September 4th: Part 17 (9
Synopsis[]
Phinks refuses to yield and again tells Pakunoda to say where the chain user and Chrollo are, threatening to stop her if she tries to leave. Pakunoda refuses to reveal their location and says that she is taking the two boys with her to the hostage exchange. Phinks angrily wonders whose side she's on, but Machi tells her to leave while she keeps them busy. Feitan scoffs at her comment as they all ready their auras for combat. Phinks wonders what's wrong with them and asks if they are still sane, with Feitan guessing that the chain user was able to manipulate them during the encounter at the hotel.
Gon breaking free and arguing with Phinks
After Feitan claims that he will force Pakunoda to talk, the chained and frustrated Gon asks Phinks and Feitan if they can’t understand why Pakunoda is cooperating with the exchange and why Machi is trying to help her. He angrily shouts that they're trying to save their leader and that they just want their friend back. Phinks tells him to be quiet and says that he just wants to be saved, but Gon suddenly breaks the chains restraining him.
As Killua breaks his restraints as well, Gon denies Phinks' claim and tells him to take it back. Phinks signals to the angry Feitan that he will take care of things, warning Gon that he will snap his neck if he moves one step. Gon sticks out his tongue and says that he won't then since he isn't dumb. He stresses that unlike them, Kurapika would stay calm and keep any promises he made. He adds that Pakunoda trusts him because she met him, assuring Phinks that his leader will be returned if he just does what she says.
A frustrated Phinks again tells him to be quiet, but Franklin speaks up and says that he should let Pakunoda leave. While Phinks can't believe that he is taking their side, Franklin turns to Shalnark and asks him what the worst-case scenario would be. Shalnark answers if Chrollo were already dead and Hisoka, Pakunoda, Machi, Kortopi, Shizuku, and Nobunaga were being manipulated. He adds that they wouldn't learn the chain user's location and the two boys would also escape. However, Franklin bluntly tells him that he's wrong since the worst case would be all of them dying and the end of the Phantom Troupe.
Franklin stressing that the Troupe needs to survive
After the stunned Shalnark admits that he's right, Franklin continues by saying that they are relying too much on Chrollo and that their deaths would actually be the worst act of betrayal toward him. He tells them that they need to stop fighting and let Pakunoda leave with the two boys, adding that they will just kill the manipulated members and start over if Chrollo doesn't return. Machi says that they can believe what they want, but stresses that she isn't being manipulated and won't let them kill her.
Kurapika calls Shalnark's phone again, but before Phinks can even say hello, he tells him to give the phone to the hostages. Phinks throws the phone to Gon, who assures Kurapika that he is fine and confirms that all the Troupe members are at the hideout. Gon throws the phone back and makes Shalnark anxious about it being broken. Phinks reluctantly tells Kurapika that they agree to his terms and that Pakunoda and the hostages are leaving now.
Phinks begrudgingly agreeing to wait and see what happens
As Pakunoda, Gon, and Killua walk out into the rain, Franklin wonders why Phinks isn't going after them since the chain user can't monitor the rest of them now. Phinks tells him to be quiet and says that they would only stop him if he tried, agreeing to wait and see what happens. He tells Franklin that he will also be dead if Chrollo doesn't return, and Franklin gives a smile of relief.
After the three arrive at Lingon Airport, Kurapika tells them to board the nearby airship and assures them that the pilot knows the location. As he, Leorio, and Melody watch them from an airship already flying, Kurapika says that they can't be sure it's just the three of them until they board. Leorio suddenly spots someone in the distance as Kurapika's phone rings. Kurapika tells Melody to keep an eye out since he could be a decoy, but as soon as Leorio sees that it's Hisoka approaching them, Hisoka says hello to Kurapika and reveals that he left a double back at the hideout (where Illumi tells himself that his face will change back in four to five hours without his needles).
The two groups meeting for the hostage exchange
Pakunoda is stunned to see Hisoka, who praises Kurapika's idea to use an airship since it will be difficult to follow to a remote location. Kurapika asks him what he wants, and Hisoka replies that he wants to be at the hostage exchange, coyly threatening to kill Gon and Killua if Kurapika refuses his request (though telling himself that he wouldn't get rid of them now). He reminds Kurapika that he only wants to fight Chrollo and promises to stay behind wherever he is released. Kurapika agrees to the deal, and the two airships make their way to a large rock formation.
After the two groups exit their ships, Kurapika calls Killua and tells him to put the phone to his chest. After Melody confirms that he isn't being manipulated, Kurapika begins the hostage exchange. Chrollo walks over to Pakunoda and Hisoka, and the two boys make their way over to Kurapika, Leorio, and Melody. Killua breathes a sigh of relief, and the five of them board their airship to leave. Once in the air, Kurapika looks down on Chrollo and says that since he can no longer contact the other Troupe members or use Nen, he will experience having all his support taken away. As Chrollo looks up at Kurapika in return, Hisoka excitedly says that he has been anticipating the moment and asks Chrollo to fight him.
Characters in Order of Appearance[]
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