Ronin didn't care what Owl was thinking.
The chakra threads slid effortlessly into Owl's body, and in the next second, the Shadow Beast's open mouth couldn't make a sound.
Neon, showing she was quick on the uptake, stepped forward and untied the ropes binding Owl.
Ronin shot her an approving look. With a slight twitch of his finger, the Owl-puppet stood up from the chair.
Kurapika flicked his chain, instantly returning the stolen ability back to Owl.
Ronin focused on the control. Soon, aura surged around Owl, and the Fun Fun Cloth materialized rapidly in his hands.
The only downside was that Owl's movements still looked a bit stiff.
The cloth was thrown over the chair. The moment the fabric covered it, the chair began to twist and shrink. In less than a second, everything stopped. Where a piece of furniture once stood, there was now only a tiny cloth bundle, small enough to be pinched between two fingers.
"Not bad," Ronin said, a satisfied smile curling his lips.
However, to both Neon and Kurapika, that smile gave off some serious villain vibes.
Still, Neon marveled at Ronin's methods.
"Your abilities are so versatile. It's like whatever you need to do, you just have a way to make it happen. Specialists really are amazing," she said, sounding a little envious.
In their group, she was the only natural-born Specialist. The other two were just freaks of nature.
Ronin had no intention of explaining the mechanics to them—even if he did, they probably wouldn't get it.
"Let's go," Ronin commanded.
Another Fun Fun Cloth appeared in Owl's hands.
This time, instead of covering an object, the cloth was thrown over Owl's own head.
In the blink of an eye, Owl vanished from sight.
All that remained were the chakra threads extending from Ronin's fingers, leading down into a tiny bundle on the floor.
Ronin wrapped the threads around his pinky finger and tucked the pouch containing the miniature Owl into his ninja tool bag. The threads were a bit visible, but they could pass as a weird accessory or weapon part.
Compared to the benefit of having "The wondrous Fun Fun Cloth" at his disposal, this minor inconvenience was something Ronin was more than happy to accept.
---
The Arden Hotel was one of the most famous luxury establishments in Yorknew City.
The people staying here were either filthy rich or powerful.
After the meeting with the Ten Dons concluded, Raymond returned directly to the Arden. The reason was simple: he owned the place.
While his secret manor was secluded, it didn't give him the same sense of security as being on his own turf.
It was a pity that Owl was likely dead. Now, the only usable subordinate he had left was a substitute Shadow Beast member named Mole.
Mole was a Demihuman—short, stout, and possessing hands that looked nothing like a human's.
He had always played second fiddle to Owl, but he was still a top-tier fighter within the Mafia. Now that Owl was presumably dead, Mole naturally had ambitions of moving up the ladder.
However, he had heard rumors that he wasn't on Raymond's list of recommendations for the next generation of Shadow Beasts. He couldn't understand why.
Raymond didn't feel the need to explain himself to a subordinate.
Instead, he was busy contacting hitmen. The Ten Dons had approved a proposal to hire professional assassins to deal with the Phantom Troupe.
Raymond had hired the Zoldyck family before.
Their efficiency was undeniable, and their customer service was top-notch. The only downside was the price.
But Raymond wasn't short on cash.
So, when the topic of hitmen came up, his first thought was to call the Zoldycks.
"Actually, boss, if we can separate the enemy, I'm confident I can kill a Troupe member solo," Mole said, unable to stop himself from stepping forward.
There was a shrewd gleam in his beady little eyes.
If the money for the assassins went to him instead, he was sure he could do a better job than some hired guns.
He couldn't beat Owl, sure, but he was confident he could take Worm.
Unfortunately, each of the Ten Dons could only sponsor one Shadow Beast. As long as Owl was around, Mole never had a shot.
As for the news that the Shadow Beasts had been wiped out?
In Mole's opinion, they were just stupid and arrogant.
If it were him, even if he was stronger than the target, he would have chosen a sneak attack rather than mixing it up with gun-toting grunts in a frontal assault.
Raymond frowned slightly.
But before he could speak, a sharp, mocking laugh cut through the room.
"You? A pint-sized runt like you wants to challenge the Phantom Troupe? Don't make me laugh."
Ronin stepped in from the window.
Earth Style: Light-Weight Rock Technique gave him unparalleled mobility.
He just hadn't expected to hear such delusional nonsense from this stump of a creature the moment he arrived.
The guy's Ten was loose and sloppy. To Ronin, he looked about as threatening as those disabled fighters on the initiation floor of Heavens Arena.
Completely unimpressive.
Where did he get the confidence to think he could take on the Phantom Troupe? Was he planning to bore them to death with bad jokes?
"Who are you?"
Mole immediately fulfilled his duty as a bodyguard, jumping in front of Raymond the moment he spotted the intruder.
He flashed his sharp claws.
Condensed with Nen, the cold, gleaming blades looked somewhat decent.
Raymond, however, recognized the intruder immediately.
"Ronin, right?" Raymond displayed the composure expected of a Mafia Don. "You showing up here... does that mean Owl sold me out?"
"Something like that," Ronin said, ignoring Mole completely. "I assume you know why I'm here."
"If you kill me, the Mafia won't stop hunting you. But if you let me live, perhaps we can cooperate," Raymond said quickly. He knew Mole wasn't reliable against someone who took out the Shadow Beasts.
If he wanted to survive today, he had to rely on his own negotiating skills.
Ronin shook his head. "Sorry. A dead you is the best version of you for me."
Raymond's pupils constricted, and his hand flew toward the pistol at his waist.
But someone was faster.
Mole, seeing Ronin reject the deal, lunged.
However, he didn't lunge at Ronin. He spun around and bolted for the door.
The moment Mole saw Ronin, he had analyzed the aura radiating from him and realized the massive gap in their power.
If he fought Ronin, he would die.
But he was still too slow.
As he tried to flee, his eyes met Ronin's—specifically, the three spinning tomoe of the Sharingan.
Genjutsu.
Suddenly, phantom flames erupted from Mole's feet, and a pain that seared deep into his soul spread through his entire body.
Raymond froze, his hand still gripping his gun. He watched in horror as Mole collapsed to the floor, convulsing violently, without Ronin even lifting a finger.
I'm going to die.
Ronin raised his hand, pointing his index finger at Raymond.
Bang!
A Nen bullet fired from his fingertip, piercing Raymond's skull before the Don could even process what had happened.
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