Law knew what Illumi was going to do next: apply psychological pressure on Killua, force him to surrender, and make him obediently return to Kukuroo Mountain.
He could predict what was about to happen and was thinking about how to change it.
In Law's mind, the best outcome would be Illumi getting eliminated and Killua staying, but that seemed unrealistic.
Inside the ring, after the referee announced the start, Killua and Illumi were instead engaged in conversation.
The examinees outside the ring, including the examiners, watched the dramatic scene unfold.
The final match was actually a battle between brothers.
"A coincidence?" Killua muttered.
"Not entirely," Illumi replied, then asked, "You stabbed Mother and your second brother?"
"Yeah," Killua admitted without any psychological burden.
"Mother cried. She was moved and also relieved, saying you've finally grown up. But she still wasn't comfortable with you going out alone, so she ordered me to follow you secretly."
"Coincidentally, I happened to need a Hunter License to facilitate my next mission. I just didn't expect you'd actually want to become a Hunter?"
Illumi explained why he was here… partly coincidence, partly not.
"I don't really want to be a Hunter. I just wanted to try it," Killua said, the sweat on his face increasing rather than decreasing.
"That reassures me. You're not suited to be a Hunter. Becoming an assassin is the path you should take in the future. Besides killing, you don't need anything else," Illumi said coolly.
Killua lacked the courage to refute. He instinctively lowered his head, sweat continuously dripping onto the stone floor, soon forming a small puddle.
Then, he couldn't help but glance towards where Law was, wanting to ask for help, but remembering the night he attacked Law, he quickly averted his gaze.
Illumi noticed Killua's reaction. At the same time, he felt Law's unwavering gaze. Illumi didn't mind this.
This was a Zoldyck Family's matter. An outsider had no right to interfere.
For this reason alone, even if Law had connections with the family elders, he couldn't cross this line.
So, while Killua hung his head in silence, Illumi met Law's gaze. Without speaking, his eyes clearly conveyed the message: Killua is my biological brother. You are an outsider.
Law indeed understood Illumi's meaning.
Illumi withdrew his gaze and looked at Killua. "So, you should come home."
Killua's body trembled slightly. After a long silence, he refuted, "I don't want to go back."
"Why?" Illumi asked calmly.
"I... also have things I desire," Killua gritted his teeth.
"You don't," Illumi said.
"I do!" Killua suddenly looked up, meeting Illumi's eyes.
Illumi remained expressionless. He slowly raised his hand and said calmly, "Oh? Then tell me, what do you want?"
Facing Illumi's gaze, Killua couldn't help but lower his head again. He remembered the time Illumi killed a child his own age in front of him.
It was just because he wanted to go play soccer together. Just because he wanted a few friends.
But now...
"I'm tired of killing."
Killua clenched his fists, as if standing in darkness with a white shadow reflected before him.
"I want... to be like a normal person, to have friends to play with."
"No, you can't have friends. Including us, there are only two types of people in your life: those you must kill, and those you don't need to kill." Illumi's tone held no discernible emotion.
"If you remain deluded, then try to imagine it yourself. Sooner or later, you will kill your own friends."
Illumi's utterly calm words made Killua freeze, reminding him again of the night he attacked Law on the airship.
Seeing Killua's reaction, Illumi said flatly, "Do you understand now? Killing is your nature. So, come home."
"I..." Killua's mind conjured images of Gon and Law, making him hesitate.
Illumi waited patiently for five seconds, but Killua still hadn't responded.
He raised his index finger, touching his chin, and said thoughtfully, "Has this 'friend' you want become so important that it hinders your decision? It's that No. 389, right? His name is Gon."
"In that case, there's no other way. I'll kill him for you."
Hearing this, Killua's eyes widened suddenly. His heartbeat accelerated unprecedentedly, sweat completely soaking his face, which was full of panic and pain.
Illumi genuinely intended to kill. When he said those words, he truly released killing intent.
At that moment, Law's Aura surged forth like countless black rainbows, clawing and roaring as it swept towards Illumi. Simultaneously, Illumi released his own Aura to resist.
"Huh?"
The examinees in the spectator area, and even the more than ten black-suited referees not far away, were forced back several steps by the collision of these two auras.
"These two..." Hanzo's composed demeanor vanished. He looked at Law and Illumi as if looking at two monsters.
If even Hanzo was affected, let alone Pokkle and the others. Kurapika was relatively normal, having already experienced it once before.
Tonpa stood steadily not far from Law, thinking, 'This guy must be tired of living to dare provoke Law.'
'Is Law angry?' Buhara wondered privately.
'That person?' Menchi looked at Illumi as if he were an ingredient on a cutting board.
Netero watched the confrontation between Law and Illumi, a glint of interest flashing in his old eyes.
Law slowly stood up, looking coolly at Illumi.
He had connections with the Zoldyck Family, but he was still an outsider.
This contradictory relationship was the fundamental reason he couldn't interfere in Killua's affairs.
Therefore, he couldn't directly liberate Killua. But he would also repay Illumi in his own coin, restraining him from interfering with Killua and Gon's friendship.
As long as Gon was around, Killua would eventually break free from the Zoldyck Family's control completely.
Law and Illumi's Auras collided in mid-air.
Inside the ring, Killua looked at the standing Law, a struggle evident on his face. But he understood clearly that Law stood up now to give him the courage to resist.
Illumi sighed inwardly, 'Right, with Law here, I can't touch that kid named Gon.'
'If I could defeat Law, there wouldn't be so many troublesome issues.'
Thinking this, Illumi retracted his Aura, allowing Law's Aura to wash over his body.
This action was a way of telling Law he was backing down.
Thus, to outsiders, it appeared as if Law's Aura had overwhelmed Illumi.
Having successfully conveyed the message for Illumi to recognize the current situation, Law also silently withdrew his Aura.
Between the two, a private exchange had been completed through the collision of their Auras.
Illumi turned his gaze back to Killua. "I want you to go home. Now."
He had previously talked about killing Gon, but now avoided mentioning it, which is a clear change.
Killua slowly raised his head. The struggle on his face had already disappeared.
Seeing Killua's reaction, a trace of displeasure finally appeared in Illumi's perpetually calm eyes, as if he already knew Killua's upcoming answer.
"I will surrender, but I won't go back," Killua said with a strained smile.
Illumi fell silent.
It seems Law has given Killua confidence.
Although Law wisely didn't cross the line, his very existence is a constant factor influencing Killua.
Most importantly, the leverage that could crush Killua has been taken away by Law. That's the key.
Seeing Killua choose to resist, Law thought that even if he couldn't eliminate Illumi, it was still a satisfying outcome.
He was just a bit worried that Illumi might lose control due to his obsessive brotherly love and attempt to kill Gon regardless of the consequences.
'Considering this possibility, after the licenses were issued, should I...'
'...take his heart?'