Chapter 860
Ron didn't immediately agree. Instead, he began communicating with Specter inside Sumas's space. Using the power of Sequence 1, he scanned the surrounding aura and used the Rat Zodiac Card to perform a divination. Only after confirming there were no issues—and detecting no traces of Nen—did he finally nod.
"Alright."
Once the princes completed the Egg Ceremony, the Spirit Beasts appeared—creatures similar to Nen Beasts, but grotesque in shape. They didn't resemble any known species, instead looking like chaotic amalgamations of multiple lifeforms, radiating an eerie and unsettling aura.
The princes, their consorts, private soldiers, and hired bodyguards all became aware of the true nature of the Succession War: a battle to the death.
Fourteen princes—only one would survive to become the next heir to Kakin's throne.
What many hadn't considered, however, was that given Nasubi's age, he would initiate the ceremony so early in his life. After all, he likely had many years left. Nen users typically lived longer than ordinary people, and high-level users even more so. This was clear from how long Netero had lasted despite his advanced age. Nasubi, like Netero, was an S-rank Nen user.
So why rush the Succession War? Why not delay it? After all, the Fourteenth Prince was still an infant. Any heir chosen now wouldn't necessarily be the most capable one. Nasubi hadn't lost the ability to produce more children either. In time, a more suitable successor could be born.
And yet, the war was already underway—on the Black Whale, of all places.
While the emergence of the Chimera Ants had greatly increased humanity's ability to explore the Dark Continent, that didn't make the journey any less dangerous. The Dark Continent remained far more perilous than anywhere on the Human World.
Could the winner of the Succession War really survive there?
Ron didn't think so.
Even elite Nen users might not make it.
Back when Zigg Zoldyck went to the Dark Continent, he was already a top-tier Nen user. Both Zeno and Maha Zoldyck knew the truth and had told Ron much about it.
So now, fourteen princes would fight to the death, and only one would remain. Thirteen would die.
All that, just to produce a single heir.
And yet, that heir would be sent to the Dark Continent.
If that heir died there, who would succeed the throne?
If the point was to pick a legitimate heir for Kakin, then the smarter move would have been to keep the winner in the kingdom—not send them into uncharted danger.
The Zoldyck family had the right approach.
Ron, Illumi, and Zeno planned to head to the Dark Continent, but until they succeeded, Silva would remain behind. It was to ensure the family line continued.
Nasubi's plan was far too reckless—unless he had absolute confidence that his heir could return safely from the Dark Continent.
But Ron found that unlikely.
Even he couldn't guarantee that.
And if that wasn't the reason, then there was only one other possibility:
The true purpose of the Succession War wasn't to select a future king—it was something else entirely.
While reviewing information on the princes, Ron sent a message to Machi through a blank card.
"Machi-neesan, what did the captain say?" Misty turned toward her.
Machi looked up. "He said he's playing a long game of chess with King Nasubi, and it might last quite a while. He won't be coming back for now."
"He told us to move freely. If anything dangerous happens, contact him immediately."
Misty's face showed a trace of disappointment—but only for a moment.
"Then let's begin our special training."
She glanced at both Machi and Ponzu. "How do you plan to train?"
Machi hesitated, then said, "I might try asking the Phantom Troupe for help. But I can't guarantee they'll agree. And if they do, we'll probably have to get involved in the Succession War."
"I'll try first."
The three of them—Machi, Misty, and Ponzu—left the second floor and headed downstairs.
Between the second and third floors stood a massive gate, far larger than any other on the ship. The security was extremely strict.
It was easier for people from the upper floors to go down than for those below to go up. That door marked a hard division aboard the Black Whale.
The first and second floors housed the upper class.
The third, fourth, and fifth floors were for the lower class.
By now, the Black Whale had traveled far beyond the range of the Human World. Devices like phones could no longer be used; communication would have to revert to more primitive methods.
Just then, news broke—one of the princesses was dead.
The Twelfth Princess, Momoze.
The official report stated that she had been strangled in her sleep.
Even though everyone knew the Succession War involved the princes killing each other, the fact that one of them had already died shocked many.
Some even expressed pity.
But Momoze being the first to die wasn't unexpected.
Her situation had been dire from the beginning. Among all the princes, she was the most vulnerable.
She lacked power, had no backbone, and wasn't protected by any queen. Her guards were few—and none truly loyal to her.
A middle-aged man entered to report the news to Nasubi.
Ron noted that upon hearing the death report, Nasubi showed no sadness. It was as if the one who had died wasn't his daughter, but some irrelevant person.
In fact, Ron even detected a faint flicker of anticipation in Nasubi's eyes.
............
........
.
Elsewhere, a figure sat in silence, hands folded, guilt written on his face.
It was Hanzo.
As one of Momoze's bodyguards, he blamed himself deeply for failing to protect her.
And in that guilt, a quiet anger began to rise within him.
"So this is royalty?"
"Siblings killing each other over a throne?"
"What meaning does a throne like that even have?"