Hisoka is a Transmuter, a Nen type adjacent to Enhancement and Conjuration.
Theoretically, Hisoka can utilize up to 80% of Enhancement-type precision.
When applied to throwing playing cards, the destructive power is still quite considerable.
Thus, when Machi was directly facing Shiba, Hisoka, who was approaching from behind, had the ability to assassinate Machi outright.
This is a common outcome in Nen battles when "many versus one" scenarios occur—swiftly eliminating an opponent who would otherwise be troublesome.
However, Hisoka avoided targeting Machi altogether...
Moro inferred from this that Hisoka holds a principle bordering on obsession when it comes to fighting head-on—a bottom line of sorts.
While Moro was impressed by this, he couldn't help but feel a strong sense of regret.
Had he been in Hisoka's position earlier, he could have taken the opportunity to kill Machi and gain a massive amount of experience points.
However, that would almost certainly lead to being hunted down by Chrollo and his group.
As for the "rules" of joining the Phantom Troupe?
Leaving aside the fact that such an ambush would occur while on a Troupe mission…
The victim would be an original founding member of the Troupe, someone who grew up with Chrollo and the others…
In such a situation, no one would believe in the so-called rules of joining the Troupe.
Moro had personally confirmed this truth.
To gain something, you must always face risks.
If he couldn't initially bring himself to charge fearlessly into the fray like Hisoka, then he clearly didn't deserve the opportunity for that massive experience gain earlier.
Thinking this through, Moro's regret vanished in an instant.
Even if given the chance to do it over, he would still choose to stay on the rooftop of this tall building.
Do what is within your means.
Ambushing a Troupe member in the plaza carried too much follow-up risk. Compared to that decision, Moro was more inclined to take advantage of Hisoka's actions to secure the head of the Troupe's Number 4 member, Kalluto.
If memory served, Kalluto ultimately faked his death and escaped.
Hisoka was aware of this but still let Kalluto go.
Armed with this information, Moro decided to act based on the circumstances.
Though it might later draw Hisoka's attention, it was still better than facing the majority of the Phantom Troupe directly.
Moro collected his thoughts, watching from a distance as a figure emerged from the light.
He wasn't sure if it was a trick of the eye or something Hisoka did deliberately.
Moro felt that Hisoka's walk carried a certain flamboyance—a deliberate provocation in Kalluto's eyes, no doubt.
"Be the troublemaker, Hisoka. Keep being the center of attention," Moro muttered quietly as he closely observed the battle in the plaza.
With Hisoka's sudden interference, the confrontation between Machi and Shiba momentarily stalled, while the attacked Kalluto turned a cold gaze toward Hisoka, who swayed his hips as he approached.
As time resumed its flow, Machi kept her focus on Shiba.
"Nen Strings: Ensnaring Web"
Machi abruptly raised her hands, transforming her Nen into a crisscrossing net of fine strings.
Though naturally a Transmuter, her exceptional talent and rigorous training had allowed her to wield Enhancement abilities with perfect precision.
As a result, her Nen strings possessed Enhancement properties.
"You're not getting away."
Machi spread the web wide and leaped back, briefly creating distance while increasing her Nen output. Then, she hurled the now-expanded web forward.
The shimmering web spread like the lines of a chessboard, enveloping Shiba.
However, Shiba wouldn't allow himself to be trapped by such strings. Using a swift footwork technique, he left behind an afterimage at the web's landing point while his real body slipped away.
But Machi had a natural ability to see Nen with her eyes. Using her keen vision, she immediately saw through Shiba's movements and quickly tugged a string connected to the web.
Under her control, the web seemed to possess a tracking ability, pursuing Shiba relentlessly.
Shiba noticed this and glanced briefly at Machi, inwardly admiring the skill of these people.
Despite this, he didn't slow down. With a quick motion, he released a Nen bullet toward the web.
Boom!
The Nen bullet struck the web, obliterating it completely.
"So fast…"
Machi's pupils contracted as she witnessed the speed with which Shiba gathered and released his Nen. She immediately understood the extent of his strength.
Yet, her next move showed no hesitation.
Almost at the moment of the explosion, Machi darted to Shiba's side, her fingers glinting faintly with the shine of her Nen strings.
The shorter the strings, the stronger they became.
The earlier expanded web was merely to create this opening.
Just as Machi was about to sever part of Shiba's body with her strings, Shiba moved faster, twisting his waist and delivering a powerful kick to her shoulder.
Boom.
A jellyfish-shaped burst of aura exploded.
Machi let out a grunt as she was sent flying sideways like a cannonball.
Shiba retracted his leg and had barely steadied himself when a few bullets blocked his path.
It was Pakunoda, firing her revolver.
The bullets posed no real threat to Shiba but slowed him down just enough.
Meanwhile, Hisoka, with a playing card between his fingers, leaned forward and charged at Kalluto.
As he passed the airborne Machi, their eyes met briefly.
Machi's gaze carried both wariness and surprise, while Hisoka's revealed nothing but battle-hardened intent.
The next moment, Hisoka reached Kalluto, slashing with his card as if it were a sword.
Kalluto, caught off guard by the speed of Hisoka's assault, didn't even have time to ask who he was. Forced to retreat, Kalluto's evasive maneuver gave Hisoka the chance to follow up.
Hisoka took a step forward, retracting his right arm while driving his knee toward Kalluto's abdomen.
Kalluto's expression shifted. Crossing his arms downward, he blocked the knee strike.
Thud.
A muffled sound echoed.
Though Kalluto blocked the strike, the resulting force sent him flying backward.
This was precisely what Hisoka wanted.
He had no intention of participating in the group battle; his plan was to isolate Kalluto from the fight.
"Boss…!"
Franklin frowned as he looked at Hisoka's chaotic interference.
Chrollo glanced at Hisoka, who chased after Kalluto like a mad dog. Considering Kalluto's ability to summon multiple puppets, Chrollo concluded that he could hold his own for now.
"Focus on the one who killed Lucius first," Chrollo ordered decisively.
"Understood."
Franklin and Kortopi trusted Chrollo's judgment without hesitation and immediately moved to support Shiba.
From the rooftop, Moro observed Hisoka separating Kalluto from the fight and Chrollo's group focusing on Shiba. His mind raced.
Opportunity!
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50 Powerstones? (5 Bonus Chapters)
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