Since he already knew that Pe's harassment might just be for show and he also knew how to contact Pe, Law decided to temporarily set the matter aside. After all, Pe hadn't fundamentally threatened the security of the Lawlin Museum.
However, whether Pe had stolen any database materials was something Law couldn't confirm. No traces had been found, and the security system had shown no signs of intrusion. It was highly possible that the other party's actions had been completely undetectable.
'A resident of the digital world, huh…'
'Fortunately, the other party was driven by 'curiosity' and 'interest' rather than malicious intent for personal gain. Otherwise, with hacking skills even superior to those of Elena and Eta, if they had targeted the Lawlin Museum, it would have been truly despair-inducing.'
That said, the endless stream of pests that kept coming were indeed products of greed. Catching one was one less problem, but the forces behind those pests weren't so easy to root out.
In the following days, certain changes occurred in Killua. Law noticed them and vaguely realized that Illumi had made his move.
Law only knew that Illumi would insert needles into Killua's head to achieve a mild form of control, but he wasn't sure when Illumi had done it.
Judging by the timing, it must have been now… just before sending Killua to Heaven's Arena.
Alluka was supposed to be confined, but Killua's current irritable demeanor hid a strange undercurrent, as if he was deliberately avoiding something he would normally have done… like demanding that his family release Alluka.
Restless yet uneasy… these seemed to be the earliest symptoms after the needle was inserted into his head.
Theoretically, this needle wasn't the same as Illumi's Nen Needles. It wasn't absolute control, and its effects were relatively weaker, but for someone like Killua, who couldn't use Nen, it was more than enough.
'Control' wasn't entirely accurate… it was more like subtly influencing Killua's judgment and behavior.
'This is the Zoldyck Family's way of education.'
While ruffling Killua's hair, Law detected the needle inserted into the center of Killua's forehead but didn't react. He quietly withdrew his hand.
This needle, which is capable of influencing Killua for six or seven years, wasn't something he could recklessly interfere with.
"Law, I'm going to Heavens Arena the day after tomorrow." Killua said, looking up at Law in the room.
"Who's taking you there?" Law did not mention anything about Alluka.
"Dad." Killua spoke in a calm tone.
'Silva?'
Law thought it would be Illumi, who was obsessed with his brother, who would send Killua over, but he didn't expect it to be Silva. After a moment's thought, he asked, "Do you want me to go with you?"
Hearing this, Killua's eyes lit up, and he nodded eagerly, "Sure."
Law smiled and ruffled Killua's hair.
Later, he went to see Silva and mentioned accompanying Killua. Silva immediately handed the task over to him, letting him take Killua to Heavens Arena… but with one condition: he couldn't provide Killua with any substantial assistance.
Law agreed without hesitation.
When Illumi found out, his brother-complex flared up again, leaving him deeply displeased. But there was nothing he could do… the family was far too lenient with Law.
He even briefly considered using Alluka's ability to 'wish' Law out of existence. But this reckless thought quickly faded.
It wasn't just about the potential consequences or the scope of the backlash from using [Wish] to kill Law… it simply wasn't worth the risk.
Before leaving Kukuroo Mountain with Killua, Law checked on Milluki's progress. In three or four days, he had only completed about 10% of the work. At this rate, it would take another month.
At noon, Law and Killua descended the mountain. A butler was waiting for them… it was Gotoh, who had taken over Tsubame's position. He was responsible for driving them to the airport to board the airship.
A black sedan left Kukuroo Mountain, winding down the mountain road toward the distant city skyline.
The car moved smoothly along the road.
Killua gazed out the window at the scenery flashing by. This was his first time traveling far from home… not for leisure or play, but to learn independence at the age of six in a place filled with the spirit of combat.
Killua had undergone life-threatening assassin training since the age of three. This trip to Heavens Arena was both a trial and a way to test his growth.
"Law, is Heavens Arena fun?" Killua turned to look at Law.
His understanding of Heaven's Arena was limited, but he knew that Law was one of its Floor Masters and had a general idea of what kind of place it was.
"It's a place that can satisfy most people's desires. As for whether it's fun or not, you'll only know once you experience it yourself," Law replied.
"Oh." Killua nodded vaguely and continued staring out the window.
Law glanced at the back of Killua's head, then at the rearview mirror… Gotoh was driving while keeping an eye on them.
Noticing Law's gaze, Gotoh subtly refocused on the road.
Seeing this, Law closed his eyes and pretended to rest.
Silva had demanded that Killua reach the 190th floor before returning home, which is no easy feat. The reason for setting it at the 190th floor was to prevent Killua from encountering Nen, as fighters beyond the 200th floor were all Nen Users.
At first, Law had been puzzled as to why the Zoldyck family hadn't taught Killua Nen. After all, the earlier one started training in Nen, the better… Moroever, Killua's talent was exceptional, so the sooner he awakened it, the more he could maximize his potential.
But in their later interactions, Law finally understood that the reason the Zoldyck Family did not teach Killua Nen was because they prioritized 'mental conditioning' above all else.
'Once Killua reaches the 190th floor, he'll probably start taking assassination contracts as a full-fledged assassin.'
Law pondered silently. During the six years he had traveled the world with Linne, he hadn't visited the Zoldycks often, but he had still watched Killua grow up… including the brutal training sessions he frequently witnessed.
It was the same path Illumi and Milluki had walked, but Killua was fundamentally different from them.
This difference, so at odds with the Zoldyck Family's way, might be suppressed by Illumi in a few years and ruthlessly erased… until Killua met Gon, and the embers of his true self reignited.
Perhaps only Gon could change Killua by then.
Gotoh remained silent the entire trip. After escorting Law and Killua onto the airship, he drove back to Kukuroo Mountain.
Two days later, the airship carrying Law and Killua landed at the airport in the city where Heavens Arena was located.
After disembarking, they took a taxi straight to Heavens Arena.
Three hours later, Law, using his authority as a Floor Master, exercised his 'recommendation' privilege to bypass the long registration line for Killua, letting him sign up through the back door.
That afternoon, Killua faced his first battle.
At the same time, Law's whereabouts were tracked by a certain group.