Hunter x Hunter: From Obtaining the World to Beyond Heaven

"The biggest challenge is that it will inevitably lead to conflict with my father, King Naspi."

"He was king for thirty years and was also the winner of the previous 'Egg in a Pot' contest. His chips must be more than we can imagine."

"Based on this, I think the first thing to do is quite simple—"

Halkenbrugge turned his head, the unusual excitement on his face gradually fading, returning to his resolute and wise expression:

"Who makes the decisions on your side?"

This was also his way of subtly inquiring about the power of Dia.

Having made the decision to counter Nasby, Halkenbrugge's own strength is clearly insufficient.

Therefore, he also had to weigh Dia's abilities and take everything into account in his plan.

This brings us to the question of who makes the final decision on Diya's side.

Harkenbrug didn't think Mumuze would be the one to make the decision; it was more likely that Dia and others would lead the group together.

For example, the female voice that spoke over the loudspeaker on the day of the riot.

Halkenbrugge remembers it very clearly.

The woman's voice carried a unique intellectual air characteristic of scholars, just like the top scientists he knew at Mival University.

Moreover, one can discern his excellent tactical skills and leadership qualities from the content of his broadcasts.

Based on Halkenbrugge's experience...

Such people are often very opinionated and determined (stubborn). They may listen to others' opinions, but they will not completely follow orders.

Therefore, in Mumuze's camp, there are at least two leaders: Diya and that woman.

So what is the primary and secondary relationship between them?

Halkenbrugge prefers that they make decisions through some kind of democratic resolution.

But Dia's answer was not quite what he had expected.

"..."

Dia stroked her chin, considered for a moment, and then said:

"I'll make all the decisions."

"Including the tenth, eleventh, twelfth, and fourteenth princes, all political forces are under my control."

Dia's expression was very serious, which made Halkenbrugge certain that he was not exaggerating or deliberately deceiving.

So, today's unexpected conversation,

This was actually the highest-level decision-making meeting in the true sense of this succession battle?

Halkenbrugge fell into deep thought.

It seems he has been away from Kakin for too long, and his understanding of the political situation in New Delhi has become distorted.

And didn't Diya say before that she would obey Mumu Ze?

Is this a two-way master-slave relationship?

That's not bad either; perhaps Kakin can finally have a wise regent...

Dia's voice rang out again, interrupting his thoughts:

“Your Highness Harkenbrug, you don’t need to think too much about political issues. You should also know that we cannot compete with Naspi in this regard.”

"The only way to break the deadlock is through individual combat strength."

"But I can say with certainty that if you were in your current state and faced a Naspi who was really going all out, you would probably be torn to shreds by his guardian spirit beast in the very first second."

"So apart from me, you and everyone else combined can't actually overpower the king militarily."

As the only person who has openly and truly confronted Naspi so far, Dia is well aware of the power of his guardian spirit beast.

Its every move possesses terrifying power, astonishing speed, and a bizarre force that distorts physical attacks.

That monkey-faced monster Nen beast was far beyond the capabilities of Harkenbrug or any of the other soldiers who were just beginning to grasp the threshold of Nen ability.

“…You are an expert in this area, and I will follow your advice. In that case, we can only abandon the strategy of attacking the royal palace by force.”

Halkenbrugge's previous scheme was surprisingly simple and crude.

Or rather, most of the successful schemes in history are so simple that they make people laugh.

However, abandoning this plan does not mean that Halkenbrugge is helpless.

"Let's get back to the topic we didn't finish earlier."

Halkenbrugg's plan was still gradually taking shape, and he tried to be as concise as possible:

"Since you're completely focused on your own interests, I'll be frank."

"In my opinion, the most important thing right now is to keep my father from knowing our true purpose."

"Otherwise, he would definitely take the initiative to stop this 'egg in the pot' and wait another 30 years to protect this ritual."

“If we openly cooperate now, Father, with his wisdom, will surely see through the deception immediately. Then what we need to do will be very simple—”

Halkenbrugge made a fist-clapping gesture, his voice strong and clear:

"Confrontation, but not a complete breakdown."

“Our two sides, at least on the surface, should engage in a fierce struggle, as if we were evenly matched. This way, you and I can secretly focus our efforts on finding the flaws in the ‘Egg in the Pot’ ritual.”

Dia nodded, agreeing with Halkenbrugge's assessment:

"Openly repair the plank road while secretly crossing the Chencang pass."

"Yes, and you can also use my password to find my subordinates."

Halkenbrugg wrote his password on a piece of paper and handed it to Dia:

“They are all like-minded, fearless warriors who are impeccable in their loyalty and cooperation, and they also understand my abilities.”

"Before storming my elder brother's palace, I was prepared for my personality to be swapped into his body, so as long as you take my instructions to them, my subordinates will obey your commands completely."

"Let them join your side and fight against me."

"At the same time, as the eldest brother, I will try my best to direct my private soldiers and the army to disperse our forces, and even use them to achieve our goals."

"This period of time will last until my older brother's personality awakens again at most."

A resolute glint flashed in Halkenbrugge's eyes, and his voice was firm and decisive:

"That is, in 12 hours!"

"During this time, I will be fully prepared and do everything I can to disrupt the succession ceremony."

"All this filth and bloodshed, a century of fratricide and death, everything will come to an end in these 12 hours!"

----------------

The rainy season in Kakin is exceptionally long.

"The weather forecast says this rain will continue until 4 a.m., which is... 7 hours from now?"

Mumu Ze chattered away to Diya beside him like a lively little sparrow, his dark pupils darting around, and his red and blue gemstone earrings were particularly eye-catching.

At this point, there was still one hour before the reserved car arrived at the Twelve Princes Palace.

Dia had been back from Halkenbrugge for five hours.

Since Kito had announced his exit from quarantine with the vaccine four and a half hours earlier, he simply moved his plans forward again.

Thus, the matter of Mumu Ze presenting the vaccine as an auspicious omen to the palace came to the fore.

Mumu Ze naturally agreed to Diya's suggestion.

She pointed to the other side with some confusion:

Why do they have to go too?

Following the direction of her finger, Kadjo and Fugates sat there leisurely, like puppets or clay figures.

Kadjo muttered a dissatisfied remark:

"Who are 'them'? They didn't even call me 'sister'... How rude!"

Mumu Ze ignored him, still intently staring at Diya's profile, waiting for his reply.

Actually, she was a little dissatisfied.

Why do girls keep gathering around Dia? Don't they see he's already taken?

Even if she's my own sister, it's not allowed!

"Huh? Ah..."

Diya snapped out of her daze, returning to the present moment from everything that had happened two hours earlier.

That matter was so important that he had to consider it seriously.

"They have a very important mission, but they won't be going to the palace with us. When you face the king, it will mainly be up to you. Poker and I will just wait for you at the entrance of the king's palace."

"What about Miss Qiduo? As the person at the heart of this matter, shouldn't she also go to see Father?"

Mumu Ze asked curiously.

Come to think of it, it seems that not long after Miss Kita came out of seclusion, she suddenly disappeared.

Where did she go?

"Hmm...she has her own mission, but she'll be back soon."

As if she had thought of something, Dia spoke somewhat evasively.

He suddenly felt a urge to touch Mu Muze's hair.

So Dia actually did it.

Ignoring the knowing looks and doting smiles from Katzo and Fugates, Dia gently patted her little head and said:

"Did you remember?"

"You'll be all alone then. Neither Poker nor I can go in with you. You'll have to learn to face the challenges on your own. Maybe Poker will be allowed to come along, but I can't stay with you anymore. Do you understand?"

"I've got it! I've got it!"