Chapter 154: The Battle of Destiny
Machi and Quartz continued to fight.
No matter how this ended, both needed to witness the battle in person.
Chrollo bore the fate of the Phantom Troupe on his shoulders… and he knew it well.
If he won… he could at least take Machi with him, but Quartz would almost certainly die.
Because Haze's deal with Hisoka likely didn't include anyone else.
If he lost… then the Phantom Troupe would be annihilated.
Well ...
not completely. Uvogin and Nobunaga were still alive.
But Chrollo couldn't be sure whether Haze had already made preparations on Hero Island as well.
If he had… then Uvogin and Nobunaga might already be dead.
The group returned to the plaza in front of the palace, but the mist was so dense that they couldn't see a thing.
Haze had deliberately created a massive battlefield ... hundreds of meters across ... using it as an arena for the two to fight.
Gunfire could still be heard in the distance.
Duan, who had narrowly escaped death and still had no idea what had transpired, used his Nen to control his hypnotized victims, blocking the mafia members trying to storm the gates.
However, the spectral fog released by Haze spread far and wide. Not only was the palace completely enveloped, but the entire mountainside was shrouded in mist and clouds. It was impossible to orient oneself ... something that also affected Duan's battle with the mafia.
"You really went through with it."
Seeing Chrollo and Hisoka enter the arena one after another, Illumi approached Haze and spoke.
He was referring to the broken bond between Silva and Zeno.
"Nothing surprising. They're still quite strong… they just don't fully understand my abilities."
Haze reclined casually on a corpse like it was a cushion and said softly:
"Hmm… true. Judging by your strength, it wasn't difficult for you… I underestimated you."
Illumi nodded sincerely.
The two didn't dwell on that topic ... it was a sensitive one.
As a member of the Zoldyck family, Illumi knew that Haze's arrival on the battlefield meant one thing:
his father and grandfather's mission had failed ... for the first time.
"…Those two ... aren't you going to kill them?"
Illumi's gaze drifted toward Quartz and Machi, standing together some distance away.
The woman stared intently at her leader, her expression tight with anxiety.
To Illumi, no matter who lived or died between Hisoka and Chrollo, the final decision would rest with Haze.
This man controlled everything within the game.
If it had been up to him, even if he'd agreed to Hisoka's request, he would've eliminated the remaining Spiders to avoid future trouble.
"Besides Hisoka, I also agreed to someone else's request," Haze said, without specifying who.
"…That person… must be Kurapika, right?" Illumi deduced instantly.
During the Hunter Exam, the only person Illumi remembered vividly was Gon…
"Yes."
"Your disciple?"
"No. I just wanted to help him."
"Out of kindness?"
"…"
" Haze," Illumi said suddenly.
"Who do you think will win?"
Haze's tone shifted slightly.
"In terms of sheer strength, based on what I know of both, Chrollo can't defeat Hisoka.
But judging from how things stand right now… I think Hisoka is the one more likely to die."
Illumi stroked his chin thoughtfully.
"Why?" Haze asked, feigning curiosity ... though he probably already suspected the same.
"To start with, Chrollo is extremely meticulous. His Nen ability is quite unique.
That candy he ate must have some powerful effect.
After all… that trump card was originally meant to be used against you!
And the difference in power between Hisoka and you is still obvious.
Under these circumstances, it'll inevitably be harder for him to handle threats that far exceed his limits."
Illumi's words subtly pointed to Quartz's presence.
"I've had a few encounters with Chrollo… I know him somewhat.
In that situation, he wouldn't have fought Hisoka without absolute confidence.
He'd have placed his life or death in Hisoka's hands, hoping for the smallest chance to win.
Or he'd fight to the death, even if it meant dying by your hands ... it'd be better than surrendering.
Don't be fooled by his calm, elegant demeanor. He's ruthless, unafraid of death.
The fact that he's fighting now only means one thing ... he believes he can win.
He'll kill Hisoka, avenge his comrades, and leave quietly afterward."
"Finally… the fact that this man, Quartz, joined the Troupe at all means Chrollo has been planning how to deal with you for a long time.
He anticipated your appearance ... which means he surely made preparations.
But your sudden arrival, and how quickly you slaughtered everyone, shattered his plans completely.
That's why he didn't resist or reveal anything."
Illumi then pointed toward Quartz.
"Of course, this is only my theory. I haven't seen Hisoka's full power, but… his apparent advantages are relatively small."
"Illumi…"
Haze suddenly smiled.
"Hm?"
"Judging by your tone… you're not planning to use that to manipulate those around you, are you?"
Haze's eyes glinted with curiosity as he looked at the long-haired man meaningfully.
He was, of course, referring to Alluka.
His earlier visit to Kukuroo Mountain had already revealed a small part of Killua and Alluka's relationship ...
something that would inevitably cause ripple effects.
The butterfly effect, as they say.
"It's about to start."
Illumi stared at him for a moment, then turned his gaze back to the arena ... reminding him of what was coming.
There was no direct response.
"Heh…"
Haze raised an eyebrow.
He was genuinely eager for this battle. Both fighters were exceptional ... key figures with overwhelming personalities from the original story.
That was one of the main reasons he'd agreed to Hisoka's request in the first place.
Originally, in the canon story, Chrollo had managed to defeat Hisoka because he didn't immediately accept a death match.
He'd made countless preparations ... gathering abilities, choosing the location, and even receiving secret assistance.
But now, all those advantages were gone.
If that were all, Chrollo would surely lose.
But Hisoka's fate had changed.
His raw power was now overwhelming ... even among the Phantom Troupe.
However, as Illumi had analyzed,
Chrollo's contingency plan ... originally meant for Haze ... had now, inadvertently, been passed to Hisoka.
That was enough to tilt the balance… and possibly reverse the course of the battle.
The plaza beneath their feet was blanketed in fog, but the night sky was still visible above.
A cool breeze blew through, carrying a strong metallic scent of blood.
The ground wasn't empty ... it was littered with corpses and overturned banquet tables, remnants of the slaughter caused earlier by Duan and Quirk.
Chrollo's long hair fluttered in the wind as he faced his opponent, who stood across from him, radiating Nen and holding a deck of cards.
"Hisoka," Chrollo said calmly. "Can I ask you a question?"
"Go ahead," Hisoka replied, licking his lips, his eyes glinting with a strange red light.
"If it weren't for Haze… you wouldn't have dared to show your true self and face me directly, would you?"
"That's right… After all, you're never alone. It's always been hard to find the right chance to attack."
"I see."
Chrollo smiled faintly.
He pulled his hands from the pockets of his coat and summoned his stolen ability ...
the Bandit's Secret ... as a familiar book materialized in his grasp.
"I'm glad you answered me. In return, I'll tell you the result in advance ...
this… will be your grave."
Only three people were present, including him ...
and that was enough to make Hisoka cautious.
Chrollo had a clear sense of Hisoka's strength.
He could feel that Hisoka wasn't hiding anything.
He was being honest.
Because if Haze were here, even the entire Phantom Troupe wouldn't have hesitated to attack.
That was the difference.
The trump card Chrollo had prepared for Haze was now being rehearsed on Hisoka.
Chrollo's calm tone, his faintly mocking attitude ...
was, in essence, an insult.
Hisoka's expression turned cold.
Chrollo had read him perfectly ... understood his intentions completely.
And that comparison… between Haze and him ... was deliberate.
He was saying:
"You're nowhere near his level."
"The Phantom Troupe's defeat had nothing to do with you… It was all Haze."
Don't get too full of yourself.
Don't think you're important.
(End of Chapter)