The Dentora Region, Padokea Republic, Kukuroo Mountain.
Kukuroo Mountain, a dormant volcano standing 3,722 meters (approximately the same height as Japan's Mount Fuji), is home to the infamous Zoldyck Family—widely regarded as the deadliest and most notorious group of assassins in the world.
The estate is surrounded by towering stone walls, guarded by a giant hunting beast named Mike and highly skilled martial arts attendants. Very few people outside the family have any knowledge of what lies within its walls.
The appearances of the Zoldyck family members are unknown to the general public, and a single photograph of any member can fetch millions, as their identities are known to only a select few.
The mere mention of the Zoldyck name instills more fear and terror in the criminal underworld than even the presence of the entire Phantom Troupe.
...
Outside the Testing Gate of the Zoldyck family estate, there is a security guard stationed beside the gate, along with a middle-aged man with a balding head, who appears to be a simple old guard.
This man, named Zebro, is actually one of the two groundskeepers at the Zoldyck Family's estate on Kukuroo Mountain.
Although Zebro seems to be a gatekeeper at first glance, he is, in fact, just a janitor responsible for cleaning up after Mike, the family's giant guard dog, disposes of intruders. He is also capable of opening the first door of the Testing Gate.
The Testing Gate serves as the main entrance to the Zoldyck Family's estate. It consists of seven doors, each with increasing weight. The two panels of the first, smallest door weigh two tons each, with each subsequent door doubling in weight.
The gate is designed to open the door corresponding to the strength of the person pushing it. To enter the estate safely, one must open the Testing Gate.
Anyone who tries to enter by any other means risks being attacked and killed by Mike, the trained giant guard dog of the Zoldyck Family.
...
At this moment, a young boy, around 12 years old with spiky silver hair, very pale skin, and blue eyes, easily opens the third door, which weighs a total of 16 tons. *BOOM*
Zebro, who nearly falls to the ground, is stunned. He looks back at the Testing Gate, now filled with dust from the vibrations, and sees the silhouette of the young boy.
*STEP*
*STEP*
*STEP*
After walking through the gate, the boy glances at the security guard. "Yo~ Zebro!"
"Y-Young Master Killua." Seeing the boy clearly after the dust settles, Zebro immediately straightens his posture and bends slightly in respect.
"Hmm~ finally out of this boring place." Killua stretched his arms for a while and walked over to Zebro, asking, "Zebro, do you know anything about my brother Satoru?"
"Master Satoru rarely comes home, so I only know a little about him," Zebro replied.
Upon hearing this, Killua instantly became energetic. "Really? Tell me!"
Seeing Killua's sudden excitement, Zebro was taken aback for a moment before replying, "Master Satoru seems to enjoy adventure. The last time I saw him, there were many people surrounding him; I think they were his friends."
"Adventure? Friends?" Killua's eyes sparkled as he asked, "What else? Do you have any news about my big bro? You know, this is only my second time leaving the mansion, so I don't know what's happening outside."
"U-um, three years ago, Master Satoru killed two members of the Phantom Troupe—number 4 and 8. After that, I never saw him again, and he hasn't returned home since," Zebro recalled, sharing what he knew with Killua, who stood beside him.
"Su-sugoi!" Killua exclaimed, stars shining in his eyes.
"That's all I know about Master Satoru. Even on the Hunter website, there's very little information about him," Zebro added.
"Hunter website? What's that?" Killua asked, confused.
"Ah, right. You're still not a Hunter. Maybe when you become one, young master, you'll learn more about Master Satoru. He's also a Hunter," Zebro explained.
"Big bro is a Hunter? How can I become one?" Killua asked urgently.
"You just need to take the Hunter Exam, young master. After passing it, you will receive a Hunter License indicating that you have passed the exam and become a Hunter."
"Hunter Exam, huh?" Killua looked at the road, started walking, and waved as he said, "Thank you so much, Zebro."
"No problem, young master, though it's not exactly a secret," Zebro also waved back and added, "Good luck, young master."
"Alright~ First step, HUNTER EXAM!" Killua ran off excitedly, shouting, "I'll definitely catch up to you, big bro!"
...
Meanwhile, deep within the mansion of the Zoldyck family.
*STEP*
*STEP*
*STEP*
The sound of footsteps echoed through the dark corridor.
An old man of medium height, with grey-white hair standing on end and a Fu Manchu mustache, walked slowly.
His clothes bore signs reading "A Kill A Day" and "Never Retire." His hands were clasped behind his back, and his posture was hunched forward as he moved toward the end of the corridor.
Not far away stood a tall, muscular man in exceptional physical condition. He had long silver-blond hair and deep blue, cat-like eyes. Dressed in a sleeveless or short-sleeved outfit, he wore a pair of wristbands. This man leaned against the corridor wall, arms folded across his chest, eyes closed.
"Silva, your son has finally left the mountain. Are you going to stop him?" asked the old man, his hands still behind his back.
Upon hearing him, Silva, who had been leaning against the corridor wall, opened his eyes but avoided the question. "Father, after what happened many years ago, I've come to the conclusion that not all silver-haired members of our family are destined to become heirs."
"What do you think about Satoru and Killua?" the old man asked.
"Although they have the same silver hair, there is a vast difference between them. Satoru's rapid growth in strength from birth to now is truly unheard of compared to Alluka's other personality. Even we can no longer measure Satoru's strength," Silva replied.
"Yes, he's different. His actions from birth to now are not aligned with our assassin business, but—" the old man stopped, looking at the steel door ahead before continuing, "three years ago, you saw it too, those emotionless, cold eyes—the expression of an assassin when killing someone."
Silva also gazed at the steel door. "Blood is thicker than water, huh?"
Zeno turned around and looked at Silva. "Silva, why do you think that brat went to that place?"
"What do you think, father?" Silva deflected the question.
Zeno glanced at him for a moment before walking away with his hands still behind his back, saying slowly, "Maybe he can't find any worthy opponents here in the Six Continents anymore."
Silva didn't say anything; he just watched the old man walk away in silence.