Through the compass, Chrollo could sense Uvogin's surging excitement. He immediately realized that Uvogin's group had likely run into the Golden Lion. Without wasting a second, he signaled Pakunoda's team.
Pakunoda felt the pulse on her wrist and her eyes narrowed. "It's our turn to work. Let's move."
Pakunoda and her three teammates cut in from the other side of the island, heading straight for the central castle. They pushed through a rainforest-like garden area crawling with bizarre creatures. The group didn't bother slowing down for a fight; they simply sliced and diced through the mutated beasts like they were clearing weeds, maintaining full speed toward the fortress.
Little did they know, every move they made was being watched by Dr. Indigo on the surveillance monitors.
Indigo looked surprised. "Well, look at these little fleas..."
"They lured the Boss away to stage a raid here. Looks like they're all in this together." He thought for a moment and quickly pieced it together. "These people aren't Marines. They're likely here for the charts and the gold."
"Ho-ho-ho! They've got some nerve, trying to rob us."
"Scarlet, let's go say hello~" Indigo said with a devious grin.
Behind him, the massive gorilla in a suit, Scarlet, pounded his chest and let out a bloodthirsty roar. "ROAR—!"
---
"Something's coming..." Pakunoda warned, bringing the group to a halt.
The sound of snapping trees and the collective roars of unseen monsters filled the air. A gap burst through the dense treeline, and a swarm of hundreds of massive mutated beasts charged toward the four of them through a cloud of dust.
"Get ready—"
Before she could finish, Franklin's massive frame stepped in front of the group. He raised both hands, and his fingertips detached like a robot's, revealing jet-black muzzles. He leveled them at the stampeding horde.
Muzzle flashes erupted.
RAT-TAT-TAT-TAT-TAT—!
A relentless torrent of Nen bullets formed a wall of lead that poured into the beasts. Flesh and bone flew everywhere as explosions and fire mercilessly consumed the monsters, bringing their charge to a grinding halt.
> [Double Machine Gun (Emission Type)]
> [The user has modified both hands into muzzles, allowing them to fire powerful Nen bullets from all ten fingertips. By cutting off his own fingers—a symbolic sacrifice—Franklin greatly increased the destructive power of the bullets.]
This was Franklin's ability: absolute suppression through overwhelming firepower. The Nen bullets were far more lethal than standard ammunition, and the mutated beasts couldn't take a single step forward against the barrage.
"Wow, wow~ You guys are actually pretty good~"
As the gunfire died down, a strangely dressed scientist stepped out from behind the carcasses, followed by a gorilla in a suit. It was Indigo and Scarlet.
Scarlet had the ability to command the mutated beasts, which was why the attacks were so coordinated. Behind them stood a row of muscular thugs in gas masks—human soldiers also modified by the "IQ" drug.
Indigo glanced at Franklin's hands. "A cyborg, huh? Your modification's all wrong, buddy~" He held up his fingers, counting them. "One, two, three, four. Exactly four of you. How about it? Want to become my test subjects? I might even let you live. Ho-ro-ro-ro-ro—!"
The four Troupe members just stared at him blankly.
"..."
"No? Fine then. Once I break you, you'll be begging to join—"
"Scarlet, tear them apart!"
"ROAR—!" The gorilla behind Indigo lunged into the air, aiming to crush the group beneath its massive weight.
"Proxy Phone: Autopilot Mode—"
Shalnark stuck the phone's antenna into his own body. The next second...
Vroom—!
The aura inside Shalnark's body reached a boiling point. His entire body turned a glowing golden hue, radiating light. His hair stood on end, making him look like he had just transformed into a Super Saiyan.
The "Super Shalnark" rocketed toward the falling Scarlet.
BOOM!
A terrifying punch slammed into Scarlet's abdomen, the force sending the giant ape spiraling into the sky. Scarlet's eyes rolled back as he coughed up foam. He flew into the distance like a shooting star before crashing into the ground, motionless.
"Ga—" Indigo's cackle stopped dead. He stared in disbelief at the scene. Scarlet—the strongest of the mutated beasts—had been one-shotted?!
Shalnark began walking toward Indigo, one slow step at a time.
"Wait... hold on..."
"Stay back! Don't come any closer!"
Shalnark didn't seem to hear him; he moved forward with a glazed, unconscious expression.
> [Proxy Phone: Autopilot Mode]
> [By sticking the antenna into himself and activating Autopilot, Shalnark uses his Nen to manipulate his own body. His aura is vastly enhanced, temporarily turning him into a high-level Enhancer until the enemy is eliminated. Shalnark remains unconscious during this state.]
"Dammit! Don't underestimate a man of science—!"
"Chemical Juggling!"
Indigo conjured several orbs of glowing green fire between his hands and launched them at Shalnark.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The orbs exploded directly in front of Shalnark.
"Ho-ro-ro-ro-ro! Bow before the power of science!" Indigo laughed maniacally.
But as the smoke cleared, Shalnark emerged... completely unscathed.
"No way!!" Indigo's eyes filled with horror.
"Giggle," Pakunoda laughed, covering her mouth. "In this state, Shalnark's defense is right up there with Uvogin's. You really think those party tricks of yours are going to hurt him?"
While Pakunoda teased him, Shalnark leaped forward and buried a fist in Indigo's face. Indigo's body flipped through the air several times before landing next to Scarlet, out cold.
A few moments later...
Slap— Slap— Slap!
After a series of heavy-handed slaps from Franklin, Indigo groggily came to. His cheeks were swollen, and he was covered in snot and tears. "What... what do you people want?!"
"Tell us where the sea charts and the treasure are hidden," Pakunoda asked, her eyes narrowing.
"You can kill me! I'll never talk! I won't betray Lord Shiki! He'll kill me—!" Indigo's face was a mask of terror.
Pakunoda's lips curled into a mysterious smile. She placed her hand on Indigo, looking at him with a meaningful gaze. "No... you've already told me. From the very second I asked."
> [Memory Search (Specialist Type)]
> [By using verbal cues to make the target recall specific information and making physical contact, the user can extract the desired memories.]
This was one of Pakunoda's key abilities. She was the Troupe's ace for gathering intel, responsible for all interrogations and investigations.
"Let's go..." Pakunoda said, leading the group toward the castle.
"What about them?" Shizuku asked, pointing a thumb at the two unconscious figures.
"Kill them."
"Okay."
The heavy vacuum, Blinky, came crashing down—
---