The sound of footsteps drew closer.
Rapid, steady, carrying a trace of barely perceptible panic.
Everyone's eyes were fixed on the shadows at the end of the corridor.
The next second, a figure rushed out from around the corner of the wooden house.
It was Kurapika.
He was no longer wearing his usual hunter's outfit.
Instead, he wore a simple dark blue short sacrificial robe. Fine orange-red vine patterns were embroidered around the cuffs. The fabric was plain, yet it carried an ancient, solemn air.
His Scarlet Eyes had not fully lit up. There was a trace of fatigue in his eyes, along with several complicated emotions.
He had run over in a hurry. His breathing was slightly ragged, and the loose hair over his forehead was tousled.
"Kurapika!!"
Gon's eyes lit up at once, and he rushed forward without thinking.
"Wait, Gon."
Kurapika raised a hand and stopped him.
He stood between the two groups, separating the tense battle lines.
"Don't fight. We're all on the same side."
The same side?
Gon froze. He stopped where he was, his face full of confusion.
Killua also frowned and looked Kurapika up and down.
There were no injuries or signs that he had been bound. He looked perfectly fine, even more composed than before.
Was he really not being held prisoner?
"You... you're all right?" Leorio was also dumbfounded. He scratched his head. "We thought they'd captured you and were getting ready to force our way in and rescue you."
Kurapika smiled bitterly and shook his head.
"I'm fine."
"They didn't capture me. I chose to stay."
He chose to stay?
Everyone was even more bewildered.
Why had he suddenly decided to stay?
And why had he changed into such strange clothes?
Kurapika took a deep breath and looked at Gon,