Yuzuki broke the silence by coughing lightly and said, "That version of my ability is still in progress. I just created my Hatsu today, so could you please give me a break."
Rogan's head almost popped off as he heard the words. "You… you just developed your Hatsu today? Don't f*** with me. You are joking, right?"
"No," Yuzuki said calmly. "Pretty sure I only developed it today."
Rogan started laughing hysterically, almost maniacally. "I… I, Rogan Laetner, a nen user with six years of experience, got beaten by a ten-year-old kid… with less than two months of Nen experience. What kind of f**ken joke is this? Is this the power of talent?"
"Partially," Yuzuki said, "but most of it has to do with the fact that you were weak."
Rogan's laugh died down, and he said, "I see… I was weak…" Then his voice rose again. "Don't f*** with me! Of the Nen users under Vasco, I was the strongest!"
Yuzuki cut him off. "You mustn't shout at me. Your breath stinks."
Rogan went quiet.
Yuzuki looked down at him. "I'm about to kill you now, but before I do, I'm curious. What's your Nen ability? You're about to die anyway, so keeping it a secret is meaningless."
Rogan hesitated for a moment. "It's… nothing special," he said finally. "My Nen affinity is Enhancement. I can strengthen objects I touch for a short time. Nothing flashy. That's it."
Yuzuki nodded slowly. "I see. Trash, indeed."
He reinforced his foot with Nen. "Rest in Sh*t."
He kicked Rogan's head clean off.
Yuzuki stood there, alone, in the quiet aftermath. Three bodies lay before him. He'd killed them all himself. And he didn't feel anything. They had deserved it. Hanious criminals who polluted society. He would do it again if he had to.
He realized how naive he'd been. Phinks was right. This world—this Hunter x Hunter world—murder was normal. He had learned it not years from now, but just weeks after Shizuku left.
Yuzuki clenched his fists. He would hunt down those who put a stain on society. He would be the executioner. He would bring peace to the innocent who couldn't protect themselves. This… this was something he must do.
---
Somewhere in the Kakin Empire, Gumdum sat at a small wooden desk in a dimly lit room, his hand resting on the phone as he replayed Rogan's words in his head. Old Fin has been nurturing a living weapon… What the hell did that even mean? He was a stocky man, shoulders broad but bowed slightly with age, leathered skin, a thin scar running across his cheek, threadbare suit, and a faint circle of cigarette burns on his sleeve. His fingers drummed nervously on the desk.
The door opened. Vasco entered.
Vasco was exactly the type of fat, older mafia boss that whispered rumors warned about: a massive belly straining a once-fine coat, pink, jowly face, piggy little eyes, and a double chin that trembled when he laughed. He moved with slow, deliberate confidence. The faint smell of brandy followed him.
He looked at Gumdum, noticing the tense expression. "You look like you swallowed a stone. What's going on?"
Gumdum blinked, breaking out of his daze. "Rogan called," he said. "He said something… about Finlay. That he's been 'nurturing a living weapon.'"
Vasco snorted. "Rogan's making excuses. Can't kill his former mentor, so he's inventing stories. Don't play with him. He volunteered for this job — he knows what he signed up for." He waved a hand. "Call him back."
Gumdum dialed. The line rang. And rang. No answer. He frowned. "He's not picking up, boss."
Vasco's lips pressed into a thin line. "Rogan's forgotten his place again. That incompetent rat. When he gets back, I'll teach him a lesson."
The phone buzzed. Gumdum's eyes widened. "He's calling again." He relayed.
Vasco leaned forward. "Put him on speaker."
Gumdum obeyed, holding the phone between them. "Rogan? Have you finished the job? Did you kill Finlay?"
A different voice came through, calm, measured. "Is this Vasco?"
Both men froze. Gumdum's hand stiffened, a kid he thought?? "Kid, can you give the phone to its owner," he said, voice tight.
The voice came again, firm. "Are you Vasco or no?"
Gumdum's lips moved. "I'm not. I'm his right-hand. Where's Rogan?"
The voice cut through, cold. "I'm not interested in speaking to dogs so the dog currently on the phone must pass it to its master and the owner of the phone I'm using… is dead, I killed him."
Both men froze. Vasco's stomach dropped. He stepped forward towards Gumdum. "This is Vasco. Do you need something?"
The voice replied smoothly. "So you are Vasco, huh."
Vasco swallowed. "Yes. That's me. What do you need from me?"
"You're the one who ordered Old Fin to be killed, am I correct?"
Vasco's tone was clipped. "Correct. He betrayed us and Mafia code states betrayal deserves punishment."
The voice was blunt. "I'm not interested in your yap. You killed someone close to me, so you better hide, because I will look for you, I will find you and I will kill you."
Vasco's face went red. "Tough talk for a kid who sounds barely twelve. You're planning to take on my entire mafia organization alone? You know that's a death sentence, right?"
The voice didn't flinch. "I'm very serious. I will kill you if it's the last thing I do Vasco Melnar!." Then silence. Yuzuki hung up.
Vasco lowered the phone slowly. He glanced at Gumdum. "Should we be worried?" Gumdum asked.
"He killed Rogan."
Vasco waved his hand dismissively. "Rogan let his guard down. He probably thought this was just a kid. Not our loss. I've got three Nen users and I can hire another to replace Rogan. No matter how strong Finlay's so-called 'living weapon' is, he can't take on four Nen users alone."
Gumdum's jaw tightened. "True. I'll… I'll also put my life on the line for you, boss."
Vasco shrugged. "As a precaution, send scouts to Meteor City. Find out about the kid — appearance, habits etc to make it easier to put a bounty. That way we can let others deal with him. It does have to be our problem."
Gumdum nodded and left the room, determination written across his face.
Vasco stayed behind, leaning back, staring at the dim lamp. The room was silent, save for the faint hum of the city outside, indifferent to everything happening inside.