Kurapika had started setting the stage for all of this months ago.
Back then, he didn't know Ronin's eyes had a bottleneck or limits.
But that little hiccup didn't affect his overall plan.
The information regarding Moelding City was bound to be dug up eventually, which would inevitably bring his existence into the Phantom Troupe's line of sight.
Ronin's trust in him was the most powerful ace up Kurapika's sleeve.
The names, abilities, appearances, behavioral logic—Kurapika had asked for every single detail regarding the Troupe members, sparing nothing.
He also took control of the resources Ronin held in his hands.
The most notable among these were the formidable Rock Mercenary Group and the Zoldyck family.
The former had made a deal with Ronin at Heavens Arena, assisting in his safe evacuation.
The latter were the assassins Ronin had mentioned—people worth hiring to assassinate the Phantom Troupe, no matter the cost, if they could only be contacted.
It was a pity that Ronin had only managed to get ten million jenny from Gotoh during their last encounter and hadn't secured the Zoldycks' contact information.
However, through Millia—a well-connected local power player at Heavens Arena—Kurapika managed to get the number.
After all, that family of assassins had never intended to hide from the start.
With that, things became simple.
Confirming that the Troupe would arrive in Yorknew City on September 1st, Kurapika arranged for Ronin to steal all the treasures from the Mafia's underground auction.
This was intended to lure the Troupe out to create the conditions for Ronin to kill Uvogin, and also to draw out the Shadow Beasts to follow the vine to the root: the Ten Dons.
Everything went smoothly.
The injured Uvogin appeared in the Gordeau Desert, just as Kurapika had predicted.
And when he brought the Troupe members there, it guaranteed that at least one member would die in those sands.
The appearance of the Shadow Beasts was expected, but Ronin's ability to read memories was a surprise.
Otherwise, Kurapika had planned to use Owl as an anchor, locating the Ten Dons using his Dowsing Chain.
That method carried certain risks, but they were within an acceptable range.
After all, he had a backup plan. Zenji, the man Ronin had spared at the Cemetery Building, was another pawn in his hand.
Even if he wasn't one of the Ten Dons, this local heavy hitter possessed energy in Yorknew that couldn't be underestimated.
The battle on September 3rd was the main event.
The two Zoldycks were hired by Kurapika.
The reason the target was Number 8, Isley, was simply because in Kurapika's judgment, this guy—who didn't exist in Ronin's database at all—was the biggest variable in the Troupe aside from Chrollo.
Once he was dealt with, the Troupe, having exposed nearly all their abilities, would be sitting ducks.
Unfortunately, the Troupe stuck too close together, preventing the Zoldycks from completing the assassination instantly, though they did manage to test out Isley's abilities.
Now came the final step.
Setting a trap for the Troupe, making them believe they had found a flaw and a chance for success.
Thus, the scenario where Ronin left the hotel with Neon, leaving Kurapika alone in the room, was created.
Normally, at least two Troupe members should have died here. However, because of the issue with Ronin's eyes, Kurapika modified the plan.
Kurapika couldn't be sure how many would die in the end, but he knew Ronin would absolutely be safe.
Kurapika trusted that with Shalnark's skills, a simple investigation on the internet would definitely uncover the situation at the hotel.
After all, he had personally ordered people to release the photos of Ronin and Neon leaving.
However, no one knew that the night before, he had already moved the prepared Rock Mercenary Group into the hotel to lie in wait.
The only pleasant surprise was Delilah.
If not for her, Kurapika would have contacted Hisoka. In the intelligence Ronin gave him, Hisoka possessed the ability [Texture Surprise].
He wasn't sure if Hisoka's ability could be used on others, and if not, he would have had to use a corpse for a disguise.
But that would have increased the risk of Ronin seeing through it.
Fortunately, Delilah appeared, smoothing out that sudden wrinkle in the plan.
It made the operation flow much better, saving him from having to divert mercenaries to look after Neon's safety.
Things went well.
Shalnark saw the opportunity after arriving in Southernpiece.
So, the Phantom Troupe took action. They didn't attack Ronin immediately but concentrated all their firepower on Kurapika.
The hotel explosion was arranged by Kurapika.
Just as he faced off with Chrollo on the 18th floor, the explosion detonated on the upper levels. The smoke would alert half the block.
No matter where Ronin and Neon were, they would notice the anomaly.
After all, the auction house they went to was a place Kurapika had recommended.
He knew Ronin and Neon too well.
After a brief encounter with Chrollo, Kurapika was escorted by Muir directly to the roof of a nearby building.
The mercenaries had long since set up steel cables connecting the two buildings, and that roof was also where Muir would provide long-range support for Ronin.
The two Zoldycks, hired for a high fee, appeared right on time to carry out the assassination.
With the final entry of the mercenary group, Chrollo, seeing no hope of killing Ronin, had no choice but to retreat.
Kurapika had held the initiative firmly in his hand from the very beginning.
Although only one Troupe member was killed in the end, Kurapika wasn't in a rush.
Compared to hiring the Zoldycks to ambush the Phantom Troupe, he looked forward more to the day he could stand side-by-side with Big Brother Ronin and slaughter these scumbags in a head-on fight.
He wanted to make these Spiders experience the pain of being plundered.
He had learned everything about the Troupe from Ronin. He didn't know how Ronin had such comprehensive knowledge, but that didn't matter.
What mattered was that he trusted Ronin. That was enough.
According to the intelligence Ronin provided, the Troupe was founded to track down the person who killed Sarasa.
Chrollo knew his actions wouldn't be condoned by Sarasa. Even if they met again, he would have to apologize endlessly for forgiveness!
But Chrollo walked this path regardless.
He had the resolve!
To transform Meteor City, to ensure no villain ever dared approach it again, he had the resolve to become a villain himself.
"So, let me see the measure of your capacity!"
Kurapika's eyes shone brighter than ever before.
"When all your cherished companions are dead... When the Meteor City you wish to protect treats you as an enemy..."
"Will your conviction crumble?"
"Chrollo, the brain of the Troupe, the soul of the group, the culprit behind the Kurta massacre... can you withstand the fires of vengeance from the Kurta Clan?"
"The game has only just begun!"
Kurapika clenched his fists. Chrollo had the resolve to play the villain for Meteor City, and Kurapika had that same resolve.
But he didn't need it.
Because he had something Chrollo didn't.
Kurapika's gaze fell upon Ronin.
That was the savior for him, this "villain" in the making!
Big Brother Ronin!