metsujin said:
I have the same reaction tbh... I mean we knew the fight will happen... but as you said, where's the build up? Illumi implied that Hisoka was chasing after Chrollo... but even so is that 'eraser' so good, that Kurapika didn't notice Chrollo got his nen back? Wished we had a chapter explaining more about this... unless Togashi plans to do it a bit later... but yea very confusing stuff.
I don't think it's particularly confusing; just unexpected. I think the surprise cutaway to this event was probably the best way to do this - I don't see many ways Togashi could have incorporated the buildup of this event into the current situation with DC; it's the fallout of whatever transpires here that will have an impact on the story of DC.
Frankly, I think Hisoka is going to win. He'll be looking for a new object of entertainment afterwards, and sees DC as the way to alleviate his boredom. Of course, the spiders will be out for vengeance, and will pursue him; allowing for Kurapika to further pursue his own vengeance with all of those elements converging.
Of course, Togashi is also known for subverting expectations, so barring a shitty deus ex machina that allows them both to survive, maybe Togashi will simply retire both Chrollo and Hisoka's story by allowing a draw with their mutual deaths, or maybe chrollo even wins.
But damn do I like both characters - I haven't felt this suspenseful about a fictional deathmatch in a long time.