The professional Hunter specializing in Emission was locked in battle with Franklin. Initially, they were evenly matched, but as the fight progressed, Franklin began to gain the upper hand.
Meanwhile, Chrollo had taken several members of the Phantom Troupe with him, including Pakunoda, Feitan, Phinks, Omokage, Joe (No. 8), Bonoleno, and Machi. This left only Shalnark, Kortopi, Uvogin, Nobunaga, and Franklin on the battlefield.
Uvogin and Nobunaga were dealing with the soldiers, while Shalnark provided support. Kortopi, though not a pure combat Nen user, was assisting Franklin by temporarily holding off the Manipulator-class professional Hunter who had entered the fray.
Given the current situation, it wouldn't take long before one of Shalnark, Nobunaga, or Uvogin freed themselves up to provide backup. At that point, the two professional Hunters opposing them would be in serious trouble. They seemed to realize this and were desperately trying to take down their current opponents before reinforcements could arrive.
But that was easier said than done. Kortopi's abilities made it difficult for them to quickly eliminate him, buying Franklin the time he needed to overpower his opponent.
At a distance, the phantom swords surrounding Rocky began to materialize.
Kite, noticing the ethereal blades rotating in the air, turned to him.
"Are you going in?"
"Yeah," Rocky nodded.
"Who's the target?" Kite glanced toward Shalnark, Uvogin, and Nobunaga.
With Franklin and Kortopi occupied, it made sense to focus on the remaining three. They were spread apart, making it difficult for them to support one another quickly. A surprise attack could be enough to take one of them down instantly.
Rocky followed Kite's gaze.
"Looks like we have the same idea."
Kite smirked. "But I don't have any abilities suited for sneak attacks."
Rocky chuckled. "I do. I'll cover you. If one attack isn't enough, you'll need time to finish the job. If his teammates come to help, I'll intercept them."
"Got it."
With that, Rocky vanished. Kite barely reacted, already anticipating his movements as he descended toward the battlefield.
Their first target was clear—the weakest and easiest to eliminate.
Shalnark.
Rocky's eyes locked onto him.
At that moment, Shalnark was controlling the soldiers, making them exchange fire with the opposing side. He was positioned at a safe distance, seemingly uninvolved in direct combat.
Rocky lifted the Dragon King Sword, splitting it into four blades that silently shot toward Shalnark. At the same time, he activated his invisibility.
Unless someone used *Gyo*, the flying swords were undetectable.
Kite had already taken his position.
Two of the daggers suddenly materialized out of thin air, closing in on Shalnark at an alarming speed.
Shalnark sensed the disturbance just in time.
"A professional Hunter?" His eyes narrowed. "Another Manipulator!"
Although the daggers were fast, Shalnark managed to evade them.
"Uvogin! Nobunaga! Be careful—there's another Hunter—"
A sudden flash of white light cut him off.
A crystal blade erupted behind him, shattering into fragments that glimmered in the air.
A chilling sensation crept over Shalnark's body.
A sharp gasp escaped his lips.
Blood sprayed from his neck, forming a crimson arc in the air.
Rocky moved past him in a blur, his cloak billowing in the wind.
Shalnark's eyes widened as he caught a glimpse of the cloaked figure, featureless and shrouded in shadows.
A second later—
*Thud.*
His body collapsed lifelessly to the ground, a deep wound carved across his neck.
Instant kill.
Kite let out a quiet whistle, impressed.
*This is… terrifying.*
Using an initial attack to draw attention while delivering a fatal blow at the perfect moment—Shalnark never stood a chance. In that split-second between life and death, he had no time to react.
And Rocky's speed…
*This instant movement ability is too powerful!*
It wasn't just an excellent technique for ambushes. In a direct confrontation, it would be an absolute nightmare to deal with.
Kite sighed internally.
At that moment, both Nobunaga and Uvogin turned toward Shalnark's fallen body. Their eyes widened at the sight of him lying in a pool of blood.
Shalnark—killed instantly?!
Impossible.
Even though Shalnark was an Emitter, he was still a formidable fighter. More importantly, his automatic operation mode was a failsafe that could trigger a devastating counterattack sensing danger.
Yet… he was cut down before it could even activate.
For a brief moment, even Rocky himself was surprised.
*That was… easier than expected.*
This was the nature of Nen.
No matter how skilled someone was, if they failed to defend themselves, death could come in an instant.
Even the strongest Nen users were still flesh and blood. A single, well-placed strike could end them.
Rocky had concentrated nearly 70% of his aura into that last attack.
And it had paid off.
"You bastard!"
"You dare attack the Phantom Troupe?! You're dead!"
Nobunaga, who was closest, exploded with rage and charged toward Rocky.
The moment he regained his senses, he had locked onto Rocky's position.
However, in his fury, he didn't notice Kite lurking behind a large rock.
The *Crazy Clown* had begun to spin.
Just as Nobunaga rushed past the rock, a faint killing intent brushed against him from behind.
His instincts screamed.
Without hesitation, he twisted his body and swung his blade.
*Clang!*
A crisp collision rang out.
Kite's eyes narrowed in surprise—his strike had been from a blind spot, yet Nobunaga had reacted in time to deflect it.
Still—
*Pshh!*
Kite's weapon, resembling a spear, pierced into Nobunaga's left shoulder.
He had aimed for his throat.
But Nobunaga had deflected just enough to turn a fatal blow into a deep wound.
Nobunaga's eyes burned with fury. He gritted his teeth and leapt backward, yanking himself free from the spear. Blood splattered across the ground.
Rocky assessed him.
Although Nobunaga was wounded, it wasn't enough to take him out of the fight.
And with Uvogin nearby…
This was going to be a problem.
"Two minutes. Can you hold them?" Rocky asked.
Kite nodded. "No problem."
"After two minutes, no matter what happens, retreat immediately," Rocky ordered.
With that, he turned and leapt away, sprinting toward Franklin's position.
Nobunaga's gaze flickered.
*I know that face…*
Something about Rocky's youthful appearance struck him as familiar.
*A kid this young… took out Shalnark instantly?*
Before he could dwell on the thought, Kite's aura shifted.
His battle instincts took over.
With a fierce roar, he swung his blade.
A streak of white light flashed.
Kite flinched as a lock of his hair drifted to the ground.
That was close.
*This guy… he's a master with a blade.*