Chapter 4: Trust X Karuze X Judgment
Currently in future.. with Killua in Hunter School
Killua had been asking some of the teachers and students in hunter school. He is slightly panicking now as his son, Kallua hasn't coming home for this past few days. Not even anyone knows what happens towards Kallua for he didn't go to school as well. Kallua has never absent before which is why everyone was taken aback by the news of the President is missing.
"Kallua-nii is missing? How could that happen!?" Killia asked in shock and almost in tears. That sight made Gon pat Killia's head gently to soothe her, trying to assuring that everything would be fine.
Even though Gon is slightly panicking as well, she knows that her son is strong fighter and nen user but still, for him not coming home in this few days is definitely worrying,
Killua goes towards his brother-in-law house. Hoping his Hiei-nii would know where Kallua is, using his Jagan Eye.
"Unfortunately, the last time I saw him was when he trains with Fraze in my dojo and after that he never shows up anymore, it do worries me since he always early so I do try on finding him with my Jagan but I can't trace his position. It's really weird and unusual for this to happen" Hiei said with worried tone is evident in his voice.
"How could Kall-chan suddenly goes missing? He never skips training nor school. Did something happen?" Fraze asked in worried tone as well.
`Unbelievable. Not even Hiei-nii Jagan eye could trace Kallua's whereabouts, what in the world is going on?' Killua thought in anxiety.
"I'll ask my family, maybe they send him for an assassin's job that has a place where a barriers is being kept there causing Hiei-nii can't find him. Either way, I hope that is true" Killua said to himself before he goes to his old home, the Kukuroo Mountain.
"What do you mean that he is not here and you didn't send him on a job!?" Killua exclaims harshly and loudly at his siblings who cringed at his voice volume.
Killua never thought that even his own family had no idea where Kallua is as they didn't see him coming for training again nor they didn't even send him for a job.
"Are you sure Killu? Could it be that it is you and your own family faults was the reason that he's gone?" Illumi asked in monotone voice
Killua glared at Illumi "Like hell Aniki, if anyone is causing Kallua to be gone. It's probably you are the fault, not me"
"Oh Kallu is definitely growing up. Rebelling like this at such a young age" Kikyo said as she comes and cries in dramatic pose.
"Father and son are alike, eh? For running away that is" Milluki said with a joking manner causing Killua to glare sharply at that comment.
"Is that true, Onii-chan?" Alluka asked in surprise.
Kalluto remained silent but his eyes are a bit wavering.
"Alluka, can you ask Nanika to find where Kallua is?" Killua said as he looks at his youngest brother.
Alluka shook his head "Nanika can still talk to me but Nanika's powers are not strong as Nanika used to be ever since the last wish you made, Onii-chan. The wish of you trying to find Kallua is not sufficient for the energy that Nanika currently has"
Killua grit his teeth, he knows that Kallua is always obedient and never rebels so it is impossible for him to run away. But even if he is not running away, where the hell his son could be? Not even his Hiei-nii Jagan eye and Nanika's power are able to find him now.
"Leave him be"
A strong and cold voice was heard causing Killua to turn and sees his father is coming with his grandfather.
Killua gives them a cold look "What are you talking about, father?"
Silva does the same "I believe that whenever Kallua goes, his path would never strays from assassin's path. Kallua would be back, I'm sure of it and he would grew more stronger than ever"
"What makes you said that, father?" Killua asked with a bit confusion though his face didn't show it.
"Because I put much more trust towards him than you. Even when he already has a view of outside world, it doesn't change him and had no matter for his own place is to become the heir of the Zaoldyeck familywith nothing could change that fact" Silva said in confident tone.
"True and he doesn't even wish to have a friend. He would never strays as his future had been sealed" Zeno added with amusement in his voice.
"He is the perfect heir that I, father and grandfather have ever created. He obeyed everything without any fails" Illumi stated blankly.
Killua just stay quiet as he glared at the three of them and grit his teeth before stomping out from the Zaoldyeck Estate in anger. As he walked down towards the gate, he looks at the sky and grit his teeth as he remembers what his father, grandfather and his brother said about Kallua.
Killua blame himself for making Kallua becoming an assassin just like he used to be. Even though Kallua was the one who makes the choice, Killua still feeling guilty about it as the reason why Kallua agrees to become an assassin and the heir was so that his family would approve his relationship with Gon and they would leave alone all of his other children's for not become an assassins as Kallua's assassins potential even overpower him.
He can't deny, he noticed that as Kallua grew up, he is no longer a bright, innocent and cheerful boy he used to be. He is now assassin-like, despite showing some emotion; Kallua only does that only because Gon asked him to for manners. Sure that Kallua is still smiling even for a bit but they are all empty.
Killua knows that his son is anti-social like he used to be but Gon changed him for better and he is forever thankful for that. Now, he regrets that he barely spends some time with Kallua as both of them used to always have father and son conversation. However, due to his busy schedule and Kallua always goes training, their time together has becoming lesser and lesser as time goes by.
"If only I have guided him. He wouldn't have to feel lost and empty in this darkness side" Killua mumbled in regret as he knows the feeling of being trapped in darkness and the worse, he let his son feel the same without helping him. He was his father, for goodness sake, either way, there is nothing he could do now that Kallua is missing.
But somehow, there is a part of him feel amused that Kallua would run away. He never thought his son would do the same thing as he did back then. He begin to smile at that thought.
"He will be back"
He knows his son well as they almost share the same interest and personality. His father might think he would know Kallua more but he mused that he is the one who actually know him more.
"When he comes back, he would no longer be lost. He would be free just like I finally would"
And Killua decided to believe in Kallua, believing he would come back and no longer lost. How did he feel so sure?
"Because he is my son"
Back in past, in Kallua's whereabouts
Ding, dong.
`I apologize for the long wait. The airship will soon arrive at its destination'
Gon immediately awake and energetically look outside of the window, gaping at the sight of the place where the next phase will begin.
That announcement made Kallua slowly opens his eyes, tilt his head in confusion for seeing Gon is not in her original position. Whipping his head around, he found her climb and stuck her feet towards the wall and still gaping at the sight.
"Ohayou, Gon" Kallua said as he pick himself up.
Gon turn towards Kallua, jumping down and smiling widely "Ohayou Kallua"
Kallua gives a nod in response before squinting his eyes a bit for his mother look brighter currently with her smile and the light coming from the window that basking her.
`Just like an angel' Kallua thought as he remembers his father always calls his mother that and he has to agree.
Before long, all the applicants had prepare themselves and get off from the airship. Puzzled looks are given for they do not know what place is this. They are now informed that the third phase of the exam would start here at the top of Trick Tower. In order for them to pass, they have to reach the tower base alive and the time limit is seventy two hours and the third phase has finally started.
Gon began to look down from the top, seeing the ground is very far away even Kurapika said that climbing down would be suicide.
A chuckle was heard with arrogant voice "Maybe for a normal person"
The applicant #86 immediately start climbing down in ease "But a top-class rock climber can handle this, no problem"
"Wow" Killua compliment blankly.
"He's going down pretty fast" Gon said as she continued to look.
The applicant #86 thinks smugly that he is going to be the first one to pass the third phase but he stopped as he hears a flapping sound that seems to be getting louder. The group as Killua, Gon, Kallua, Kurapika and Leorio hear it too. Before long, some six legged flying beast are shown coming towards the applicant #86 who is panicking, the group can only watch without doing anything as one of the six legged flying beast managed to scoop the applicant #86 inside its mouth and fly away, followed by the rest of the beast.
"G-Guess we can't climb down the side.." Leorio stammered as he looks at the direction where the beast flies towards to.
"Yeah" Kurapika agrees.
The applicants are now trying to find the way inside the tower. Some of them crawl and some tapping the floor with their fist. As Kurapika walk around, he notices that the applicants number are fewer and knows that the rest applicants that is missing must have found the hidden door that leads below already.
"Kurapika, Leorio" Gon called out causing Kurapika and Leorio had come towards that side.
Gon shows them that they have found 5 doors in total but located in the same area and once a door has been used, it wouldn't budge. Kurapika speculated that it might be a trap and also seeing the door size that is only enough for one person to enter. Killua stated that since only one person can fit then they have to split up which he silently hated it for separating from Gon's side even though all of them are finally agrees that they would choose the door no matter what trap or risk they get.
"That reminds me, where is Kallua?" Kurapika asked as he looks around while Killua growled at Kallua's name.
"He is already going ahead. He found the door first which is when we try to open his door but it wouldn't budge" Killua said in half angry and half happy tone.
"Well, let's go then. On the count of three" Leorio said.
1...2...3
And every one of them enters the door with Kurapika, Killua and Gon landing perfectly while Leorio fall flat on his face.
"Hm, that sound. Must be another applicants managed to find another door inside" Kallua said as he walks around the narrow passage.
Is it wise to go ahead? You could have gone with the group, you know
Kallua shook his head "As much as I want to, I don't think it's wise to get more attached than I already am"
I'm getting a bit bored. Mind if I come out?
"I don't think that's a good idea" Kallua said, trying to gives a reason but seems it's no use as it's already too late.
Suddenly light began to enveloping Kallua before it separates and the light began to shine a bit brighter before it faded and shows a boy with a mysterious smile.
The boy is almost as tall as Kallua, with a slightly spiky silver hair but a long raven low ponytail. His eyes are heterochromia in which his left eye is sapphire but his right eye is crimson. He is wearing a white haori and black hakama with tabi and zaori, a sword is seen dangling on his back, just like Kallua.
"Why did you comes out? Get back inside, Karuze" Kallua said, his voice is low and threatening.
However, the boy that Kallua called Karuze only gives a teasing smile "Shut it host, you are still unable to control me perfectly. Just be thankful that I'm still willing to play around with you"
Kallua sighed "Fine, just don't cause any trouble"
"No promises" Karuze shrugged before going ahead, followed by Kallua.
After that, they are finally seeing a door where it is written `the knowledge and strength are human's weapon, they are the light which shine upon the doubt. Will you be able to use them in whatever situations you may desire?'
"What is this supposed to be?" Karuze asked as he cross his arms.
"Means, this must be entrance to the real exam" Kallua said
"Right, it is now time of- wait, how did a stranger able to come inside here when I only turn my head away from you only for few seconds?" A voice in a speaker said calmly before it replaced with a shock.
"Ignore him. Are you the third phase examiner?" Kallua asked while Karuze raise his eyebrow in irritation.
"Right, the names Lippo and as you just guessed, I am the third phase examiner also a prison warden here. There are multiple paths here and the path that you have chosen are the path of the judgment. In other words, only the wise and strongest would survive and let's see are you qualified to face and pass the judgment or not. Best of luck for you and you stranger over there, you may remain there but no helping for we are watching" the voice said before a click was heard and the voice was no more.
"Seriously, that guy doesn't even know how did I able to come here" Karuze said before chuckling.
"Let's just get this over with" Kallua said as he opens the door and find a puzzle waiting to be solved inside with a closed door.
"So, this is the wise category, is it?" Karuze said as he looks at Kallua.
Kallua nodded. "In order to pass, that would mean that I have to solve this so that we can come out"
"Can you do it?" Karuze asked.
"No problem" Kallua said as he solves the puzzle and when he finish, the door has opened.
Kallua walk towards the door while Karuze looks at the puzzle "Hey, I wonder what happened if we messed up?" Karuze said as he move the pieces of the puzzle in wrong direction purposely
"Hey, don't-" Kallua turns back and tried to stop Karuze.
Too late.
Instantly, the ceilings opened and some giant boulders have drop down then rolled towards them causing both Kallua and Karuze to run towards the open door that has a wide passage.
"Hey, this is fun!" Karuze smiled as they run.
"Don't touch anything ever again" Kallua said threateningly as they are now running and arrives in narrow passage where the giant boulders are now stuck on the narrow opening.
Kallua goes and see another door, he already remind Karuze not to mess up his answer.
Too bad that Karuze keep mess up all of Kallua's correct answers and works.
"Will you stop it?" Kallua asked as they are now dangling since below them are trap hole that is filled with acid.
"No way, I like it this way" Karuze answered as he swings himself, seems enjoying it.
"Seriously, quit it" Kallua said as they are now dodging every single spear that is coming towards them.
"C'mon host, don't be such a grumpy and enjoy life" Karuze said as he tilt his head, dodging the spear in last minute in ease.
"Not saying anything, now?" Karuze asked as both of them are now each lifting the fallen celling.
"I give up on you already" Kallua said before throwing the celling and goes to the next door, followed by Karuze.
"You mad, host?" Karuze asked in smirk.
Kallua shrugged "No I'm not. Just get this over with already, we already spending two hours and few minutes of fooling around" Kallua opens the door and surprised to see he is inside a room with a window and when he look below, he can see the group with Tonpa!?
"Wow, I didn't know that could happen" Karuze said, amusingly.
"I regret separating myself from them. If I knew Tonpa was going to be in their group, I would have just join them in order to prevent that from happening" Kallua said, regret is evident in his voice.
"Make a time machine then to prevent that for not happening again" Karuze said which earned by Kallua rolled his eyes at that comment, "But hey, it is truly a place where we could get a best view here" Karuze said excitingly as he look at the view below.
Kallua looks around and finds that near the window, there is a mike with speaker and O with X button on the left side of the mike "Either way, why are we here?"
"Welcome, now it's time for your wisdom to be judged by leading the lost lambs there" the same voice was heard through speaker again plastered in nearby walls.
"Pfft, lost lambs?" Karuze almost laugh at that remark.
"The mike in front of you there is connected towards the speaker in the room where all of five of the applicants are going to fight. You are given chance to lend them your wisdom to win the match along with you hold the powerful position with your judgment would be tested in their majority decision but be careful, if the group lose then it is your loses as well" The voice said with sinister tone.
"I see" Kallua nodded before heading towards the mike "test, 1, 2, and 3"
"Woah, I heard Kallua's voice from here" Gon's voice was heard on the speaker next to the mike where Kallua currently use with. Currently the group look at the intercom look machine plastered on the wall next to them that has Kallua's voice coming out from it.
"Because it is me, Gon, I'll be helping you guys to win by giving all of you advice or strategy and I'll be joining you guys in conversation as well" Kallua said.
"Tch, not helping" Killua said as he rolled his eyes.
"Why are you helping us?" Kurapika asked in curiosity.
"It was part of my exam as well. If you guys loses then it would be my loss as well. We have to be careful, given that their goal is to buy some time as well, we can't afford to lose our time as we only have seventy two hours to reach the goal" Kallua said.
"That's true" Kurapika nodded.
"Order of the team is important as well. However let me ask this, anyone wants to go first?" Kallua asked
"I think I shall-" Kurapika said but got cut off
"No, I'll go" A voice said.
"Tonpa-san?" Gon asked in surprise.
"I'll be a guinea pig. Plus, all of you doesn't trust me, right?" Tonpa said as he points himself in confidence.
"He does have a point" Leorio said, completely agrees.
"I still don't trust him" Kallua said blankly and Karuze tries to hold his laughter.
As Tonpa walk towards the center of the stage with the help of the machine bridge, Kurapika never thought Tonpa would call himself a guinea pig while Gon concerns about Tonpa's. Soon, the type of the match that are being decided by the opponent are death match which brought surprised gasp for the group.
"Don't let him provoke you" Kurapika exclaims.
Unexpectedly, Tonpa accepted which brought another surprised gasp for the group. After that tense atmosphere begins to happen, both of the fighter are putting a fighting stance. As the opponent is now jumping and about to strike, Tonpa raise both of his hands and-
"I give up!"
The group is plainly having a blank shocked look at the sight of Tonpa kneeling, even Kallua has the same face as the group as well which causing Karuze to laugh really hard and bang his fist on the floor for the awesome reaction his host just gave. How lucky that Karuze's laughter is not heard by the group as Karuze's distance with the mike is quite far or Kallua have to explain who the one that is currently with him is.
"What- did you just say?" The opponent asked in disbelief.
Tonpa sheepishly said "You would win if I admit defeat, right? I give up… I lose"
Leorio stutters unbelievingly, feeling angry at the same time at the sight of Tonpa lose in purpose.
And so, the opponent win one point, If they win another two more point, the applicants will unable to advance and have to stuck in the tower until seventy two hours are up and the prisoner's sentences would be reduced by seventy two years. After that when Tonpa comes back, Leorio immediately grab his collar demanding that he is someone who has confirm his suspicion and only a piece of trash that is only good at sabotaging other applicants. Tonpa confessed that Leorio is right for he is not interested to pass but he is interested in thrills for crushing the dreams and hopes for the rookies. For he already have his fun, he could bow out of the exam as well. As Leorio about to do something, Kurapika stop him.
"But he.." Leorio tries to argue.
"They want us to waste our time by fighting among ourselves" Kurapika said as he looks at the prisoner.
"Yeah seriously, cool your head. Though what he did is not a bad thing" Kallua said.
"However" Killua stated "if their goal is to buy time, then the old man made the right choice"
The group looks at Killua in puzzlement while Kallua and Karuze observing.
Killua explained "That bald guy is probably a former soldier or mercenary. Had you fought him, he would have started by crushing your throat first so you couldn't have given up. Then he would have tortured you, without killing you for the rest of the remaining time"
Hearing that makes Tonpa goes pale and his head robotically rotated to face Leorio "Th- That was one of the possibilities I took into consideration"
"You look sick" Leorio stated blankly.
"In any case, we have to choose the next person for we don't want to waste any time as round 2 is going to start. The opponent is already revealing himself" Kallua said.
"True considering that we need to win three rounds so that we can advance" Kurapika said.
"So, who's next?" Killua asked.
"Me, I'll go" Gon raise her hand in enthusiasm.
Everyone went silent and stare at Gon for a while.
"Are you sure?" Leorio asked once more and responded by Gon nodding, indicating she was sure about it.
"The next opponent doesn't look strong" Killua said.
"But you can't let your guard down, he is still a criminal" Leoro stated.
Gon takes off her rucksack and goes to the center of the stage before leaving a short message that she understands towards Leorio.
The prisoner who is Gon's opponent named Sadokan. He stated that he is not very strong and he doesn't like other physical activities such as running and jumping which countered by Gon that she do like it but she is not too good at using her head. For that, Sadokan has chosen a simple game that both of them can play and it doesn't need mental or physical activity.
"What kind of game?" Gon asked in curiosity.
At that words, Sadokan takes out both candles from back of his pants pocket "We each light a candle at the same time. The one whose candle goes out first is the loser. What do you think?"
Gon nodded, giving a thumbs up " Yeah! That's easy to understand. Let's go with that"
"Okay, in that case.."
Sadokan flip his hand to reveal the candles that he brought are different in size making everyone look in surprise while Tonpa only for a little while before he smile in plotting way.
"Decide which candle you want to use. Press O for the long one or X for the short one. This will be determined by the majority rule, of course, as there are one applicants up there on your side is in judgment path so he would be the one to decide the last after hearing the discussion and seeing result" Sadokan said with a snide smile.
"We have to choose one? This is a trap for normally people would choose the long one so he must have done something to the long one" Leorio said.
"That would be the safe assumption but it might be a trick and he actually tampered with the short one" Kurapika stated.
"Another possibility, he has another trick on his sleeve in which he would use while we focus our attention on those candles" Kallua said.
That statement just make the group more afraid to choose,
"When you put it like that..." Leorio said in anxiety.
"Yes, there is no end" Kurapika continued.
"You got some real dilemma there" Tonpa teasingly said.
"You keep your mouth shut" Leorio exclaims angrily at Tonpa.
"Yeah, yeah" Tonpa said uncaringly and stay quiet.
"When presented with an unclearly uneven choice, people become suspicious and hesitate before deciding. Yes, this is a real dilemma. What's worse if you make the wrong choice, the resulting mental anguish would be much greater than if the problem had two fair options" Kurapika explained.
"Why did I just imagine Kurapika just outsmarted Leorio in a card game as Kurapika explains that?" Kallua asked Karuze in confusion.
"Had to admit, I thought the same thing" Karuze grinned.
"Take your time" Sadokan said as he drop the candles and sit down. "This may be a majority decision but you are free to discuss it. We have plenty of time"
Gon turned towards the group "Hey, which one should I choose?" Gon asked with a smile.
Leorio grunted "Damn, which one should we choose?"
As the group are deep in thought, Kurapika finally reach his decision "Gon, you decide! We'll abide by your decision. Choose the one you think is best"
"Are you sure about this?" Killua asked as he looks at Kurapika "She never thinks anything through"
"Instead of wasting time fretting over what to do, let's rely on Gon's instinct" Kurapika said.
"Instinct, huh…" Killua turned to look at Gon.
"Are you sure for your group leaving that important choice towards your mother who is now barely thinks anything through?" Karuze asked Kallua in amused look.
Kallua nodded after a while "I'll have to trust her"
"I get to choose? Okay! Then I choose the long one" Gon said quickly.
"That was fast" Karuze said.
Sadokan look in amused as well "You want the long candle?"
"Because a longer candle will burn a longer time!" Gon stated proudly.
The group makes funny faces at that, even Kallua accidentally drop his head against the table causing Karuze to laugh harder again as he clutches his stomach.
"Er, she's just taking it at face value?" Leorio stated in disbelief.
"I knew she wouldn't think things through" Killua said blankly.
Kurapika recovered, pressing the O button and followed by everyone since no one can figure out the trap is. Now, the majority rule show O as 5 votes.
"Okay, now it's his turn for the judgment" Sadokan said as he looks at the room where Kallua is.
"Well that's that. What are you going to do?" Karuze asked.
"Just agree. Not like I can do anything about it" Kallua said as he too press the O button.
"Okay, you get the long one, I'll take the short one" Sadokan said as he throw the long candle towards Gon who caught it in ease.
The two of them now are walking towards the lowered fire pole. Both had light their candle at the same time before they move back towards the center.
Killua look at his watch and asked "Normally, how long would it take that candle for burn down?"
"Five to six hours?" Kurapika speculated, unsure about it.
After that, a heavy updraft of wind has started, causing the fire to blaze and almost put out Gon's fire. Few moments later as Gon trying to be on guard just in case that Sadokan would do something, he told her that he already taken the steps.
In that instant, Gon's fire suddenly goes stronger causing her to exclaim in surprise as probably Sadokan have hidden gunpowder or some other highly flammable substance inside so that her candle would burn faster. The candle had melted quickly in which Killua speculated the candle will burn out in two or three minutes.
"Hey! That was dirty. I knew you tampered with the long candle!" Leorio exclaims in anger.
"Sadokan actually had 4 candles prepared and the dilemma that the group faced was only camouflage for the actual trap because they are only given impression that only one candle had been interfiled with and they didn't consider the possibility that both of the candles had been for it didn't matter on which candle they picked for he would handed an oil soaked candle" Karuze said with a smirk and looking at Kallua "So, that is what I get. Now, what would you do here? Watching your mother lose?"
Kallua only respond to Karuze's smirk with his own "She won't, she has her own way to win"
Right on that, Gon grinned widely causing Sadokan to flinch.
"If the fire is stronger" Gon put down her candle on the floor "Then a little breeze won't extinguish it"
Gon begin to sprint towards Sadokan who jolt in surprise, comment how fast she is. Before he could do anything, Gon blows out Sadokan candle and look at her own candle that is still blazing. She grinned and giving a v sign for victory "I win!"
Karuze gape at that.
"See? She would always be like that, turning her disadvantage to advantage" Kallua said.
Now the group has one win as well and the score is tied to 1-1.
"Impressive, but I wonder, will they be able to pass the next one or not? With that annoying guy over there" Karuze said in intimidating way towards Tompa causing him to having an unpleasant feeling for a second.
Kallua only nodded "He is just like a bug. Either way, for now. We should focus on the next challenge as I feel that it would be messy.
And Kallua never thought that he would be right, it is turned into quite a messy situation.