Qiao Lun's goal had always been clear.
He had already made that clear to Kurapika on the way there. They were merely cooperating, and neither could interfere with the other's decisions.
Kurapika had also revealed Hisoka's identity on the way.
Kurapika was not particularly surprised by Qiao Lun's decision, because he had sensed Qiao Lun's curiosity about Hisoka during the journey.
Besides, bringing Qiao Lun along this time was something Hisoka had mentioned in his text message.
After all, Qiao Lun taking Feitan away had been no secret. With a little investigation, Hisoka should have been able to learn about Feitan's connection to the Nostrade Family. Using that as a basis, it was hardly surprising that he had concluded Kurapika could contact Qiao Lun.
Still, seeing Qiao Lun and Hisoka hit it off so readily seemed somewhat strange.
Even Hisoka, who had prepared a few arguments, could not help freezing for a moment at Qiao Lun's words.
"Fine." Hisoka agreed quickly enough.
Initially, Kurapika had been his first choice, but after Qiao Lun killed two Phantom Troupe members, Qiao Lun had automatically moved up in his estimation.
Now Qiao Lun was his first choice.
His first choice had taken the initiative to accept his proposal, so what reason did he have to refuse?
Even though he did not know what Qiao Lun was really up to, he did not mind getting to know him first.
"Let me make this clear up front. I'm inviting you to cooperate, not to live and die together. We'll exchange information, and if we can't agree, no one will force anything. How does that sound?" Hisoka laid out his thoughts.
"No, that's not enough." Qiao Lun shook his head, rejecting Hisoka's suggestion. "You won't create an opportunity for a one-on-one fight that way. I can help you."
Hisoka frowned slightly. "How?"
"The Ten Dons will hold another auction on the evening of the third. That's the best opportunity," Qiao Lun said as though it were obvious. "With the Shadow Beasts still alive, the Ten Dons will also hire experts as a precaution. We can make use of all those resources."
"That's too risky, and trash like the Shadow Beasts and those so-called experts are useless." Hisoka flatly rejected Qiao Lun's suggestion.
But Qiao Lun shook his head. "There's a crucial issue you haven't considered: Chrollo might act alone."
"Impossible!" Hisoka immediately rejected that.
He had followed Chrollo for several years. No one knew more than he did about the situation around Chrollo.
"Want to make a bet?" Qiao Lun asked confidently.
"On what?" Hisoka became interested.
"We'll bet on Chrollo acting alone. And I even know where he'll appear and who he'll be with." Qiao Lun's expression was extremely serious.
Seeing Qiao Lun so certain, Hisoka could not help beginning to doubt himself. Reason told him it was impossible, but he still found himself asking, "What do I need to do?"
"It's simple. Show up at a specific place at a specific time, and be ready to fight." Qiao Lun spoke with absolute confidence.
"That simple?" Hisoka was somewhat doubtful.
"Is that simple?" Qiao Lun countered. "As far as I know, if the Phantom Troupe takes action, they'll all gather at the Semetary Building. But the question is, would merely killing a few mafia small fry be enough?"
Hisoka began considering it seriously.
Based on the information he had received before Illumi replaced him, Qiao Lun was right.
Chrollo's plan was to attack the Semetary Building on the evening of the third, with every member taking part.
"What if it's not just to kill people, but for the auction items too?" Hisoka thought of another possibility.
"Then might there be another way to have someone deal with the most troublesome people for the Phantom Troupe while they act as a group?" Qiao Lun prompted him again.
This time, before Hisoka could answer, Kurapika supplied the answer from beside them. "You mean the Phantom Troupe will hire assassins to find the Ten Dons and go after those bosses who control the underworld's ten major mafia groups!"
"Exactly." Qiao Lun said no more.
But Hisoka already understood what Qiao Lun meant. He had even noticed something more important. "You know how I got here."
"Of course." A touch of pride appeared on Qiao Lun's face.
"Who exactly are you?" Hisoka grew even warier.
The Phantom Troupe now required members to operate in groups of at least two. With no other option, Hisoka had contacted Illumi Zoldyck in advance and asked him to disguise himself as Hisoka and temporarily take his place. Only then had he gained the chance to act alone.
Yet hardly anyone knew about his relationship with Illumi.
But Qiao Lun's reminder was clearly telling him that Qiao Lun not only knew about his relationship with Illumi, but also suspected that Chrollo might choose to hire Illumi to assassinate the Ten Dons.
If what Qiao Lun said was true, then that really would be troublesome.
"That's not important. As long as you can make sure someone can replace you so you can appear where you need to be at the time I specify, I can make your wish come true." Qiao Lun gave a mysterious smile. "But how much time you'll have to fight the Phantom Troupe's leader is hard to say."
Hisoka thought for a moment before speaking solemnly. "I'll trust you this once. But why are you helping me like this?"
"I want to watch an exciting fight." Qiao Lun stated his true goal.
That was indeed Qiao Lun's real goal. What he did not say was that, with Hisoka keeping Chrollo occupied, the Zoldyck Family's members would have a chance to pin down two or even more Phantom Troupe members.
Only then, with the Shadow Beasts serving as cannon fodder, might Qiao Lun and Kurapika be able to work together to eliminate more Phantom Troupe members.
"Fine. I know what to do." Hisoka agreed, though he did not believe Qiao Lun's reason in the slightest.
But he was willing to try once.
Given the current situation, he would lose nothing by making this attempt anyway.
The only troublesome part was figuring out how to get Illumi to stay and replace him without the Phantom Troupe members discovering that he had left the group to act alone.
"There's one more thing I'm curious about." Hisoka narrowed his eyes slightly, and a playing card appeared in his hand, dancing between his fingertips.
"What?" Looking into Hisoka's eyes, Qiao Lun already had a vague guess.
"Don't you want to fight me?" Some fighting spirit radiated from Hisoka once again.
"Let's talk about that after you actually win. Otherwise, I'm afraid I'd kill you in two punches." Qiao Lun's answer was somewhat arrogant, as though he did not take the current Hisoka
seriously at all.
Hisoka could see it too. Qiao Lun definitely had an astonishing trump card, or he would not have been so unrestrained and dismissive of others.
But a smile also appeared on Hisoka's face. "If you put it that way, I really do want to give it a try."
"You'll get your chance."
Hisoka had guessed correctly. Qiao Lun had an absolutely astonishing trump card, because he had learned the ultimate finishing move from Megumi Fushiguro: no pressure could get to him!