Joey slowly raised his hand—
Then stopped midway.
---
His eyes briefly dropped to his fingertips.
Stained with blood.
---
He looked away without much emotion.
---
Ten seconds.
---
That was his estimate.
---
Ten seconds—
Enough for the Chimera Ant to close the distance.
And enough time for his returned weapon to rejoin him.
---
Sheer Heart Attack had already completed its mission.
It was returning.
---
And a professional Hunter like Ponzu—
Even without seeing the Stand—
Would notice the disturbance left behind.
---
But Joey had a deeper doubt.
---
Could Nen users really not see Stands?
---
Or were they simply pretending?
---
Ten seconds passed instantly.
---
Branches snapped in the distance.
---
The Skull Tank returned.
Leaving faint trails through the forest.
---
It reattached itself to Killer Queen's position.
---
Killer Queen stood ready beside him.
---
At the same time—
Four figures appeared in a loose encirclement.
---
Joey didn't hesitate.
---
He raised both hands.
Surrendering.
And stepped out from the bushes.
---
Then—
He noticed something.
---
Ponzu's gaze—
Was slightly hazy.
---
Not normal vision.
---
It carried a faint energy layer.
---
Nen.
---
Which meant—
She could see the Stand.
---
Joey's eyes narrowed slightly.
---
"…So Nen users can see it."
---
That changed things.
---
Before he could think further—
A voice cut in.
---
"Kira Yoshikage?"
---
It was the leader.
Buhara.
---
Joey froze for a fraction of a second.
---
He hadn't expected that reaction.
---
They knew his name.
---
His prepared thoughts stalled.
---
But his expression remained calm.
Controlled.
Measured.
---
"…Yes."
---
Silence followed.
---
Then Buhara asked:
---
"How did you get here?"
---
Joey didn't hesitate.
---
"The village was attacked by monsters."
"Everyone either died or was captured."
"I was the only one who escaped."
---
He spoke slowly.
Carefully.
---
And glanced in the direction of the destroyed Chimera Ant remains.
---
Buhara watched him closely.
---
But didn't react strongly.
---
Ponzu, however—
Looked toward Joey and Killer Queen without surprise.
---
That confirmed something.
---
They had likely encountered him before.
---
Or at least—
They had seen the Stand already.
---
Joey's mind began assembling conclusions.
---
First hypothesis:
---
They had met Kira Yoshikage in the village.
---
Second:
Killer Queen had been exposed there.
---
Which meant—
Kira Yoshikage had likely been living quietly in NGL.
---
Consistent with his personality.
---
A man who avoided attention.
Who always stayed in the background.
Never first.
Never last.
---
Just unnoticed enough to survive.
---
Joey's internal analysis continued.
---
Kira Yoshikage wouldn't actively approach Hunters.
---
But he also wouldn't draw attention.
---
Which meant—
The exposure was probably accidental.
---
Not intentional.
---
Joey exhaled slowly.
---
This was the most logical explanation.
---
But not the only one.
---
And in this world—
Assumptions could kill him.
---
So he needed confirmation.
---
He carefully observed their expressions.
---
Every micro-reaction mattered.
---
Ponzu suddenly looked at Buhara—
Confused.
---
Then covered her mouth slightly.
---
"…No way…"
---
Panic.
---
But controlled.
---
Buhara remained calm.
---
"What attacked you? The insect-type creatures?"
---
Joey nodded slightly.
---
"Yes."
---
Pokkuru then spoke.
Pokkle (commonly known as Pokkle), short in stature, baby-faced, calm but alert.
---
"Then what are your plans now?"
"Where are you going?"
---
The others remained silent.
---
Watching.
Assessing.
---
Hunters—
Even when quiet—
Were always analyzing.
---
Ponzu kept her bees nearby.
Tension still present.
---
Joey noticed something else.
---
Ponzu's earlier reaction—
Was not fear.
It was recognition.
---
Which meant—
Something about Joey or the Stand had already been recorded.
---
And that meant danger.
---
Joey tightened his mental focus.
---
He had made a mistake.
---
His calm response to Buhara's name—
Had likely confirmed something.
---
They were testing him.
---
Just as he was testing them.
---
A silent exchange of pressure.
---
Joey adjusted instantly.
---
His voice remained steady.
---
"I've been investigating Zairo."
---
"About an hour from here, there's a drug production base."
---
"After the village was attacked, I planned to go there."
---
"Only the organization has weapons strong enough to deal with those monsters."
---
He pointed slightly at the rifle on his chest.
---
Buhara glanced at it.
---
Then at Joey.
---
A brief silence.
---
"An hour away… that's not far."
---
Pokkle tilted his head slightly.
---
"On the way, share everything you know."
---
His tone was polite.
But firm.
---
Not a request.
A condition.
---
Joey felt it immediately.
---
This was confidence.
---
Absolute confidence.
---
Even after seeing Killer Queen.
Even after the Chimera Ant remains.
---
They still believed they were in control.
---
And they probably were.
---
Joey understood clearly.
---
If it came to direct combat—
He would lose.
---
No question.
---
Experience.
Speed of judgment.
Nen mastery.
Team coordination.
---
All superior.
---
So he agreed.
---
"…Fine."
---
He nodded slightly.
---
At the same time—
Killer Queen slowly faded from view.
---
Not disappearing.
---
But withdrawn.
---
A controlled retreat.
---
A test.
---
Joey was observing them—
And letting them observe him.
---
If they reacted strongly—
He would know they could fully perceive the Stand.
---
If not—
Then only partial awareness existed.
---
But Joey missed something.
---
Pokkle subtly gestured behind his back.
---
A quiet signal to Ponzu.
---
And Joey interpreted it incorrectly.
---
He thought—
It meant the threat level had been reduced.
---
But in reality—
It meant something else entirely.
---
They were preparing.
___________________________
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