Chapter 38: Phantom Troupe's Retreat

In the dimly lit underground hideout, the members of the Phantom Troupe gathered around a large table. Chrollo Lucilfer, their enigmatic leader, stared at the scarlet eyes that lay before him. The eyes were a symbol of power and prestige among the Kurta Clan, and their capture had brought the Troupe both fortune and danger.

Uvogin, the Troupe's powerhouse, leaned back in his chair, a smug grin on his face. "Boss, we got what we wanted. Those Scarlet Eyes are worth a fortune."

Chrollo nodded, his fingers tracing the intricate patterns on the eyes. "Indeed, Uvogin. But our actions have not gone unnoticed. Kurapika will stop at nothing to retrieve them, and he poses a significant threat."

Machi, the Troupe's resident healer, spoke up. "What's our next move, Boss?"

Chrollo's eyes gleamed with a dangerous light. "We retreat. For now."

The other members exchanged surprised glances. Retreating was not something the Phantom Troupe did often, and it was a sign of how seriously they viewed Kurapika's vendetta.

Nobunaga, the Troupe's swordsman, voiced his concern. "Are we just going to let Kurapika chase us down? It doesn't sound like our style, Boss."

Chrollo smiled cryptically. "Nobunaga, we're not running away. We're regrouping and planning our next move strategically. Kurapika's Nen abilities are formidable, and we need to be cautious."

Feitan, the Troupe's resident sadist, cracked his knuckles. "I don't like the idea of retreating, but if it's what we need to do to secure our safety, I'm in."

Chrollo's plan was simple yet effective. They would temporarily disband and go into hiding, making it difficult for Kurapika to track them down. During this time, they would gather information about Kurapika's abilities and weaknesses, as well as search for any potential weaknesses within the Kurta Clan.

Outside the hideout, Yorknew City bustled with activity. Kurapika, Gon, and Killua had been vigilant, but they could sense that the Troupe was slipping away. They had been prepared for a confrontation, but the Troupe's retreat had caught them off guard.

Kurapika clenched his fists in frustration. "They're getting away, and we don't even know where to start looking."

Gon placed a reassuring hand on Kurapika's shoulder. "We'll find them, Kurapika. We just need to be patient and gather more information."

Killua, ever the realist, added, "And we can't forget that we have our own training to focus on. We need to be stronger if we're going to face the Troupe."

With a heavy heart, Kurapika agreed. They couldn't afford to let their emotions cloud their judgment. They needed to become more skilled and powerful before they could confront the Phantom Troupe once again.

As the days turned into weeks, the Troupe's retreat became a mysterious enigma to both Kurapika's group and the criminal underworld. Rumors swirled about their whereabouts, but no one could pinpoint their exact location.

Within the Troupe, the members went their separate ways, each with a specific mission. Some were tasked with gathering information, while others sought to eliminate potential threats. Chrollo himself delved deep into research about the Kurta Clan and their unique abilities.

The Phantom Troupe's retreat was a calculated move, one that would ultimately determine the course of their deadly cat-and-mouse game with Kurapika. The scarlet eyes remained in their possession, a symbol of their victory, but the battle was far from over.

In the darkness of their hidden corners, both Kurapika's group and the Phantom Troupe honed their skills and prepared for the inevitable clash that would come when the time was right.