Leo stepped onto the mountain path as the sunlight spilled in, casting long shadows on the ground.
Dense primeval forests lined both sides of the path, with trees so tall they blotted out the sky; only scattered beams of light filtered through the gaps in the foliage, casting dappled spots on the ground.
The air was fresh and crisp, carrying the unique woody fragrance of the forest.
Leo walked for about fifty meters before suddenly coming to a halt.
He turned his head and looked deep into the woods on his left.
There, a pair of deathly still eyes was watching him.
Amidst the dark shadows of the trees, a colossal creature stood silently.
It was a dog.
Its size was breathtakingly massive, and its eyes were like two eerie green lanterns glowing with cold light in the darkness, staring fixedly at Leo.
Its name was Mike; Leo knew of this dog.
The watchdog kept by the Zoldyck Family, specifically responsible for killing all intruders.
It had already killed countless people who broke into Kukuroo Mountain, never once failing.
But Leo only gave it a single glance before withdrawing his gaze.
Because the rule of the Zoldyck Family was—as long as a person entered through the testing gate, they would not be attacked by Mike.
This was a sign of respect for the strong and an adherence to the rules.
Sure enough, Mike just stood there quietly, watching Leo.
There was no hostility or killing intent in those eerie green eyes, only a kind of... scrutiny.
A few seconds later, it turned around and disappeared into the depths of the woods.
Leo continued walking forward.
The mountain path was longer than imagined, winding upward toward the building hidden in the mountains.
The trees on both sides grew denser, the light grew dimmer, and the air grew colder.
After walking for about ten minutes, a figure appeared ahead.
It was a person dressed in a dark purple kimono, standing silently in the middle of the mountain path.
With short hair and fiery red eyes, the face was exquisite yet gender-neutral—from the appearance, they looked like both a young boy and a young girl.
Kalluto Zoldyck.
Leo stopped in his tracks.
Kalluto's fiery red eyes looked him up and down.
"Are you Leo?"
His voice was slightly androgynous, exactly the same as on the phone.
Leo nodded.
Kalluto was silent for a few seconds before suddenly speaking.
"I heard someone beat my eldest brother Illumi quite badly, causing multiple fractures all over his body."
He paused.
"That was the only time I've ever seen him return home so heavily injured."
Leo's brow twitched slightly.
Was this an interrogation?
He shrugged, his tone indifferent.
"The person you're talking about should be me. Are you disappointed?"
Kalluto stared at him for a few seconds.
Then, the corners of his mouth curled up slightly into a smile.
"No."
He said.
"I am very satisfied."
Leo was stunned for a moment.
'What does that mean?'
A trace of doubt rose in his heart, but he quickly suppressed it.
Kalluto had already turned around and was walking down the mountain.
"Let's go."
Leo looked at his back, his brow furrowing slightly.
This guy... what is he plotting?
He didn't ask further and followed after him.
The two of them walked down the mountain path, one behind the other.
Meanwhile, inside the Zoldyck Family's main residence.
A pitch-black room was filled with screens of all sizes.
Those screens displayed footage from every corner of Kukuroo Mountain—the mountain gate, the mountain path, the forest, and even the corridors inside the main residence.
Every corner was covered by surveillance.
An obese figure sat in front of the screens, with short black hair and a pink top, clutching a large handful of snacks and stuffing them into his mouth incessantly.
Milluki Zoldyck.
The second son of the Zoldyck Family, responsible for intelligence and weapons development.
He stared at the two figures walking down the mountain side-by-side on the screen and muttered.
"This Leo doesn't look like much..."
He took a bite of a snack, chewing with a crunch.
"I don't get what Dad is thinking, actually stopping Big Brother Illumi."
He recalled the expression on Illumi's face when he was called into the master bedroom just now—that perpetually expressionless face had actually shown a rare hint of resentment.
Milluki shook his head and stuffed another handful of snacks into his mouth.
In any case, it wasn't his business; he was only responsible for conveying information.
Inside the master bedroom.
The spacious room was decorated quite gloomily. Numerous skulls were embedded in the surrounding walls. Sliva Zoldyck sat cross-legged on a dark cushioned seat, one hand propping up his chin, his posture casual yet radiating an invisible pressure, with a chained hound lying beside him.
Long silver-white hair was draped over his shoulders, and those deep eyes calmly watched the person standing before him.
Illumi stood in the center of the room, his face devoid of any expression, but in those black-hole-like eyes, a faint flicker of confusion passed through.
"Father."
He spoke, his voice still flat, yet carrying emotion.
"Why won't you let me go out?"
He looked at Sliva.
"Since that Leo has come, it's the perfect opportunity to kill him."
Sliva did not answer immediately.
He just silently watched Illumi, his eyes without the slightest ripple.
Only after a few seconds did he speak.
"You would die."
The voice was very light and calm, yet it struck Illumi's heart like a heavy hammer.
Illumi's pupils contracted slightly.
Sliva continued.
"Two years ago, I was hired to kill a member of the Genei Ryodan and fought with Chrollo Lucilfer."
His gaze seemed to penetrate time, returning to that night.
"At that time, I was in the sky, watching Leo fight multiple members of the Phantom Troupe alone without falling behind."
He paused.
"And a while ago, he wiped out the entire Phantom Troupe by himself."
Sliva looked at Illumi.
"The current him is even stronger than back then."
Furthermore, Leo was a disciple of Isaac Netero's faction; it was best not to offend him if possible. After all, the Zoldyck Family had always been the weaker party in front of Netero.
Illumi fell silent; he knew his father would not lie to him.
As the head of the Zoldyck Family, every word Sliva spoke was carefully considered.
If he said "You would die," then he truly would die.
Illumi was silent for a few seconds before speaking.
"Fine then."
He turned and walked toward the door.
When he reached the door, he stopped and asked without turning back.
"Then... is it okay for Kalluto to go out with him?"
Sliva's voice came from behind him.
"Kalluto is only going to complete a request. Leo won't lay a hand on him."
Illumi said no more, pushed the door open, and walked out.
The door closed.
Only Sliva remained in the room.
He closed his eyes again and continued to sit cross-legged.
As if everything just now was just an insignificant interlude.
At the foot of the mountain.
Before the testing gate, Kalluto was sitting in the guardroom, dazed.
His mind was still replaying that scene from earlier—all seven gates opening, and that young man in white standing under the doorway, smiling so indifferently.
Just as he was thinking, a heavy grinding sound came from outside.
"Creak——"
Kalluto jumped up and ran out of the guardroom.
The seven giant gates slowly opened once more.
Behind the gates, two figures walked out.
Walking in front was Young Master Kalluto—in that dark purple kimono, with short hair—and walking behind was...
Kalluto's eyes widened.
It was that Leo!
He hurriedly went to meet them, bowing respectfully.
"Greetings, Young Master Kalluto!"
Kalluto gave a soft "Mm" and didn't say much else.
Leo walked past him and waved at Kalluto.
"Old man, I'm leaving! Goodbye!"
Kalluto was stunned for a moment before hurriedly nodding.
"Goodbye! Goodbye!"
He watched the two figures gradually recede, disappearing at the end of the road leading to the town.
Then, he turned around and looked at the seven giant gates that were still open, muttering to himself.
"Today... I've really seen a ghost..."
On the road to the town.
Leo and Kalluto walked side-by-side.
Sunlight bathed the two of them, casting two long shadows on the ground.
Kukuroo Mountain in the distance grew further and smaller, finally vanishing into the clouds and mist.
Leo suddenly spoke.
"So, you had me come personally just to confirm if I really beat Illumi?"
Kalluto turned to glance at him, a complex light flickering in those fiery red eyes.
"Something like that."
He paused.
"Big Brother Illumi... has been strong ever since I can remember; no one could beat him."
His voice was very soft.
"I've never seen him lose."
Leo didn't speak, just listened quietly.
"So..."
Kalluto withdrew his gaze and looked ahead.
"I wanted to see for myself exactly what kind of person could beat him so badly."
Leo smiled.
"Well, you've seen me now. How do you feel?"
Kalluto was silent for a few seconds.
Then, the corners of his mouth curled up slightly again.
"Not bad."
He said.
Leo looked at that face which still defied gender and suddenly felt that—the people of the Zoldyck Family were actually quite interesting.
Kalluto walked on Leo's left, his steps light.