The wall of wind barred their path, and the Cloud Sea churned like a prison.
Gon's eyes were bloodshot. Again and again, he slammed punches powered by eighteenfold Rotation into the storm barrier.
Explosions boomed as golden Nen burst from his fists, yet he could not disturb even a single ripple in the clouds.
The Cloud Vortex Roar Beast stood high above them. Its level-200 calamity aura crushed everyone, and its thick storm wall was a chasm they had no hope of crossing.
What had just happened remained seared into everyone's eyes.
The black vortex had locked onto Kurapika, shredded layer after layer of his Chain defenses, and swept him upward toward the highest, deepest reaches of the Cloud Sea.
Deep within the clouds, a masked figure in scarlet stood motionless. From beginning to end, Kurapika had been his only target.
"Kurapika—!!"
Gon screamed with all his strength. His voice cut through the gale, only to fade into the boundless Cloud Sea.
Lightning danced wildly at Killua's fingertips. His face was grim, his eyes filled with helplessness.
Leorio's whole body was tense. A weight pressed on his chest, making even breathing feel difficult.
Data raced across Genos's eyes as he calculated again and again. In the end, he reached one cold conclusion: with their current strength, they could not break through the aerial blockade.
Just as the team sank into utter despair—
BZZ—!
The entire churning Cloud Sea suddenly shook!
The violent turbulence the Cloud Vortex Roar Beast had been gathering abruptly changed direction. Instead of pressing forward, it erupted backward!
A terrifying blast of air swept across thousands of meters of sky. Like a colossal palm swatting down from the heavens, it swallowed the entire team!
"Look out!!"
Killua's pupils shrank. Before he could finish speaking, the immense force