Chapter 85: Show Me Your Resolve!
Kurapika had been laying the groundwork for months.
Back when he first started, he hadn't known about the "bottleneck" Ronin's eyes would face. However, that small detail didn't disrupt his overall strategy.
He knew the investigation into Mordin City would eventually point to them. It was only a matter of time before his existence entered the Phantom Troupe's line of sight.
Ronin's absolute trust was the strongest card in Kurapika's hand.
He had interrogated Ronin for every scrap of useful data: the names of the Spiders, their abilities, their faces, and their behavioral logic. He memorized it all.
Furthermore, he took over the management of Ronin's external resources.
The two assets that caught Kurapika's attention were the Rock Mercenaries and the Zoldyck Family.
The former had already facilitated Ronin's safe extraction from Heavens Arena. The latter, according to Ronin, were the ultimate professionals—worth any price if you needed a Spider dead.
Although Ronin's previous contact with Gotoh only yielded 10 million Jenny and no direct contact info, Kurapika used Miria's extensive network as a local power player at Heavens Arena to secure a line to the Zoldycks.
After all, for an assassin family of their stature, they weren't exactly hiding.
From there, the plan fell into place.
Knowing the Troupe would converge on Yorknew City for the September 1st auction, Kurapika ordered Ronin to steal the items first.
This served two purposes: it created the conditions for Ronin to kill Uvogin by drawing the Spiders out, and it baited the Shadow Beasts, allowing them to trace the lead back to the Ten Dons.
Everything went according to script.
A wounded, prideful Uvogin appeared in the Gordeau Desert exactly as Kurapika predicted. And when the Spiders showed up as a group, it guaranteed that at least one of them would not leave that desert alive.
The arrival of the Shadow Beasts was expected, but Ronin's ability to read memories was a surprise bonus.
In Kurapika's original plan, he was going to use Owl as an anchor and use his Dowsing Chain (Ring Finger) to locate the Ten Dons. It was risky, but manageable.
He also had a secondary backup: Zenji, the local boss Ronin had spared in the Cemetery Building. Zenji was a pawn, a local snake with enough influence in Yorknew to be useful.
The battle on September 3rd was the climax.
Kurapika was the one who hired Zeno and Silva Zoldyck.
He specifically targeted Isley (#8). In Kurapika's assessment, this unknown member—absent from Ronin's future knowledge—was the biggest wildcard besides Chrollo himself.
By eliminating the unknown variable, the rest of the Troupe—whose abilities were already exposed to them—became fish on a cutting board.
It was a pity the Spiders stuck together so tightly, preventing an immediate Zoldyck kill, but they successfully forced Isley to reveal his hand.
Then came the final move.
Setting a trap to make the Troupe believe they had found a weakness.
Ronin left the hotel with Neon, leaving Kurapika "alone."
Normally, this setup would have cost the Troupe at least two members. But because of Ronin's bottleneck, Kurapika modified the plan.
He wasn't sure how many Spiders would die in the chaos, but he knew Ronin would be safe.
Kurapika knew Shalnark. He knew that if Shalnark searched the web, he would find the "vulnerability" Kurapika had manufactured. He had personally leaked the photos of Ronin and Neon leaving.
What Shalnark didn't know was that the night before, the Rock Mercenaries had already moved into the hotel, hidden in plain sight.
The real stroke of luck was Dalila.
Without the Toy Hunter, Kurapika would have contacted Hisoka. Based on the intel Ronin provided, Hisoka's Texture Surprise could have worked. But Kurapika wasn't sure if Hisoka could apply it to others, and the risk of Ronin seeing through it was too high.
Dalila's presence solved everything. Her ability allowed for a more seamless deception, and it freed up the mercenaries to focus entirely on Ronin's support and Neon's safety.
The operation was a success.
Shalnark spotted the opening at Southernpiece, and the Spiders struck. They ignored Ronin to focus all their firepower on the "vulnerable" strategist.
The explosion at the hotel was Kurapika's signal.
When he met Chrollo on the 18th floor, the charges went off. The smoke could be seen for blocks. No matter where Ronin was, he would see it.
Kurapika knew Ronin. He knew Ronin would prioritize him over any auction item.
After the brief confrontation with Chrollo, Kurapika escaped under Muherr's escort to a nearby skyscraper.
The mercenaries had already set up high-tension cables between the rooftops. That was how Ronin was able to provide "aerial support" so effectively.
The Zoldycks, paid a premium for the chaos, finished the job on Isley.
With the mercenaries appearing in force and Chrollo seeing no path to a quick kill on Ronin, the Spiders were forced to retreat.
Kurapika had held the initiative from the start.
He wasn't bothered that only one member died. He was patient.
Compared to simply hiring assassins, Kurapika looked forward to the day he would stand beside Brother Ronin and crush these monsters in a fair fight.
He wanted the Spiders to feel the agony of having everything taken from them.
He knew their history now. Ronin had told him everything. He knew they were founded to avenge a girl named Sarasa.
Chrollo knew his path would never be forgiven by her. He knew he would spend his life apologizing to a ghost.
Yet Chrollo walked that path anyway.
He had resolve.
He became a devil to ensure no one would ever hurt Meteor City again.
Fine then, Chrollo. Let me see the limits of that resolve.
Kurapika's eyes were brighter than they had ever been.
When every companion you cherish is dead... when the Meteor City you want to protect sees you as an enemy...
Will your conviction hold?
"Chrollo Lucilfer. The brain. The soul of the Spider. The man who butchered my family. Can you withstand the coming fire?"
The game has only just begun.
Kurapika clenched his fist. Chrollo had the resolve to be a villain for his home. Kurapika had the same resolve.
But Kurapika had something Chrollo didn't.
He looked at Ronin.
He had a savior who was willing to become a devil with him.
Brother Ronin.
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