Chapter 7: Explore x Info x Link

'Hunters' - Thoughts

"Are Made" - Normal Speech

[To Be]- Phone/Comms

| Truly free | - Narration

"Ugghhh...I'm bored!" Ruby exclaimed as she opened the door. Walking inside and slumping down onto the bed given to the students living in Beacon.

"Entertain me."

"Ruby...you know this isn't your dorm right? Why do you keep barging in?" Chrollo said as he looked away from his book and saw the little reaper still slumped on Machi's bed on the other side of the room.

"I think the bigger question, is how does she keep opening the door. I remember locking it." Feitan said as he looked from the corner desk as he was adjusting his umbrella.

"Because! I've already barged in on JNPR's dorm. Mine. But never your guy's before." She said as she looked up from the bed as she noticed Team CMPS dorm. Perplexed how it was clean yet clearly identifiable with everyone's own customization to their part of the room.

Feitan's bed and side was with a lot of dark fabrics and posters, along with some weird books and a few game cartridges and a game system on his bed. Machi's was rather normal, but surprised by the fact she had pink and purple sheets along with a few plushies and some sewing needles around her nightstand.

'Wow...I never expected Machi...to be so girly!?' She thought as she sneaked her hand closer to one of the plushies.

"You touch them. And Machi will kill you. Also, kill you if you say anything about how girly she is." Feitan warned as Ruby immediately brought her hand back and continued looking around the room.

Shalnark's side and bed were with many books and electronic parts. Alongside a small laptop closed shut and had some headphones around one of the bedposts. And lastly, was Chrollo's. His side was towered with books on and to the side of his bed. Along with having some knives and a medicine kit by the floor.

"Why is it that you guys have cooler stuff in your room, but still are studying or something boring?!" Ruby exclaimed as both Chrollo and Feitan looked briefly at one another.

"Because this is fine for us."

"It's boring! I wanna play your games…" Ruby said as she went over to Shalnark's side and immediately grabbed the game system and started to play it.

"I doubt you'll be bored for much longer. We're doing a field trip in two days for Professor Peach. And Phinks and Pakunoda were in charge of certain arrangements." Chrollo stated as he smiled. Knowing that had gotten her attention.

"We are? What are we gonna do? What arrangements were made?" Ruby asked as she fired off her questions.

"Teams mix up. We'll be paired up with other people outside our normal team." Feitan responded as he walked over to his side of the room and sat on his bed. Setting the umbrellas to sit against the wall.

"Oh thats pretty neat. Though...hopefully I don't get paired with anyone in Team CRDL. Or Hisoka." Ruby said as she looked away from Chrollo and Feitan, giving her weird looks.

Well, in the case of Feitan it was more a look of understanding.

"Seems a bit harsh don't you think?"

"Well...he just seems a bit off...and a bit ominous? I think that's the word to best use him. Plus Yang was SUPER protective of me with Hisoka after your fight and he was glowing for some reason."

'Ahh...that's probably it…' Feitan and Chrollo thought, given how battle hungry he is.

"Hisoka's not a bad guy if you get to know him. Sure, he's a bit of a trickster, but he's alright."

"You give Hisoka too much credit boss."

"Just saying. You all should get along with him and Illumi more."

"Illumi...Oh! That pale tall quiet guy! Yeah..he seems a bit shy to be honest and kinda reserved don't you think?" Ruby said as she scratched her cheek at the thought of being paired with the assassin.

"Hmm. I suppose there's truth in that regard. But, I think it's best you get back to your room and get set for the trip."

"Awww….why!?"

"Well for one, you didn't know about it and you need supplies if we're going to Forever Falls. And two, Shalnark and Machi are on their way back, and they'll be pissed. Especially since you're messing with his game and saw Machi's plushie collection."

"Ohwowlookatthetimebettergo!" Ruby said as she tossed the game back on the bed and zoomed out of the room in a cluster of rose petals.

"We didn't ask about Belladonna. Shouldn't we have asked about her? It's been five days. Paku should have some insight of her by now." Feitan asked as Chrollo closed his book and looked out the window.

"There's no doubt that Paku's doing her job. But I asked her not to engage too much."

"Why is that?"

"Because...I'll have my own talk with her in two days. Or in the case we aren't paired, she'll be coming for me."

| The day of the Forever Falls trip had arrived. As the freshmen class of Porfessor Peach now landed in the clearing of Forever Falls, they stood silently as their instructors attending her called to them. |

"Now. While this is a class trip. Keep in mind of your objective. Each of you are required to fill two jars worth of sap. If you wish to collect some for your own personal use then report your jars back here first." Glynda spoke out as she pointed to the cases of empty jars by the side.

"While here, it's also an opportunity to better get to know one another. So with the agreement of Professor Goodwitch and assisted by Shizuku Murasaki, you'll be partnered up randomly with members outside your teams." Phinks said as many of the students groaned and complained.

"Shut the hell up you brats! Listen. If you're in a position where you have to work with someone else, this will give you experience in encountering other partners! So shut your bitching!"

"As crude as that is...Mr. Phinks is correct. Failure to comply and I will have Professor Peach deduct your grade and serve detention." Glynda added in as that silenced everyone.

"Thank you Glynda. Now, I'll be listing off your names. So pay attention and group up as soon as I call you ang get your jars." Phinks said as he listed off names one by one. The large crowd slowly gets smaller and smaller.

'Now is the time...Hisoka.' Chrollo said as he looked over to Hisoka as he nodded. Both of them shifted in the crowd as they soon were near Blake.

"Forever Falls...you think Beacon set up protocols for the area? I mean, odds are we do run into Grimm. But what about terrorists?" Hisoka said nonchalantly as both he and Chrollo saw Blake's bow twitching.

"Ah...yes. They should have some security or defenses against those criminals. They wrecked an entire settlement and failed on that train incident. I'm surprised Atlas didn't even respond until it was too late." Chrollo said as he noticed Blake's ears twitching more.

"I know it's not right to group Faunus with them, but honestly, what would you do in the case they did arrive?"

"Same as you in most cases, I'd probably just kill them." Chrollo said in a lower voice. As he and Hisoka smirked as Blake's ears became stiff upward.

"By the way...they said that one of them escaped the incident before it caused that mess in Sucrose Pine. Rumor has it that the member is still on the run and caused that incident."

"Are they now...guess I have another target to look for."

"Hisoka! Chrollo! Pay attention, the both of you!" Phinks said as both ceased their talk as their job was done.

"Now where was...ah! Nora Valkyrie and Hisoka Morow! Get your jars and start heading off." Phinks said as many were shocked that Nora was paired with the worst and potentially dangerous student of all.

"Woo-hooo! Awesome! This is gonna be so much fun! Please treat me good field partner!" Nora said as she smiled at Hisoka as she had several jars in her hand as Hisoka smiled.

"My my~ Energetic aren't we! Wow you're quite the treat~ A pleasure to work with you Miss Valkyrie." Hisoka said as both of them shook hands and started walking their way to a part of the forest.

"Oh hey! You think when we're done we can hunt some Grimm! I wanna smash some of them and ride one into battle!"

"Only if I can stack them up like a card tower~"

"Ohhhh! You got a deal! Let's make it a big tower that we can topple down when we ride an Ursa through it!"

Chrollo smiled as he leaned near Ren and nudged his shoulder.

"Looks like she's Hisoka's type. And seems like she's taking quite the liking to him as well. You should move before it's too late Ren." Chrollo said as the ever stoic Lie Ren stuttered and became redder than the leaves of the trees.

"Chrollo and Joan. Come and get your jars." Phinks said as Chrollo looked at Joan and sighed. Both getting their jars and headed off deeper in the woods. With Joan leading the way as both walked in silence.

'Sorry boss...didn't even want either of you two so much as near each other. This plan sortta backfired on us. But take this as a sign. Get info from her otherwise they'll know who you really are.' Phinks thought as he saw Chrollo's back walking pass the woods.

But also saw his hand moving behind his back. Signaling him a peace sign as he knew what Phinks meant.

'Stuck in the woods with my sister I haven't seen in six years. Who's now trying to look for me for who knows why aside for family reasons.' Chrollo thought bluntly as he looked around the forest as Joan took the lead still.

"Say...wouldn't any of these trees do for the assignment? I mean, we are walking further away from base when we could have just done it there." Chrollo said in feint questioning. Knowing what she was really doing.

"Well I just think we could use a bit of distance from our teams you know. This is meant to be a group activity with different partners. So if our teammates are around us that would defeat the purpose." Joan stated as kindly as she could.

"I see. That makes sense. Otherwise Nora would probably bug all of us." 'And the fact you and Yang probably thought this through. Getting me away from the others to try and interrogate me.'

"So Chrollo, I know you said you wouldn't tell me where Jaune is. Or even tell me if you knew. But could you tell me more about him?" Joan asked as she climbed over some large roots to the other side.

"I'm afraid I can't say. Even any information of Jaune's wearabouts in the past won't be much help finding him. Believe me, other Hunters have tried that and several dozen methods." Chrollo said as he smiled when he heard Joan 'tsk' in irritation.

"Well...could you tell me about the Hunter Association?"

"That's fine. It's a lot more complex so I'll just summarize the basis of it. It was founded by your brother and several others six years ago, with the goal in mind to provide more ranged jobs and field work for people. Along with also advancing humanity." Chrollo said as Joan looked confused at that last part.

"Advancing humanity? Like, with science and technology."

"Yes, though there's more to it than that. Medical prowess, ruins, history, restoration of the old and new. Tell me, have you ever explored or visited any of the other cities in Vale? Or even around Remnant?" He asked as Joan had a thoughtful expression.

"Well...Mistral a few times in the capital. And mostly in Patch and in the Mistral and Vale wilderness when my family would have us go on a camping trip." She replied as Chrollo brought out his phone and tossed it hard at the tree. Surprising her as it didn't break as he flipped it open.

"See...other cities and towns are more advanced in technology of everyday use. If you did that to your scroll, it will break. While my phone didn't. The scroll is advanced. I'll give Atlas that. But with advancements comes frailty. "

"If that's the case then why can't the Association help other cities and kingdoms advance?"

"And humor me with this next question, why hasn't most of Remnant's kingdoms advanced?" Chrollo asked as Joan stood in silence.

"The main decision to advance anything large, must be taken up with the Council of Remnant for your Kingdoms to get approval. Normally there'd be news announcements and reasons why the advancements are made or not. But however...there's one factor that holds the most power in your system's voting party."

"Holds more...Atlas? Atlas is restricting the Association?" Joan said in shock as Chrollo pointed a finger upward and then towards her.

"You get it now. More or less it's Atlas that doesn't want the Hunters Association to be more involved with world changing affairs, despite being in your crap governing council. Atlas and the SDC would lose millions or even billions. And Ironwood's precious military would be worthless."

"What is this...denying advancement because of money and military value…" Joan said in disbelief as her eyes twitched in annoyance as Chrollo got one of the jars and began to collect sap.

"Well there's more issues than that. But you got the basics of it down. But honestly I just think its Ironwood trying to make this all into a dick measuring contest. Though ironic since apparently he's half robot and probably doesn't have one."

"Ewww! Did you have to word it like that?!" Joan shouted in disgust at the thought.

"But it's not just tech Atlas is stopping. Do you ever ask, why haven't you heard of the Hunter Exam before?" He said as her eyes widened.

"That's right. They're also trying to hide a lot of information. Some even related to the Association and even trying to hide any details about your brother, Jaune Arc. But the issue with them..is they can't shut down the one place where all Hunters get exclusive info."

"Wait. What place!? Tell me!" Joan asked as Chrollo soon closed the lid of his jar full of sap and inspected it.

The jar was then spilling its contents from the sides, until the upper half of it fell off diagonally. The red sap now seeping down his hand as he looked to his side. Seeing Joan's sword pointed to him as her glare was ice cold.

"Tell me or I'll aim for your throat next."

"...You're collecting me a jar for that. What is it with women being so hasty to things they want or assume when people are still talking." Chrollo said as he wiped off the sap from his hand.

"Talk!"

"If you aim for my throat, then I won't talk. I'll be dying and gasping for air while drowning in blood."

"How can you say that so calmly!?" Joan yelled in irritation as Chrollo moved to one of the other Jars and began to fill it up.

"Even if I tell you. There's requirements you'll need. Some easy and some difficult. And I just have this nagging feeling, that you aren't the only one looking for info. So whoever is joining you in searching for something. It's not going to be enough."

"I'll worry about that when I get to it. Where is this place where Atlas isn't holding Hunter Information?" Joan said as Chrollo stood up and swatted the sword away. Joan sheathed it back in as he brushed off his shirt.

"Well it isn't a physical location. It's actually a website. Designed and operated for Hunters only. So you'd need a computer and a Hunter License. And even then you need the website's URL." Chrollo said as Joan looked at him, absorbing this info given to her.

"So a license and the URL. Then-"

"Given the fact that you just held a sword to my throat and tried to decapitate me. And already ruined one of my jars and the fact you're trying to look for your brother, well...use your head. Would I even be willing to help you. Idiot." Chrollo immediately shot her down as she bit her lip.

"Also. Even if you do get the website URL and someone with a license, your biggest issue is the pricing."

"Pricing...they charge for information on that site? Seems kinda sketchy." She said bluntly.

"Call it what you want. But the information and anything on that site is true. It holds many information on anything you're trying to look for or anyone. But it's not for free. People do risk their lives for this sort of information."

"Alright...thanks. And sorry about the jar. I'll be sure to do yours." Joan said as she grabbed hers and went to the tree next to him.

"Hold on just a second. Seeing as I answered all your idiotic request and questions let me ask you something. Say if you did find your brother, what then? What do you hope would happen?" Chrollo asked as Joan froze in her place.

"Do you believe he'll just return to you? Be part of your happy little family? And then what about you, drop out of Beacon. If memory recalled, it was said that your family rejected and destroyed his dreams to be a Huntsmen. So to see you, get accepted to one of the top schools for Huntsmen, to only then leave it all behind. Well…" Chrollo stopped as he saw Joan.

She was trembling. Her hands dropped the glass jars as they landed softly on the grass. He could see her fingers trembling and her breathing grew more. As he watched, he could faintly hear her mumbling something. Being along the lines of 'don't leave' and 'lose again'.

'Lose again...seems something that she knows more about me. The first part could be when I left the family...but there's a chance it could be connected.' Chrollo thought as he snapped his fingers. Getting her attention again.

"Do you have an answer to everything if you even do find him?"

"..N-No..I don't know. I have no idea what I would do after I found him. All I do know..is that I'm going to bring him home. With my mom, dad and all my sisters and be a family again. It might take time, but we're willing to try to get things back to normal." Joan said as she looked back at Chrollo, with fire in her eyes.

Chrollo closed his eyes as he looked up into the vast sky, shaded and covered partly along the tree lines.

"Normality being the main fiction all see in their life. Along with joy, pain, sorrow and strife. When one breaks from this dissolution. Restitution is not within reach and attain. Rather normality and the sane, breaks a man to insanity."

"A..poem?"

"Written by Oum De Monty. A philosopher and poet of the early century. Who often questioned the meaning of a life and what is considered to be abnormal in the eye. His philosophy being which if all life is the same, day in and day out of the same thing, then it's no better to just kill yourself. Doing the same thing over and over is just insanity."

Chrollo looked over to her as he handed over his filled jar. She took it as with her own in her hands as Chrollo leaned back against one of the trees.

"If you're trying so hard to put what you say is normal. Then you'll be risking yourself of your own sanity. If you fail and keep trying again and again with the same thing. Then you won't even remember your true goal. If it doesn't work, find a better way. Or just give up. There's no shame in that."

"...I'll be back with an extra jar. And, thanks. For your weird advice from some poem." She said bitterly as she walked back into the woods. Making her way back to the clearing as Chrollo saw her body disappearing in the woods.

"Maybe you should join her and Yang on their search hunting? Hell, maybe Pyrrha will join if she wants to find some sort of weakness to Hisoka. Oh, but that wouldn't work well for you will it? Worried they'll learn about you more?" Chrollo called out as he saw the blade now embedded in the tree by his neck.

Looking above the tree branches he saw her. Arm extended out as she hopped down. Crouched as she then stood back up. Pulling the band on the weapon to bring it back in her arm as she now turned it to a gun and pointed at him.

"What do you know of the White Fang?" She called out as she leered her golden eyes at Chrollo's callm orbs.

"And why are you interested in such an Organization? Admittedly, some people are interested in stopping them and claiming the reward for each member they bring in. But from your eyes you're not interested in any of that, Blake."

"It's none of your business. What have they been up to? Do you know anything about the incidents a few days ago in vale?" She demanded as then she was tossed back to a tree.

Her back slammed as leaves fell down. Dropping her weapon in pain as then she opened her eyes after wincing. Going wide as she saw Crollo's face close to hers. His knife pointed at her open midriff and his foot resting on the side of the tree, enclosing her in.

"None of my business? Is that right? Just like it's none of your Team's business to know what you really are? Who you really are? That's quite hypocritical...dear princess." He said with a lower voice, sounding more dark and in command as her ears twitched upward and her mouth opened in shock.

"Running away as usual? First from your daddy and mommy. Not wanting to handle responsibilities. Joining the Fang, on the run from all the crimes you've committed. And then when that got old, you decided to run and abandon them and your partner as well."

"Shut up…"

"Normally I would just brush you off. But, you're the one responsible for the Sucrose Pine incident. You killed so many innocent people that day because you were a coward."

"That isn't true! Shut up and tell me what you know!"

Chrollo then grabbed her by the neck and began to choke her. Pulling at her arms until an audible 'POP' sounded on both arms. They were now dislocated out of their shoulder sockets. His leg now adding pressure onto hers as she slumped down on the tree.

"You think you're in any position to demand anything from me? I could easily kill you now and make it so as if Grimm killed you...but technically, I'm not putting you in any harm. I have rules to follow. And since you attacked first, this actually benefits me more."

"R-Rules? What rules!? Did the Fang sent you-"

"As if I would work with your former organization. No, I'm on the hunt for them. Settlements I've built. People I helped raise and nurture the best I can. Sending money to them in need. I've been creating settlements, cities and towns for people with nothing or that have lost so much because of Grimm and the White Fang." He said as he eyes widened at what he was talking about.

"But your former organization kept coming. Still tormenting those cities and trying to recruit people by force when they just want a happy life. And just as when my group found the ones responsible and part of that incident. Killing them all until the last one sang like a canary bird. We found you out." He said as tears fell from his eyes. But no expression was on his face.

"I want to kill you…"

"You...killed all of those members? Why would you do that!? They were misguided! They just wanted equality!"

"I want to kill you."

"They could have been liberated if they left. All we have to do is stop Adam and that's it! They can be free and still do good."

"And what will that good do to the thousands you and others killed that day!" Chrollo shouted as she flinched back from him. Chrollo was breathing heavily as he slowed his breathing and dried his tears.

"You and those idiots never think ahead. You were eavesdropping. I just asked for future plans. Say you do 'stop' Adam. What about others like him? What about the people he's killed?" Chrollo asked as Blake didn't say anything.

"You can't. A man like Adam Tarus, needs to be killed and made an example of. And everyone else that follows him."

"No! I'm not gonna let you kill him! I won't have the Fang die!" Blake yelled as she struggled to get away. But the pressure on her leg grew more heavier.

"Listen to yourself. Don't let the Fang die? Are you still loyal to your organization? Or...oh! OH! It's Adam isn't it. You and him were a thing. That makes sense. Was he a good guy in the past. Caring? Kind? Before he turned what he is now?" He said as he picked her off her feet and popped her shoulders back.

Blake was getting the feeling in her arms back as she tried to get her weapon, but her hands caught by his.

"If you try and get in our way, then soon, I'll kill you. But if you're so desperate to try to find Adam before me. Then here's a bit of advice...The Dust robberies are only a front. And soon that's not all they're planning to steal and do."

"What's the catch? I know that you can't harm me. You just said it yourself. What's stopping me from telling Ms. Goodwitch and Mr. Phinks or other staff members?" Blake said as she glared at him. While rapidly thinking in her mind.

'Chrollo Lucilfer...he and his group killed those in the warehouses. Who else is with him. Shalnark doesn't look the type to join him. Machi...she's a 50/50. I can never read her right. Feitan is definitely on board with this man and actions. But where else have I heard his name before…' She thought before her attention was brought back to him putting away his knife.

"You try telling others about me. And I won't be afraid to leak everything about you to the whole school. Or even to all the Kingdoms and the Hunters Association. They'll put a nice price on your head. And then nowhere is safe for you."

"So a target on my back world wide…" Blake muttered.

"Oh. But that's not all. I'll tell Ruby alot about you. And that's just plain cruel on your part." He said as she looked confused.

"Imagine it. Innocent sweet little Ruby. Hearing what her teammate has been hiding all this time. Wondering why? Until revealed you never thought of her as a leader. You were an enemy to her all this time. The tears shedding on her face. Her stumble to depression. You would be the one to break her confidence as a leader and ruin her dream."

"You bastard!" Blake said as she held her weapon in it's blade mode as Chrollo held up a finger and wagged it.

"No no no. Can't have me telling her right? So, why don't we just pretend nothing happened here and keep it like that?"

"You ASS-"

Before Blake could yell at him. They soon fett the floor rumbling below their feet. The sound of trees collapsing and falling in the woods. And what appeared to be...laughter?

"Hahahahahaha! See Hisoka! This is super fun! Got any kings!" Nora yelled as both Chrollo and Blake's eyes widened and looked in disbelief at what was coming towards them.

A whole herd of Ursa Majors, with Nora and Hisoka playing go fish and card tower on the lead Ursa's back. And what was scary most of all, was Hisoka actually smiling and laughing alongside Nora.

"Indeed! This is really entertaining! Go fish by the way. Hmm? Say, isn't that Chrollo and Blake?" Hisoka said as Nora turned and waved at them.

"It is?! Hi guys! Come on and join us!"

"NORA!? HOW ON EARTH DID YOU DO THIS!? AND WHY ARE YOU DOING NOTHING!?" Blake said as she panicked while seeing Chrollo smiling and raising his hands in the air.

"Better ride along for this one."

"WHAT DOES THAT EVE-KYAAAAAAAA!" Blake cried as she and Chrollo were then swepped up on the Ursa's back with Hisoka and Nora, still playing their games as many of the other Ursas began to trip and crash into the forest trees while still running.

"So how was your guy's sap collecting? Have any fives?" Chrollo said as he held his cards close to him and adjusted the order in his hands.

"Here. And it went great! I got so much for pancakes now and these awesome rides! Plus, Mr. Fluff Bun is gonna take us to the clearing right now. Isn't that right Mr. Fluff Bun!" Nora said as she patted the large Grimm's back.

"By the way, were you two parnterned up for this assignment? I thought it was you and Joan that were paired. Have any twos?" Hisoka stated.

"How can you people even be playing cards…" Blake muttered with much dread in her voice as she saw these three continue their game.

"Yeah. But your teammate is quite rude to me Nora. She just broke my jars full of sweet sap and questioned me why I broke them! She's such a rude woman."

"Gasp! How could she! She's always so nice though! I'm gonna have to chastise her when I get back with the others! She shouldn't be so rude!" Nora shouted as she pulled her hammer out and slammed it down on the creature's back, causing them to move around for a moment.

"Careful Nora~ You're gonna hurt Mr. Fluff if you do that too hard. So, why was Blake here with you. I met Feitan earlier and he was looking for her. Apparently they were paired too but he said she had left him alone." Hisoka said as all three of them looked at Blake in disapproval.

"Wow Blake...real harsh to leave him and make him worried. You would leave a small guy like him in the middle of the woods. He needs supervision." Nora said as while mentally, Chrollo and Hisoka laughed at the fact that Nora worded Feitan to be like a small kid lost in the grocery store looking for his mom.

"Unbelievable. Nora, chastise Blake too when we get back to Beacon. Perhaps she should be punished with no fish for a week and be spanked a hundred times." Chrollo said as now the game they played was switched to BS.

"You're not my parents! Stop goofing off and be serious about this! How are we gonna deal with all these Grimm when we're close to the clearing!?" Blake shouted.

"Do NOT talk that way to your father young lady!" Nora shouted as she pointed her hammer at her while Chrollo and Hisoka looked at one another.

"Is she referring to me? Or to you?"

"I'm assuming it's me since we are partners on this trip."

"Morons! H-Hey were gonna-Nora control this thing!" Blake said as she held on tight to the back of the Ursa as Nora growled and slammed her hammer down on the Grimm's back. Causing it to howl in pain as it tripped over a tree branch and fell on itself.

It's body skidding against the forest floor as it stopped at the clearing they were once before. With Glynda and Phinks ready to deal with the grim until they saw them hopping off. Along in the clearing, was Yang, Pyrrha, Ruby, Shizuku, Illumi, Feitan and Joan looking at the group in disbelief.

"Don't you dare change the subject with me Blake! You're getting reprimanded right now! Hold still." Nora said darkly as she got off the Ursa as did the others. Blake gets off and slowly backs away from the approaching Nora wielding the hammer.

"N-Now Nora...let's just talk this out…"

"We'll talk while I bend you over my knee and give you slaps on your ass with Mjolnir!"

"Ohhh...well in that case Joan is right here. Maybe you should also reprimand her too Nora." Chrollo pointed out as Joan looked surprised as Nora suddenly turned her head so fast many thought they heard her neck cracking.

"W-What?"

"Joan...How could you be so mean to Chrollo. Smashing his jars of sap and making it his fault! I thought better of you leader! Who's influencing you!?" Nora said as she now had tears in her eyes.

"Nora. Just calm down a second. What happened-"

"It's you two! Pyrrha! You're her partner! You should have watched out for her and make sure she didn't get into any bad habits! Yet you let her hand out and talk too much with that no good delinquent Yang! She's corrupted my daughter!" Nora exclaimed as Pyrrha couldn't even get another word before she swung her hammer into her hands again and cocked it if it were a shotgun.

"That's it...LINE YOUR ASSES FOR A SCOLDING! RIGHT NOW!"

"Gaah! Blake what did you do to make her like this!?" Joan cried as she and the others avoided her swing.

"Nora, we aren't delinquents or have bad habits!"

"What did you jackasses say to Nora!? Why am I labeled the delinquent here!?" Yang cried our as she pointed at Hisoka and Chrollo. Only to suffer a hammer to the head as she howled in pain as a large bump was growing on her.

"Look at the way you dress! Only a delinquent would dress like that! You're corrupting my leader and poor daughter now. She's probably self-conscious of her chest with you flaunting out yours like a slut!"

"Since when was this ever about chest sizes!?" Blake said as she avoided a grenade launched her way as the four girls now began to run from the crazed ideals and mind of Nora.

"...So. She's Blake's mom. And whos-"

"Hisoka. So how did your trip go? Who were you paired with." Chrollo said to Ruby as she awkwardly smiled. While surprising him, Illumi walked up behind her.

"That would be me. It was a bit odd between the two of us. But it turned out fine. We had Shizuku assist us with getting more since Ruby wanted some extras. And she did help me try understanding a few things about siblinghood." Illumi admitted as Ruby beamed in pride.

"Really now. Then thank you Ruby. Illumi has this odd way of affection to his siblings. So thanks for giving him some advice." Chrollo said as he headpatted her as she became a flustered mess of red.

"Hmm...how can I show you my appreciation I wonder. I believe this is twice? Or maybe three time's you've helped me?"

"U-Um. I think this is the first? And you don't have to do anything really! I was just happy to help!"

"No no. Otherwise I'd feel bad...I know!" Chrollo said as he turned to Hisoka as he smiled. Both knowing where this would go. They briefly communicated with slight hand and body movements.

'We've got Blake already questioning herself. I already broke the dam of her inner delusions and questioning herself. Are they set to meet here in Vale?' He thought as he looked at Hisoka and blinked a bit.

'Yes yes. Thanks to him I planted the seeds of their reunion here. Though moving that event from Atlas to Vale temporarily was a bit troublesome, they'll be here for that and the Vytal Tournament soon enough.' He motioned his hands as he held up two fingers to him and nodded.

"How about I introduce you to some friends of mine in the Association! Maybe they'll give you some advice! Plus, I bet you'll get along great with them. They're around your age i think? What are you? 12? 10?"

"I'm 15 dummy! But for real!? They're my age?! I'd love to meet them! When can i see them?" Ruby asked gleefully as Chrollo waved his hands and chuckled a bit.

"I think in a few days. They said they'll message me when they get here in Vale so I'll be sure to introduce you to them. They're good kids!"

"Awesome! Friends my own age! Ah...but then Yang might make a scene if they're boys…" Ruby said as soon she felt a hand resting on her head. And surprisingly, it was Illumi.

"If that happens, then I can handle your sister while you meet them. Don't worry, I won't hurt her. Just maybe paralyze her with my needles ot Fish Darts if needed to."

"Then it's settled. I'll tell you when they arrive in Vale the moment they message me."

"You got it! Ahh I can't wait to meet them!" Ruby gushed as she walked back over to her jars with Illumi to turn them in with Goodwitch and Phinks. As did Hisoka. While Feitan and Chrollo meet up with one another in the clearing as Chrollo grabbed the jars Joan was carrying.

"You set Hisoka to move it here while he was away?" Feitan questioned as Chrollo nodded his head.

"It would make things more fun. Finding our enemies while also creating an event that benefits both of us in robbery and killing them. Along with seeing how my students have been." Chrollo said as he stood up again with jars in hand.

"Why did you take them in? They strong?"

"They do have potential. But...I suppose that maybe I wanted to feel. What it would be like to raise kids like them. Spirited. Determined. And the chance to reach their dreams. Something I never had…"

Feitan looked at his leader. Understanding his desire of teaching and what it would be like to mentor others. To have them attain something so they can find what they want.

"Shizuku was right...but I wonder if Machi get mothers approval to marry you." He muttered as Chrollo looked at him in confusion.

"What was that?"

"Shizuku was right in the sense you're like Paku's son. But also you look like a dad with old hair."

"Eh!? Old man!? What is that supposed to mean? My hair is black. Or is it turning color now? Hey Feitan. Check for me. Is it turning color?" Chrollo fired off as he checked his hair and worried if it had changed.