Chapter 81: HHES: Chapter 81
Initially, the Troupe members naturally assumed Uvogin had been killed out of spite after interrogation yielded no useful information.
However, a crucial point seems to have been overlooked. The enemy knew about the Phantom Troupe, even Chrollo's name. Therefore, their motive for capturing Uvogin was likely to obtain information about the Troupe.
If the Transmutation-type Nen user possessed an interrogation-type ability, Uvogin's injuries might have been deliberately inflicted as a deception.
Even if this is just speculation, Chrollo couldn't ignore it. If the enemy truly possessed the ability to extract information from Uvogin, it meant the entire Troupe and their hideout were exposed.
"I understand. Contact me if you have new findings," Chrollo said.
"Yes, Leader," Machi replied.
Chrollo was intelligent enough to understand with minimal explanation.
After hanging up, Chrollo looked at the others.
"Kortopi! Can you create some buildings nearby?"
"No problem," Kortopi replied, a small figure whose face was hidden by hair, slowly rising from a corner.
"Loki, let us join you!" Gon and Killua said seriously, approaching Loki in the hotel restaurant where he was drinking coffee.
"No, Gon, Killua, this is too dangerous. You can't be involved," Kurapika said excitedly, standing up before Loki could respond.
"Kurapika, we want to help, and we have our own goals," Killua said.
After their morning meeting, Gon and Killua learned about Loki's fight with the Troupe. They were surprised; Loki could already fight such strong enemies. Their strength was far weaker than Loki's. Even with Loki's strong talent, the gap was too large. Killua had given up on catching up to Loki; he now fully acknowledged Loki's strength.
Joining Loki and Kurapika against the Troupe would be a valuable experience for Gon and Killua. The mafia's high bounty also attracted Gon; Greed Island would be at the Yorknew City auction, and Gon needed money to bid on it.
"No, absolutely not, Loki! Gon and Killua can't risk fighting the Phantom Troupe. It's too soon for them," Kurapika said, realizing he'd been too harsh. He apologized to Gon and Killua. "I don't mean you're weak. You'll get stronger, but not now."
"Kurapika, don't overreact. The Phantom Troupe are criminals, but we're professional Hunters!" Leorio said. He didn't think he was far from the Troupe's strength, only slightly weaker.
Kurapika looked at Leorio calmly.
"Leorio, don't underestimate the Phantom Troupe. We killed one of them yesterday, but four of our companions died. They were all Nen users."
Four?! Leorio hadn't expected Kurapika's side to lose four Nen users.
"Even so, I want to join you, to fight the Phantom Troupe. I'm a professional Hunter, Kurapika," Gon said.
Kurapika was helpless. Gon's clear, determined gaze couldn't be dissuaded.
"Gon..."
"Kurapika," Loki said. "Gon's a professional Hunter. Hunters face danger. Gon has his own goals; it's not just to help you. Don't worry so much."
Kurapika's face darkened. "No matter what, I won't..."
"No good!" Melody rushed downstairs, sweating profusely.
"What?"
Melody looked at Loki. "Loki's actions last night were discovered by the mafia. And... and..."
"And what?" Kurapika asked urgently.
"See for yourselves!"
They went upstairs to Melody's room. The black market website was on her computer. Footage of Loki's fight was posted. The footage was blurry and only showed Loki's final Fire Fist attack. The massive fire engulfed the Troupe members. Even on screen, it was terrifying.
Gon, Killua, and Leorio stared at the screen. The image was burned into their minds: the soaring flames, the punch that turned a hundred-meter radius into a sea of fire. Was that humanly possible? Leorio glanced at Loki's profile, remembering his earlier words about the Troupe being nothing special. It wasn't that the Troupe was weak; this kid was a monster. Those terrifying flames were Nen? This terrifying scene reshaped Leorio's understanding of Nen.
"That's your fight, Loki?" Kurapika asked, astonished. That one attack had injured three Troupe members, forcing them to retreat.
Loki replied calmly, "Yes."
"The mafia probably recorded it by accident," Melody said, clicking to another page.
Loki's fight against the Phantom Troupe amazed the underground world's killers, Hunters, and Nen users. But the more shocking news was that not only had Loki injured three Troupe members, but he'd also captured and killed one. Defeating half the Troupe, capturing one, and injuring three—the entire black market was shaken.
The Phantom Troupe was known throughout the underworld; they were terrifying thieves who took what they wanted and killed without hesitation. Each member was a top Nen user. Yet, this terrifying organization had suffered such heavy losses at the hands of one person.
Now, not only did the mafia desperately want to find Loki, but others in the black market wanted information about him too.
Kurapika suddenly exclaimed, realizing something.
The video clip on the black market website was an unexpected bonus. Machi had intended to release information about Loki. If it didn't cause a stir, she'd eliminate a Yorknew City mafia member, leaving a note demanding the flame kid. This would get the mafia to help find Loki.
But Chrollo sent Phinks and Machi to the battle site to see the damage and analyze Loki's abilities. They unexpectedly found the phone that recorded Loki's fight. This accidental discovery made Machi's plan even easier.
Ten minutes after Machi posted the video, it reached the Ten Dons, who controlled the world's mafia.
The Ten Dons hadn't expected such a powerful person among the mafia pursuing Loki that night. The Ten Don's leader was shocked by the video. Those terrifying flames—were they really possible with just human strength? It was more powerful than a bomb. A human bomber.
After a long silence, the Ten Dons started discussing.
"Even the Shadow Beasts were wiped out; this kid defeated more than half the Phantom Troupe." Compared to the Shadow Beasts, their elite force, they weren't even enough to fill his teeth. "Why didn't anyone report this?"
"Is this kid really one of ours?" The Ten Don's leader doubted this person was from the mafia.
"Whether he's ours or not, he's a hundred times stronger than the Shadow Beasts. We must find him."
"Give him whatever he wants—wealth, fame, power—as long as he eliminates the Phantom Troupe."
The Phantom Troupe's attack and the destruction of the Shadow Beasts were a slap in the face to the Ten Dons. They had no way to deal with the Phantom Troupe. They'd planned to hire Zoldyck assassins, but now it seemed unnecessary.
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