After Leo left, the suffocating pressure on the street finally dissipated.
Dean stepped out from the shadows.
He straightened his tie, his face returning to a composed expression.
He revealed his identity—a member of the Colton Family, one of the Ten Dons, and Vivian's confidant.
When the Mafia members present heard the name "Colton," their expressions shifted subtly.
This Family had risen too quickly, swallowing up Douglas and taking a seat among the Ten Dons with clean, decisive movements that left no one daring to underestimate them.
Dean began the cleanup work.
The bodies on the ground needed disposal, the wounded needed treatment, and order needed to be restored to the chaotic scene.
But he was doing far more than that.
This was a golden opportunity—there were originally some rebellious gangs below who had been vocal about the Colton Family taking a seat among the Ten Dons, making small moves behind the scenes.
Using tonight's events, it was the perfect time to give them a warning.
"Everyone."
Dean's voice wasn't loud, but everyone could hear him.
"The Colton Family will take full responsibility for tonight's events. That gentleman was invited by us."
"Those who caused trouble are dead. You can all feel at ease to continue participating in the auction."
He paused, his gaze sweeping over the various Mafia bosses with their differing expressions.
"However, you all saw it—if that gentleman hadn't acted, I don't need to tell you what the outcome would have been tonight. In the future, I hope we can all look out for one another and prosper in harmony."
No one dared to respond.
Some lowered their heads, some looked away, some nodded silently, and some were full of disdain.
Those who had originally harbored resentment toward the Colton Family now kept their mouths shut.
They weren't afraid of gang wars or a hail of bullets, but they feared the kind of terror that made the very thought of running away impossible to conceive.
That man in white was someone they couldn't afford to provoke.
And that man stood on the side of the Colton Family.
Kurapika stood quietly in place, watching it all.
His gaze shifted from Dean to the street littered with corpses.
Beside him, Basho let out a breath and whispered.
"He's finally gone. I was really afraid he'd suddenly start a massacre. We wouldn't even have the luxury of trying to escape."
After speaking, seeing no reaction from Kurapika, he turned to look at him and nudged his shoulder.
Kurapika finally snapped out of it.
"Are you okay?"
Basho asked.
Kurapika shook his head.
"I'm fine."
Basho followed up.
"Didn't you know who he was? Tell me."
Kurapika was silent for a moment.
His gaze remained fixed in the direction Leo had disappeared, even though nothing was left there.
"His name is Leo."
Basho was stunned for a second, then his eyes widened as he shouted excitedly.
"It's him! I remember now! The destruction of the Genei Ryodan last year that shook the entire Hunter Association—he was the one who did it!"
His voice was a bit loud, drawing sideways glances from several nearby Mafia members.
He quickly lowered his voice, but the excitement in his tone was still impossible to hide.
"It's not surprising if it's him. His strength is truly formidable! A level we could never reach in our lifetimes!"
After his exclamation, Basho looked at the Mafia members who were cleaning up the mess.
"Let's go. Since it's over, we should go back and report."
Kurapika nodded.
The two turned and left together.
Five days had passed since the end of the Underground Auction.
During these five days, the atmosphere in Yorknew City had changed subtly.
Light, the leader of the Nostrade Family, had been confused—why had Neon's prophecy failed?
That prophetic ability, which had never made a mistake, failed for the first time that night.
Kurapika briefly told Light, the Nostrade leader, about the situation that night.
He didn't go into detail, only saying that the person who acted was named Leo, a Two-Star Hunter from the Hunter Association, and that he was extremely powerful.
Light remained silent for a long time after hearing this, then simply nodded without asking further.
All the Mafia knew that there was a powerful individual in Yorknew City.
Leo hadn't hidden himself during these days; he wore his signature white clothes, hunting for treasures in the various auction markets.
When the Mafia members saw him, they all kept a respectful distance, staying far away.
No one dared to approach, no one dared to speak, and no one even dared to give him a second glance.
The scene from that night had been deeply etched into their memories.
During these few days, Kurapika also met with Gon, Killua, and Leorio.
They had a meal in a small restaurant and chatted about their recent situations.
Kurapika didn't mention the events of that night, only smiling and saying his work was going smoothly.
Gon talked enthusiastically about how they made money, how they were scammed, and how they only had five million left, while Killua rolled his eyes beside him and Leorio kept sighing.
After the four spent a pleasant day hanging out, Kurapika returned to the Nostrade Family to continue protecting Neon.
September 6th.
At the main entrance of the Southernpiece Auction, camera flashes went off one after another like stars in the night sky.
Reporters crowded both sides of the red carpet with their long lenses, vying to capture every celebrity entering.
The multi-billionaire Battera had just stepped out of a stretch limousine and was immediately surrounded by a group of reporters.
He wore a well-tailored dark gray suit, his silver-white hair was combed impeccably, and a reserved, proper smile hung on his face.
"Mr. Battera! Is your goal this time G.I (Greed Island)?"
A reporter held out a microphone, his voice urgent.
"Of course."
Battera was all smiles, his tone relaxed.
"Why buy them all up to hoard them?"
Another reporter pressed.
Battera tilted his head slightly, as if seriously considering the question.
"Isn't it only human nature to want to possess the things one likes?"
His answer was airtight, delivered with restraint and composure.
The reporters all nodded.
"Why do you have such a special fondness for this game?"
Yet another reporter squeezed forward.
Battera closed his eyes, a nearly pious smile appearing on his face.
That expression didn't look like a businessman talking about a commodity; it looked more like a believer talking about his faith.
"It's because of love. I am a... very jealous person."
His smile remained, but there was no mirth in his eyes.
He sneered inwardly.
'Hmph... compared to the things one can bring back after clearing the game, what does this small expense matter?'
'However... it's enough that I'm the only one who knows this secret.'
He nodded to the reporters and stepped toward the auction entrance.
Behind him, the flashes continued to pop.
At this time, Leo also arrived at the Southernpiece Auction.
He wore a proper white suit.
He naturally saw the scene where Battera had just finished his interview.
The old tycoon was surrounded by reporters, beaming with joy and radiating prestige.
Leo didn't approach, only taking a look from afar before turning to walk into the auction doors.
He planned to wait until the auction ended to find this old geezer for a chat and squeeze some gold out of him.
A moment later, a taxi pulled up at the auction entrance.
The door opened, and Gon, Killua, and Leorio climbed out.
The three also entered the auction hall one after another.
The massive circular venue was packed to capacity. The air was thick with the scent of money, anticipation, and a subtle hint of madness.
The men wore sophisticated formal wear, the women were draped in jewels, and their low-voiced conversations merged into a hum of background noise.
A slight commotion came from the entrance.
Leo turned to look; it was indeed Gon's group walking in.
"Whoa!"
He couldn't help but let out a soft exclamation, startled by the scale of it.
"There are so many people..."
Leorio was wearing a dark gray formal suit, and his hair had been specially styled, making him look much more mature than usual.
He clicked his tongue.
Killua was in a black suit, his tie knotted perfectly, hands in his pockets, looking nonchalant.
"Good thing we wore formal clothes."
He scanned the room and muttered quietly.
"Otherwise, we'd stand out too much."
Gon carefully clipped his bidding paddle, number 201, to his chest and looked around nervously.
"But... everyone seems to be looking at us?"
Leorio explained in a helpless, low voice.
"No kidding! This isn't exactly the kind of place kids should be."
Leo sat in a corner of Auction Hall B, waiting quietly.
Leo smiled slightly and withdrew his gaze.
He didn't intend to go over and catch up with the three.
Today, he was just here to be a quiet observer.
Soon, a female auctioneer wearing a magnificent gown and possessing a powerful aura stepped onto the central stage.
Her skirt shimmered with fine light under the lamps, and her high heels made a crisp sound as they stepped on the wooden floor.
She picked up the microphone, and her clear voice rang through the hall via the speakers.
"Ladies and gentlemen! The Southernpiece Auction, Hall B Special Session—begins now!"
Enthusiastic applause broke out from the audience.
She spread her arms, a provocative smile on her face.
"Welcome to you all today! Gathered here are all unique and bizarre 'monster' items!"
She paused, her gaze sweeping the room, her voice rising in pitch.
"Those of you who have come for these 'monsters' must surely also be 'eccentrics' with Wisdom Eyes, right?"
A wave of knowing laughter and applause rose from below.
Some raised their glasses, some nodded, and some exchanged tacit glances with those beside them.
"But this is precisely the badge of a collector, the supreme pride of a pursuer!"
The auctioneer's voice soared.
"Please cast aside the shackles of the mundane and compete for your heart's desire to your heart's content!!"
Thunderous applause rang out again, lingering for a long time.
The auction officially began.
One bizarre item after another was presented.
A fossilized dropping of a Brazilian General Dragon, encased in a crystal dome, starting bid three million.
An ancient statue said to bring misfortune, with a hideous face, starting bid eight million.
A scepter inlaid with the teeth of an unknown creature, of mysterious origin but exquisite craftsmanship, starting bid twelve million.
Bidding voices rose one after another, the numbers climbing steadily.
Some were determined to win, some were just there for the excitement, and some raised their paddles just to show off in front of their peers.
The bidding prices went higher and higher, and the auctioneer's voice grew more and more excited.
Leo sat in the corner, watching it all quietly.