Proposing reconciliation was the Phantom Troupe's indirect way of surrendering and yielding… something that had never happened since the group's founding and the reason why Phinks found it so repulsive.
However, sometimes circumstances overpower people. If they didn't propose reconciliation, the Phantom Troupe could very well face the greatest devastation in its history.
At this point, Chrollo had fully recognized Law's strength. He was also acutely aware that Law had been holding back the entire time out of consideration for Machi and the others.
Chrollo had continuously tested Law's limits based on this fact, but now, he had pushed the group to the edge of a cliff… where even the cost of a last-ditch effort was too much to bear.
If Uvogin and Nobunaga had been willing to join the fight, Chrollo might have still gambled recklessly despite the risks. But he knew Uvogin and Nobunaga would absolutely refuse to participate, nor did they want the Troupe to clash with Law.
Without Uvogin and Nobunaga, their chances of defeating Law were slim to none. Yet, precisely because Uvogin and Nobunaga were present, Law wouldn't resort to annihilation.
"I made a mistake."
From his position as leader, Chrollo admitted his error deep down. Proposing reconciliation was his way of minimizing the consequences of that mistake.
Unfortunately, he had overlooked Feitan's tendency toward extreme emotional reactions…
The strength of one's mental power greatly influences their Nen Abilities. Additionally, human emotions can cause fluctuations in the intensity of Nen Abilities… though this is a double-edged sword, capable of either enhancing or weakening them.
Feitan's body was enveloped in an aura streaked with black patterns, a precursor to the activation of his Nen ability.
[Pain Packer]
This was Feitan's Nen Ability. Its activation prerequisites were physical injury and extreme anger.
Being kicked just once by Law hadn't fully met the conditions, but his furious emotions reduced the strictness of the requirements. However, physical damage was the fuel for his ability's lethality… if the injuries were too minor, the power would conversely weaken.
There was a humiliation he would never forget for the rest of his life: being defeated by Law in a single strike.
That scene had been etched deep into his heart. Upon learning that the bearded man was Law, the hatred he had suppressed for years… how could he possibly let it go?
Reconciliation?
Making the group fight Law to the death was the only thing that should be done.
Feitan lowered his head slightly, muttering words in a minority language under his breath. At the same time, the black-patterned Aura around him began to change, forming countless swirling skull motifs.
"Feitan! Stop!"
Upon seeing this, Uvogin and Nobunaga shouted at him in unison. If Feitan used that move, forget about whether Law would be harmed… they wouldn't even have the face to act as mediators anymore.
Feitan's ability was an indiscriminate, all-out attack that showed no regard for allies. Someone who could develop such an ability inherently had a self-centered, unyielding personality… and in his current state of rage, how could he possibly listen to reason?
Chrollo, Franklin, and Shalnark understood this all too well. Without hesitation, they grabbed Pakunoda and swiftly retreated. They couldn't stop Feitan, so their only option was to evade.
"Damn it."
Uvogin was furious. They could have appealed to Law's sentimentality to resolve things peacefully, but Feitan just had to jump out and ruin everything.
"Law, get out of there!"
Uvogin and Nobunaga both yelled at Law to leave.
They assumed Law wasn't aware of Feitan's Nen Ability, so they warned him. But in reality, Law already knew.
The swirling skull-patterned Aura around Feitan suddenly contracted, covering his body and transforming into a strange, red-dominated outfit that encased him completely, leaving only a narrow slit for his eyes.
He slowly raised his head, his gaze icy, muttering incomprehensible words in a foreign tongue… roughly meaning that he would return his wrath to Law.
The Aura abruptly compressed, gathering in front of him and condensing into a palm-sized ember of terrifying energy.
The ember resembled a planet in the cosmos, radiating overwhelming power as it slowly rose into the air.
Uvogin and Nobunaga, seeing Law still standing motionless, panicked and rushed toward him.
Law glanced at the vigilant Salin, then at Uvogin and Nobunaga charging toward him despite the danger, and finally at Feitan, consumed by rage.
[Rising Sun]… that was the name of the ember.
When released into the sky, it would transform into a miniature sun, unleashing scorching temperatures capable of incinerating everything in its vicinity.
Thus, it was an indiscriminate area-of-effect Nen Ability. The outfit Feitan wore granted him immunity to the heat.
Law knew this ability inside out. While he could easily take Sharlan and escape the attack range, Uvogin and Nobunaga, who were rushing to his aid, would be caught in the blast.
"Perhaps... you've misunderstood something about me."
He coldly threw these words at Feitan before suddenly kicking off the ground, launching himself into the air… straight toward the [Rising Sun], which is now on the verge of detonation.
When the Phantom Troupe's members saw this, they were shocked, 'Was Law insane? How could he ignore the overwhelming Nen radiating from that ember?'
"Pathetic."
Feitan raised his head, his eyes gleaming with satisfaction, as if he could already see Law at the epicenter of the [Rising Sun], instantly reduced to ashes.
But as Law neared the ember midair, he extended both hands. Surging Aura erupted from his palms, emitting a blinding light that formed a solid, ring-like barrier… encasing the ember completely.
[Instant Severance]
Without any visible movement, countless thumb-sized crimson energy fragments burst from Law's hands, scattering like chaotic butterflies. They streaked across the night sky, pulling apart the ember into a dazzling, firework-like spectacle.
"Impossible!!"
Feitan's pupils trembled violently, his voice cracking with disbelief.
Uvogin and Nobunaga, who had been rushing forward, skidded to a halt. They stared dumbfounded as Law, who are still suspended in midair, sliced Feitan's [Rising Sun] apart as effortlessly as chopping vegetables.
Even Chrollo and the others, who had been retreating to avoid the blast radius, stopped and turned back, watching the scene unfold.
The night sky was now filled with silently dispersing energy fragments… like a breathtaking, soundless fireworks display.
'So this... is how he countered my bullets?' Franklin's eyes widened.
That was his assessment, but there was a fundamental difference.
His Nen Bullets were troublesome due to the sheer volume and considerable power. Feitan's [Rising Sun], on the other hand, was a single ember… but its destructive force was incomparably greater.
The two abilities differed not just in power, but in nature.
To defend against Franklin's Nen Bullet barrage, Law had needed to inscribe [Divine Script] for amplification. But dismantling Feitan's [Rising Sun] required no such preparation… because the key factor was quantity.
Salin sighed softly as she watched Law showing off midair, "Always considering others..."
A few seconds later, Law released his hold. The [Rising Sun] had been completely dismantled, its remnants scattering across the night sky like radiant sparks.
With a steady pulse of Nen beneath his feet, Law hovered in place, about ten meters above the ground, looking down at Feitan, who is still clad in his bizarre red armor.
Under Feitan's and everyone else's stunned gaze, Law casually pulled out a cigarette from his pack, it between his lips, and raised his index finger, where a miniature version of Feitan's [Rising Sun] flickered to life.
He brought the tiny ember to the tip of his cigarette.
"An ultimate move... that's only good for lighting cigarettes?"