Chapter 68: Negotiations

So that’s Chrollo. He looks a little younger than what I vaguely remember—and more confident, too.I wish we could just get rid of these fuckers once and for all… their arrogance pisses me off! I need to stay focused, though. I enjoyed killing that baseball guy way too much. It was way too satisfying.

Aside from Chrollo, Auren spots Nobunaga, Phinks, Feitan, Uvogin, Machi, Shalnark, and Franklin.

Just the original members, huh? I guess they care more about Pakunoda than the rest. Kortopi and Bonolenov are probably being kept out of this.

“Let’s go, Auren,” Rakshala whispers. “Please, leave it to me. I’ve planned for every scenario if things go south. As much as I’d love to wipe them out, we can’t start an all-out war with Meteor City. Let’s focus on getting our Elders back. You’re allowed to show a little edge—but don’t make a move unless they’re foolish enough to strike first. If they do, it’ll turn into a full-blown war, and both sides will suffer. I'd prefer we avoid that.”

“I’d love to disagree,” Auren replies, “but I’m the one who asked for help. I have caused this mess, so I’ll follow your lead… for now.”

I already have my own way of dealing with those scum Elders of Meteor City… If we need to act calm and pretend to make peace, I’ll play along. That only works in my favour. How about I spend my fortunes and hire a pair of certain assassins, after this is over?

The Phantom Troupe—joined by Buno and Bunu, who follow behind—approach the center of the open clearing.

Auren, Rakshala, Grunah, Elder Rein, and several elite Hollow Blade members—faces obscured in dark clothing—approach from the opposite side. Pakunoda walks behind them, silent and guarded by two men.

They stop a short distance from each other, neither group moving any closer.

“These are the sect members, boss?! They look strong… I wanna fight them!” Uvogin shouts, grinning wildly as his gaze sweeps over them.

Without hesitation, Auren draws Eternity, pointing it straight at him.

“I’ve already taken care of two of you. If you’re looking to die too, brainless barbarian, I’m happy to oblige.”

“You! You dare challenge me?! Hahahaha,” Uvogin roars, unleashing his Aura. The ground cracks beneath him, stone fragments flying into the air from the pressure.

“A pathetic, wasteful, unfocused display of Ren. If that’s what you rely on to scare others, then you’ve never fought anyone truly strong. This wouldn’t even be a fight—you’d be dead in minutes,” Auren says, smirking.

Uvogin growls and releases even more Aura, clearly revealing he’d been holding back. “How about now?!”

“Uvogin. Stop,” Chrollo says in a quiet but commanding tone.

To the surprise of everyone—except Rakshala—Uvogin hesitates, then stops his Ren, eyes still locked on Auren. “Okay… boss.”

Auren, after a short pause, sheathes Eternity.

As much as I’d love to go through with it… enough.

“Well, now that everyone’s calmed down a little,” Rakshala says with a pleasant smile, “shall we begin? This shouldn’t take long, should it?”

Auren watches the Troupe members as they glance at Rakshala. Their faces are calm, but their eyes betray a hint of uncertainty.

“We’re ready to proceed,” Chrollo says. “You’re the Seer, right? Your reputation precedes you. And now that I see you in person… you’ve done quite a job hiding yourself all these years.”

As they speak, Auren notices Machi glaring at him, her teeth grinding together silently.

Rakshala responds with grace. “Oh my. You’re overestimating me. I’m just a blind woman trying to live a quiet life with my family… which brings us to our current situation.”

She clasps her hands together delicately, then says, “When you were planning your little attack on my precious child—and the vice-leader of our family—you must have known there would be consequences. I’m curious how you plan to resolve this.”

“Child? Vice-leader?” Chrollo replies, brows raised slightly. “I wasn’t aware of either. As far as I knew, Auren was a resident of Meteor City. Our only intention was to ask him a few questions. Perhaps one of our newer members couldn’t suppress his violent tendencies. For that, I apologize. We didn’t mean to start a fight. We just wanted a conversation with Auren.”

“As for resolving this… how about we exchange prisoners, and agree never to actively interfere with each other again, even if the Elders push for it, we will ignore their ‘suggestions’. Let’s call it even. I only ask one small thing—because this situation places us at a disadvantage.”

“I could agree to that,” Rakshala replies, “but I fail to see how this situation disadvantages you.”

“You see… your two Elders are in decent condition, and so is Pakunoda,” Chrollo begins, only to be abruptly cut off by Auren.

“‘Decent’ condition?” Auren repeats, fists clenched. “So it would be fine if I cut off a few of your friend’s fingers? Gouging out an eye would also be okay? That would still count as ‘decent’ and wouldn’t affect the trade, right?”

Chrollo meets Auren’s gaze and responds in a calm voice, “Perhaps I misspoke. What I meant to say was that you have killed one of our own, while we spared both of your Elders. From that angle, this is not an even trade.”

Rakshala steps in. “I have to agree… with Auren. You crippled our Elders—permanently damaging their combat potential and quality of life—while Auren, despite his anger, held back. He even treated Pakunoda’s wounds.”

Chrollo shakes his head. “I’m afraid I can’t agree with that view.”

“So what do you expect?” Rakshala asks, her tone still calm. “Let’s not forget who started this. Not only did your group approach Auren, but one of your members also attacked him with a Nen ability. His death isn’t up for debate. Any Nen user understands the consequences of activating a Hatsu on someone else.”

“I won’t argue that,” Chrollo says. “What I’m after won’t cost you much. But it would give us both an assurance that this kind of situation won’t repeat. It would also ensure the Elders of Meteor City stay away from you—and Auren—for good.”

“State your terms, then,” Rakshala says, looking relaxed.

“I’d simply like to resolve this according to our own internal rules,” Chrollo says. “I understand there’s no reason for you to honor them, but I ask that you do—just this once. That would even the scale.”

“I don’t know your rules,” Rakshala replies, “and I don’t see any reason to follow them. However, please go on. What did you have in mind?”

“If one of our members is killed by an outsider, that person typically takes the fallen member’s place,” Chrollo says.

“What?!” Machi blurts out.

“Boss!? You can’t be serious!” Uvogin shouts.

“Shut up…” Chrollo orders, his tone flat.

Both look down and immediately stop talking.

Rakshala chuckles softly. “Well, I suppose that would solve our issues, indeed. There’s only one small problem—why would Auren accept such a dangerous proposition?”

“Our group is more independent than you might think,” Chrollo replies. “There are very few mandatory missions, and exceptions can be made.”

Is he serious? Does he really think I’d ever join them? Still… it would be useful to learn more about the Elders—and stab them in the back when they least expect it.

“I don’t think we need to entertain that offer,” Rakshala says, clearly amused but maintaining her composure.

“Please do,” Chrollo insists. “Not only would it prevent future conflict, but we’d also be willing to give Auren specific information—about the Elder who orchestrated all this. And we’d make a formal promise not to interfere with anything he chooses to do with that information.”

“Why would you want me to join you?” Auren asks, skeptical. “I don’t see any upside for you. Also, I’d have to be insane to accept. Some of your members look like they’d love to kill me.”

“We’re very interested in you,” Chrollo says without hesitation. “I watched your recent fight—and I was impressed. Let me be honest: I have a hunch about what you’re still hiding. The Elders did a lot of research, and the conclusion is what interests me. Add to that your strong combat potential, at your age, nonetheless, and I want you to join us. Besides that, I didn’t expect anyone to organize a faction of Nen users like yours. I have no desire to start a conflict with such a group… but just the existence of it puts you in danger, doesn’t it? What if the wrong people were to find out? Either way, I assure you—there’s no hidden intent.”

“…What guarantee do I have that you won’t betray me?” Auren asks, curiosity starting to mix with calculation.

They’re powerful Nen users… I can use them. For now. And with what I learn, I can finally deal with those Elders. At least the one who tried to kill me—he dies.

Rakshala steps slightly forward. “Guarantees…. Now that I think about it. Would you sign a binding contract? Of course, it would be a special contract…. You know what I am talking about, I assume?”

“Of course,” Chrollo replies smoothly. “As a sign of good faith, why don’t we exchange hostages now and take some time to think about it? We reconvene in one hour.”

Auren nods to Rakshala.

Perfect.

“Gladly,” Rakshala says. “But no one leaves the premises until we’re done.” She gestures to one of the cloaked Hollow Blade members, who begins leading Pakunoda forward.

At the same time, Buno and Bunu step up. In a coordinated exchange, all three hostages pass one another in the open center.

The mood just shifted… Is Chrollo serious? Does he want to steal my Hatsu? No. Not with a contract. But still… why? I guess my hatsu is valuable.

“We will temporarily seal the exit to this place. If you wish to leave, you’ll need to speak with me,” Rakshala adds with a pleasant smile.

Some of the Phantom Troupe members look visibly irritated by the declaration—but Chrollo simply says, “No problem.”

The Troupe, now rejoined with Pakunoda, moves toward the far end of the basin, near the wall opposite the entrance. Meanwhile, the Hollow Blade members, with Buno and Bunu safely back among them, return to the tunnel, Rein closing the entrance, leaving the Troupe stranded outside.