Just as everyone remained locked in a stalemate over the matter...
Gon slipped out of Cordis's protective reach while he wasn't looking and resolutely stepped in front of him.
He met Nobunaga's eyes without a trace of fear.
His eyes held none of the terror the weak felt toward the strong.
Only resolve and courage.
Gon stood opposite Nobunaga, his brows knitted and his fists clenched.
"Old man!"
"I don't want to die! And I don't want to join the Spider!"
"So please just let us leave."
Everyone froze at his words.
Even Cordis was startled by Gon's declaration.
But after a brief silence, everyone burst into unabashed laughter.
Even Cordis couldn't help covering his mouth as he laughed.
Gon watched everyone laughing so hard. Even the normally composed Cordis had nearly laughed out loud.
Had I told some really funny joke?
Standing beside Cordis, Killua put a hand to his forehead in resignation and lowered his head in embarrassment at Gon's clueless expression.
"What an idiot."
Just as Gon was wondering what he'd done to make everyone laugh like that...
Nobunaga, standing opposite him, gave a cold snort and curled his lips in disdain.
"If we just let you go, what happens if you tell someone where our meeting place is?"
Gon hurriedly waved his arms when he heard that.
"I definitely won't tell anyone!"
"I don't believe you."
That answer left Gon's twelve-year-old brain thoroughly baffled.
How could he not believe me?
Just as Gon was about to say something else to convince Nobunaga he was telling the truth...
Smoke suddenly billowed up around them.
It spread through the entire meeting place at an incredible speed, filling it in moments.
There was also a strange smell mixed into the smoke.
While everyone was puzzling over it...
Machi suddenly