Chapter 139: Kurapika and Haze
Kurapika desperately wanted to ask Gon what he would do if, one day, he had to fight Ging Freecss to the death.
But he didn't dare. What kind of pressure could a child that young even feel?
Besides, he already knew what Gon's answer would be.
Shortly after, the Association's airship descended from the sky. Staff members began waking up the unconscious examinees, while Haze led the twelve who had passed the exam aboard the ship.
This time, they didn't bother President Netero ... so Gon and Killua didn't end up playing games with the old man during the flight.
On their way to the third phase of the Hunter Exam, Killua and Gon had become inseparable, forging a deep friendship.
Haze also handed Kurapika an ancient text from the Kurta Clan.
"Consider it compensation. Here's some information… A large portion of the Scarlet Eyes you're looking for is in the collection of a prince from the Kakin Empire."
Kurapika took the book without a word and turned to leave.
Watching him go, Haze spoke.
"Your clan was slaughtered by the Spider... After obtaining the Scarlet Eyes, they sold them to that Kakin prince through certain intermediaries for a large sum of money. Of course, it's also possible they were hired by him. I don't know the details, but I'm afraid you'll have to face the Spider head-on."
Kurapika froze mid-step and turned sharply toward him.
Haze looked at his expressionless face and said calmly,
"Do you remember the name Shira?"
Kurapika's expression shifted slightly.
"The woman you and your companion Pyro rescued in the forest… She was from Meteor City and knew Chrollo, the leader of the Phantom Troupe, since childhood. She almost joined him ... but in the end, due to ideological differences, she left. She should have died after leaving your base, so…"
"How do you know all this?" Kurapika demanded.
The moment the name Phantom Troupe was mentioned, something inside Kurapika seemed to switch on. A faint red light glowed beneath his contact lenses.
He was astonished. His encounter with Shira had happened years ago ... aside from Pyro, the clan elder, and his parents, no one else knew about it.
Before Haze could answer, Kurapika asked another question:
"Do you know the Phantom Troupe?"
Information about the Troupe was incredibly scarce. He knew they were his enemy, but he had no clue about their appearance, powers, or identities.
"I've seen them," Haze said plainly.
Kurapika turned fully to face him, his eyes locked on the man before him.
Haze was a Three-Star Hunter with immeasurable power ... he had no reason to lie.
"What do you want?" Kurapika asked, his tone heavy.
Their abilities and status were worlds apart. If Haze was telling him this, it had to mean he wanted something in return.
Haze smiled faintly and shook his head.
"You don't have anything I need."
Kurapika bit his lip in silence. He thought Haze was toying with him ... dropping hints just to manipulate him.
But unexpectedly, Haze spoke again:
"Listen carefully…"
And then he proceeded to list, in meticulous detail, the names and Nen abilities of every member of the Phantom Troupe.
When he finished, he walked past Kurapika and patted his shoulder.
"With your current strength, facing them is suicide. First, get your Hunter License. And don't be so hostile. I'm willing to help you ... because I owe you this book. Without it, it would've taken me much longer to become a Three-Star Hunter."
"Carry out your mission well…"
Then he leaned closer and whispered,
"I've heard about the gruesome way your people were killed. The Phantom Troupe… they deserve to die."
Those words instantly brought back a flood of bloody memories for Kurapika ...
When he returned to camp that day, he found the bodies of his clanmates sitting in pairs, mutilated, their eyes gouged out.
Most murderers would simply leave their victims where they fell ... but the Phantom Troupe had arranged the corpses neatly, almost ceremonially.
Arrogant. Proud.
They treated human life like a game.
Haze slipped his hands into his pockets and walked away.
At the end of the corridor, a shadow stirred. Hisoka leaned casually against the wall, a sly grin on his face.
"Are you sure he alone could ever pose a threat to the entire Phantom Troupe? He's nothing like the other two…"
He was referring to Killua and Gon.
"Don't underestimate a person's resolve," Haze replied calmly.
"Don't worry ... I didn't mention you. I only gave him the number."
"Mmm… fine. You can tell him," Hisoka said with a smirk.
"Do I need to reveal my identity now?"
"Don't do anything unnecessary," Haze answered flatly.
With that, the two descended the stairs to the lower deck of the ship.
But just as they turned a corner, they crossed paths with a small, familiar figure. The boy reacted instantly, springing back like a coiled spring and vanishing in a flash.
Haze and Hisoka pretended not to notice and continued on their way.
Moments later, from another corner, Killua pressed a trembling hand to his chest, swallowing hard as fear filled his eyes.
"How… how are they together?! Haze and Hisoka know each other?! Gon has no idea! I told you, Haze is dangerous!"
"No, I have to tell Gon…" he muttered, peeking cautiously around the corner before darting away.
Killua's resentment toward Haze ran deep. He had finally realized what had truly happened back then ...
Haze had taken advantage of his innocence, tricking him into "controlling" Alluka to help heal her wounds.
That incident had made his family ... especially Illumi ... suspect his relationship with Alluka, leading to years of misery.
Only after making a promise to his father, Silva, had things finally eased.
That's why Killua hated Haze with every fiber of his being.
That man had gotten what he wanted and left without a second thought ...
Leaving a child like him to deal with the fallout.
Even though Haze had given him sweets and gifts… they were nothing but false kindness.
He had even tricked a child like him. How could Killua ever forgive that?
But what frustrated him even more was that when he told Gon about Haze's connection to Hisoka, Gon just smiled and said:
"That's just like Mr. Haze ... he can even get along with someone like Hisoka.
But I think they probably just met. After all, one's an examiner and the other's an examinee. It's perfectly normal they'd run into each other."
Killua nearly exploded.
"Normal?! Who in their right mind becomes friends with a freak like Hisoka?!"
He couldn't believe how much Gon admired Haze ... it was almost excessive.
Leorio agreed with Killua's reasoning, but Gon remained firm in his belief.
However, the three soon realized…
Kurapika was nowhere to be found.
Night fell, and the airship continued its journey through the clouds.
Haze was lying on his bed reading when his gaze flicked toward the door.
A few seconds later, there was a soft knock.
"Come in," Haze said.
The door opened, and Kurapika stepped inside, his face serious.
Haze immediately knew why he was there.
"Do you need something?"
Without warning, Kurapika dropped to his knees and bowed deeply.
"Please, accept me as your disciple!"
Haze's expression remained unreadable.
"As long as I can destroy the Phantom Troupe and avenge my people, I'll give everything," Kurapika said firmly.
"You didn't tell me all that earlier for no reason."
Haze finally smiled faintly.
"You're quite perceptive."
"Taking you as a disciple is out of the question. Strictly speaking, your talent doesn't meet my requirements ... and I have no interest in taking one anyway.
But… I can help you hunt the Spiders."
(End of Chapter)