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West Side of Meteor City – Dawn
In the dusky courtyard, veiled partially from the rising sun, a menacing stillness hung in the air.
Kuro sat cross-legged on the worn stone tiles, his face shrouded in shadow. Though his voice was calm, his words dripped with quiet malice.
"You still haven't found those brats?"
It was a question spoken plainly—devoid of rage, almost detached. Yet it struck the gathered men like a thunderclap.
One by one, they fell to their knees, trembling uncontrollably.
They had good reason to fear him.
Five of their own had vanished within the very walls of this courtyard.
Not a trace was ever found.
Not even a bone.
In Meteor City, where rumors spread like wildfire and monsters often bore human names, the implication was clear—those men were dead, devoured by something far worse than death.
"M-my lord," one of the trembling men stammered, "we... we have a clue."
During these days of frantic searching, their forces hadn't been idle.
According to their investigation, all the missing individuals—save for one—were native to Meteor City. Most were inconspicuous, nameless even, drifting like shadows in the alleys. Yet their disappearances were far too clean to be ordinary.
"There are no signs of interference from foreign groups," the man continued, gaining a sliver of confidence. "But... someone mentioned seeing a boy named Nobunaga. They claimed he's been in contact with someone named Chrollo—several times."
"If we can catch Chrollo, we might uncover the whereabouts of the others."
Kuro's expression barely changed, but a dark flicker passed through his eyes.
"Chrollo…"
The name hung in the air.
He rose to his feet.
The temperature in the courtyard seemed to plummet. His towering frame exuded such oppressive pressure that even the air turned thin.
"Spread the order. Find Chrollo."
His voice was low, deliberate.
"This time… I will go myself."
---
The Next Morning – In the Cavern
Under the soft amber light of sunrise, Uvogin and Nobunaga tore into a roasted suckling pig, wolfing it down with primal enthusiasm. They were inseparable—warriors of muscle and blade, gluttonous as they were deadly.
"High fat? High calories? What even is that?" Uvogin scoffed mid-bite.
They had dismissed Kai's nutrition lecture as nonsense. According to them, food was for strength, not science. And if that strength required old-fashioned meat, then so be it—even if it meant dying young.
"Barbarians," Machi said coldly, sipping from a small bowl of rice porridge. Her taste aligned with Kai's: simple, light meals. White congee, siu mai, and pickled vegetables—refined, balanced, and digestible.
As the group ate in relative peace, a distressed female voice suddenly echoed from outside the cave.
Uvogin blinked, confused. "Was that… Pakunoda?"
Nobunaga immediately rose, his ears sharpening. There was unmistakable anxiety in her tone.
Without another word, he strode to the entrance. Kai and Machi exchanged a glance and followed him.
Outside, they found Pakunoda hurrying toward them.
She was younger than Kai had remembered—her attire modest, far from the revealing style she'd adopt in the future. But even now, the unmistakable silhouette of the future No. 9 Phantom Troupe member could already be glimpsed—particularly in certain... remarkable aspects of her figure.
Kai stared a second too long.
And immediately regretted it.
"I suggest you look elsewhere," Machi's voice drifted icily from behind him. "Unless you want your eyes ripped out."
Kai flinched. How the hell did she know what I was looking at when she was behind me?!
Also—why say something so violent in such a calm tone?!
---
Five Minutes Later
"You're saying Kuro isn't after us anymore... he's targeting Chrollo?" Nobunaga furrowed his brows.
"That's what I heard," Pakunoda nodded.
"But they've never even had a feud, have they?" he said, scratching his head.
"Maybe Chrollo's name got dragged into this because of us," Machi speculated.
"Sounds about right," Uvogin growled. "Then let's go beat that bastard down before he gets to Chrollo!"
He stood abruptly, tossing aside the remainder of the roast pig.
Pakunoda noticed something peculiar—each of them, despite their boldness, looked to Kai.
Waiting for his response.
Her expression softened.
She'd heard of Kai before. But to see Uvogin, Nobunaga, and Machi treating him like a quiet commander—it was surprising. And impressive.
Kai's eyes narrowed. He let out a faint chuckle.
"Well, things are finally getting interesting. Let's go meet this 'Chrollo'."
He turned to the others, voice steady.
"A man-eater like Kuro should've been put down long ago."
"Leave the tactics to me. When we engage, I'll stay back and coordinate. The rest of you—go all out."
"It's time you experienced what it's like to fight a real Nen user."
No matter how intense their training had been, no simulation could replicate the chaos of real combat.
Kai had drilled that truth into them many times.
"Aww yeah!" Uvogin grinned, his eyes gleaming with violent excitement. "Watch closely, Kai. I'll tear that mutt to pieces!"
Nobunaga sighed, watching his friend's manic enthusiasm.
"Why are you looking at me when you're yelling about dogs...?"