"That does make some sense," Feitan said with a shrug.

Franklin glanced downward. "The Underworld Mafia's people are on our tail."

Everyone looked down. On the ground, more than a dozen black cars were chasing the hot-air balloon overhead. There was no doubt they were all members of the Underworld Mafia.

Among them were not only Mafia operatives, but also Kurapika and his group.

................

......

.

Back at the Acution:

Milluki's expression darkened. "What the hell is going on? The Underworld Mafia is this useless? They can't even secure a venue?"

He turned to glance at Gon and the others, then pulled out his phone and dialed Ron.

"Ron, everything okay on your side?"

"All good. What about you?"

"We're fine too."

"That's good." Ron paused, then said, "This has escalated. The auction probably won't continue. You guys should head back."

"Got it."

Milluki quickly led Gon, Killua, and Leorio away.

Ron pocketed his phone and turned to Morena. "Morena, do you need any help here?"

"No," she replied, shaking her head. "This is the Underworld Mafia's business. It has nothing to do with me."

"Though I do need to head back and organize a few things. Ron, you can go ahead and try out that game. I'm leaving now."

Ron watched as Morena and Baise disappeared from view.

Baise was still thankful to be alive, but she also felt increasingly uneasy about what lay ahead. She had no idea what kind of person Morena really was—or what fate awaited her.

Once the two had vanished, Ron shifted and quickly moved off in another direction.

The situation had already diverged significantly from the original timeline. But the Shadow Beasts pursuing the Phantom Troupe, and Kurapika's involvement, were likely events that wouldn't change.

Ron was curious: now that Oster had joined the Underworld Mafia, how strong would this world's Shadow Beasts be?

...................

......

.

The vehicles continued the pursuit. Kurapika's expression was grim and serious. His fists were clenched tightly.

"Phantom Troupe. You've finally appeared. I swear, I will kill you all—to avenge my clan!"

Melody instinctively shifted further away from Kurapika. At that moment, the sound of his heartbeat made her deeply uncomfortable—it was frightening.

The hot-air balloon carrying the Phantom Troupe had already exited the city, but the Underworld Mafia continued their pursuit.

Uvogin looked down, visibly irritated. His mood had been sour for a while. First was Machi's departure, then his fights with Phinks and Feitan. He'd planned to vent during this auction assault—but the operation had failed.

The anger inside him only burned hotter.

"Stop the balloon. I'll go kill them. Otherwise they'll keep thinking they're tough and won't stop coming."

Beyond the outskirts of Yorknew City lay a vast desert known as the Gode Desert. The hot-air balloon descended slowly once it reached the desert, leading the pursuers to believe it was losing power. They sped up, not wanting to miss this chance to earn merit.

Finally, the balloon came to a stop, and Uvogin and the others landed on the ground, forming a line side by side.

The Mafia vehicles approached at high speed. The terrain ahead was a dead end—only steep canyon cliffs remained. Over a hundred Mafia members got out of their cars. Though dressed in suits, their faces were fierce and menacing. Even as victims in this incident, they were hardly saints.

The two sides were soon about to confront each other.

One Mafia member raised his gun and was about to pull the trigger. "Get your asses down here! You dare mess with the Underworld Mafia? Looks like you're sick of living. How do you want to die? Speak now—maybe we'll grant your wish!"

They had no idea what they were up against.

Ordinary men facing members of the Phantom Troupe—like newborn pups facing full-grown lions on the savanna. No matter how fiercely the pups barked, it meant nothing.

When you are weak enough, even your threats are perceived as amusing.

Ron couldn't help but recall something from his past life—a groundhog caught in the middle of the road, startled, striking a threatening pose. Surrounded by cars, the people inside didn't panic; they took out their phones and snapped photos instead. To them, it was entertaining. But to the groundhog, it was terrifying.

Who's to say we won't end up like that groundhog?

Right now, these Underworld Mafia members were just like that groundhog. So were the ordinary people who had once faced Chimera Ants. So was the entire human continent when facing the Dark Continent.

Uvogin leapt into the air and landed hard.

"Boom!"

The ground shook.

Standing alone before more than a hundred Mafia members, he spread his arms wide. "Come on!"

One Mafia member stepped forward, pointing his handgun at Uvogin's throat.

"You're the ones who attacked the auction?"

Uvogin looked at him calmly. "Let's cut the pointless questions. Yeah, it was us."

Before the man could respond, Uvogin reached out.

"Bang!"

The Mafia man pulled the trigger in the nick of time. The bullet hit Uvogin—but nothing happened. It merely tore his clothes. His skin was completely unscathed.

At that moment, Uvogin's hand came down.

"Crack!"

With a single move, he tore the man's head off. His eyes were still frozen with disbelief.

Uvogin grabbed his shoulder, lifted the corpse, and hurled it at the crowd.

"Slaughter begins now."

He charged.

All of his fury would be unleashed on these Underworld Mafia members.

"I wonder when the Shadow Beasts will show up. These guys are too weak. Let's hope the Shadow Beasts have some real strength. Maybe they'll give us a bit of fun… and some satisfaction."

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