"Childish competitiveness, huh."
Ron considered the possibilities and felt that was the most likely explanation. Killua definitely had a competitive streak—he'd shown it before by wanting to challenge Ron. Ever since seeing Ron's performance at Heaven's Arena, Killua had kept it in mind all this time.
Pokkle was stunned for a moment but also pleasantly surprised. Earlier, Pokkle had envied how Hisoka had simply forfeited to Kurapika. Now he, too, had benefited from a similar situation.
"Kurapika was easily defeated by Ron.
"At least I managed to last several moves against Hanzo.
"By comparison, I'm actually stronger than Kurapika."
"Bodoro versus Elita."
Bodoro's strategy resembled Gon's—despite being at a clear disadvantage, he refused to surrender and tried to hold out to the bitter end. But his reasons were different. Gon had acted on instinct, whereas Bodoro realized this might be his last chance. He was not getting any younger, and if he came back next year, his abilities might already have deteriorated. He wouldn't be sure of getting this far again.
Unfortunately for Bodoro, he was up against Elita, who already had Nen. A peculiar smell drifted into Bodoro's nose. In the next moment, his pupils went unfocused.
Bodoro conceded. Elita won and officially passed the Hunter Exam.
"Killua versus Gittarackur!"
At the examiner's call, Killua and Illumi stepped into the center.
Leorio and Kurapika both watched, as they considered Killua a friend; even if they weren't as close to him as Gon was, they had worked together multiple times, and Killua was good friends with Gon.
Pokkle's eyes flickered. Because Killua had forfeited, Pokkle passed the exam. That didn't mean Pokkle felt grateful to him—on the contrary, Pokkle was annoyed that Killua had considered him unworthy of a fight. Pokkle was itching to see Killua lose.
Hisoka's face was full of interest.
At the examiner's signal, Killua cautiously moved toward Gittarackur, preparing to attack. At that moment, a voice Killua knew all too well broke the silence.
"It's been a while, Killua."
Killua's eyes went wide, and he froze in place.
He looked up to see Gittarackur pulling a needle from his own head. Then another… and another… Two, three needles removed… Right before everyone's eyes, Gittarackur's odd appearance began to change into that of a young man.
Netero looked on with evident amusement.
Menchi instinctively stepped back.
Leorio and Kurapika were stunned at first, then their expressions grew solemn.
"Who on earth is this guy?"
They glanced at Ron, but Killua's face had already turned grim, betraying intense wariness and even fear. Milluki didn't scare him at all, but Illumi was a different story. When Silva was busy with commissions, Illumi was the one who handled much of Killua's training.
His demands had been extremely strict, leaving Killua with many nightmarish memories. Moreover, Killua had run away from home in a rather extreme manner; he had no idea how Illumi would react.
Illumi gazed at Killua impassively.
"Killua, I heard you stabbed Mom and Milluki?"
"It wasn't that big a deal," Killua replied, forcing himself to remain calm.
Illumi tilted his head slightly. "She was really moved. She said seeing her son grow to this extent made her very happy—she thinks you've finally matured."
Almost everyone else present was at a loss.
Even Ron didn't quite understand. Ron had grown up with the notion that the Zoldyck Family valued their bonds, so Killua's behavior didn't fit that concept—but apparently, Kikyo had been genuinely moved, which meant something about Killua's education must have veered away from what the Zoldycks normally intended for their children.
"I recall in the original story, it was mentioned that back when Killua was little, Silva wasn't very involved in his upbringing; Kikyo and Illumi handled most of it," Ron thought to himself.
"Milluki sometimes acted as the one wielding the whip.
"But for lessons in Shingen-ryu, it seems Zeno and Silva both agreed.
"And about Killua making friends, Silva never opposed it."
Ron looked at Illumi.
"So, putting it all together, Killua's childhood education was never solely about him. Zeno and Silva likely saw that any temporary deviations wouldn't matter so long as they could guide the overall direction.
"Part of it might also be a test for Illumi, so he'd learn something.
"He really is way too fixated on Killua."
"That said, Killua, you're still too young and nowhere near strong enough. Mom is worried, so she asked me to look in on you whenever I had time.
"Never expected you to join the Hunter Exam. Were you trying to become a Hunter?"
A low murmur spread among the onlookers.
"So Gittarackur was hiding his identity, and his real name is Illumi."
"He's also Killua's older brother, from the Zoldyck Family."
"Isn't it against the rules to disguise yourself for the exam?"
"None of the examiners seem to care…"
"This Zoldyck Family is kind of strange."
Killua lowered his head.
"No. I just dropped by because I had some time and wanted to take a look."
"Is that right? Then I'm relieved."
Illumi nodded. "I need a Hunter License for my next job. But since you don't actually want to become a Hunter, I can advise you frankly: Killua, you're not cut out for it at all.
"You were born to be an assassin.
"You're a puppet of darkness, uninterested in anything else. You have nothing you really want, and no expectations.
"Relying on that darkness to survive, you only feel joy when you brush against death.
"That's how Father and I raised you."
Ron looked at Killua, then at Illumi.
He couldn't say Killua was entirely blameless, but Illumi also had his own issues.