
Leorio pushed out of his seat, raising his voice. "Are you kidding me!? Why are you saying this now?!"
Killua frowned, "Get down! Do you want them to see us?" He waited until Leorio was seated again before continuing, "My dad once had to take out a spider for a job,"
"Really?" Gon asked, watching the boy sip on his ice cream sundae without his usual smile whenever he had sugar in his mouth.
"He doesn't complain much, but he said the pay wasn't worth it and that is the highest compliment he gives a target. He even gathered all of us together and told us to stay away from the troupe,"
Sakura scratched her head, "You could've mentioned that a little sooner! I've met your dad and if he's giving a warning…."
"That was years ago, so I thought we might have a chance,"
Leorio wasn't convinced just yet, "Are they really that strong?"
Then Killua casually asked a question that made the color drain from their faces, and a chill ran up his friend's spine. "Would it help to imagine two Hisoka's sitting there?"
Sakura covered her face after the image emerged, "That made it worse,"
Hisoka was a member of the Phantom Troupe and just using his skills and power as a platform for judging the other spiders was enough information for Sakura to understand that it wouldn't be smart to take them head-on or together, be it all at once or in pair. She had her own experiences in fighting people like this, but she often had a coordinated team and right now, between Gon, Killua, and herself they were all on the same level as far as their Nen powers went. While the Phantom Troupe was much higher.
Then a little corner of her mouth lifted. Despite the odds, it wasn't as if they had nothing to work with. From here on it would all be a matter of strategy. She just had to make sure she didn't make any mistakes.
"So," she began, leaning forward. "What do you guys want to do? They probably already know someone's watching them,"
"Do you think so?" asked Leorio. "Aren't they here because they're on a date or something?"
"Are they really?" asked Gon.
Killua shook his head, "No of course not. They're paying close attention to their surroundings and already noticed the other couple behind them. I thought they were being cautious because the Mafia was after them but then why come out to a public area? Unless…..
Gon jolted, "It's a trap?"
"Exactly," Sakura pointed, keeping herself from turning to the window again. "They're probably acting as bait,"
The moment of silence was broken with a sudden increasing tension in the air that could be felt from their distance. Sakura, Leorio, Killua, and Gon stilled in their chairs, as the atmosphere changed for those who were perceptive past the regular level. What brought on this sudden tension was unknown, but they at least knew who it was coming from.
"I've got a bad feeling," said Gon.
"They didn't notice us right?" Sakura asked, feeling a trickle of sweat down her forehead.
"No way," Killua affirmed.
"Are you sure? I can't use Zetsu like the three of you," Leorio rasped.
"Zetsu would only attract attention. They're surveying the area and everyone around, not checking for Nen users." Killua calmly plucked the cherry from his desert, "So I suggest you try to act normal,"
Sakura wasn't the problem, in this case, Gon and Leorio, on the other hand, were pulling strained smiles with beads of cold sweat on their faces.
"Can we just figure out what we're going to do now?" Sakura asked. After the tension cleared, the two stood up from the table and began walking away.
"We can't leave empty-handed," Gon stated with finality and determined eyes. No one argued.
"Here's the plan then, Gon, Sakura, and I will tail them since we can use Zetsu,"
When they moved out of the booth, everyone activated their Zetsu, becoming close to transparent, erasing their presence. To Leorio, it was as if they had become transparent right in front of him.
Killua pulled out his phone, "We'll use our cellphones to communicate, ring once for abort, and only pick up if it rings a second time. And if any of us gets spotted we stop right away. And if one of us thinks it's too dangerous, we call it quits without question,"
Sakura and Gon nodded. They at least wanted to get out of this alive and after assessing the two from afar they knew better than to jump into anything that could sink them before they realized they were drowning.
With this, even Sakura felt the need to be extra cautious.
"Fine but there's one more adjustment I want to make to this plan,"
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The trio slipped out of the restaurant, their Zetsu activated to conceal their presence and blend seamlessly with the bustling crowd. Their tracking skills were well-honed, each with their own experiences and strengths. Killua's background as an assassin and Sakura's extensive training in reconnaissance provided them with an edge in shadowing their targets. Gon, despite his lack of formal training, had proven his ability to follow even the most elusive individuals, having successfully tailed Hisoka during the Hunter Exam.
Lerio was given the task of meeting with Zepile and and overlooking the auctioning.
Gon and Killua took the high ground and tracked the two troupe members from the roof; Sakura had said she would keep a closer watch from the ground and that it would be better if Gon and Killua didn't call her unless they were planning to abort.
But while they were shadowing, communicating with one another, the two couldn't help but wonder where Sakura was.
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Jumping from roof to roof, made for the easiest route and they were able to see everything.
Even so, Killua was already aware that they probably wanted to be followed, but without seeing any changes in behavior to indicate they were found out, he kept shadowing them. He remained skeptical, more so about what Sakura might be doing in terms of following them because he hadn't spotted her once amongst the crowd. Not while they were walking through the plaza, or heading up the street, crossing the roads and they were getting further and further away from the city, and still no sign of her.
He called Gon, "Any sight on your end?"
"No, but I'm sure she's close,"
"Okay, then let's keep moving and remember the signs, one ring and we're out,"
"Gotcha,"
They were moving closer towards a deserted area and Killua's mind was beginning to run. This was either a trap or a chance for them were go back to their hideout. After catching no changes in their behavior, Killua decided to hold off on aborting.
The streets had slowly tuned to silence and vacancy; before long there were no more roads to follow. Buildings with walls cracked like glass, missing windows, rotted wood, pave-less paths, crumbling concrete and brick; more importantly no other living soul aside from themselves.
Killua stared at their targets, peering from a window in one of the buildings, not bothering to glimpse around for Gon, already knowing he was doing the same in another building that formed a near-perfect square. This would be the best place to spot someone if they were being tailed but there was no way they had realized this.
They weren't moving from their position though. Could they be waiting? Or have they spotted the three?
'Couldn't be,' Zetsu allowed them to completely mask their presence, hence their perception couldn't exceed them. Still, Killua could not bring himself to stop the cold sweat. He called Gon, again, speaking in a hushed whisper all the while.
"Hey, Killua. What do you think they're doing?"
"Either waiting for someone or trying to lure us out," He answered through gritted teeth.
"Do you think they know we're following them?"
"It's 50-50 at best right now," They still weren't moving though. "They don't know our location, so they're trying to draw us out if it's the latter. Hold your position for now. I'm gonna hang up but if they give any kind of reaction we'll make a run for it."
"Alright, but what about-
"I'll give the ring once, don't worry," Killua said knowing Gon was referring to Sakura He hung up and waited. Even while watching Killua was still trying to understand what Sakura was doing.
"Don't try to call me unless it's to abort. I'll be close by promise,"
That was enough to convince them to listen.
There was finally movement down below; the man had taken out a cell phone himself but was too far for Killua to hear what was being said. Even so; he didn't miss the change in direction of his eyes that sharply looked at the window where Killua was standing. It was like being hit with a hot rod at the back of your head. Gon and Killua immediately tried to escape without communicating it, only to find their paths blocked.
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Sakura had a lot of experience shadowing individuals with a team and discovered that at times big groups drew attention if you weren't cautious and it only took an instant. So to distract from that weakness, distance was key but Sakura had a different take on shadowing than Gon and Killua did for that moment.
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Gon knew to run when he saw the dark-haired man turn his head up at a window on the other side; Killua was spotted. Despite launching away from the window at top speed, Gon found he was already cornered. Someone blocked his exit route while barely acting as if she was. A tall blonde, in a neat suit emitted a threatening presence.
And another voice turned up behind him from the window, "Pakunoda, you were following us?"
"Machi. It was the boss's orders," The woman Pakunoda said averting her eyes from Gon, "Phinks and I were told to trail after you and Nobunaga,"
"I see," Machi turned to Gon, standing straight. He didn't know which direction to try and make a run for it. Strangely enough, he wasn't immediately ambushed
"Boy, do you know the chain user? And think before you answer?"
"A nen user who uses chains to fight." Machi said stepping towards Gon, "He sent you to follow us right?"
"I don't know who that is, we followed you for our own reasons," Gon answered as honestly and calmly as he could. He was trying to find an opening and that was hard enough to do while trying to breathe properly.
Machi didn't try to confirm it with Gon but instead turned to Pakunoda, "Well?"
"I don't know. If he's lying he's certainly good at it," Pakunoda raised her hand, "Why don't I check?"
..
..
Killua hadn't even noticed the man in the tracksuit carrying a powerful posture standing right behind him at the entrance until he turned around to try and escape. He hadn't even realized there was a double-shadowing happening, now he was cornered between Nobunaga and Phinks. Attempting to escape before only resulted in him having to rip the skin from around his ankles, now all he could focus on was staying alive for as long as possible.
He was asked a series of questions and Killua surrendered to all of them, explaining the reasons for following them, how he used Zetsu to shadow them, and that he only knew the basics of Nen. But they weren't the only ones being informed, Killua was also able to subtract information from the questions he was giving. The Troupe was looking for someone they were calling 'the chain user'
"Aright nothing we can do if you don't know," Nobunaga looked like he wanted to say more, but he noticed something in the corner of his eyes, small, bright white and big green eyes.
"Meow," The cat walked into the room, behind Phinks.
Nobunaga looked back at Killua, "Well now kid you've got two choices-
The only indication of what happened next was the puff of smoke that appeared behind Phinks before his body was sent flying into Nobunaga's and they were both crashing through the window, taking pieces of the building down to earth with them. Killua was frozen for a moment before a hand shot out from the debris and dust and yanked him out of the window.
Only when he was touching the sun again, did he see who was jumping out of the building with him.
"SAKURA!"
"Hey," She winked.
On the other end, he heard another loud crash, blurs of red and green. Sakura carrying Gon under her arm. He almost panicked, wondering who it was running with him under their arm. Then he remembered her ability to make a clone. But he saw that cat turn into her.
"Sakura what the heck-
"Killua!" Gon leaned forward, a little more under the other Sakura to see his friend, "What's going on? Sakura?"
"It's a clone," The Sakura carrying Gon said,
"When you said you had an idea to improve our plan…..I didn't think this is what you meant,"
There was another way for her to follow after the two without being spotted by her targets and her friends. Something she had learned a while back from Naruto. Clones were Naruto's specialty and so was transforming, and he would often use that to deceive his enemies. Sakura decided to implement the same tactic to shadow the troupe members.
While following them, she transformed into a different individuals. It was only a coincidence that she caught sight of them just as they reached the deserted area of the city. She took the form of the most inconspicuous thing she could think of a cat. She then waited for the chance to escape. Already realizing that capturing the members when they were outnumbered now would be too risky.
They were nearing the end of this city, if they could get out into a crowded area they would be able to use Zetsu and hide.
"I'll explain the details later, let's just focus on getting out of here right-
The clone carrying Gon vanished in a puff of smoke, and the boy skidded across the ground trying to at least end without facing the dirt. Sakura attempted to reach for him without losing her speed, but she felt a burning pain, that singed her insides, something hot coming into contact with her flesh in the bottom of the back of her thigh and top of her shoulder.
The pain and suddenness caused her to crash, and Killua fell with her, they weren't able to register the pain of scraping along the dirt road.
"Sakura!" The boys tried to rush to the pinkette clutching her shoulder in pain, trying to curl without moving her leg.
"Dammit…" Sakura hissed, feeling her gloves soak in the warmth of her blood, "Just run! Go!"
"No way!"
Gon managed to get the pinkette into his arms and lift her, but when they turned to run, blurs passed and they were cornered, Phinks and Nobunaga standing in front of them and Machi and Pakunoda behind, ready to strike. Though none of them were unscathed which gave Sakura a trickle of pride through her anxiousness and pain.
"Don't try anything now," Pakunoda held up her gun that was already smoking and they guessed who was shot.
Phinks wiped the side of his mouth, removing the dirt. "Damn, that was quite a punch,"
"Must be an enhancer," Machi said, looking down at Sakura writhing in pain.
"Alright kids, now it's time for one more question," Nobunaga held the hilt of his sword, and they felt their bodies tense from the sense of danger. "Do you want to die now or later?"
..
..
..
"Sorry guys," Sakura muttered, staring at her wounded leg. She could feel the hole where the metal had scalded inside her, serving as a constant burning reminder of the situation she had trapped her friends in now.
"It's not your fault Sakura," Gon said.
Gon and Killua lifted Sakura cautiously out of the car, her arms around their shoulders.
Instead of attempting to eliminate them right away, which wouldn't have probed everyone into a fight, the Phantom Troupe members told them to get into the car. Which ensured a tense drive further away, to the outskirts of the city where no one would have a purpose to wander to unless they were up to no good
The only questions they were asked, were the reason for their shadowing, and they told the truth, it was the the bounty on their heads. But the troupe was asking if they knew of a chain user which they didn't.
..
..
They weren't rushed as they followed the Troupe members into a destitute building, unwelcoming and inhabited. That's what they discovered when they came into a clearing. On a wall that had broken and piled, now functioning as stools for seven intimidating individuals despite their various demeanors and appearances.
"Welcome to our base,"
THAT'S ALL FOLKS! Hope you enjoyed this chapter and Remember to stay strong!
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NEW STORY: Kunoichi amongst Reapers
-Commission: Demon slayer x My hero academia (PART 1 & 2)
Kunoichi amongst Benders (Avatar x Naruto crossover) ( 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
-Kunoichi amongst Heroes chapter (76, 77, 78)
-Kunoichi amongst Heroes WHAT IF SPIN OFF: Dorms and Exams
-Kunoichi amongst Pirates chapter ( 32, 33,34)
-Crossroads of Fate chapter 23, 24, 25, 26
-Through the Looking Glass chapter 28, 29, 30, 31, 32. 33,
-(SEQUEL) Through the Spyglass chapter 1, 2, 3, 4, 5,6
-SPECIAL HALLOWEEN CHAPTER: Shinigami amongst Shinobi
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