"Don't worry, Kurapika. Once Ronnel comes back, we'll let him know about your situation. He'll definitely share any information he has about the Phantom Troupe."
Leorio spoke in a calm, reassuring tone. Although he was only eighteen, his mature face gave him the appearance of an older man, but his gentleness was unmistakable. That compassion was one of the reasons why he would eventually become a doctor.
Leorio always put the safety of his companions above his own interests. In the original events, during the final match in the group arena, Leorio had advised Killua to forfeit rather than face Johness. He was willing to forgo his own chance at the Hunter license just to protect someone he'd known for only two days.
When Kurapika had a fever during the Yorknew City incident, Leorio stayed by his side without complaint. Beneath his occasional irritation and youthful recklessness was a deep sense of care and tenderness that few could match.
At the edge of the arena…
"Yes, evidence! If you really want us to believe you, show us the proof!!" Majtani's confidence grew when he saw Ronnel's hesitation, and he continued to shout.
"How embarrassing…"
Sedokan winced at Majtani's desperate display. However…
"It's not bad if it buys us some time."
Leroute, standing beside him, frowned as a gnawing sense of dread grew within him.
"Why should I prove anything to you?" Ronnel's voice was light, but it cut through the noise like a knife.
"I-I...you..." Majtani stammered, the fight leaving him.
Yes… Why did Ronnel have to prove himself to him? What did it even matter now?
But just as Majtani's despair reached its peak, Ronnel smirked.
"Though, if you want proof... I don't mind showing you. But whatever happens next is on you."
Leroute, standing by the prisoner's cliff, visibly shuddered. Those words were too similar to what the silver-haired kid had said just before killing Bendot. There was no doubt—there would be consequences. And those consequences would definitely involve him.
Panic welled up in Leroute's chest as he saw Ronnel make his move.
"Whizz!"
In the blink of an eye, multiple objects flew through the air. Before anyone could react—
"Boom!"
The sound of monitors shattering echoed through the arena, and Majtani froze in place.
At the bottom of the Trick Tower…
"Crack~"
Lippo crushed the biscuit in his hand and jumped from his seat.
"What the hell? I was just getting to the best part!!!"
Snow covered the monitors in front of him, and his glasses, identical to Leorio's, slid down his nose in his frustration. He could barely contain himself—he was going to miss the climax! And for someone who loved TV as much as Lippo, that was unbearable.
"Prison warden, it seems that Ronnel smashed all the monitors in the arena," said one nearby, carefully.
Lippo, his expression blank but clearly irritated, retorted, "Do you think I'm blind?! Of course I saw it!"
"Is there any way we can get the footage back?"
"Uhh... Prison warden, all the cameras were destroyed. We'll have to wait until they move to the next location before we can get any new feed," answered the other general, nervously glancing at his colleague.
Lippo's face grew darker, but then his eyes lit up with a sudden idea. "Use the backup monitors!"
"B-backup? Prison warden, those are only for emergencies, like if prisoners escape from the Trick Tower—"
"No buts! Get it ready now!" Lippo cut him off with finality.
The two guardians exchanged worried looks before bowing slightly and rushing to carry out the order. As they left, Lippo took a long gulp from his drink, muttering,
"No one's gonna stop me from watching my show… No one."
Inside the Trick Tower, at the five-person arena...
"Alright, all the unnecessary people are gone now."
Ronnel tossed the remaining stones in his hand aside, brushing off the dust.
"Why did Ronnel smash all the monitors and microphones?" Gon asked, bewildered.
"Who knows? But Ronnel must have a reason," Leorio said, focusing on the match.
Kurapika and Killua remained silent, but their eyes were glued to the arena.
"Clap, clap, clap…"
The sound of Ronnel clapping filled the air as he wiped the remaining stone dust from his hands. He placed his left hand on his right shoulder and smirked.
"This is the evidence~"
With a swift motion, he tore his shirt, revealing his broad shoulders for all to see.
Turning slightly, so everyone—including those at the cliffs—could get a clear view, he addressed Majtani, who was frozen in shock:
"Now...do you understand what my evidence is?"
Kurapika's eyes widened as he stared at Ronnel's back, the red light flickering in his eyes.
Meanwhile, in the five-person arena, Hisoka wandered down a long corridor, his lips curling into a sly smile. Bored by the mundane traps in the tower, he longed for something more interesting.
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