After speaking a little while longer with Zeno, Silva, and Illumi, Auren and the three generations of assassins return to the others outside, where the rain is still softly pouring down onto the large umbrellas.
It's quite intense talking with them. It's still interesting, though, and I surprisingly enjoyed it.
Getting to know each other, the atmosphere can only be described as awkward.
While some people, like Kalluto or Maha Zoldyck, don't say a single word, everyone else is at least trying to stay engaged and make some conversation.
"Still collecting Ben's Knives, Auren?" Silva asks.
"Indeed," Auren replies. "Though I have to be honest, my interest has waned... just a little. I'm still using my entire wealth and the network of subordinates I've slowly built to gather more of them, but I'm at a point where the remaining ones are either destroyed, lost, stored somewhere without being recognized, or belong either to true collectors, who don't care about money, or to people who have some personal connection to them. Still, I'll never stop looking. I've uploaded all of my findings to a certain website."
Auren then throws a small card towards him. "Usually, only Hunters can access my findings through the special website for them, but for special collectors and friends, there is of course a different way. I also have a public site, but I believe this one will be more to your liking. Feel free to take a look if you are bored. I've also joined a special circle of collectors, your wife is familiar with it, but lately I've been sending in substitutes, as I don't really have the time to attend personally."
"Indeed, that's where I met you, Auren," Kikyo notes. "Quite an interesting event it was and something I'd like to discuss with you once you've settled in a bit more."
"Woman! Stop your scheming!" Silva orders, causing Kikyo to shrink back.
"In any case, Auren, I'll take a look. At some point, bring them to me if you have the time," Silva says, openly admitting his curiosity and interest.
"Sure," Auren replies.
Suddenly, Auren's gaze is drawn to Maha, who keeps his mouth closed and just stares at Auren, then towards Zeno.
"I suppose my grandfather wants me to ask the obvious follow-up question," Zeno says. "If you've lost some interest in Ben's Knives, what are you interested in instead?"
"If you've seen my fights during the last Battle Olympia, you know," Auren says. "Some items with lingering Aura are especially rare and potent and even have special effects. These are essentially items granting a limited version of a Hatsu. It's incredibly interesting. Sadly, I only possess two types, three being similar. I call them Regalias."
"Yeah, they're really powerful," Vanessa adds. "When I used them, I felt almost invincible. By the way, old man, why are you not speaking?"
Everyone first looks at Zeno, before they look past him towards Maha.
Maha, of course, does not reply, while Zeno sighs.
"Also, is your mouth stitched together?" Vanessa notes, continuing to speak. "Is there some elder abuse going on here?"
She is bold... nobody would ever openly ask such a question... but she just blurts them out without thinking. I guess it's useful to have someone like that.
"..."
Seeing that nobody is answering, Auren speaks up. "Just ignore that question. Vanessa likes to speak her mind. We wouldn't want to be rude and ask personal questions."
Zeno raises his hand, almost amused. "It's personal, but I can assure you, Vanessa, nobody is forcing my grandfather to do anything. The accusation is so laughable that I was genuinely stumped. Youths these days...."
"Really?" Vanessa asks, standing up and stopping right in front of Maha, fearlessly looking at him, which causes even Auren to be gobsmacked. "Are you fine, old man? Blink once for yes, twice for no."
Surprisingly, Maha does not blink at all, and merely stares back at Vanessa, who fearlessly withstands his gaze.
Auren briefly senses a hint of Aura in the old man, but after the tiniest moment, it is gone without a trace.
"You are still strong, and your eyes are not dead! Not bad...!" Vanessa says. "Fine, fine, I'm sorry for asking stupid questions. I was just a little interested in this guy."
"Please sit down..." Neffi mutters. "I'm starting to feel like I'm becoming an assassin just by witnessing your behavior. Somehow, I've got the strong urge to silence you for good, and my mind is already formulating various plans to accomplish such a feat."
"I should have visited this place before I started planning my revenge a couple of years ago; a smoother assassination would have made things a lot easier," Neffi suddenly remarks.
"But then you wouldn't have met Auren," Vanessa retorts with a grin. "Also, you love me, little Neffi; you could never kill me. How about a hug instead?"
She then forcefully hugs Neffi and kisses her on the cheek, which, despite Neffi's struggle, lasts for a couple of seconds.
Finally, under Neffi's hostile glare, Vanessa lets her go and sits back down again.
"I'll gladly teach you myself if you want to think about switching careers," Zeno offers generously.
"Hey, you are lucky!" Vanessa remarks. "Will you teach me as well, slightly less old man?"
"I'm afraid not," Zeno instantly denies her request. "You are not suited to being an assassin. Not only is your personality the opposite of what it should be, but your fighting style and even your reputation are the worst starting conditions I can imagine. You are a hopeless case."
"That's not true! I can blow up buildings with my targets inside; you're just too old-fashioned and not creative enough to see my potential!" Vanessa counters confidently.
"I respect your strength," Zeno says. "Frankly, despite your behavior, your strength is utterly inhuman. I can feel it. You are simply not fated to be an assassin, more like a force of nature who strikes at anyone bold enough to approach it."
Standing up once again, Auren's head spins in embarrassment.
Time to use Killua's disobedience to my advantage. Time to bail.
"Killua is not coming," Auren notes before standing up and walking away. "I guess I'll pick him up."
Not a good start. I told him to come directly after dropping them off.
"You, Amane. Escort him, and if anyone bothers him, take care of the problem instantly!" Kikyo orders. "Also, bring Kill back. I want to speak with him so badly. I miss him so much, and I can't stop worrying."
Despite him almost killing you?
"Yes, madam," Amane says, walking towards Auren.
"I don't think I need help, but fine," Auren relents, not being too bothered by Amane's presence.
Before the two can walk away, Auren internally cringes after hearing Vanessa ask, "Then how about you teach me, huh, old man? I even worried about you, don't you owe me a little?"
This is never going to work, and frankly, it may be for the better. At least she's lively... I can feel that she's having so much fun that she's going wild again. Typical adrenaline junkie. Seeing so many experts, she's so energetic all of a sudden.
Together with the young butler, Auren walks the familiar path leading towards the gate.
Passing by a certain inner gate, Auren spots a young butler guarding it.
Seeing Auren and Amane, the dark-skinned girl with thick, curly braids bows down. She is also holding a staff, with a round yellow orb embedded at the top of it. She's standing beneath a tree, close to the inner wall, placed around the Zoldyck estate, seeking shelter from the rain.
"Hello, Amane," the girl says, a glint of excitement visible in her eyes. "Do you... need help?"
"No, I don't, Canary," Amane replies.
Auren glances at her, causing her to shyly meet his gaze.
"Nice to see you again," Auren says. "Even after four years, you still look a little too young to work a job like this."
"No... that isn't so. It's nice to see you again... Auren," Canary says shyly. "I'm sorry about last time. Thank you for holding back during your last visit. I've been watching your fights with the young master. Thanks to you, I got to spend some time with him."
"You watched my fights?" Auren asks. "Well, that's Heaven's Arena, I suppose. Really, anyone can watch, from all over the world."
"Not only yours," Canary clarifies. "I shouldn't say this, but the young master especially likes your friend. What is she called? The Meteor Fist? It pains me a little to see him that way; it seems the young master prefers outgoing and confident women, not shy ones."
She then sighs loudly, looking frustrated.
Was there something like this? It could be true.
"That's too bad for you..." Auren mutters. "But you can still change; you're still young. Why don't you try a new hairstyle and act a little wilder? Surprise him a little."
"Should I try?" Canary wonders earnestly. "I'll give it some thought." She then bows. "Thank you so much, Master Auren."
Leaving Canary behind, Auren walks towards the caretaker's shack, Amane accurately guiding him to the exact location.
"You're rather kind, aren't you?" she asks, looking at Auren. "I'm impressed; my grandmother told me a few things she heard from the masters. It takes courage and strength of character to still act kindly towards others, especially with your circumstances."
Auren does not reply and simply walks on ahead.
"This is strange..." Amane mutters, looking into the sky. "It's as if this cloud is following us, but that can't be...."
"..." Auren remains silent, not bothering to answer.
Finally, they reach the caretaker's place.
While it is clearly lower in quality and cannot compare to the mansion, or even the butlers' headquarters, it is still a very large and somewhat impressive building, four stories tall.
Using Zetsu and entering inside, Auren sees Killua, Gon, Kurapika, Leorio, and a very displeased-looking Leroute wearing a set of weights on their bodies, sitting in front of a table and struggling to lift cups of tea.
Of course, that only applies to the latter four, as Killua does not seem to have a problem.
"Having fun drinking tea?" Auren asks, dropping his Zetsu and activating Ren for a second.
Immediately, Gon, Leroute, and Leorio tense up; the latter even drops his cup, the hot tea pouring over his pants, causing him to groan, try to stand up, and then fall onto the floor.
"OUCH. Hot!" Leorio screams as he burns himself with the tea.
Two somewhat familiar servants also arrive. One is an elderly, chubby, bald man, while the other wears a white bandana and has a cigarette in his mouth.
"Auren..." Killua says, a hint of guilt on his face. "I had a feeling that you were coming because of the... it doesn't matter. I... I was about to come to the mansion. I kinda wanted to try out the training and got a little sidetracked."
Meanwhile, Kurapika doesn't look quite surprised; instead, a hint of a smile forms on his face.
A smart one, huh? I guess because of the cloud and constant rain around me... I can't really surprise perceptive people with my presence.
"It's fine," Auren says, smiling. "I just wanted to get away from Vanessa... she's high again."
"High? High on what?" Kurapika asks.
"On life... high on life," Auren explains. "That's all she needs."
Their faces full of confusion, Auren addresses the two servants. "Thank you both for taking care of them. I've gotten permission from the Zoldycks. Please take care of all of them. All five, okay?"
"Five?" the bald servant asks. "That includes young Master Killua?"
Killua's eyes light up with hope.
"Probably. For now, you need to go home... after that, you can train here," Auren says. "Also, if you five think this is all I need you to do, you are very mistaken. Aside from that physical training, I have some more exercises for you. Leroute has already started on that part, but I believe you'll catch up quickly."
"It's that, huh? These guys are lucky... I don't think they deserve to learn..." Leroute mutters, appearing a little bit jealous.
I won't teach them for long, I suppose, but if those three are willing, I might at least be willing to lend a hand.
In the end, one thing is certain. I won't allow Killua... and Gon to take the shortcut in their Nen approach.
It's definitely a costly mistake. Though it doesn't concern me... or more accurately, it shouldn't... I want to help them. At least a little.
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