The ability characteristics of Starlight Convergence lean more toward Manipulation.
Therefore, in most situations, Morrow needs to trigger the conditions through close-quarters combat.
This combat style contradicts Emission.
As a result, when Morrow suddenly unleashes a high-intensity Emission attack, there's an abrupt sense of disjointed contrast.
The activation speed is so fast, the accuracy so precise.
Illumi's heart jolted, realizing Morrow had taken another significant step forward on his path to the summit.
But that high-intensity Emission attack isn't enough to dominate the battle.
As long as he uses the Doppelganger Needle Person as bait, there's an opportunity for a 'one-hit victory.'
Inside the arena.
The mist grows increasingly thin.
The muddy ground, damp greenery, and hanging vines gradually reveal themselves from all sides like an unfurling scroll.
The Needle People pierced by Nen bullets fall onto the muddy ground, splashing filthy water.
In mid-air, Nen needles shatter.
Fine fragments scatter across the ground.
The only Doppelganger Needle Person untouched by attacks, under the precise control of Illumi's ability, appropriately displays a hint of astonishment.
But its imposing manner remains unaffected.
Even without the assistance of Needle People, as the eldest son of the Zoldyck Family, he possesses even more formidable martial arts.
Thus, the Doppelganger Needle Person draws two Nen needles from its body, steadily gripping them between its fingers.
Taking only two naturally isn't for throwing.
Inherently, Manipulation abilities with one-hit victory characteristics not only create intimidation in close combat but also employ tactical value by constantly generating pressure, making opponents feel as if sitting on pins and needles.
The astonished expression on the Doppelganger Needle Person's face slightly recedes, then it charges directly at Morrow, carrying a powerful aura.
Quite the performance.
Morrow murmurs to himself, yet doesn't use Starlight Convergence's ability, allowing the fake Illumi to attack right before him.
The Doppelganger Needle Person suddenly thrusts its palm, the tips of the Nen needles between its fingers aimed at Morrow's chest.
In that moment of attack, the aura output floating over its body surface is precisely distributed like flowing water.
This is Ryū.
To execute such rapid Ryū even on a 'fake' shows extremely high control precision.
A flicker of surprise passes through Morrow's eyes, and he also employs exquisite Ryū. As his aura output flows, he raises his hand to strike the fake Illumi's wrist.
A light snap.
Their Nen collides, bursting forth with a white shockwave.
The fake Illumi's right hand is knocked upward by Morrow's strike.
Yet Morrow feels even more surprised internally.
At the moment of contact, the bone and muscle strength he sensed hardly seemed like that of a fake.
If it hadn't been detected by Starlight Convergence, there would truly be no flaws apparent.
No wonder the 'real body' can remain calmly hidden all along.
Thoughts flash like lightning, yet they don't affect Morrow's combat rhythm in the slightest.
And at this moment, the fake Illumi's fingers holding the Nen needles suddenly twitch, actually shooting the needles toward Morrow's face while its arm is knocked upward.
Simultaneously, the fake Illumi's other hand, as if scooping the moon from the seafloor, carries a cold killing intent, driving the second Nen needle to stab toward Morrow's neck.
Defensive counterattack, and executing the next round of offense.
Almost completed at the same time.
Facing this fierce and aggressive attack, Morrow calmly lifted his chin and, with a breath, spat a Nen bullet toward the oncoming Nen needle.
Clink.
The Nen bullet struck the Nen needle.
With a crisp sound, the struck Nen needle abruptly changed direction, flying past Morrow's side.
While neutralizing the threat from the Nen needle, Morrow extended his left hand, gripping the wrist of the fake Illumi, which held the second Nen needle, like a metal hoop.
Meanwhile, his right hand, which had earlier deflected the fake Illumi's first assault and was still in an upward motion, suddenly transformed into a heavy fist, slamming into the fake Illumi's chest.
Thud!
The fierce force transmitted through the punch nearly shattered the aura output concentrated on the fake Illumi's chest.
The ensuing impact sent the fake Illumi stumbling backward.
However, Morrow exerted force with his right hand, yanking the fake Illumi back, and delivered another heavy punch to its chest.
Thud!
But this time, the fake Illumi's body was sent flying backward.
It had altered the bone and muscle structure of its wrist, using the moment to break free from Morrow's grip.
As it flew backward, blood trickled from the corner of the fake Illumi's mouth, yet its expression remained unchanged as it adjusted its posture and landed steadily on the ground.
From the shadows, Illumi, who was controlling the Doppelganger Needle Person, observed these close-quarters exchanges and noted the significant changes in Morrow's mastery of advanced Nen techniques, along with a marked increase in physical strength.
No wonder he was so confident in retracting his Nen ability.
Over the past year, it wasn't just him who had trained relentlessly, forgetting sleep and meals.
Morrow, whom he regarded as a thorn in his side, had done the same.
Fortunately, his most crucial transformation lay in his ability system and tactical direction.
So, whether the Doppelganger Needle Person held the advantage or disadvantage, it offered an exceptionally high margin for error.
Inside the arena.
As if sensing Illumi's thoughts, Morrow, after punching the fake away, immediately gave chase without hesitation, simultaneously activating the domain of Starlight Convergence.
He intended not only to destroy Illumi's body but to utterly crush his spirit as well.
Brilliant starlight surged forward like a tide, enveloping the fake Illumi, which had just stabilized its stance.
From the shadows, Illumi's eyes flashed with a cold gleam.
This was the opening he had been waiting for.
He was well aware of the transfer mechanism of the Star Mark, but at this moment, he actually hoped Morrow would implant the Star Mark into the Doppelganger Needle Person.
Because, from Morrow's perspective and understanding, the one being marked wasn't the Doppelganger Needle Person, it was Illumi himself.
Thus, the moment Morrow believed he had succeeded and mobilized his aura output to strike down the Doppelganger Needle Person, Illumi could seize that instant to deliver a fatal blow to Morrow.
This was one of the tactical developments Illumi had most eagerly anticipated.
Now, it was beginning to unfold.
Morrow, wreathed in starlight, charged at the fake Illumi.
His seemingly all-or-nothing assault appeared more like an attempt to provoke the fake Illumi into counterattacking.
But under Illumi's control, the Doppelganger Needle Person refrained from hastily retaliating. Instead, it feigned apprehension toward the conditions of Starlight Convergence, steadily retreating under Morrow's onslaught.
Only when there was no room left to evade did Illumi command the Doppelganger Needle Person to recklessly launch a counterattack.
Amid the brilliant starlight.
Morrow naturally dodged the fake Illumi's counter, accumulating one dodge count.
The exchange of offense and defense continued.
The fake Illumi, failing to counterattack, was forced into retreat once again.
Only when danger loomed at every turn did he launch a desperate counterstrike.
Yet, under the enveloping effect of Starlight Convergence, this counterattack was effortlessly dodged by Morrow.
In this manner, Morrow, through relentless offense, continuously accumulated evasions and roughly deduced Illumi's intentions.
He went along with the act, playing his part in the drama unfolding before him.
Throughout this process, Morrow more actively displayed his masterful Nen techniques, formidable physical resilience, and superior martial arts.
It was as if he were telling Illumi one thing, what stands before you now is an insurmountable peak.
In the shadows.
As Morrow's interwoven assaults grew increasingly fierce, Illumi couldn't help but feel a surge of alarm, utterly unable to fathom what form of training Morrow had undergone over the past year.
How could he have made such exaggerated progress?
If the increase in aura output could be attributed to his inherently gifted physical condition, then how had he achieved such a leap in advanced Nen techniques and martial arts?
Of course, Illumi had no way of knowing...
Morrow's transformation was all thanks to the sparring sessions with a world-class Nen user.
But for Illumi, however Morrow had accomplished it was not a question that needed exhaustive investigation, or rather, it was entirely unimportant.
Because the stronger the offensive power Morrow displayed, the more flawless the retreat of the Doppelganger Needle Person became.
If things continued this way, the prearranged tactic would soon yield results.
And so, that crucial moment finally arrived.
The dazzling but weightless and powerless stars, once the conditions were met, transformed with unyielding force into golden chains, binding the fake Illumi.
This was the outcome Illumi had long awaited.
It was also the moment Morrow declared, 'The demonstration is over.'
The golden chains gleamed in the thin mist, clinking as they tightened.
Then, the golden chains shattered and dispersed, revealing a Star Mark on the fake Illumi.
The effect of Starlight Convergence advanced to the next stage.
Just as Illumi had anticipated, Morrow had already retreated a distance by the time the golden chains shattered, and he condensed a Shooting Star in his palm, hurling it behind him.
That Shooting Star only needed to travel a hundred meters and return to annihilate the Doppelganger Needle Person he was using as 'bait' with multiplied force.
So, to prevent this impending dead end...
The Doppelganger Needle Person, as expected, charged recklessly toward Morrow.
Step by step, scene by scene, everything unfolded under Illumi's 'manipulation.'
This was true Manipulation, the Manipulation that could control the entire situation.
At this moment, Illumi became utterly focused, patiently awaiting the arrival of the final instant.
On the field.
The Doppelganger Needle Person's face twisted slightly into a grimace as it charged forward desperately.
By this point, the needle person's forcibly enhanced body was on the verge of collapse.
But there was still time.
All that was needed was to close the distance.
Morrow watched calmly as the fake Illumi's face gradually contorted into madness and ferocity.
Behind him, a fluorescent green light flashed into view.
A powerful Shooting Star swept past his side, heading straight for the fake Illumi.
The fake Illumi's eyes widened appropriately, and in haste, he raised his arms in a defensive cross in front of him.
Shooting Star, wreathed in dazzling light, brutally tore its arms to shreds before crashing into its torso.
A direct penetration.
A bloody hole spanning the entire chest cavity abruptly appeared.
Simultaneously.
Morrow suddenly unleashed his 'Starlight Convergence' ability.
That resplendent starlight once again shimmered in the air.
Having seized the 'critical moment,' Illumi stepped into Morrow's blind spot the instant his Doppelganger Needle Person suffered a devastating blow.
However, the sudden burst of starlight, like a shattered galaxy, stirred violent ripples in his pitch-black eyes.
Why activate the ability at this precise moment?
Even if the Star Mark could transfer, it required 'time.'
Yet the timing of this ability activation seemed more like 'foreseeing' his imminent lethal strike...
As doubt flashed through Illumi's mind, his body had already withdrawn all aura output, his fingertips thrusting a Nen needle straight toward the back of Morrow's head.
This strike was beyond recall.
Because at this decisive moment, it was essentially a race against time.
So much so that even the fastest burst of thought couldn't keep up.
Only, in the illusion of time nearly freezing, Illumi 'saw'...
Amid the vast starlight, Morrow slightly turned his head, his peripheral gaze sweeping over.
In those eyes, there was no mockery, no disdain, not even a flicker of emotion.
Only calmness.
As if he had merely raised his hand casually.
The action itself, was abrupt, devoid of meaning.
As natural and ordinary as brushing dust off one's shoulder.
And then, you will die.
As time's flow returned to normal, Morrow did indeed raise his hand, his fingertips elongating into sharp points.
「Astral Step」
His figure vanished into thin air.
Illumi's Nen needle struck empty air.
If the tactic had succeeded, the needle's impact point should have been the back of Morrow's Nen-vulnerable skull.
But there were no ifs.
The instant he teleported behind Illumi using Astral Step, Morrow's raised hand was already in position, tearing out Illumi's heart.
Illumi still maintained his forward momentum, lunging ahead after his Nen needle missed.
Only when he halted to steady himself did he belatedly register the sharp pain radiating from his chest.
"..."
A deathly silence.
Illumi slowly turned around, his eyes wide, pupils trembling unnaturally, as if unable to accept that his meticulously laid tactics had concluded in such a manner.
Yet the moment Morrow vanished, he had already realized...
"You knew all along... it was fake... why... give me a chance?"
The missing warmth in his chest spread a chill through his body, like the breath of death gnawing at his vitality.
Knowing death was imminent, Illumi fixed his reality-defying gaze on Morrow, as if determined to seek clarity even in death.
Thump, thump...
The heart in Morrow's grip continued to beat.
Hearing Illumi's question, Morrow shifted his gaze from the fresh heart to Illumi's face, now etched with burgeoning resentment.
"There's no particular reason. If I had to say, I just wanted you to know that throughout this past year, I've actually been 'eating well.' Hmm... just kidding."
As Morrow spoke, he casually crushed the heart in his hand, causing flesh and blood to instantly burst from between his fingers.
When the shredded flesh mixed with blood plasma fell to the ground, his tone turned cold. "But you should understand, right? During this past year when you've been racking your brains trying to kill me, I..."
His other hand, which remained untainted by the gore, slowly rose as his index finger gently tapped his temple before he continued, "I'm sorry to say I've left you far behind. So don't take it too hard, what you lost wasn't just tactics. From ability to physical combat, this was a complete and utter defeat. So please die with peace of mind."
"...!"
Illumi finally understood why Morrow had specifically shown off his skills. His lips trembled slightly, but no words came out.
All he could do now was shakily raise his hand, attempting to insert the Nen needle into his heart meridian to buy himself a few more seconds.
Morrow didn't stop Illumi's action.
When death is inevitable, such actions are meaningless.
Unless they would generate Post-Mortem Will.