"Ah, ah. Even though the needles allow for limited facial restructuring, the effect only lasts four or five hours at most. I didn't expect it to fail so quickly~."
Illumi's voice was calm, almost detached, as he rubbed at his face, which was beginning to deform.
The face he had been wearing—a replica of Hisoka's—started to ripple unnaturally. Within seconds, large bumps appeared, and his features began reverting to their original form. It wouldn't be long before the disguise fully crumbled.
Even without Ronnel pointing out the problem, it was only a matter of time before the others noticed.
"Hmm?!"
The members of the Phantom Troupe were no fools. After Ronnel's observation and the increasingly obvious distortion of "Hisoka's" face, suspicion turned to realization.
"You bastard, what's going on here?"
Franklin's voice was low, wary, as he raised his hand. The black muzzle of his Nen gun was now aimed squarely at the imposter.
"You're not Hisoka, are you?"
Bonolenov quickly got up, poised to use his Nen ability. At the same moment, Feitan gripped the hilt of his sword, and Phinks rose abruptly, his aura flaring.
"Who the hell are you, coming here pretending to be one of us?!" Phinks growled, his muscles tense with anticipation. He cracked his knuckles, clearly eager for a fight.
"Well, it seems the game is up."
Illumi tilted his head slightly, his unnerving calm in stark contrast to the tension around him. Slowly, he rose to his feet, his once-distorted face beginning to reshape itself.
Before their eyes, the borrowed features melted away like clay, revealing a youthful, delicate face with vertical pupils and long black hair.
Despite the chaos in the room, Illumi exuded an eerie composure.
"Gittarackur? Or rather... Illumi Zoldyck?"
Ronnel's voice broke through the silence, feigning surprise.
"Zoldyck?!"
The name sent a ripple of shock through the group.
"The Zoldyck family?" one of the Troupe members murmured, their voice tinged with disbelief.
Ron nodded, his gaze steady. "That's right. Illumi Zoldyck, the eldest son of the Zoldyck family. A Manipulator who uses specialized needles to manipulate others—and, evidently, to change his own appearance."
"Zoldyck… hired to kill the Ten Dons…" Franklin muttered, piecing together the information. "So it's true. The leader hired him back then. But why the disguise now?"
Before Franklin could continue, Phinks exploded. "Enough talk! Why are you here, Zoldyck? What's your goal, and where the hell is the real Hisoka?!"
Illumi raised a brow, his calm demeanor unchanged. "Hisoka hired me to take his place temporarily. He's likely on his way to challenge your leader as we speak."
Machi's eyes widened. "What?!"
"Hisoka didn't share his full plan with me. But I will say this—I have no interest in your little group. As long as you don't harm my younger brother, Killua, I have no quarrel with you. Touch him, though, and there will be consequences."
The weight of Illumi's words was palpable. His calm tone carried an undeniable menace, making it clear he wasn't bluffing.
For a moment, silence filled the room.
Then Phinks let out a derisive laugh, his aura flaring violently. "Who do you think you are?!"
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