As long as there was an opening, the target could be instantly killed with Astral Step.
The defining feature of Nobunaga's Enhancement Ability was concentrating the vast majority of his aura output into his blade when attacking.
Undoubtedly, this method of attack was extremely sharp.
But it also meant a lack of defense.
Morrow exploited this characteristic of Nobunaga's ability.
First, he used Kalluto's ability to determine the position and distance, then arranged for Kurapika to engage in frontal combat one step ahead, allowing Uvogin and Nobunaga to launch a coordinated attack.
All of this was to create an opportunity where the "Astral Step" ability could be utilized to its fullest potential.
And then, effortlessly, Nobunaga was sliced in half.
All of this was within Morrow's plan.
Of course.
Given Morrow's current strength, even without setting up tactics, he and Kurapika could kill Uvogin and Nobunaga in direct combat.
But there was no need for that.
Since he already held the advantage of intelligence and initiative, why complicate things when the target could be eliminated cleanly?
Morrow stared impassively at Uvogin's face, which was gradually contorting with extreme rage. He could clearly see that Uvogin's aura output had increased somewhat.
A classic rage-driven fighter. Once provoked, his aura output shows a noticeable surge. Many Enhancers share this trait; might have something to do with bordering the Transmuter category.
Observing the changes in Uvogin's aura output, Morrow mused silently.
Killing Nobunaga finally got me to Level 70.
Without even glancing at the level symbol in the center of Tree Rings, Morrow could tell from the increase in his own aura output that he had risen from Lv.69 to Lv.70.
Suddenly, Uvogin's aura output surged to its peak, violently knocking Kurapika back before charging at Morrow with bloodshot eyes.
The aura, swelling violently from intense emotional fluctuations, combined with his bear-like physique and the ferocity of his bloodshot gaze...
At this moment, Uvogin's sheer presence was undeniably formidable.
Kalluto, watching from the sidelines, unconsciously tightened his grip on his fan handle upon sensing the aura Uvogin unleashed.
It wasn't concern for Morrow but rather shock at the sheer intensity Uvogin displayed.
Even Kanzai, standing nearby, couldn't help but regard Uvogin with newfound respect upon seeing him go all out.
As a fellow Enhancer, he naturally understood the impact and role of "emotion" on this category.
Especially rage, most of the time, it could directly amplify an Enhancer's explosive power.
Thus, among equals, Enhancers often boasted the most overwhelming presence.
Elsewhere.
Tsubone and Amane were also observing the battle.
Witnessing Morrow eliminate a powerful Nen user in a single strike, Amane was stunned, a chill creeping up her spine to the crown of her head.
That impossibly fast attack...
Even as a bystander, she couldn't react to it.
She even doubted whether she could defend against Morrow's strike even if she maintained Ken.
He... has already grown this strong?
Amane stared blankly at Morrow in the arena. Compared to Amane's heavily shocked reaction, Tsubone merely raised an eyebrow in slight surprise.
However, after understanding Morrow's tactical arrangement, the astonishment in her eyes grew increasingly profound.
Skilled in strategy, with such meticulous thinking...
Tsubone could naturally discern Morrow's astonishing growth in aura output and Nen Techniques. But having witnessed many monsters in her lifetime, while she was surprised, she wasn't as profoundly shaken as Amane.
What concerned her more was Morrow's performance in actual combat.
Last year, she had briefly crossed hands with Morrow, and even then, she had recognized his potential.
Back then, whether it was aura output, Nen Techniques, or even physical strength...
Morrow had only been third-rate at best.
The only thing that left a deep impression on her was his tactical thinking that could play a crucial role in actual combat.
Now, shortcomings like aura output had been compensated for.
Tsubone stared intently at Morrow in the arena, as if she could see traces of "those monsters" in this young man.
Undoubtedly, that was the future this young man might step into.
"Amane, what do you 'see'?"
"Huh?"
Caught off guard by her grandmother's question, Amane's thoughts momentarily froze.
Without glancing at Amane's reaction, Tsubone's gaze lingered on Morrow in the arena and Kalluto hidden in the shadows.
Regaining her composure, Amane whispered, "I saw a powerful and precise lethal strike. That person... has become so strong."
"Sigh."
Seeing that Amane only noticed the superficial aspects, Tsubone shook her head slightly and sighed.
Perhaps her expectations were too high.
She had actually hoped Amane might discern the thought process and preparation behind "that strike."
"Did I say something wrong...?"
Amane asked timidly.
Tsubone remained silent.
And this silence instantly made Amane feel miserable inside.
Wah... I must have disappointed Grandmother again!
In the arena.
A burst of dazzling starlight emerged out of thin air, as if the Milky Way had been crushed and scattered across the world.
That was Morrow's Starlight Convergence.
Just as Uvogin erupted with astonishing momentum, these stars had already begun floating around.
Uvogin's powerful body brushed past the stars as he channeled his rage and bloodlust into his most confident right fist, driving it toward Morrow's body with the fastest and fiercest trajectory.
Unfortunately...
Morrow's "starlight" was a step ahead.
Before the unstoppable fist could reach him, Morrow had already evaded.
As Morrow dodged, Uvogin's punch, laden with terrifying bloodlust, ultimately found no target.
The force of the punch, with nowhere to go, tore through the air with a piercing roar.
Morrow lowered his eyelids, a trace of emotion suddenly welling up in his heart.
Judging by Uvogin's reactions and actions, he was now certain that Uvogin was unaware of the existence of Chain Jail.
Even as the Troupe teetered on the brink of annihilation, they remained ignorant of their greatest threat.
He also recalled that in the original story, Uvogin had been the first Troupe member to fall to Chain Jail.
But now, because of his arrival in this world...
The one who should have died first in the original story had instead become the last.
Dodging Uvogin's punch, Morrow withdrew while deactivating Starlight Convergence, then bent his knees into a half-crouch and pressed a hand against the ground.
Insidious Shooting Star
Ability activated!
A glowing stellar cross suddenly appeared on the ground before Uvogin, glaringly bright against the pitch-black night.
Without any distractions, Uvogin noticed the stellar cross immediately.
Though consumed by rage, he hadn't lost his combat instincts.
Forged through countless life-and-death battles, his instincts allowed him to make a split-second judgment.
He could tank this hit!
This wasn't a reckless gamble or a hasty assumption.
After witnessing Morrow kill Nobunaga with near-teleportation speed and seeing the signs of ability from the starlight earlier, Uvogin quickly deduced that Morrow's Nen type was Emission.
Therefore, the light blooming before him was likely some form of Emission-based attack.
He couldn't be entirely certain.
But with the confidence of an Enhancer, he faced the consequences of a potential misjudgment without fear.
And so, Uvogin stepped right onto the stellar cross.
BOOM!
A shooting star erupted from the center of the cross, exploding beneath Uvogin's feet.
The fiery energy instantly engulfed his lower body.
Yet, just as he had predicted, as long as his aura defense held, he could endure the damage.
Bursting through the explosion, Uvogin charged at Morrow like an enraged bull, closing the distance in an instant.
He willingly took the hit just to maintain his momentum, all for this chance to strike directly at his foe.
"Big Bang Impact!"
His right fist surged with condensed crimson aura, carrying overwhelming force, as if it could obliterate everything in its path, driving straight toward Morrow.
Facing this furious, bloodlust-filled strike, Morrow simply stood up calmly and extended his right arm toward Uvogin.
Huh?!
Then, Uvogin saw Morrow press his index and middle fingers together, as if intending to block his devastating punch with just that.
Already consumed by rage, Uvogin's fury flared even hotter.
Fine then! He'd shatter those fingers first, then crush his arm, shoulder, and finally his skull!!!
Uvogin's fist, wreathed in dense Nen, collided violently with Morrow's two outstretched fingers.
But the expected outcome didn't happen.
Instantly, Uvogin felt the sensation of impact, Morrow's fingers.
But along with it came an immovable resistance, like an unyielding fortress.
His fist couldn't advance even an inch!
How... is this possible?!
No!
My aura... it's gone?!
In his disbelief, Uvogin suddenly realized, his aura had vanished.
No.
He had been forced into Zetsu!
The next moment.
A chilling, binding sensation erupted across his body.
What the...?!
Looking down, he saw a chain coiling around his torso like a serpent, digging deep into his muscular chest.
Following the chain's path, the previously hidden links rapidly materialized from thin air, extending straight toward...
Kurapika, who had been knocked back earlier.
"RAAAAAGH!!!"
After a brief moment of shock, Uvogin roared, channeling all his strength in defiance.
Yet no matter how much power he unleashed, he couldn't break free from the tightening chains, nor could he budge Morrow's fingers pressing against his fist.
Morrow watched coldly as Uvogin struggled, gathering Nen on his index and middle fingers until they glowed like red-hot branding irons, effortlessly piercing through Uvogin's fist, which now offered no more resistance than tofu.
Then...
Amid the spray of blood, Morrow merely flicked his wrist, shattering Uvogin's fist.
Uvogin's face twitched violently.
Morrow stepped forward, his figure passing through the shower of blood and white bone fragments, swinging his arm in a sharp, decisive chop across Uvogin's neck.
Shick.
A thin red line instantly appeared on Uvogin's neck.
Without Nen to defend him, Morrow's hand severed his neck cleanly.
Uvogin's massive head tilted and fell to the ground, rolling like a basketball before coming to a stop. His face, frozen in a furious glare, bore an expression of sheer unwillingness.
Watching Uvogin's decapitated body, Kurapika retracted the Chain Jail from his middle finger, tilting his head slightly as the fiery red in his eyes gradually dimmed.
At last...
The last spider had been sent to hell.
The blood debt of his clansmen had finally been repaid.
There was no overwhelming joy as he had imagined, nor the emptiness that follows vengeance.
Instead, Kurapika felt only a deep calm before silently shifting his gaze to the figure ahead.
Morrow glanced sidelong at Uvogin's lifeless, unblinking head.
Even after absorbing this experience, his level remained fixed at 70.
He had expected this, so he wasn't too disappointed.
For him, reaching level 70 was already enough.
Just as everyone thought the battle was truly over...
An intense aura erupted without warning in the arena.
Post-Mortem Nen!
Morrow and Kurapika, who were closest, as well as the spectators outside the battlefield, immediately turned toward the source of the overwhelming presence.
Their expressions varied.
Even the well-traveled Tsubone couldn't hide her shock.
Because this powerful Post-Mortem Nen didn't originate from Uvogin or Nobunaga's corpses...
Instead, it bubbled up like swamp gas from a patch of darkened blood before surging outward.
That spot...
Morrow's brow lifted as he recognized the inky black Post-Mortem Nen emerging from the bloodstain, the very place where Chrollo had died.
Meaning...
This Post-Mortem Nen belonged to Chrollo, who had died two days ago and whose body had been utterly obliterated?
Not only was Morrow taken aback, but how could anyone have anticipated such a powerful Post-Mortem Nen suddenly manifesting from an unremarkable bloodstain?
In truth, Chrollo's will for the Troupe to endure had been so strong that it left behind a seed of Post-Mortem Nen at the site of his death.
But because Uvogin and Nobunaga, the last two remaining members, were still alive, the seed lacked the conditions to sprout.
In other words...
If Uvogin and Nobunaga hadn't died here, or if they had perished beyond the seed's reach...
It would never have had the chance to awaken.
The ink-black Post-Mortem Nen, once born, seemed almost sentient as it shot toward the sky.
Morrow was even more surprised.
He had assumed Chrollo's Post-Mortem Nen would attack him or Kurapika.
Without time to ponder further, Morrow flashed forward, intercepting the flying Post-Mortem Nen and seizing it in his palm.
In that instant...
In Morrow's consciousness space, the shadowy outline of Chrollo emerged like black smoke, with the faint silhouette of even darker eyes visible within.
It seemed to retain some remnants of its living consciousness.
And it was incredibly intense and tenacious.
At this moment, the smoky remnant of Chrollo's consciousness silently gazed at Morrow, who had manifested a form within the consciousness space.
"Inherit the Troupe's ideals and infamy..."
"Use notoriety to protect your homeland."
"Then you shall obtain it."
The smoky outline of Chrollo slowly raised its right hand, materializing a vividly colored Skill Hunter out of thin air.
Rustle...
The red-and-black book flipped open, pages filled with various abilities flashing rapidly before Morrow's eyes.
Having passed through death...
This exceedingly rare and precious Specialization ability had clearly grown even stronger.
Now, if Morrow simply accepted this lingering willpower left behind by Chrollo, he could obtain this ability.
Just like Orion's Post-Mortem Will at Heavens Arena back then.
"Inherit the Troupe's ideals and infamy... use notoriety to protect..."
That astonishing willpower slowly repeated the conditions once more.
To accept, or not?
Morrow faced this choice yet again.
And his answer came without the slightest hesitation.
"Get lost."
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I'll release another chapter later.
Bonus chapter @650 power stones.