Illumi continued turning examinees into Needle People.
Because the examinee teams were fragmented and scattered, he only targeted those nearby.
To maximize the number of Needle People, he even deliberately saved some examinees from exotic beasts before driving Nen needles into their heads.
After gathering about thirty Needle People this way, Illumi led them into the thick fog.
Obtaining the Hunter License had become less important at this moment.
Hisoka's behavior and this sudden, intense bloodlust became Illumi's top priorities.
To return to Killua and Kalluto as quickly as possible, Illumi decided to eliminate the source of this bloodlust at maximum speed.
He pushed through the damp fog with his Needle People and entered a forest.
Thick mist enveloped the surroundings, with vines hanging like serpentine shadows, winding down from crooked tree trunks.
Through the fog, the outlines of trees and bushes flickered in and out of view. The muddy ground was soft and wet, making sticky sounds with every step.
Illumi's gaze swept rapidly across the area as he controlled the Needle People to spread out like radar.
After establishing a perimeter, he exchanged clothes with one of the Needle People and silently vanished into the dense bushes.
Using the concealment techniques the Zoldyck Family excelled at, he was confident he wouldn't be discovered.
Moreover, the Doppelganger Needle Person meant to confuse unknown enemies, under the effect of the Nen needle, essentially possessed an aura output similar to the original.
The principle behind this operation was using the Nen needle as a medium to directly infuse the separated aura output into the Needle Person.
Illumi wasn't sure of the enemy's identity, but after deploying the Needle People, he simply revealed his true appearance.
Thus, the Needle Person he used as a doppelganger now bore an identical face and a very similar physique.
More importantly, the numerous Nen needles hidden beneath the clothing could, by piercing specific acupoints, greatly enhance the Needle Person's physical strength during combat.
In this way, it could be considered a flawless 'doppelganger.'
As for the cost after the physical enhancement, it was merely the loss of one Needle Person.
Preparation complete.
Hidden within the dense bushes, Illumi controlled the Doppelganger Needle Person to freely display its aura output.
Over the past year or so, he had rested at home for a period. Even after his severed limb recovered, he didn't take on any commissions.
Because he was thinking, consolidating, and growing stronger.
Thinking about how to counter Morrow's ability, and based on the intelligence about the abilities he'd grasped, simulating countless hypothetical battles in his mind.
When his contemplation yielded results, it was followed by day after day of targeted training.
Nearly a year of arduous cultivation had advanced his strength further. Even his ability system had undergone some adjustments and changes, and his combat thinking had fundamentally transformed.
All these changes were for the purpose of killing Morrow.
Some time ago, Illumi began accepting commissions again, using actual combat while carrying out assassinations to test the results of his training.
Including the currently faced enemy of unknown identity, Illumi saw it as another opportunity to test his training outcomes.
Within the thick fog. Perhaps it was the aura output released by the Doppelganger Needle Person, the surrounding wetland creatures fell silent, either moving away from this dangerous area or concealing their traces as much as possible.
The scattered Needle People around acted like fixed-point radars, monitoring every movement in each area.
Time passed slowly.
A few minutes later.
The white mist permeating the air showed signs of thinning.
At that moment, Morrow made his move, directly destroying one of the patrolling Needle People.
As this Needle Person fell, Illumi immediately confirmed Morrow's location and promptly gathered the surrounding Needle People back, positioning them around the Doppelganger Needle Person.
Squelch, squelch...
The sound of footsteps treading through mud echoed through the forest.
Morrow emerged from the damp mist.
In this terrain, concealing footsteps was practically impossible.
Powerful aura output surged over Morrow's body as his gaze passed through the front row of Needle People and landed on Illumi.
When he saw Illumi directly cancel his disguise ability effect, he felt somewhat surprised, but could roughly guess Illumi's mindset.
With nearly thirty Needle People already displayed openly, there was naturally no need to conceal his identity anymore.
Actually, in this regard, Morrow's thoughts were quite similar to Illumi's.
That's why he had also reverted to his original appearance.
Recovering the aura output occupied by the disguise ability was trivial; what mattered was conveying to Illumi the message of a fight to the death.
The moment Morrow's figure appeared through the mist, the Doppelganger Needle Person's eyes slowly widened, reflecting Illumi's psychological shift in real time.
How could he have imagined that the source of that bloodlust came from Morrow, who had disappeared for a long time?
After an extremely brief moment of shock, Illumi wondered how Morrow had seen through his earlier disguise?
In that instant, he thought of Kalluto's living paper doll.
Perhaps Kalluto had secretly made his living paper doll and given it to Morrow.
But this possibility was instantly dismissed by Illumi.
Since Kalluto would refuse to make Morrow's living paper doll for him, he wouldn't make Illumi's for Morrow either.
So, how exactly had Morrow done it?
The answer was quickly cast aside by Illumi.
Replaced by a frenzied, boiling bloodlust.
How perfect.
To come knocking on his door so willingly.
"Ha, hahaha...!"
The Doppelganger Needle Person's eyes widened to their limit, its face gradually contorting before bursting into maniacal laughter.
A thick, almost tangible aura of malice erupted from it.
The carefully laid killing move was originally intended to test and strengthen his training results.
But never did he expect...
The person he wanted to kill day and night had just walked right into his trap.
This was nothing short of a heavenly surprise.
Illumi's deranged laughter echoed through the forest as a turbulent, evil aura surged skyward, scattering the surrounding mist into disarray.
Such an intense and frenzied aura radiated far and wide in that moment.
Satotz, leading at the front, along with the other examinees including Hisoka, instantly sensed the malevolent aura Illumi had released.
Who is it this time?
A flicker of doubt passed through Satotz's eyes.
Before this malevolent aura appeared, he had already sensed Hisoka's aura wreaking havoc in the thick mist. In other words, apart from Hisoka, there was actually another powerful Nen user among the examinees with an astonishingly malicious aura.
Moreover, within that nearly insane aura was an undisguised, intense bloodlust.
Although it was unclear who this bloodlust was directed at, it was easy to imagine that many of the examinees traversing the swamp would likely suffer.
This year's exam is probably not looking good either.
Satotz thought silently to himself.
Whether it was Hisoka, who was currently on a killing spree, or this sudden surge of insane bloodlust, neither was something he should intervene in.
Due to Illumi's aura fluctuations, everyone in the swamp, Hisoka, Gon, Killua, Kalluto, and the other examinees, was affected.
Aside from Satotz and Hisoka, who remained relatively calm, the other examinees, including Killua and Kalluto, showed signs of fear.
The only difference was that some were so terrified they could barely move, while others, though their hearts raced, remained relatively composed.
However, Morrow, who was facing Illumi's aura up close, showed no change in expression.
It seems... you've been suppressing this for a long time.
Morrow calmly faced the overwhelming bloodlust coming at him.
The person before him was likely too excited to bother concealing anything.
Thus, certain things could easily be interpreted from that aura.
But this intense desire to eliminate the other was mutual for both of them.
Hearing Morrow's words, the Doppelganger Needle Person's maniacal laughter subsided slightly, and its wide-open eyes returned to a more normal state.
"I didn't expect it to be you. Hmm, I won't waste too much time. Or rather, I can't afford to waste too much time on 'killing you,' because..."
The Doppelganger Needle Person flipped its hand, palm up, and extended its Index Finger, pointing at Morrow from a distance.
"Hisoka has his eyes on Kalluto."
"..."
Upon hearing this, Morrow's expression remained unchanged.
He could guess Hisoka's motive for targeting Kalluto, to use Kalluto's ability to find him.
So there was no need to worry about Kalluto's safety.
The Doppelganger Needle Person was somewhat surprised by Morrow's reaction and said coldly, "I thought you would 'care' about this..."
Before it could finish speaking, the Needle People positioned around them lunged at Morrow like starving wolves.
Since words couldn't shake Morrow's resolve, there was no point in wasting more breath.
The battle erupted instantly.
While driving the Needle People to attack Morrow, the Doppelganger Needle Person held four Nen needles between the fingers of each hand.
It understood the weaknesses of Morrow's ability better than anyone else.
Countless simulated battles over the past year had also allowed it to figure out how to directly exploit those weaknesses.
If there was any regret now, it was that the number of prepared Needle People was too few.
Morrow watched calmly as the Needle People charged straight at him, his aura output fluctuating as he prepared to release Starlight Convergence at any moment.
From their previous two encounters, the ability of Starlight Convergence had likely been completely figured out by Illumi.
Now, with only thirty Needle People under his control, he dared to attack so recklessly in a group, it seemed he had another card up his sleeve.
In that case, I'll oblige you.
「Starlight Convergence」
In the blink of an eye, the aura output condensed around Morrow suddenly shattered, transforming into countless dazzling starlight that pierced through the thinning mist, enveloping the nearby Needle People and the more distant Illumi.
Hmm?
The moment Starlight Convergence swept over Illumi's body, Morrow's eyes slightly shifted.
A fake?
So that's how it is...
If it were the Starlight Convergence from over a year ago, it would have truly been deceived.
Realizing that Illumi's ability system had also been refined and improved, Morrow could roughly guess that Illumi had poured considerable effort and resources into removing this thorn in his side.
But unfortunately, it wasn't just your abilities that had advanced.
Maintaining the state of Starlight Convergence, Morrow pushed off with his feet, actively charging toward the nearby Needle People.
However, he did not attack them. Instead, his figure twisted and shifted, quickly weaving through the charging formation of the Needle People and heading straight for the Doppelganger Needle Person in the rear.
With his current aura output level, if these Needle People of Illumi's dared to attack him even once, they risked being marked with a Star Mark.
Moreover, the number of Needle People was too small to burden his information reading.
Even if the number of Needle People doubled or tripled, he remained completely unfazed with his current Starlight Convergence precision.
Assuming the Needle People served as mere training dummies, Morrow approached the exposed fake without any pressure.
At this moment.
The fake Illumi suddenly flung out eight Nen needles in his hand.
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh...
The eight Nen needles traced fine lines through the mist, heading straight for Morrow.
Such a careless needle throw was practically aiding the formation of the Star Mark.
Morrow raised an eyebrow slightly, somewhat curious about Illumi's intentions. He abruptly halted his movement, preparing to dodge the eight Nen needles flying toward him.
However, just as the Nen needles were about to hit Morrow, they unexpectedly twisted and rebounded mid-air.
As the needles recoiled, faint white traces, as fine as hair, flickered in the mist-filled air.
Threads attached to the needles?
Morrow caught sight of the nearly invisible white traces, revealed only by their curvature, blending almost seamlessly with the mist.
To conceal the threads' presence, Illumi had not infused them with Nen.
Typically, threads this fine, without reinforcement from Nen, should snap immediately when taut.
Yet these threads not only remained unbroken but also pulled the Nen needles back.
Such strength likely came from a special alloy material, meticulously crafted to be this fine, specifically for him.
So much effort.
Morrow once again marveled at Illumi's meticulous preparations.
Perhaps, after refining his abilities, this guy had already planned to deal with him in the near future.
It just so happened that he had delivered himself right to the doorstep.
As the fake Illumi retracted the eight Nen needles, Morrow attempted to regain his momentum, but the Needle People from behind had already swarmed in.
Simultaneously, the fake Illumi merely flicked the threads in his hand, controlling the eight Nen needles to trace an arc through the air, once again shooting toward Morrow.
But the assault did not end there.
The fake Illumi dashed forward, closely following the eight Nen needles.
In an instant, Needle People, Nen needles, and the fake Illumi converged on Morrow from different directions, weaving a net-like assault.
If it were over a year ago...
Starlight Convergence might have been forced to retract under such dense attacks.
If he withdrew his ability, it would be difficult to defend against the simultaneous assaults from all angles.
So this was indeed a meticulously planned targeting.
Beneath the overt targeting, they even hid the 'real body,' mentally prepared to deliver a fatal blow.
How interesting. It feels like looking into a mirror, except... it reflects the me from before.
Morrow lowered his eyelids, and the starlight permeating the surroundings instantly converged back onto his body.
What did meticulous planning matter now...
The current him no longer needed to make 'applying Star Marks' his goal.
Thus, their positions had imperceptibly reversed.
He no longer relied on tactics and preparation, while Illumi, who had once surpassed him in every aspect, now meticulously schemed just to deal with him.
Harboring such a peculiar feeling, Morrow, having withdrawn Starlight Convergence, merely stretched out his hands casually.
"Shooting Star."
The aura mobilized at extreme speed formed massive Nen clusters over his hands.
Whoosh!
In an instant, the Nen clusters split and shot out, piercing through all the Needle People and the oncoming Nen needles.
The formidable Emission attack was unmistakably displayed at that moment.
Illumi's pupils contracted sharply.
The scene imprinted in his eyes in that fleeting moment made him glimpse, as if in a daze, the shadow of his father.