Killua specifically came to the forest to settle things with Illumi.
At the very least... to stop Illumi from wanting to insert needles into his head.
To achieve this, the only possible means was force.
Swish.
Nen surged from Killua's body. A light breeze arose, swirling fallen leaves around his body.
Crackle...
The smoothly flowing Nen suddenly turned violent, transforming into electric currents in the blink of an eye, tearing the swirling leaves into black fragments.
Watching the leaf debris torn by electricity, the corner of Illumi's mouth lifted slightly.
The utterly unconcealed, fierce offensive intent fed back into the Nen, making it highly destructive. The transformed nature seemed to exude a presence of disregarding all ties.
'Completely disregarding 'output' balance. Any external object, once near, is indiscriminately torn apart.'
'Your Aura is clearly telling me this. Then I... won't hold back.'
A dangerous smile appeared on Illumi's face. Before Killua could launch his attack, he raised an arm, two pinhead needles held between his fingers.
At that moment, two figures burst from the bushes behind Killua, left and right, charging towards him.
They were two men in butler uniforms, expressions vacant, pinhead needles inserted into the back of their heads.
They were Illumi's Needle People. He had directly targeted butlers for control.
Killua instantly vanished from his spot, causing the two butlers to miss.
The next moment, a flicker of electricity appeared behind the butlers, followed by Killua's figure.
Crack!
Two sounds of breaking bones echoed almost simultaneously in the forest.
The two butlers' heads were twisted grotesquely, collapsing limply to the ground, dead beyond doubt.
Seeing Killua so decisively eliminate the Needle People, Illumi further confirmed Killua's growth.
'The difficulty is different now,' He thought.
Then, Killua took the initiative to attack Illumi, transforming into a current of electricity, darting through the forest.
Illumi retreated, swiftly dodging, avoiding Killua's attacks.
"Barely keeping up. Supplemented by experience, it shouldn't be a problem."
Electric flashes constantly streaked through Illumi's pitch-black eyes… all traces of Killua's offensive moves.
His body danced amidst the chaotic currents, always narrowly avoiding them.
Not being an Enhancer, he wouldn't risk blocking Killua barehanded to create an opening.
During brief moments dodging Killua's attacks, Illumi shot ten pinhead needles in five batches, but all missed without exception.
Killua's speed was too fast. Just dodging was quite difficult… seizing an opportunity to counterattack was nearly impossible.
After several failed counterattacks, Illumi timely stopped, forced to retreat step by step by Killua's offensive.
He deliberately moved towards an area dense with trees.
'Trying to use trees to limit my mobility? Useless.'
Killua's clothes and even hair were completely electrified, looking like an anime character sprung from a 2D World.
As Killua thought, Illumi wanted to use trees to constrain Killua's mobility as much as possible.
Speed as an attribute often represented trouble.
Even if Killua's advanced Nen Techniques and physical skills were inferior to Illumi's, just that speed, forcibly exceeding the limits of movement, could temporarily suppress Illumi.
After a short while, Illumi retreated to an environment he deemed suitable, surrounded by numerous trees.
Simultaneously, Killua finally stopped attacking, pulling the distance to a relatively safe range, then coldly stared at Illumi. His peripheral vision, however, silently noted the number, positions, and sizes of the trees.
In less than a moment, Killua moved again.
Electric light flared once more in the forest.
He wanted to cripple Illumi before his [electricity] ran out, making Illumi understand he was no longer a weakling to be bullied at will.
Even if he couldn't achieve that, he needed to make Illumi deeply aware today.
His clear intent transmitted to his Nen, transforming into even swifter currents.
Illumi suddenly felt pressure, then was surprised.
'Though the speed Killua displayed was quite troublesome, the threat level of his attacks was low… it shouldn't make me feel pressure.'
As an elder brother, having this feeling was truly unprofessional.
Illumi thought this, then suddenly drew eight pinhead needles. His feet stepped into Rhythm Echo, his figure blurring into a series of afterimages, weaving among the trees.
The electric current Killua transformed into, like a nimble little snake, traced strange trajectories among the trees, closely pursuing Illumi.
Killua's speed in his [Godspeed] state was truly astonishing, but Illumi could still keep up, showing his considerable strength.
Suddenly, Illumi made his move, throwing eight pinhead needles simultaneously.
The timing was precisely when Killua had a brief pause from avoiding a tree.
It was a judgment and attack made after observing for about thirty seconds.
The eight pinhead needles were aimed directly at Killua's face and body.
'Got it.'
Illumi thought.
[Snake Awakening]
However, Killua's expression was terrifyingly calm. Facing the pinhead needles flying towards his face, his hands moved like snakes, rapidly coming alive.
Snake mouths carrying dangerous electric currents bit onto the eight needles almost in one breath.
"Hmm?"
Seeing Killua catch all the needles, Illumi was slightly taken aback.
Each pinhead needle carried Nen, and they weren't easy to catch barehanded.
It required maintaining speed while evenly distributing Nen on his palms, neutralizing the needles' impact with minimal error.
Most importantly, it required instantaneous explosive thinking and nerve reaction.
While Illumi was stunned, Killua returned the favor, throwing the needles back.
Illumi hastily dodged, but a bloody scratch appeared on his face and rib area.
"Converting Aura into electricity enhances not just physical speed but also nerve reaction speed?"
Illumi extended a finger, wiping the blood seeping from the wound on his cheek, considering a possibility.
'If so, the previous evaluation needed to be overturned, raised another level.'
"With my current strength, killing you might not be difficult."
Killua looked coldly at Illumi, several electric currents flowing between his hands.
Illumi remained silent. The Nen Fluctuations emanating from his body began to reveal ominous, displeasing undertones.
That transparent glass dome called 'Desire for Control' seemed to have countless cracks.
"My trump card isn't just speed."
This time, Killua didn't adopt high-speed movement but walked slowly towards Illumi.
He would slowly show Illumi his changes, making Illumi back off.
Atop a giant tree in the distance, Law stood motionless like a stone sculpture. The Aura concentrated in his eyes was like rising flames.
'Converting Aura into electricity... Few Nen Users worldwide could do it. As for using electricity to this extent, probably only Killua could do so.'
...
Botda Hospital was Hunter Association's property, gathering many industry elites. But the hospital didn't just serve the Association… daily foot traffic was considerable.
Hospital beds were hard to come by, but Association's members had priority, and there were dedicated ward areas.
After waking, Netero recuperated in the hospital with dedicated caregivers, including security.
This afternoon, thunderstorms were forecast.
The weather changed quickly. Dark clouds came swiftly, and rain fell in the blink of an eye.
Despite this, many people were still in the hospital.
In the special ward, Netero sat on the bed, leaning against the headboard, looking sideways at the view blurred by rain on the window.
"Shall I close the curtains for you?"
A pretty nurse asked.
Netero shook his head.
"If closed, I won't be able to see."