Chapter 76: The Melee
Ronin's goal was to stall Feitan, leaving Phinks and the unfamiliar Troupe member to the Zoldyck duo.
He wasn't surprised to see an unknown member.
According to the timeline, the original #8 member of the Phantom Troupe was still alive.
Ironically, Silva Zoldyck was the one who killed #8 in the original story. Meeting here now was almost fateful.
As for why Ronin chose Feitan? Because Feitan's ability, Pain Packer, was the biggest threat.
If they failed to kill Feitan instantly and only injured him—like breaking an arm—he could unleash a counterattack (Rising Sun) that would incinerate the entire Cemetery Building.
Zeno glanced at Ronin but quickly looked away.
Ronin's proposal was sound, but... Who are you?
And two minutes?
The Troupe members outside wouldn't give them two minutes. Once the fight started, reinforcements would storm the building in under ten seconds.
In Zeno's assessment, they had one shot. They needed to secure a kill within ten seconds. Anything longer risked getting surrounded and overwhelmed.
"Dad, be careful. We strike together," Silva said, his expression grim. He was on the same page.
But before they could move, Feitan raised a hand to stop them.
"Don't rush."
His words were useless. Assassins didn't waste time chatting.
Silva and Zeno vanished instantly.
Annoyance flashed across Feitan's narrow eyes. He muttered something unintelligible, but his reaction was lightning-fast. He sidestepped and thrust his rapier to the side.
Ronin frowned. Something felt off.
When Feitan said "Don't rush," his eyes had flickered toward Ronin's hiding spot.
And Ronin sensed distinct malice directed at him.
Did he spot me? Impossible.
Regardless, the moment the Zoldycks moved, Ronin's Shadow Clone dropped the stealth act. He pushed off the railing and leaped down from the second floor.
His hands formed seals mid-air, and the screech of a thousand birds filled the lobby.
Chidori!
Zeno and Silva appeared on either side of Isley (the unknown member #8).
Isley was startled but calm.
His lean body leaned back slightly, arms hanging naturally at his sides where two revolvers were holstered.
He was always ready to draw.
The moment the Zoldycks appeared, Isley had a gun in his hand.
Bang!
A bullet shot straight for Silva's face.
Simultaneously, Phinks, standing next to Isley, lunged at Zeno with a punch.
At the same time, Feitan's rapier thrust at Zeno's kidney from the side.
In that split second, Zeno twisted his body. The rapier missed. Zeno's hand, hardened into a knife-hand, struck Phinks' fist.
Bam!
The impact knocked Zeno back, but Feitan was already pressing the attack.
"Tsk!"
Zeno clicked his tongue. He chopped down with aura, deflecting the rapier, and kicked at Feitan.
But Phinks was back. As he closed in, Zeno saw Phinks rotate his arm.
With just that simple motion (Ripper Cyclotron), the aura on Phinks' fist surged dramatically!
Interesting!
Just as Phinks' punch was about to land on Zeno, the chirping of birds erupted behind Phinks.
Blue lightning illuminated the lobby.
Ronin (disguised as Kakashi) appeared behind Phinks, his right hand wreathed in electricity.
Lightning Style: Chidori!
Phinks snorted. He twisted his waist mid-punch, redirecting his strike backward.
BOOM!
Blood sprayed. Ronin and Phinks passed each other.
Zeno's eyes lit up. Dodging Feitan again, he clapped his hands together, releasing a massive burst of aura.
The aura coalesced into a roaring dragon head. Zeno thrust his hands forward, sending the Dragon Head to bite Phinks.
A screech echoed.
Before the dragon could reach Phinks, the floor cracked open. A massive sphere rose from the ground, forcing Zeno to lean back. The dragon missed Phinks' head, tearing a chunk of flesh from his shoulder instead.
Meanwhile, a massive explosion rocked the other side of the room.
It was Silva.
When Zeno was intercepted, Silva tilted his head to dodge Isley's bullet.
Aura surged around Silva's fists, forming two spheres of destructive energy. He smashed them down toward Isley.
But Isley didn't panic. The bullet that missed Silva suddenly detonated mid-air.
The explosion pushed Silva faster toward Isley.
Isley fired a second shot. This bullet exploded less than a meter from the barrel.
The blast engulfed both of them, sending Isley flying backward to safety while Silva crashed into the ground, absorbing the impact.
As Silva tried to move again, Isley let out a piercing whistle.
Less than a second later, the floor shattered. Something massive burst from below.
Ronin, landing on the ground, recognized the ability immediately.
Bonolenov. Spider #12.
The object emerging from the ground was his Battle Cantabile: Jupiter.
Bonolenov had been waiting underground to provide support from the start.
They're coordinated.
Ronin glanced at the window. The Troupe outside must be monitoring everything.
Suddenly, an arm burst from the floor beneath Ronin's feet, grabbing for his ankle.
Chains wrapped around the arm—not conjured chains, but manipulated ones.
It wasn't a Nen ability Ronin recognized, which meant the attacker was likely Chrollo Lucilfer.
Ronin didn't dodge. He formed seals with both hands.
Earth Style: Rock Fist Technique.
His arm was instantly encased in heavy stone.
He dropped the Chakra, switching instantly to pure Enhancement Nen.
Big Bang Impact.
Ronin punched down at the arm grasping for him!
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