Silva was probably close to two meters tall. Just standing there, he radiated crushing pressure.
That pressure wasn't really from his height—it was the danger that clung to him naturally.
Ronin's Sharingan was hidden under colored contacts, and it let him clearly see the immense Nen inside both Silva and Zeno.
And that was while the two of them were only in Ten.
Hisoka, on the other hand, didn't feel nearly as threatening—especially since Hisoka's gaze was mostly fixed on Silva.
Looks like Silva's strength had also piqued the "fruit hunter's" interest.
The one coordinating this operation—sending assassins to target the Troupe—was Zenji, the bald guy who had survived Cemetery by sheer luck.
His expression was serious.
The seven people in the room were the strongest fighters they could assemble on short notice.
Zenji knew exactly what his role was: survive.
The massacre at Cemetery had become an unerasable psychological shadow for him. These last two days, every time he closed his eyes, those killers reappeared in his mind.
"Everyone's here," Zenji said solemnly. "The client wants the Phantom Troupe eliminated.
In one hour, the auction will reopen in this building. The Phantom Troupe will likely come again.
The moment you spot them, act immediately. As for details and method—choose whatever you want. As long as you get it done, we won't interfere. If you need anything, tell me, and I'll make sure it's prepared."
Zenji had no intention of charging the front line. He was logistics.
Even if they failed to stop the Troupe, worst case he'd get yelled at. Betting his life for a little money and fame? He wasn't that stupid.
The street-punk-looking guy immediately made a request: he wanted a baseball bat.
Zenji naturally agreed.
The mechanic-looking middle-aged man and the pretty young woman, meanwhile, began discussing how they'd communicate once the operation started—call signs, contact methods, and so on.
From the sound of it, they intended to move as a team.
But their plan was doomed from the start: the two Zoldycks had no intention of cooperating with others, and Ronin and Hisoka were both lone-wolf types as well.
Still, in Ronin's view, those three weren't wrong.
If the Troupe dared to move today, none of them would be alone.
With their level, facing even one Troupe member alone was certain death. Against two or more, even the three of them together might only have a slim chance to escape.
"This feels like kids playing house."
As expected, Zeno was the first to get impatient.
His gaze swept over Ronin and Hisoka. Among the five Nen users besides the Zoldycks, only Ronin and Hisoka sparked any interest.
"We'll operate our own way," Silva said as well.
Zeno, even more blunt, pulled out a stack of business cards and handed them to everyone in the room—including Zenji.
Ronin took one. It had not only a phone number, but also the Zoldyck family address.
This assassin family really was shamelessly high-profile.
"If you want someone killed, contact me anytime. I'll even give you 30% off—special discount, don't miss it," Zeno advertised murder like a normal salesman.
"Zoldyck? You're the Zoldyck family?" The red-haired girl's lips parted in disbelief. "I heard no one has ever seen your real faces."
"We don't do special disguises, or sneak attacks and infiltration," Zeno replied casually.
The three—especially the girl—fell silent, business cards in hand.
At that moment, Hisoka stepped forward. "I still prefer acting alone, so you can work out communications among yourselves."
As he spoke, he walked out of the room.
Ronin pocketed the card and followed. If anything happened, he actually wanted to see how the two Zoldycks would move.
As for the other three, Ronin didn't care.
If they dared accept this job, they should already be prepared to fail and die.
"Wait! I have a simplified floor map of the building," Zenji called as the door opened.
But neither Hisoka nor Ronin nor the two Zoldycks behind them showed any interest in taking it.
The four walked out into the corridor and quickly separated without any further conversation, vanishing down opposite directions.
"That white-haired one is disguised," Silva said as he walked.
"Yeah, I can tell—and it's a very high-level method. It's probably Nen-related. Also, there's been a Nen thread on his left hand the entire time, running into his pocket. Looks like some kind of Transmutation Nen," Zeno judged. "And he seems to have recognized us already, and even looked eager to test us. That's a bit unusual for Transmuters. As for the redhead—he's also interested in you, but he's more restrained."
"Mm." Silva nodded. "For a moment I thought he might pounce on me."
Silva recalled Hisoka's look—like a hunting dog spotting prey, giving him the same vibe as their family's dog, Mike.
"He's more human than Mike," Zeno said, instantly piercing Silva's comparison.
"True." Silva nodded. "Mike's been restless lately. Might be in heat."
"Then neuter him," Zeno muttered. Compared to their parents' generation, Mike really was too aggressive.
While the two discussed their dog, Ronin turned to Hisoka. "Are you still planning to follow me?"
Ronin had already been standing by the stairwell for a full minute.
Hisoka clearly had no intention of going downstairs—he simply settled nearby.
"I'm thinking… if I kill you, could I use it as my offering to join the Troupe?" Hisoka produced a playing card at his fingertips. It spun between his fingers like a nimble coin.
"Why me?" Ronin asked curiously. Had Hisoka recognized him?
"Mmm~" Hisoka narrowed his pretty foxlike eyes. "Because I think you're fairly strong. You could keep me entertained for a while."
So he hadn't recognized him.
"The Troupe isn't a good place. Joining them won't necessarily help you reach your dream," Ronin said, his tone carrying a hint of deeper meaning.
As for Hisoka's "interest," Ronin didn't take it too seriously.
In a one-on-one, he wasn't afraid of Hisoka—if anything, he was curious who would win between them right now.
Hisoka was interested in him, and Ronin had to admit he felt that hunter's thrill too the moment he saw Hisoka.
Ronin had even once hoped to run into Hisoka at Heavens Arena.
By the timeline, Hisoka's fight with Kastro should be happening at the arena soon.
Meeting here in Yorknew was unexpected.
The only pity was that Hisoka had chosen a terrible time and place for it.
~~~
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