As an observer, Nobunaga couldn't see how Chrollo was injured. And as the person involved, Chrollo himself didn't know how he had been hurt either. He believed that in terms of Nen offense and defense, he hadn't been at a disadvantage.
And that was indeed the case. In close combat between Nen users, if one's mastery of Ryu isn't up to par, defeat would come within three rounds.
Law's Ryu is undoubtedly masterful, yet Chrollo is no slouch either… his utilization shows no signs of being suppressed by Law. This is purely a phenomenon in terms of technique.
However, when it comes to the diversity and effective application of Nen Abilities, even Chrollo's [Bandit's Secret] falls short of Law's capabilities.
Over six or seven years, not only has Law made significant strides forward, but the members of the Phantom Troupe have also progressed, especially someone as exceptionally gifted as Chrollo.
Yet, despite allocating a sufficient amount of Aura to block Law's incoming palm strike, the reality was that he still suffered internal injuries.
'What was the sensation in that moment?'
Even as he continuously created distance, Chrollo found himself reflecting on the feeling of that injury… it was as if he had been struck by a relatively soft fist.
'If this phenomenon was absolute, then even physical blocks would need to be avoided as much as possible, wouldn't they?'
Watching Law relentlessly pursue him, Chrollo couldn't help but feel a hint of irritation. He recognized that Law was targeting the weaknesses of his abilities… if he couldn't create distance, he wouldn't be able to leverage the advantages of [Bandit's Secret].
'I can't engage in close combat. I need to find a way to create distance.'
He considered Law's hand-to-hand combat skills and that long sword, which functionally equivalent to a Conjuration-Type Nen Ability, to be troublesome. That unexplained ability that had injured him was equally problematic.
In other words, the sheer pressure Law exerted in close-quarters combat was overwhelming. A single misstep could lead to an irreversible shift in the battle's momentum, so he had to avoid it.
Compared to Chrollo's somewhat strained state, Law appeared relatively at ease. However, he had to ensure the efficiency of his Aura Conversion, making sure every bit of expended Aura achieved optimal results.
After all, even excluding Machi, Uvogin, Nobunaga, Pakunoda, and Kirlo, there were still eight other Nen Masters in the Troupe. He couldn't afford to waste Aura recklessly.
'Stay on him. Speed and aggression!'
Law forced Chrollo into continuous retreat, primarily because Chrollo had abandoned any intention of close combat, leaving him at a disadvantage in terms of momentum.
Objectively speaking, Chrollo's Nen Techniques were formidable, and his close-quarters combat skills were among his strengths.
Yet, against Law, the results were unfavorable, prompting him to shift tactics… seeking to fully utilize a stolen Emission-type ability to create offensive opportunities.
But...
Watching Chrollo deliberately avoiding close combat, Law raised his right hand toward the continuously retreating Chrollo.
'At this distance, a brief burst of speed should be enough to evade.'
Seeing Law's movement, Chrollo assumed he was summoning Shin again. Based on his rapid distance assessment, he felt confident in his ability to react.
The next moment, however, Chrollo's eyes narrowed… because what Law summoned wasn't his longsword, but a short staff wreathed in black tendrils.
'A Nen ability to freely summon and dismiss weapons? How convenient.'
Chrollo's thoughts paused briefly as a chilling sensation abruptly pierced his nerves.
Law summoned the Nyoi Bo, infused it with Aura, and extended its length rapidly, the tip of the staff shooting straight toward Chrollo's face.
Though caught off guard, Chrollo had remained vigilant. The sudden extension of the staff surprised him, but he still managed to tilt his head and avoid the strike.
At that moment, a faint smirk curled Law's lips. He lowered his arm, and the staff, which is now positioned above Chrollo's shoulder, followed suit, pressing down.
A ripple of alarm passed through Chrollo's mind, his irritation spreading through his chest like branching veins.
He hated this feeling of being suppressed.
Bang!
The force of the staff pinned Chrollo in place, the ground beneath his feet cracking under the pressure.
With Chrollo immobilized, Law manipulated the extended staff, swinging it toward the left side of Chrollo's neck.
Reacting swiftly, Chrollo gathered Aura into his fist and struck the staff, knocking it upward by half a meter. The force transmitted through the staff and into Law's arm.
Chrollo wanted to take the opportunity to create some distance, but then he saw Law simply let go of the Nyoi Bo, dissipating the transferred force.
"Persistent..."
Chrollo gritted his teeth, his irritation only growing.
The two engaged in close combat once more.
Law no longer held back… after releasing the Nyoi Bo, he immediately summoned Shin, unleashing a flurry of slashes that enveloped Chrollo.
Clang, clang, clang...!
Sparks flew as blades collided repeatedly.
Once locked in a flurry of attacks and defenses, breaking free became far more difficult.
Law's assault was like raging tidal waves, yet Chrollo parried each strike of Shin with his dagger, the two once again demonstrating their mastery of Ryu.
Ten clashes, a hundred...
In just a minute, Shin and Chrollo's dagger collided over a hundred times.
Law decided the warm-up had gone on long enough, so he switched Shin's [Blunt Blade Mode] to [Sharp Blade Mode].
Schlick!
In the next clash, the dagger could no longer withstand Shin… half of it was cleanly severed, flying into the air.
This sudden turn of events was something even Chrollo hadn't anticipated.
The rusted blade, defying all logic, abruptly sliced through the dagger without losing momentum, continuing its arc toward Chrollo.
'No time to dodge…'
Chrollo instinctively raised his arm to block.
Silently, an arm spun through the air.
Law's slash tore through Chrollo's Aura Defense and severed his right hand. Due to the ability's restrictions, Chrollo felt no pain, so the loss of his arm didn't hinder his movements. He retreated, disengaging.
This time, Law didn't press the attack. Instead, he caught Chrollo's severed arm.
From the start, he had deliberately kept Shin in [Blunt Blade Mode]… to create the illusion that Chrollo's dagger could withstand it. Over a hundred exchanges had reinforced this false assumption.
Once the 'warm-up' was complete, he switched modes, cleaving through the dagger's defense and catching Chrollo completely off guard.
In the end, Law succeeded. Even Chrollo's meticulously cautious combat style had fallen into the trap.
Chrollo retreated several dozen meters, clutching his severedarm, and said coldly, "I've never truly showed you my abilities."
Law recalled Shin, keeping his eyes on Chrollo as he also stepped back, retracting the Nyoi Bo before replying, "True."
"But you knew the weakness." Chrollo said.
"So what?" Law remained impassive.
"Nothing. You won."
Chrollo exhaled deeply.
At that moment, several familiar Auras approached… Uvogin and the others, having dealt with their respective enemies, arrived on the scene, along with Franklin and Shalnark.
The moment they appeared and saw Chrollo missing his right arm, their expressions mirrored Nobunaga's earlier disbelief.
They knew their leader's abilities inside out, so they wondered what the hell had just happened.
Law observed Uvogin, Feitan, Phinks, Franklin, and Shalnark's arrival, thinking the timing was perfect.
'About 20% of my Potential Aura consumed. Still acceptable.'
Law mentally calculated the potential scenarios ahead. Since the battle began, he'd used roughly 20% of his Potential Aura… mostly due to the high cost of [Instant], which he had employed repeatedly.
For Chrollo, the arrival of the Troupe's assault team brought a slight sense of relief.
The reason they could regroup was that Clover, upon learning of the museum artifact's theft, had redirected more personnel to secure the museum.