HxH: Ryomen... Satoru?

One week later, Killua Zoldyck returned home to the Zoldyck estate in the Republic of Padokea.

His deep blue eyes were so dark they were nearly black as he expressionlessly pushed open the three outer gates of the estate.

The Zoldyck family's gates were known as the Testing Gate, also called the Gate of the Underworld.

There were a total of seven gates. The first one alone weighed a ton, meaning the two doors together totaled two tons. Each subsequent gate doubled in weight.

In other words, Killua had just pushed open the eight-ton gate.

Despite this feat, Zebro, the family's elderly gatekeeper, could tell that the third young master was in a foul mood.

But the Zoldyck family's rules were absolute: servants were not to meddle in family affairs.

From a young age, Killua had always been different from the rest of the Zoldycks—bright, cheerful, like a normal child. He even tried to befriend the servants, calling the butler "uncle."

But… that was forbidden.

Poor Killua… Zebro thought to himself as he settled into his guard post and unfolded a newspaper.

Half an hour later, he noticed three figures approaching the Zoldyck estate's gates.

Tourists? No, they weren't using the tour bus.

Bounty hunters, then?

Not surprising. A single photo of a Zoldyck family member was worth a hundred million, and their lives were even more expensive. Hunters frequently teamed up to try their luck against the family—only to find that they couldn't even get past the gate.

But these three figures…

Two humans and a tiger. And that white-haired one—he looked strangely familiar.

Killua had just returned home… Wait. Had he left again and come back? That was impossible. The gate hadn't opened since.

Curious, Zebro leaned forward, squinting for a better look.

Upon closer inspection, the white-haired figure wasn't Killua after all.

It was a stranger.

White hair, blue eyes, and an unusual black tattoo on his face. His features were delicate yet carried a hint of mischief.

He bore more than a passing resemblance to Killua—over fifty percent, at least.

He doesn't look like the righteous type… but then again, the Zoldycks aren't exactly righteous people either.

Trailing behind him was a blond young man in a black suit—someone who wouldn't look out of place among the Zoldyck butlers. He also had a tiger-like beast with him, exuding a strong presence.

Who is this kid?

The white-haired boy, whose identity remained a mystery, stepped up to the Testing Gate.

As if he were already familiar with it, he reached out and pushed the door.

First-time visitors never knew the Zoldyck rule—only those who could push the gate open were allowed entry.

Some would even come to the guardhouse to demand or threaten Zebro into opening it for them.

Zebro was expecting just that, but instead, he watched in shock as the white-haired boy…

Pushed open all seven gates.

All. Seven.

Wide open.

What kind of monster…?!

Until now, Zebro had believed that only the Zoldycks were capable of such feats. But today, he had seen another monster—one who wasn't even a Zoldyck.

…Or was he?

Zebro glanced at the boy's white hair and familiar features, falling into deep thought.

Should I inform Gotoh…?

Meanwhile, Cyr shook out his hand, flexing his fingers. The black rings on his wrists didn't budge.

"Oh… right," he muttered. "I've been wearing these weights ever since I left Meteor City."

How heavy did Syd make them last time?

Syd hadn't told him.

It was getting a bit tight—understandable, considering how much he had grown. He had gone from an eleven- or twelve-year-old child's physique to that of a thirteen- or fourteen-year-old adolescent.

If he grew any taller, these restraints would probably start feeling suffocating. He should find time to return to Meteor City and get a new set.

With that thought in mind, Cyr turned his head toward the side of the gate.

A massive, long-haired white hound—easily over three meters tall—was staring at them, drool dripping onto the ground.

"That dog is huge," Cyr remarked, glancing from the hound to the tiger cub at his side.

The one-year-old, not-yet-fully-grown Sora blinked his pale blue eyes, then nuzzled Cyr's hand, acting cute.

"A tiger smaller than a dog? That's embarrassing, Sora," Cyr teased, reaching out to pinch the cub's cheek.

"I'm not fully grown yet! That thing's already an adult!" The white tiger shook his head stubbornly.

Once I'm fully grown, I'll definitely be bigger than that dog!

"Besides, it can't even talk," Sora added, tilting his head up with a smug expression.

A dog could never compare to him! Sure, maybe right now that thing was technically stronger than him… but just barely. Once he grew up, he'd definitely be able to beat it!

"Fair point. Talking is a rare trait," Cyr nodded in agreement.

As far as pets went, his standards weren't high. If they could talk, be cute, and look cool, that was good enough.

The massive white dog, despite its ravenous stare, made no move to attack.

Because in the Zoldyck household, there was a rule—anyone who pushed open the gate and entered through the front was off-limits to Mike's attacks.

So, with the air of people strolling through their own backyard, the two humans and one tiger continued walking leisurely forward.

Until they reached a small path—where their way was blocked.

"Tourists must stop here. You can't go any further," a girl with an afro, dark skin, and thick lips stood in their path, dressed in a tailcoat and holding a cane.

She looked about eleven or twelve, but her strength far surpassed that of an average person.

Well… that was to be expected from a Zoldyck servant.

But—

"I don't like people standing in my way."

A sudden, irresistible force erupted.

The trees trembled violently, their leaves ripping away and rushing in a single direction. In mere seconds, every tree in the area was stripped bare—some even had their roots exposed, leaning precariously as if ready to fall.

The girl blocking their path found a pale hand wrapped around her throat.

It looked slender, almost delicate, moving effortlessly—yet it was inescapably strong.

Canary's cane had somehow already snapped into three pieces.

Choked and unable to breathe, her eyes widened in shock, face turning red.

She could almost hear the sound of her throat fracturing.

"There won't be a next time," the white-haired boy said casually before tossing her aside like garbage.

She crashed through three trees before hitting the ground, rolling to a stop.

"Is this how the Zoldycks treat their guests?" Cyr tilted his head, his tone light but his meaning sharp.

"Uninvited guests aren't guests," a woman's voice answered.

She was dressed in an extravagant gown—so voluminous it seemed she was wearing a hoop skirt beneath it. Holding a fan in one hand, her face was mostly obscured by a strange machine covering her eyes.

Even so, from what little of her face was visible, she was undoubtedly a beauty.

Beside her stood a quiet boy dressed in a purple kimono, his straight black hair cut into a neat bob, violet eyes unreadable.

…Fair point.

Someone who barged in uninvited and attacked the servants wasn't exactly a guest.

Her argument was sound.

"It was Killua who invited me," Cyr responded without hesitation—without even a second's pause—shamelessly shifting the blame onto Killua.

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