Battle at Kukuroo Mountain: Dark Clouds Gather as the Assassin Family Braces for War!

Kukuroo Mountain was a vast volcanic range rising more than three thousand meters. Sunlight never reached this place. Thick, bitterly cold gray mist shrouded its lifeless peaks. Halfway up the mountain stood the estate.

The enormous Zoldyck Estate was a forbidden place synonymous with death. Now its gates were shut tight, with not a glimmer of light in sight.

Deep beneath the estate, at the far end of its darkest chamber, the air was cold and damp. A sharp smell of rust and old blood always hung there. Black stone lined the walls.

Only a few wall lamps cast a sickly green glow. They swayed slightly in the cold draft, giving off a faint, ceaseless whine.

Illumi had dragged Killua back to this gloomy estate by force. He hauled him through long, rust-stained corridors and finally brought him here.

Heavy, cold alloy chains pinned Killua against a damp stone wall. Black iron cuffs held his wrists fast. He could not move. "Illumi!"

"You lunatic! Why did you bring me back?" Killua thrashed against his restraints. The chains struck the stone with a piercing clang.

The sharp rattle of chains echoed through the chamber. Fury filled his young face as he shouted. His chest heaved, and defiant fire burned in his blue eyes.

But Illumi stood before him, his pale, bloodless face devoid of expression. Deep in his empty, ink-black eyes, there still lingered something else.

It was the lingering terror and despair he had felt when he faced the god at Dolle Harbor. His fingers would not stop trembling.

Even his sleeves quivered. Damp black hair clung to his forehead. He gave his beloved younger brother a long look. "Stay here."

"It's the only way to keep you alive," Illumi whispered, his voice weak, hoarse, and utterly without warmth. Then,