However, as John mentioned, Neon's issue can be addressed later. For now, the focus remains on dealing with the Phantom Troupe.
Of course, Steve and Mia were not truly distracted.
The two of them were merely chatting casually while waiting, and like John, their attention was firmly focused on the building where the auction was being held.
Time passed gradually.
After Steve confirmed that the auction had started based on the time displayed on his watch, it wasn't long before the hot air balloon, which John had been watching on the rooftop of the building, rose again and flew in the direction it had come from.
"They're on the move!"
"It's finally about to start!"
Steve and Mia also noticed the rising hot air balloon. Their eyes immediately sharpened, and they began taking action according to the designated tactics.
Mia utilized her spatial ability to open a portal in front of her. Not only did she carry the Beast into it, but Steve also followed suit.
After the two entered, the portal immediately disappeared.
John was also taking action.
Although it did not come in a straight line, the hot air balloon gradually approached the building where John was located as it moved.
"Super Whip!"
With a cold gaze, John waved his right hand behind him instantly. Countless threads extended from his palm and wound into a thick column.
The column of threads was continuously stretched towards John's back like a spring. When it reached its limit, a flash of light appeared in John's eyes. In an instant, he pulled hard and shot the column of threads toward the approaching hot air balloon.
To be more precise, the target was the hanging basket under the hot air balloon.
"Captain, I suspect that some of us are traitors..."
The hot air balloon flew slowly from high altitude, skillfully avoiding the gangsters gathered on the street below because they had learned there was a problem with the auction.
However, while riding in the hot air balloon basket, Feitan and others were not satisfied at all after looting the treasure. Instead, they all appeared unhappy.
There was a reason for this dissatisfaction: they hadn't looted the auction items from the underground auction at all, as all the auction items had already been taken away.
Uvogin, holding a mobile phone in his hand, was speaking to Chrollo on the other side, expressing in a deep voice that he suspected there was a traitor within the troupe.
"Traitor..."
In the temporary base of the abandoned building complex, Chrollo pondered.
The auction items being transported away in advance was indeed unexpected, but he didn't dwell on the idea of a traitor too much.
Perhaps it was his confidence.
The Phantom Troupe is not a conventional organization or team, and he believed that no one would collude with the Ten Old Men.
"Damn it!"
"Not good!"
"Idiot!"
As these thoughts ran through his mind, Chrollo was also preparing to communicate with Uvogin, but just as he opened his mouth to speak, a sudden burst of noise from Uvogin and the others rang out on his phone, and then the call abruptly ended.
"Beep beep beep"