Pakunoda was furious.
The rest of the Phantom Troupe were angry too.
It had been a very long time since the Troupe had suffered such devastating losses. The wounded didn't matter—they could recover. But three members had died. Those deaths were irreversible.
Confronting Hisoka, Pakunoda demanded an explanation.
But Hisoka simply replied, his voice calm and detached, "I didn't deliberately hold back. My ability is exactly as it is. Why would you think I was hiding anything?"
"You and Hooker fought that two-headed monster for so long and couldn't take him down. But this time, fighting alongside Chrollo against an even stronger opponent, you lasted until the end. Hisoka, you expect us to believe you weren't holding back your true strength?"
Hisoka toyed casually with the cards in his hands. "Pakunoda, I understand you're angry and need somewhere to vent. I'll let your accusations slide—for now. After all, we're part of the same team."
"But I repeat, I didn't deliberately hold back. My ability is what it is. That two-headed creature had extremely strong defences and aura. My attacks couldn't deal fatal damage. This recent opponent was powerful too—but my role was different. I was mainly distracting him with ranged attacks. He wasn't targeting me directly. Plus, my speed and defensive capabilities are better than Nobunaga's or Franklin's, so I was able to last longer."
Hisoka then turned to Chrollo. "Boss, isn't that right?"
Chrollo had suspected Hisoka as well, but when he reflected on Hisoka's performance, it matched Hisoka's explanation.
He wasn't lying.
Even though Chrollo still harbored doubts, under these circumstances, he could only give a clear response.
"Yes."
Hisoka shifted his gaze back to Pakunoda. His tone was calm but carried a sharp undertone. "Even the boss agrees. Are you still going to doubt me? I let your words go this time. Next time, I won't. If you want to die, feel free to continue."
Pakunoda instinctively wanted to push back again—but she was stopped.
"Pakunoda," Chrollo's voice cut in.
"But—" she started to protest.
Chrollo shook his head.
Pakunoda had no choice but to withdraw, though unwillingly.
......
Meanwhile, Ron and Nina's group spent a peaceful half-day going about their routines.
They didn't go far—just downstairs to shop for ingredients at the market. Erina prepared them a delicious meal.
Ron briefly recounted what had happened in Yorknew.
Misty and the others talked about their time at Heaven's Arena.
"Oh, by the way, how are Sally and Ruco doing now?" Ron asked.
"The dojo's up and running," Nina replied happily. "They've recruited quite a few students. Oh, and Sally said they recently found a really promising one—a student who can see aura even though they haven't learned Nen yet."
"Sally said that after a period of training, if this student reaches the threshold, they plan to teach them Nen formally and then recommend them to you," Nina added.
Ron raised an eyebrow slightly.
Someone able to see aura before learning Nen… just like Misty.
Misty had already proven her talent.
This student couldn't be ordinary either.
Ron felt a small flicker of anticipation.
And the role of Sally and Ruco was becoming clearer too.
With their current strength, they couldn't keep up with a combat unit anymore. In Yorknew's arc alone, even C-rank Nen users were falling behind. Non-combat members of the Phantom Troupe could only assist from the sidelines. The Shadow Beasts had become mere minor characters—and even among them, there were B-rank Nen users.
But leaving the combat team didn't mean Sally and Ruco would be cut off from Ron's group.
For Sally, Nina, Shizuku, and Ponzu, Ron was deeply important. That bond wouldn't change.
Their dojo would serve as Ron's rear base—a place to train new members.
That was just one role.
They could help in other ways too.
Machi's gaze shifted slightly toward Ron.
Just like Misty, Machi had been able to see aura even before learning Nen—a fact she would never forget.
It had happened at Sarasa's funeral.
Machi quietly thought, "Ron's group… are there even more members I haven't seen yet?"
.................
.........
.
Later that night, Ron made a call to Illumi.
"Illumi," Ron said calmly.
"Ron," Illumi's voice replied evenly.
"Where are you right now?"
"Near Aurean."
"Send me your exact coordinates. I'll come meet you."
"Alright."
Illumi provided the coordinates.
Ron informed Nina and the others briefly, then left Yorknew.
With Oster dead, it was time to claim his reward.
.......
Meanwhile, Machi studied Nina and the others quietly.
She no longer doubted Ron's strength—or the strength of his team.
But she still didn't fully understand what this team was trying to achieve.
After all, Machi's joining had happened… abruptly.
She'd joined simply because Ron had agreed to help the Phantom Troupe.
But even so, she felt something unsettling.
The way Nina, Shizuku, Misty, and Ponzu looked at Ron—it wasn't simply respect for a leader.
Machi's instincts told her: these people felt something far deeper toward Ron.
Especially Shizuku and Ponzu.
Their behavior made it obvious.
It was as if they'd already had intimate relationships with Ron.
The thought made Machi feel awkward.
If every member of Ron's team was romantically involved with him… what about her?
Was she expected to become one of Ron's lovers too?
Though not young, Machi had never experienced such things. Her time with the Phantom Troupe had always been about camaraderie, not romance.
Just thinking about it made her ears turn faintly red.
"Machi," Misty approached quietly.
"Can you tell me," Misty asked gently, "how you met Ron-nii?"
..............
Elsewhere…
A loud crash echoed.
Gon and the others had just been evicted from their hotel—and after paying a hefty compensation fee at that.
The others had no money.
Naturally, Milluki had to cover the entire amount.