Bab 60: Plans
Months had passed since the council meeting. The throne room, usually a hive of activity, was quiet, save for the subtle hum of strategic planning and silent anticipation. Haruto sat in his throne, his gaze calm but radiating an undercurrent of cold determination, reflecting the weight of his plans.
The grand doors creaked open, heralding the arrival of Illumi Zoldyck. The assassin moved with a silent grace, his lithe form carrying an aura of subdued power. He fell to one knee before Haruto's throne, bowing his head. "Did you ask for me, Your Highness?" His voice was level, hiding the electric charge of anticipation underneath his calm exterior.
Haruto inclined his head in acknowledgment, his regal features softened by a hint of curiosity. "Yes, Illumi. How are your trainings with your new abilities?" he asked, his tone casual, but his eyes showed the serious weight behind the question.
A smile graced Illumi's normally impassive face, it was a quiet confidence mingled with a touch of awe that Haruto's words had inspired in him. "They are excellent, much better than I could ever achieve on my own," Illumi admitted. His gratitude was genuine, a rare emotion for the stoic assassin, but Haruto's intervention had truly reshaped his potential.
Haruto nodded, a slight hint of satisfaction touching his eyes. "Good," he responded, his tone veering towards the matter at hand. "I have a task for you, Illumi. It will be a long one, likely to last months if not years. Are you up for it?"
There was no hesitation in Illumi's response, his loyalty to Haruto ran deep. "By your command, My King," he answered with a resolute voice, his gaze never wavering from Haruto's.
Haruto's gaze hardened, a sign of his mind veering into the complexities of the upcoming strategy. "Your task will take you to the Kakin Empire," he began, his words carrying the weight of the future. "I want you to infiltrate their system, use your newfound abilities to create a wide network of minions. They will come in handy in the years to come."
Illumi raised an eyebrow, a flash of surprise reflected in his gaze but he recovered swiftly. His stoic visage returned as he bowed his head in acknowledgement, "I understand, My King. I will do as commanded."
"Anything specific, My King?" Illumi asked, seeking clarity on his mission.
Haruto seemed to ponder over Illumi's query for a moment before replying, "For now, stay away from the princes. We don't want to stir up unnecessary attention. Focus on high-standing individuals, those in power but not in the direct limelight."
Illumi nodded, understanding the gravity of his mission, his eyes flickered with determination. With a final, silent bow, he turned on his heel, his figure fading away as silently as it had arrived. The door clicked shut behind him, reinstating the quiet hum of the room.
It wasn't long before the doors were pushed open again, this time making way for the round figure of Milluki Zoldyck. His large form lumbered into the room, his steps heavy and less graceful than his predecessor's. He came to a halt before the throne and fell onto one knee with a hard thud. "My King," he called out, slightly out of breath from the physical exertion, but his eyes held a spark of unwavering loyalty.
Haruto watched as Milluki straightened, not missing the sheen of sweat on the larger man's forehead. "Milluki, any progress?" He asked, his tone carried an undercurrent of curiosity, a stark contrast to his stern demeanor.
Milluki's face fell, the enthusiasm in his eyes dimmed as he shook his head. "Sadly, none," he admitted, his voice filled with a mixture of awe and frustration. "The game is a work of a genius; it is almost impossible to duplicate. We tried with Kortopi's abilities, but the result was the same."
Haruto listened, his eyes narrowing thoughtfully. Despite the negative report, he seemed more intrigued than disappointed. "Why are you interested in a game, My King?" Milluki dared to ask. "My apologies for my impudence, but you don't strike me as someone who would enjoy video games."
A chuckle escaped Haruto's lips, a rare sound that added a layer of levity to the otherwise intense atmosphere. "That game is not a game but a Nen Ability," he corrected, his voice laced with a hint of amusement. "The Greed Island is a real place. When you enter the game, it transports your body. It's merely curiosity, Milluki. I want to uncover its secrets."
Milluki looked taken aback, his eyes widening with newfound comprehension. "A Nen Ability?" he repeated, awe-struck. A sense of resolve hardened in his gaze, rekindling his determination. "Then I will not rest until we crack its code, My King."
Haruto nodded approvingly at Milluki's determination. "Good," he stated. "Remember, this isn't just about the game. It's about unraveling the capabilities of Nen, the depths it can reach. This could change everything we know about Nen."
Milluki bowed his head in acknowledgement, the enormity of the task weighing heavy on his shoulders. "I understand, My King. I will do my best."
With the dismissal, Milluki heaved himself up from his kneeling position and lumbered out of the room, his mind already racing with possibilities, strategies, and theories to unravel the mystery that was Greed Island.
The last figure to enter the throne room that day was Killua Zoldyck. His silver hair was slicked back, save for a few loose strands that fell into his eyes. The teen's form was agile and lean, filled with a potential that hadn't yet been fully tapped into. His eyes, a startling shade of blue, sparkled with a latent power, enhanced by the training he had just returned from.
"Killua," Haruto called out, his voice echoing through the room.
Killua immediately fell onto one knee, bowing his head respectfully. "My King," he replied, his voice firm.
Haruto felt the subtle shift in the room as he focused his Nen on Killua. The energy radiating off Killua was palpable, a tangible testament to his progress. Haruto nodded approvingly, his eyes holding a glint of satisfaction. "Quite a progress. How was it?" he asked, an undercurrent of curiosity woven into his words.
A grin spread across Killua's face, lighting up his eyes. "I was initiated by the jester himself, so I had to leave," he shared, a note of humor lacing his voice. "But no problem otherwise."
Haruto's stern features softened with amusement, a rare sight that added a dash of warmth to the austere atmosphere of the throne room. "Hisoka, no doubt," he mused aloud.
"Indeed," Killua replied, his grin widening at Haruto's reaction.
Then, the King's tone shifted, bringing back the sense of formality to their conversation. "You will come with us for the Hunter Exam. I want you to represent your family and the young generation of our Kingdom," Haruto declared, his words carrying the weight of his command.
Killua blinked in surprise at Haruto's directive, but a moment later, he was grinning from ear to ear. A palpable sense of excitement shimmered around him. "I will, My King!" He exclaimed, his enthusiasm infectious.
"Good." Haruto's approval came with a firm nod, acknowledging Killua's acceptance. There was a moment of silence, the room filled with an air of anticipation as Haruto locked eyes with Killua, his gaze reflecting the expectations he had for the young Zoldyck.
With that, Killua was dismissed, a final bow offered to the King before he turned on his heels, leaving the room with a spring in his step. The throne room doors closed behind him, leaving Haruto alone once more.
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