Killua was serious.
Illumi understood this, so he didn't act rashly.
In fact, he had to admit that Killua used a risky move to gain the upper hand, putting him in a passive position.
"Let's make a deal," Killua said coldly.
"Terms?" After praising Killua, Illumi reverted to his zombie-like expression.
"Stay away from us," Killua stated.
"If that's the request, the bargaining chip isn't enough," Illumi said calmly.
Crack.
At such close range, Killua easily broke Illumi's right arm, using a two-stage fracture technique… not something that could be simply set back.
His arm broken in two places, Illumi didn't even grunt, his expression unchanged.
"Now it's enough," Killua said coldly.
"Mhm, this is indeed enough."
Illumi slightly lowered his head, expressionlessly looking at his already severely swollen arm, as if it weren't his own.
"So you agree to the deal?" Killua continued.
"I don't seem to have a second choice," Illumi said.
Hearing this, Killua decisively withdrew his hand, then walked towards Gon.
This was the Zoldyck Family's customary 'transaction method'. Negotiating based on this, one must never break the agreement.
Killua gained the upper hand and used this 'upper hand' to exchange for Illumi's withdrawal. But Illumi deemed the chips insufficient, so Killua immediately broke Illumi's arm, increasing the weight of the chips.
A seemingly calm but internally turbulent dispute was thus settled using the 'transaction method'… a unique style of the Zoldyck Family.
Illumi watched Killua's retreating figure and suddenly said, "Actually, wouldn't it be simpler if you just killed me directly?"
"I'm not you."
Killua didn't look back, supporting Gon, whose bones were broken in several places, and left the place. Illumi stood where he was, watching them leave.
He naturally knew very well that Killua wouldn't kill him here because the motive wasn't sufficient enough.
Only if he made a move to stick a needle in Killua's head would Killua have a motive to kill him based on that reason.
Only after the two figures disappeared from sight did Illumi take out the Zoldyck Family's special-use phone and dialed Silva's number.
After the call connected, Illumi got straight to the point: "Killua pulled out the needle."
The other end of the phone was silent for a moment, then asked, "On his own?"
"Yes," Illumi replied.
"Understood."
Silva responded flatly, with a strong tendency to hang up immediately.
"I want to stick another one in," Illumi proposed his idea.
"If Killua could pull out the first one, he can pull out the second one," Silva tactfully reminded.
"Hmm, he won't, because this time it'll be a Forced-type needle," Illumi's tone was serious, without a hint of joking.
"If you can do it, I won't stop you. But I must remind you, Killua is your family. Don't go too far."
Silva, of course, knew what Manipulation-type's Forced-type was, but his tone didn't change.
"Speaking of family, without that needle, Killua will remember Alluka. Given his way of doing things, he'll likely go straight home and bring Alluka out."
Illumi slightly tilted his head, looking towards Harrison's corpse killed by Killua.
Hearing this, Silva fell silent.
The needle he had approved had another effect: making Killua forget about Alluka.
Now that the needle was gone, Killua would naturally remember Alluka. And indeed, as Illumi said, given Killua's nature, he would probably try by all means to rescue Alluka from that sealed room.
"So, let me 'teach' my dear younger brother properly again," Illumi's eyes held a dangerous light.
A slight sigh came from the other end of the phone. After a moment, Silva said, "You didn't insert a new needle on the spot, which means Killua shook off you with his own strength. That also proves the difficulty of this matter."
"Know when to stop appropriately, or you'll suffer."
'He guessed right. As expected of Dad.'
Illumi said seriously, "I'll consider it carefully. Hanging up."
After saying this, he hung up and put the phone away.
Killua's talent was praised by Zeno and the others as the best in the Zoldyck Family's history.
But being able to grow to this extent without awareness still came as a surprise to Illumi.
"If I fail, I might be killed by Killua."
Illumi looked at Harrison's corpse, his eyes slightly narrowing.
"If I could become the first family member killed by Killua, then I could remain forever in Killua's heart. That's not bad to think about either."
"Too bad Hisoka was killed by Law, otherwise, I could have commissioned him for help."
Illumi headed off in the opposite direction.
He had to find Law to get his heart back.
In another direction, Killua supported Gon as they walked through the forest.
"Let's get to the nearest town first to treat your injuries," Killua said.
"Mhm."
Gon nodded, then curiously asked, "Killua, how did you suddenly become so strong?"
"It's a bit complicated to explain."
Killua gave a bitter smile and explained, "To put it simply, Illumi stuck a needle in my head, limiting my strength."
Knowing Gon's nature well, Killua explained simply. Otherwise, if he detailed the entire influence, Gon would probably be completely confused.
"I see."
Gon suddenly understood, then his eyes sparkled, saying, "But Killua is really amazing, being able to take down an enemy of that level in an instant."
"It was just catching him off guard," Killua said.
Being able to instantly kill Harrison relied on the greatly increased speed of his Godspeed, which was also why he could restrain Illumi.
If given time to adapt, he might not have displayed such a clear advantage.
Several hours later, just as Killua and Gon were about to reach the nearest town, the phone in his pocket vibrated.
Killua stopped, took out the phone, and answered.
"Where are you?"
The caller was actually Biscuit.
"What's up?" Killua replied.
"Less nonsense. Answer my question," Biscuit said quite rudely.
"..."
Killua's mouth twitched. He thought that since he had pulled out the needle, he should have confidence. But then he remembered the relationship between Law and Biscuit and quickly reined himself in, obediently reporting their location.
"Got it. Wait for me there."
On the other end, Biscuit hung up.
The reason she contacted Killua was actually entrusted by Law.
On another front, a day later.
Illumi arrived at the East Gorteau's capital palace.
At this time, Komugi was resting in her room, and Law finally had time to meet Illumi.
In the reception room, Law sat on a sofa, while Kuro floated nearby eating snacks.
A moment later, Illumi opened the door and entered the reception room.
Law looked up at Illumi, his gaze pausing briefly on Illumi's right arm.
'Fractured, given simple treatment.'
He instantly came to this judgment, showing how eager Illumi was to retrieve his heart.
"You've worked hard."
Fully aware of Illumi's hard work during this time, Law naturally offered some words of consolation and encouragement.
"My heart."
Illumi went straight to the point.
Law stood up, suddenly flashed forward, and before Illumi could react, severed his right arm.
Instantly, Illumi showed shock, instinctively releasing the maximum amount of Manifested Aura.
"Don't be nervous, just taking the opportunity to help treat your injury."
Law held the severed right arm, using God Hand ability to set the bones back in place, then reattached the arm. The speed and skill of the procedure made Illumi secretly startled.
After treating Illumi's injury, Law summoned the book. According to their agreement, he would return the heart.
But now, Illumi's attention was no longer on his heart. He stared at Law, unable to hide his emotions.
'He's become stronger again. This person is a monster, isn't he?'