The Strongest Assassin of the Zoldyck Family!

When Kurapika's Judgment Chain wrapped around Hooker's body, it instantly forced Hooker into a state of Zetsu, cutting off his aura completely.

In that moment, he lost all ability to resist.

Kurapika didn't hesitate—he grabbed Hooker and left immediately.

At the same time, Gon and Killua couldn't hold back their curiosity any longer. They slipped out from their hiding spot and began edging closer to the chaotic center of the auction hall.

To be precise, it was Gon who moved forward.

Killua remained more cautious by nature. After all, he'd been raised in the Zoldyck family environment—and Illumi's needle had also shaped his habits. Even now, though he seemed "rebellious," that conditioning was deeply ingrained.

But Gon was different.

Wild and free by nature, Gon's impulsiveness outstripped most people in this world.

Leorio had no choice but to follow behind them nervously, scanning the surroundings and anxious about what might happen.

Then, a figure appeared in their line of sight—a large man with a fierce expression and short golden hair.

Phinks. A member of the Phantom Troupe.

"That's him!" Gon whispered quickly. "A Troupe member!"

Both Gon and Killua had seen the bounty posters; they knew all the faces.

Kurapika had told them clearly before: absolutely do not provoke the Phantom Troupe.

But that was before.

Now Killua had developed his own Nen ability—and Gon too.

In Gon's mind, the Phantom Troupe members didn't seem so terrifying anymore.

He wanted to test himself.

That look in his eyes didn't escape Phinks's notice.

Phinks turned his head, meeting their gaze with a scowl. "Nen users?" he muttered. "I saw these kids before at the Bull Market... what are they staring at me for? Are they Underworld Mafia members too?"

Then he remembered Shalnark's suggestion—to consider these two as potential recruits.

That thought decided it.

Didn't matter. He would just attack first and figure it out later.

If these three really were with the Mafia, he'd kill them.

If not, then their strength would at least show whether they were worth bringing into the Troupe.

Besides… Phinks was sick of killing ordinary people. He wanted a fight worth having.

Gon and Killua's arrival was perfect timing.

"Careful!" Killua snapped, pupils narrowing as he spotted Phinks's sudden movement.

Too late.

In a single instant, Phinks closed the distance, his fist swinging straight for Gon.

Gon barely managed to cross his arms in front of himself to block.

Boom!

The impact sent Gon flying backwards—he only stopped after skidding several dozen meters, finally managing to steady himself.

Phinks's brow lifted slightly, his interest deepening. "Not bad," he muttered. "Took that punch and you're still standing. Pretty good. Even though I was only using about a tenth of my strength... that's still impressive."

"Let's go again."

He lunged for Gon a second time.

This time, Gon had the chance to react—he dodged rather than taking it head-on, darting around to look for an opening to counterattack. The two figures blurred as they moved rapidly around the room.

Killua tried to rush forward to support Gon—but a Nen bullet suddenly streaked toward him, forcing him to dodge.

Franklin emerged.

"Your opponent... is me."

Killua turned sharply, his expression darkening as he recognized another Phantom Troupe member.

Franklin raised his arms—his fingers already extended. Nen bullets began firing continuously.

Killua could only evade, zigzagging desperately. There was no way to assist Gon while under fire.

Leorio, meanwhile, had long since hidden behind cover, trembling.

This was a fight he couldn't possibly get involved in.

He wanted to help.

But deep down, he knew… he would only get in the way.

"Good speed," Franklin observed, eyes narrowing as he watched Killua easily dodge the shots. "You're handling this better than I expected."

He glanced briefly at his own fingers.

"Well then—let's raise the difficulty a bit."

Franklin's finger count increased from two to three.

Immediately, the pressure on Killua intensified.

Increasing from two to three fingers boosted the volume of fire by fifty percent.

"So strong..." Killua grit his teeth as he dodged, eyes flicking back to Franklin.

"This is the Phantom Troupe's power?"

"Just as Kurapika warned—they're insanely strong... way beyond what I can handle right now. Even though I've unlocked my Nen… it's still not enough."

"What should I do?"

Instinctively, fear crept into his mind.

A part of him wanted to run.

But then his gaze snapped back toward Gon.

Could he just abandon Gon here and escape alone?

No—he couldn't!

"Gon is my best friend."

"I have to think of something."

His thoughts turned reflexively to Ron.

What would Cousin Ron do in a situation like this?

In that panicked moment, Killua latched onto that thought.

Ron was strong. Unshakable.

Killua tried to imagine himself acting like Ron.

"Maybe... I can become stronger right here," he thought suddenly.

He refocused entirely—not on Gon, not on Franklin—but on himself.

More aura surged from within.

Electricity crackled across his body.

And then, in the next instant, his speed surged dramatically—a clear and immediate increase.

Franklin's three-finger barrage could no longer pin him down.

Franklin's eyes gleamed with approval. "Not bad... not bad at all. Improving mid-battle... few people can do that. That shows real talent."

Nearby, Phinks grew even more excited.

The better Gon performed, the more exhilarated Phinks felt.

But that also created a problem.

In his growing excitement, Phinks became less precise, less restrained.

"Damn..."

As his next punch flew toward Gon, Phinks realized too late.

He had put too much force behind it.

More than Gon could possibly withstand.

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