Based on Baise's actions in the original story, where she readily accepted employment with the Nostrade family without incident, Loki shouldn't have been concerned. However, the unusual smoothness of the situation prevented Loki from implementing his original plan to subtly demonstrate his power and issue a veiled threat before formally offering her employment.
Removing his white cloak, Loki entered the bathroom. The steamy bathroom air hung heavy and humid. Standing before the mirror, Loki pondered another crucial aspect of his plan: Neon Nostrade, the young heiress of the Nostrade family.
He mused to himself, "Protecting her is far more complicated than simply eliminating her. Without Neon, Chrollo would never obtain her divination ability." He recognized the significance of Neon's divination ability in the original storyline, understanding that it played a pivotal role in enabling the Phantom Troupe to avoid significant losses during the Yorknew City arc.
However, after giving the matter some thought, Loki realized that eliminating Neon would have unforeseen consequences. "Without Neon, the underworld bosses would likely all attend the auction, and the auction items would probably be successfully taken. Chrollo would simply order the Troupe to withdraw," he reasoned. This outcome was unacceptable, as it would allow the Phantom Troupe to escape unscathed.
Loki formulated a revised strategy: "I'll let Neon perform her divination for the underworld bosses, then eliminate her afterward. The Troupe won't successfully obtain the auction items, and without achieving their objective, they won't leave Yorknew City easily. This will give me the opportunity to complete the mission of eliminating the Troupe."
However, another critical factor emerged: Chrollo Lucilfer rarely acted alone, typically accompanied by at least three other members of the Phantom Troupe. The only instance in the original storyline where Chrollo acted independently was when Neon's ability piqued his interest, prompting him to act alone in order to steal her power.
"This was Chrollo's only solo operation," Loki realized. "If I kill Neon, Chrollo is unlikely to act alone, making it difficult to complete Hisoka's mission."
Loki acknowledged the formidable strength of the Phantom Troupe members. "Instant kills are only possible if they're off guard. I'm confident I can defeat them in a direct confrontation, but with multiple members coordinating their attacks, their combined strength is unpredictable. One person's Nen is manageable, but the combined Nen of multiple individuals working in coordination is a completely different matter."
Loki considered his available allies: "Even with Kurapika and Hisoka, we're only three against twelve." He needed to leverage the power of the underworld to distract some of the Troupe members.
"The most critical aspect is not just eliminating them, but also investigating the Troupe. This is far more complex than simply killing everyone," Loki realized. "I need to capture them, have Baise control them, and extract the Troupe's secrets."
Loki wrapped a towel around his waist, dried his damp hair, and left the bathroom. Lying in bed, he sighed.
'Neon cannot be killed; she will serve as bait to lure Chrollo, the biggest fish. Once I capture Chrollo, the other Troupe members can be dealt with one by one,' Loki mused to himself. 'Another key is protecting Baise. If Baise survives in this timeline, capturing one member will be much easier, and we can easily obtain information about the Troupe.'
Suddenly, something moved behind him. Loki spun around, his hand swiftly drawing his Zanpakutō, flames erupting along his arm as the blade gleamed menacingly. His gaze, cold and calculating, locked onto the figure who had unexpectedly appeared in his room.
He realized it was Baise. He stopped; the blade was at her neck. The cold light and Loki's killing intent made Baise sweat.
Loki frowned. "When did you get in?"
He hadn't noticed! Baise had snuck into his room.
Baise looked at Loki. "I knocked. You didn't hear?"
"No," Loki said, realizing he'd been distracted. "Leave. Don't come in again, or you might die."
Baise's sneak attack failed. She calmed down quickly.
"Ruthless man," she said, looking at Loki. He was strong despite being a kid. His large cloak hid this.
Loki put away his Zanpakutō. He'd been careless. He hadn't heard the knock. Did she even knock? He shouldn't make such a mistake. Baise probably wanted to control him.
Kurapika stopped looking around and turned to Melody.
"Nothing. He's just different," Kurapika said.
"Why?"
"I can hear heartbeats. You know that," Kurapika said. Melody had mentioned this before, but Kurapika doubted her.
"I can hear heartbeats," Melody said, recalling Loki's heartbeat. "Your friend's heartbeat is strange. He's not easy to get along with. At first, his heartbeat was calm, always calm. But these days, I think that's self-protection."
"Self-protection?"
Melody nodded, gesturing. "A calm rhythm protects the real rhythm. I'm curious what kind of person would have such a strange heartbeat."
"I won't tell you about Loki. He's young, but he helped me."
"Okay," Melody said calmly. "But be careful of your friend."
Kurapika wasn't worried about Loki; his strength was unquestionable.
Melody smiled and said nothing.
In the back car, Loki received a message. An unknown number sent a special symbol. Loki smiled.
'They're in Yorknew City! Hisoka.'
The underground auction would begin tomorrow. Loki looked at Baise, who was driving. She died in the original story; she couldn't die now.
The convoy arrived at the hotel in the evening. Neon's afternoon fortune-telling for underworld bosses indicated enemies at the auction. Dalzollene contacted Neon's father. After receiving orders, he started planning for tomorrow.
The guards gathered in a meeting room.
"There might be enemies tomorrow, so we'll handle the auction," Dalzollene said.
"Ivlenkov, Shachmono, and Baise, you three will get the Chairman's three items."
Loki stepped forward. "Enemies might attack the auction."
Dalzollene looked at Loki. "Yes, we received information about a possible attack."
"Then we should send someone stronger," Loki said.
"Why?" Dalzollene asked coldly. This was a challenge to his authority. It had been Kurapika last time, now Loki. Dalzollene was angry.
"If enemies infiltrate and attack, and our people are killed, we can't report it."
Dalzollene frowned.
"Infiltration is unlikely. What if they attack from outside?"
"Impossible!"
"Why?" Dalzollene asked coldly.
Kurapika looked at Loki. He didn't understand why Loki was objecting. Sending anyone was the same. He thought of a possibility.
'Did Loki fall for that… strange woman?' This thought lingered. He looked at Loki and Baise. 'Love transcends time! Their age gap is huge, but Nen users live longer, if they're not injured or sick.'
"Even Nen users can't attack from outside without being noticed." Underworld people surrounded the auction. Only a fool would attack from outside. Even if they broke through, reaching the auction would take time.
Dalzollene's face darkened.
"What's your point, Loki?"
"Enemies might infiltrate early and attack at the start. You can't contact the outside from inside the auction hall."
Dalzollene didn't answer, confirming Loki was right. Contacting the outside was difficult; communication devices had no signal.
"If I were them, I'd infiltrate early and attack at the start. Inside, you can't contact the outside. They could quickly eliminate everyone and take the items."
Kurapika snapped out of his thoughts. Loki was right; the auction hall was the best place to attack. Any other method would alert many people; they couldn't take anything.
"Loki's right. Those three aren't strong enough for unexpected situations," Shachmono said. He'd seen Kurapika's strength; he was weaker than Kurapika, let alone Loki.
"Captain Dalzollene, I agree with Loki and Kurapika," Basho and Melody said, nodding.
Ivlenkov, a middle-aged man in a suit, didn't want to risk his life. "Let's send stronger people."
Dalzollene said coldly, "No. The plan is set. Enemies can't easily infiltrate." He looked at Loki. "The strongest bodyguard should protect the employer."
"Loki, you're strong. Stay with me and Squala."
"Basho and Melody will monitor the back of the hall."
"Kurapika and Melody will monitor the front."
"Begin the mission," Dalzollene said.
He didn't agree with Loki. Kurapika looked at Loki, who showed no emotion.
After everyone left, Dalzollene punched the wall. "A kid dares to question my orders! These newbies don't know their place!"
In another room, Kurapika looked at Loki. "You really think someone will attack inside?"
Kurapika had followed Loki to his room.
"Yes. Attacking from outside is too stupid." Kurapika agreed with Loki.
"But the Captain doesn't like his plans being changed," Kurapika said. Dalzollene had agreed with Loki, but he'd opposed him to maintain his authority. If he'd agreed, others would ignore him, and he might lose his position. He opposed Loki not because of the plan, but because of his authority.
"He's not angry about being opposed?"
"It's fine. I'm here. Watch the auction carefully. You might be interested in the enemies."
Kurapika looked up. "What do you mean?"
"Nothing specific. A feeling. You'll be interested in the enemies. It's my strong intuition."
"Strong intuition?"
"Like a sixth sense. I feel danger even if I don't see it."
Loki wasn't lying. He felt danger. He'd discovered this fighting Hisoka. Before danger, he felt something strange, a warning. Strong Nen users develop this, but Loki's was stronger, like an animal's warning.
Kurapika nodded. "I'll watch the hall."
After Kurapika left, Loki called Baise.
"If enemies appear at the auction, escape immediately."
Baise thought. "Really? I thought you wanted to mess with Dalzollene."
"I wouldn't do that."
"If enemies attack, I'm in danger?"
"Not really. Just be quick."
"Okay, boss. I'll escape if there's danger."
Loki hung up.
Baise slammed the phone. "From cute kid to cold brat. He's not likeable!"
In Loki's room, two figures appeared—Zenki and Goki. They loomed over Loki.
"I'll use you two," Loki said.
Beep beep beep! Loki got a location.
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