AngelFaux Vastorie is going to have a different back story. He still has a dark past, though it's going to be a different kind.
It's good to be back! I kinda went into nostalgic mode and started playing really old games, like, Playstation one old...
A/N: To those of you still waiting for the romance part, that's coming up closer to and during the Greed Island Arc.
He has an uncanny detection rate to feelings like I had during Tafe (College is the closest comparison, I think!) Put it this way... I had two girls hitting on me at the same time and I was none the wiser. I was sooooo oblivious, even if they had a neon signs above their head saying "I'm hitting on you, senpai!" I wouldn't notice...
Which brings me to my point... If you are staring at guys and never once acknowledge how hot a girl is, even when your girlfriend at the time is asking you the question, (She is Bi. And not the 'I'm doing this for attention' Bi. My best friend told me how much my ex wanted her... including the ex) you might be gay...
Apparently I didn't get the memo from my brain... even when the alarm bells were going off... /
A/N2: On another quick side note... You can figure out Gon, Killua and everyone else's birthday while using Nobunaga's which is September 8th, 1970. He mentions it during episode 54.
If Nobunaga is 30 at the time seeing as it's around the 2nd - 4th of September he should still be 30. That would make the year around 2000. Gon, Daniel and Killua are around 13 at the time, so that should make their year of birth during 1987, if I did my calculations correctly. If not, I just made myself look like an idiot to anyone who is reading this...
And on those notes... back to the story!
Kurapika grit his teeth together, furious from not having realized it sooner. He knew there were other Conjurers amongst the Phantom Troupe members, and he knew he shouldn't have over looked the chance of one of them having an ability which could replicate that effect "It would be possible for a Conjurer to accomplish that. Damn! Why didn't I realize this sooner?"
Daniel was freaking out; realizing there was no way to back out of it now. But judging by Killua and Gon's stoic expression, they were prepared for the fight to come ahead.
"The situation has changed." Killua took charge once again, knowing Kurapika could easily be persuaded, or Daniel thought Killua would take charge "What's now?"
We run! "We run!"
Killua frowned at how quick Daniel took the easy route "Kurapika took out their strongest!"
"In a one on one battle...! We're talking about eleven more Nen users remaining! Three of us can't use Hatsu and one of us can barely even use Ten!"
"HEY!"
"Ten more users remain, Hisoka isn't even apart of them. And even if we don't know Hatsu, we can help in other ways! And that's what we are going to do. Kurapika, don't listen to Daniel we're here to help."
Gon awkwardly rubbed the back of his head, somewhat smiling "Yeah... we are here to help." Even Leorio agreed to join in.
Daniel hated himself for being the odd one out. But he hated himself even more, knowing Killua was right. He could help other ways without having to rely on violence. Why didn't I realise that sooner?! Daniel grits his teeth, apologising for his outbreak "I'm sorry... Killua's right. I'm willing to help, as long as I don't have to go up against any of them in a fight. If anything, I'll hold everyone back..."
Kurapika was about to open his mouth to speak, but his phone distracted him for the second time that night. Someone was calling Kurapika this time "Hello?" Kurapika paused, listening to the person "Melody? What is it?"
Who's Melody...? Is that a code name or their real name?
"What?"
What's going on now?!
"The Troupe comes from Meteor City?"
Meteor City...? I think Vastorie mentioned it once or twice. I believe it's linked to a town that doesn't exist, or isn't supposed to. It's an enigma of some kind... I'll say something when Kurapika's finished with his call.
Kurapika paused, hanging up the phone to let everyone know the call is finished.
Daniel asked a quick question "Isn't Meteor City the town that doesn't exist?"
Kurapika was in disbelief. Something else Melody mentioned seemed more important at the moment to say "The reward for the Phantom Troupe has been rescinded."
"The reward has been rescinded? Seriously...?" Killua couldn't believe his ears. And even after the stunt the Phantom Troupe pulled off, the reward was rescinded. There was no point to going up against Phantom Troupe now. Unless one were to say Pakunoda was a major threat, then if they took her down quietly the Phantom Troupe wouldn't have any more reasons to be pursued... right?
Killua shared a worried glance between Gon and Daniel. How would Daniel react now knowing that it's a win or lose all situation?
"The Troupe comes from Meteor City."
Daniel cut in before Leorio could even begin to speak "Isn't Meteor City the place that doesn't exist. Well, city..."
"Yeah," Leorio cut in after Daniel "that explains why their identities are still unknown, and why the cops haven't been able to catch them."
"Apart from their strength and location; no normal cop would be able to cuff them, let alone find them..."
Gon's curiosity got the best of him; looking towards Daniel, Gon asked a question "What is Meteor City?"
Daniel shook his head, unable to answer "All I know is it's a town that doesn't, or isn't supposed to exist."
"You're right," Leorio smiled at Daniel for a second before looking over to Gon to address the question "It is a city populated by people who don't exist, as far as society is concerned."
"Really," Gon was surprised by the information, but his expression soon changed to one of a questioning manner "a place like that exists?"
"Yeah. Officially, it's unpopulated, but it's said ten million people live there. It began as a dump over 1,500 years ago. People began to live off the garbage that was dumped there. You're allowed to dump anything there. From garbage to weapons, and even people. And the residents will accept anything left there. I've heard that Meteor City residents share a bond thinner than that between strangers, stronger than that between family."
Daniel felt somewhat disturbed at himself for smiling "Sounds like a great family... except more tightly knitted. A family born and raised from the treasures left behind by others. Or junk if you want to look at it that way..."
Actually," Kurapika stepped into the connection "there are those who provide Meteor City with weapons and precious metals under the pretext of garbage. That would be the Mafia community."
Daniel was just as stunned as Killua. The Mafia provides guns for people who don't exist...? That's... I just don't know what that is...
Gon had a hard time understanding the situation. He wanted to know more, possibly the reasons to why the mafia would provide such assistance "What do you mean? But the Mafia is hunting the Troupe!"
"In return, the Mafia recruited people from Meteor City."
"Well, that makes sense now..." Daniel frowned at the idea, and the thoughts that followed. "Who better to get the dirty work done; than the people who never existed."
Leorio nodded "People who didn't exist, were perfect for committing crimes. The Troupe destroyed the normally intimate relationship between the Mafia community and Meteor City. But the Mafia has decided to prioritize that relationship."
Daniel massaged his chin, thinking Leorio's words carefully "But... how would that work now? Thinking about it... the relationship would be one-sided in Meteor City's favour, right?"
"Not necessarily..." Killua mulled the idea in his head "It would mean if they show stock photos of the fake Phantom Troupe member's bodies, they'll relinquish any chances they could get at hiring the Meteor City members."
"But... in showing the bodies, apart from traumatising some members of the public, they show they are stronger. And on the flip side they show they are weak if they don't reveal the information."
"Right..." Killua smirked, showing a fraction of his tooth which for some reason made Daniel shiver "and so wrong! If they show the bodies, who will now have to do all the dirty work...? They will. But the people who work for them exist. In not destroying the relationship, they still have a chance of hiring. You can't put away a ghost. Now the Mafia has to control the system better, bailing out the ones who are a suspect or the Phantom Troupe will destroy the Mafia inside and out."
Daniel looked down at the floor, acknowledging every one of Killua's words. He's right... and... Daniel shook his head before any thoughts could come to his mind "What now? The reward is revoked and we can't just play cat and mouse with the Phantom Troupe..."
Gon mulled an idea through his head before speaking out "Killua... Daniel... I have an idea!"
"~"
Gon pulled Daniel and Killua to the side, talking more about the situation. Unfortunately for Gon, Killua wasn't having any of it "No."
"Huh? Why not? You were the one who wanted to capture the Phantom-"
"It'd be pointless now!"
Daniel had been switching between Killua and Gon, wondering why the situation had been reversed now. Rather than arguing for the capture of the Spiders, Killua was going against the original plan. To Daniel that pleased him, knowing that the plan to go up against the Spiders was out of equation. However at the same time Daniel felt as though he had to help Kurapika. He felt the need to help the boy in some way, without, having to go up against the Phantom Troupe in battle.
Gon pouted at Killua, showing a side to him Daniel rarely ever saw "But why?"
Killua relaxed the back of his left hand against his hip while lifting the right hand simultaneously, choosing each word effortlessly to persuade Gon. To some extent it sounded like Killua was speaking with either a dead-panned attitude or as an emotionless doll, to some extent "With the reward gone, you'd be taking a big risk for nothing."
"Yeah, but capturing the Phantom Troupe would be worth it!"
"Worth what exactly..." Daniel frowned at Gon expertly forgetting about the reward. Gon was dense, but he couldn't be that dense. And Killua couldn't agree more with Daniel "You're getting your priorities mixed up. Have you forgotten why we're here?"
"Greed... Island...?"
Daniel laughed at Gon's unsure answer, but he was pretty sure it was because Killua was in the boy's face, shooting an intense glare.
"Exactly! The southern Piece auction begins in two days. We need to build up our war chest!"
"Actually," As Gon was about to relay his brilliant plan, Daniel was already objecting "OH NO! Last time you two made a brilliant plan I was out by two-hundred million Jenny!"
Gon smiled, awkwardly rubbing the back of his neck as Killua had something to say "Don't lump me in Gon's plan! This time it's Gon's plan... not mine as well!"
"So you don't object to your last failed plan or should I say, double failure..." Daniel raised his eyebrows in a suggest way, eliciting short blush from Killua, much shorter than he had like "N... NO! BAKA! And for that, I'll listen to Gon's plan... and judge him for it..."
Daniel froze in place; it was as if an ice storm just swooped past him only. Rather than achieving his original goal to get Killua to agree to bad judgement plans, Killua was now going to listen to Gon's plans. And if the past warned him about anything, it was Gon's plans are something to worry about. Killua's were bad judgements, where as Gon's were more like disasters waiting to happen.
"Gon...?" Killua rested his hands on his hips, waiting for Gon to continue.
"I have a great plan to get the game."
Killua tilted his head slightly to the side, as if already judging the plan "Which is...?"
"Hmm..." it was as if Gon was thinking of the best way to explain it. But the next few words that came out Gon's mouth did nothing, to soothe Killua's curiosity "It's a secret right now!"
Killua grabbed Gon by the neck, pulling the boy into a deadly headlock. If Killua were to keep this up, he would either crush Gon's neck or make the boy pass out from lack of air "STOP BEING COY, and spit it out..."
If Daniel didn't rush in, he'll be down one friend. Daniel grabbed Killua from under his elbows and pressed so close to the boy, he swore he felt his heart jump for joy "Killua!"
As Daniel tried to pry Killua away, Gon snuck a hand between them and continuously slapped Killua's shoulder "You're... You're strangling me! I'm gonna die!"
"That's what I plan to-"
Daniel managed to wrestle Killua out of his death grip with Gon, barely. Though the moment he wrestle Killua out of the death grip, was the same moment he ended getting a little too close. His lower half ended up rubbing against Killua's backside, which also made him release and jump back in surprise. It was as if a warm, electric feeling ran right through his body, and it scared him. The only comparison he could make at the time was his hand was caught in a bear trap.
Daniel stared intently at his hands, closing them a few times shut before looking back at Killua and Gon as if his hand was really caught in a bear trap. It was a strange, unwanted, and yet somehow a wanted feeing at the same time. He didn't like it... not one bit...
Gon had been coughing during the whole ordeal. He managed to barely catch his breath before smiling with a small sweat drop running down his face "I'll... I'll work something out for the game. So for now, let's stick to the Troupe."
Killua brought his hands up, cracking them a few times as if he was preparing for another choke hold, only this time it would be to the death "Do you really have a plan?"
"Yup... but it's not guaranteed to work."
"How likely are we talking...?"
"Huh...?"
Daniel jumped into the conversation, sputtering only at the start "Kil- Killua, It's a math equation! You don't ask Gon a math equation..."
"I'm not asking him to work it out to the nearest denominator. I'm talking simple..."
Gon was already shooting steaming out of his ears, as if the thought of giving the percentage in a point figure would overload his brain.
"G-Gon, I'm talking whole number! What percentage do you think your plan has of working?"
"Ah... Ahh... Seventy percent..."
Daniel and Killua were shocked at the same time "SEVENTY?!"
"W-Well... more like sixty..."
"SIXTY...? That's still a high chance. We talking low or high six..." Gon starting to steam at the ears, made Daniel retract his question "Never mind..."
A quick roll of Daniel eyes made Killua snicker, though from Gon's smile it looked more like a coin toss chance. He didn't quiet trust Gon's idea, but at the same time the chances of achieving the original goal in time was more than impossible at this point "Okay, have it your way... I'll let you handle the game. But we can't deal with the Troupe-"
Daniel freaked out before Killua finished his statement with a sigh "Alone..."
Daniel released a breath he didn't realise he had been holding, he smiled softly and awkwardly at the same time soon after. He should have known better than to believe Killua was NOT one to go in solo.
Killua this time rolled his eyes at Daniel's smile "We only move if Kurapika helps us, agreed?"
"Okay."
Daniel nodded profusely "Right!"
"~"
During the whole time Gon, Daniel and Killua were conversing; Kurapika took the opportunity to pry more information from his contacts. He learnt very little, if any at all. That left Kurapika with no more information, other than what he had already knew from Hisoka and Melody.
When Killua, Gon and Daniel came back they saw Leorio and Kurapika conversing, which Gon couldn't help but interrupt "Kurapika, let us help you. We're willing to do anything."
Daniel saw a neutral look gracing Killua's face, but he couldn't pin point what exactly the boy was thinking. Was it worry, hope or just a look that's saying this is a stupid idea? Whatever Killua was thinking, he was certainly hoping that Killua stuck around til the end.
Kurapika looked dead serious, yet somehow unsure what he was expecting the boys to say next "The reward was rescinded."
"I know. I want to stop the Phantom Troupe. That hasn't changed."
This is going to end poorly... isn't it...? Daniel so badly wanted to ask Killua the question, but how much would the question sway Kurapika's decision.
"You'd be risking your lives." And I did, sort of promise Vastorie I wouldn't let his son get hurt. But if they agree, I'm sure Daniel has talents which could remove him from harm's way. Kurapika waited for an answer from Gon and the others, but from Gon's look alone, he couldn't argue anymore "Okay, let's put together a plan."
"Uh-huh."
Daniel freaked out, but not from what Kurapika said and Gon agreeing, it was from the look Killua gave him. It held a sense of fear, but not in a danger sense, it was more like an 'oh, shit' look.
"~"
Kurapika broke down the sections of requirements into groups. This was going to be no easy task to pull off. They were dealing with the Phantom Troupe after all "First, we'll need someone to watch their base, and to provide updates."
"I can do that."
Killua... The thought of Killua being the first one in danger both scared, and worried Daniel. This was something he really hoped Killua wouldn't volunteer for, but if he didn't who would? Killua is the best for this position, and Kurapika came in at a close second. But Kurapika was needed for something else, something more important, the capture of the members.
"The target is the woman named Pakunoda. You can ignore everyone else."
"Okay."
That sounds easy enough... now all that's left to assign positions to Leorio, Gon and myself.
"Be very careful..."
Before Killua could even respond, Daniel had to say something else as well. He felt a few feelings muddling up his thoughts, like a room full of doors. And he had no idea which door led to where or which one he should even open. One thing for certain did scare him, whichever door he opened next; he really hoped Killua was waiting on the other side. The thought of losing Killua hurt him the most and it was a feeling he was really scared about "Killua... PLEASE be careful. You mean a lot to me..." He didn't think anything by it from what he just said, maybe it was because Daniel was absent-minded at the time, or maybe it held a second meaning which Daniel was yet to figure out.
"Wh... What...?" Killua was mortified, and blushing profusely at the same time.
Daniel however was confused. Did he say something his mind didn't register?
Killua took the boy's confusion at face value, and he knew that pressing the topic would only make the situation worse. At least to him "W... Well, you don't have to worry. I won't push my luck."
Daniel raised an eyebrow and looked towards Gon. The boy held a thumb up which Daniel was yet to figure out the reason for. Achievement Unlocked... Confused as fuck! What exactly did I just say...? I was so focused on my feelings, it felt like word vomit. I only said for Killua to be careful... didn't I?
Kurapika coughed in to his hand when it didn't look like Daniel understood what he had just asked, or the boy completely forgot what the second half was "Well, I'll need a driver to accompany me. Leorio, could you can handle that?"
"HUH...? Y-Yeah..." Leorio adjusted his glasses after his major freak out, acting all cool like nothing had happened "Sure..."
Killua smiled in glee "It's all good. No cop would think to stop you."
"Wh-What's that supposed to mean?!"
"Give it a few years." Killua smiled, showing off his trademark cat-like expression whenever he was hiding a secret "Anyways, you'll be fine with Kurapika nearby."
"HEY, Killua... Don't you dare make it sound like I was scared or something!"
Daniel snickered at Leorio as Gon jumped in, concerned about his role in this entire play "Kurapika, what about me?"
"I need you to act as a decoy, to throw the enemy off."
Gon nodded, understanding the request made to him "Got it."
And that leaves me... There's no way I can be a decoy...
Daniel hummed without complaint, waiting for a dreaded situation where he'll be forced to confront the troupe. But if one were to look in the boy's eyes at that very moment, fear would have been clouding them.
Kurapika massaged his chin at Daniel. Placing that boy is going to be hard. He made a promise with the boy's father, and he could see the evident fear in his eyes. From what Kurapika knows, Daniel is a Manipulator, probably like his father. Maybe Daniel would have skills in negotiation.
When Kurapika was thinking of what task to give Daniel, Killua interrupted; disliking Gon's main objective "Hold on! Isn't that a dangerous role? He'll have to face the Troupe members again!"
"That depends on our strategy."
Killua's argument was shut down in a matter of seconds, and even the boy was surprised by Kurapika "Strategy? What strategy will we use?"
"A very simple one..."
Daniel raised a curious eyebrow, questioning the boy for how 'simple' it's going to be "How simple are we talking...? Are we going to drive past and nab the girl while she's walking in the street?"
Kurapika frowned slightly at the thought. Though he wouldn't disagree with that plan being simple too "No... While the enemy is occupied with Gon, I'll capture Pakunoda and escape by car."
"Uh... Huh..."Daniel didn't agree with that plan. The plan would be impossible to pull off, unless by some miracle only one other person is accompanying her at the time "Sounds impossible with the enemy we're are facing..."
"Agreed..." Killua fumed, having agreed with Daniel so many times in a single night. This couldn't have been good for his mental thoughts "That sounds awfully shaky..."
"There are too many uncertainties for me to devise a concrete plan. I'll let Gon decide his strategy. But I'll need you to draw their attention for at least half a second. A full second if at all possible..."
Going by what Kurapika is requesting, it sounds easy to pull off. The problem would be the demands from the tasks at hand. Each step sounded easy, but the obstacles would be hard, and the requirement just as worse.
"One second, then?"
"Yes..."
That... is going to be hard... "Gon," Daniel focused his attention on the boy he was calling out to "This isn't going to be easy... you do know this, right?"
Gon looked down, keeping quiet as he let his imagination run wild. Given the circumstances, Gon had to think of a fool-proof-plan that would lead the group to victory. The three of them had seen the Phantom Troupe in action, and they knew first hand, that one second would be hard to pull off.
"Gon, you are the key. Can you handle it?"
Gon looked up at Kurapika, focusing only on the older boy. He couldn't lie in this situation. And the task required from him would be difficult at best "I'm not sure. I'll need to think about it."
Kurapika looked up at the clock, checking the time "We have six hours. If the auction proceeds as scheduled, the spiders will make their move before then."
For a split second, Killua looked at Gon. Clearly the boy didn't want Gon to jump into the situation unprepared "Hey, two questions."
"Hmm...?"
"First, what is Daniel's role? And second, why are you accepting our help now?"
Daniel ran a hand through his hair, sighing in defeat. He was really hoping he would escape being thrust into the situation. But Killua and Gon was already knee deep. He might as well join the fight. Whatever Kurapika recommended, he would agree to, no matter how difficult.
Kurapika sighed at the situation, even right now, placing Daniel was difficult. The fear was evident in the boy's eyes, and deep down he knew Daniel dreaded the requirements placed on him, and then there was also the request from Daniel's Father, Vastorie "The risk I'm taking has increased. I have to eliminate Pakunoda immediately. No matter the cost..."
Daniel flinched at what Kurapika said last. Did that include friends as well? He hoped that Gon, Killua, Leorio and himself weren't a part of the costs. Though, Gon speaking up seemed to justify the costs "Kurapika, put a Nen blade in me!"
Kurapika freaked out, followed by a delayed reaction from Daniel. Daniel's mind was thinking so much that his mind felt like he was half listening, or that the conversation around him had been sped up "YOU... You can't be serious!"
Killua couldn't help but argue as well "A Nen blade? What for...?"
Leorio cut into the conversation, thoroughly disagreeing with Gon's main objective, even if he didn't know to what extent the boy wished the blade for "Gon, weren't you listening? Kurapika will die if he attacks anyone who isn't a Troupe member!"
"KEEP your voice down!"
Gon was about to speak but Daniel couldn't help but object to the whole scenario "Wrong, Leorio!"
"HUH?"
"Indoor voices... think about it! Kurapika is not a member of the Phantom Troupe. So stabbing himself with the blade would be a direct violation to the ability in use. That combined with the fact, Kurapika created all his abilities to only be used against the Spiders would leave him in a weakened state. The weakened state being all his Hatsus are designed to be used against only one enemy. If Kurapika were to go against anyone other than a spider, he would have no other abilities to defend himself, correct?"
Leorio's jaw dropped to the floor from Daniel's information overload "Wh... What?"
"I'll break it down... for the slower man.
One, Kurapika is not a Phantom Troupe member.
Two, He has a NEN blade pointed at his heart, which is apparently designed to be used only on Phantom Troupe members.
Three, he works for a mafia group, and I'm sure they would have had a rigorous exam lined up to test everyone's strengths and abilities.
Four, using the last three points... How would Kurapika achieve anything, if all his abilities are only to be used on one group of enemies...?
Oh, and FIVE... why would you love to have a Nen blade pointed at your heart Gon?!"
Gon determination faltered, instead turning into a pout. Daniel was expecting Gon to fizz up at all the questions, but the boy surprised him "I was going to ask that! Well..." Gon surprisingly held a hand to the back of his head, rubbing it slowly as if he were about to apologise "I was only going to ask why Kurapika had a Nen blade in his chest... but I guess the other questions are important too..."
"What about five...?"
"Ehh...?"
Daniel's eyebrow twitched at Gon's reaction. Did he miss the fifth point, or would he only answer it as soon as Kurapika answered the four above points.
Daniel let out a deep sigh before waving off the fifth point "Beside the fifth point, something about Kurapika's abilities has been bugging me. There was a major contradiction which, I have been mulling in the back of my mind for a while now... How can one exist, without contradicting others...?"
The older boy shared a look between Gon and Daniel. Clearly the two boys had been paying attention. Somehow Daniel managed to show a bit of his father's side in that moment, the way he would pick on certain cue points. If anyone was contradicting themselves, Daniel was certainly doing it right now. Daniel wished he was more like Vastorie, and he showed a side to him which ironically, resembled Vastorie "What I'm about to tell you will increase my risk further."
Leorio stood up after a second, sighing deeply "Okay. Hey, Killua... Daniel..."
"Uh uh... I'm staying to hear this... and Gon's immediate response..."
Killua shared a look between Gon and Daniel. Somehow, he didn't believe Daniel to an extent. It was like Daniel had ulterior motives to hearing what Gon and Kurapika were about to discuss. Then again, Daniel could only be focused on Gon's end of the discussion. Killua focused on Gon, wondering if the boy would give a signal saying he wanted him to drag Daniel out as well.
Gon nodded towards Killua, offering a smile.
It didn't look like Gon was objecting to Daniel staying, and Daniel wouldn't be forced into a position where everything he's about to learn would be a threat. With a sigh, Killua got up, following after Leorio.
Once the two had left, Kurapika looked towards Daniel "Are you sure?"
Daniel nodded towards Kurapika, begging the boy to continue with a silent nod.
Kurapika then turned to face Gon, speaking to him as if he was the main catalyst to this conversation "I'll start with the conclusion. It is indeed possible. The five chains have different abilities. Two of these chains are for attacking spiders. The first is Chain Jail. The bond target is forced into a state of Zetsu. This power is for capturing the spiders."
Kurapika tugged on the chain attached to his finger, pulling a cross out from under his sleeve. It was an unusual design, resembling a small dagger with a cross for a handle "And this is my Judgement Chain. I point a blade at the target's heart, then state rules they must follow. If a rule is broken, the target dies."
Daniel nodded during the whole time, pieces falling into a place that resembled a way better picture than earlier. Kurapika had set contingencies, allowing his abilities so far to carry another if one were to fall. Chain Jail was like a cage, designed so that none of the prisoners could escape, but the main draw back from Kurapika's earlier points would suggest if Chain Jail were to be used on anyone besides the prisoners, in this case the Spiders, the guard would has serious repercussions.
Next came the Judgement Chain, the executioner and warden to the Chain Jail. If Daniel were to paint a clear picture Judgement Chain is the sole reason why Chain Jail's repercussions were so high.
"As you've figured out, I pointed a blade at my own heart. At first, I devised the rule that I would die if I attacked anyone besides a spider with my chains, and set a blade pointed at myself. But that was when I realized something. Would using them on myself be considered a violation of the rule?"
Daniel spoke out, saying his piece "Would the ruler be breaking the rules he set in place...?"
Kurapika nodded at Daniel before continuing "But, would I be an exception? I didn't know for sure."
Daniel wrapped a hand around his chin, slowly rubbing it in contempt. All of these are valuable pieces of information which could serve as a foundation to him when it came to devising the best possible Hatsu for himself. Would the King be executed for breaking his ow rules...?
"That's why I adjusted the rule. I can only use Chain Jail against the spiders... meaning that I can use my Judgement Chain on those who aren't spiders. But first, a condition must be met."
Daniel's ears perked up, speaking almost in sync with Gon:
"What condition...?"
"A condition...?"
"This chain can only be used when my eyes are scarlet."
"You can make your eyes scarlet now?"
Daniel gulped when Kurapika's eyes changed colour. The thought of Kurapika's eyes being beautiful jewels crossing his mind. They were a rich, blood-red, gleaming with a few colours between like little stars. They were like watching the night sky with a blood-red hue. It was both terrifying and exotic at the same time. They were a testament to Kurapika's training.
Though, the weirdest thought came right after. Daniel for some reason felt really guilty, and the only thing crossing his mind at the time was Killua. Why did Killua cross his mind in that moment... maybe it was an eye thing seeing as Daniel saw Killua's eyes originally being beautiful. Then again, Killua's eyes didn't terrify him like Kurapika's eyes did. It was another strange thought that left Daniel speechless. Why was Killua invading his mind so much lately?
"I had to work at it. It took a while before I could deliberately turn them scarlet. I mastered the power in my middle finger by vowing to never release this chain, and to always risk death. The power in my pinkie was resolved by my unique nature. When my eyes are scarlet, I become a Specialist. And I can use any ability I've learned at full strength."
Gon blinked, slowly looking between Kurapika's hand and face "I'm not sure-"
Daniel cut in before Gon could finish his sentence "That gives me a better picture. I assumed you were a Conjurer by your ability, but the statuses and effects of your two chains fall under different categories. Specialists' removes the barriers between the other five, creating a whole different world for them to express themselves... Damn, now I wish I was a Specialist..."
Gon shook his head at Daniel "What I really wanted to know was if Kurapika can be able to use his Nen blade on me. Can you do it, Kurapika?"
Daniel blinked at Gon. His mind was focusing on other areas while Gon was focused on the sole reason for this conversation.
"Yes..."
Gon pointed towards his heart without hesitation "Go ahead. You can choose the rule to set."
Daniel really didn't know what to think about this. Gon still wanted to go through with it, yet Daniel didn't know if this was something he should join in as well.
"I accept your resolve." Kurapika slowly reached for his hand.
Killua and Leorio jumped out from behind the couch, startling the three on the couch. Even Daniel was surprised enough to let out a little yelp in surprise. When did those two sneak past without anyone noticing.
Killua spoke calmly, as if he had been listening during the whole conversation "Can you make four of those blades?"
Leorio couldn't help but make an assumption soon after. You can remove the rule once our mission is over, right?"
Daniel freaked out. Why was Killua suggesting four of them? Did he automatically assume Daniel wouldn't object to the thought of having a blade inside him? Guarantee there was no escape, but the thought of having a tiny blade inside, which could kill him at any given moment, terrified him more than the boy's galaxy red eyes.
"Killua! Leorio!"
Leorio smiled as he looked at Killua for affirmation "We had a little talk. And since we're working together..."
"We should share the same fate."
Daniel's eyebrows furrowed. He didn't like the idea of being lumped together in a mass suicide commitment, but the thought of losing Killua and Gon made him keep his mouth shut.
"What do you say?"
Kurapika sighed, having his judgment pushed so much to the limit in a single night is a terrifying thought to how much the others cared about him. Surely, this was a domino effect, Gon being the main trigger "The answer to both questions is yes. But you four are wholly mistaken. I never had any intention of using my blade on you guys."
Gon didn't like this outcome "Then why endanger yourself by telling us your secret?"
Kurapika smiled, looking sincerely into the boy's eyes "Gon, I wanted... No, I wanted to thank all of you for your resolve. However, even if one of you ends up revealing my secret, I will have no regrets."
Daniel was soon smiling alongside Kurapika. The boy thought of his friends as an unbreakable chain, and even if one of them where to loosen in the future, he wouldn't regret what happens next. A friend is more important, than an unbreakable rule to protect his life.
"I have good friends..."
Daniel saw Killua look away with a slight blush, but one of the pieces of the puzzle remains lost. What about him...? Was there anything he could do for the group?
But before Daniel could ask, Gon cut in, pouting like he had lost at a game "That's not fair, Kurapika. You're putting more pressure on us this way."
"Speaking of Pressure..." Daniel raised a curious eyebrow "I'm still the only one who doesn't have a required task..."
Kurapika smiled at Gon, first addressing the boy "That was my goal."
"Oh, I get it now!"
"Now, Daniel..." Kurapika had this thought at the back of his mind, and he wanted to really test a theory out. If Daniel was secretly as cunning as Vastorie, surely the boy needed a simple push to get the ball rolling "How about... you... deal with the negotiations."
Everyone's jaw, except for Gon dropped "WHAT?!"
"I think that would best suit your abilities. You, do not give yourself as much credit. You have a similar, if not a really close thinking pattern to Vastorie."
"Wait, you met his dad?!"
Kurapika nodded in affirmation to Killua question "He would suit the job task at hand best. If not, I could always take over..."
Daniel gulped, this was a major job, the second hardest, Gon's being first. Once Pakunoda has been captured, the Phantom Troupe will head as a pack of rabid animal after them. Someone would have to both sedate, and navigated to a solution so everyone wins. Daniel didn't know what to think, but the thought of Kurapika saying the job would best suit him, filled the boy with determination and an unrelenting drive to prove himself to the others "I'll do it! If you think I could beat my dad, I won't give up, no matter what!"
Gon smiled as well as Kurapika, seeing Daniel like this made them happy, happy to see a boy in a state without fear, and willing to prove himself to others.
Daniel looked at Killua, smiling widely at the boy. He really wanted to prove to the boy he wasn't weak, and if Daniel could make this work, he could use this ability later in the future, ultimately saving Gon and Killua.
"Well," Killua awkwardly rubbed the nape of his neck "I'll head out, then. We can't waste any time."
"Be careful, Killua!"
Killua stopped for a moment, ears lightly flushing at the thought of both Gon and Daniel worrying about him "Ye... Yeah, I got this."
As Killua left, Daniel waved at the boy even though he probably wouldn't have seen it. Daniel shook his head, smiling like a dork from what had transpired. And with a new motivation to help guide him, he'll hope he does a fine job at showing the others what his made of. And maybe in the future, he can keep the promise he made to his sister, Zaikaria.
He'll protect Killua no matter what...
Now is the time he cannot be scared any longer...
It's do or die and now Daniel has been given a chance...
He'll rather die trying, than give up and not try at all...
