Chapter 188: 188 - As For the Reason, I Cannot Say
"It's still here~" Hisoka pouted.
After Uvogin's death, he knew suspicions would be directed at him whenever he went out, especially on his outings. But he hadn't expected it to happen so quickly. Luckily, he was prepared.
"Hisoka, you were also part of the 287th Hunter Exam. There must be some connection between you and the Chain User, Kurapika!" Shalnark's tone was completely flat, his face devoid of expression. "Or, could it be that your date was with the Chain User himself?"
With those words, the tension in the room spiked.
"Hisoka, are you the one who betrayed Uvogin and the Troupe?!" Feitan squinted, raising his hand, and Nobunaga immediately unsheathed his sword. They only waited for Chrollo's command before making their move.
Hisoka, however, remained unfazed. He knew they wouldn't fight now. Though suspected of being a traitor, he was still a member of the Phantom Troupe.
The Troupe's rules were strict, and one of them forbade in-fighting among members. When there was a dispute, decisions were made by Chrollo—who created the Troupe and established the rules. And Chrollo would not stand idly by.
"Wait a second~" Chrollo's soft voice cut through the tension, filling the empty building with an even heavier atmosphere.
"Though there's suspicion surrounding Hisoka, he's still one of us. I need further confirmation." Chrollo slowly stood, his eyes fixed on Hisoka. "Hisoka, would you allow Pakunoda to briefly scan your memory?"
"No~, as for the reason, I cannot say." Hisoka, unfazed, twirled a playing card between his fingers. If Pakunoda probed his memories, his secrets would certainly be laid bare.
"Is that so?" Chrollo's gaze darkened slightly. "If we can't find out the truth, it'll be difficult to clear you of suspicion, Hisoka." His tone was light, but a chill underlined his words—one that hinted at a more ruthless side.
"Why not let me just cut off his hands and feet~?" Nobunaga's eyes glinted with bloodlust, his tone unrestrained. Uvogin's death was something he couldn't accept.
"It's simple, Chrollo~" Hisoka cut in, ignoring Nobunaga's threat, a smirk tugging at his lips. "The daughter of the Nostrade Family, she has a rather accurate divination ability, doesn't she?"
Chrollo was silent, and Hisoka's smirk deepened. "You could use her divination ability, right? Wouldn't that clear things up?"
When Hisoka had first heard about divination from Ronnel, he specifically asked about it while meeting Kurapika. He wanted to be prepared if Chrollo ever obtained that divination ability and decided to use it against him.
He had learned that the ability couldn't be used for self-predictions or read by the person it was about. From that moment, Hisoka had already started planning a way to use this divination to his advantage.
With Chrollo's personality, he would never pass up an ability like that.
After acquiring the divination ability, Chrollo would undoubtedly use it to investigate him, and the resulting prophecy would be shared with everyone. This would be the perfect opportunity for Hisoka to clear his name.
"Alright, then," Chrollo said after a pause. "But until we verify the divination, don't do anything suspicious. Otherwise, it might be difficult for the others to hold back, rules or no rules."
"Of course, I'll stay put until you give me that divination," Hisoka replied, smiling.
"Clang!" Nobunaga sheathed his sword, sitting cross-legged on the floor with his eyes fixed on Hisoka.
"Until we have our answer, I'll keep an eye on you, Hisoka."
"I don't mind~" Hisoka drew out a deck of playing cards and began stacking them into a pyramid.
"Then, let's adjust our plan," Chrollo said, shadows flickering in his gaze.
With that, a new day dawned. Pakunoda and Machi, disguised as sisters, ventured out to gather intel. Since the Chain User, Kurapika, was targeting the Phantom Troupe, they would surely encounter him soon. Pakunoda and Machi would serve as both scouts and bait.
Nobunaga stayed back to keep an eye on Hisoka, while Chrollo discreetly set up a two-way tracking system, unbeknownst to Machi. Ronnel and Phinks were chosen to tail the scouting pair. With their past encounter in the Republic of Padokea, the two were comfortable working together.
With Kurapika in their crosshairs, the Troupe could rest assured there was no more suspicion lingering within the group—everyone, even Chrollo, trusted them fully.
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