Silva cast a casual glance at Roy, who was smiling faintly.
"I appreciate you accompanying Killua home along the way. However, we are the Zoldyck family—we are assassins. Although Killua's mother may have spoken harshly just now, she was not wrong. Killua is destined to become an assassin. Things like friendship… are still too far away from him."
Gon was just about to refute this when Silva continued:
"Furthermore, when Killua ran away from home, he injured his mother and his second brother. Harming one's family must be punished—this is certain. Therefore, Killua cannot leave with you right now."
"But—"
Roy stepped forward and pressed down on the agitated Gon, stopping him from speaking.
"Did Mito obaa-san ever tell you that harming your family deserves punishment?"
"Mito obaa-san told me that I must never harm my family or my friends!"
"Exactly. Since Killua harmed his mother and his older brother, he should accept punishment. However…"
Roy looked directly into Silva's eyes.
"After Killua finishes his punishment, what he chooses to do afterward is his own freedom. Even parents shouldn't keep him locked in a cage like a pet, right?"
Silva stared deeply at Roy.
"Of course. When the time comes, we will not interfere with whatever Killua chooses to do. However, if by then Killua has come to his senses… and decides he does not need friends."
"That won't happen! I believe in Killua! We're friends!" Gon declared firmly.
"That's right! Dad, you're seriously underestimating me!" Killua, who had been silent until now, finally spoke.
His tone was more resolute than ever before.
"Haha, very well. But since you injured your mother and your brother, you should already know what kind of punishment awaits you. I don't need to explain it, do I?"
"Yeah!"
"Good. Then go find your second brother."
After arranging Killua's punishment, Silva simply stood there, silently watching him without another word.
"Gon, wait for me. Give me some time—I'll come find you!"
"No! I won't leave! Even if I go, I'll take you with me!" Gon said stubbornly.
Once he made up his mind, nothing could shake him.
"You idiot… fine. If you really want to wait for me, don't stay inside my house. Go wait at the gate. Uncle Zebro will take care of you."
"If you're going to be punished… you'll be okay, right, Killua?" Kurapika asked.
Silva had just said he would hand Killua over to the brother he injured, which made Kurapika uneasy.
"Relax. My second brother is useless—he can't hurt me. Besides, I've grown up like this. I've already experienced all the punishments in this house."
Killua waved his hand dismissively, taking the opportunity to mock his second brother once again.
It was clear that Milluki truly held very little status within the family.
Kurapika fell silent. Hearing that Killua had endured such punishments since childhood, yet remained mentally strong, stirred a trace of sympathy within him.
Killua waved goodbye to Roy and the others, leaving in a carefree manner.
Meanwhile, Gon and the others decided to return to the security room near the Gate of the Underworld to wait for him.
Roy also suggested that they take the opportunity to train their physical strength.
Although Gon and the others had already awakened Nen ahead of time, their physical abilities were still somewhat inferior compared to their original potential.
After all, they had not undergone the special training at the Gate of the Underworld and still could not push it open using pure physical strength without relying on Nen.
Just as they were about to head back to the entrance of Kukuroo Mountain—and Roy was planning to call Luke to report that he was safe—
"Mr. Roy, please wait a moment."
"Hm?"
Gon and the others were startled as a silver-haired old man suddenly appeared.
"Are you looking for me?"
Roy stepped forward, though he was somewhat puzzled.
At most, Android 18 had only beaten Illumi black and blue during the final exam.
"Yes. We have something we'd like to discuss privately with Mr. Roy."
Zeno spoke calmly.
"Dad?"
Even Silva looked puzzled this time.
His father had always only cared about assassination work—so why now…?
But in the next moment, he suddenly realized something.
Before coming here, his father had been called away by Grandfather. Could it be…
Silva's expression immediately turned serious.
Roy thought for a moment, then said to Gon, who looked worried:
"You all go ahead to the Gate of the Underworld and wait for me. I'll be there shortly."
"Be careful," Kurapika said in a low voice.
"Don't worry."
...
After watching Gon and the others leave under Gotoh's guidance, Roy calmly turned to Zeno.
"May I ask what Killua's grandfather wants with me?"
"Hehe, it's not this old man who wants to see you—it's the old man's grandfather who has something to discuss with you."
"Mahā Zoldyck?!"
Roy's pupils shrank sharply.
Zeno, who had been observing Roy's reaction, also showed a subtle change in expression.
"This young man… upon hearing that my grandfather wants to meet him, didn't react with confusion about my grandfather's existence. Instead, it's as if he already knew I had a grandfather—and even knew exactly who he was. Now that's interesting. Even within the Zoldyck family, very few people are aware of my grandfather's existence. Some direct family members don't even know… yet this young man…"
Zeno's thoughts drifted briefly to Milluki—one of those who didn't know.
A moment of sympathy for his chubby second son.
Silva, standing nearby, thought to himself: As expected.
At the same time, Roy was also analyzing the situation internally.
"Mahā wants to see me? Logically, I shouldn't have attracted the attention of someone like him—someone who remains unmoved by everything. Unless…"
Roy thought of a certain lecherous old man who loved staring at women's chests.
However, given the current situation, Mahā seeking him out likely wasn't anything bad.
After all, Mahā Zoldyck was extremely powerful. According to Zeno, Chairman Netero was the only person who had fought Mahā and survived.
From that alone, it was clear—
Mahā's strength was not to be underestimated.
(End of Chapter)
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