Hello, everyone. Gon Freecss here, freshly reminded that Hisoka isn't just a pervert. I can't tell if I'm starting to sympathize with him, or if this is just a side effect of his usual depravity.
Hisoka was in high spirits after his victory over Kastro, a mood only improved by Gon's applause. As he walked down the corridor back to his waiting room, he found a woman leaning against the wall, waiting for him in a restricted area.
"You're here. Let's get this over with. You were going to get that wound treated anyway."
The woman had voluminous pink hair tied up and wore the casual, Japanese-style garb of a female ninja. It was Machi Komacine, an original member of the infamous Phantom Troupe, their No. 3, and one of Hisoka's personal favorites. She had come to Heavens Arena.
Hisoka and Machi entered one of the private rooms used by the fighters. He sat in a chair and peeled off the Texture Surprise he'd stuck to his cheek, revealing the gruesome wound beneath—a gash he had torn open and then gouged with his own fingers.
"Same as always, getting yourself hurt for a bit of fun. This will be quick, so stop using your Aura to staunch the bleeding."
"Nen Stitches."
It was a healing technique using Machi's Transmuter Hatsu, Nen Threads. It could reconnect not just muscle and blood vessels, but even bone and nerve in an instant. Since Hisoka's injury was only a tear in his cheek, it was repaired in the blink of an eye, leaving only a slight lack of skin.
"Mmm, magnificent as always. ♥ Now I can eat dinner without spilling a single drop. ♣"
"Right. Don't be cheap; give me ten million."
"Can I wire it to you later?"
As Hisoka covered the faint remaining scar with another layer of Texture Surprise, he tilted his head, noticing Machi's large, sharp eyes narrowing with suspicion.
"...Something's different about you. The end of that last match wasn't like you at all. And who is this 'King'? 'Gon'?"
"Oh? Could you be jealous? Don't be silly, I would never neglect you, Machi. ♥ How about we have dinner together? ♦"
"Die."
Machi's expression twisted from suspicion into pure disgust. She turned to leave, not even trying to hide her revulsion, but managed to stop herself.
"Change of plans. All members—not just the free ones—are to assemble in Yorknew City by August 31st. I came to tell you in person because I figured you'd ignore the email and blow it off. Make sure you're there this time."
"...!"
When Machi turned back to deliver the news, she couldn't see Hisoka's expression as he checked the Texture Surprise in the reflection of a TV screen. But she noticed him freeze for an instant, reinforcing the sense of wrongness she'd felt since seeing him again after so many months.
"Is that so? A full assembly, you say. ♣ What a shame. I was hoping to have a little fun with Chrollo if the timing was right. ♦"
"...Are you serious? Should I just kill you right here and now?"
Though Hisoka wore his usual smirk, Machi couldn't ignore his words. A murderous intent and a torrent of Aura began to leak from her.
"Now, now. Everyone knows I'm after Chrollo. ♦ I'm capable of restraining myself if the situation isn't right. Surely there's no harm in just saying it aloud. ♠"
Machi grew more irritated as Hisoka threw his hands up in a playful shrug, but what he said was true. His goal was an open secret within the Troupe. With a click of her tongue, she turned to leave again, but this time, Hisoka stopped her. Machi, now on the verge of snapping, reluctantly paused.
"I've actually just completed a new Hatsu, and I wanted someone's opinion on whether it works properly. ♣ I'm not looking for a fight, so I'd appreciate it if you'd just take a little look. ♦"
Without waiting for a reply, Hisoka materialized his new ability, Panic Card: The Magician's Harassment. At first glance, it looked like a simple deck of playing cards, but Machi noticed with suspicion that the fluctuation of Aura within them was unnaturally large.
"I call it Panic Card: The Magician's Harassment. ♣ It materializes a deck of cards where the suit and number determine the effect and power. ♦ What you draw is completely random, so it can be used for things like fortune-telling outside of combat, too. ♦"
Despite claiming the draw was random, he shuffled the cards elaborately before fanning them out and presenting them to her, face down.
"You're the first person I've ever shown this to; it's fresh out of the oven. Would you mind picking any card you like? It'll help me see if it's materializing correctly. ♠"
...What is he planning? I doubt he'd do anything irreversible in this situation, but that just makes this whole charade more confusing.
Machi's instincts were screaming at her, but she prioritized getting a look at Hisoka's new, dangerous, and unpredictable Hatsu.
Even if this ends with me being humiliated, it's better to gather some information. Knowing about it beforehand makes a world of difference in a fight.
Having made her decision, Machi deliberately drew a card from near the middle of the fan. It was the Queen of Hearts—whether Hisoka had guided her to it or not, she couldn't tell.
"Well? I drew one. What is this supposed to tell you?"
She stared, astonished by the sheer amount of Aura contained within a single card. Holding it up for Hisoka to see, she was met with a lewd grin.
"Excellent. ♣ The Heart is a suit that's especially easy to imbue with Aura, and the Queen is the third most powerful card after the Ace and King. ♦ More importantly, the Queen of Love... it's as if this card was made just for you. ♠"
Tired of Hisoka's vague explanation, Machi focused her Gyo on the card.
"I should also mention that it has exceptional synergy with my Bungee Gum, which contains a similar word in its full name. ♦"
The moment the card's outline distorted and its Aura rippled, Machi let go, but her focus on observation had cost her the chance to escape.
"Accept my Bungee Gum's love! ♠"
The card's Aura erupted, transforming into Bungee Gum. Machi shielded her vitals at the last second but was stuck fast to the spot.
It's so strong! It'll take me several minutes to break free, even with all my strength! And this is only the third most powerful card?! What kind of Hatsu did he create?!
As she struggled to escape, she noticed Hisoka watching her with a lustful expression. She glared at him, her killing intent now stronger than before, but Hisoka calmly took out his phone and started a call.
"It would be best if we could all meet and talk. ♥ I've actually captured one of their legs. I'd like to borrow your hands as well, so please come. ♦"
Machi, who had assumed the worst-case scenario was him taking a few photos to harass her with later, was now furious with herself. And she was even more furious with Hisoka for starting something truly irreversible.
"DON'T FUCK WITH ME, HISOKA!! YOU SOLD US OUT, DIDN'T YOU?! LET ME GO! I'LL TEAR YOU TO SHREDS AND KILL YOU RIGHT NOW!!"
"Are you asking for a favor? If you want to kill me, break free and come at me yourself. ♠ Not that I'll let you escape, of course. ♦"
No matter how much strength Machi mustered, she couldn't escape Hisoka's Bungee Gum. It was already powered up by the Panic Card, and to make matters worse, Hisoka hung up his phone and began reinforcing it with more Aura.
"DAMN IT ALL!!"
Her shouts were useless; the soundproofing in Heavens Arena was top-notch. Hisoka simply continued to watch her enraged state with amusement until Gon and the others arrived.
"Whoa... so this cute girl is really a member of the infamous Phantom Troupe?"
"Don't say weird stuff, Leorio. What're you gonna do if Kurapika snaps and kills her?"
"What do you people think I am? It's fine. I have enough self-control not to strike her."
"That would've been more convincing if your fist wasn't clenched so hard."
When Gon and his friends arrived at Hisoka's request, their first sight was Machi. While they remained wary, they couldn't help but feel a twinge of pity for her.
"Welcome, Gon. ♥ It's good to see you all. As I might have shown you before, this is Machi, one of the most troublesome members of the Troupe. ♦ Go on, Machi, say hello. ♠"
"Mmphh!! Mmmrghh!!"
Not only was Machi bound by Bungee Gum, but it had also been forced into her mouth as a gag. Her body was contorted like a puppet, and Hisoka finally fixed her in a cutesy pose.
"Oh, so if I stick enough of it on, I can control her posture with Bungee Gum's elasticity alone."
"It consumes a fair bit of Aura, so I can't use it in a real fight. ♣ But as you can see, even Machi, whose raw strength is among the top ranks of the Troupe, is helpless. ♥"
Hisoka continued to toy with her, forcing her into a seductive cheetah pose and then making her do a clumsy robot dance. Machi could only glare at him with a murderous gaze, but inwardly, her mind was beginning to calm down.
For Hisoka to betray the Troupe... I was expecting someone more impressive. Just a kid with a grudge, a civilian, and two other brats? They seem somewhat capable, but this is hardly a problem.
Machi had mostly given up on her own survival, but she couldn't imagine this group doing any real damage to the Troupe, even with Hisoka's help.
If I don't return, suspicion will fall on Hisoka. As long as Paku is around, he won't be able to hide anything. Their little scheme will be exposed in an—
"You seem quite calm. It's not that you think you won't die. You're confident that your comrades will inevitably find out what we've done, aren't you?"
Machi's gaze shifted to the speaker. Kurapika was observing her, his Dowsing Chain pointed in her direction.
"Let me tell you something. You will not die, and you will be able to return to your fellow Spiders. You will simply forget everything that is about to happen."
At Kurapika's words, Machi's heart rate skyrocketed.
Hisoka must be the one who leaked information about Paku's ability, so that's one thing. But even if he knew, how could he possibly create a Nen ability that conveniently affects memories?!
Pakunoda, the Phantom Troupe's No. 9, was a Specialist whose ability allowed her to read the memories of anyone she touched. However, it only allowed her to perceive what the target was actively thinking about in response to questions. She couldn't read memories the target had completely forgotten.
"Indeed. Kurapika's Judgment Chain can feel a bit unnatural if it seals away too much and creates inconsistencies. ♦ But other than that, it worked perfectly, so you have nothing to worry about. ♥"
Hisoka's confirmation that such an ability existed sent a wave of despair through Machi. She barely held herself together by remembering that the entire Troupe was gathering in Yorknew City. Even if they managed to take down members one by one, they could get one or two besides her at most. The Phantom Troupe's advantage, she reasoned, was still absolute.
It's fine. We might lose a few members, but they'll never reach the Troupe itself... they'll never reach the Boss. And when that happens, they'll surely dispose of Hisoka...
It was then that Machi's eyes met Gon's as he looked up at her.
The moment she gazed into those black eyes, which held a small beast wreathed in Aura on his head, a despair that shattered everything she had believed until now flooded her heart.
No. No, no, no, no! I can't let him, I can't let THIS face the Troupe!! If they prepare perfectly and set a trap, they might have a chance. But if they run into him when he has the advantage, no one... not even Uvogin would stand a chance!
Machi's panic was obvious not only to Kurapika, who was using his Dowsing Chain, but also to Hisoka, who had known her the longest.
"Ahhh... ♥ So it wasn't my imagination, Machi's reaction proves it. You've gotten stronger again, Gon. ♥ Oh, what should I do? My self-control is reaching its limit... ♠"
Hisoka writhed, hugging himself as an aura unlike anything from his fight with Kastro—an aura reminiscent of post-mortem Nen—rose from his body.
Killua, who had been getting used to Hisoka's Aura, scrambled to the corner of the room, shaking uncontrollably. Leorio, drenched in a cold sweat and his legs trembling violently, stepped in front of Kurapika to shield him from the Dowsing Chain's amplified effect.
Meanwhile, Gon simply calmed Gin, whose fur was standing on end and teeth were bared, and offered Hisoka a smile that was both warlike and somehow gentle.
What is this? Hisoka is this dangerous... and this kid can stand up to him... If this is a bad dream, let me wake up. What... what am I supposed to do against people like this?
Machi despaired at Gon's unfathomable potential. She despaired at Hisoka being several levels stronger than she had ever imagined. And as her eyes began to well with tears in despair at her own powerlessness, Leorio, trembling twice as much as a newborn deer, finally forced himself to speak.
"HEY! Gon, Hisoka, knock it off! We're supposed to be getting information on the Phantom Troupe right now! Save this crap for later!"
"Hee hee. ♥ Leorio really is the most mentally sound of you all. ♥ My apologies. That was mostly genuine, but it was also a necessary step. ♠ Take a look. Doesn't a member of the great Phantom Troupe look just like a common maiden? ♦"
Hisoka retracted his Aura, and Killua and the others let out a breath of relief. But Machi's mind, reeling from the threat to the Troupe's existence, was still in turmoil.
"Pushing her this far mentally should amplify the effects of the Judgment Chain even further. ♣ Let's just get what we need and enjoy some quality time together, shall we? ♥"
Hisoka returned to his familiar, whimsical demeanor. All eyes turned to Kurapika, who took a deep breath and activated his ability.
"Judgment Chain."
***
"Hisoka! If you don't delete those pictures you took, I'll delete you myself!"
"Hee hee hee. I'd like that. ♦ Please, by all means, give it your best shot. ♣"
"Damn you!! DIE!!"
Machi slammed the door on her way out, hitting it with enough force to dent it, despite the fixtures in Heavens Arena being built to withstand its rough clientele. The lock placed on her memory had completely concealed the fact that information about the Troupe members' Hatsu had been extracted.
That bastard Hisoka, screwing around like that. Well, whatever whim he's on, at least I learned about his troublesome new Hatsu. I'll just work him to the bone in Yorknew and make him pay me for my troubles.
Machi would never realize it—the version of herself that was screaming and crying in the deepest recesses of her memory.
The only leg of the Spider that knew of the crisis was bound in chains, and the Spider itself walked on, unaware it had ever been bound.
The time was fast approaching when the Spiders, who knew only how to take, would become the ones from whom everything was taken.
***
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