"You're browsing the market too?"
Machi hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "Yeah."
After choosing to leave the Phantom Troupe, she had felt a moment of uncertainty, but that quickly gave way to hope for a different kind of life. She had already removed the spider tattoo, and from that moment on, Machi was no longer a member of the Phantom Troupe. The position of Number 3 was now vacant. She had come to Bull Market because it was the most crowded, the most chaotic. Machi wanted to observe. To see how ordinary people lived.
After a brief pause, she said, "I've left the Phantom Troupe."
"You've left the Phantom Troupe?"
Ron froze. That news caught him far more off guard than simply seeing Machi appear in Bull Market at this time. In the original story, nothing had ever happened. Machi had remained with the Troupe all the way through to the Black Whale arc.
"That's right," Machi confirmed.
"Ron, would you mind chatting over coffee?"
Ron hesitated briefly, then nodded. "Sure."
The two of them went to a nearby place—a small café. Each ordered a drink and sat in a quiet corner with no one around.
"So, Machi, what are your plans now?"
"Haven't figured it out yet," Machi said, shaking her head. "But I really have grown tired of life in the Troupe. I can't find a reason to keep staying there. Meteor City feels unfamiliar now."
She didn't mention her intent to kill the Ten Dons and avenge Sarasa. What she shared with Ron were her feelings about what came after.
"Besides the Troupe members, I don't have any friends, and I don't trust people outside of it—but Ron, you're an exception. Your views on Meteor City, your views on the world... they align with mine. Ron, would you say we're friends?"
Ron nodded. "Of course."
"Then can you give me some advice?"
Ron thought for a moment. "The kind of life a person lives ultimately depends on their own interests. I have a lot of friends—some stayed in Heaven's Arena and focused entirely on the path of the martial artist. Some carry a deep sense of duty to their country and have given their lives for it. Others live for their family. So, Machi, what are you interested in?"
After a pause, she said, "I like sweets. And I'm interested in the unknown."
"What about your abilities? What are you good at?"
"My ability is Nen threads. I transform aura into thread," Machi answered honestly. She felt there was no need to hide it, especially from someone she considered a friend—and in any case, it was an ability that would be obvious the moment it was used.
"I also have a pretty accurate sixth sense."
Ron said, "There's a place in this world called the Gourmet Paradise. It's home to the most elite cuisine on Earth—including sweets. If you get a chance, you should check it out. And since you're interested in the unknown, becoming a Hunter might be a great choice for you. There's a branch of Hunters called Explorer Hunters."
He paused. "Actually, the purpose of forming my current team is to head toward the Dark Continent. That unknown frontier has always drawn me in. If you trust me, you're welcome to join my team and explore it with us."
Ron had always acknowledged Machi's talent and abilities. She had seen aura with the naked eye even before becoming a Nen user, just like Misty, which proved that their aptitude was exceptionally high. On top of that, Machi's ability was that of a healer—a rarity among Nen users. While not as scarce as Exorcists, healers were still few and far between. That was why Leorio, despite having only just learned Nen, could be invited by the Hunter Association to become one of the new Zodiacs.
Ron's team currently had no dedicated healer. If one were to say someone was close, it would probably be Ponzu—just barely. Ponzu had strong knowledge of poisons, and a good understanding of antidotes. She could poison, so she could counteract poisons. And the honey from the Queen Bee did have a minor restorative effect. But when it came to something like reattaching severed limbs, Ponzu was completely powerless. Only Machi's thread-based healing could manage that level of recovery. In the original storyline, Hisoka's severed arm had been flawlessly restored by Machi.
Machi hesitated for a moment. "Ron, thank you for the invitation. But I only just left the Phantom Troupe. I'm not ready to join another team just yet. I hope you understand."
To her, Ron's offer was genuinely tempting. Traveling with a team would be far easier than exploring on her own. And the kind of exploration Ron's team planned—actual adventures—was exactly what she wanted. It was different from the Troupe. But joining another team right after leaving the last one? That would make her feel like she truly had betrayed the Troupe. She wasn't ready for that yet.
Ron shrugged. "No problem. In that case, I'd suggest participating in the Hunter Exam and getting your license. This year's exam isn't far off now. The preliminaries will still take a little time to begin."
He remembered that Killua had briefly left Greed Island to take the Hunter Exam after learning advanced Nen techniques under Biscuit. The Greed Island arc came immediately after the Yorknew arc, and while Yorknew had a decent number of chapters, the actual in-world time wasn't long.
Suddenly, a commotion broke out outside, drawing both of their attention. Machi's expression changed slightly because she saw a few familiar figures through the window—members of the Phantom Troupe.
"Ron, I'm heading out."
Machi's figure flickered and vanished from the spot. At this moment, she had no desire to face her former companions. She didn't know how to deal with them and didn't know what to say.
Avoiding them altogether was the best option.