Before long, Shalnark and the others wrapped up their fight with the mafia thugs and regrouped with Feitan's squad.
Owl released Nobunaga, and everyone gave a quick rundown of what had happened.
"Is Uvogin seriously hurt or not?" Shalnark asked, eyeing Xiang Nan. "You know who the attacker is, right? Why keep it from us? Is it because they're... someone special? Someone you know? A friend, maybe?"
In the Troupe, if anyone could match Chrollo in brains, it was Shalnark.
He picked up on the situation fast—and it was obvious Xiang Nan was hiding something.
Xiang Nan didn't answer.
"So, when you told the boss someone in the Troupe might die… you were probably talking about Uvogin, huh?"
Shalnark said it with a relaxed grin, like it was no big deal.
"Guys, don't worry. If Xiang Nan said Uvogin's gonna be fine, then he'll be fine."
It was a subtle way of reminding Xiang Nan to keep his word—while calming Franklin, Feitan, and the others.
A few minutes later, Shalnark got a call from Machi.
They lost the target.
But one thing was clear—the Nen user with the chains was working for the mafia.
The group waited at the scene for about thirty minutes before Machi and Shizuku returned.
When Machi spotted Xiang Nan, her face instantly soured. She kept her distance, clearly wanting nothing to do with him.
After all, she'd nearly died at his hands once.
Her instincts had been screaming ever since: Xiang Nan is dangerous. Even though Chrollo agreed to work with him, Machi couldn't shake the feeling that something was off.
"Yo," Xiang Nan greeted with a lazy wave and a smile.
Machi completely ignored him, face like stone.
Owl, standing nearby, finally saw the truth—Xiang Nan wasn't part of the Phantom Troupe. He was just a temporary ally.
"Let's move. Back to base," Shalnark said once the group was all together.
And just like that, the two outsiders—Xiang Nan and Owl—followed the Troupe back to their hideout in Yorknew City, an abandoned high-rise.
Inside, they saw Chrollo, Pakunoda, and the others—though Hisoka was nowhere in sight.
Even inside the Spiders' nest, surrounded by sharp gazes and tension, Xiang Nan was totally composed. He looked at Chrollo, who sat calmly on a wooden crate in the flicker of candlelight.
Chrollo had already gotten the full story from Shalnark.
"Can this guy be trusted?"
Chrollo's eyes flicked from Xiang Nan's smiling face to Owl.
Owl's pupils contracted. Whether it was Uvogin slaughtering the Shadow Beasts, Phinks wiping out the ambushers in a flash, or Feitan subduing him in seconds—it was all undeniable proof.
These people weren't just strong. They were monsters.
And there were a dozen of them.
Feeling the pressure, Owl couldn't help but tense up under Chrollo's calm gaze.
So this guy's the mastermind? The Troupe's leader?
He couldn't understand Xiang Nan at all.
From his perspective, walking straight into the Troupe's hideout was suicide—even as allies, they were just too dangerous.
If they suddenly turned on them… they were toast.
Where did Xiang Nan get this kind of confidence?
But Owl didn't believe he was the reckless type…
"The Shadow Beasts are all dead. By now the Ten Dons probably know," Xiang Nan said casually, sitting down like he owned the place. "Owl here? He's in the military now. Officially part of the Republic of Padokea Army. He works for me."
He even patted the seat next to him, motioning for Owl to sit—like he wasn't an outsider at all.
That alone ticked Feitan and a few others off.
"A guy like him? Being on your radar is probably the luckiest thing that's ever happened to him," Chrollo chuckled.
To him, Owl had a bit of skill.
But compared to the Troupe? Still outclassed. ɴᴇᴡ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ 𝓷𝓸𝓿𝓮𝓵⚑𝓯𝓲𝓻𝓮⚑𝓷𝓮𝓽
Even so, he understood why Xiang Nan found him useful.
As the former head of the Shadow Beasts and a veteran of the underworld, Owl had the brains and connections—even if his power was lacking.
And to be fair, the Shadow Beasts did show some capability—getting a hit in on Uvogin wasn't exactly easy.
If Phinks hadn't been their inside man, the later fights wouldn't have gone so smoothly.
Owl gave Xiang Nan a wary glance. He's part of Padokea's army?
"No way. I still don't trust you," Nobunaga suddenly said, locking eyes with Xiang Nan. "Where is the bastard who captured Uvogin?!"
He and Uvogin were tight.
And after seeing that chain user's powers… even Uvogin might not be able to handle him.
"It's not time yet," Xiang Nan replied calmly.
If they went after the Nostrade family now and Kurapika was still there, it'd mean a direct confrontation.
And with Kurapika's Nen specifically designed to counter them?
Even Nobunaga and the others working together would be in real danger.
Honestly, against the Troupe—Kurapika was a walking nightmare.
"Hey. That wasn't a request. That was an order," Nobunaga said, flicking up his sword hilt. "I'll kill him. You good with that?"
Xiang Nan ignored him and turned to Chrollo, smiling as he pointed lazily at the fuming Nobunaga.
That single gesture put the entire room on edge.
Franklin, Machi, and the others immediately stepped forward, ready to back Nobunaga up.
"Nobunaga… take it easy," Chrollo said with a faint smile, eyes still on Xiang Nan.
"Come on! We don't even know how Uvogin is doing, and we're just letting this guy mess around?" Nobunaga snapped.
"Chill, man. I get it—you're worried," Shalnark said, patting his shoulder. "But trust me, he's gonna be okay."
All this tension… just from one offhand line from Xiang Nan?
These people were maniacs, scared of nothing—yet even they were treating him like he was dangerous?
Nobunaga snorted and stormed off.
Chrollo glanced back at Xiang Nan.
Compared to last time… he felt even stronger.
That's probably why he had no problem walking in here with Owl, Chrollo thought.
To the Spiders, Xiang Nan now felt like a bird perched on a high branch, watching a web full of spiders… ready to swoop down and eat them whenever he pleased.
That image lingered in Chrollo's mind.
This guy's even more dangerous now… and completely untouchable.
Back then, maybe they had a chance of pushing back against him.
But now? The balance had shifted.
"Is this kind of power growth… what he meant by 'the multiverse'?"
Chrollo wondered aloud, a faint, thoughtful smile forming on his lips.