As the decisive battle between Gon's group and the Phantom Troupe reached its climax, the Mafia watching from surrounding buildings and the Ten Dons viewing footage were so engrossed their jaws hung open.
These genuine villains who'd seen and created countless deaths, survived innumerable firefights—now resembled children watching special effects for the first time.
The Shadow Beasts, challenging overwhelming evil with numbers yet gradually being whittled down, still climbing over fallen comrades' corpses, and Leorio desperately providing support.
A beast obviously abnormal even from distance fighting a samurai and a man with multiple artificial holes in his body, while Kurapika manipulated a giant arm made of chains attempting to crush them.
And at the wide intersection's center, two mighty warriors simply, purely brawled.
Without withdrawing, without evading—the utterly simple slugfest of striking, receiving, and blocking held charm that made even Mafia straighten their collars and send respect.
Whether members killed before the battle or those gravely injured by stray shots, all were equally transfixed—truly a struggle for survival between world-class powers.
The war reaching one climax watched for opportunity to cause further upheaval.
***
Gin—enhanced by Kurapika's Inspire Chain—showed magnificent activity against Nobunaga and Bonolenov.
Always maintaining fixed distance while performing disruption shown even against Netero, dealing damage gradually through hit-and-run and roaring ability.
The excellent compatibility stood out, especially against Bonolenov, who activated abilities by playing music with his body as instrument—besides Nobunaga, originally specialized in one-on-one with difficulty handling long range.
"Damn annoying! Bono, you haven't done anything for a while!?"
"My performance is delicate. Being crudely shouted at like that, there's nothing I can do."
Gin had properly acquired knowledge about iaijutsu, never approaching Nobunaga in sheathed state.
When Bonolenov tried activating Battle Cantabile, before playing music, Gin blew away sound with enhanced-volume roars disregarding damage.
Still, not sweet enough to remain unscathed—slashed by Nobunaga and hit by incomplete Battle Cantabiles, bleeding in places with fur dyed red.
"Titan Chain!!"
However, Nobunaga and Bonolenov likewise couldn't remain unscathed.
Not just Gin—Kurapika's attacks supporting from behind also assaulted as full threats.
The massive Titan Chain hiding one-hit-kill power, Dowsing Chain attacking from blind spots creating openings, and Assassin Chain thinned to limits and made transparent with In, stealing aura unnoticed.
Unable to keep up with ordinary manipulation, holding chains in both hands and gesticulating like a conductor—combined with Bonolenov's dance, they seemed to dance with each other.
(Stalemate, but their side unable to do what they want is disadvantaged. There must be openings to exploit somewhere!)
While fighting full power, Kurapika barely continued vigilance toward Chrollo.
Only Kurapika had capacity to discern when Chrollo—watching battle conditions with Skill Hunterpages open—would move.
(Damn! What happened to Leorio, Gon, and Killua!? Must support quickly!)
High-speed thoughts naturally veered negative considering prophecies, but regained composure and even smiled sensing Gon's aura showing he fought and enjoyed full power.
(Calm down. Panicking now changes nothing. Maintain mental state producing maximum power.)
Looking slightly calmer, even Gin fighting so Kurapika could concentrate seemed excited and enjoying movements beyond limits.
(Right. Now just enjoy this sensation of growing. Being consumed by rage isn't late even when accomplishing revenge.)
Eventually sharpness drained from Kurapika's expression. Releasing chains gripped so hard blood seeped, he began dancing elegantly.
Each movement connecting to Kurta Clan traditional dance held meaning, making Link Chain surge more intensely than ever.
The splendid dance that even Bonolenov—who revered dance as sacred Gyudondond Tribe member—nearly admired, combined with Gin's combination, definitely cornered the Phantom Troupe.
***
Killua, standing alone at the intersection where battlefield sounds faintly reached, tried mastering his still-incomplete ability at phenomenal speed to move his body that wouldn't move by his will.
(Becoming consciousness-only makes it clear—electricity flowing through the body and its meaning.)
Being able only to think conversely worked favorably. The genius with mental freedom from curses was close to grasping electricity flowing through his body.
(This arm muscle—if this moves, fingers move. If I flow this electricity here...)
Snap—a sound smaller than static electricity, and previously motionless fingertips twitched in response.
(As expected. Don't know how, but just brain electrical signals being manipulated. I can move with this!)
From here, Killua had to take a life-or-death gamble.
Constantly moving with abilities couldn't possibly allow combat, so first he had to extract Illumi's manipulation medium embedded in his brain.
Completing incomplete ability and performing ultra-precise movements with uncertain success even normally—obvious suicide, but Killua showed no hesitation or fear, heightening concentration with calm heart.
(Definitely now is shell-breaking time from prophecy. Then just surpass it! I'll surpass prophecy-me and grasp future with my own power!)
Extreme concentration that would frighten observers—the lightning kid who truly reached mirror-calm clarity charged forward with absolute confidence.
At Yorknew City's intersection, lightning's phosphorescence faintly flickered.
***
After over ten exchanges with Uvogin, already showing damage disparity, Gon swung fists with a full smile.
(Amazing amazing amazing! Looks like just random punching but totally different. Stepping position, weight shift, fist swing—all making optimal choices while punching!!)
Uvogin's fists constantly dealt more damage than expected, while Gon's fists always returned less impact than expected.
The optimal attack and optimal defense—probably instinctive, backed by vast combat experience—looked at first glance like self-taught power plays without technique.
But to observant eyes, the impression changed. Though lacking form, those optimal movements resembled single natural stones reaching river mouths.
Without human-made glitter but having eliminated all waste, it displayed natural beauty and above all rugged strength to the utmost.
In a way, positioned opposite Netero—Uvogin had reached the summit of violence as martial art.
(Definitely all unconscious. Not choosing optimal forms repeated to reflexes, but deriving that moment's optimal movement through intuition. One extreme I can't reach.)
Including original story, Gon's combat sense wasn't particularly high.
While no exaggeration calling him humanity's peak—physical ability, reflexes, dynamic vision, Nen talent all supreme—he overwhelmingly lacked sense to utilize everything perfectly.
If Gon possessed Killua's combat sense, his strength would easily exceed current levels several-fold.
To manipulate the great vessel "Gon" beyond perfection, Gon was far too clumsy.
(But irrelevant. I'll become ultimate Gon-san my way. That summit reached in original story—won't end unreached!)
It was sense of mission—duty as one who reincarnated into Gon.
Just slightly, yet fatally misaligned thoughts carried as he continued throwing fists.
***
Uvogin, enthusiastically brawling with Gon—this best opponent making hearts race—didn't show full smiles.
Smiles present initially gradually changed to confused expressions with each punch exchanged.
(What's this brat? My attacks are being mitigated? And he's breaking through defenses?)
Though considering complicated things was major weakness, Uvogin—who'd learned vast combat experience bodily—tilted his head at discrepancies between his sensations and Gon.
Opponent should hurt more, opponent should despair at ineffective attacks more, opponent this level should already be beaten.
From Gon's physical ability and aura quantity and quality, Uvogin's instinct predicted enjoyable trampling.
But though damage disparity emerged, opponent remained energetic, and Uvogin himself bore damage at levels he didn't recall from one-on-one brawls.
(His ability? Showing direct confrontation while activating some ability? Well, my victory's unshaken.)
Uvogin possessed roughly two combat styles.
One: completely power-play attack-specialized style to pleasantly blow away weak rabble.
Another: somewhat cramped offense-defense integrated style seriously pursuing victory against certain-level strong opponents.
Uvogin's instinct chose offense-defense integrated style after several exchanges.
(Definitely fun, but something bothers me. Why? Isn't this the best prey lacking lately?)
Opponent Gon attacking with full smile while bearing damage, swelling face, bleeding.
Those straightforward eyes held no negative emotions—only reflecting respect and sparkling emotions of enjoyment.
Uvogin found this unbearably irritating, feeling unknown emotions smoldering even more.
(Damn, should be fun but not enjoyable. I'm like this, so don't smile!)
Uvogin's expression changed from confusion to anger as he pressed even more fiercely, but far from overwhelming, couldn't even stop Gon's smile.
Without knowing his heart's emotion's identity, he continued throwing fists at Gon.
***
"Ripper Cyclotron!"
By Phinks's arm-rotation ability increasing power with rotations, Shadow Beast Porcupine—who'd defended many attacks and contributed much—literally exploded.
"Too absurd, damn it!"
Rabid Dog forcibly extended his broken left arm while confirming five remaining mobile Shadow Beasts including himself and gritted teeth.
(At this rate, we'll be crushed without buying time. Just two opponents reducing us to this—Shadow Beasts finished?)
Finishing Franklin and Phinks with remaining Shadow Beasts was unreasonable. Porcupine's death—having supported the battle line—became the decisive blow breaking barely-maintained equilibrium.
Still, Rabid Dog steeled death-defying resolve to do his utmost, above all to repay Leorio who'd desperately supported Shadow Beasts.
"I'll open a path! If I survive, let's meet again!!"
Fixing gaze on Phinks charging rotation again, Rabid Dog cloaked full aura and dashed straight.
Whether trusting Phinks or wary of others, Franklin didn't move, so Rabid Dog's reckless charge successfully closed distance.
"Straightforward idiots like you aren't hated, but die!"
Phinks's 10+-rotation Ripper Cyclotron roared attacking, and Rabid Dog poured all squeezed-out aura into his teeth.
Phinks's fist completely vaporized Rabid Dog's lower jaw and part of upper jaw. The aftermath sent his slender body arcing through air trailing blood.
"Rabid Dog!?"
Unlike Leorio screaming at the pitiful state of someone known, remaining Shadow Beasts confirmed Rabid Dog's achievement and cheered internally.
"You understand, right!? On Shadow Beast name, we'll suppress that patchwork bastard!"
Remaining Shadow Beasts dashed toward Franklin simultaneously. Phinks tried stopping with suspicious face but sank like strength drained.
"!? Poison!!"
In Phinks's fist that punched Rabid Dog, several teeth pierced through Ripper Cyclotron aura.
Rabid Dog's bite carried poison—neurotoxin paralyzing below neck, enhanced by death-defying aura, successfully neutralized Phinks.
"Don't underestimate me. Big mistake thinking I can't do close combat!"
Though force disparity became fourfold, Franklin was complete combat specialist of Emission adjacent to Enhancement.
Leorio—watching the still-unpredictable battle line—renewed spirits for support again, and—
Before his eyes, Uvogin on the verge of throwing a fist suddenly appeared.
"...Huh?"
Not even blinking yet the giant appeared, thoughts turned pure white, and tremendous aura fist approached in slow motion.
(Ah, this is the done-for type.)
Understanding death avoidance impossible from approaching fist and immobile self, as revolving lantern passed, last image surfacing was everyone walking through Yorknew City at dusk.
(The one who didn't want deaths becomes first victim? But prophecy changing means that tragic ending also changed. Everyone, win.)
What dominated Leorio's heart wasn't fear of death but thoughts for remaining Gon's group.
"Huh?"
Someone swiftly interposed between resolved Leorio and Uvogin's fist.
(Kurapika!?)
Kurapika barely becoming Leorio's shield—fist piercing his chest, instantly blowing both toward building beside the plaza.
The Spiders and Muscle's decisive battle accelerated toward climax.
***
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