The Strongest Assassin of the Zoldyck Family!

This atmosphere seemed to foreshadow that in the coming events, the Phantom Troupe would very likely suffer a major blow. But this was exactly what Hisoka had been hoping for. As long as Chrollo wasn't dead, Hisoka didn't care how many of the other Troupe members died. He might even applaud it. Because that would mean Hisoka would have an easier time getting a one-on-one chance with Chrollo.

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Six members of the Shadow Beast had fallen. Apart from their leader, Owl, all had been killed. The only reason Owl was spared was because Feitan needed to interrogate him for more information—and because Owl's ability was considered valuable by the Troupe. The two took Owl and quickly headed to where Chrollo was.

Elsewhere, Shalnark and Franklin had already uncovered relevant information. Their method was simple: they infiltrated the higher-ups of the Underworld Mafia in Yorknew. Then, while Dalzollene was in contact with those executives, they obtained Uvogin's location. What happened afterward was even simpler. With Shalnark and Franklin's power, the Nostrade family's guards were no match.

At the time, Kurapika had left due to his arrangement with Hisoka. The rest were no real threat. Dalzollene sacrificed his own life to buy the others a brief chance to escape.

"Uvogin, we should go back," Shalnark said. "The boss seems to have something going on."

"Go back?" Uvogin shook his head. "I can't go back yet—not until I kill that chain bastard. Shalnark, you go ahead. Let the boss know. I'm going to find that chain user."

Uvogin's heart burned with killing intent toward Kurapika. Ever since he had learned Nen, he had never suffered such a loss. Added to that, his mood had already been sour these past few days. The fight with the Shadow Beasts hadn't allowed him to vent enough. Now, Kurapika had become his outlet.

Shalnark didn't argue. He simply pulled out his phone. Soon, the call connected. On the other end was Chrollo.

"Boss, Uvogin says he's not coming back yet. He wants to find the chain user and only return after he kills him."

Chrollo was silent for a moment. "Put him on."

"Yes, boss." Shalnark tossed the phone to Uvogin. Catching it, Uvogin frowned slightly. "Boss?"

"Uvogin, come back first. No matter what else is going on, return first. We have more important things to deal with. We'll handle the chain user after this."

"Why?"

Uvogin didn't quite understand. But Chrollo gave no explanation. He simply asked, "Uvogin, do you still trust me?"

Uvogin remained silent for a long time. "Alright. I'll come back."

The three of them moved quickly, heading back to the ruins. By the time Kurapika returned, Uvogin and the others were already gone. The building was in ruins. Dalzollene's corpse lay on the ground. Kurapika's expression grew darker, and his anger deepened.

Before this, the feud between Kurapika and the Troupe had been one of genocide. Though he didn't share deep bonds with these temporary allies, witnessing their deaths only solidified his view that the Phantom Troupe were ruthless killing machines. Kurapika's resolve to kill them became even firmer.

With Uvogin's group back, most of the Troupe had now regrouped—except for one member: Machi. Uvogin leaned against a pillar, uncharacteristically silent. Usually, he was the most talkative and often supported Chrollo.

Chrollo surveyed everyone. "Let's review the full chain of events. Based on the information I've already obtained, feel free to interrupt me if you have any additions."

"Our plan to attack the Yorknew auction venue itself had no issues. At the venue, our moves were not anticipated by the Underworld Mafia. However, the auction items in the warehouse had been moved in advance."

"Uvogin, you believe we have a traitor among us. But that's unlikely."

"Previously, I received information that there is someone in the Underworld Mafia who naturally awakened Nen and possesses a highly accurate divination ability. It's very possible the Mafia performed a divination before the auction. If that's the case, everything fits."

At this point, Chrollo glanced at Hooker. Hooker raised his hand.

"Hooker, you have something to say?"

Hooker nodded. "Boss, in my assigned area, two Nen users appeared. I pursued them and killed one, but the other escaped— or rather was rescued."

"The two who saved her—one had an aura stronger than mine. I wouldn't be able to beat her in a one-on-one fight."

"The other was the man who saved me back when I escaped the Underworld Mafia—the one who led me to Meteor City."

"So I backed off."

Chrollo showed a flicker of interest. "That man… he's also strong?"

"Very strong."

"Do you know his name or identity?"

"No." Hooker shook his head. "But I don't think either of them are connected to the Underworld Mafia. Otherwise, they would've attacked me instead of letting me go."

At this point, Pakunoda raised a question. "Boss, could it be that Hooker was a mole from the start—planted by the Underworld Mafia? Maybe those two are Mafia members as well?"

Hooker glanced at Pakunoda. "If I were a mole, the damage to the Troupe in this incident wouldn't be so minor."

"Oh, and boss—about that woman. I remember she had two long scars on her face—running parallel from her forehead down her cheeks."

The moment those words landed, the older Troupe members all had a subtle shift in expression—more precisely, those who had taken part in the Kurta Clan massacre.

Because they knew exactly what two parallel scars on the face meant.

If it were just scars, that would be one thing. But paired with an aura strong enough to make even Hooker wary—then, there was a high chance that the woman was one of the second-tier actors of the Kakin Empire.