After purchasing the tickets, Takeru and the others began heading toward Kukuroo Mountain in the afternoon. However, they encountered massive traffic congestion. Undeterred, the group simply abandoned their vehicle and ran towards the airport...
That evening, they smoothly boarded the flight. Thanks to their Hunter Licenses, everything went very smoothly. They were even provided with complimentary dinner on the plane...
Two days passed in the blink of an eye. On this evening, they were only one night's journey away from the Republic of Padokea.
During these two days, Takeru continued refining his Shadow Person, attempting to use less Nen to make them more powerful.
Besides the Shadow Person, Takeru was also developing a new ability primarily based on Emission-type Nen: the Kamehameha.
He had also taken the opportunity to fully heal Gon's injuries.
Now, it was their last night on the plane.
"Gon, don't be so gloomy!" Leorio said, holding a box of fries.
"When dawn breaks, we'll arrive in the Republic of Padokea. You'll be able to see Killua right away!" Kurapika also comforted Gon.
"Mhm!" Hearing their words, Gon regained a bit of his energy.
"You're being too naive," Takeru sighed lightly, looking at the three.
"Huh? What do you mean, Takeru?" Hearing this, everyone looked at Takeru curiously.
"It's simple. The Zoldyck Family, being a top-tier assassination family, openly reveals their headquarters without hiding it. Do you really think getting in will be easy?" Takeru said seriously.
"But... we're just here to see a friend!" Gon said innocently.
"Indeed, Killua is your friend. But his family doesn't know you. Not to mention you intend to take Killua away from his family completely. Judging by his older brother's attitude, how likely do you think it is you'll be welcomed?" Takeru said calmly.
Hearing Takeru, Leorio and Kurapika beside him also frowned...
"I don't care. I will bring Killua out!" Gon declared with unwavering determination.
"Good. Having that resolve is what matters. Also, when the time comes, I might enter first," Takeru said with a smile, seeing Gon's firmness.
"What do you mean? You won't be acting with us, Takeru?" Leorio asked, puzzled.
"I won't be acting together with you. But Umaru will stay with you for a while," Takeru stated.
"Huh? Me, with them?" Umaru was taken aback.
"That's right. As I said before, I'm quite interested in the Zoldyck Family. My purpose for going there isn't to visit a friend. It's to issue a challenge," Takeru continued.
"A challenge?!" Everyone looked at Takeru in surprise.
…
Time flew by, and the next day arrived. Today, they finally reached the Republic of Padokea. After disembarking, they took a light rail, and finally boarded a once-daily sightseeing bus...
"Welcome aboard the Lamentation Tour Bus. It's an honor to serve you again. From now on, this bus will head towards Kukuroo Mountain, the stronghold of the infamous assassination family, the Zoldycks!" The tour guide on the bus began her introduction.
"Takeru, those two in the back seem to be seeking revenge," Umaru whispered curiously to Takeru.
Leorio had also noticed the two men earlier. As for Takeru, he was no stranger to them either, having observed them with his Observation Haki. However, he had no intention of paying them any mind...
"Attention, passengers, please look to your right. What you see now is Kukuroo Mountain, where the Zoldyck Family resides. This mountain, surrounded by a sea of trees, stands at 3,722 meters. It's said the Zoldyck mansion is located somewhere on the mountain, but to this day, no one has truly seen it. The Zoldyck Family consists of ten members..."
By noon, the sightseeing bus stopped in front of the Zoldyck estate's main gate. The overwhelmingly grand gate left everyone in awe.
Takeru looked at the Testing Gate with great interest. If he remembered correctly, the current Killua could push a gate weighing 16 tons. While 'pushing' and 'lifting' are different concepts, pushing it was still no easy feat.
Takeru wasn't sure if his current pure strength could push the first two gates, requiring an output of 4 tons of force...
However, one thing was clear: if he used Nen, Takeru could likely push it easily. Using his telekinesis on the gates would also pose no problem...
"This, everyone, is the main gate of the Zoldyck Estate, also known as the Gate of Trials. It's said no one who enters this gate has ever come out alive. To enter, one must pass through the door beside the guardhouse. However, from here onward is private property, so further sightseeing is impossible."
After everyone got off, the tour guide continued her dutiful explanation.
"Hey, hey, this is the main gate? But the mountain is still far away!" Leorio exclaimed in shock upon hearing the guide.
"Yes. The sea of trees you see before you, and even the entirety of Kukuroo Mountain, are all the private property of the Zoldyck Family," The guide replied with a smile to Leorio's question.
"You mean... all this is their yard?" Leorio muttered, dumbfounded.
"Hey, Miss Guide, how do we get inside?" Gon asked, looking at the guide.
"Little boy, didn't you understand my explanation earlier?" The guide gave Gon a forced smile.
"Huh? But I—"
"Once you go in, you won't come out alive. This is a hideout for assassins, you know?" Faced with Gon's natural attitude, the guide felt a vein throbbing on her forehead...
"Hmph, nothing but bluffing. An assassination family whose faces no one has ever seen... I heard the bounty for their photos is nearly a billion, with tons of people fighting for it!" At that moment, the two men who had been emitting a vicious aura on the bus stepped forward.
"Really? I should've taken a few photos of Killua earlier!" Leorio said regretfully upon hearing them.
As the two men headed toward the guardhouse, Takeru walked directly to the Testing Gate...
"Takeru, what are you doing?" Seeing Takeru's action, Umaru asked in confusion.
Gon and the others also looked at Takeru puzzledly. The tourists split their attention between Takeru and the two men arrogantly approaching the guardhouse...
Takeru, standing before the Testing Gate, took a deep breath, placed both hands on the door, and pushed with all his might. As Takeru exerted force, the door trembled slightly.
Then, as Takeru continued pushing, a crack appeared. However, he found that relying on pure strength alone was becoming difficult to proceed further.
Seeing this, Takeru released his grip, and the door quickly returned to its original state...
Hearing the sound of the door opening and closing, everyone's gaze shifted to Takeru. The tour guide stared blankly at him… she never knew this door could be opened.
"Hey, hey, didn't you say earlier that door absolutely couldn't be opened?" A tourist who had visited several times asked the guide.
"Um, I..." The guide was at a loss for words...
"Ahhh!" Just as the guide was flustered, two screams came from inside… the two men who had gone looking for trouble. They had 'snatched' the key from the 'doorman' and entered through the small side gate, leading to this outcome.
Hearing the screams, everyone rushed toward the side gate. Shortly after, a massive beast's paw threw out two skeletons from the side gate. Judging by their clothing, they were clearly the two men who had just entered.
Witnessing this scene, everyone was shocked. The tourist group, terrified out of their wits, scrambled back onto the sightseeing bus.
"Really now... I specifically told him not to eat before the main meal. Mike, if you get fat, it's your own problem!" the old gatekeeper said towards the inside.
Kurapika and Leorio swallowed hard as they looked inside...
"You five over there, what are you standing around for? Hurry back to the bus!" Seeing Takeru and the others not boarding, the guide shouted at them.
"You can go ahead. The five of us are staying here," Gon said with a smile in response to the guide's urging.
Seeing this, and unable to resist the other tourists' urge, the guide had no choice but to quickly drive the bus away...