Departure of Facts

Next day...

'Wake up boys, you're in for a treat.' Zebro smiled, waking the boys up.

'What treat?' Gon asked excitedly despite his grogginess.

'Kureha-sama brought pork over so it's what we'll eat for about the rest of your stay here because it's so big.' Zebro chuckled. 'Be lucky you're privileged to eat it. She only ever sells them to gourmands for ten million a pop.'

'What kinda pig is worth that?' Leorio sweatdropped as they dressed up and put their training gear on, and Zebro led them outside to see Seaquant butchering a familiar sight. 'Sonovabitch! How'd she get a rare pig here?' he exclaimed. 'They're like, super rare and protected in Biska Woods!'

'Oh, you know that much?' Seaquant snorted as he was using a specialized butcher's cleaver to cut the adult pig up for storage, and it's three times larger. 'Well, missy raises a herd of 50 at a time. Once piglets are weaned, she sells the oldest ones off. If nobody buys, the whole estate eats it.'

'But feeding them must be expensive...they're carnivorous and even eat humans.' Kurapika pointed out.

'Food? No sweat, morons come here to BE food.' Seaquant snarked. 'Kureha-sama's in no shortage of fodder. Not only that, there's an arena not far from here that does death matches. The dead there are harvested by Butlers for her every day in Heaven's Arena.' the boys shuddered. 'In short, losers become pig food for these fellas. These guys are good for muscle training and growth, so dig in.' he said, handing some cuts to Zebro to cook while he's overworked butchering this super-pork.

'Wonder what they taste like...Buhara ate everything, so...' Gon wondered aloud.

'Well, shall we start with good old roast?' Zebro suggested cheerfully. 'Their meat is so juicy and marbled, making them savory-sweet, and so tender they melt in the mouth. They're the pork version of gourmet Kakin Beef.'

'Ooooh!' that got the boys gulping down their drool.

'However, for this reason they're near over-hunted to extinction, so its protected as you say.' Zebro told them. 'Kureha-sama captured four piglets to start her pig ranch and it boomed from there...but more than 50 is too troublesome to manage so she strictly keeps her herd 50.'

'Heee...'

'For now, wash your faces and brush your teeth as well as getting your cleaning tools ready while I cook. Because it's so marbled they cook quick unlike typical pigs from groceries. She raises them too.' said Zebro. 'She runs a farm since childhood, but upon becoming 11 years old, Alluka-sama will take over her farms as she's one of the assassin talents along with Illumi-sama, Killua-sama and Kalluto-sama.'

'...Alluka's not an assassin?' Gon blinked curiously.

'She cannot.' Zebro shook her head. 'Alluka-sama's pretty-much like Gon-sama. Too kind for the job.' that was a lie and it was good his back was turned so they won't notice. The truth is far, faaaaaar scary! 'Sure she has the strength and skill, but she has a gentle heart, an oddity in that family. As Silva-sama's OK with his children pursuing careers as long as its lucrative if they don't want to be assassins, he had Alluka-sama take over the farms so she has something to do. And the family farms are a no-go-zone as that is private property, us lowly janitors cannot protect you from angry butlers who'll think you're poaching.' he said. 'Only employees are allowed in.'

Soon, the food is cooked and they each, have a slab of leg cuts. It smells so good!

'Unlike typical farm pork, Great Stamp is flavorful on their own, no need for salt, pepper and marinades, so we simply fry, grill, roast, or use them in soup with vegetables. They're enjoyable as is.' he said, putting away Seaquant's share.

'It's so soft! This is just roasted!' Kurapika swooned from the sheer tenderness.

'Best pork ever!' Leorio gushed out. 'Darn the examiners for not letting us have some!'

'And we have two months of this? Awesome!' Gon swallowed his food happily.

Delicious aside, Zebro thought, it's a training aid. Because Great Stamp's food is humans, the nutritional value is very high. Great for muscle development in training. It's supplemented by dark green vegetables and mushrooms in hotpots.

And so, as days go by...eating till full-tummied while training, the effects is getting more obvious. Gon healed his arm in ten days, nevermind jump like he normally could. However, his crippled arm is left behind in training thus must train it first before he can do full-body training like Kurapika and Leorio can. However, the older boys had their weights doubled as a result upon being able to open the first gate and it took Gon another ten days to be able to double his weights.

And at every four o'clock in the afternoon, he was taught how to fight by Leorio and Kurapika. At first due to being crippled, Gon was made to watch to get some ideas and they started slow in order to teach him.

'But in reality, you gotta move fast!' Kurapika told him. 'Leorio and I didn't dare to go all out in our shows as we might end up killing each other by accident with our newfound strength!' he said.

'And now that you're healed, we'll teach you the attack basics of punches and kicks, and do it all full-powered as fast as possible, as well as how we normally move in fights!' said Leorio. 'We'll do the same to get used to our new improved bodies!' they did just that for two hours until dinnertime at 8:00.

By end of two months, they can open the second gate.

'Yosh, you've done it.' said Zebro, proud of the boys. 'You've managed the second gate with pride! Now, go to the Butler's Quarters, hopefully you'll survive their standards. They're overprotective, you see...and Kureha-sama is way too nice.'

'Thanks for everything!' the Hunters bid Zebro and Seaquant goodbye.

'Think they'll be up to those guys?' Seaquant wondered. 'Those Butlers are worse than us.' he said, wearing Leorio's weights.

'They'll be alright, if it's them.' said Zebro reassuringly. 'Oh, wearing Leorio's second weights?'

'As janitors we're only allowed the first gate and training to match.' said Seaquant. 'But I ain't content. Besides, you're retiring soon, old man, I'll be the only one left.' he said, narrowing his eyes. 'You're starting to have a hard time lately.' he said, noticing that during training the boys, Zebro's strength, was waning.

'That's true...I might have to ask Kureha-sama for her accurate estimations so I can get my retirement fee prepared in advance. At least my family can live off that money in luxury for a decade and for my grandkids to afford college with ease.'

xxx

'Honey, you can't be serious!' Kikyo cried in protest as the family gathered, bar Illumi who was out on jobs and Killua who was still in detention.

'In a way, this is education for Killua's Wisdom status.' Silva decided. 'I will give Kureha one year to improve Killua's wisdom status, before it's Kalluto's turn to increase it. This will be beneficial for the boys.' he said. 'And Kureha will only interfere if necessary. They are still young, and prone to things we certainly will not approve of.' he said with a stern gaze. Actually, this was because he approves of Killua's friends as there's no way of getting past Kureha's intuition towards people that also applies to her Survival Skills. She can instantly see who is trustworthy and who is not. Useful prospects for gaining business partners and allies, as well as connections to resources.

'Kureha at least came to life with complete wisdom, but the boys need to develop it. The wisdom they gain will depend on how it's beneficial, or costly to the family as a whole. Kureha will be the judge.'

'Humph, fine.' Kikyo sulked with an armfold. 'I'm still not happy about this, alright? Killua and Kureha going out together at the same time!'

'We can get all forms of education we want, but wisdom is something one must experience in life.' said Zeno. 'Kureha, time to go with Killua.'

'OK grandpa! I'll get him out of detention now.' said Kureha, walking out, Alluka and Kalluto trailing after her.

xxx

Torture Chamber...

'Killu.' Kureha came with the younger brood. 'Detention time is over.' she said, as Killua then took that as a sign to break free from the chains by himself as she held out a basket of clothes and something wrapped in paper. Then conjured her item box to take out medicines in bottles. 'Oh yeah, father allowed me to tell you this now: your three friends came here.'

'What?!' Killua squawked out, wide-eyed as he quickly tore apart the cuffs on his wrists and ankles.

'They were worried about you.' said Kureha with a small smile. 'They told me what happened in the exams, and I told father...and I verified their character.' Killua knew they passed her hyper-intuition that father let him and them go, so it's all cool to his delight.

'Where are they now?!' Killua quickly asked her eagerly as Alluka and Kalluto noted how eager he was to see his friends.

'I subjected them to two months' training by the Guardhouse as they can't be friends with us while super-weak. You know how big the shadows behind us are.' Kureha told Killua, making the older boy sigh at that, fully-aware of their background, and mostly, its downs not its ups. 'They must be strong to be our friend or the Bounty Hunter Mobs gets them or Blacklist Hunters using them as scummy leverage against you. They're strong enough to open two gates now, and heading for the Butler's Dorms as we speak and you know how overprotective those guys are over you as family heir.' she chuckled. 'Once they pass the Butlers' scrutiny, you can show up as their reward.' she said. 'Take a bath and the healing meds.'

'Oh yeah, father ordered me to come with you for gaming cheats.' she continued. 'For your wisdom status as my first mission, so I'll be traveling with you guys for a year.'

'That's cool.' said Killua, gratefully taking the basket. 'I'll meet you at the dorms!' and he ran off.

'...he won't be coming home for a while, won't he?' Alluka asked Kureha gloomily.

'He'll try to avoid home as much as possible.' Kureha told the kids, patting their heads. 'This is because while three of us made things better for him as well as bearable at home, his status as heir got him feeling suffocated and antsy in the house, so he'll take what freedom he can get before he's forced back home. All the adults are this and that on him, it's driving him nuts.'

'Awww...' Kalluto pouted. 'We got more freedom than he did?' Killua actually had a harder life than they all did!

'Yes, that's why we don't feel as suffocated as he does, so we're OK at home.' said Kureha. 'Sad, isn't it?' she shook her head. 'He needs to relax, a time where he has freedom to do what he wants, and the ability to make his own choices so he can let loose. If I hadn't convinced father, it won't be long before he snaps, and that's not gonna be pretty as if he snaps, feel sorry for the poor soul who's nearby if he fails to control himself in his snappy moments and it will happen in this house.' she told them grimly. 'Kalluto, the date today is March 20. Next year on this day, it's your turn to travel with me.'

'And I don't get to travel.' Alluka pouted.

'I'll keep bargaining with father, OK? But rules must be set.' Kureha reminded Alluka. 'Killua and I might be required to tag-team him.' she croaked out. 'Killua has the second most political power among all us kids. Great-Grandpa, Grandpa, Father and mother who are equal in power, then Illumi, Killua and I are equal in power and that's because of my ability to vet people, then Kalluto, Alluka and Milluki in that order.' she told them. 'Well, I gotta get ready myself, and pick out my luggage. Little brother, bed. Nanika will work soon.' said Kureha, giving Kalluto a good-night kiss before he left the room. Once Kalluto's gone, Kureha summoned Nanika. 'Nanika, remove that needle. Thankfully once it's off and big brother's far from home, he'll be none-the-wiser until he finds out on his own.'

'Ai!' Nanika held out her hands and there, appeared a needle that contained Illumi's aura.

'Urrgh, manipulator nen-users are scary...I can tell the programming in this thing and while he means well, this thing also actually inhibits Killu's evolution as a fighter as the command in this needle is that 'avoid fights you're unsure of' and that has a lot of meaning, and will defeat my purpose of traveling with Killu as my job is to increase his wisdom stats. Get rid of it...and we better check yourselves too.' Kureha shuddered. 'I know I don't have any, but do you and littlest brother?'

'Nope!'

'And let's keep it that way.' said Kureha, patting Nanika's head and Nanika enjoying being fussed over. 'Be careful, you three while we're gone.' she said worriedly. 'No needles allowed near you unless it's a syringe for meds and doing sewing! Protect yourself and Alluka from any attempts of nen usage on you!'

xxx

Outside the mansion...

'Hey Kureha, your meds didn't heal all the way!' Killua whined as he still has his whip wounds so he put bandaids on himself all over and his bruises still a nasty bluish-purple.

'Those guys don't know about superpowers and they're sadly aware of the Zoldyck Spanking.' said Kureha. She wore a simple red dress with brown flats with simple frills and flutter sleeves. Her long hair, as opposed to Alluka's layered cutesy-style, is in a simple high ponytail with a ribbon, though they have the same hime-style fringe cut.

'They were horrified as our common sense is different from theirs.' she informed him. 'For them, spanking is by whacking you with a ruler or a slipper to the butt, or a horse crop in fetish salons. They were terrified out of their wits when I told them how we get spanked and feared for your life as our spanking normally kills a normal person.'

'It's...that different huh.' Killua muttered as he compared both sides of getting scolded in his mind and got annoyed with the unfairness. 'They sure have nicer lives.' he complained.

'That, they do. They did their best to fulfill my demands within two months, eager to get you out of here.' Kureha tut-tutted. 'The meds I gave you are for pain, muscle recovery, nerve damage recovery and antibacterial disinfection. As for your wounds, they heal naturally for now. Millu didn't let you have a bath at all in two months who knows what nasties you've got cooking.' Those last two things got Killua annoyed. 'I'll bring some medicine from the clinic too.'

And the siblings traveled together for the Butler's Dorms that was about four hours away from home on foot, but if in their style, it's half that.

Upon arrival, they saw that they were playing Gotoh's favorite coin game. Gon however, has injuries that his face looks swollen. They hid, and watched Gon's resolve of cutting his swollen eye to reduce swelling simply so he can see better, and won Gotoh's coin game.

'Hooo? For a previously weak kid, he's got sharp eyes.' Kureha whistled, impressed.

'He's a wild kid.' Killua snorted. 'He's sensitive. He can see in the dark as clear as day, and smell Leorio when I can't so it was handy for the second exams. He also can taste spiking attempts in drinks...though he's just too damn innocent. He simply thinks they went bad.'

'What a child.' Kureha snorted, shaking her head.

xxx

'Eh? Kureha's coming with us?' Leorio blinked as they left the Butler's Residence. 'Isn't she running the farms?'

'Nah, that's Alluka's job now.' said Kureha. 'So I'm with Killu for one year, before I go with Kalluto next on travels. So what are you guys' plans?'

'Well, I'll visit home and introduce Killua to my family!' said Gon optimistically. 'I'll tell them he's my best friend!' that got Killua sputtering and blushing. His innocent optimism got Kureha giggling.

'H-hey!'

'I'll find work.' said Kurapika. 'Given my goals, it's not gonna be easy.' he said softly. Zoldycks don't care much for his clan's eyes. They have different morals, but even they have standards. And, 'We'd rather earn than spend money! What on earth would we do with expensive eyeballs?!' and while one Zoldyck brother collects, it's anime figurines, not body parts.

'I'll go with this baby, and apply for medical school!' said Leorio, taking out his license and kissing it. 'With this, Tuition Fees and other requirements are waived, and I'm strong enough to handle morons now!'

'By the way...' Kureha told them. 'Something will happen soon and no matter what, do NOT turn down that offer.' Kureha warned Leorio and Kurapika. 'It is very vital for the future, and your career as Hunters. Without that offer, Hunters won't consider you a Pro.'

'I'd listen to Kureha, she's never wrong.' said Killua. 'Farming aside, she specializes in social information.'

'Though with said offer, only they are allowed to tell you about it.' said Kureha. 'You'll understand eventually.' she gave Leorio and Kurapika a notebook each. 'Open that only when you gain a special skill outside. It won't open until then. And when you memorize everything in it, burn it. Only Hunters are allowed that knowledge. In the wrong hands...it'll be catastrophic.'

'And your family knows?'

'The adults and I do for now. The younger ones, nada.'

'Hey?! That's not fair!' Killua sputtered out. 'What do you guys know that even I don't?'

'Ohhh you'll know soon when we get outta here.' Kureha said mysteriously. 'So we have a destination in mind now. Things will get interesting from now on~' she grinned.

'By the way,' Killua twitched as he turned at Gon in exasperation. 'Why're you so doggone stubborn?! I heard from Kureha! For crying out loud, you've got a License! You can do anything you want! No tourist visa required!'

'That's what we told him.' Leorio told him wryly. 'Though we agreed with Kureha's logic for now. Until we're strong, we can't actually use it so freely. I know I'm good, but not even I can handle a mob armed to the teeth until that Gate Training happened.'

'Ano ne, there's stuff I wanna do before I actually use it.' Gon croaked out as while he didn't understand, his gut instinct felt that they think he's an idiot, but with his limited knowledge, he's unsure what he's feeling.

'Yeah, like what?' Killua wondered.

'I really wanna find Kaito and give back the card he lost.' said Gon before looking annoyed and took a round numbered badge out of his pocket with the number 44 on it. 'I wanna punch Hisoka in the face and make him take back this badge he let me have!' he cried. 'Until I do that, I couldn't feel I earned my license!'

"Ahh, so he has that kinda sense of honor on him." Kureha thought with a sweatdrop.

'OK, so do you know where to find him?' Killua asked him.

'Er...'

They all sweatdropped.

'I know where he is.' Kurapika sighed. 'He told me.' Leorio remembered that Hisoka whispered something to Kurapika before forfeiting his match.

'That was after the lecture when I asked him to elaborate.' said Kurapika.

'Looks, I know it's your business, but we're friends and allies here.' Leorio reminded Kurapika sternly, making Kurapika pause.

'...he said I know something about the Spiders.' said Kurapika. 'I never told him about the Ryodan, so someone must have overheard us during the First Phase and told him.'

'The Ryodan's symbol is the Spider. Anyone would associate that symbol with them.' Kureha spoke grimly. 'Anyone who's in our line of work and in the Hunter world would think the same. Oh yeah...father killed a Number 8 last year.' she piped up making the group pause. 'Aaaand it so happens the boss is nearby.'

'The Ryodan Boss?' Leorio gasped in a hitched breath as that got Kurapika interested.

'Yup. They're equal in fighting and murder skill and that's saying something.' her words shocked her peers, especially Killua as he knew how strong his father is. 'However, he has an ability that made father wary...because after he got home, he gathered us children into a certain meeting.'

'That was the day he warned us about the Ryodan...so that was why.' Killua frowned, recalling the memory.

'Yeah. his previous job got him meeting the Ryodan. He got paid of course, he drove boss away after killing Number 8.' Kureha piped up cheerfully. 'He's a young man, around his twenties with pale skin.' then she got serious. 'But for someone that young to be equal in skill with father who's in his forties...that's noteworthy. His potential is pretty high!'

Kurapika knew he's got his work cut out for him. The Ryodan Boss, equal to the Zoldyck Patriarch in fighting skill?

'If the boss is that strong, how come they're only number 2 feared?' Leorio blurted out.

'That's because their strength as a group is inconsistent, thus forever Rank A while our family is a consistent S.' said Kureha. 'They change members when a Death happens, or if Boss found a good one to add to the ranks. As for why we Zoldycks are at number 1 status, our strength is consistent and we always go up, not down. Our power is mostly centered around clan adults. Great-Grandparents, Grandparents, and our parents. And training, is Life itself for us. We never dare to get rusty as rusty is fatal considering our bounties and bragging rights to anyone who gets us.'

Kurapika's mental cogwheels began turning and considered many things and facts to calculate his own chances. He has to get stronger as Zebro informed them how strong the Zoldycks are. The adults can open the seventh gate. Illumi 5th. Killua and Kureha 3rd as an example. If even a pair of young siblings are stronger than even him, he has his work cut out for him.

'So unless all of them are killed in a short time...the Ryodan will never perish.' he remarked softly.

'Yup.'

'...wow.' Gon croaked out. 'Kurapika will be busier than even me.' and that, is an understatement, they all thought. Gon only has one psycho, Kurapika has a dozen to worry about.

'Hisoka's a psycho all the same!' Killua snapped, dope-smacking him.

'Ow!'

'Hisoka huh?' Kurapika snorted. 'He seems to have predicted some things.' he said. 'He said, find him at Heaven's Arena.'

'That's not far from here and you can make money there simply by winning matches.' said Killua with a grin. 'Sooo how about getting some pocket money for future travel expenses and government paper stuff?'

'This is also handy for Gon to get a better grip at fighting.' Kureha remarked. 'So how about it, you guys? All Zoldyck Children get a trial-by-fire in Heaven's Arena when we were nine as per tradition. But Killua being heir...he was dumped there at six. We were ordered to reach 200th floor and survive on our own before we go home.'

'Huuuh?!' Gon and Leorio squawked while Kurapika did a double-take at the exasperated silverette.

'Something about my talent.' Killua scowled. 'I learned the hard way the nasty way. Took me two months to reach 150th floor and two years 200th. Thanks to the prize money I got by on my own. Sure I got fighting talent but that doesn't exactly compensate my durability as a kid!'

'Well, they got everything high on you. Expectations.' Kureha told him dryly. She knows full well such demands. But unlike her, he has it easy while her? She was overworked to death!

xxx

Heaven's Arena, still in Padokea...

The rules are explained to the others by Killua.

Competitors are allowed to fight and defeat their opponent using any means, but weapons are not allowed on the first 199 floors. Competitors are given prize money for advancing on each of those 199 floors. After reaching the 100th floor, competitors get their own private room.

The floors above the 200th offer no prize money, only fame and glory. All weapons are allowed on this floor.

A fighter has 90 days to prepare for any fight, though it's possible to fight everyday if wanted. The 21 highest ranked competitors are called Floor Masters because they're given their own floor between the 230th and 250th floors. Losing four matches results in disqualification, while winning ten matches results in being awarded the right to challenge a Floor Master. The 251st floor of Heavens Arena holds a biennial tournament called the Battle Olympia, and the victor is allowed to live on the 251st floor in an exclusive penthouse.

Heavens Arena has an administration to regulate everything. Apart from the ban on weapons on the first floors from 1 to 199, the combat does not follow any rules. There is no time limit, it stops as soon as one of the competitors has 10 points (a TKO, technical knockout) or there is a KO (knockout). The points given by the referees are counted as follows:

Clean hits are worth 1 point.

Critical hits are worth 2 points.

If there is a Down, that is to say that a fighter is on the ground, 1 point is added for his opponent.

'And the prize money by level is sweet.' Leorio grinned, hoping to win millions.

'Remember, if you want more money, win wisely.' said Kureha wryly. 'If you show off how strong you really are, you'll fight less and that means less money!'

'Urk!'

'Well, you guys enjoy yourselves.' said Kurapika with a snort. 'Once I feel I have enough money, I need to find a job before the auction, so I'll be going ahead alright?'