After Gon awoke, he set out to confront Illumi, although this time, their group would be one member short on their journey to Kukuroo Mountain.
Kurapika had left shortly after receiving his hunter's license, leaving only a note for Leorio. Following the directions Oboro had given him, he made his way to Gram City, where the master had once resided. After landing, Kurapika ventured into the barren mountains, traversing the same range where Oboro the Wild had trained before his time in the Sky Arena.
The next morning, Kurapika pushed through head-high grass onto a gentle slope. The hillside opened before him - a vast expanse of green grass, unbroken by trees, the view stretching endlessly to the horizon. But it wasn't the picturesque landscape that caught his attention. Instead, his eyes were drawn to a strange sight.
A man sat cross-legged on the ground, surrounded by an unlikely menagerie of wild animals. Wolves, tigers, leopards, foxes, and various strange-looking smaller creatures lounged nearby, as peaceful as their human companion. Together they basked in the sun and the breeze, creating an almost surreal tableau of harmony.
The serene scene was shattered at Kurapika's approach. Several of the fiercer beasts rose to their feet and let out menacing growls. Kurapika immediately dropped into a defensive posture.
"It's okay, come closer," Oboro called lazily, stretching as he sat up. He smiled at the blond youth and waved. To Kurapika's amazement, the wild animals seemed to understand and scattered one by one into the surrounding grassland.
"Is this what you mentioned before - this power called Nen?" Kurapika asked, approaching cautiously.
"No," Oboro answered with casual indifference.
"How long?" Kurapika's voice carried a note of urgency. "How long until I can develop this kind of Nen ability?"
"With me teaching you? It'll be quick," Oboro took off his sunglasses and spoke with easy confidence. "Normally, it would take half a year, maybe a few months at best. I can cut that down considerably - and help you develop your own killer weapon in the process."
Kurapika looked around the clearing. "Where is Hisoka? Isn't he supposed to be here as well?" His tone had changed - he now knew Hisoka's true identity and his connection to the Phantom Troupe.
"He went back," Oboro said simply.
"What?" Kurapika's expression darkened. "Did you tell him of our plans?"
"He doesn't need my guidance. He can handle things on his own."
"You trust him that much?" Kurapika's voice was sharp with suspicion. "Aren't you afraid he'll betray us or reveal everything?"
"Don't worry - you don't know him like I do," Oboro said. "He wants to play this game more than you do. He just likes to cause trouble. He's an absolute chaos agent." Even as he explained, Oboro knew Kurapika wouldn't understand.
Moritonio's assessment of Hisoka had been perfect: childish, but not in an innocent way. More like a mischievous child who enjoyed mischief and chaos. Add a dash of real insanity and you had Hisoka.
Oboro changed the subject. "So, shall we begin your chanting training? Are you ready to face death?"
"Absolutely." Kurapika's eyes turned cold.
"Excellent!"
Meanwhile, at the Phantom Troupe's hotel hideout, Franklin was on the phone with Hisoka. "Hunter exam's finished?"
"Mm."
"You got your license - why aren't you back yet?"
"Oh, but I am," Hisoka's voice carried his characteristic unsettling playfulness. "Right near the hotel, actually."
"What do you mean?"
Their conversation played over the loudspeaker so that everyone in the room could hear. The other members exchanged glances - if he was nearby, why hadn't he returned to the hotel?
Chrollo calmly picked up the phone. "Hisoka." "Present."
"Have you been causing trouble?"
"Well, a bit. Nothing major." Hisoka's tone made Chrollo's eyes narrow, though his expression remained unchanged.
Several miles from the hotel, Hisoka sat at a sidewalk juice bar, casually stirring his drink with a straw. He held his cell phone in one hand, the picture of relaxed indifference.
"But don't worry, even though I met Oboro, I kept my mouth shut," he continued. "Though I have to say, I'm feeling pretty tricked. It's put me in quite a mood."
"This man is exactly as you described - not only strong, but terrifying. Killing him won't be easy at all! I'd planned to feel him out, maybe make some contact, but after assessing how dangerous he is, I finally understood your true intentions!"
"Are you all right?" Chrollo asked, his voice level.
"But what if he had killed me?" Hisoka's tone was cheerful, but there was a sharp undercurrent to it. "Though my time with the troupe was short, I found it quite entertaining. I took such risks gathering information for you and this is how you repay me", he rocked on his heels, his expression pleased even as his words dripped with reproach.
"With your abilities, the chances of failure were practically zero," Chrollo said.
"Ah, but your actions have revealed your hand. If I'm right, you were planning to have Pakunoda test me again, weren't you?"
Chrollo's silence was answer enough.
"You see, this mistrust of yours cuts like a knife. Perhaps I should consider parting ways?" Hisoka's voice took on a dangerous edge. "I am very unhappy, very unhappy! And when I'm unhappy, who knows what I might do? I could tell him all about joining your little group, share all my insights about you. I'm a licensed hunter now - it wouldn't be hard to reach him."
"What do you want?"
"To apologize to me." After a moment's thought, Hisoka made his childish demand.
"I am sorry."
Chrollo didn't hesitate.
"You are forgiven!" Hisoka's voice carried a wicked glee as he finally revealed his location.
After ending the call, Chrollo fell silent, deep in thought.
"Is something wrong with Hisoka?" Shalnark asked, confusion evident in his voice.
"No," Machi replied. "If he were truly compromised, he would behave normally and return here. Showing his hand would only get him killed. This reaction makes more sense - he's angry about being used as bait. If we had been honest from the beginning, he wouldn't be acting this way. It's our deception that made him feel betrayed and suspicious.
"His reaction actually proves his innocence," Phinks added. "Since he figured out the boss's plan, a real traitor wouldn't show his hand. He's acting alone! Besides, he told Oboro about us during the trial, including our location. With the resources of the Fells family, we would have been attacked by now if he had really turned." "Hehehe" Franklin chuckled. "Hisoka is just throwing a tantrum!"
"That's how he is," Machi said. As the member who had known Hisoka the longest, she understood him best. The troupe generally regarded Hisoka as a madman - his thoughts and motives often incomprehensible. To be honest, none of them except Machi liked him very much. He was too different. They kept him around because his strength made him a reliable partner, nothing more.
"Boss, shall we test him again?" Pakunoda looked at Chrollo. Testing Hisoka now would completely destroy their alliance. The boss had already apologized - was it worth risking a valuable member, even if Hisoka proved innocent?
"Let's see how he reacts," Chrollo said simply. "We'll meet him."
--- "Another drink, please." Hisoka stayed at the table and pointed to his empty glass.
"O-of course!" The waitress quickly brought him a fresh juice.
Hisoka rested his chin on one hand and sipped absently through the straw as he watched the street traffic pass by. He'd never cared much for juice before, but after sharing so many drinks with Oboro during their time before the hunter's exam, he'd developed a certain fondness for it.