[Yare yare, I only care about the things I actually care about.]

Saiki Kusuo knew exactly why he asked. It was because he'd watched the anime and knew what Kurapika went through. It was because he had come to care about Kurapika that he brought it up.

"What are you really trying to say?" Chrollo asked.

[To be blunt, it's about the Scarlet Eyes. Could you maybe…]

But how could he explain that he knew the Troupe planned to attack the Kurta Clan?

"Scarlet Eyes? How would you know I'd even be interested in something like that?"

[You're into all the seven rare beauties. Later on you even wear a glowing blue lightbulb as an earring.]

"I'll do things the way I always have. In fact, because of what you just said, I might check them out even earlier than planned." Chrollo replied.

Just as expected. Even if he said it out loud, there was almost no chance of changing anything.

[I shouldn't have said anything. Well, let's hope we never meet again.]

Saiki Kusuo turned toward the door but decided to teleport the moment he reached it.

He left the Troupe stunned, and Chrollo suddenly let out a laugh.

Teleportation—so he escaped Feitan using that back then too? Another ability. Was that the last one?

Teleportation. Petrification. Wide-range telepathy. Illusions. Invisible hands. Voice projection. Telekinesis.

So many powers—how was that even possible? Was he related to the people with the Scarlet Eyes?

Then Chrollo suddenly remembered—Saiki Kusuo's eyes were also unusual. Always hidden behind those green glasses, but the eyes underneath weren't black or brown—they were a dark purple. Not the same as the Scarlet Eyes, but definitely worth looking into.

Saiki Kusuo had no idea that Chrollo had already figured out so much just by watching him. He had become very interested in both Saiki and his powers. The thoughts passed through Chrollo's mind quickly at the time, but after Saiki left, he began to piece them together.

He also didn't know that Chrollo had tried stealing his Nen abilities—but failed. All the conditions were met, yet the ability couldn't be taken. That made Chrollo consider another possibility: maybe all those powers he saw weren't even all of them. Maybe what he knew was incomplete, which made it impossible to steal.

That went far beyond Chrollo's understanding of Nen. How did someone get abilities like that? Was there a strict rule? Maybe something like not being able to speak?

Too bad that kid was already gone. He wouldn't be able to study him slowly anymore. He'd just have to wait until next time.

Meteor City. Somewhere near a pile of garbage.

Saiki Kusuo moved forward carefully—everywhere here could be hiding G, so he had to stay alert.

"You did great, Kusuo. I'm surprised you made it back alive." Illumi walked out from some corner, acting like it was no big deal.

Aren't you the one who checks in every day because you can't sleep unless you know your little brother is still breathing?

"As a reward, here—limited edition chocolate, strawberry cookies, mango pie…" Illumi clearly cared a lot more than he let on. He must've known how rough it had been for Saiki Kusuo these past few days.

After all, when had his little brother ever had to cook his own food just to get by?

Only once. Saiki Kusuo thought to himself.

But that thought quickly faded when he saw the sweets in Illumi's hands. Fourteen days—except for the first day, all he had were cheap lollipops bought with whatever coins he could trade.

Thanks, big bro. You're the best.

As soon as Saiki Kusuo saw the sweets, he forgot everything else. While eating the most precious kind of dessert—cake—he showed a look of pure happiness.

Illumi reached out and patted Saiki Kusuo on the head.

[So cute. I want to give him even more snacks.]

"So, can you give me your answer now? You've seen a lot of strong people over the past few days, right? As a killer, I can promise you that everyone you've met so far could be taken out by me."

Big bro, even Grandpa and Dad together couldn't kill Chrollo.

Saiki Kusuo complained in his head, but his answer stayed the same—no change at all.

[I don't want to be a killer. Even without being one, I can still protect myself.]

"I see. Well then..."

Illumi kept patting his head. Clearly, he had expected that Saiki Kusuo wouldn't change his mind.

...

I am Saiki Kusuo Zoldyck, nine years old. At the end of my ninth year, I just survived a fourteen-day cockroach trial in Meteor City. Now I just want to live a normal life.

So, after the trial ended, Illumi stuck a needle in my head.

The needle Illumi used only works one way—it affects the mind, pushing me to run away when in danger. It's not active brainwashing, just passive influence.

If I take it out, Illumi will know right away.

So for now, I'm leaving it in my head.

The most important thing is, I noticed a good side effect: my psychic powers were weakened a bit.

Not as much as I used to want, but this one little negative needle lowered my overall power by 40%.

Don't underestimate that 40%.

If before I could accidentally push open a 256-ton door with a twitch of my hand, now it's only 128 tons.

Walking around used to feel like stepping on thin ice.

Now it's like walking on a frozen lake in winter. Sure, the ice could still break if I'm careless, but it's way better than before!

Thanks, big bro. You'll always be the one I can rely on.

After the trial, the first thing Saiki Kusuo did was go home—to the cold, 3,000-meter-high Kukuroo Mountain.

After all, he'd lived there for nine years, and after being gone for fourteen days, he kind of missed his little room.

It's only been fourteen days. Saiki Kusuo didn't think anything at home would've changed. Everything should still be normal...

[Ouch! It hurts, Dad!]

[Tch, Milluki, quit whining. It's only 1,000 volts. I can handle millions!]

What kind of hell is this? Can I not go home?

"What's wrong, Kusuo?

I made a promise to keep it a secret, and I'll stick to it.

Even though I'm curious if you can open the door now, doing so would give you away.

So just use the side entrance."

Illumi stood at the main gate, calmly pushing open the two huge doors, each weighing seven tons.

Saiki Kusuo had no way out. He could only grit his teeth and walk in.

None of this had anything to do with him, but it was still his first time really seeing what Zoldyck child training was like.

Alluka got lucky and dodged it. Saiki Kusuo, though, was locked back in the room he had before he left.

"Welcome home, Kusuo."

He had only been home for a few minutes when his mom showed up.

She wore glasses with built-in cameras.

Yare yare… Looks like the house's security level just went up again.

[Hi, Mom. I'm back.] Saiki Kusuo bowed politely.

"Mom, Kusuo passed the Meteor City trial!

Even though he's not that strong, he's smart and very observant!"

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