Midsummer in July, the morning sun pierced through the gaps in the branches, filtering through the early mist, scattering in countless rays across the entire Kukuroo Mountain forest, bringing a touch of vibrant life to the quiet forest.
As time passed, the sun climbed directly above the forest, its rays growing more brilliant and hotter.
Deep within the Kukuroo Mountain forest, a young figure clad in a black long shirt with gold silk trim stood by a small stream, looking down at his reflection in the clear water.
His features were handsome and spirited, his complexion flawless. With a neat side parting and bangs, his face was youthful yet somewhat composed.
However, an almost imperceptible aura of oppression emanated from between his brows, giving him a lofty, superior air.
Paired with the black long shirt with gold trim, he resembled a young master from an ancient Eastern dynasty.
"Whoosh~"
A cool breeze swept by, caressing his fair, handsome cheeks. His bangs and the hem of his clothes fluttered wildly in the refreshing breeze.
"Rustle, rustle..."
The gentle breeze swept through the forest, causing the tree branches to sway merrily, rustling loudly.
A few leaves drifted down, dancing lightly in mid-air with the breeze, tracing beautiful arcs before landing on the water's surface.
The breeze ruffled the water's surface, creating ripples. A few leaves floated by, obscuring the gradually blurring face in the water.
Illumi slowly closed his eyes, his breathing gradually evening out, as he slowly merged into the embrace of this pristine nature.
The clear stream water stretched along the winding river to the distant horizon. Brilliant sunlight poured onto the water's surface through the gaps in the leaves; a dazzling wave of light appeared on the constantly rippling water, extending from the river's edge to the limit of vision.
"Mom has already entered the delivery room; she's about to give birth~"
A light voice sounded from behind Illumi. A black-haired youth with straight hair, dressed in a flowing green long shirt, suddenly appeared by the riverbank, leaning against a large tree.
"Alluka."
Illumi slowly opened his eyes and turned to look at the green-shirted youth leaning against the large tree on his right.
"You said earlier you had something to discuss with me. What is it?"
Alluka's empty, jet-black eyes blinked. "Hmm, actually, it's nothing much. It's just that I accepted an assassination request from a Hunter, and I was hoping you could help."
"Assassinate a Hunter?" Illumi's expression subtly changed. The aura within his body gradually gathered in his eyes as he looked at Alluka.
He saw that Alluka's current body was enveloped in a faintly glowing aura, its presence stable.
It seemed he had been practicing Nen for some time and was already very proficient in "En."
"For something like this, you should look for Grandpa or Dad," Illumi pondered for a moment, then still advised him. Although such a matter would be but a simple effort for him, he had a mountain of his own things to do.
He had long since stopped doing assassinations.
"I just want you to help me." Alluka spoke with his arms crossed over his chest, looking slightly up, in a sorrowful tone. "It's truly heartbreaking, even my twin brother won't help me."
"It seems I'll have to do this assassination request all by myself. I wonder if I'll just die?"
Illumi remained expressionless. Alluka, for some reason, seemed determined to act with him.
Alluka was strong. Even without Nen abilities, he could use assassination techniques to sneak attack targets to death, without needing to confront Nen users head-on.
Furthermore, he could also hand the mission over to Zeno or Silva.
Thinking of this, Illumi activated his emotion sensing ability. Sure enough, he saw a dense blue mist emanating from Alluka, from which Illumi could also feel a strong desire to control.
It was clearly directed at him.
"A Manipulator's unique desire for control?" Illumi's face remained unchanged, but a strange, uncomfortable feeling arose in his heart.
"Alright, but just this once." Illumi nodded in agreement. Alluka's current strength was still a long way from his own. He believed that the troublesome characters Alluka referred to were probably just experienced Hunters, skilled in using their abilities.
He'd just treat it as a chance to relax.
"Hmm, I've already found the target's whereabouts. We'll depart in a week." Alluka still maintained an empty expression, turning and walking towards the Zoldyck mansion.
"If you don't hurry back, Dad will get angry~"
Illumi watched the slender figure ahead, and Killua's image flashed through his mind. This soon-to-be-born future head of the Zoldyck family... Alluka's attention on me should shift to him, right?
Illumi and Alluka, the two brothers, returned home and arrived outside the Zoldyck family's exclusive delivery room.
As usual, Grandpa Zeno and Father Silva were sitting on the sofa, eyes closed, waiting.
However, this time, there was an additional person.
"Buzz~"
Five-year-old Milluki held a remote control, manipulating a sparrow-like flying device, similar to a drone, that flew back and forth in the indoor air, emitting a "buzzing" sound.
"Milluki, it's about time you stopped playing."
As Illumi and Alluka both took their seats on the sofa, Silva said, his eyes still closed.
"Oh."
Five-year-old Milluki reluctantly responded, controlling the sparrow-like flying device back to his side. He tidied it up and placed it in the box in front of him.
"Clack~!"
Suddenly, the delivery room door opened a crack. A female housekeeper in green emerged from the delivery room, her face filled with joy as she announced, "Madam has successfully given birth. It's a young master."
Silva's tightly closed eyes suddenly snapped open. Illumi and the others in the room could feel the surprise in his heart.
"I have a younger brother!"
Five-year-old Milluki, on the other hand, stood up and cheered, following the housekeeper's footsteps towards the infant monitoring room.
Only Grandpa Zeno, with a strange expression, glanced at Illumi, then clasped his hands behind his back and followed alongside Silva. Illumi and Alluka followed close behind.
Three minutes later, the Zoldyck family arrived at the infant monitoring room, observing the wrinkled baby inside.
Meanwhile, the head doctor and nurses were performing various strict tests on the infant within the monitoring room.
"Blond hair."
Zeno looked at the baby lying on the bed and spoke.
"Father, this child..."
Silva also stared intently at the baby lying inside. Although just born, the blond hair on its head was particularly conspicuous.
"You are the family head, and also a father. How to raise him is all your responsibility."
"I will not interfere."
Zeno stroked the short beard on his chin, his face calm. At the same time, the corner of his eye darted to Illumi.
In truth, before this, both he and Silva had an idea: to make the exceptionally gifted Illumi the future head of the Zoldyck family.
Although Illumi's bloodline wasn't the purest, his strength and talent were beyond doubt, possessing the ability to revitalize the family.
But at this moment, the instant they saw the baby before them, their decision changed.
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