Fanfics Hub
patreon
217 HxH: Tombbound Power
🕑 Added 2024-11-22 06:01:01 +0000 UTCBeep...
The phone emitted a faint tone as the line went dead.
Gon and Killua stared in bewilderment as Ging casually hung up.
"Is this guy really Gon's dad? He just hung up like it was nothing..." Killua muttered internally, his thoughts running wild.
"What do you think, Leader?"
Machi turned to Chrollo, who was deep in thought after the call ended.
"It seems he values his son more than I imagined," Chrollo mused, covering his mouth as he spoke.
"Huh?"
"What?"
"Ging?"
Machi, Killua, and Gon each reacted in their own way: cold curiosity, stunned confusion, and wide-eyed surprise.
Ronnel said nothing but gave Chrollo a second look. As expected of the leader. Sharp as ever.
"But Leader," Machi interjected, still tying up Gon as he handed the phone back to Ronnel, "if he values Gon so much, why does he act so distant? He barely spoke to him."
"Isn't it because he hasn't seen the kid in ages?" Machi added skeptically.
"No," Chrollo replied calmly, "it's precisely because he values Gon that he's so reluctant to speak to him."
"Think about his conversation with Ronnel earlier," Chrollo continued. "His tone was bold and casual, but there was an underlying distance. When he spoke to Gon, however, his demeanor changed entirely. He was evasive, almost hesitant."
Machi and Killua exchanged glances of dawning understanding, while Gon tilted his head, still processing.
"To put it simply," Chrollo summarized, "the more you care about someone, especially someone close to you, the more likely you are to shy away from confrontation."
"Ah, I see!" Gon exclaimed, a grin spreading across his face.
Gon's relief was palpable. Dad does care about me. The thought warmed him, though he resolved to wait until they met in person to discuss things further.
"What's with that grin?" Killua sighed. "We're still prisoners, you know…"
Killua's exasperation grew as he observed Gon's oblivious joy.
Meanwhile, Chrollo pulled out his phone and dialed another number.
"Phinks? Bring Feitan and meet us at the Bechta Restaurant."
With Gon and Killua captured, Chrollo was certain Kurapika would take action. The chain user was cunning but not heartless, seeing the Phantom Troupe's weakened state would surely provoke a reaction.
To prepare, Chrollo planned to gather more members. Protecting non-combatants like Shalnark and Pakunoda, while managing the captives, required additional manpower.
After coordinating, Chrollo and the group moved toward the Bechta Hotel, disappearing into the rainy streets.
...
Elsewhere, Watching From the Shadows
Kurapika stood in a narrow alley, his lips pressed into a thin line. He watched as Chrollo and the others vanished into the misty downpour, Gon's orange jacket barely visible in the distance.
"Calm down," Melody said gently, her voice soothing yet firm. "Your impulsiveness has already endangered Gon and Killua. You need to focus on the next step."
Kurapika clenched his fists, then exhaled deeply. "You're right."
His scarlet eyes glowed faintly beneath colored contacts as he composed himself. Retrieving his phone, he made a call.
"The person Gon mentioned as trustworthy should already be at the Bechta Restaurant."
Deep in the Jungle
Snap!
Ging crushed his phone effortlessly, wiping sweat from his brow.
"This time, Gon won't be able to call," he muttered, half in relief and half in regret.
The broken remnants of his phone lay in his palm. After a moment of thought, he pulled out another device—a text-only phone he planned to use exclusively for communicating with Ronnel.
"This way," he muttered to himself, "I can keep in touch without risking another awkward chat with Gon."
As Ging pocketed the remains of the broken phone to avoid littering, his mind replayed the recent conversation.
"Rainy streets, faint echoes, and four or five distinct breaths in the background... Gon's hands-free setting made it easy to tell. He must be with friends—or in a tight spot."
He chuckled softly, his expression tinged with pride. "Still, with his abilities, Gon should be fine. He is my son, after all. Hahaha!"
The sound of his laughter startled a flock of birds, which soared into the sky as Ging disappeared into the dense foliage.
On the Crowded Streets
A clash erupted.
Swish!
The glint of a blade sliced through the air, followed by the soft thud of something round hitting the ground.
