Kurapika had begun arranging everything months ago.
Back then, he hadn't realized that Luo Ning's eyes would still face such a bottleneck. However, this minor hiccup didn't disrupt his overall arrangements.
Information regarding Mordin City was bound to be uncovered eventually, at which point his existence would inevitably enter the Phantom Troupe's line of sight. Luo Ning's trust in him was the most powerful trump card Kurapika held. He had inquired about the Troupe members' names, abilities, appearances, and behavioral logic in exhaustive detail. Furthermore, he had taken full charge of the resources Luo Ning possessed.
Among those resources, what caught Kurapika's attention most were the powerful Rock Mercenaries and the Zoldyck Family. The former had struck a deal with Luo Ning at Heaven's Arena, assisting his safe withdrawal from the facility. The latter was an entity Luo Ning claimed would be worth hiring for an assassination of the Phantom Troupe, even if it cost a fortune, provided they could be contacted.
Unfortunately, during Luo Ning's last encounter with Gotoh, he only managed to obtain ten million and didn't receive a direct contact method for the Zoldyck family. However, through Milia—a well-connected "local snake" of Heaven's Arena—Kurapika managed to secure the Zoldyck's contact information. After all, that family of assassins never truly intended to hide themselves.
From there, things became simple.
Operating under the certainty that the Troupe would arrive in Yorknew City on September 1st, Kurapika arranged for Luo Ning to steal all the treasures from the Mafia's underground auction. The goal was twofold: to lure the Troupe out and create the conditions for Luo Ning to kill Uvogin, and to draw out the Shadow Beasts, allowing them to trace the path back to the Ten Community Leaders.
Everything proceeded smoothly.
A wounded Uvogin appeared in the Gordeau Desert exactly as Kurapika had anticipated. When Kurapika led the Troupe members there, it already guaranteed that at least one member would die in that desert. The appearance of the Shadow Beasts was expected, but Luo Ning's ability to read memories was an unforeseen bonus. Otherwise, Kurapika's original plan involved using Owl as an anchor and activating his dowsing chain to locate the Ten Community Leaders. While that method carried risks, they were within acceptable limits.
He had also prepared a backup; Zenji, whom Luo Ning had spared in the Semetali Building, was another pawn in his hand. Even if Zenji wasn't on the level of the Ten Community Leaders, his influence as a local power in Yorknew City was not to be underestimated.
The battle on September 3rd was the centerpiece.
Kurapika was the one who hired the two members of the Zoldyck family. The reason their target was No. 8, Isley, was simply because Kurapika judged that this individual—who was entirely absent from Luo Ning's database—represented the greatest variable in the Troupe besides Chrollo. Once Isley was eliminated, the Troupe, whose abilities had been almost entirely exposed, would undoubtedly become fish on the chopping block.
It was a pity the Troupe members stayed so tightly knit that the Zoldyck assassination couldn't be completed immediately, but it had successfully tested Isley's abilities.
Next came the final step.
He set a trap for the Troupe, making them believe they had found a weakness and a chance for a successful operation. This led to the scenario where Luo Ning took Neon out of the hotel, leaving Kurapika alone. Under normal circumstances, at least two Troupe members should have died there, but Kurapika modified the plan due to the condition of Luo Ning's eyes.
Kurapika couldn't be certain how many would eventually die, but he knew Luo Ning would be safe. He believed that with Shalnark's capabilities, the man would definitely discover the situation at the hotel as long as he investigated online. After all, Kurapika had personally dispatched people to post photos of Luo Ning and Neon leaving.
What no one knew was that on the previous night, he had already stationed the prepared Rock Mercenaries inside the hotel to lie in wait.
The only unexpected pleasant surprise was the presence of Dalila. If she hadn't appeared, Kurapika would have contacted Hisoka. In the intel Luo Ning provided, Hisoka possessed an ability called 'Texture Surprise'. He wasn't sure if Hisoka's ability could be used on others, and if not, he would have had to use a corpse to create a disguise. However, that would have increased the risk of Luo Ning seeing through it.
Fortunately, Dalila appeared, compensating for the temporary change in the plan. This made the operation much more fluid, even removing the need to divert mercenaries to guard Neon's safety.
Everything went well.
Upon arriving at Southern Piece, Shalnark spotted the opportunity. The Phantom Troupe took action, but instead of attacking Luo Ning immediately, they concentrated all their firepower on Kurapika.
The hotel explosion was Kurapika's arrangement. Just as he confronted Chrollo on the 18th floor, the explosion occurred on the upper floors, creating enough smoke to alert half the district. No matter where Luo Ning and Neon were at the time, they would notice the anomaly. After all, the auction market they visited was a location Kurapika himself had recommended. He understood Luo Ning and Neon all too well.
After a brief encounter with Chrollo, Kurapika, escorted by Muherr, went directly to the roof of a neighboring building. The mercenaries had long since set up steel cables connecting the two skyscrapers, and that was also the vantage point from which Muherr provided long-range support to Luo Ning.
The two members of the Zoldyck family, hired for a massive fee, appeared at the opportune moment to complete the assassination. The final appearance of the mercenary group left Chrollo with no hope of killing Luo Ning, forcing him to retreat.
From the very beginning, Kurapika had held the initiative firmly in his grasp.
Although only one Troupe member was killed in the end, Kurapika was in no rush. Compared to hiring the Zoldycks to hunt the Phantom Troupe, he looked forward more to the day he could stand side-by-side with Big Brother Luo Ning and slaughter these scumbags head-on. He wanted these Spiders to experience the same pain of being plundered.
He had learned everything about the Troupe from Luo Ning. Though he didn't know how Luo Ning possessed such comprehensive information, it didn't matter. What mattered was that he trusted Luo Ning, and that was enough.
According to the information Luo Ning provided, the Troupe was founded to hunt down those responsible for Sarasa's death. Chrollo knew full well that his current actions would never be approved of by Sarasa; even if they were to meet again, he would have to apologize endlessly to seek forgiveness. Yet, Chrollo had chosen this path regardless.
He possessed sufficient resolve!
In order to transform Meteor City and ensure that villains would never dare approach it again, he had the resolve to become a villain himself.
'In that case, let me see your mettle!'
Kurapika's gaze was brighter than ever before.
When every companion you cherish has died, and when the Meteor City you wish to protect views you as an enemy... will your convictions crumble?
'Chrollo, the brain and soul of the Troupe, the culprit behind the massacre of the Kurta Clan... can you withstand the coming fire of revenge from the Kurta?'
'The game has only just begun!'
Kurapika clenched his fists. If Chrollo had the resolve to act as a villain for the sake of Meteor City, then Kurapika had the same.
But he didn't need to. Because he possessed one thing Chrollo did not.
Kurapika's gaze fell upon Luo Ning.
'That is the Savior for a "villain" like me! Big Brother Luo Ning!'
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