Hunter X Hunter: Tombbound Power

As these thoughts crossed Killua's mind, his expression darkened.

Just earlier in the car, hadn't he and Gon learned everything about Kurapika?

Fortunately, they didn't know much about Kurapika's recent actions or his mastery of Nen, so there was still a slim chance of escape.

Being held here with Gon as a hostage left Kurapika in an extremely vulnerable position. They needed to find a way out—fast.

Killua shivered suddenly, sensing an intense wave of killing intent.

It wasn't just him, even Gon, who had been watching in wide-eyed confusion, broke into goosebumps.

"Since they're connected to the Chain User, this might be useful~" Nobunaga muttered. He'd been watching Hisoka intently but now shifted his focus to Killua and Gon, gripping his sword's hilt.

Nobunaga moved toward the boys, his eyes narrowing menacingly.

"What are you doing, Nobunaga?!"

Franklin, sensing the shift in Nobunaga's mood, was the first to speak up.

"I'm going to kill one of them, and offer it as a tribute to Uvogin."

Without hesitation, Nobunaga kept advancing, intent clear in his stance.

"After all, these two are friends of Kurapika's. Losing one wouldn't change much—one hostage is enough to get what we want."

Nobunaga's bloodlust was palpable, making Gon and Killua instinctively want to run, though the weight of his intent locked them in place.

The other Phantom Troupe members hesitated. Franklin, usually the voice of reason, was the only one attempting to intervene. But the others remained silent, after all, Nobunaga was right. They had the upper hand, and if the Chain User truly cared, one hostage was all it would take. If not, well... it didn't hurt to vent their anger.

Nobunaga's fury over Uvogin's death was shared by everyone in the brigade, each member filled with a quiet, simmering rage.

"So, who dies first?"

Nobunaga's katana gleamed as he drew it, and Killua and Gon's frightened faces reflected in the blade.

"What do we do?!" Killua's mind was racing, eyes widening in panic. He could feel cold sweat trickling down as his survival instincts screamed at him to run, though his body felt frozen.

Beside him, Gon was equally overwhelmed.

There was no way they'd make it out on their own—they needed help.

Killua glanced around and locked eyes with Hisoka, who, for once, wasn't smiling.

Despite his usual amusement with the boys, Hisoka seemed caught in indecision.

Feitan and Phinks, on high alert, took Nobunaga's place, ensuring Hisoka stayed in check. Even if Hisoka felt a strange fondness for Gon and Killua, in this setting, his hands were tied.

Suddenly, a voice broke the tension.

"Stop it, Nobunaga. You can't kill either of them~"

Ronnel stepped forward, placing himself between Nobunaga and the two boys, his tone calm yet firm.

"Move, Ronnel!" Nobunaga snapped, glaring at his comrade.

"You really can't kill these two."

"Why not?!"

"It's not just because I know them," Ronnel began, holding Nobunaga's gaze, "but there are deeper reasons."

"If you still insist after hearing me out, then we'll leave it to the spider's toss. If luck's on your side, I won't stop you."

Nobunaga gritted his teeth, anger flashing in his eyes. "Then what's this 'deeper reason'?!"

The other troupe members watched closely, curious as to why Ronnel was so protective of the two hostages. Their only history with him was from the Hunter Exam and the brief ties to Kurapika. There didn't seem to be any logical reason for him to interfere.

"Do you even know their names, Nobunaga?" Ronnel asked as Nobunaga's rage ebbed slightly.

"No, what do names matter?"

"The one with white hair is Killua Zoldyck, and the other is Gon Freecss."

"Zoldyck?!"

Gon's name didn't register much, but upon hearing the name "Zoldyck," the troupe brigade fell silent, exchanging glances.

"So that explains the kid's abilities…" Phinks muttered, nodding as understanding dawned.

Killua's skill had struck him as abnormal for his age, almost unnervingly so. But learning he was from the infamous Zoldyck family, the legendary assassins, made it all clear.

The Troupe's members, especially those aware of the Zoldyck family's reputation, grew cautious. The Zoldycks were not to be taken lightly, they had a long history with the Phantom Troupe.

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