Hello everyone. I'm Gon Freecss, and with the decisive battle against the Phantom Troupe drawing near, I'm more tense than ever. It's not about just getting excited—if anything, this makes me more depressed than my match with Hisoka.
"Hope they all die."
With those words from Feitan, aura bullets from Franklin's Double Machine Gun poured forth, transforming the hundreds of Mafia members gathered on the wide floor into unrecognizable chunks of meat.
Aside from Machi and Phinks, who wore the same black suits as the Mafia, the other four infiltrated the auction venue without any obstacles and finished seizing control in an instant.
"That was anticlimactic. Let's clean up quick and grab the treasure."
Following Franklin's bored words, Shizuku conjured Blinky, the vacuum that sucks up anything. With the switch flipped, everything filling the floor was instantly sucked in, revealing a floor that looked freshly cleaned.
"Well then, let's head straight to the vault. We bought some time by erasing everything, but depending on how much treasure there is, we might be cutting it close."
Machi and Phinks, who weren't present, were arranging a return balloon. With the need to transport many auction items, they had no time to spare given the manpower issue.
Dragging a key-holding Mafioso to the vault, he opened it with a despairing face after multiple failed attempts.
"Here comes the treasure... huh?"
As the vault interior was revealed with Shizuku's deflating call, an empty vault without a speck of dust greeted the Phantom Troupe.
"...Are you messing with us? Guiding us to another location—you must really want to die."
Feitan made no effort to hide his irritation as he crushed the Mafioso's fingers underfoot, ignoring the screams as he trampled them while looking toward Shalnark.
"No, there's no other vault besides this one. If it's not in here, it never existed in the first place."
"I see. Then I'll ask this guy various things."
Unlike the other members who couldn't hide their disappointment at the failed raid, Feitan's face twisted wickedly at getting to indulge his hobby. When he removed the foot he'd trampled with particular force, the Mafioso's fingers had transformed into an unrecognizable paste.
"Don't worry. No time, so you die quick."
Shalnark and the others left the vault for other investigations, and the unlucky Mafioso left behind with Feitan filled the remainder of his brief life with despair and pain before meeting his end.
***
Surrounding the building that served as the Underground Auction venue, Gon's group each stood alone, blending in with the Mafia members on watch duty while monitoring the building. While most Mafia watched outward from the building, Gon's group—watching toward the building—each sensed through their own abilities that many lives had been extinguished.
"Everyone noticed? The Spiders have made their move. They'll prepare some escape method, so don't let them slip away."
"Roger-guma."
The four and one communicated via short-range mini radios with signals too weak to intercept, and while they'd expected it, they were impressed by how efficiently the already-infiltrated Phantom Troupe operated.
After considerable time passed due to the total wipeout, Killua—whose night vision was particularly excellent—spotted a suspicious balloon approaching the building.
"Found it. A balloon with probably one or two people aboard is approaching. The other Mafia will see it soon too."
"Good. If it's a balloon, tracking will be easy. After it takes off, just confirm no one else remains, then we'll join the pursuit team."
Several minutes later, the Mafia who noticed the balloon grew agitated, and those who'd stormed into the building reported that neither customers nor auction items could be found. Understanding their reputation had been trampled, the roughnecks' faces hardened with rage as they raced each other to chase the balloon flying toward the suburban wasteland.
"...Yeah, someone came and the auction items' scent disappeared. The freshest scents are the Troupe members and blood, so they came up empty."
"Hmm, it's unfortunate there's no burden, but if we assume the Ten Dons responded, it makes sense. Probably an ability user who can transport large quantities of items."
With most Mafia having departed, Gon's group investigated the deserted building to confirm what had happened and search for any leads.
"The floor has nothing, but it reeked of blood at a level even I could detect. That's gotta be that Shizuku girl's ability, so her presence is confirmed."
"Also, considering the number of Mafia on the floor, Franklin's probably there too. His ability didn't damage the floor at all—his control is insane."
Leorio and Killua, who'd split from Gon and Kurapika to investigate the floor, rejoined them. They shared their findings and predicted which members had carried out the raid.
"I also know Machi's scent was among those who came on the balloon. The remaining question is whether other members are waiting where the raid team is headed?"
"About that—Melody and Squala have been watching the abandoned building, and there's been no sign of anyone coming or going for the past several hours. They can't tell exactly how many remain, though."
"So it's almost definitely six opponents. Either Boss Chrollo or Shalnark for field command will be there, and we'll abduct that person plus one more?"
"Based on the vault's scent, someone's probably being tortured. That means Feitan's likely there."
Through on-site conditions and investigation via Gon's sense of smell, Gon's group had successfully identified most of the Phantom Troupe members who'd carried out the raid.
"It's fortunate that the combat-specialized Uvogin isn't there. We'll rendezvous with the other Mafia, and once we confirm members, we'll prioritize abducting Chrollo or Shalnark, plus Feitan as planned."
Then Gon's group boarded the car Shachmono had brought, and with Kurapika—who had the best driving sense—at the wheel, they pursued the Mafia who'd gone ahead.
***
"Hisoka's betraying us after all, isn't he? The Shadow Beasts taking out our target treasure means our movements were exposed."
Swaying in the balloon heading toward the wasteland spreading beyond Yorknew City's outskirts, Phinks contacted Chrollo and brought up Hisoka's betrayal. Aside from Shalnark, who was investigating various things online, the other members also focused on Chrollo's statement, prepared to shake off the pursuing Mafia and return to base depending on his answer.
"No, I had Pakunoda investigate again—he's clean. Something other than betrayal seems to be tracking our movements, but they didn't have definite proof of a raid. Otherwise, there'd be no reason for the Mafia to gather at the auction."
"Hisoka's clean, huh? There shouldn't be any small fry who tracked us entering Yorknew, so maybe someone who knows our faces saw us?"
"We're waiting on Shal's investigation for that. You all deal with the Mafia as is, and gather information if possible."
"Roger, Boss. I'll contact you again if anything comes up."
After Phinks ended the call and looked around at the members for confirmation, everyone who'd been listening began resting in preparation for the fight with the Mafia.
"Yo Shal, finding anything?"
"Obviously I can't figure it out that fast... is what I'd like to say, but I found info that's probably it."
Shalnark himself was a licensed Pro Hunter, excelling at gathering information from both legitimate and underworld sources using various informants. He also possessed the intellect to filter truth from the many uncertain reports, and in the short time since departing the auction venue, he'd nearly arrived at the truth.
"There's a Mafia organization called the Nostrade Family that's been expanding recently. Their selling point is—get this—a rumor about fortune-telling that's absolutely accurate."
"Huh? You're saying our activities were exposed through fortune-telling?"
"But if that's true, it fits what Chrollo said—no proof, but knowing there'd be a raid. I dug a bit deeper and found they have connections with the Ten Dons too, so maybe they've got a Nen user like that in their pocket."
Machi was initially skeptical, but hearing the current situation and Shalnark's prediction, there were no elements to deny, and her intuition told her that was correct.
"So what do we do? Contact Chrollo right away?"
"No, I'll investigate properly a bit more first. We can get various info from the Mafia after this too."
The balloon continued flying until nearly out of fuel and landed atop a cliff in the wasteland.
The several hundred Mafia who'd pursued from Yorknew City positioned themselves below the cliff, each shouting angrily or firing shots, making noise like a festival.
"Well then, let's thin out the useless Mafia. It'd be pointless to wipe them all out, so Franklin, Double Machine Gun is banned."
"What a pain. You guys handle it."
"Oh, don't tell me you're chickening out? Whoever gets the fewest kills gets a punishment game."
"The slowest is at a disadvantage. Don't bully them."
"...What'd you say?"
With a hundred-fold difference in fighting power yet showing no sign of pressure as they needled each other, Machi directed an exasperated look at the men while stepping back with Shizuku.
"Shizuku and I will watch, so finish up quick. You're not gonna say you need help, right?"
"Good luck~"
Shalnark and the others leaped down the cliff—over ten meters high—as if it were a small step, then increased their aura output and walked toward the clamoring Mafia.
The curtain rose on a one-sided massacre by four Spiders and several hundred mayflies.
***
Several minutes into what couldn't even be called a battle, the Mafia numbers had been reduced by nearly half, but with plenty still remaining, the four—Shalnark included—continued hunting separately as they pleased.
With their numbers and concerns about friendly fire reduced, the Mafia side brought out high-firepower firearms, but to the Phantom Troupe, no matter how much a peashooter's performance improved, it remained a peashooter.
Mafia necks snapped, heads flew off, bones and organs shattered, and some suddenly went mad and began friendly fire.
Those attempting long-range sniping had their heads shot through by Shalnark using stolen guns, and when someone brought out an anti-tank missile, the moment they fired, Franklin threw a Mafioso at it, causing an explosion that consumed everything nearby.
(Hmm, with this many, it's taking time. Times like this, if Uvo were here, I could leave it to him and relax.)
While observing the other members' situations and firing stolen guns wildly, Shalnark occasionally used his ability Black Voice to make Mafia attack each other, creating confusion.
(Retrieved my antenna, so should I use it on someone again? Wonder if there's a good human machine around?)
Somewhat bored by the lack of resistance but never letting his guard down, Shalnark didn't miss the presence that took his back using crude Zetsu.
(Can use Nen and has a good build—what a rare find. Lucky. This one probably won't break easily.)
He barely dodged the fist swung from behind and stabbed the antenna—key to his ability—into the figure's side. Despite the same sunglasses and black suit as the others, he tilted his head at the oddly tight-fitting suit while looking at his phone to operate the target.
At ultra-close range, aura explosively swelled.
"Huh?"
What the frozen Shalnark saw—faced with suddenly generated aura that might even surpass Uvogin—was the Mafioso Gon, antenna still embedded but showing no signs of being controlled, drawing back his leg.
"Wha—"
Unable to finish his question, Shalnark was kicked upward and sent flying, spinning wildly while raining blood, dominated by questions as his consciousness fell into darkness.
Including Machi and Shizuku watching from above the cliff, all Phantom Troupe members momentarily froze at the monstrous aura that suddenly appeared.
"!?"
When they looked to confirm the aura's source, they were enveloped in even greater shock by Shalnark flying while spewing massive amounts of blood.
"Shit!"
The moment everyone's attention concentrated on Shalnark, Feitan couldn't notice the presence until he was restrained by chains.
"Feitan!?"
In addition to Feitan—who boasted top-class speed within the Troupe—being captured so easily, chains also wrapped around the still-airborne Shalnark, carrying both away at tremendous speed.
"Damn! Not happening!!"
As if preempting the Phantom Troupe's attempt to pursue the two, the swelled aura exploded again, and massive clouds of dust rose to block their path.
"You bastard! Franklin! Sweep them away with Double Machine Gun!!"
"You moron! What if Shal or Feitan are used as shields!? We don't even know how many enemies there are—we're retreating for now!!"
"That's even stupider! Pursuing those two comes first!!"
"Both of you calm down!! Phinks, Shizuku's here too, so we're pulling back. It's fine—if they abducted them, they won't be killed immediately."
"Let's return, Phinks. If that was a Shadow Beast, there are ten of those things. It's definitely a trap."
"Dammit all!!"
The Spider, having lost two legs, feared further losses and retreated to its nest.
The torn-off legs headed toward the den of an enraged avenger and his companions.
The Spider that stole nothing but was robbed raged, and having lost its greatest restraint, the remaining legs began to rampage.
Here, the curtain was cut and dropped on total war between the Spiders and the Muscle.
***
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