Bonolenov accepted his defeat.
As a proud warrior of the Gyudondond tribe, losing to a beast was unbearable suffering. Yet the fact that he'd held out this long against Gin—inferior in physical ability and cursed with the worst compatibility against his Hatsu—was nothing short of remarkable.
(I'll lose, but as a member of the Troupe, I'll take at least this one with me!)
Bonolenov began his dance while evading Gin's attacks once more, but the sounds that should have resonated through the holes in his body remained silent.
That soundless melody was a requiem performed only at the funerals of the tribe's greatest warriors.
A cursed final movement that shaved away the performer's very life force — a melody beyond the reach of human or beastly ears, audible only to the dead.
"Finale: Death God"
The karma of piercing holes in an infant's body, the vengeful spirits of a now-extinct tribe—all should have manifested through Bonolenov's sacrifice.
"Thunderbolt: Heartbeat Killer"
"—!?"
Killua's ultra-high-speed reflexes, triggered by the surge of desperate aura, delivered a strike directly to the heart.
The unremarkable palm strike using trace amounts of electricity induced temporary arrhythmia in Bonolenov, creating an instant of vulnerability.
"———!!"
Following up immediately, Gin's roar unleashed high-frequency sound waves at point-blank range, violently shaking Bonolenov's internal organs as his consciousness plunged into darkness.
"You damn animal!!"
Seeing Bonolenov collapse, an enraged Nobunaga lunged at Gin. Confirming Killua's attention had wavered, Franklin planted both hands on the ground and assumed his stance.
His patchwork mouth opened, and from the depths of his throat emerged a massive cannon barrel.
Modified like the fingers on his hands to increase firepower, this was Franklin's maximum destructive power—a bazooka cannon.
"Tch, no mercy at all. You planning to shoot through your own comrades?"
The firing line included not just Killua but Gin and Nobunaga as well. Even Gin wouldn't escape unscathed from that level of firepower—Killua could deduce as much from the continuously surging aura.
(Softies like you can't dodge. Don't underestimate our resolve!!)
Through the battle so far, Franklin had determined that while Killua's speed was phenomenal, his pure physical abilities and attack power remained firmly within a child's limitations.
Combined with his assessment that Killua couldn't sacrifice his comrades, Franklin's plan was to end it with one unavoidable blow through sheer firepower.
"True, I can't dodge or block it, but perfect timing—I'll unveil another new technique."
What Killua pulled from his pocket was a battery containing sealed aura and electricity, decorated with a chibi illustration of himself.
Biting down on it, he retrieved yet another trump card.
"Feel kinda bad about this, Gotoh. It's definitely going to be a one-time use."
It was an ancient gold coin from a lost civilization—supposedly fewer than a hundred existed in the world.
Beyond its historical value, this coin had been imbued with aura by Gotoh, who used coins as his Hatsu medium, granting it formidable power on its own.
"I'll create an electromagnetic path. Not my style, but since Gon taught me, the name's already decided."
Franklin and Killua's aura surged, reaching its peak simultaneously as they unleashed their maximum firepower.
"My Body is a Bazooka—Aura Cannon"
"Railgun"
From Franklin, now transformed into a stationary turret, an enormous aura blast erupted. The gold coin Killua flicked with his thumb broke the sound barrier through electromagnetic acceleration.
The two maximum-power attacks clashed for an instant. Though significantly reduced in force, Killua's Railgun pierced through the aura blast.
"Damn... total defeat."
Swallowed by the Railgun's shockwave, Franklin lost consciousness. Having consumed massive amounts of aura at once, Killua dropped to one knee, steadying his ragged breathing.
"Won, but... can't exactly celebrate."
The Railgun compensated for Killua's lack of attack power, but it was also a trump card that forced him to abandon his greatest strength—speed—by stopping in place and leaving himself wide open.
This time he'd managed to fire it without interference thanks to the battle situation and Gin's presence, but normally this ace in the hole couldn't be used so easily.
"Well, guess that's a problem for later. Charge is running on fumes, but I can at least provide support."
To help Gin, who was also exhausted and being pushed back, Killua forced his heavy legs to move toward harassing Nobunaga.
Having claimed victory over Franklin, the image of the head butler clapping with a beaming smile floated through Killua's mind.
In a corner of the battlefield where the Shadow Beasts lay fallen, a man was about to lose consciousness.
The Owl, who had restrained Machi with his Hatsu, had finally reached his limit from blood loss through the abdominal wound Franklin had inflicted.
(Damn... just a little more, just a little...)
Finally losing consciousness, the Owl's tightly clenched fist released a small wrapped bundle. From Fun Fun Cloth, which opened on its own, Machi stood up covered in the remains of leeches and centipedes.
"Piece of shit bastards! I'll strangle every last one of you!!"
"Hell yeah!! Ain't my talent insane!?"
And Phinks, who should have been immobilized by Rabid Dog's paralyzing toxin, successfully purged the poison by using an application of Ripper Cyclotron to enhance the blood circulating through his body, amplifying his metabolism. He rejoined the battle at the critical moment.
"Hah!? You bastards are back!? Hurry up and work to make up for slacking off!!"
At Nobunaga's desperate cry—struggling against Gin and Killua despite being exhausted—Machi, having overcome her fear of Gon, and Phinks, still brimming with energy, rushed over immediately.
"Just us and the boss who went after Hisoka left. They really did whatever they wanted to us."
"But nobody's dead yet. Let's kill those half-dead bastards already."
In terms of combat ability, these two were undeniably among the Troupe's top ranks. Moreover, their well-balanced versatility made their entry fatal to the opposition.
With Gin's fur having returned to normal and Killua at his limit just maintaining Godspeed, it was questionable whether they could even stall for time against Machi and Phinks.
"Ugh, this is brutal, but gotta do what we gotta do. Gin, can you give me a ride? Rather than get picked off one by one, let's combine from the start."
"Gumah!"
Killua straddled Gin's back, gripping his specialized yo-yos in both hands to form an improvised cavalry unit.
They'd practiced this during regular training so there was no awkwardness, but whether it would work against the Phantom Troupe remained uncertain.
"How admirable. You're all getting killed—that's decided. At least make it entertaining!"
Just as both sides were about to charge, a chain slammed down at the midpoint, carving a single line across the ground.
"That's the boundary. Don't cross it—it's dangerous beyond that point."
Following the chain and voice with their eyes, they saw Kurapika, who had disappeared into the building, now dancing across the battlefield once more.
"Impossible! Not only did you survive Uvo's attack, but you're back in combat!?"
Ignoring Nobunaga's shock, Gin backed away from the carved line with Killua still mounted.
Though surprised, Machi and the others repositioned themselves, recognizing they still held the advantage with equal numbers. They watched Kurapika's movements carefully from beyond effective range.
"...? Huh, were Kurapika's eyes that color? And why's he moving so... gracefully?"
The dance was smoother, more elegant, more feminine and supple than before.
As the crimson-violet eyes blazed brighter and aura reached its zenith, Titan Chain responded to those feelings and deployed.
It was a giant hand easily large enough to blanket the entire area where Machi and the others stood.
'...What?'
Kurapika's new Hatsu while the crimson-violet eyes were active—Empress Time—was an ability born from referencing Gon's Muscle Brain Banzai—Power is Everything.
Its effect: redistributing mastery percentages at will.
Though lacking the versatility of Emperor Time, its explosive power was tremendous. Currently, Kurapika was wielding Titan Chain at 180% by adding Enhancement and Emission mastery percentages to Enhancement.
"Goodbye, spiders of the past. I move forward toward the future with my friends."
As Kurapika's raised arm swung down, the giant palm made of chains descended from above in synchronization.
Unable to cut it, unable to shatter it, unable to evade it—the three attempted to desperately defend against the ultra-heavy mass. But the blow, delivered without killing intent (which could be called a difference in resolve), spelled checkmate the moment it connected.
Landing with a tremendous rumble, the chain hand gripped all three into the concrete and solidified, restraining them.
"Restraint complete. Now if I just help Gon—"
"First comes rock..."
The fist of promised victory descended upon the final battlefield.
Gon and Uvogin continued their unprecedented brawl, observing each other and becoming certain they were fundamentally different despite similarities.
Gon's ultimate goal was to surpass the strongest Gon-san. Getting stronger was his purpose, and combat was merely a means to that end.
Uvogin harbored ambitions to make his Big Bang Impact as powerful as a nuclear missile, but ultimately enjoying combat was his purpose, and getting stronger was merely a means to that.
Both were seekers of strength who loved battle, yet they clashed fatally on a fundamental level, recognizing each other as incompatible existences.
More than anything, losing to someone with the same fighting style would be tantamount to having their entire existence denied.
Two peaks of Enhancement clashed in strength, hardness, and speed.
No unnecessary techniques or feints existed here. Their only thought: delivering maximum power to their opponent.
Eventually, when both fists were stained with blood and damage could no longer be ignored, Gon visibly began to accelerate, as if dividing their fates.
Whether due to differences in mentality or purpose and means, Gon's growth in this extreme state surpassed Uvogin's.
Aftereffects from Illumi's aura be damned—Gon overturned his slight disadvantage from the battle's start and pressed forward.
Pushed back not just strategically but literally, Uvogin converted his pride and rage into a final burst of power, sending Gon flying back to create distance.
That distance allowed for charging up—one breath to unleash a strike at full power, truly and completely.
"Big Bang Impact!!"
All his remaining aura gathered in his right fist. Though just Ken, the strike imbued with the spirit of its name generated power surpassing Ken itself.
(From all this brawling, I know this kid can't use Ko. Plus in this situation, he won't run. I missed earlier, but this ends it!!)
Uvogin pushed his aura to full power beyond usual limits. Seeing Gon twist his body as if turning his back, doubt flickered through his mind.
(Is he dodging? Then I'll power through. If he backs down here, I wi—)
"First comes rock..."
Twisting his body, dropping his hips, tensing with enough force to make his entire body creak—the aura that burst forth gathered in one place.
(When I realized I was a Manipulator, I thought I'd abandoned Jajanken. But that won't do. The strongest I'm aiming for is Gon-san, and becoming anything other than Gon-san would be meaningless!)
If just becoming the strongest was the goal, there were options befitting a Manipulator. But he rejected those and even abandoned versatility—all to stand on the same stage as the original Gon-san.
"Jan..."
Surpassing the original Gon-san was the ultimate goal, but in focusing solely on that, he'd completely forgotten his original intent.
"Ken!"
The origin point for every fan was singular: he'd simply wanted to become the Gon-san he admired.
"Die, you damn brat!!"
Gon using Ko was unexpected for Uvogin, but he knew pulling back here meant losing mentally—he had no choice but to attack.
Uvogin's desperate Big Bang Impact easily surpassed all previous power, becoming a strike that could be called the pinnacle of Enhancement, and—
"Rock!!"
It was utterly crushed by Gon's fist, enhanced through technique declaration, set movements, and numerous restrictions.
(You've gotta be...)
Gon's Jajanken struck Uvogin's abdomen directly. The massive body flew several meters before collapsing spread-eagle.
Having just used Ko, instant death seemed certain from the hit, but because Big Bang Impact had blown away most of Jajanken's aura, Uvogin barely clung to life.
"I win!!"
Hearing Gon's victory declaration, Uvogin's consciousness fell into darkness as something important shattered along with his fist.
Witnessing Gon's victory, Kurapika looked around dazedly, confirming no one but them remained standing. Relief began to wash over her.
(No, Chrollo still remains. Considering if Hisoka lost, I need to start recovery immediately—)
"Ahh ♥ Ahh, Gon!! What a, what a magnificent strike ♥ How far, how far will you captivate me!?"
With a thud, a mass was thrown beside Kurapika. Before Gin and Killua could rush over, Hisoka approached Gon.
"You can use Ko now ♥ Is being full of openings part of the restriction? The aura enhancement rate visibly increased too—your evolution is beyond measure ♥ Ahh, I want to receive your growth with this body right now ♥"
"Get lost, pervert!! I'm exhausted and want to rest already!"
"Gweh!!"
As Gon sat down after releasing Deposit Muscle—Muscle is Power, Hisoka had been circling him at close range without touching. Gin and Killua pried him away.
"Ahh, Killua's become quite delicious too ♥ Kurapika and Gin are unrecognizable—it's simply irresistible ♥"
Hugging himself and looking up at the sky, Hisoka froze motionless. Shifting her gaze from him, Kurapika turned toward the mass beside her.
There lay the unconscious Pakunoda and two others, along with a battered and unconscious Chrollo, all restrained in Bungee Gum.
Kurapika surveyed the surroundings once more, confirming three times that all twelve Phantom Troupe members excluding Hisoka—including Shalnark and Feitan who weren't present—had been defeated.
"Ow ow ow. Oh, looks like it really ended. I felt Gon's incredible aura so I came out—good call."
Leorio crawled out from the building behind Kurapika. Standing beside her, he watched Gon and the others playing around while laughing.
"So what're you doing standing here? Don't you want to join them?"
"...I don't know. This is the moment I've been waiting for, yet my head's confused and my body won't move."
Wondering if this was even real, doubt clouding her mind, a large warm gentle hand settled on Kurapika's head.
Ruffling it somewhat roughly, Leorio looked into her eyes and declared with a brilliant smile:
"Let it all out and laugh! From now on, from here on, your real life begins!!"
Struck as if punched, large tears spilled from Kurapika's eyes, flowing endlessly like a bursting dam.
"Hic, hic, u-uahh..."
Eventually sobs welled up from deep in her throat, and finally she began crying loudly like a small child.
"Ahhh, uwahhh!!"
It was the soul's cry of Kurapika, who had endured everything alone since the Kurta Clan massacre, fighting in solitude.
"Ahhhhhh!!!"
Sadness, fulfillment, relief—an explosion of overwhelming emotions made her eye color shift back and forth between scarlet and crimson-violet as Kurapika continued crying while standing beside Leorio.
Seeing Gon and the others rush over in alarm, all safe and sound, she began crying even harder.
Gripping Leorio's shirt as he gently stroked her head, Kurapika desperately conveyed at least this much through her tears:
"Every... everyone... thank... thank you!!"
Saying only that before wailing again, Gon and the others looked at each other, then smiled and embraced Kurapika all at once.
The sight of Kurapika crying at the center, surrounded by laughing friends, overflowed with hope for the future. Left out, Hisoka watched with an expression of rapture.
The decisive battle between spiders and muscle held in Yorknew City closed its curtain with the spiders' complete defeat, though many sacrifices were made.
***
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