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Third-Person POV
The silence in the warehouse was stifling. Members of the Phantom Troupe moved quietly, some tending to wounds, others sharpening weapons or simply sitting in contemplation. Yet, the unspoken tension lingered like a storm cloud, heavy and threatening.
Zephyr leaned against a rusted pillar, his Nen threads subtly weaving around his wound to ease the pain. The Hunter's words echoed in his mind: "It's them."
He couldn't shake the feeling that those words weren't random. Someone had betrayed them. And worse, it was clear that suspicion now pointed toward him.
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Switch to Machi's POV
I watched Zephyr from across the room, his every move careful and calculated. He wasn't the type to crumble under pressure, but something was different tonight. He seemed... distracted.
"Thinking too hard?" Shalnark's voice cut into my thoughts.
I turned to see him leaning casually against a crate, his usual grin plastered on his face.
"I don't trust him," I said bluntly, nodding toward Zephyr.
Shalnark raised an eyebrow. "Zephyr? Come on, Machi. He's been with us for years. If he was going to betray us, wouldn't he have done it by now?"
"Maybe," I admitted, my gaze never leaving Zephyr. "Or maybe he's been waiting for the right moment."
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Switch to Zephyr's POV
The warehouse felt like a cage, and the accusing stares only made it worse. I had no intention of betraying the Troupe, but I could feel the walls closing in.
Machi's piercing gaze didn't help. She'd always been one of the more suspicious members, but tonight, it felt personal.
As I adjusted the threads around my wound, I felt a presence behind me. I turned to see Chrollo standing there, his expression as unreadable as ever.
"You've been quiet," he said, his voice calm but probing.
"Just thinking," I replied.
"About the mission?"
"And the Hunter," I admitted.
Chrollo nodded, stepping closer. "Do you think they were right?"
I hesitated. "About a traitor?"
"Yes."
"I don't know," I said honestly. "But if there is one, we'll find them."
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Chrollo's POV
Zephyr's words were steady, but there was an edge to his voice—a frustration he was trying to mask.
"Good," I said, my tone neutral. "Because if there's one thing the Troupe cannot tolerate, it's disloyalty."
I let the weight of my words hang in the air before turning and walking away.
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Third-Person POV
The hours dragged on, and the tension in the warehouse only grew thicker. Feitan sharpened his blade in the corner, his dark eyes occasionally flickering toward Zephyr. Machi paced, her distrust evident in every step. Even Shalnark, usually the Troupe's lighthearted voice of reason, seemed subdued.
Then, the silence was broken by a sudden crash.
All eyes turned toward the sound, where a stack of crates had been overturned. Nobunaga stood over the mess, his katana drawn, his gaze fixed on the figure of a young woman emerging from the shadows.
She was thin and pale, her clothes tattered, her eyes wide with fear.
"Who the hell are you?" Nobunaga growled, his blade pointed at her throat.
The girl raised her hands, trembling. "P-please," she stammered. "I didn't mean to intrude. I-I was hiding here when you arrived."
Chrollo stepped forward, his presence immediately commanding the room. "Hiding from what?"
The girl hesitated, her eyes darting around the room. "F-from the Hunter," she whispered.
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Switch to Zephyr's POV
My heart skipped a beat.
"What did you say?" I demanded, stepping forward.
The girl flinched but didn't back away. "They were after me," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I overheard them talking about... something important. About a job they were hired to do."
"What kind of job?" Chrollo asked, his tone calm but insistent.
The girl hesitated again, her fear palpable. "To stop you," she said finally. "To make sure the Phantom Troupe didn't leave this city alive."
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Switch to Machi's POV
The girl's words sent a ripple through the room. I exchanged a glance with Shalnark, who looked equally skeptical.
"And why would a Hunter tell you this?" I asked, my tone sharp.
"I-I don't know," the girl stammered. "I think they thought I was nobody. Just a street rat they didn't have to worry about."
Her story felt too convenient, too neatly timed. I glanced at Zephyr again, my suspicion deepening.
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Switch to Third-Person POV
Before anyone could press the girl further, the sound of distant footsteps echoed through the warehouse. The Troupe immediately went on high alert, their weapons drawn, their Nen flaring.
"Looks like we've got company," Feitan muttered, his blade glinting in the dim light.
Chrollo motioned for silence, his sharp eyes scanning the shadows.
Then, the doors burst open, and a group of figures stepped inside. At their center was the Hunter Zephyr had fought earlier, now flanked by two others.
"You should've stayed in the shadows," the Hunter said, their smirk returning.
Zephyr stepped forward, his threads crackling to life. "I was hoping you'd show up."
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