Chapter 34: Action (Please Vote for Monthly Tickets)

This must be a full gathering of the Phantom Troupe before the main storyline begins. Moro is not certain of the exact time the Spiders gathered, only that it was somewhere around July or August. It is also possible that the Spiders had already assembled and are only now beginning their operations.

They ransacked the National Treasure Museum of Navis...

Moro has a vague recollection of the name Navis. It was a renowned and powerful civilization in ancient times, but due to a war that lasted thirty-eight years, its national strength eventually withered and declined. Even in modern times, although the nation of Navis has managed to preserve its heritage, that far-reaching conflict caused it to lose too much in the river of time.

It is poignant that while prosperous cities were ruined by enemies long ago, they left behind numerous treasures in a different form. Although the Navis nation is weak today, it has been dedicated in recent years to recovering its lost national treasures. These recovered artifacts are collectively housed in the National Treasure Museum in the capital of Navis. One can imagine how much effort the nation has invested in this endeavor. The Phantom Troupe’s raid on the museum is undoubtedly a heavy blow to Navis.

"It must be to upgrade 'Bandit's Secret'..."

Upon hearing the term "national treasure," Moro’s first instinct is that Chrollo is upgrading his ability. *Bandit's Secret* is a Specialist ability that can be upgraded. It shares certain similarities with *Lovely Ghostwriter*, which is also a Specialist ability. In a sense, Moro, who controls the upgrade ability derived from the Annulus Tattoo, also possesses what is essentially a Specialist ability.

The condition for upgrading *Bandit's Secret* is likely the theft of national-treasure-level artifacts, though calling it "theft" is often just blatant robbery... After the future storyline begins, the Phantom Troupe’s attack on the Yorknew City auction seems to have been for the sake of certain national treasures present at the event. Viewed in this light, the Annulus Tattoo’s other ability—absorbing the Nen of artifacts—is somewhat similar to *Bandit's Secret*. After all, treasures crowned with the status of national treasures are highly likely to be imbued with Nen.

Moro glances at Kastro and Kallista, who are struggling to close their aura nodes, and then sends a message to Argo: "I am here."

About a minute later, Argo replies: "The Phantom Troupe attacked the Navis National Treasure Museum and looted all its treasures. The Navis government immediately dispatched troops to pursue them, but the attempt failed."

"The Phantom Troupe has already left Navis territory. The confirmed intelligence is that they have crossed into the neighboring Great Nation of Gugan-Yu. Additionally, a Zoldyck assassin has already arrived in Gugan-Yu; he does not seem to be making any effort to conceal his tracks."

Looking at the specific information provided by Argo, Moro instantly notices something off. He frowns and thinks for a moment, the image of Kortopi, member number 12 of the Phantom Troupe, flashing through his mind. Given Chrollo’s penchant for meticulous planning before taking action, he should have factored in Kortopi’s ability to replicate objects before deciding to strike the Navis museum... Yet, the Phantom Troupe chose a much cruder method.

Forget it. It doesn't matter.

Moro shakes his head and begins to hesitate about whether to go to the Great Nation of Gugan-Yu. He intends to kill Feitan. However, at this point in time, Feitan—and indeed the entire Phantom Troupe—has no connection to him. Therefore, under normal circumstances, as long as he does not actively approach the Phantom Troupe, there should be no risk.

"Argo, can you track the Phantom Troupe’s movements in real-time?"

"I should be able to. The members of the Phantom Troupe are extremely confident. They entered Gugan-Yu as stowaways, but they have no intention of hiding their presence. As long as they don't specifically head into deep mountains or remote forests, I can keep tracking their movements."

"Hmm. Another question: do you have a way to contact the Zoldyck assassin?"

"I can try to work through the client to find a number that can reach the Zoldyck assassin, but I cannot guarantee that I will be able to make contact."

"That will suffice. I’ll wait for your news."

"Understood. However, as the contractor, I feel it is necessary to remind you: do not be hasty or reckless."

Moro looks at the final message from Argo and silently puts his phone away. It is inevitable that his request to contact a Zoldyck assassin would reveal his intentions to Argo.

"I won’t be hasty. I don’t have much time left, but it cannot be wasted either... What matters is always how one uses their time."

Moro whispers to himself, then turns his attention back to the progress of Kastro and Kallista.

Perhaps due to the pressure of impending death, in just a few minutes, Kastro has managed to suppress the rate of his aura leakage. It is estimated that in another minute or two, he will master *Ten*, the technique to retain aura. In terms of talent, Kastro might not be on par with Killua or Gon, but he is not far behind. As for Kallista, her talent is slightly weaker, but she has also grasped the knack and is on the verge of success.

"Kallista, use your imagination..." Moro walks to her side and says calmly, "Imagine that 'aura' is blood circulating through your body. From the top of your head, it flows down to your shoulders, arms, waist, and legs, finally returning to your heart. Imagine that you are bleeding profusely from the top of your head, and you must press down on it with all your might, or else you will die from blood loss."

"…!"

Kallista’s tightly closed eyes twitch slightly. Slowly, following the concept Moro provided, she gradually suppresses the leaking aura.

A few minutes later, Kastro and Kallista cross the threshold and master the most basic form of *Ten*.

Moro looks at them and asks, "How does it feel?"

Kastro looks down at his hands and murmurs, "It feels like... there is a layer of stiff paper wrapped around my body."

"I don't really feel anything," Kallista says, lifting her legs in place. Her eyes sparkle with a bright luster. "If I had to describe it, it just feels like my body has become much lighter."

"This is *Ten*, the most basic of the Four Major Principles, and the first step in learning Nen. From today on, you must maintain this state at all times."

Moro observes the unstable aura on both of them. After giving a simple instruction, he suddenly says, "I am going away for a while. I’ll be leaving before today is over."

"Hmm?"

"Huh?!"

Kastro and Kallista are both startled. Moro pays no attention to their reactions and continues on his own:

"Listen carefully. I will say this only once regarding the basic training of Nen. You must remember it firmly, and before I return, you must achieve the basic objectives. If you fail to do so, then simply disappear from my sight."

Kastro and Kallista’s expressions tighten, and both nod solemnly.

Over an hour later, Moro leaves the Heavens Arena and heads for the nearest airport. He is going to the Great Nation of Gugan-Yu to see for himself.