As long as he wasn't a target of assassination by the Zoldyck family, the identity of a "client" could solve many troubles at this moment.
Unless the Zoldycks wanted to destroy their own business reputation.
Gotoh and another butler watched Moro expressionlessly.
They could sense Madam Kikyo's anger and understood that the source of this fury was the calm and composed young man standing before them.
But they had no authority to interfere. They could only act as silent gatekeepers, standing beside Kikyo and Kurt.
Meanwhile, Zebro, at the security booth, had already withdrawn completely, sensing the dangerous atmosphere.
The reason for the tension was obvious—the overwhelming aura radiating from Kikyo at this moment.
Anger. Hostility.
These emotions dominated the air.
"You are Moro?"
Kikyo ignored what Moro had just said, instead asking the obvious question. With her aura steadily rising, she applied more pressure on him.
However, it had no effect on Moro.
Even if Kikyo infused killing intent into her aura.
So what?
Even the killing intent of Zeno and Silva wouldn't shake Moro's will.
"Yes, Madam."
In response to Kikyo's obvious question, Moro remained composed, neither arrogant nor servile.
Kikyo observed his reaction, and the red cybernetic eye on her visor trembled slightly.
She had intended to suppress him with her aura, but he had a remarkable mental fortitude.
Zebro didn't exaggerate—this boy had some skill.
Kikyo's electronic eye fixated on Moro. Though her anger still burned, her rationality took over.
She couldn't touch this boy.
In just a second or two, Kikyo reached a conclusion.
It had nothing to do with strength. Moro had seized the initiative first by declaring himself a "client."
Kikyo was usually quite willful in her household.
This trait was something Illumi had inherited almost perfectly.
However, unlike Illumi, she knew how to weigh her options and prioritize the bigger picture.
No matter how much she despised the influence Moro had on Kurt, she couldn't risk ruining the Zoldyck family's reputation by eliminating him.
Still… what had gone wrong?!
Her eldest sons, Illumi and Milluki, had grown up exactly as expected, perfectly molded into the ideal assassins.
But then came Killua, and everything changed.
Killua's personality clashed with the family's values.
Despite excelling in every aspect of assassin training, meeting every expectation, and displaying unmatched talent, he had one fatal flaw—
He wanted to make friends.
And he was too emotional.
That was the greatest weakness for an assassin.
Then there was Alluka—no, that thing wasn't family.
Because of this, Kikyo had poured all her attention into raising Kurt, showering him with both discipline and affection.
From the very start, she had raised Kurt as a "daughter."
Part of it was her own selfish desire for a daughter, but more importantly, it was to ensure Kurt wouldn't end up like Killua.
And it had worked.
Kurt was obedient and never resisted. Despite being so young, he was already a competent assassin.
Most importantly—
Kurt had never displayed any inclination to make friends or show emotions.
Aside from his lack of outstanding talent compared to Killua, Kurt's development had perfectly met Kikyo's expectations.
But now—
Moro's appearance had cracked that perfect image.
That was the source of her anger.
She needed to vent.
Her attempt at intimidation earlier was her way of doing so.
But it hadn't worked.
And now, she realized she couldn't even lay a finger on Moro.
At best, she could try to scare him away.
That was the only move left.
Which only fueled her frustration further.
The longer the silence stretched, the heavier the tension became.
From the moment Moro answered, "Yes, Madam," neither side had spoken again.
To the bystanders—Gotoh, the other butler, Kurt, and even Zebro hiding in the security booth—it felt less like a stare-down and more like an intense battle of wills.
Kurt was growing more anxious by the second.
His mother was deliberating, weighing her options.
That meant Moro was being measured on a scale.
If the side against him outweighed the side in his favor, he was doomed.
Kurt knew this.
And yet, he was powerless to do anything.
He couldn't even let his concern show.
If his mother noticed his emotional turmoil, it would only fuel her anger further.
So he bit his lip and suppressed his feelings.
The only thing he could do was glare at Moro with a cold expression, hoping to warn him to leave.
Moro, however, recognized that look all too well.
But he had no intention of leaving.
Kikyo's aura was full of killing intent.
"If you don't leave, I'll kill you."
That was the message.
Gotoh, the other butler, Kurt, and even Zebro could all sense it.
"I've never seen Madam this angry before."
Gotoh adjusted his glasses slightly, watching in silence.
As a servant, he wasn't supposed to speculate about his masters.
Even if he did, he wouldn't be able to pinpoint exactly why Kikyo was so enraged.
Among the butlers, only Zebro might have understood.
It was simple—
She was trying to prevent history from repeating itself.
"But that boy… he's completely unfazed."
Gotoh's eyes flickered with intrigue.
He couldn't understand Moro's confidence, nor could he ignore his courage.
In reality, Moro's calmness wasn't just because he was protected under the guise of a "client."
The true reason lay within Kikyo's killing intent itself.
He could sense the subtle crack in her overwhelming aura.
She wouldn't actually kill him.
Moro was sure of it.
Maybe she'd slap him, but she wouldn't take his life.
That was enough.
Time passed.
The silent standoff continued.
Kikyo's aura was like a raging storm, completely unrestrained.
And yet, Moro stood firm, unshaken.
In the end, Kikyo was the first to falter.
Because no matter how fierce a storm rages, it must eventually subside.
And the mountain remains unmoved.
Still, she wasn't willing to accept it.
The frustration gnawed at her like a dull saw, threatening to snap her restraint.
Just as Moro prepared to reassess his options—
A voice broke the tension.
"What are you guys doing here?"
A young voice, accompanied by the sound of skateboard wheels rolling over stone.
A silver-haired boy, around eight or nine years old, glided toward them.
His hands were in his pockets, and his piercing blue eyes held a trace of curiosity.
Killua Zoldyck had arrived.
The moment Kikyo saw him, her twisted expression vanished in an instant, replaced by a motherly smile.
"Killua, you're back! Was your mission successful?"
"Big brother!"
"Killua-sama!"
Kurt and Gotoh greeted him in turn.
Killua ignored them.
He skated past them and stopped near Moro.
"You're pretty impressive."
Killua's blue eyes swept over Moro.
"Most people can't handle Mom's crazy killing intent."
Moro's lips twitched slightly.
Killua was completely different from Kurt.
If it were Kurt, he wouldn't dare to talk to Kikyo like this.
"Killua, come here," Kikyo said sweetly, trying to coax him over.
"Nope."
Killua turned his back on her.
Kikyo remained patient.
"Please, listen to your mother."
"I said no."
Killua turned slightly, shooting her a sharp glance.
"You can make me kill as many people as you want, but you don't get to control my freedom."
Kikyo looked stunned, clutching her chest in disbelief.
Killua ignored her and turned back to Moro.
"So, what are you doing here?"
"Client work."
"Just a job, huh? That's boring."
Killua seemed disappointed.
But then he narrowed his eyes.
"Wait… are you and Kurt friends?"
Moro didn't hesitate.
"Yes."
Killua's lips curled into a grin.
"Then you better be careful. My mom is annoying, but I think you can handle it."
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50 Powerstones? (5 Bonus Chapters)
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