Chapter 107: Two Calls, Two Outcomes
Shalnark had already reported back: Owl, the Shadow Beast with the spatial ability to relocate cargo, had been killed by Ronin.
Chrollo felt a pang of genuine regret. What a waste of potential.
But Shizuku's appearance offered a new opportunity. A vacuum cleaner with similar utility would be an excellent replacement.
He accepted the Elder's request for help and asked for the dossier on the intruders.
When the file finally reached his hands, Chrollo's gaze darkened.
Based on the descriptions, one name surfaced instantly: Ronin.
The boy had beaten him to Meteor City and found Shizuku first.
Why?
Chrollo puzzled over the motivation.
He had considered that Ronin might enter Greed Island to hunt the Spiders, or follow him to Nancha City, or even engage Shalnark in Yorknew for the remaining eyes.
But he had never expected Ronin to target Meteor City.
The reversal put Chrollo in a difficult position.
If he headed back now, facing Ronin with a dispersed team wouldn't guarantee a 100% success rate.
But letting Ronin run amok in his homeland was equally unacceptable.
After careful consideration, Chrollo made two phone calls.
The first was to the Zoldyck Family. Previously, he had intended to settle Isley's contract by contacting Illumi, but Isley died before he could provide the hit list.
Now, this call had a different objective: The Assassination of Ronin.
For this, he was prepared to pay any price.
"Ronin?" Illumi paused at the name. He didn't immediately think of the survivor who had frustrated the Phantom Troupe in Yorknew. He thought of the teenager who had humiliated Killua at Heavens Arena.
"Give me a price," Chrollo said. He knew how the Zoldycks operated.
"10 Billion Jenny," Illumi replied after a short pause.
Even for Chrollo, the quote was staggering.
Sensing Chrollo's hesitation, Illumi added, "Consider that a friend price. And realistically, no one but me is qualified to take this contract."
Ronin's threat level and ability profile had been updated in the Zoldyck database after the Yorknew events. He was no longer a standard target.
"Deal," Chrollo agreed.
10 Billion was a massive sum, but money was a renewable resource. If they ran low, they would just rob another bank. There were plenty of them.
"50% deposit up front. No refunds if the contract fails," Illumi stated the terms.
"He's in Meteor City. Be fast, or my deposit will be a waste of money," Chrollo warned.
Illumi didn't bother replying. His success rate was 100%. If it weren't for his personal curiosity—and hearing Killua mention the name recently—he wouldn't have bothered with such a high-risk, low-profit job.
Chrollo hung up and immediately authorized the 5 Billion Jenny transfer.
Then, he dialed the second number.
This time, the voice on the other end was filled with a performative, skin-crawling excitement.
Hisoka. The man who lived to duel him.
"You actually called me yourself! I'm flattered."
"I'll agree to your terms. But my condition is simple: Ronin must die," Chrollo said, cutting straight through Hisoka's theatrics.
"I refuse," Hisoka said instantly.
Chrollo frowned. "Why?"
"Because he looks much more delicious than you right now!"
Hisoka's answer left Chrollo momentarily speechless. Then, Chrollo's tone shifted. "And what if I can help you?"
"Help me with what?" Hisoka's voice was full of amusement. "We already have a date. October 1st, Heavens Arena. You're welcome to come and watch."
Hisoka had effectively invited Chrollo to his own duel with Ronin.
"It was you, wasn't it?" Chrollo realized. Hisoka had met Ronin and traded intel on the Troupe and Meteor City for a chance to fight him one-on-one.
"I have obligations to attend to first, but if you're interested in me, I don't mind pushing things back a bit," Hisoka teased.
Ronin's diverse abilities and melee dominance had fully captivated Hisoka. He wanted to peel back the boy's secrets. He wanted a fight that would push him to his limits.
October 1st had become his main event. Chrollo, the former prize, was now a side dish.
But if I can have an appetizer before the feast... why not?
Chrollo was the perfect "starter."
"I'm the one who sent him to Meteor City. He asked for directions, and I'm a helpful guy," Hisoka laughed, ramping up the provocation. He completely omitted Ronin's search for Shizuku, focusing entirely on his own agency.
"You did well," Chrollo said, his voice disturbingly calm.
The calmer Chrollo sounded, the more Hisoka's expression twisted into a manic grin. He only wished this were a video call so he could see Chrollo's face.
The line went dead. Chrollo had hung up.
Hisoka sighed, his thought process interrupted. So it's like that, is it? Pity.
Chrollo took a deep breath, letting his killing intent dissipate before opening his eyes.
Relying on the Zoldycks wasn't a foolproof plan.
But if Ronin thought Meteor City was easy pickings, he was dead wrong. The core of the city—the ancient Council—possessed secrets that even Chrollo respected.
"Let's go. To Heavens Arena," Chrollo ordered. He wouldn't return to Meteor City. If Ronin wanted to play in the trash, let him.
The city wasn't Chrollo's territory anyway. He was curious to see just how much chaos the boy could cause before the Elders snapped.
In his villa, Elder Ryan received the first piece of news: Theodore and his entire squad had vanished.
Dead, Ryan deduced immediately.
There was no other explanation. Just like the clinic, the bodies had likely been "packed away."
But how could it happen so fast?
Even among the Elders, Theodore was a powerhouse. His zealots were a nightmare to face. To be wiped out in under ten minutes was unheard of.
Ryan looked at the room full of "elite" enforcers he had gathered from other organizations. He felt a wave of hesitation.
Could this rabble of mercenaries actually stop Ronin?
Maybe... I should just sacrifice them all.
Ryan's lips curled into a sinister, crescent-shaped smile. His eyes narrowed.
Outside the reinforced meeting hall, heavy iron shutters suddenly slammed shut, sealing the "elites" inside.
Simultaneously, thick clouds of sedative gas began to hiss from the vents in every corner of the room.
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