Crouched inside a dark, moss-covered tree hollow, Kurapika waited for a long time. At last, he heard footsteps approaching, followed by a familiar voice.
"Kurapika, come out. It's me."
The teacher was finally back... No, wait, why had he returned so quickly this time?
Suppressing his confusion, Kurapika picked up the jar of Hokage Eyes and his suitcase, then squeezed through the oval opening, which was about the size of a dried betel nut. The lush green world outside came into view.
First he saw his teacher, then he noticed the stranger standing behind him. Surprise showed on his face.
"This man's name is Xiyou." Gelman straightened the somewhat rumpled collar of his suit and introduced him. "For the time being, we'll be traveling with him."
Kurapika pressed his lips together, his mind full of questions.
Not long ago, his teacher had left him in the tree hollow, saying someone was following them. He had sensibly obeyed and used "Zetsu" to conceal himself inside.
His teacher had quietly doubled back along their route. Kurapika had expected another fierce battle, but instead, his teacher had returned with this man.
Xiyou seemed to sense Kurapika's distrust. He smiled, took a piece of paper from inside his coat, and handed it to Kurapika.
"This is information we've gathered about the whereabouts of the Hokage Eyes. There are four pairs in all. You must need this. It's a gesture of goodwill from our side."
At those words, Kurapika's eyes widened and his lips trembled. But he didn't take the paper right away. Instead, he looked to Gelman.
"Take it," Gelman said with a nod.
Only then did Kurapika reach out with trembling hands and accept the paper. Sure enough, it listed four people's names, occupations, locations...
He softly read out the occupations listed beside