The couple in the car trembled uncontrollably as they stared at the grotesque scene near the door.
The darkened face of the lifeless body, coupled with the unnervingly vacant white eyes, filled them with terror.
"Murderers!"
A shrill scream pierced through the streets of Yorknew City, setting off a ripple of chaos. Yet the three killers remained utterly indifferent, their demeanor unshaken.
"Honestly, I told you not to move, and I even reminded you twice."
Nobunaga wiped his blade clean and cast an annoyed glance at corpse sprawled on the ground. To him, there was no discernible difference between killing a man and squashing a bug.
"Pakunoda, did you get anything useful?"
Pakunoda, holding the faint glow of extracted memories, nodded thoughtfully.
"Yes, the impression and personality of the chain-wielding Kurapika match his reputation. Most of his memories revolve around his time serving as a bodyguard for the Nostrade family."
She paused briefly, her expression turning slightly somber. "There are also fragments involving Uvogin."
"Oh?" Nobunaga's interest piqued. "Share it with us, then."
"Of course."
The onlookers, trapped in a traffic jam, watched in horror as the strange group casually shot one another after committing murder.
"What are they doing?! Fighting each other now?"
The trembling car owners could only hope to put the day's events behind them, but the shadow it cast over their minds would remain.
Yorknew City was a place dominated by underworld families. Nearly every corner held private properties belonging to various criminal syndicates. Among these was the luxurious Hotel Beitacle, owned by the Nostrade family.
Thanks to Light Nostrade's unique standing in the underworld, the hotel was bustling with visitors, many seeking to curry favor with the family.
Chrollo, accompanied by Gon and Killua, entered the grand lobby. After dismissing the eager receptionist, they avoided the seating area and chose instead to lean against one of the central pillars, quietly observing their surroundings as they waited for Pakunoda and Phinks.
"Pay attention to everyone who enters," Chrollo murmured to Machi. "Let's hope Kurapika hasn't beaten us here."
Killua stood stiffly, barely daring to move. The threads on his wrists tightened with every slight motion. Resigned, he rolled his eyes around, scanning for any familiar faces.
Suddenly, a loud, abrasive voice echoed through the hall, drawing everyone's attention.
"Hey! You idiots, do you even know what time it is?!"
A ferocious-looking man with thick eyebrows barked into his phone, his face twisted with irritation.
"I said Vegeta restaurant, not Vergeta! Are your ears broken?!"
Chrollo and Machi exchanged a glance, then turned back to ignore him. Such trivial gangsters weren't worth their time.
Killua and Gon, however, immediately recognized the man.
"Sapai! You made it!" Killua muttered with a faint smile, quickly masking his relief.
Sapai was an old acquaintance Gon and Killua had met while dealing in antiques to raise money. Originally a counterfeiter, he had helped them identify genuine treasures and later became a loyal friend.
Gon had called on Sapai for help when Leorio was unavailable. While his appearance screamed "gangster," his heart was kind and dependable. He had even gone as far as taking out a dangerous loan to help redeem Gon's Hunter License.
Unluckily, his desperation led him to participate in the 288th Hunter Exam, where Killua had knocked him out during the first phase.
As Sapai shouted further into his phone, his words—"a piece of darkness," "close your eyes," and "ten o'clock on time"—caught Chrollo's attention. The Phantom Troupe leader's sharp mind took note of these potential clues.
Hanging up, Sapai pretended to read a newspaper, far more relaxed than Leorio's usual jittery behavior in similar situations.
Meanwhile, Ronnel observed the scene from a distance, a faint smirk playing on his lips. Despite his rough exterior, Sapai is surprisingly noble, he thought.
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