"Hey~ if someone hadn't been talking so loudly, leaking information, we probably could've slipped out a long time ago," Killua muttered, shooting a deadpan look at Leorio.
"Um... sorry, I won't let it happen again," Leorio mumbled, scratching his head.
Gon pulled out a photo, staring at it intently. "Forget it. Let's focus on completing the auction. The prize is 2 billion Jenny~~~"
Killua's face turned serious. "True, but remember it's the Phantom Troupe we're dealing with. Ronnel is one of their members, and Hisoka is rumored to be as well. The others… they're on a whole different level. Do you really think we can catch them?"
Leorio and Gon fell silent. The thought of facing the Troupe left them feeling the weight of the challenge. Yet, they knew this was the fastest way to earn some serious money. They steeled themselves to give it a shot.
Meanwhile, Ronnel's puppet, Kay Taylor, received a call from Leiert.
"Kay Taylor, where are you? Get back here immediately. I've got something important to tell you!" came Leiert's voice, tinged with urgency and excitement.
"I just got news: after the defeat of the Shadow Beasts, the Ten Dons are hiring professional assassins to take down the Phantom Troupe. They're also assembling a team for the job. This could be a huge opportunity to make a name for yourself. Get back here, we'll discuss the details in person!"
The call ended abruptly, the dial tone filling the air. Kay Taylor looked at the blank screen, then quickly typed out a message to Ronnel.
Back at the hideout, Ronnel read the message, his face lighting up with excitement.
"Joining the assassins' group, huh? And facing Killua's father and grandfather? Things are definitely heating up."
A flicker of excitement glimmered in his eyes as he thought about Chrollo, Zeno, and Silva.
Since his Hunter Exam match with Netero, he hadn't encountered a truly thrilling opponent. Monsters, shadows, and even the recent fight with Feitan hadn't quite scratched the itch for a worthy challenge. Silva's raw power, Zeno techniques, and Chrollo's versatile Nen abilities—they all represented the kind of fight he craved.
With the Phantom Troupe already in motion, Ronnel slipped into the shadows. In an alleyway, he reached into his backpack and drew out a doll—one with his exact likeness. Emerging from the alley, the figure looked just like him but with a subtle difference in aura.
Nearby, Machi's instincts kicked in, and she turned with a frown. She scanned her surroundings: Nobunaga, Phinks, and Ronnel walked nearby, seemingly unbothered. Did something happen to Uvogin?
Machi shook off the feeling, refocusing as they continued on their way.
In the dim alleyway, Ronnel's lips curved into a smirk as he watched his puppet blend seamlessly with his surroundings and companions. It looked and acted exactly like him, with even a fraction of his true strength. The puppet had been created with a binding restriction: only one could exist at a time, allowing it to mirror his abilities closely.
Satisfied, Ronnel slapped his face lightly, shifting his features to match Kai Taylor's, then jogged toward the Leort family's hotel.
"An assassination team, and a chance to test myself against the world's most infamous family of assassins? Sounds like fun."
Back at the Phantom Troupe's base, Kurapika had already informed Light Nostrade of his mission and was making preparations for his long-awaited showdown with Uvogin.
That evening, Kurapika's eyes opened, a flicker of resolve sharpening his gaze just as Uvogin stepped through the door.
Uvogin grinned, his expression ferocious and eager for payback.
"Waiting here for me alone, huh? Gotta admit, that takes guts."
Kurapika kept his cool, though his heart hammered with tension. His gaze, hidden behind contact lenses, flashed crimson.
"I'll let you choose the location—here or somewhere more secluded."
Uvogin's grin widened, his bloodlust evident.
"Let's go somewhere isolated. Don't want to bother anyone with your screams."
Without a word, Kurapika nodded, leading the way.
Meanwhile, Ronnel, under the guise of Kay Taylor, found himself in a lively conversation with a young female recruit in the assassination team.
"Uncle Taylor," she said excitedly, "I just detected two exceptionally strong energy signatures moving northeast at incredible speed!"
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