Blackbeard folded his arms across his chest, watching the impending duel with interest, an elusive smile on his lips.
After greeting everyone, Hisoka stood quietly to the side, his slender fingers unconsciously playing with playing cards, showing no intention of making a move.
It was impossible to tell what he was thinking.
The battle between Laffitte and Machi began first.
Machi knew her companions were no match for this group, so she had to end this quickly.
She spread her arms, and countless crystal-clear Nen threads suddenly burst from her palms, emitting a faint hum in the cold air.
"Nen Thread Cutting—"
She rushed straight towards Laffitte at extreme speed.
This was Machi's Nen ability,
[Nen Stitches (Transmutation)]
[Turns aura into thread-like weapons, which can be used for attacking, tracking enemies, and stitching wounds.
The strength of the thread is inversely proportional to its length. If the aura is as strong as cotton thread, it can be stretched to extremely long distances.
Short threads within one meter can bear heavy loads, but once the thread leaves her hand, its strength weakens rapidly.]
Machi spread her arms, and the sharp threads flashed with a cold luster in the sunlight, slicing through the air.
The falling snowflakes were instantly cut in half wherever she passed—
"Oh?" Laffitte's figure flashed, spreading his wings to quickly distance himself from Machi.
He floated into the air, examining the threads in her hands with interest.
"An ability user similar to the String-String Fruit?"
"Getting tangled in those threads seems like it would hurt~"
Machi stopped in her tracks, looking up with a grave expression.
This is bad... of all people, I'm up against an enemy capable of flight.
Machi ranked sixth in physical strength within the Troupe. She considered herself strong in close combat, but her main weakness was a lack of long-range attack methods.
Laffitte seemed to see through her dilemma from her frozen posture and looked at her with interest.
"Looks like you don't have any other attack methods~"
"I know another String-String Fruit user. He... is much stronger than you—"
As he spoke, Laffitte dove down like an arrow from a bow, his figure appearing and disappearing in the air with incredible speed.
CLANG—!
Laffitte's cane clashed violently with Machi's Nen threads, sparks erupting in the air.
The flying sparks illuminated Machi's suddenly changing expression.
An irresistible force traveled along the threads, flinging her away viciously.
THUD—
CRASH—
Machi's body slammed into the ice behind her, sending ice chips flying.
As the ice mist cleared, Machi propped herself up from the ice crater, wiping the blood from the corner of her lips.
She looked down at the nearly broken Nen threads in her hand, her gaze growing heavier.
The Nen threads in her hand were close to snapping.
She had to admit... this opponent was strong.
Her plan was failing. Forget about supporting the others; it was unknown how long she could even hold out against this opponent.
Machi slowly shortened the distance between her palms, and the Nen threads gradually disappeared.
"What? Giving up the fight?" Laffitte watched this scene with interest.
"A wise choice."
Machi lowered her head and remained silent, allowing the opponent to bind her hands.
From the enemy's conversation earlier, she learned that they wanted to capture them alive and hand them over to the government in exchange for a position among the Seven Warlords of the Sea.
Although Machi didn't know what the Seven Warlords of the Sea were, based on this intelligence, she deduced that the enemy wouldn't kill them in the short term.
So surrendering now was the best option.
Although they couldn't beat the enemies in front of them.
But it didn't matter... she still had a trump card.
That was... Chrollo!
Her Captain must have already sensed their current status through the [Resonance Compass of Fate].
She firmly believed that the man who never disappointed anyone was on his way.
All she had to do now was stall for time.
Stall until... Chrollo arrived.
---
Kortopi shared Machi's thoughts.
Kortopi stood still, making no move.
When they were in the Hunter world, Chrollo had repeatedly instructed him:
His ability was vital to the Troupe!
When encountering enemies he couldn't beat, survival was the top priority.
Also, be careful when using the restroom, and... never go to public toilets!
Although Kortopi didn't know why Chrollo forbade him from using public toilets, he was long accustomed to obeying Chrollo's words.
The weird methods of the enemy before him were unprecedented.
The ability to teleport in front of him from such a distance, and that golden rifle, gave him an indescribable premonition of death.
So he also chose to surrender.
Seeing Kortopi slowly lower his hands, a trace of contempt flashed in Van Augur's eyes as he said coldly:
"Given up resistance..."
"This is fate—"
He tied Kortopi up and brought him to Machi's side.
---
"Want an apple?~" Doc Q rode on his sick horse, its hooves making an unsettling clack-clack sound.
Approaching Nami step by step, he wore a smile he thought was kind but was actually treacherous.
As Doc Q approached, Nami retreated step by step in terror, cold sweat running down the back of her neck.
This face just looks like a bad guy, okay! Not beautiful or elegant at all!
Who wants to eat an apple from you!
Moreover, she had just seen the destruction this sickly man caused in the town!
Wherever this person went, people fell poisoned one after another. How could she eat anything he offered!
"You won't eat it?~" Doc Q took a step forward.
Nami retreated a step in terror.
"Really won't eat it?~" The hoarse voice carried regret.
Nami retreated again.
Seeing this, Doc Q shook his head with a mocking expression.
"That is truly a pity..."
"Urgh... Hah..."
"What's happening..."
Nami felt breathing become difficult. She clutched her throat, gasping for air, but felt her body growing weaker.
From an observer's perspective, a dark green hue gradually crept up Nami's skin, reaching her face.
She revealed an expression of extreme discomfort and slowly collapsed to the ground...
Doc Q revealed a contemptuous expression.
"Oh my, oh my~"
"Who told you not to trust me~"
"The apple was the antidote~"
"Nami-chan!!"
"Scum!"
Machi and Kortopi watched this scene with horror, a chill rushing straight to their skulls!
Kortopi instinctively wanted to rush forward but was stopped dead by Machi's glare.
Machi's hands clenched unconsciously, then relaxed.
She forced herself to calm down.
At times like this, she had to stay calm. Countless experiences told her that only by staying calm could they wait for the Captain's arrival while in the enemy's hands.
Since the opponent wanted to exchange them for status, dead captives would be worthless.
Therefore, Nami definitely wouldn't die immediately!
Through her En, sensing Nami's continued breathing and rising and falling chest, Machi felt slightly relieved.
"Hold on... Nami-chan!"
"Hold on until Chrollo arrives..."
Then...
Machi looked towards Shizuku with even more worried eyes.
Because Shizuku was currently focused on... charging at the enemy!
...