035 (Vol 4) HxH: Tombbound Power

"Oh?" Ronnel raised an eyebrow. "Are you offering yourself up?"

"No. I'm just trying to scare you into stopping," Nasubi said flatly, his tone calm. "I've lived as two people for so long… and the longer I live, the more I value life. Especially the part of me that treasures."

He looked Ronnel directly in the eye.

"This is the only bargaining chip I have left. I was saving it for the more ambitious princes, like Benjamin… but I never expected to use it here, Hui~"

There was a trace of bitter amusement in his voice before he continued with surprising sincerity:

"If this makes you hesitate—even just a little—I'll give you anything you ask for in compensation. I'll step down from this succession war entirely. That would be the most peaceful outcome… a true win-win~ Hui."

He paused, then added, "I'd make a better partner than Luzurus and the others, if you could bring yourself to trust me."

He took a breath. "Of course, if you're still suspicious—or confident that you can handle whatever Nen restrictions I've got layered on me—then just pretend I never said anything. I'll accept the consequences~ Hui."

His voice dropped, solemn now. "There's no shame in dying at the hands of someone like you."

"But I'm not lying when I say my body is riddled with Nen oaths. You can see the effects for yourself—this bloated frame isn't from lack of discipline."

"An ambitious king doesn't let himself fall apart. Even if it isn't my original body, I've always taken pride in presentation~ Hui."

"I can't offer more concrete proof, but I trust your instincts. You know I'm not joking about my life."

After Nasubi finished, he fell silent, waiting for Ronnel's reply.

He hated being at the mercy of another—he hadn't been in this position for years—but this was the only hand left to play.

Everything he could say had been said. This was his final gamble.

If he still couldn't avoid death... then so be it.

...

"You weren't lying. You've got some tricks that'd make this difficult."

Ronnel gave him a long look. "But not impossible."

Nasubi's pulse skipped. His voice dropped to a low rumble. "So? What's your decision?"

"Sorry." Ronnel spread his hands. "Compared to you—an aging monarch who's spent years hiding behind two faces—I still think more of Luzurus. At least I won't have to be constantly on guard around him."

"I see..." Nasubi took a deep breath.

The moment Ronnel brushed off his Nen restrictions, he'd known what was coming.

"Then death is unavoidable... Hui," Nasubi thought, straightening his back as dignity filled his gaze.

"I may be facing execution, but I am still the king of the Kakin Empire—one of the giants of this world! I will not die without royal bearing!"

Nasubi stood proud, staring death in the face. It was the same majesty he'd shown during the sailing ceremony.

...

"As expected of the king who dared to gamble with body-swapping," Ronnel said, a trace of admiration flickering across his face. Then, he raised a hand and added lightly:

"Relax. I'm not here to kill you."

"Huh?" Nasubi's aura wavered slightly.

Seeing the doubt in his eyes, Ronnel offered a calm explanation.

"Sure, I could break the Nen contracts you're under… but it'd be a hassle. It's not worth the effort or the cost."

Even if it didn't require using up his Encyclopedia points, Ronnel had no intention of wasting resources carelessly. He had a better idea.

...

"So what do you want to do, then~ Hui?" Nasubi wasn't truly confused—he could feel a premonition taking shape, one that made him tense.

"It's not impossible for us to work together~"

Ronnel didn't answer directly. Instead, he smiled, holding out both hands.

In his left: a glowing sphere of Nen, faintly pulsing with a unique ability.

In his right: a slender capsule, filled with swirling black aura that churned ominously.

"Choose one," Ronnel said. "For better cooperation."

Nasubi froze, eyes narrowing.

With decades steeped in Nen and politics, he understood immediately what these two items meant. He didn't even need Ronnel to spell it out.

"You want to control me~ Hui?!" His expression twisted in fury.

"Did you do this to Luzurus and the others too?!"

"No, no," Ronnel shook his head. "I had a great time working with the Seventh Prince. But of course, if any of them broke our agreement or tried anything shady—well, then they'd receive the same offer as you."

He grinned slightly, as if offering a gift.

"I'm just cautious around powerful kings. If we're going to cooperate, this is the only way I'll feel safe."

He motioned toward the items again.

"Pick one. That way I won't waste my strength, and you get to keep your life. A fair deal, don't you think?"

Nasubi snapped.

"You're delusional!!" he shouted. This had crossed his bottom line—more sacred to him than even survival.

"The king of the Kakin Empire would rather die with dignity than live as someone's puppet! Ash!"

...

"But your children already made deals with me," Ronnel said mildly.

"They're not king," Nasubi retorted. "And they weren't being controlled by you! A mere agreement is a far cry from what you're proposing!"

"I guess we're done talking, then~" Ronnel shrugged. His voice grew cold.

"If you won't drink the toast, then you'll drink the fine wine. You took my body once—don't expect to die peacefully now~!"

"You think I'll spend energy dealing with this for your sake~ Hui?"

"And as for that little speech about preserving your life..." Ronnel gave a short, dark laugh.

"I'm not worried about that at all. You won't live long enough for it to matter."