THE ZOLDICK FAMILY 3

Killua perches on a thick tree branch high above the ground, legs dangling, while Kanaria stands below holding a broom-like staff. Killua speaks down to her. "WHAT ARE YOU SAYING...? THAT'S BECOME FRIENDS, I'M SORRY, KILLUA-SAN." Kanaria replies, "YOU DON'T HAVE TO CALL ME 'KILLUA-SAN,' KILLUA ALONE IS GOOD. I'M NOT ALLOWED TO, I'M AN EMPLOYEE AND YOU'RE MY MASTER." Killua continues, "WANNA TRY IT? NO, THANK YOU. BUT I WOULD HAVE LIKED TO, KILLUA-SAN." Kanaria answers, "YOU'RE NEW, YOU! MY NAME IS KANARIA, KILLUA-SAN." Two large "SLAT" sound effects appear on either side of the tree, followed by a bottom panel showing a distant mountain landscape with "GROOO" rumbling text.

In a stone-walled dungeon, Killua hangs suspended by heavy chains and metal restraints, his body covered in bruises and cuts. A large, sweating man in a stained uniform stands with his back to the viewer, holding a long whip. The man turns slightly as Killua's eyes flutter open. A close-up shows Killua's battered face with closed eyes and motion lines. The man is suddenly struck hard, his head snapping back with an impact effect. He shouts "WAKE UP!!" while sweat flies from his face.

Killua, still bruised, faces Miruki. Miruki asks "WHAT TIME IS IT" and Killua replies "AH, MIRUKI, HELLO." Miruki lights a cigarette and Killua reacts with "HUH...?" Miruki says "YOU KNOW, I DAMNED THOUGHT ABOUT IT. I'M SORRY." Killua answers "OH! IT'S HOT, IT'S HOT!" and Miruki warns "DON'T MAKE FUN OF ME, KILLUA." Killua questions "IT'S THAT VISIBLE?" Miruki then yells "LIES!!!" while swinging an object as Killua is struck again.

A man with a scarred cheek holds a small device to his ear and murmurs, 'Hmm... yes... yes? Ah, mama...' A close-up shows the phone receiver with 'BIP BIP BIP' sounds. The chubby man in a uniform sweats heavily with a tense expression. An eye opens with a sharp '!' as someone says 'OKAY.' The chubby man, now holding a walkie-talkie, speaks to the scarred-cheek boy: 'It seems your friends got as far as the intendants' room. Killua...' The scarred boy listens intently. In a rocky chamber, a small spiky creature clings to the wall while a figure in overalls holds a weapon. The chubby man continues, 'If I ask mama, she'll give an order to the intendants, and... He he he! So, what are we gonna do?' Killua stares forward with a cold, intense gaze. At the bottom, the chubby man presses the device to his mouth and declares, 'ALL THREE...' as 'SHUUUT' appears beside him.

Killua swings a heavy chained weapon overhead with tremendous force, striking the chubby man who blocks with his own weapon. Impact lines and 'CLANG' explode across the panel as the chubby man cries 'WAAAH!' A dazed close-up shows the chubby man's face. Killua, shirtless and covered in wounds, raises the chained weapon high and shouts 'MIRUKI'. In a fierce close-up Killua declares, 'I'll kill you. If you touch one of them...' The chubby man lies on the floor as footsteps approach with 'TAP' and 'Toé Toé...'. A voice calls 'I'M COMING IN.' The chubby man looks up with 'AH.' as the scene ends.

Killua stands before the towering Zoldyck elder, fists clenched and body tense. "I ALREADY KNOW THAT," Killua declares from the cracked stone floor. The elder replies firmly, "BUT, GRANDFATHER ZENO, HE DOESN'T REGRET ANYTHING!!" and adds, "THAT'S OKAY, MIRUKI." In the next panel Killua raises a wooden training sword and shouts "OK!" while the elder grants permission: "KILLUA, YOU CAN GO NOW." Killua suddenly lunges forward with a powerful strike, the impact marked by a loud "BATCH" as his sword smashes into the elder's massive chained weapon. The elder's sign reads "A DAY A DEATH." The blow connects with a sharp "CLANG," sending shockwaves through Killua's arms. "THAT HURT..." Killua mutters, sweat flying as he recoils. He drops into a low stance, breathing heavily, while the elder remains unmoved.

Killua stares in shock as the elder speaks. "KILLUA, SILVA WANTS TO SEE YOU." The elder continues, "THAT'S WHY I LET HIM HIT ME WITHOUT REPLYING." He adds, "MIRUKI, I RECOGNIZE THAT I DON'T REGRET ANYTHING, BUT WHEN I SAY I'M SORRY, IT'S THE TRUTH." Killua's eyes narrow in anger. "MY FATHER? OK..." he responds quietly. A close-up shows intense eyes and the word "DAMN!!" The elder swings a heavy weapon with a "VLAM" impact, sending debris flying. "THAT'S WHY HE'S REBELLING! YOU'RE TOO KIND TO HIM, GRANDFATHER!!" someone shouts. Later the elder asks Miruki, "MIRUKI, WHAT DO YOU THINK OF HIS STRENGTH?" Miruki answers, "NOT MUCH TO SAY, HE'S IMPRESSIVE..." while the elder notes, "HIM, HE'S PARTICULAR."

A round-faced Zoldyck family member sweats nervously while declaring, "HE'S WEAK PSYCHO-LOGICALLY." Nearby voices continue the assessment: "THE FAMILY HAS NEVER BORNE THE ONES WHO MAKE FRIENDS." "MAMA ALSO AGREES ON THAT POINT." "BUT AS A KILLER, HE FAILED. HE'S CAPRICIOUS." "CONCERNING TALENT, HE'S THE MOST GIFTED IN THE ENTIRE HISTORY OF THE ZOLDYCK FAMILY..." A stern profile answers simply, "YES." In another panel a sharp-eyed youth with spiky hair states confidently, "IF I'M TRUSTED, ON THAT POINT, I DON'T FEAR ANYTHING NOR ANYONE." A voice replies, "YOU KNOW ..." and another affirms, "CERTAINLY." The scene shifts to a stone corridor where a massive explosion erupts with the sound "FUUUOOOO" and pulsing "DOK DOK" effects. Miruki, crouched amid rubble, excitedly describes his invention: "IT'S SUPER MINATURIZED, FIXED ON A MOSQUITO. WHEN IT STINGS THE BLOOD, IT EXPLODES!!" "BELIEVE ME! YOU SHOULD SEE MY NEW BOMB...!" An unseen speaker retorts, "YOU'RE CLEVER, BUT THE PROBLEM WITH YOU IS THAT YOU ONLY MAKE STUPID THINGS!" Miruki continues, "THE PROBLEM IS THAT IT'S POWER ISN'T MORE THAN A FIRECRACKER'S AND IT ALSO CAN'T RECOGNIZE IT'S TARGET, BUT..."

Silva Zoldyck, long white hair framing a stern face, rests his chin on his hand and murmurs, "KILLUA..." In a vast chamber filled with grotesque hanging creatures and machinery, Killua sits cross-legged on a massive bed and answers, "YES..." Silva's voice continues from off-panel, "I WAS TOLD THAT YOU MADE SOME FRIENDS?" Killua replies, "PFFF... HOW...!? I DUNNO, WHEN WE'RE TOGETHER, IT'S COOL." A close-up shows another sharp-featured Zoldyck with short hair asking, "HOW ARE THEY?"

Killua sits cross-legged on a large bed in a dimly lit room, arms folded as he answers a question from off-panel. 'How was the exam?' he is asked. 'Ah, yes...?' he replies hesitantly. In another panel he lounges on an ornate canopy bed. Below, Gon looks up and calls, 'Killua... come here.' Killua answers with a casual 'Hmm... easy.' A close-up shows a stern long-haired man declaring, 'I want to listen to stories.' The scene shifts to a dark stone tunnel entrance and a windswept landscape. Gon stands facing forward, eyes wide, as multiple speech bubbles surround him: 'Explain to me... what you did during the exam... who you met, what you thought...'

Gon stands in a wooded area, staring at a woman in an elaborate dress and wide hat who holds a small girl by the hand. 'And her name is Karuto,' the woman announces. 'I've waited to present myself... I'm Killua's mother.' The girl, Karuto, stands silently beside her. A 'SHAT' sound effect marks a sudden reaction. Gon remains frozen with a shocked expression. Nearby, a group including a suited man and others react as someone explains, 'Because he's in an isolation room.' 'Why can't Killua see us?' another asks. 'She's just fainted. That's good,' a voice notes. In a final panel a person in a vehicle states, 'But he regrets it, and has come back by himself.' Killua's mother adds, 'Killua hit me and his brother, and then ran away.'

A dark panel shows a circular light with the sound effect BIP BIP. In the next panel, a bandaged figure wearing a wide hat and ornate clothing stands in shadow, stating that he imposed the isolation upon himself. Consequently, when will he decide to go out? A young girl with a tall hat and frilly dress shouts NO YOU SHOULDN'T UNTIE HIM!!! while an unseen voice asks BUT!? FATHER WHY ARE YOU DISTURBING ME? A man with glasses stares in surprise with a question mark above his head. The bandaged figure asks WHAT DOES THAT MEAN...? and the girl replies NO, REALLY!! A small silhouette appears in the background. The girl pleads COULD YOU PLEASE TELL THAT TO KILLUA? One moment please. We'll stay in the surroundings for about ten days. Come back when you want. I have an important matter to settle. Good bye. The bandaged figure says GOOD BYE... and another voice answers ALL RIGHT, I'LL TELL HIM.

Close-ups show a wide-eyed girl and a black-haired girl looking concerned. In the forest path a small figure walks away with TAP TAP sounds. Three figures stand together: a suited man, Killua, and Gon. The black-haired girl calls YES, MOTHER! while someone shouts KARUTO! WHAT ARE YOU DOING? HURRY UP! The suited man warns GON, IT WOULD UPSET ME TO GO BACK, DON'T YOU WANT TO FOLLOW HER DESPITE ALL THIS? and adds BY HIMSELF, THAT SOUNDS WRONG! I SHOULDN'T SAY IT BUT SHE'S KIND OF SUSPICIOUS. Gon replies IT'S HER RESPONSIBILITY WHO WILL GET IN TROUBLE. YES, BUT IN THAT CASE... The suited man and Killua look on as the black-haired girl walks ahead with the small figure. At the bottom the suited man says THAT'S TRUE. while Killua looks up with a neutral expression and AH...

The curly-haired attendant looks up anxiously and says, "IF ZENO-SAN APPEAR..." The suited man beside Killua replies, "THERE'S A PHONE DIRECTLY LINKED TO THE ZOLDYCKS' RESIDENCE." He then adds, "I'M GOING TO LEAD YOU TO THE INTENTANTS' ROOM." Killua stands nearby with a neutral expression while a small figure peeks from behind. A sudden powerful surge erupts down a long stone corridor, sending debris and motion lines streaking outward. In another area, a cloaked figure runs desperately into the distance, shouting, "I CAN'T BEAR IT...!" A close-up shows gritted teeth as a voice continues, "AND KILLUA... HE ALWAYS HAS FUN WITH HIS FATHER..." A woman in an ornate frilled dress taps her fan repeatedly with "TAP TAP" sounds and laments, "MY FATHER-IN-LAW... I CAN NEVER DO ANYTHING WITH HIM..."

A stone ceiling panel shows a dark opening as someone asks, "WHAT DID GON SAY?" and another voice responds "AND?" with impact marks. Silva Zoldyck appears with long hair and a stern expression. Killua is shown shouting, "I DON'T WANT YOU TO CUT MY LEG BUT I DON'T WANT TO LOSE!!!" while Silva notes, "HE'S STUBBORN, ISN'T HE?" and calls him "WHAT AN INTERESTING BOY..." Killua points upward excitedly saying "KILLUA ..." A two-shot shows Killua looking at Silva, who asks, "YOU WANT TO SEE YOUR FRIENDS?" Silva continues, "MY PARENTS ONLY EDUCATED ME LIKE AN ASSASSIN, AND CONSEQUENTLY, I DID THE SAME WITH YOU." He adds, "THINKING ABOUT IT, WE'VE NEVER HAD SUCH A CONVERSATION ..." and tells Killua, "DON'T BOTHER ... SPEAK OPENLY." Killua looks down with a serious face.

Silva places his hand on Killua's head and speaks firmly. 'But above all, you're you. You are my son.' He continues, 'I never realized such an obvious thing... You and I are different.' Silva points forward with a serious expression. 'Live your life how you want to live it.' Killua looks up with a small sweat drop, his spiky hair tousled. Silva turns slightly and adds, 'When you're fed up, you can come back.' Killua's eyes widen in surprise as he asks, 'Okay...?' Silva leans in closer, his long hair framing his face. 'Do you want to see your friends? I'm asking you once more...' Killua clenches his fist and shouts with determination, 'YES!!'

Killua hesitates with his back turned. 'But...' Silva raises a hand and declares, 'You're free.' Killua sits on a large cushion, looking surprised. Silva points at him with a stern expression and says, 'You're gonna promise me something.' He gives a thumbs-up. 'Don't ever betray your friends.' Killua turns to face him and replies, 'OK!' Silva extends his hand for a promise. Killua responds, 'NEVER!' and 'I promise. I'll never betray them.' Both raise their thumbs in agreement, with a 'ZIT' sound effect near Silva's gesture.

In the stone corridor of the Zoldyck mansion, the Zoldyck Intendant blocks Killua's path. She orders him to return to the isolation room, but Killua flatly refuses. She insists it is useless because the others have already left. From the far end of the hall, a small silhouette calls out Killua's name in alarm. A desperate hand reaches from the floor as someone shouts Killua's name again. The Intendant reacts with shock, her hat and ruffles flaring as an exclamation mark appears beside her. In a narrow stone passage, the Intendant watches Killua's retreating back and murmurs that he gave her a cold look. Killua, shown in close-up with a bruised and intense face, tells her to get away from him.

Silva Zoldyck sits on a stone ledge while the Zoldyck Intendant protests that the moment was decisive for testing whether Killua is worthy to be the successor. She demands to know what Silva and his father were thinking. Silva, shown in profile with long hair, tells her to stop complaining and shut up, reminding her that she does not understand. He adds that when Illumi tried so hard to make Killua come back, it proves the point. The Intendant continues to shout that Killua will return someday. In a long stone corridor, Killua walks alone toward the distant light. Silva's silhouette states that Killua is his son and will come back someday because of that bond.