Several days later, Illumi met with Hisoka.
On the hotel balcony, Illumi leaned against the doorframe with his arms crossed.
A trace of scrutiny flashed through his pitch-black eyes as his gaze fell upon Hisoka, who was wrapped head to toe in bandages.
There was no need to ask. The answer he sought was already obvious.
But confirmation was still necessary.
"You lost?" he asked.
Inside the room, Hisoka was carefully unwrapping the bandages around his body.
At Illumi's question, he merely responded with an indifferent "Mhm."
As the bandages peeled away, Illumi's nose twitched slightly.
The distinct medicinal scent lingering in the air was all too familiar to him. It was the Zoldyck Family's special medicine.
Just from that faint aroma, the eldest son of the Zoldyck Family immediately guessed what had happened.
No doubt Kalluto had requested the medicine from home specifically for Morrow, only for Morrow to not need it, leaving it to benefit Hisoka, who had gone looking for trouble with Morrow.
"You lost, yet you weren't killed."
Illumi took out a medicine jar from his pocket and casually tossed it to Hisoka. "And you even used our family's medicine?"
Hisoka caught the jar with one hand, still nonchalant. "Mhm~ Feeling jealous?"
Illumi ignored Hisoka's flippant teasing, his expression blank. "Just curious how you survived."
"Well, about that..."
Hisoka narrowed his eyes, a sly smile curling on his lips. "If you're willing to give me a friends-and-family discount, I can tell you everything~~"
Illumi tapped his index finger against his chin, lowering his gaze in thought as he weighed the pros and cons.
In the end, his curiosity won out over monetary concerns.
"Fine," Illumi agreed to the terms of the deal.
Seeing this, Hisoka's lips curved into a fox-like grin.
A moment later...
When Hisoka revealed the reason, Illumi finally realized.
The answer to this question would have naturally come to light during the Memory Alteration process anyway.
But Hisoka had exploited his curiosity to swindle him before the official transaction.
"..."
Illumi's eyes instantly turned deadpan, staring straight at Hisoka.
Meanwhile, the man in question acted as if nothing had happened, skillfully applying medicine to himself with Bungee Gum.
Illumi sighed helplessly. "Are you really that broke, Hisoka?"
"Seems that way~~," Hisoka shrugged, utterly unbothered.
Ever since he emptied his wallet searching for Morrow, his finances had never recovered; instead, his debts to Illumi only kept piling up.
Seeing Hisoka's indifferent attitude, Illumi couldn't shake the feeling that he'd been shortchanged in this deal, silently calculating how to squeeze more interest out of him.
"Hmm?"
Suddenly, Hisoka stopped applying the medicine, his senses sharp as radar as he looked up at Illumi.
"Illumi, you wouldn't do anything unnecessary during the "Memory Alteration," would you?"
"Eh?" Illumi feigned surprise before adopting a serious expression. "When it comes to work, I always have principles."
Hisoka stared at him intently.
Illumi remained unfazed.
After a moment of thought, Hisoka meaningfully reminded him, "Don't forget, your adorable "little sister" is an accomplice too."
"..."
Illumi fell silent. It was precisely because Kalluto was also involved that made him somewhat hesitant.
Otherwise, after learning the details of the deal, he had indeed considered using this opportunity to deal with Morrow.
As for whether Hisoka lived or died…
Hmm.
Before the debt was repaid, it was still quite important.
"Don't worry."
Illumi solemnly promised, "Since I've accepted this deal, I'm effectively an accomplice now. There's no reason for me to do anything that would harm me or my little sister."
"Ara~ Such enviable sibling bonds~"
Hisoka drawled, leisurely continuing to apply medicine.
Illumi glanced at his utterly insincere expression and said flatly, "I don't see even a hint of envy on your face."
Before the words had fully left his mouth, a thin needle was already pinched between his fingers, glinting coldly.
"Can we begin? I'm in a hurry."
"Money matters shouldn't be rushed~"
Hisoka showed no intention of cooperating with Illumi to finish things quickly.
Yet Illumi didn't press further, instead fixing Hisoka with an eerie stare from his pitch-black eyes.
He certainly wouldn't do anything that might threaten the lives of "accomplices," but…
Adding a little extra interest to a certain sum of money shouldn't be too unreasonable, right?
—--
The top floor of Heavens Arena.
"Can that guy really find a reliable Manipulator within a week?"
In the living room, Kalluto voiced his concerns.
Hearing this, Morrow's expression turned slightly odd.
"Absolutely no problem, because Hisoka and your eldest brother are acquainted."
"Huh?"
Kalluto froze for a moment, unable to believe it. "How could Illumi be acquainted with that per... Hisoka!?"
"..."
Morrow could probably guess why Kalluto reacted this way, shocked that his eldest brother could possibly be acquainted with someone so unhinged.
As for that question...
He could certainly provide a reasonable answer.
But he couldn't very well say in front of Kalluto, "What if your eldest brother is also a little unhinged?"
"Anyway, don't worry about it."
Morrow smiled at Kalluto's bewildered and stunned expression. "Hisoka will definitely go to Illumi for help. As long as the Memory Alteration holds, Hisoka's acting skills should be enough to fool them. Besides…"
Here, a glint flashed in Morrow's eyes.
"You already know I've placed a new Star Mark on Hisoka. If the mark suddenly disappears, it means we might've been exposed. With this backup plan, we'll at least have time to react, enough to get you safely back to Kukuroo Mountain."
Kalluto was taken aback, then said with a hint of irritation, "I don't need..."
"I know."
Morrow cut him off, his expression serious. "But I care. And I can't betray your father's trust. Your family might hope this 'training' helps you grow, but more than anything, they want you to return to Kukuroo Mountain safely."
He paused, his tone growing even more solemn. "Kalluto, the 'commission' should've ended already. It's only because of my selfishness that you're still here, taking risks with me. So even if you don't care, I have to ensure your safety."
"You don't understand at all."
Kalluto's deep purple eyes burned with anger as he turned and stormed back to his room.
Morrow watched him go, scratching his forehead lightly.
Of course he understood.
Spelling it out like this would only wound Kalluto's pride. Sending Kalluto back to Kukuroo Mountain was essentially a statement of distrust in his abilities.
Given how much Kalluto valued strength, it was no surprise he'd be upset.
But Morrow couldn't justify letting Kalluto face danger alongside him just because the boy didn't mind the risks.
I'll buy some sugar pancakes later to apologize.
Morrow thought to himself.
Inside the room, Kalluto leaned against the door, gripping his purple bamboo fan tightly in his small hand.
Worried about my safety? As if that would make me happy. Hmph. In the end, you just look down on my strength. Am I really that weak…?
As he muttered, the image of Morrow and Feitan's battle flashed through his mind.
Their clash had been so fast he couldn't even follow it, his complaints gradually lost their conviction.
A person's strength was always relative to their opponent.
Against someone like Feitan, Kalluto couldn't lie to himself and claim he was strong.
"Damn it!"
The angrier he got, the more determined he became to train harder.
If I just get stronger…!
With that thought, Kalluto immediately began his training.
The top floor of Heavens Arena was spacious, entirely under Morrow's control.
Kalluto had his own room, and naturally, so did Kurapika.
Emerging after days of rest, Kurapika looked much better.
"Morrow."
He walked into the living room, glanced at Kalluto's door, then turned to Morrow on the sofa.
"Can I ask you something?"
"No need to be so formal. Ask away."
Morrow studied Kurapika's face. His energy had clearly recovered. The Zoldyck Family's medicine really is something.
"I want to know… what grudge you have against the Phantom Troupe."
"Hmm. Strictly speaking…"
Morrow propped his cheek on one hand.
"Only Feitan and I have a feud to the death, the kind where I have to kill him. But I can't tell you why."
"I see."
Kurapika didn't press further.
Morrow looked at him calmly.
"Killing Feitan is something I must do. But what happened at the cemetery… you were just lucky. If I'd arrived a moment later, or if Feitan hadn't been so intent on torturing you to death, the only outcome waiting for you would've been death."
"…Right."
Kurapika lowered his head.
After this experience, he would undoubtedly act more cautiously in the future.
Morrow didn't dwell on it. He knew someone of Kurapika's ability would only grow faster after learning this lesson.
That night, Morrow knocked on Kalluto's door with an assortment of sugar pancakes.
Kalluto opened it, his gaze immediately drawn to the treats in Morrow's hands. A flicker of excitement flashed in his eyes, but he quickly pressed his lips together, feigning indifference.
"I'm not even mad. Stop treating me like a kid."
"When I went to buy these, I found a new flavor had just been released."
Morrow said slowly.
Kalluto's eyes instantly lit up.
"What flavor?"
Then, realizing his slip, he hastily turned away.
"I'm not hungry. I don't want any."
"You've been training for most of the day. There's no way you're not hungry at all."
Morrow glanced at Kalluto's sweat-drenched hair.
Kalluto knew his excuse wasn't convincing either. With a cold snort, he snatched the sugar pancake from Morrow's hand and began devouring it ravenously.
Only in front of Morrow could he abandon all pretense of manners and decorum.
After wolfing down several sugar pancakes, Kalluto suddenly said, "I'm still angry, but I was never angry with you from the start."
"I know."
Morrow smiled. "Whenever something like this happens, you only ever get mad at yourself for not being strong enough, then grit your teeth and train like crazy."
"Then why did you deliberately provoke me?"
Kalluto bit viciously into another pancake as if venting his frustration.
"My mistake," Morrow said apologetically. "But the situation was special. Against opponents like the Phantom Troupe, your strength..."
"What about Kurapika then?"
Kalluto suddenly looked up, locking eyes with Morrow as he challenged, "He's just as weak, isn't he? Yet you seem convinced he can grow strong enough to face the Troupe."
"Kurapika is different."
Morrow shook his head slightly.
The pancake in Kalluto's hand suddenly lost all flavor. His brows furrowed tightly. "How is he different? You can believe in him but not me?"
"Because I've placed a Limitation on my life, for the sole purpose of avenging myself against the Troupe."
Kurapika's voice suddenly came from the shadows.
Morrow turned to see Kurapika stepping slowly out of the dimly lit living room.
Kalluto immediately stepped forward, glaring at Kurapika with clear hostility.
Before Kurapika could say anything more, Kalluto yanked Morrow into the room and slammed the door shut behind them.
Looking at the closed door, Kurapika wasn't angry, just a little envious that Kalluto could act so childishly with Morrow.
He hadn't meant to eavesdrop on their conversation, but when he heard his name mentioned, he felt compelled to explain.
He'd worried he might become the wedge between Morrow and Kalluto.
Now it seemed that concern, as an outsider, had been unnecessary.
Kurapika lingered by the door for a moment before turning to leave, heading toward his own room.
Creak...
Just as he took a few steps, the sound of a door opening came from behind him.
Warm light spilled out like a tide, enveloping him completely.
"Hey."
Kalluto stood in the doorway, holding up a sugar pancake dusted with pale green frosting. "New wasabi flavor. Want some?"
Kurapika turned back, glancing between the pancake in Kalluto's hand and Morrow, who leaned against the doorframe with a smile.
"Thank you."
He hesitated for a step, then quickened his pace, taking the pancake under Kalluto's reluctant gaze.
Crunch.
Kurapika carefully broke off a third of it and said softly, "This is enough. I can't eat too much."
"You said it, not me being stingy!"
Kalluto happily took back the remaining pancake, after all, there was only one of the new flavor.
In the days that followed, Kalluto and Kurapika engaged in combat training on the top-floor arena in addition to their daily practice.
Their opponent was Calista, who had become a Floor Master at Heavens Arena.
As for Kastro, he was still recovering from his injuries. Ten days passed like this when Morrow suddenly received a message from Hisoka.
"Lend me some money."
It was followed by a heart symbol.
Seeing Hisoka's money-borrowing message, Morrow knew the other hadn't been exposed at the Spider gathering.
But as for borrowing money...
Morrow replied: "No money. I still owe the Zoldycks a huge sum right now."
Hisoka: "How much do you owe?"
Morrow: "A few tens of billions."
Hisoka: "...?"