Hello everyone. I'm Gon Freecss, and while Neon does have her selfish side, she's actually more straightforward and well-behaved than I expected—quite a good impression. I used to think her hobbies were in poor taste, but considering I'm aiming to become the ultimate Gon-san myself, I'm hardly one to talk.
Two days before the auction, the Dowsing Chain that had become part of the morning routine reacted for the first time.
"They're finally here. From now on, we need to act even more carefully."
"Should we head straight to the Nostrade place and check the cameras?"
"No, if we run into them right after they've arrived, that'd be trouble. Let's eat a proper breakfast and wait a bit before going."
After that, Gon's group waited for foot traffic to increase before leaving the hotel. With Gon and Gin paying attention to surrounding scents, they arrived inconspicuously at the Nostrade Family's base.
After brief greetings with Dalzollene, they asked the member in charge of surveillance cameras, who brought them a marked map and two photographs.
"There's an abandoned building district on the outskirts of Yorknew. Just a short while ago, the number of buildings there suddenly increased. We couldn't confirm any human figures, but this was the only location with any activity."
It was the spot they'd determined most likely during their discussions, which was precisely why they'd installed minimal surveillance—just a single camera.
"Based on timing, they either arrived on the first flight this morning or infiltrated last night to scout. Gon, check how many people came by scent. Melody, how close to those abandoned buildings do you need to be to pick up sounds?"
"It's sunny today with no wind, and since I don't need to filter out sounds, if I go to the rooftop of the nearest building, I should at least be able to tell if anyone's there."
"Good. Then Gon and Gin will work as one pair, and Killua and Melody as another. Leorio and I will handle Neon's protection."
As Kurapika laid out the general plan and everyone prepared to move, Gon stopped them.
"Kurapika and Leorio, why don't you have Dalzollene show you around the auction venue? I'll take care of guarding Miss Neon."
"You intend to bring the Boss on a dangerous mission? That would be a serious breach of contract."
"Gin alone can investigate how many people entered the abandoned building. I'm thinking we could play with Squala's dogs at this park—what do you think?"
Gon indicated a park on the map within range of barely seeing the abandoned buildings. It was close to the building Killua and Melody planned to visit, and meeting up in an emergency would be easy.
"Even so, I'm not sure about getting close to the Phantom Troupe."
"This park has excellent visibility and a decent number of people. Underworld types like the Phantom Troupe would never approach, and we'd notice them immediately. Actually, shopping malls with lots of blind spots and high population density are way more dangerous."
"...I see. If the Boss approves, I'll allow it."
When Neon finished preparing to go out, still tired from yesterday, she reluctantly agreed to Gon's proposal to visit the park.
"That's the outfit you picked yesterday, right? I knew it—loose-fitting clothes really suit your vibe, Miss Neon!"
"Really~? Well, someone at my level looks good in anything, right? It's not like I wore what you picked just because you picked it or anything."
"Clothes make the woman. My eyes are starting to hurt."
"Your shiny head reflects way more light and is way more annoying! Are you actually going bald!?"
When Gon once again took Neon's hand and set off, Killua and Melody joined the escort since they were heading in the same direction and left the room together.
"...I'm sorry, but I'm seriously asking—would you consider joining us after the auction?"
"Unlikely, but we'll think about it. So? You seem anxious about something. Did a bad prophecy come out?"
"What!?"
"Wait, seriously? A really bad prophecy came out?"
Seeing Dalzollene's expression change at Kurapika's prediction, Leorio frowned and his mood dropped.
"That's within expectations. We already knew we're inferior in both numbers and quality. If the prophecy had been good, I'd actually be more worried about hidden traps."
"Well yeah, but still, if someone says it's 100% accurate, you'd rather have good content, right?"
Despite saying a bad prophecy had appeared, Dalzollene felt encouraged by how little Kurapika and Leorio seemed bothered, showing no signs of extra pressure.
(That's right—Miss Neon's prophecies can be changed, and that's their greatest strength. How pathetic that I'd forgotten even that.)
Pulling himself together, Dalzollene brought the paper with the prophecies written on it, handed them to the two, and briefly explained the structure of the poems.
"In other words, having only one verse means that if nothing is done, they'll die within a week. Any questions—"
When Dalzollene finished explaining and looked up, what he saw were Kurapika and Leorio, faces pale at the utterly unbelievable content that even Gon would die.
(...Huh? Should we have backed out after all?)
After that, an indescribably heavy atmosphere lingered for a long time, and they didn't manage to scout the auction venue until nearly noon.
***
In an abandoned building on the outskirts of Yorknew City, nearly half the Phantom Troupe had already gathered with two days still remaining until their target auction.
"You said to come a bit early, so I came. Did something happen?"
Shalnark, the Troupe's brain—No. 6, excelling in information warfare and behind-the-scenes work.
"Can't you kinda tell by looking at this group? Seems like Hisoka's been sneaking around, so we're having a strategy meeting excluding anyone who can't handle subterfuge."
Machi, No. 3—unable to notice her sealed memories, possessing top-tier combat ability within the Troupe and highly accurate intuition.
"I think Machi's just being teased, personally."
Pakunoda, No. 9—a Specialist who reads memories of people and objects, holding greater value than her strength as the Troupe's most vital member.
"We should just eliminate him. I hate that guy."
Kortopi, No. 12—a Conjurer who can duplicate anything, rivaling Pakunoda for weakest combat ability in the Troupe but equally irreplaceable.
"I agree~ Being suspected should be an automatic out, right?"
Shizuku, No. 8—a Conjurer who summons a vacuum that can suck up anything non-living, relatively expressionless and still fairly new to the Troupe.
"We'll let Hisoka swim until he actually moves. Shal, did you find anything odd in Yorknew?"
Chrollo, the Troupe's head—a Specialist who steals others' abilities, a collector of various masterpieces and rarities.
Of the thirteen-member Phantom Troupe, six had already infiltrated Yorknew City, and instead of focusing on their target auction, they were discussing Hisoka.
"I looked into various things, but there's nothing in particular. The Mafia's on edge because the auction's coming up, that's about it."
Even Shalnark, who handled nearly all information gathering for the Phantom Troupe, couldn't find anything different about Yorknew City compared to previous years.
"See, I told you. Hisoka just wants a one-on-one with Chrollo anyway, so he wouldn't want to move when everyone's gathered or borrow someone else's help and let them take the spoils."
"I agree with Paku. I dug into Hisoka's activities without being too obvious, and I found out he took the Hunter Exam and went to Heavens Arena. There's no long-distance call history either, so isn't he still in the clear for now?"
While Chrollo and Machi thought Hisoka would make a move, Pakunoda and Shalnark predicted he wouldn't act yet.
"Doesn't matter. If he has killing intent toward Chrollo, just eliminate him."
"I think we should eliminate him too. I mean, him targeting the Boss is way too obvious."
Kortopi proposed immediate elimination without question, partly because he disliked the way Hisoka usually looked at him—that gaze of mockery toward the weak. Shizuku didn't have much ulterior motive but was somewhat fed up with Hisoka's unconcealed bloodlust.
"So majority rules for observing him. What'll you do, Chrollo? Want to make up some excuse and have Pakunoda check him out?"
"...That would be appropriate. Don't be too obvious with your wariness, everyone. Not showing too many openings can paradoxically become an opening for Hisoka."
"Understood."
With Chrollo's word, the discussion about Hisoka concluded, and despite their underworld profession, with professional temperament, they shifted to casual small talk as if everything before had been a lie.
***
"Ahh It's so warm and fluffy"
Lying on the well-maintained park lawn, surrounded by dogs of various sizes, Neon dozed in the early autumn sunlight.
Due to her extraordinarily powerful prophetic ability, she was overprotected—less a sheltered daughter than a caged one—and with guards surpassing even national leaders, the emotionally sensitive teenage Neon harbored pent-up frustrations deep within her personality.
"Miss Neon, the sunlight is getting stronger, so I'll set up a parasol for you."
"Mm~"
Her relaxed appearance, more so than ever seen while out in public, was so lovely that despite normally being led around by her, one couldn't help but smile at her appearance matching her delicate beauty.
"Gon, it's been quite a while since Melody and the others went to scout. Could there be a problem?"
"It's fine, Mr. Squala. Killua and Gin aren't weak enough to be taken down without doing anything. Besides, it's only been about ten minutes."
Unlike the calm, dignified dogs, their handler Squala restlessly surveyed the surroundings. His fellow bodyguard Shachmono, an Emitter, watched his restless state with a wry smile.
"Calm down a bit, Squala. Looking that pathetic, Eliza might lose interest, you know?"
"Ha! My relationship with Eliza isn't that weak, right Eliza!?"
"Oh my..."
Squala suddenly got all lovey-dovey despite his restlessness, making Eliza—standing by Neon's side—blush, while Shachmono whistled and replenished aura to his ability, Eleven Black Children.
Gon watched the particularly close-knit bodyguards with a fond smile, then noticed Gin smoothly returning to his feet and picked him up.
"Everyone?"
"Woof."
"So six or seven?"
"Yip!"
"Okay, thanks."
After a quick confirmation with Gon, Gin burrowed into the peacefully sleeping Neon's hair and curled up.
"Hey, Gin really isn't being manipulated, right? If it's purely your trust relationship, honestly I'm losing confidence. Can my dogs awaken to Nen?"
"I don't really know why Gin can use Nen. Gin's puppies and the animals around him never awakened either."
For Squala, who manipulates dogs, Gin's existence was hope itself. If he could manipulate dogs awakened to Nen, it would be a tremendous increase in combat power. However, in reality, no animals besides Gin had been reported awakening to Nen, and without knowing the method, there was no way to reproduce it.
"Hmm, forcibly opening aura nodes might kill them from aura depletion, and asking them to meditate..."
As Squala tried various approaches—petting his most senior dog, exposing it to aura—Shachmono, with his monkey-like face and distinctive spiral sideburns, finished replenishing aura and asked Gon about something he'd been curious about.
"Gon, you made it clear how tremendously strong you are when we first met, but honestly—if you fought the Phantom Troupe, who'd be stronger?"
"Assuming nothing's absolute in battles between Nen users, I'm confident I can beat all of them one-on-one. I haven't directly faced them myself, but factoring in information I trust, I'm certain."
Shachmono, faced with Gon—half his age and height—existing at such heights, couldn't help but be skeptical. Of course, he was aware he'd be crushed without Gon even taking him seriously, but lacking special senses like Melody or Squala, his brain misidentified Gon based on appearance.
"Hey Shach, I get it, but don't dig deeper. There are worlds in this life better left unseen."
"Even so, since we're cooperating, shouldn't I know properly for the Family's sake? I mean, I trust you and Melody, but..."
"Then I'll show you a little."
Because their opponent was the Special-A Class Phantom Troupe, Shachmono couldn't dispel his anxiety, and Squala understood that feeling so couldn't firmly refute it. Seeing the two, Gon intervened—and though they knew he bore no hostility, all the dogs around Neon simultaneously raised their heads.
With Squala, Shachmono, Eliza and the other maids, plus the dogs all looking his way, Gon—sitting cross-legged—activated Stored Muscle: Cancelled, Muscles Mean Power.
As Gon pumped up to more than double his body weight, everyone was too shocked to even voice their surprise, merely staring wide-eyed.
"Huh? Why'd you revert to your original form? It's not like there was a problem."
Killua and Melody returned at perfect timing. Unlike Killua's nonchalant response, Melody also had her eyes and mouth hanging open.
"They wanted to know how strong I am, and since we can't actually fight, I figured I'd show them a bit."
"Even so, don't just do it suddenly. You don't know where eyes might be watching."
Killua smacked the head that—despite Gon sitting—was at about the same height as his own, then saw everyone around still frozen and heaved a massive sigh, thinking he'd gone through the same thing.
"But seriously, Melody's ability is unfair. I probably figured out who's there now and roughly what they were talking about."
***
After Neon had completely fallen into deep sleep, they brought her back to the hotel, and when Kurapika and the others returned from scouting, they held another discussion.
"Most of them are non-combatants and the Boss is there too? Talk about a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Should we move before they all gather?"
"I wanted to, but from what I could hear, reinforcements are coming soon. I don't want to risk getting sandwiched, so shouldn't we stick to the original plan?"
"Then there's no choice. We also got some ridiculous prophecies on our end, so let's hash those out."
When everyone looked over the prophecy contents again, both Gon and Killua frowned but didn't seem particularly shocked, accepting them readily.
"Huh, that's your reaction? Kurapika and I were super shaken."
"My prophecy's completely within expectations, and if Gon gets taken down, a total wipeout wouldn't surprise me. Actually, if we got bad prophecies, that's kinda lucky."
To Leorio, who felt unsatisfied by the difference from his expected reaction, Killua snorted and stated his thoughts.
"Looking at this, I'm not even in the battle anyway, and if Gon's being manipulated, that's when everything collapses. So we just need to somehow take out that Shalnark guy."
As Killua tapped his and Gon's prophecies with his finger, no tragic emotion could be felt from him—there was only his usual brazen cockiness.
"You're absolutely right. I was nearly defeated mentally by the bad content, but as Killua says, it's easier to counter a bad prophecy than a good one."
Kurapika and Leorio reread the prophecies after Killua's point, but noticing Gon's silence, they looked at him to see him staring at his own prophecy with a grim expression.
(You are not yourself—if that interpretation means being manipulated, that's still okay. The problem is if "you" now-Gon "are not" original-story-Gon...)
If it meant manipulation, there were ways to counter it. But if it was a denial of identity, there would be nothing he could do.
It would transform into an immutable prophecy of doom.
"What's wrong, Gon? Something bothering you?"
"It's gotta be that part about 'the summit remaining unreached' that pisses him off, right? Obviously if you die you won't reach it, so don't worry about it."
"Indeed, we all firmly believe you will reach the summit."
"...Yeah, you're right. Before the summit comes the Phantom Troupe."
Gon couldn't say it.
Since he'd been Gon from the start, to Killua and the others, "Gon" was himself, and talking about the original story would only cause confusion without any benefit.
He thought he'd established his identity including changes from the original, but being pointed out like this, even vaguely, made those feelings waver.
(It's fine. Even if it's the prophecy I'm worried about, if I just overpower everything, there's no problem!)
Gon was aware this was false bravado, but frustrated by his inability to do anything more in the current situation, he continued the discussion.
***
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