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"Didn't expect you to actually come."
"I'm here to take you back. The troupe has a new objective."
"Are you planning to give up your position as the Floor Master?"
"That's the idea, but I want to meet that person first and hear your advice."
"That's why you are the leader, always putting the troupe's interests first."
Inside the Sky Arena, on the 246th floor, Hisoka encountered the late-night arrival of Chrollo. His tone made it unclear whether he was praising Chrollo or being sarcastic.
He had already seen through Chrollo's intentions. Coming as quickly as possible meant deciding between two options. If Chrollo believed he could defeat the challenger with little to no injury, he would engage as the Floor Master. This would minimize the impact on his original plans and still allow him to return in time.
However, if he confirmed that the challenger's strength was beyond expectations and participating would result in significant injury, he would abandon his position as Floor Master and return immediately to continue their unfinished plans.
Chrollo was a highly rational person, valuing emotion but valuing reason even more. He believed that even as the leader, he should not place himself above the troupe's interests. Since the founding of the Phantom Troupe, he had emphasized two things:
1. Each member is a part of the troupe; what should survive is the troupe, not the individual.
2. My orders are the highest priority, but my life is not.
Therefore, Chrollo would never indulge in a deadly battle with a powerful opponent for the sake of being the Floor Master, endangering the entire team.
"If you want to hear my advice, then I suggest you go back now."
"Even if you fight him with all your strength, you might not win."
"And besides, I was here first. If there's going to be a fight, it should be with me first, right, my dear captain?"
Hisoka licked his dry lips with his tongue, an uncontrollable killing intent emanating from his body.
Chrollo remained indifferent as ever, though he was seriously contemplating the truth and implications of Hisoka's words.
"And what about you? Are you not planning to leave with me?"
"I joined that guy's game. If I leave now, it would break the rules. He would hunt me to the ends of the world."
"Of course, if the captain is willing to join forces with me to kill him, all problems would be solved."
The room suddenly fell into silence.
Faced with Hisoka's half-joking proposal for cooperation, Chrollo was deep in thought.
"I can't give you an answer right now. I need to meet this person first."
Chrollo stood up and walked out of the room.
...
Knock, knock.
"Come in, the door's not locked."
Dressed in a black coat, Chrollo pushed the door open and entered, as if he was returning to his own home.
"Hello, I'm Chrollo. I'm the leader you're about to challenge."
"Abel, it seems I didn't choose the wrong opponent."
"Oh? Why do you say that?"
"Before spiders catch their prey with their webs, they usually hide in the dark. They rarely show themselves willingly. Am I right?"