HxH : Saiki Kusuo's Ordinary Days in the Zoldyck Family

Chapter 81 - 80: Yorknew City Strolling the Streets

Milluki, you already ate my share, and now you're having a midnight snack? Is the food at home really that bad? You look like you've never eaten before.Blowing on the hot oden in front of him, Milluki didn't notice Saiki Kusuo's arrival until Kusuo put a hand on his shoulder.

"Wah, Brother Kusuo! You're here!"

[Yeah yeah, if you gain too much weight I'll get blamed. So many skewers—just eat one of each, okay?]

"But a lot will go to waste!"

[Leave the extra to me.] Saiki Kusuo reached out without giving him a choice, helping Milluki solve the problem.

After finishing their late-night meal, Saiki Kusuo finally filled his stomach too. With Milluki, who still wanted more food, he teleported to the hotel they had booked.

The auction was already paused for the night, but Yorknew City after dark was far from peaceful…

Kurapika and Melody returned to Miss Neon's side.

In an abandoned building, Chrollo and the others waited until after the set meeting time for Uvogin to arrive.

The Troupe members were restless.

"Uvogin may be strong, but it's not impossible for him to lose one-on-one, especially if his ability is countered…" Chrollo sat in the center of their gaze, thinking aloud in fragments.

His calm words settled the uneasy members. A spider's legs only needed to follow the head's command.

"Here's what we'll do: if Uvogin still hasn't returned by dawn, we change our plan."

The wind blew out the candle beside Chrollo. He closed his eyes, and the spider fell into shallow rest, waiting.

The next day, in daylight.

The Phantom Troupe still hadn't seen Uvogin. Chrollo told Machi and Nobunaga to go out, while the others stayed at the base, waiting for Uvogin's return. Then he left with Phinks, Pakunoda, and Shalnark.

"If you notice anything suspicious, do whatever you need to." Chrollo instructed Machi and Nobunaga before leaving.

"Boss…" Phinks spoke from behind him once they had gone a little further, "Nobunaga doesn't seem calm right now." He might rush too fast after clues, or kill someone in revenge. There should be a better choice—Machi won't be able to hold him back.

"You're worried?" Chrollo's slicked-back hair gave him a sharper, more commanding look than when it was down. Even with Uvogin missing, he was still the calmest in the group. "I said that on purpose. Machi should understand what I mean. As for Nobunaga, I had to order him like that so he would calm down and stay in his best state."

"Boss…" Phinks opened his mouth, then closed it again. He could understand Nobunaga's feelings. If it were Feitan who hadn't shown up till now, he would want to rush out and catch the suspect himself too.

So it was impossible to just stay quietly at the base. Even if it was an order from the leader, they would still feel unhappy inside.

"Phinks, Pakunoda, have you two improved at all in the past three years?" After a short silence, Chrollo spoke.

This was the first time the Troupe had acted together since three years and two months ago. They hadn't gathered in all that time, but Chrollo believed everyone had been getting stronger.

The question from the leader sounded pointless, but Kikyo knew he was leading into something else—was their mission about to begin? Phinks sighed. Forget it, just follow the leader's orders.

"Phinks, Pakunoda, follow Machi and Nobunaga. Don't let them notice you," Chrollo said.

What? Phinks was shocked, and even Pakunoda looked surprised.

"That's why I didn't have Feitan take Nobunaga's place. Both Nobunaga and Machi look like people who aren't that strong, and they're also good at hiding their presence. They're not the type who will quickly notice you two following them." Chrollo put his hands in his pockets and glanced toward where Nobunaga and Machi had left.

"To trick the enemy, you first have to fool your own people. If someone is tracking Nobunaga and Machi, everything will be exposed right before your eyes. Go."

The right choice is always the one that fits perfectly. Watching Phinks and Pakunoda's figures fade away, Chrollo left together with Shalnark.

Their task was to investigate and approach the one who could see the future. If their moves were predicted, they wouldn't be able to steal the treasures. Finding that fortune-telling Nen user was their top priority. Whether to kill them or steal their ability, Chrollo would decide on the spot.

At eight in the morning, Saiki Kusuo slowly got up. Milluki was still sleeping in. Saiki Kusuo ordered breakfast for two and kept planning as he ate.

Kurapika was still at the hotel for now. If something unexpected happened, Kusuo could just watch with clairvoyance.

So could he just slack off now? No, not really. He still needed to keep track of how things were changing. He had two options:

One, go find Killua and Gon. In the end, they would meet up with Kurapika and deal with the Troupe together. If he followed them, he might get to hear their plans directly.

Two, go find the Phantom Troupe and see what they were doing.

…

Saiki Kusuo dialed Killua's number.

"Hello? Brother Kusuo?"

Saiki Kusuo suddenly appeared behind Killua.

His presence was noticed instantly.

"Wha—!? Brother Kusuo, how did you just show up like that?"

[Nothing special. Just teleportation.]

work just to see you.

"Killua, what did Leorio say on the phone?"

"Shh! Gon!" Killua's eyes went wide. Maybe because of their bond, Gon, though confused, didn't press further and quickly covered his mouth.

[Oh no, that reaction is way too suspicious. Brother Kusuo definitely knows we're hiding something! But Brother Kusuo isn't that nosy. If we just distract him somehow…]

Oh? Saiki Kusuo had been thinking of leaving politely like a caring older brother, but now he decided to stay and see what excuse Killua would come up with.

"Um, Brother Kusuo, there isn't a single dessert shop nearby!"

What's this, you want dessert after lunch?

"I heard there's a super famous dessert shop on the east side of the city!"

That's actually pretty tempting.

But from his thoughts, it was just something he once overheard someone say in passing. You remembered it because you wanted dessert yourself, didn't you? You haven't even tried it, yet you're recommending it to me.

Facing Killua's big eyes, Saiki Kusuo looked away. Kids with Enhancer traits were always good at hiding their emotions. At least, none of that nervous expectation showed on Killua's face.

Just before Killua could feel let down, Saiki Kusuo spoke: [Yare yare, then I guess we'll have to give it a try. We are here on vacation after all.]

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