On the green plateau, the graves stretched side by side in calm rows under a gray sky. Kinnao advanced slowly, holding a bouquet of flowers, and bent down to place it on her designated grave. The echo of their last conversation reverberated in his mind… She had been injured, breathing with difficulty, yet she had told him to hurry to her daughter, Yuzura, before anyone else… and to hide her.
He raised his gaze toward the gravestone:
Nozomi Shura
The ringing of the phone shattered the silence. He checked the screen but did not answer.
Later, in his car, Kinnao called back.
Kinnao: What is it, Tensho? Didn't I tell you not to call me again?
Tensho: But… I have something to tell you. In fact… the girl has left…
Kinnao: What? Damn… she wasn't well enough. Three days weren't enough for her recovery…
He added sharply: But, Tensho… how did you know she had left? Were you following her?
Tensho stammered, trying to hide his embarrassment: Never… I just… left the lab's thermal sensor on as usual, and through it, I found out she had gone.
Kinnao exhaled: I see… that's unfortunate. I just hope she chooses carefully what she will do now.
Tensho: Sorry… but I need a favor. May I visit the lab? Some equipment won't be necessary anymore, and I'd like to borrow it…
Kinnao: You may.
Tensho (hesitant): But… I want you to accompany me, please.
Kinnao: Why must I accompany you?
He chuckled lightly: Are you… afraid of that girl?
Tensho blushed: I just… noticed her tone with me… I think she hates me…
*****
In the city
Yuzura stood before the tallest skyscraper in the city, the Silverbank building, owned by the Valtea family. Her father's whereabouts were unknown… only her uncle remained, who had taken control of everything.
She pulled a photo from her pocket… staring at it for a long moment. A picture of her brother.
"So you're a hunter… what makes it special that I've found you, Hiro…?"
*****
Back at the lab
Tensho entered the lab, relieved that Kinnao was accompanying him, though the truth behind his request was different… He wanted to ensure Kinnao was alright. He knew Kinnao was plotting revenge. His suspicion grew as he helped move files to Kinnao's car and noticed recent documents about the Valtea family, the Silverbank company, building models, and other items.
But as soon as he entered the main room, he screamed:
Tensho: Damn that little girl!
He ran into the glass room, crying over the wreckage.
Tensho: She destroyed the device… the most advanced one yet! Do you realize how many years I spent completing it? It was a scientific leap! Five complete devices integrated into one system, and we still have development debts! What a spoiled nuisance…
Kinnao exhaled, a faint smile on his face: I expected she would do it… but that was faster than I thought. I just hope she's okay… Three days isn't enough for rehabilitation.
Tensho (exploding): You never console me!
He sat, collecting the shattered pieces, muttering bitterly.
Kinnao noticed a small inscription on the metal wall and approached it.
Kinnao: Huh… what's this?
Tensho shivered: Is… is she here?
Kinnao traced his fingers over the rough writing:
[Where is my Shiko?]
He smiled.
Tensho: What does this mean?
Kinnao: She's asking about her sword… the Shikomizue.
*****
Flashback — Valtea Family House
A Japanese-style residence… Kinnao recalled his second meeting with Mrs. Nozomi.
The maid had called Nozomi away for an urgent matter; she apologized and left.
Kinnao wandered the mansion until the sound of Shingin music drew him in.
He climbed to the second floor and opened the door leading to the corridor overlooking the inner courtyard.
There… a little girl danced with a sword.
She performed the Kenbu dance… the Yurei-Tsubaki – 幽霊椿.
The sword was longer than her stature, yet she tamed it as if it were part of her body.
Every movement precise, every turn calculated.
The servants stood around, the instructor watching proudly, while she moved as if floating above the ground.
The performance ended, met with warm applause.
She closed the sword in a flash.
Kinnao (awestruck from afar): Wow…
(It was Yuzura Valtea.)
Yuzura: Grandpa will like this… won't he, Nari?
Nari: Yes, young lady..… certainly.
Yuzura: Nari… what's the color of the sword's tassel this time?
Nari: Blue-gray, young lady… exactly as you requested.
Yuzura touched the tassel, then leaned on the sword: I like it… light yet firm.
Master: It's of the finest quality. Special production. Keep it safe.
Yuzura: It will always be with me… I'll lean on it, so you'll see it with me at all times.
She returned to her place, moving as if training in the depths of darkness, relying on her sword.
At that moment, Kinnao realized she was blind.
A faint smile appeared on his lips, a mix of admiration and awe.
And he knew then… she was a Valtea heiress.
***End Flashback
Suddenly…
There was a finely carved arrow on the wall, pointing toward the end, with numbers and symbols etched beneath it.
Tensho (raising his eyebrows): What… is this too…?
Kinnao (approaching slowly): I really don't know…
He reached out, following the arrow.
Paused.
"…Huh. What's this?"
His fingers picked up a small piece of metal, like a hidden handle.
He pressed it.
Crrrrrrrr…
One of the wall panels slid slowly, revealing a tightly secured metal safe.
Tensho (mouth open, stammering): W… wow…! Does this… mean there's treasure here?!
Kinnao remained calm as usual.
He ran his hand over the symbols.
Pressed the numbers in sequence.
Click.
The safe opened.
Inside…
Small gold bars were carefully stacked at the back, gleaming under the dim light.
Tensho (maniacally, shouting): Woooow! Did… did she leave this for us?!
Kinnao (shaking his head, frowning): Impossible… what is that little girl trying to do?… This is too much…
He stopped suddenly.
Noticed something—
No dust at the front of the safe.
He realized immediately she had taken half.
He breathed deeply…
Whispering under his breath: Reassuring…
Kinnao: I hope she chooses her path carefully… and perhaps… a touch of excitement might make her crave life even more.
Tensho (clenching his fist, smiling greedily): I'm going to be rich… yes, finally!
He then looked at Kinnao: I think you won't need this money. Like every other time…
Kinnao turned to him with a sharp look:
— Greedy… not this time.
He took a deep breath.
A heavy aura of resolve filled the room…
As if he was about to take action.
*****In Whale Village,
Gon walked slowly toward his house, each step heavy. His body still ached from the grueling training program he had been following to regain his strength quickly.
A few meters ahead, he spotted the mail carrier at the entrance to the road, heading toward his home. Gon gave a small smile.
"Ah… isn't that Mr. Danby?"
He ran toward him, his heart pounding with a flicker of excitement.
"Wait, sir—"
But his steps froze abruptly. This wasn't Danby. A young man—someone he had never seen before.
Gon, hesitating:
"Uh… sir?"
The new carrier smiled calmly.
"Hello, lad."
Gon blinked, wide-eyed:
"Um… hello… but is Mr. Danby okay?"
The carrier replied:
"Actually, he's on medical leave, but thankfully, his health is improving."
He began flipping through the letters, one by one, then stopped suddenly.
"I think this one's for you."
Gon took the envelope and opened it slightly… it was a letter from Killua.
He glanced behind the carrier, hoping maybe there would be another letter from his father 😟. Even Aunt Mito watched from a distance, her eyes holding a faint glimmer of hope.
But… nothing.
Gon's expression fell for a moment.
"Ugh… nothing…"
He forced himself to stay optimistic 🫡 and quickly opened Killua's letter.
He remembered the moment he had finally managed to contact Killua after sneaking toward the ships at night to get a stronger signal. Despite the repeated cold and colds, he had succeeded. That time, he had climbed a tall ship's mast, but the captain had noticed and warned him—and he had ended up falling into the sea 😵💫🤒.
Suddenly, the carrier spoke quietly:
"Actually… this one's for you as well."
Gon froze, his heart pounding.
"Another letter… from Killua too?"
He checked the date of the first letter… over a month ago.
Gon muttered under his breath:
"But… the first one should have arrived long ago!"
The carrier, embarrassed, bent slightly.
"Sorry… there was a mix-up with the letters and a delay… they were stacked in the storage."
He quickly walked away, flustered.
Gon held both letters in his hands, a wave of frustration washing over him.
"I know nothing this guy is saying is true 😑... just a careless young man."
He sighed, then made up his mind.
"Alright… I'll start with this one."
He opened the first letter, his eyes lighting up with a bit of excitement. It was filled with details of Killua's adventures with Alluka and how her wild antics reminded him of Gon… in a 😑😙 kind of way.
"Good… good… I need to write back and invite them to visit…"
Then he turned to the second letter, opening it with curiosity. The text looked long, but his expression gradually changed.
Killua had written:
"Hello, Gon… have you been feeling better? I hope you're taking good care of yourself, my friend.
I… I feel lost… empty… without you."
Gon froze, a shadow of worry crossing his face.
He continued reading:
"I haven't made a decision yet… but I'm determined to do something. My journey toward the truth has begun…
Alright… sorry. I probably sound foolish. You surely don't understand a word I'm saying. Feeling powerless… makes me seem silly."
Then he continued, with determination in every word:
"Thank you… that call back then saved me. I finally know what the solution is, but I can't leave her anywhere… Alluka is a big responsibility. You know why. Alright, I'll try to explain more to you….....