Hello everyone, Gon Freecss here. We've finally arrived in Yorknew City. When you think about all the advance scouting we were able to do, Hisoka really is the MVP, isn't he?
"Alright, it looks like we made it here before the Spiders. Let's narrow down potential hideouts and set up surveillance, staying discreet enough that we aren't found."
The very first thing Gon's group did upon arriving in Yorknew City was to check for the Phantom Troupe's presence using Kurapika's Dowsing Chain. It was already late August, but their decision to train until the last minute—betting that a criminal group wouldn't stay in one place for long—hadn't backfired.
"So, me, Killua, and Gin will scout out abandoned buildings and other places out of the public eye. Kurapika and Leorio, you'll try to find a connection to the Mafia. Sound good?"
"Yes," Kurapika agreed. "The chances of the Mafia dealing with outsiders this close to the auction are low, but we should at least try."
"Well, let's get moving. Meet back at the hotel before dark," said Leorio.
"Okay. Don't go goofing off, Leorio."
"That's my line to you kids."
They split into two teams and set off from the hotel they were staying at. They made sure to communicate frequently and agreed to withdraw immediately if they sensed any danger, making it their top priority to avoid revealing their presence.
***
The younger team was in charge of finding a hideout. Killua, with his assassin experience, was about to take the lead, but Gon suggested a better method than just wandering around. He led them to a large park near a residential area.
It was a pleasant park, bustling with families even on a weekday. It was full of a vibrant energy that was the complete opposite of a place a criminal group would hide.
As Killua stared, a question mark floating over his head, Gon dragged him along and charged toward a group of mothers with their young children.
"Excuse me! Can I ask you something?"
Killua made a weird face at Gon, who was acting even more childish than usual, but the mothers smiled, welcoming the "adorable" visitor.
"Oh my, what is it? We don't see you around here. Are you lost, dear?"
"We're here for the auction, but we're bored," Gon said. "Our parents told us to go find out what places we're not allowed to go near."
"Oh! It's that time of year, isn't it? My, you're a good boy for listening. Well, if you mean dangerous places, I suppose there's that abandoned building on the outskirts of town. A lot of incidents have happened there."
"Oh, and that one! The abandoned villa near the York Hotel, that's not far from here, right?"
"In that case, the one on 5th street..."
They say three women make a market, but an information network of five mothers was an unstoppable force. Gon jotted the information down on his map, keeping up with the conversation without missing a beat.
Killua, left out and standing around awkwardly, suddenly noticed the children staring at him. Seeing that the kids—all likely single-digit ages—also looked bored, he gave Gon a heads-up and led them over to an open square. Killua and Gin ended up babysitting and had a surprisingly decent time until Gon and the mothers were satisfied.
"Thank you, ladies! That was a huge help!"
"We had fun, too! Thanks for looking after the kids."
"Play with us again, Killua!"
"Let's take a nap again, Gin!"
"Bye-bye!"
They finally parted ways as evening approached. Gon checked the map, now covered in information, and glanced over to see Killua standing there with a complex expression on his face. His eyes, watching the departing children, seemed to be looking at something else entirely. And yet, Gon could almost see a sense of fulfillment in them, a feeling that reminded him of Alluka.
"Killua, what's wrong?"
"Ah... it's hard to explain. I think it's related to my erased memories. It's like... I feel incredibly lonely, but also incredibly happy."
Gon could only stare, and Gin rubbed against Killua's leg. Killua gave a wry smile, scooped Gin up, and put on his usual grin.
"Not much time 'til sunset. Let's get moving."
"...Right. We've got five potential spots, in order of sketchiness. Let's go. The one farthest from the hotel is this way."
As he followed Gon, who was leading the way with the map, Killua glanced back in the direction the children had disappeared.
(Sorry... Just wait a little longer. I swear I'll remember.)
His resolve hardened, Killua faced forward, renewing his vow to become stronger.
As it turned out, the search of the ruins was over in an instant thanks to the superhuman senses of smell of Gon (the wild child) and Gin (the beast). Killua, having had nothing to do all day, returned to the hotel with his face crumpled in frustration.
***
Meanwhile, Kurapika and Leorio, intent on contacting the Mafia, had both changed into black suits. They were searching an empty back alley, led by the Dowsing Chain.
"I know we came all this way," Leorio said, "but can we really meet the Mafia this easily? If we go to their offices, they'll just turn us away, right?"
"That's likely," Kurapika replied. "That's why we're looking for a sort of front—a place that brokers black market jobs. These kinds of places are common in big cities. From there, we can get information on Mafia families looking for manpower."
"Huh. So places like that exist."
After a few more minutes of searching, they found their target and descended a narrow, dark staircase into a basement. A filthy "CLOSED" sign greeted them, but Kurapika didn't hesitate, opening the door with its ancient-looking bell.
"Oh? Haven't seen you before. You're good, finding this place. Welcome. What do you want?"
Behind a counter, which served no alcohol, was a man in punk-rock fashion with black makeup around his eyes. He was slender but well-built and, surprisingly, a Nen user.
"...Why are you wearing a bra?" Leorio asked.
"It's not a bra, it's fashion. If you're here to gawk, get lost."
"As you can see, we are also Nen users," Kurapika said. "We came to ask if there's any work available during the auction. (If it's not a bra, is it a pectoral muscle support harness?)"
"Bad timing. A month ago, I could have set you up, but it's tough right now. And I told you, it's fashion. It's a short tank top."
"I see. Then we'll look elsewhere. (He can read my mind directly!?)"
"Hey, wait," the man said. "I'll tell you a few things, as a reward for finding this place on your first try. And you," he motioned to Kurapika, "it's written all over your face."
According to the man, who was far more reasonable than his outlandish appearance suggested, no Mafia family was hiring anyone but disposable cannon fodder. He also said there was no point in going to other brokers.
"To put it simply, you guys are too skilled. Your strength is suited for long-term employment. And hiring you for short-term work with no vetting is too expensive."
"I see. And why is there no point in checking other brokers?"
"In other cities, maybe, but here in Yorknew City, the 'Ten Dons' run everything. The brokers are ranked, but they all report to the same source, so it won't make a difference. By the way, this place is the highest-ranked. Even the 'Shadow Beasts' use this place."
From that explanation, Kurapika realized the Ten Dons' influence was greater than he'd anticipated and considered what would happen if they forced contact with the Mafia.
(Even if we could make contact, with this level of influence, the Spiders have likely made their own moves. Persisting here might be a bad idea.)
Kurapika, having organized his thoughts, lightly smacked Leorio (who was making a dumb face) on the head. He gave the man a generous amount of money and his contact info.
"We'll be staying in Yorknew City for a while. It would be a help if you'd let us know if the situation changes."
"Yeah, I can do that much. Thanks for your business."
The man checked the contact info, then immediately burned it. Kurapika gave a slight nod at his professionalism and led Leorio back outside.
But just before closing the door, Leorio looked back and asked the one question still bugging him.
"Hey, why are you wearing a bra?"
"IT'S NOT A BRA! I'LL KILL YOU!!"
The sound of something hard hitting the closed door echoed from inside.
"That guy was surprisingly decent, despite his looks," Leorio remarked.
"I suppose that's your way of judging character, but don't overdo it with people you've just met."
"I pick my times. Still, the world is full of things I know nothing about. Makes me realize what a sheltered life I've had."
Leorio, despite being the oldest in the group, felt insecure about how little he had struggled compared to the others. He felt he should be the one leading them, but his strength was nowhere near Gon's, and he wasn't as quick-witted as Kurapika or Killua. His ability to heal meant he was, in essence, being protected, forcing those younger than him onto the front lines.
He was even aware that he wouldn't change his way of life no matter how many times he relived it, and that fact was a small needle that constantly pricked at his heart.
"It's true," Kurapika said. "Even Gon, despite just missing his parents, has that 'battle-hardened' air. You were definitely the one who had the most comfortable life before the Hunter Exam."
"Ngh!?"
"However, Leorio... and I don't want to say this more than once, because it's embarrassing... We... especially Killua and I... have undoubtedly been saved by you."
Leorio, taken aback by the sudden shift from criticism to praise, stared at Kurapika's back with an indescribable expression.
"After my clan was massacred, until I met you all, I had only seen the worst parts of this world. Killua's life has likely been mostly painful memories, too. That's why... you and Gon are like a light to us."
Leorio couldn't stop his face from turning red at the sudden confession. He got even more embarrassed when he saw the back of Kurapika's neck was bright red, too.
"The one Gon and Gin listen to the most is you, Leorio. The one Killua teases and pranks the most is you. It's obvious they look up to you like an older brother, or maybe even a father. And I..."
Kurapika fell silent, cleared his throat, and then continued in an uncharacteristically strained voice.
"Anyway! You're fine just the way you are! When we look back, just be there, smiling carelessly. Now stop moping, it's gross!!"
"...Haha! Yeah, yeah, I get it," Leorio laughed. "I'll follow behind you guys and clean up whatever messes you make. So just make sure you keep looking forward."
The needle in his heart wasn't gone, but he felt a much stronger sense of purpose—a reason for him to be there.
"But what's with you all of a sudden? Saying all this embarrassing stuff."
"...No matter how much we prepare, there are no guarantees. I know I'm being pessimistic, but... I just didn't want to leave things unsaid."
"That's what they call a death flag, you know? Well, as the oldest, I'll listen to all your complaints and worries. So just act confident in front of the kids."
"Hmph! You don't have to tell me."
There was still time before sunset, so they did some shopping, partly to get a better feel for the city's geography.
As the sky turned orange, they headed back to the hotel and saw Gon and the others spot them and come running over.
(...I don't want them to die. We all have to get out of this, laugh, and go hang out again.)
Bathed in the setting sun, the four people and one animal walking home looked, to those around them, just like a family.
***
"No, no, no, no, NOOOOOOO!!"
In a room exploding with girly hobbies, a long-haired girl was throwing a violent tantrum.
"I want to go shopping before the auction!!"
"But many Mafia members have already gathered in Yorknew City," replied a well-built, middle-aged man with a distinctive tattoo under his eye, speaking to the girl with utmost respect. "For your safety, Miss, we would prefer..."
"Then I'm not doing any fortunes! I'm not telling anyone's fortune, ever again!"
"...Very well. I will get permission from your father for you to be in Yorknew City three days early, so please..."
"Hmph! Fine, I'll put up with that. But I'm going shopping, and I'm going to the auction!"
"That is a request you must make to your father directly. I will begin preparations, if you'll excuse me."
The man, Dalzollene, captain of Neon Nostrade's guard detail, left the room and sighed at the new work that had just been dumped on him.
"Squala, Melody. You two will head to Yorknew tomorrow and secure the area around the hotel. I'll authorize a change of hotels if necessary."
Dalzollene summoned the two guards who were best at scouting and gave them a new mission separate from their protection detail.
"Understood," replied one, a long-haired man with a mole on his forehead. He was Squala, a Manipulator who controlled multiple dogs. "We'll report if anything happens, but how much discretion do we have?"
"As long as you don't start trouble with other Mafia families, you're fine. You have permission to use the Nostrade name."
"I heard talk of shopping," said the other. She was Melody, a short woman with protruding teeth and hair missing from the top of her head. She was an Emitter, highly sensitive to sound. "Should we hire more guards?"
"No, hiring locally is too risky. You don't need to worry about that."
Dalzollene trusted Squala, whom he had known for a long time, and Melody, who, despite being new, had shown herself to be very thoughtful. He decided to send them ahead to Yorknew City.
"The policy hasn't changed. The boss's safety is the top priority. Never forgive any threat to her."
"Understood."
The players gather in Yorknew City.
The fortune-teller, the only one who can see the result, has no interest in looking.
The 'muscle' that bent fate despite knowing one outcome—can he seize the best possible future?
The tumultuous few days where countless agendas will collide are just around the corner.
***
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