After they pushed open three heavy doors of the Testing Gate, the Zoldyck Family's vast estate, sprawling like a national park, finally unfolded before them.
"We... actually got in?" Leorio gazed at the suddenly expansive view, still dazed, feeling as though he were dreaming.
"Killua! We're here!"
Gon was already cupping his hands around his mouth, unable to wait as he shouted toward the distant forest.
His voice echoed through the valley, startling several birds into flight.
Zebro followed silently behind them, relighting his pipe as wisps of smoke curled upward.
After they passed through a dense stretch of woods, a sizable butler dormitory came into view.
However, a small figure blocked their way on the only path leading to it.
The one barring their path was a dark-skinned little girl with numerous braids, dressed in an apprentice butler's uniform.
She held a heavy metal cane and stood expressionlessly in the middle of the path.
With the tip of her cane, she drew a clear line across the ground.
"Anyone who crosses this line, no matter who they are, will be removed by force."
The girl's voice was young, but her tone was icy and devoid of emotion, like a machine following its programming.
"Who are you? We're here to see Killua!" Leorio stepped forward, displeased.
"My name is Canary. I'm an apprentice butler here."
The girl, Canary, answered coldly, her gaze vacant. "No one may pass without permission."
"Listen, we mean no harm. We only want to see our friend."
Kurapika tried to reason with her, his tone gentle.
But Canary remained completely unmoved, merely repeating the same words mechanically: "Anyone who crosses this line is an enemy."
"Then there's no other choice!"
Gon took a deep breath, his eyes resolute, and suddenly charged forward. "Sorry!"
Yet the moment