Gon ran in looking a little decected.
He stood with his arms folded, deep in thought. "I still can't figure it out," he admitted, shaking his head.
Killua walked over at once. "Well, we'll just have to wait until Ron-nii has time, and then we can ask him."
Not long after Hooker sent his message, an unfamiliar number called.
"Hooker." His expression brightened when he heard the familiar voice on the other end.
"You're looking to commission something?"
"Ron, I'll let the boss speak to you directly. I might not explain it clearly."
Hooker handed the phone to Chrollo, who took it and said, "Ron, I'd like to commission your help for a fight."
"Give me intel on the opponents and what you're offering in return."
Chrollo answered concisely. "They're from the Underworld Mafia—likely three to four individuals. Their strength should surpass the previous ones, but they won't be on that level..... Every member of the Phantom Troupe will participate. If you can help us secure victory, I'll give you one piece of nen material born from a calamity body, plus ten billion Jenny."
Ron cut him off. "Chrollo, how many of those calamity-born nen materials do you actually have?"
Chrollo hesitated. "Just one."
"And you're using one item to commission two different jobs? That doesn't seem appropriate."
"Let me formally introduce myself: my full name is Ron Zoldyck. When you hired my cousin Illumi, you offered the same payment. Now you're promising it to me. Is that your idea of sincerity?"
Chrollo's pupils contracted. "Ron… Zoldyck?"
It was a possibility he had never considered. But now that Ron had said it outright—and clearly knew the terms of Illumi's agreement—there could be no mistake.
"My apologies. This is urgent, and that's all I have available. As for Illumi's job, I'll cancel that. I assume that's acceptable?"
"I'm afraid not," Ron replied. "If I accepted that, it would mean we Zoldycks are undercutting each other for business. That's not how we operate. And I'm sure the Phantom Troupe can offer far more than just that."
"No particular reason. It's just the principle of our family."
Ron continued, "You should consider what else you can offer. I'm open to many things—one of the seven worldly treasures, the Black Sonata, rare nen tools or spirits… even Dark Continent intel. As long as the value is sufficient, I'll accept."
Chrollo fell silent for a moment. "Can I think it over?"
"I'll call you back shortly."
After hanging up, Chrollo turned to the others. "Ron's a Zoldyck. From what he said, he's likely Illumi's cousin. He rejected the payment I offered and wants something else."
Everyone was stunned—except Hisoka, who had already known Ron's identity since the Hunter Exam.
Pakunoda spoke up. "Boss, if it's the Black Sonata he wants, I remember the Processing Valley might have a copy."
Processing Valley was a unique part of Meteor Street. It housed highly skilled individuals with powerful abilities. When strange incidents occurred, they were the ones who responded. The coroner who reconstructed Sarasa's body had come from there. The Phantom Troupe had learned Nen from the Processing Valley as well.
"One Black Sonata might not be enough," Shalnark said.
"I have information about another copy," he continued. "With both, that should suffice. After this is over, we can promise to retrieve it for him."
Chrollo considered it, then placed another call.
"Ron. One Black Sonata, plus information on a second. Is that enough?"
"Alright, that works. Transfer the money now. I'll give you an account. When will I receive the Black Sonata?"
"It's in Meteor Street."
"Then afterward is fine."
Ron accepted the job. Whether he took it or not didn't matter much in terms of timing—if he declined, he could let the Phantom Troupe wear down Oster and then move in. But Ron doubted they'd be able to drain Oster significantly. Oster wasn't alone, and the Phantom Troupe had just been through a major battle. Their condition wasn't ideal. On top of that, Hisoka had his own motives. Thɪs chapter is updated by novèlfire.net
By accepting the commission, Ron could at least get paid. The Black Sonata held some interest for him.
After the call ended, all eyes turned to Chrollo.
"Well?" one of them asked.
Everyone exhaled in relief. Even before the Underworld Mafia's reinforcements had arrived, they had already felt enormous pressure. The white-haired youth from earlier had been overwhelming. Against new foes from the Mafia, few of them felt confident. Ron's help would make a big difference.
"I really didn't expect Ron to be a Zoldyck," someone muttered. The mention of that name left the group uneasy.
They hadn't forgotten the death of the former No. 8 member.
"There's a reason they've held the title of world's top assassin family for so long."
"Every member of that family is strong—Zeno, Silva, Illumi… and now Ron."
"Looking back, it was probably never realistic to invite Ron to join the Troupe."
Ron gave Chii instructions to hack into every surveillance system in the city and track any sightings of Oster or his group. The moment they showed themselves, she was to report immediately.
Meanwhile, Ron glanced at his phone and noticed several missed calls. He dialed back.
"Milluki, what is it?"
"It's not me—it's Killua," Milluki said, handing over the phone.
Killua took it. "Ron-nii."
"What's going on, Killua?"
"It's about Gon. He's having trouble figuring out how to develop his Nen ability, and we were hoping you could help."