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Chapter 76: Melee
Ronin's objective was to stall Feitan, leaving Phinks and the Troupe member he didn't recognize to the Zoldyck duo.
Ronin wasn't surprised by the presence of a member he didn't know. According to the timeline, the original #8 of the Phantom Troupe hadn't died yet. In the original story, it was Silva who eventually killed them. Meeting here ahead of schedule could be considered a twist of fate.
As for why he chose to stall Feitan, it was because Feitan's ability posed the greatest threat in his eyes. Based on the manga, if Feitan wasn't killed instantly but instead suffered a moderate injury—like a broken arm—it would be enough to trigger Pain Packer, unleashing an attack capable of incinerating the entire Cemetery Building.
Zeno glanced at Ronin but quickly looked away.
Ronin's proposal was sound, but the problem was: Who are you?
And two minutes?
The Troupe members outside wouldn't give them two minutes. If a fight broke out, the members inside only needed to signal, and the reinforcements would be in the building within ten seconds.
In Zeno's judgment, they had only one chance. They had to kill the target within ten seconds. If it took longer than that, the issue wouldn't just be whether they could kill the target, but whether they could escape with their lives.
"Dad, be careful. We strike together," Silva said, his expression grave. He clearly shared Zeno's assessment.
But before the two assassins could move, Feitan raised a hand, signaling a halt.
"Don't rush."
His words were useless. Assassins didn't waste time on chatter.
Silva and Zeno vanished in an instant. A flash of annoyance crossed Feitan's narrow eyes. He muttered something unintelligible, but the thin sword in his hand was already moving. With a sudden step, he thrust the blade toward his flank.
Ronin frowned. He sensed something was wrong.
When Feitan said "Don't rush," those small eyes had clearly shifted toward Ronin's hiding spot. Moreover, Ronin could sense distinct malice radiating from Feitan's aura.
Did he spot me? Impossible!
But regardless of whether Feitan had noticed the anomaly, the moment Silva and Zeno moved, Ronin's Shadow Clone abandoned concealment. He pushed off the ground, leaping down from the second floor.
Simultaneously, his hands formed seals in front of his chest, and the piercing screech of a thousand birds erupted within the building.
Zeno and Silva appeared on either side of Isrli.
A flicker of surprise passed through Isrli's eyes; he hadn't expected this formidable duo to target him.
But he remained calm.
His slightly gaunt frame had maintained a backward-leaning stance from the start, arms hanging naturally at his sides. At his waist hung two revolvers.
Isrli had been in a state of high alert from the beginning. His stance was the optimal posture for a quick draw. So, the moment Zeno and Silva appeared, a revolver was already in Isrli's hand.
Bang!
The hammer struck, and the bullet shot straight for Silva's face.
At the same time, Phinks, who had been standing next to Isrli, moved. His fist launched to intercept Zeno.
During this sequence, a thin sword also thrust toward Zeno's kidney from the side.
In that split second, Zeno twisted his body slightly. The thin sword missed. Zeno's hand, formed into a knife-hand strike, thrust straight toward Phinks' fist.
An explosion of sound rang out. Zeno was forced back by the immense power of the impact, but the thin sword followed him closely.
"Tsk!"
A sound of admiration escaped Zeno, but his movements didn't falter. He pressed his arm down, releasing a burst of aura onto the thin sword to deflect its trajectory, while simultaneously raising his leg to kick Feitan.
But Phinks was already closing in again. As he approached, Zeno clearly saw Phinks rotate his arm at his side.
It was a small motion, but it caused the aura on Phinks' arm to surge violently!
Interesting!
Just as Phinks' fist was about to smash into Zeno, the shrieking of birds erupted behind Phinks.
Lightning flickered, illuminating the dim space.
Ronin, disguised as Kakashi, appeared behind Phinks. Lightning concentrated in his right hand—Kakashi's signature jutsu, Lightning Style: Chidori!
Phinks snorted coldly. In an instant, he twisted his waist and threw a punch backward.
BOOM!
Blood sprayed. Ronin's figure brushed past Phinks.
Zeno's eyes lit up. While dodging Feitan's sword, he unleashed a massive amount of aura between his hands.
The aura coalesced into the shape of a ferocious dragon head. With a wave of Zeno's hands, the dragon lunged to bite Phinks.
A whistling sound tore through the building.
Before the dragon could reach Phinks, the ground split open. A massive sphere rose from beneath the floor, forcing Zeno to lean back as the ground buckled. The biting dragon missed Phinks' head, tearing away only a chunk of flesh from his shoulder.
Simultaneously, a massive boom echoed from another spot.
It was Silva.
While Zeno was intercepted by Phinks, Silva had tilted his head to dodge the bullet.
Aura surged from his fists, forming two spheres of energy which he smashed down toward Isrli's head.
But Isrli, with his hollow cheeks, showed no panic. The bullet that had missed Silva suddenly detonated.
The explosive shockwave propelled Silva downward toward Isrli even faster.
However, Isrli had already fired a second shot.
This bullet exploded less than a meter from the muzzle. The powerful blast not only hit Silva but enveloped Isrli as well.
Isrli was blown backward by the explosion.
Silva, tanking the shockwave, smashed his fists into the ground where Isrli had just been standing.
Before Silva could move again, a piercing whistle filled the air. Less than a second later, the floor shattered as something massive smashed through from below.
Ronin landed and watched the scene unfold, instantly recognizing the attacker from the basement.
It was Phantom Troupe member #12, Bonolenov.
The object that had erupted from the ground was Bonolenov's ability: Battle Cantabile: Jupiter!
To launch an attack so quickly, he must have been prepped and waiting in the basement since the fight began.
If that was the case... Ronin glanced out the window.
Everything happening here was likely under the surveillance of the other Troupe members.
Just as the thought crossed his mind, an arm burst from the ground beneath his feet, grabbing for his ankle.
The arm held a chain. Before the hand could even make contact, the chain lashed out like a shackle to bind him.
It wasn't a Nen ability Ronin recognized, which meant the user was likely the spider's head, Chrollo!
Ronin formed seals with both hands, showing no intention of dodging.
Earth Style: Rock Fist Technique!
As the seals completed, rocks rapidly encased Ronin's arm, forming a massive stone gauntlet.
He raised the fist. The chakra faded, replaced by a surge of Enhancement Nen, forming a Big Bang Impact.
He punched straight down at the arm grabbing for him!
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