The Zoldyck family's concept of "familial bonds" defies common logic.
Like their philosophy, it's distorted, yet deeply unique and unbreakably strong.
To them, family is everything.
Even so, disagreements within the family are common.
Take the situation with Moro and Kalluto, for instance.
Zeno believes Kalluto should be given some freedom.
Silva leans toward accepting Moro's presence, letting him become part of Kalluto's training.
Kikyo prefers eliminating the source of the problem—wiping Moro off the map.
Illumi agrees with Kikyo. After all, "cleaning up friends" isn't new to him.
Milluki heard about the situation and simply said, "Whoever buys me the newest Magical Girl Warrior figure gets my support."
As for Maha…
He had long since retired from family matters—until now.
This time, he stepped in.
Just the release of his ancient, refined killing intent was enough to immediately distract both Moro and Illumi, who were seconds away from a deadly clash.
Illumi didn't stop just because he recognized the aura as Maha's.
The killing intent carried a message so clear it could pierce the soul:
"If you don't stop, you'll die."
No joke. It was icy cold and absolute.
In a battle requiring absolute concentration, Illumi would never gamble his life. His instincts forced him to pull back at the last moment.
Moro faced the same situation.
Like Illumi, he too wondered why Maha had chosen to act.
Clearly, Maha had been present long before he revealed himself—but neither Moro nor Illumi sensed a thing.
Moro glanced at Illumi.
Now that the ancient monster had appeared, Illumi's killing intent had vanished. Gone was the ruthless predator—he was now eerily compliant.
"It must be because of Kalluto…"
That was the only explanation Moro could come up with.
Especially considering Illumi's arrival likely meant Kikyo had seen the message Moro sent Kalluto and immediately dispatched Illumi to eliminate him.
And Kalluto, trying to stop them both, brought out Maha.
Within mere moments, Moro pieced it together.
What other reason could there be?
It couldn't possibly be about the Big-Eyed Frog sunglasses now perched on Maha's face, could it?
Moro silently stared at Maha.
In that brief time, Maha had already pulled out more Big-Eyed Frog merchandise from the canvas bag like a man in his own world.
As if that terrifying killing intent from earlier had nothing to do with him.
Illumi frowned slightly.
He was just as sharp as Moro.
Why would their reclusive great-grandfather suddenly step in?
He soon arrived at the same conclusion: Kalluto.
When the family lacks consensus on an issue, each side takes their own actions to strengthen their stance.
Illumi and Kikyo had opted to resolve things at the source before the matter was officially settled.
And Kalluto, in a last-ditch effort to stop them, resorted to summoning Maha.
"To protect his life, he went that far…"
Realizing it was because of Kalluto, Illumi thought, "Mother was right. This person is already influencing Kalluto. He must be removed."
But now, with Maha having made his stance clear, he no longer had the opportunity to act against Moro.
"Great-grandfather."
Illumi walked up and quietly greeted Maha.
Maha looked at him, then pulled out a Big-Eyed Frog children's watch and, to Illumi's dismay, strapped it to his wrist.
"…Thanks, Great-grandfather."
Illumi stared at the bright green watch with huge cartoon eyes. His expression froze.
"Hu-hu."
Maha looked at the watch on Illumi's wrist, nodded in satisfaction, then bent down to rummage through the canvas bag again.
"…"
Illumi watched this unfold, unable to fathom what Maha might pull out next. All he wanted was to run.
But he didn't dare.
Soon, Maha pulled out a Big-Eyed Frog fleece hat—green with big glossy eyes stitched on top.
Judging by the quality, it was top-tier merch.
Holding the hat, Maha slowly looked up at Illumi.
Illumi's face twitched.
Seeing no way out, he silently crouched down—resigned, dead inside—so his great-grandfather could put the hat on him.
Maha carefully fitted the hat onto Illumi's head.
"Mm…"
He stepped back and admired the look, stroking his chin. Through his narrow slits of eyes, a gleam of genuine affection showed.
"Looks good."
Even his coarse, deep voice couldn't hide the satisfaction.
Illumi's eyes looked blank. "Thank you, Great-grandfather."
"Hu-hu."
Maha smiled.
Across from them, Moro stared in disbelief and pulled out his phone to snap a picture of Illumi.
Neither Illumi nor Maha missed the click.
The moment Illumi saw Moro take that photo, his killing intent flared back up—
But Maha gave him just one glance.
Immediately, Illumi shut it back down, helpless.
Having reasserted control with a look, Maha walked toward Moro.
Halfway there, he turned back to pick up the canvas bag and slung it over his shoulder.
Standing before Moro, Maha examined him.
Sensing this, Moro quickly suppressed his aura, kept only a light defensive "Ten" up, and completely dropped his guard.
If Maha wanted to kill him, it would take just a finger.
So there was no point resisting.
But to avoid becoming the next recipient of Big-Eyed Frog merch…
Moro glanced at the bag and spoke up: "I already have some of those at home, thank you."
Maha paused, then grinned faintly.
For a moment, he actually looked a bit like the frog.
"These are all brand new, you know."
He didn't seem to mind the deflection and patted the canvas bag.
Moro nodded. "Yeah, they're not even on the market yet."
"No wonder."
Maha didn't ask where they came from. He just said, "I'll take these on Kalluto's behalf."
"Okay."
Moro's face stayed calm, though waves stirred inside.
But when Maha turned to leave, he was left with only one thought.
"…Thank you."
"You should thank—not me, not Kalluto—but yourself."
Maha didn't stop walking. His voice was gravelly, devoid of emotion.
Moro blinked.
Then he understood.
Maha had been watching the whole time.
From the moment Illumi attacked, Maha had already been there.
He could've stepped in early—but he waited.
He only acted when Moro was ready to fight to the death.
Which meant—
"Even if he agreed to Kalluto's request… he still wanted to see if I was strong enough."
If Moro hadn't held his own against Illumi, Maha would've let him die.
It was harsh—but fair.
In the world of assassins, strength is the only standard.
Especially in the Zoldyck family.
Moro understood.
"…Still, thank you. Not just for me—also for Kalluto."
He called out as Maha walked away.
Maha's steps paused slightly.
He didn't respond, but a flicker of emotion passed through his slit-like eyes.
A flicker of nostalgia.
He remembered another time, another person… another similar moment.
He thought about Moro and Illumi's clash.
About how Moro, with only a bit of aura left, had withstood his own killing intent.
"Heh."
A rare smile tugged at Maha's lips.
RUMBLE—
Whether by fate or not, the Trial Gate began to open.
All seven massive stone doors slowly parted as Maha approached.
And the one opening them—was Silva, the current Zoldyck head.
Behind him stood Kikyo, Kalluto, Zebro, and even Milluki, who'd come out just to watch.
As Maha drew near, they all greeted him with solemn respect.
He nodded back and walked through.
But when passing Kalluto, Maha paused.
From the bag, he pulled out a Big-Eyed Frog headband and gently placed it on Kalluto's head.
"Little Kalluto… your friend reminds me of someone."
"Huh?"
Kalluto blinked in confusion.
Before he could ask, Maha was gone—his slow gait deceptively fast.
Everyone else had heard what Maha said.
They turned to Illumi—
And saw him standing there with a green frog hat and a frog-themed children's watch.
"…"
"…"
"…"
A deeply awkward silence fell.
RUMBLE—
The sound of the Trial Gate closing broke the spell.
Silva stood imposingly, unmoved by the sight.
Kikyo frowned, noticing Illumi's battered state.
Milluki nearly burst from holding in his laughter.
And Kalluto looked utterly stunned.
Faced with all their gazes, Illumi lowered his eyes and said nothing.
No one spoke.
Finally, Kalluto broke the silence.
He rushed over to Illumi and asked, "Big brother, are you hurt?"
"No."
Dead inside, Illumi denied it flatly.
"Oh, that's good."
Kalluto immediately ran past him—straight to Moro.
"…?"
Illumi turned, watching Kalluto sprint away.
A flash of sorrow flickered in his dark eyes.
Click!
A camera shutter snapped.
Illumi whipped around.
There was Milluki, trying (and failing) to hide his phone.
Crap. He forgot to turn off the shutter sound.
As Illumi stomped toward him with icy fury, Milluki's flabby body went rigid.
Silva, Kikyo, and Zebro ignored them, eyes on Kalluto and Moro.
Maha's parting words had made his stance clear.
Under their silent scrutiny, Kalluto stood before Moro—his face both worried and apologetic.
"Are you badly hurt?"
"Just a scratch. I've already 'recovered' most of it."
Moro casually stretched, reassuring him.
The Extractive Flying Star's healing effects had done their job. He just looked bad because of the blood.
Truthfully, Illumi's wounds from the Deceptive Star weren't much better.
"Okay."
Kalluto saw he wasn't faking and finally relaxed.
He had thought Maha would stop the fight in time.
But he was too late.
He couldn't help but blame himself.
Moro suddenly asked, "It's okay now, right?"
"Huh?"
Kalluto didn't understand.
"I have a long-term job. Want to take it?"
"…!"
Realizing what he meant, Kalluto nodded hard—then added softly, "But… long-term commissions cost more."
He leaned in and whispered, "Mom and Dad won't approve if I keep cutting deals."
"Hah."
Moro chuckled.
Even though Kalluto whispered, how could Silva, Kikyo, and Zebro not hear?
Maha Zoldyck's Sketch.
A manga-style panel during the Chimera Ant arc flashed through the author's mind while writing this moment.
He'd thought about giving it the same vibe—but then figured it wasn't necessary.
So here it is.
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50 Powerstones? (5 Bonus Chapters)
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