Germain had been staying with the Zoldyck family until August 8th. After that, he watched the live broadcast of the Colonial Expedition with the members of the Zoldyck family in front of the TV.
The huge BW1, which looked quite bulky and heavy, dominated most of the live broadcast screen, while the other five accompanying ships only appeared briefly.
They moved away from the port and set sail.
The host's voice came through.
"Attention, passengers! The BW1 and other ships have safely set sail into the ocean and have begun their exciting journey! From this moment on, they will be sailing for about two months, heading for the Dark Continent!"
The colonial expedition had begun.
After the broadcast ended, Germain said to Silva, "Killua, Gon, and I will leave tomorrow and head back to Greed Island."
This was the result of a discussion he had previously arranged with Killua and Gon. Killua, although feeling a bit reluctant because of Alluka and Nanika, still agreed.
He understood the importance of priorities. Without increasing his own strength, he wouldn't have the ability to protect his sisters.
Right now, what he needed most was to return to the training ground on Greed Island.
"Alright," Silva said. "Please continue taking care of Killua… And I wish you a safe journey on your next trip."
"We will," Germain replied.
Zigg had mentioned that if Germain's next goal was the "Gaseous Lifeform A and Trinity Elixir," the Zoldyck family could offer assistance.
Since Germain hadn't brought it up, Silva understood where Germain's thoughts were leaning now.
But Silva himself also hoped to find a stable solution that would separate Alluka from the "Gaseous Lifeform" before discussing anything else.
Soon, the news that Killua would soon be leaving home again spread throughout the Zoldyck family.
That evening, Milluki could no longer hold back and found Killua.
The two brothers stayed in a room for about half an hour before they went together to find Germain.
"Ahem," Killua said to Germain, who was reading a book. "Germain, there's something I want to ask you, if it's not too much trouble?"
"What's the matter?"
Germain looked at Killua, who was smiling mischievously, and then at Milluki, who seemed to be fidgeting behind him. Soon, he had a guess in his mind.
As expected, Killua's words confirmed Germain's suspicion:
"Milluki also wants to enter Greed Island. Do you have any extra game consoles, cartridges, or rings?"
Germain glanced at Killua, then at Milluki, and asked, "Did you get something out of this?"
Killua grinned and took out two metal yoyos from his pocket, skillfully twirling them like meteor hammers, sending a gust of wind through the room. "I think they're quite handy."
It seemed that Milluki had given Killua these special yoyos after admitting defeat, finally persuading him to come and ask Germain.
Killua then added, "I'm not just in it for the yoyos. Didn't you assign me and Gon a land-based task to clear Greed Island?"
"I think with Milluki's help, if we form a team, we'll have a better chance at clearing it. You wouldn't stop us from forming a team, would you?"
Germain, of course, wasn't about to stop them from forming a team.
Killua and Gon wanted to clear the "Elite Area," and they would have to face both monsters and other players. It was going to be tough.
Moreover, the virtual image of Alluka would also join their team as a mascot, which would make things even more difficult.
With Milluki's help, it was a good choice, especially since Milluki himself was quite interested in this area.
"Okay." Germain agreed, "Once we return to the Greed Island, I'll send over the necessary equipment."
Milluki was about to cheer, but Germain added:
"However, I advise you not to attempt to infiltrate the Greed Island system. The 'Hacker Hunter' Ickshonpe is guarding the entrance now."
"If he detects your actions, he might hack into your computer, and I'm not sure what will happen next."
Milluki was already familiar with the notorious ways of Ickshonpe.
He didn't doubt Germain's words at all, quickly shaking his head and waving his hands, his chubby face shaking with the motion.
"Don't worry, don't worry! I would never do something like that."
At this moment, Killua slapped Milluki hard on the back and said:
"You'd better keep your word. Don't get any delusions, or when you come looking for us, we won't be able to help you."
After Killua and Milluki left, Germain realized they weren't the only visitors that night.
To his surprise, the young son of the Zoldyck family, who dressed like a Japanese doll—Kalluto—also came to Germain's room.
He bowed to Germain.
"Thank you for taking care of Killua and disciplining him. He's changed a lot since he came back, and I hope you'll continue to guide him in the future."
"No need to thank me. It's not just my doing."
Germain and Kalluto chatted briefly, but the atmosphere became a little cold.
Though Germain had visited several times, he wasn't familiar with Kalluto.
He thought the room had gotten so quiet that he couldn't find the right words. Kalluto, being someone who could sense the atmosphere, would likely leave soon.
Unexpectedly, Kalluto remained seated on the couch, not speaking nor showing any intention of leaving, just staring intently at the water cup.
Germain sensed that things weren't as simple as they seemed.
"Are you trying to say something, Kalluto?"
Kalluto trembled when he heard this, as if he had just snapped out of deep thought.
"Sorry, I was just lost in my thoughts... I... you've met Alluka a few times already, what do you think of her?"
"She's a very cute child," Germain said briefly.
"Yeah. She... is very cute and obedient, that's why Killua likes her. Before she was locked up, Killua and Alluka often played together in the forest."
Kalluto lowered his eyes, glancing sideways at the ground. The beauty mark at the corner of his mouth seemed to fall as well.
It was clear that many memories were flooding back to him.
"I... I rarely had the chance to play with them, because Killua thought I would tell mother about it, so..."
"After Alluka was locked away, I actually thought for a while that I would replace her and become Killua's playmate."
"But Killua never came to find me. He never did."
Kalluto realized he had said too much. He felt uneasy, quickly standing up from the couch. The feminine kimono he wore swayed as he moved.
He didn't quite understand why he was telling Germain all of this. After all, Germain wasn't even a member of the Zoldyck family.
Maybe it was because Germain was someone Killua trusted.
"Germain, I know I can never replace Alluka's place in Killua's heart, no matter how much I imitate her, I'm not Alluka."
"I don't know what happened exactly, why Father and Grandpa allowed you to meet Alluka, but I know you'll definitely bring some changes to the Zoldyck family."
"If there's a chance, please, please give Alluka her freedom, so she and Killua don't have to be separated like this anymore."
Kalluto bowed to Germain once more, and without waiting for a reply, he turned and quickly left the room.
Germain began to understand.
Kalluto's appearance, so feminine, might not entirely be due to his gender identity or just because Kikyo liked to "have children."
He simply wanted Killua to notice him. He was Killua's brother... or perhaps sister.
The next day, Germain, Killua, and Gon once again left the Kukuroo Mountains and quickly returned to Greed Island.
Soon after, Germain kept his promise and sent Milluki a gaming console, cartridges, and a ring—enough to enter Greed Island.
At this point, the trio consisting of Killua, Gon, and a remote-controlled "Virtual Alluka" had already begun their wild adventure on Greed Island.
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