Ten minutes later, Chrollo led a group of Spiders around the corner where they found Hisoka casually sipping juice on the street. As the caravan approached, each member studied him with varying expressions.
Although Chrollo's orders weren't absolute within the brigade, he was their brain, the one who arranged and dispatched their movements. Hisoka's current actions weren't just about venting his emotions; by ignoring the order to return directly to the hotel after obtaining his hunter's license, he was deliberately challenging the brigade's rules. More specifically, he was taking aim at Chrollo himself.
"Hey, we meet again!" Hisoka waved, his eyes narrowing into a smile.
Machi pulled out a chair with visible irritation. "Do we really have to come all the way out here just to greet you?" She sat down first, crossed her arms and fixed Hisoka with an annoyed look.
The others took their seats in a carefully arranged formation. Machi, who often worked alongside Hisoka, sat closest to his left - a strategic choice to potentially lower his psychological defenses. Pakunoda took a position to his right, while Chrollo sat directly across from him. Only Feitan remained standing, circling behind Hisoka before stopping. All the while, Chrollo remained silent, studying Hisoka's expression as if searching for something beneath the surface.
"As a valuable contributor, I deserve such treatment," Hisoka's joking tone carried an edge as his narrowed eyes opened slightly, revealing a cold glint.
"Hey, Hisoka." Pakunoda broke the tension by casually putting a hand on his shoulder. "When did you meet Oboro?"
The atmosphere instantly froze, the temperature seemed to plummet despite the bright sunshine. Feitan's hand came out of his pocket, knuckles cracking in preparation for any sudden movements. The facade of a friendly team reunion was shattered.
Just as Pakunoda's hand was about to make contact, her expression changed in sudden realization, but too late. Her arm fell prematurely, caught in a ball of Bungee Gum that had materialized without anyone noticing. Somehow, between his approach and taking his seat, Hisoka had already set his trap.
"When?" Pakunoda's shock was obvious. She hadn't noticed anything.
In the same moment Hisoka sprang his trap, Machi's hands blurred into motion. Sharp threads sliced through the air, but Hisoka had already grabbed Pakunoda and jumped away. Machi adjusted, trying to entangle his limbs, but caught nothing but empty space.
Feitan, known as the fastest member of the brigade, coordinated with Machi's attack. His arm stabbed forward five or six times in quick succession, each strike aimed at vital points on Hisoka's exposed back. But even without looking, Hisoka responded with supernatural grace. His body twisted and bent like a ghost, using the elastic bungee gum attached to Pakunoda to hurl them both seven or eight meters away at explosive speed.
It happened in the blink of an eye. The situation was completely reversed.
Pakunoda, one arm immobilized by the Bungee Gum, tried to counter with her free hand. But a single collision was enough for that arm to be attached to her body as well. Black shadows spread as the other Spiders moved to surround Hisoka. Only Chrollo remained seated, unnaturally calm.
Pedestrians scattered in panic at the scene unfolding before them.
"Don't move or you'll die." As Pakunoda tried to struggle, a playing card pressed against her throat, drawing a hair-thin line of blood across her snow-white skin. Hisoka's voice dripped with menace from behind her.
She became very still.
Hisoka held the map to her jugular, effectively taking her hostage. Gone was his playful smile, replaced by eyes filled with malice and madness. "After knowing each other for years, I'm almost reluctant to kill you like this."
"You can't escape," Feitan's eyes darkened as he ground out each word. "How do you want to die?"
They had Hisoka completely surrounded. Any attempt to escape would force him to engage several members, enough time for them to execute this madman together.
"Oh? You want to test that?" Hisoka's tongue flicked across his lips, his eyes reflecting both madness and bloodlust. "You know, when I first joined, I fantasized about having one-on-one matches with each of you. It seemed like it would be fun. But everyone's always working separately, except for Machi. Even when I meet other members without conflict, acting openly would make me a target. Rules, you see. And acting in secret? You're all so cautious," he revealed his innermost thoughts without considering their reactions.
"Yes, you're right. He really is insane!" Shalnark pointed at Hisoka and nodded.
The Brigade forbade conflicts between members and settled disagreements with coin tosses. Even everyday friction never escalated beyond verbal sparring. Each was formidable, each fight carried risk. Who would risk danger for no reason?
That was Hisoka's true nature. He claimed to join for entertainment, but after all this time, he harbored such twisted desires for his own comrades. In his world, fighting was just a game and they were all pawns to be played with.
Despite her position as a hostage, Pakunoda remained calm. Catching Chrollo's gaze, she spoke: "The captain forbade me to test you, but I still don't trust you. So I wanted to test you myself. It has nothing to do with him."
"Is that so?" Hisoka smiled at Chrollo.
"You passed." Chrollo met Hisoka's gaze directly and answered the unspoken question. "The danger is over."
At his words, the circle of spiders slowly retreated.
"Another test? Hehehe" Hisoka's smile widened. "I hope this is the last one, because my patience has its limits."
"Although I'm looking forward to fight you, the odds are not in my favor."
"Don't talk big. You'll die miserably," Feitan clicked his tongue.
"Hehe." Hisoka just smiled.
"Let me go!" Pakunoda demanded coldly.
Hisoka let her go and returned to his place. As he passed Machi, he gave her a sideways glance, his voice tinged with disappointment. "I'm a little hurt that you didn't hold back just now. I thought after all this time, we'd developed something special."
Machi's expression remained blank, refusing to look at him. "Don't be ridiculous, the group always comes before the individual. If you ever become a real problem, I'll be the first to kill you. The most I can offer is to make your death clean and leave your body intact."
"How touching." Hisoka's smile never faltered.
Machi, well versed in his mannerisms, ignored it.
"Hisoka, what did you do?" Chrollo asked.
All eyes turned to him.
"Nothing really, I just wanted to make you nervous. Consider it payback for earlier and it worked! You really are afraid of that Oboro. Only he can make you so nervous." Hisoka met Chrollo's gaze with pride.
The others fell silent. Classic Hisoka, playing mind games just because he could.
"Childish!" Machi snorted.
"But wasn't it fun? It's rare to see you all scared," Hisoka's grin widened.
"Good. We'll wait for the last two to arrive before we start our next operation." Chrollo sighed and seemed tired. Except for a few of the women who maintained some semblance of normalcy, his team consisted entirely of eccentric personalities. He exchanged glances with Chrollo.
The two they were waiting for were the new members, replacing Franklin and Phinks.
"Let's go." Chrollo stood and walked away, the others falling in line behind him.
Hisoka brought up the rear, skillfully shuffling his cards. Finally, he stopped on a four of hearts. A satisfied smile curved his lips.