"Whatever is fine."
Killua felt a bit of a dull ache and frustration. With such an examiner, he really had nothing more to say.
"State your terms."
"I want you~"
Morin said it so casually that it startled Killua.
"Want me?!"
"I want a favor and a promise from you."
Morin's tone was slow as he spoke the latter part. It felt somewhat deliberate.
"Phew, that's a relief."
Killua let out a sigh of relief, finally putting his heart back in place after being teased. If the other party really wanted him, not only would he disagree, but his family wouldn't allow it either.
"A favor and a promise, that doesn't seem too harsh..."
Killua thought it over slightly; it seemed reasonable. But for some reason, he felt that Morin was always ready to trap him somewhere...
Was this a cat's intuition???
'A promise and a favor from Killua, if it were just about you, it wouldn't be enough for me to specifically mention it.'
Morin looked at Killua, who was frowning in thought, and chuckled inwardly. 'What I truly want is your sibling, Alluka, or rather, Nanika's power!'
Indeed, Morin's target wasn't Killua, but his fourth sibling, known as the "Wishing Machine," Alluka.
Yes, Killua was just a tool in this scenario~
While Killua himself was a talented individual with the prestigious Zoldyck family background, waiting for him to grow would take too long. In that time, Morin could train his own strength.
By the time Killua matured and officially took over the Zoldyck family, Morin might already be leading an expedition to conquer the Dark Continent.
Strength wasn't Morin's focus. What he cared about was the power that transcended strength, the formidable force that touched upon the laws of nature.
That was Alluka's "wishes" and "requests," a power comparable to Morin's own tools, a causality-defying ability! In the future, whether or not Gon suffers from the constraints and vows and needs healing, Killua will inevitably awaken as his Nen abilities grow.
He will eventually remove the silver needle from his forehead. At that time, with his sealed memories restored, Killua will surely return home to free Alluka, who is imprisoned by their family.
That moment would be when Morin could use the favor and promise from Killua to make a wish to Alluka through Killua.
Others making a wish to Alluka might face harsh demands for the next wish. But if Killua asks Alluka, there would be no problem at all.
Moreover~
The wish Morin wanted to make to Alluka was simple, and Killua probably wouldn't mind it.
Unaware that Morin had everything planned out, Killua continued to frown and ponder:
"But if one day in the future, you use the favor to make me go against my dad and grandpa, I won't accept it."
Killua cautiously voiced his concerns.
"To deal with your dad and grandpa, do I really need to go through all this trouble?"
Morin scoffed at the idea.
"You never know. Some eccentric people enjoy watching families tear each other apart." Killua retorted, his cat-like eyes unyielding.
"I'm not interested in the love-hate dynamics of the Zoldyck family, especially not Illumi's and Kalluto's brotherly obsessions, which are beyond normal reasoning."
"The promise I want from you won't affect your family members in any way." 'Besides, having you ask Alluka won't cost anything~~~'
"I see..."
Killua crossed his arms and nodded slightly.
"Then I agree to your terms."
"Good."
Morin nodded, "Then the agreement is settled. In the future, you owe me a favor and a promise."
"Alright... wait?!"
Killua was about to nod in agreement when he suddenly realized something was off.
"A favor and a promise?! That's two things already!!"
If not for Morin's formidable strength and peculiar tools, Killua would have already started arguing. Even so, his face turned into a comical expression of wide eyes and sharp teeth as he protested.
---
"Are you a swindler? Trying to trap me with your words?"
However, no matter how furious Killua got, Morin's light-hearted response brought him back to reality:
"You can always choose not to accept~"
Morin glanced at him, "I'm not forcing you."
"Originally, I did say it was just one, but seeing you weighing this and that, it was quite annoying."
"So, two. Are you in or out?"
Morin looked off into the distance, "You better decide quickly."
In the distance, smoke was rising, indicating that the other candidates had already caught their Great Nose Hogs and started cooking.
"Otherwise, once the candidates arrive, it won't be up to you."
Killua: 'Damn it! When I grow up, I'll definitely take down monopolies. Both of you just wait and see!!'
Killua's eye twitched uncontrollably.
This damn, wicked seller's market.
"I agree!"
The words were practically squeezed out through gritted teeth.
"Then it's settled."
Morin wasn't worried about Killua going back on his word; there would be plenty of ways to make him fulfill it when the time came.
"Let's get started then!!"
Menchi immediately urged. She had been listening to Killua and Morin's conversation the whole time.
Although Menchi disapproved of Morin's opportunistic behavior, she seemed to be the least qualified to criticize.
After all, it was her who pressured Killua and used her authority without consent. Plus, she was a beneficiary, getting to eat the food she desired. Morin also gained a favor and a promise, making them both quite satisfied.
The only one who seemed to lose out was Killua???
Menchi chose to ignore him.
Yes, all for the necessary sacrifices on her culinary journey!!
She thought so, and in the next second~
Menchi's eyes widened, and any other thoughts vanished into thin air.
"It smells amazing!!"
She stared at the freshly roasted whole pig Morin brought out, unable to help but swallow.
"Another roasted whole pig?!"
Buhara's drool flowed like a waterfall.
Gurgle~
The sound of his stomach growling grew louder.
His gaze at the roasted pig was filled with longing and desire!!
For Buhara, who could eat seventy Great Nose Hogs in one sitting, the roasted whole pig Morin presented was barely a snack.
"This is mine, you can't have it!!"
Menchi unceremoniously took the roasted pig and shielded it behind her, glaring at Buhara threateningly.
"Uh..."
Buhara initially wanted to say, "This is my exam topic, can't I at least have a bite?" But seeing Menchi's stance, he swallowed his words.
"Let me try!!"
Menchi eagerly grabbed a fork, speared a piece of the roasted pig, and quickly popped it into her mouth.
"This flavor is..."
In an instant?
Menchi's body paused slightly, and then her eyes erupted with a brilliance that dazzled Killua, Buhara, and Morin.
"Delicious!!!"
Her sharp, piercing voice startled the candidates who were bringing over their roasted pigs.
"What just happened?!"
The candidates were curious and filled with urgency.
They didn't know what had happened, but they recognized the word "delicious."
If the examiners shouted "delicious," it meant a candidate had passed, right?!!
They had to hurry!!
Each candidate carried a Great Nose Hog, sprinting forward with all their might.
They were competing against the examiners' appetites!!
"I don't see Killua and Morin anywhere..."
Gon, carrying a Great Nose Hog much larger than himself, looked around but couldn't find Killua or Morin.