"You want me to... what?!" Vanessa asks, not fully understanding, as she stares at Milluki.
"My... collection! Usually I don't like real women, but you are the exception! I just need you to model for my collection. I need it! I'm willing to pay any price, a life-sized Vanni doll!" Milluki explains excitedly, his eyes beginning to shine, while his breath speeds up, saliva dropping onto the ground, like he's an excited dog.
"Maybe I ate a little too much of Marsha's and Menchi's food; I need to leave and visit the toilet. I'll go ahead," Neffi says, looking visibly disgusted, as she steps aside and puts some distance between herself and Vanessa, with Milluki standing right in front of her.
"Are you pissing or throwing up?!" Vanessa barks at her.
"Now that you say it..." Auren mutters, taking a step closer to Menchi and the butlers.
"Don't leave me alone with this guy!" Vanessa yells at them. "You... I won't model for you; that's just weird! I also don't want to be the model for some private doll! That's disgusting."
"Please, Vanni! I'm your biggest fan; I just need that life-sized doll!" Milluki pleads desperately. "I also want some figurines as well, oh, and I need to copy your outfits, your favorite dresses, your training suits, your fighting suit, that one outfit with the black miniskirt, the white tank top with that hot belt and suspenders, oh, those leather boots and gloves! Also, for the inner parts, can you maybe take an MRI and CT, and then we could use a mold."
"Well... looks like you got a fan," Auren notes. "The worse kind of fan. That's your own fault, though. That's just what you get from becoming a superstar."
"Usually I beat up people like him, but I fear he might enjoy it..." Vanessa laments desperately. "Still, I've never been quite as disgusted."
"Master Milluki," Tsubone says in a stern voice. "You are embarrassing yourself."
"Shut up, Tsubone!" Milluki yells, earning himself an ice-cold glare, immediately causing him to shudder back. "I... I... damn you, Tsubone!"
"Let's talk about this later, okay?" Milluki says, clearly frustrated.
"Milluki," Auren says, his voice completely calm, yet carrying a hint of threat. "If she wants to model, and if she's satisfied with your offer, you can do what you want, but for now, her answer was no. Until that changes, I expect you to leave her alone."
"I... Auren, of course. This is just a request, uhm, a job I was willing to pay," Milluki stammers. "I... don't want anything else from her. I know she's your woman. Trust me, it's just a model job. I am not interested in real women anyway; I like dolls and figurines. Now that I see her, she kinda scares me."
"..." Auren glares at him but says nothing, causing Milluki to walk away, his face now wet with sweat.
"Let's go, enough of this foolishness," Auren says, moving forward, only for Vanessa to grab onto his arm.
"You didn't deny what he said?" Vanessa says, sounding slightly surprised. "I always knew you couldn't resist my char—"
"On second thought, maybe I should allow Milluki this little favor," Auren slowly suggests.
"Yeah, yeah, I don't believe you. There is no need to be ashamed," Vanessa says in a cheerful voice, following after Auren, still clinging to his arm.
"How old are you again?" Neffi wonders, the group, including the butlers, walking towards the mansion, while Milluki, sweating all over, has trouble keeping up.
Certainly old enough to make me feel like this is how some crazy older sister or aunt acts.
Walking to the table, Auren soon sees the faces of every single Zoldyck family member, aside from Milluki and Killua. Thanks to their butler's effort, the soft raindrops are blocked by large umbrellas, specifically made for the outdoors.
He sees Silva, Zeno, Illumi, who apparently indeed arrived way before them, an extremely tiny and old-looking man, Kikyo, whom he met a couple of years ago in Yorknew, and finally Kalluto.
That is all of them... minus Milluki and Killua, of course.
No... there is one more... isn't there? Though... that one is a total nightmare. I feel that even after what I've accomplished, even with the power I've obtained, I'm utterly defenseless before that demon.
The only reliable way is through Killua. But to actually free... her, he needs a lot more confidence and strength. Without it, he would never be able to free her from his family. Also... has he remembered her yet?
In truth... that's one reason why I agreed to train Killua.
Also, this old man... is that Maha Zoldyck? I'm curious about him, though I barely remember anything about him. Is that because I forgot... or because there isn't much to remember in the first place? I believe the latter is the case.
"Welcome, Auren dear," Kikyo speaks up in an enthusiastic voice, her face bandaged, wearing her iconic laser visor covering her eyes, with an extremely large hat on top. "We're in bad luck... just now a shower has appeared. Thankfully the rain is soft, and there is barely any wind. We can stay outside for a while longer."
Despite the bandages covering her throat and part of her face, in addition to the robotic-styled visor she's wearing, she still looks distinctively regal, almost noble, in her long classical dress.
Being eyed by all of the Zoldycks, Auren expects to feel overwhelmed, but to his own surprise, he feels nothing.
While these people are objectively strong... and extremely frightening. If I'm being completely honest... I feel nothing. It looks like I've managed to progress quite a bit.
"Greetings, Madame," Auren says in a polite tone. "It's nice to see you again. And of course, the others as well. I've brought a few friends with me, and I hope my airship is not a nuisance; I can move it if that place is not acceptable."
"It's fine!" Zeno says. "You've certainly grown, Auren! In more ways than one. Your companions are equally impressive."
He takes a good look at Neffi and Vanessa and nods at them, seemingly quite impressed.
As Zeno finishes his welcome greeting, Milluki arrives as well, sweating all over, his shirt completely soaked in sweat and rain.
It's January... how can he sweat this much? It's almost a little cold.
"Please, Vanni... think about it... it... it... would be my crown doll, my favorite! The... centerpiece in my room!" he says, huffing and puffing.
"Milluki. You are a disgrace," Silva says, his eyes full of shame and disappointment.
"You're Vanessa, right?" he asks, staring at a surprised Vanessa. "I saw your fights in Heaven's Arena, and I'm quite impressed. Feel free to beat him up; just do your best so he doesn't die."
"I agree," Kikyo says. "Vanessa, if you aren't in a relationship yet, I'd even welcome you as my stepdaughter. Of course, not for Milluki."
"Uhm, I hope there is no need to beat up anyone," Vanessa replies, sounding a little nervous. "And I'm not interested in marriage; I have my own plans. Though, I suppose, thank you for that offer?"
"That is too bad..." Kikyo says, her visor growing dimmer.
"Auren," Silva finally speaks up, raising his voice. "We need to speak with you. Please follow me."
"Of course," Auren says, looking back at Neffi and Vanessa. "Just relax for a while, okay? Also ask about Menchi, so she doesn't end up getting chased around by the wild dogs here."
"Wild dogs?" Vanessa wonders, but Auren has already turned around and is walking after Silva, alongside Zeno and Illumi.
"Sit down, young ladies; we only have the finest pastries and tea," Kikyo says in a friendly voice, with Vanessa and Neffi sitting down, alongside Milluki, who still looks like he ran a marathon.
Barely hearing the latter scream as he burns his tongue on hot tea, trying to quench his thirst, Auren and the three generations of Zoldycks reach the mansion.
Going inside through a back entrance from the terrace, where the table was set up, Auren enters the familiar mansion, having spent some time here in the past.
They walk all the way to Silva's private room.
Seeing Silva's weirdly decorated room, with furniture resembling the kind used in horror films, almost like torture instruments, and walls decorated with devilish faces and a bone-like material, Auren feels genuinely disturbed.
It's also dark inside. Is this his personal interest? Weird.
"You know, this room is quite unique," Auren mutters.
"Tasteless," Zeno says. "Though everyone has his own unique approach to assassination, so I'll have to accept it."
"This room is quite comfortable," Illumi says, without any emotion. "It makes me feel at ease."
"Please sit," Silva says, sounding more like he is giving an order than an invitation.
As Auren sits down on a weird chair, the Zoldyck head faces him directly. "Auren. Illumi told me you agreed to take care of Kill for a while... and teach him."
"I guess so," Auren replies.
"Forget the kind of deal you made with him. I can see he used some sort of trick or coercive measure. You are not bound to any deal you made with him," Silva says. "If you want to take Kill on as a student, it should be done because you genuinely want to."
"That's kind," Auren says. "Though the deal I made with Illumi wasn't really much of a deal in the first place. It was more about my personal dislike of him controlling his brother. Now that the control is lifted, I don't mind teaching him. Though it appears he has found a few friends. I've taken the liberty of inviting them along to show them the world in which Killua grew up. I hope you don't mind them training at the caretaker's place for a while."
"It's fine," Zeno says, laughing. "It might open their eyes."
"So you are willing to teach Kill?" Silva asks, his sharp eyes staring directly at Auren.
"Yes," Auren says. "But I am not too sure he truly wants that. I expect that after a certain amount of time has passed, he'll want to be free and travel the world with his friends. I don't plan on shackling him. Though, I can promise you this: until I've taught him what I want to teach him, I won't let him off that easily, and even then, I'll keep an eye on him. If that's not acceptable, I don't think I can accommodate you any further."
"Illumi, he keeps saying friends; is that true?" Silva asks, a little surprised.
"I believe so... though I've told him that it is not something an assassin needs," Illumi replies swiftly.
"That is silly," Auren comments. "It's something everyone needs to decide on their own."
"... I raised him, like all of his siblings, with the attitude that friends are not something necessary," Silva says. "Though, if he found some on his own, it can't be helped. I agree with your offer, Auren. Please, take care of him."
He then lowers his head, surprising Auren just a little.
"I will," Auren says. "Don't worry about him. I'll also keep him out of my private business."
"No. If you can put him to work and need his help, do it. Tasks on such a scale might be good for his growth," Zeno says. "That is exactly why you are supposed to take care of him. Not only does he require a first-rate Nen teacher, but also someone who lets him experience difficult situations and pushes his limits, as well as fosters his growth."
"Fine," Auren agrees. "Within reason."
"Of course," Zeno replies. "Now that this is taken care of, please, relax. How long do you intend to stay?"
"Around a month... I'd start Killua's training right away, but I suppose he wants to learn together with his friends... well, at least with one of them. Also, I believe this environment is not suitable. So while we are here, we might as well work on other things. Now that he's... free of that needle, he needs to get used to acting completely on his own and not being subconsciously controlled anymore anyway," Auren explains. "We'll focus on meditation and take the slower route to open their Aura Nodes."
"Good. I'm also interested in sparring with you. The old monster told me about your achievements," Zeno says. "He keeps calling me to brag; it's quite annoying. Still, I'd like to see your new technique, if you are willing to entertain an old assassin."
"Enken... why not?" Auren asks. "I'll teach you. Feel free to teach it to your family; you can consider it a little gift."
"I'm afraid only I can learn such a technique. None of my grandsons have taken a liking to En. Learning a technique based on En is out of the question," Zeno says, looking a little disappointed.
"Why don't you put in the effort and study it a little more intensely... Illumi?" Auren asks, smiling deviously. "You should be able to master En; you have no excuses."
Illumi remains silent for a moment before replying, "I can use En."
"Barely," Zeno adds, smiling. "Though you are correct. You can use it. Which is why you are the most suitable person to study it in more depth in the first place. Auren is right. It is time I pass on my skills. I'll pass them on to you and Auren, and in return, Auren might teach me some secrets as well. You are lucky, Illumi; you'll get to learn from two En masters. Don't think you are a senior who is beneath learning. I order you to study."
"Maybe it was a mistake to invite you after all," Illumi says, glancing at Auren, his usually calm expression filled with annoyance. "Fine. I'll gladly absorb that knowledge; it could be useful."
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