A/N: Don't forget to check out my original novel: Can I Magic Please. It's like really good. š
ANYWHOOO. ENJOY THE CHAPTER
---
For a moment after the referee declared Yuzuki the winner, the entire arena stood in stunned silence.
Then the world erupted.
"YUZUKI!"
"YUZUKI!"
"YUZUKI!"
The chant spread like wildfire through the stadium.
Thousands of voices shook the very walls of Heavens Arena.
Some spectators were celebrating wildly.
Others stared at the arena floor in complete disbelief.
And near the betting booths, emotions ranged from ecstasy to despair.
"YES! I WON!"
"I TOLD YOU THE KID WOULD TAKE IT!"
"DAMN IT! I LOST EVERYTHING!"
A middle-aged man dropped to his knees.
"My wife is going to kill meā¦"
Another laughed hysterically while clutching his winning ticket.
"Drinks are on me tonight!"
At the center of the ring, Yuzuki rolled his shoulders and let out a slow breath.
That had been his toughest fight in Heavens Arena so far.
And also one of the most enjoyable.
He had learned a lot.
Before he could think further, three familiar figures hurried toward him.
Bisky reached him first.
She threw her arms around him dramatically.
"You did it, brat!"
Yuzuki grimaced.
"Can'tā¦ breatheā¦"
Bisky immediately let him go.
Wing approached next with a proud smile.
"That was an exceptional performance."
Zushi looked as though he might explode from excitement.
"YUZUKI-SAN WAS AMAZING!"
"The way you copied Tiger Bite Fist!"
"And that final punch!"
"And the Red attack!"
"Andā"
Wing gently placed a hand on Zushi's shoulder.
"Breathe, Zushi."
The boy inhaled sharply.
"Sorry, Master."
Bisky folded her arms proudly.
"I told you he would win."
Yuzuki smiled faintly.
"Thanks."
But as they spoke, his attention drifted elsewhere.
His eyes had already moved upward.
Toward one of the VIP sections.
Bisky noticed immediately.
Her eyes narrowed.
She followed his gaze.
And saw a girl with round glasses and a blank expression looking down at him.
Shizuku Murasaki.
Bisky's eyebrow twitched.
Then another.
Slowly she turned toward Yuzuki.
"ā¦You're looking at another woman?"
Yuzuki deadpanned.
"She's the closest person to me."
Bisky blinked.
"What?"
Yuzuki stepped away from them.
"I'll introduce you later."
Without waiting for a response, he started walking toward the VIP section.
Bisky stared after him.
Then crossed her arms and pouted.
"ā¦Closest person to him?"
Wing adjusted his glasses.
"I believe there is a great deal about Yuzuki we do not know."
Zushi raised his hand timidly.
"Master Biskyā¦ are you jealous?"
Bisky's head snapped toward him.
"Of course not!"
Zushi immediately hid behind Wing.
Meanwhileā
Yuzuki climbed the steps to the VIP seating area.
As he approached, several pairs of eyes settled on him.
Dangerous eyes.
Observant eyes.
Yet the only one he truly cared about was Shizuku.
When he reached her, Yuzuki smiled warmly.
"Hey, Shizuku."
Shizuku's blank expression softened almost imperceptibly.
"Yuzuki."
Then, without hesitation, she placed her hand on his head and began patting it gently.
Yuzuki's smile twitched.
"Shizuku."
Pat. Pat.
"I'm too old for this."
Pat. Pat. Pat.
The pats became stronger.
Yuzuki sighed in defeat.
"ā¦I surrender."
Standing nearby, Chrollo Lucilfer stepped forward.
His expression was calm and courteous.
He extended his hand.
"We've met before."
"Though our conversation was brief."
"My name is Chrollo Lucilfer."
Yuzuki looked at the offered hand.
Then shook it firmly.
"Of course."
"It's good to see you again."
Beside Chrollo, Pakunoda smiled warmly.
"It's nice to finally meet you."
Shalnark waved cheerfully.
"Hey. I've heard a lot about you."
Yuzuki nodded politely.
Then his eyes shifted.
Landing on Machi Komacine.
Machi met his gaze with her usual unreadable expression.
Yuzuki puffed out his cheeks in a visible pout.
Machi blinked once.
"ā¦What?"
Yuzuki crossed his arms.
"Don't 'what' me."
"I've greeted you every single time since I got here."
"And every single time you ignored me."
Machi tilted her head slightly.
"Oh. That?"
Yuzuki stared at her in disbelief.
"Don't treat it so lightly."
Shalnark snorted.
Pakunoda hid a smile behind her hand.
Even Shizuku's lips curled upward a fraction more.
Chrollo chuckled softly.
"Now, Machi."
"You mustn't be rude to Yuzuki."
He spread his hands slightly.
"After all, we're all from Meteor City."
Then his expression became a touch more serious.
Still calm.
Still polite.
But clearly purposeful.
"Actually, Yuzukiā¦"
"I'd like to discuss something with you."
---
The room was far larger than Yuzuki had expected.
Located high within the upper levels of Heavens Arena, it resembled a luxury penthouse more than a fighter's quarters.
Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked the glittering city below.
Bookshelves lined one wall.
A spacious lounge area occupied the center.
The atmosphere was quiet.
Elegant.
Dangerous.
Yuzuki stood near the window, hands in his pockets.
Behind him sat some of the most dangerous criminals in the world.
Chrollo Lucilfer.
Shizuku Murasaki.
Pakunoda.
Shalnark.
Machi Komacine.
And yet, strangely enough, Yuzuki felt more comfortable here than he probably should have.
Especially with Shizuku sitting quietly beside him.
Chrollo rested his hands together and smiled faintly.
"First, congratulations."
His dark eyes studied Yuzuki carefully.
"You've grown much stronger than the last time we met."
Yuzuki shrugged modestly.
"There's something I need to do."
That was all he said.
But it was enough.
Chrollo's eyes sharpened almost imperceptibly.
Then he asked softly,
"Revenge?"
The word hung in the air for a moment.
Yuzuki said nothing.
Chrollo smiled faintly and raised a hand.
"Never mind."
"There is no need to answer."
He understood all he needed to.
The weight in Yuzuki's eyes.
The coldness beneath his calm demeanor.
The relentless drive to become stronger.
Chrollo recognized it instantly.
Because he had seen that look many times before.
Then Chrollo leaned back slightly.
"So."
"What do you plan to do now?"
Yuzuki answered without hesitation.
"I'm going to become a Floor Master."
His lips curled into a small smile.
"And then I'll participate in the Battle Olympia."
For the first time, Chrollo laughed openly.
A soft, genuine laugh.
"In that caseā¦"
He folded his hands.
"I suppose we will eventually clash."
Yuzuki nodded.
"Probably."
Then Yuzuki glanced at Shizuku.
"As much as I'd like to keep talkingā¦"
He looked back to Chrollo.
"I want to introduce Shizuku to Bisky."
"So if there's something specific you wanted to discuss, I'd appreciate it if you got to the point."
Pakunoda's eyebrows rose slightly.
Shalnark smiled.
Even Machi looked faintly amused.
Few people in the world spoke to Chrollo so directly.
But Chrollo merely nodded.
"Very well."
He met Yuzuki's eyes squarely.
"I want you to join the Phantom Troupe."
The room grew still.
Even though Yuzuki had expected something unusual, hearing those words spoken so plainly caught him off guard.
Chrollo continued calmly.
"You would take the Number Eight position."
A position once held by Silva Zoldyck's victim.
Now held by Hisoka.
Pakunoda leaned forward slightly.
"You already have ties to us."
Shalnark smiled brightly.
"You're from Meteor City."
Machi added in her usual blunt tone.
"Shizuku clearly likes you."
Shizuku nodded once.
"Mhm."
Chrollo spread his hands.
"And in returnā¦"
His voice remained perfectly calm.
"We help you kill Hisoka."
That got Yuzuki's full attention.
Because if there was one person currently standing in his way more than anyone elseā
It was Hisoka.
Chrollo watched him closely.
Waiting.
The room fell silent.
Yuzuki considered the offer seriously.
There was undeniable appeal.
Powerful allies.
Access to resources.
Protection.
And assistance against one of the most dangerous men he knew.
But after several moments, he shook his head.
"ā¦I'm honored."
His tone was sincere.
"Really."
He glanced at Shizuku.
Then back to Chrollo.
"But I have no interest in becoming a criminal."
His eyes hardened.
"I won't join an organization that kills innocent people in cold blood."
The words were not accusatory.
Simply honest.
Shalnark rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly.
Pakunoda remained silent.
Machi merely watched.
Shizuku looked thoughtful.
Chrollo, however, did not appear offended.
If anything, he seemed mildly impressed.
After a brief pause, he smiled faintly.
"I expected that answer."
Then he leaned forward slightly.
"Stillā¦"
He folded his hands.
"Think about it."
His tone remained gentle.
"There is no deadline."
"No pressure."
"If you ever change your mindā¦"
"The offer stands."
Yuzuki nodded.
"I appreciate that."
Chrollo's smile deepened slightly.
"Good."
Then the tension in the room eased.
And Yuzuki rose to his feet.
Because there was still one thing he intended to do tonight.
Introduce two important people in his life.
---
Find early chapters on my patreonĀ
[Patreon.com/tenten100?]