ANIMOSITY | hxh

fifteen

After the incident, Tsuno was immediately moved to the infirmary so she could have her wounds tended to. The final phase was paused to discuss and determine who would eliminated. Illumi and Killua were taken in privately to be questioned about the events, and the verdict was Killua. As soon as it was confirmed, the assassin immediately walked out.

Two days later, the remaining applicants–excluding Gon and Tsuno–were taken to a lecture hall on the site to be give their licenses and to make an announcement. Gon had other plans though, as he busted through the door and stomped down to where Netero was standing. You could see it on his face, he was absolutely livid. "Where is he?" He growled, obviously referring to Illumi. Oddly enough, the older Zoldyck hadn't yet arrived. "I'm afraid I don't know. We're waiting for him right now." Netero said calmly. Gon huffed but didn't say anything more. He couldn't get over what this man had done to both of his friends while he was lying asleep. He clenched his fists tight, he needed to get stronger. 

Almost coincidentally, Illumi walked through the door. Everyone's eyes darted to him, all sorts of expressions. "Sorry I'm late." He said casually, walking down and past Gon to take a seat in the front row. The younger boy grit his teeth, offended at his stoic demeanor. Gon strides towards him, glaring hard. "Apologize to them." He demanded seriously, a deep frown on his face. Illumi looked towards him slowly, blinking his wide eyes. "Apologize to Killua and Tsuno!" Gon shouted, unable to contain his rage. Illumi innocently tilted his head, "What for?" He said blankly, as if he sincerely didn't have a clue. But Gon didn't accept that as an answer. "You don't know what you did wrong?" He asked, clenching his fists tighter. "You're not qualified to be Killua's brother." He said sternly. Illumi turned his head to face forward. "I wasn't aware I had to be qualified to be his brother." Gon harshly gripped his wrist, lifting the man over his head to stand on his feet. With one arm. "Friends don't need to qualify either!" He shouts, his eyes earnest and serious. He grips Illumi's wrist tighter and tighter, attempting to shatter the bone. Despite the gruesome pain he must feel, Illumi simply let his mouth agape slightly, surprised at the boy's strength. 

"Don't bother Apologizing. Just tell me where Killua is." Gon demanded, slightly calmer than before. "Then what will you do?" Illumi asked, his voice still level and calm. "Isn't it obvious?" Gon scoffed. "I'm going to save him. Once Tsuno is healed and ready, we're going to go rescue our friend." He stated serious, his eyes gleaming with determination. Illumi blinked, "You make it sound like I kidnapped Kill." He quirked his head slightly, "He walked out on his own." Gon didn't waver. "But it wasn't by choice." He said confidently, continuing to give Illumi a hard stare. "You manipulated him. It's the same as kidnapping!" He yelled, baring his teeth. Illumi had a tone of subtle hint of smugness to his tone as he interrupted Gon. "Manipulate him to do what? I didn't even touch him." Gon flinched, it was true. Killua hadn't done anything. Tsuno got stabbed by Illumi himself. So why wasn't Illumi disqualified? Gon gripped him tighter, about to continue but was once again interrupted, by Netero. "I understand what you may be thinking Gon. We were about to discuss this, as you weren't the only one with concerns."

As if on cue, Kurapika and Leorio stood up. "We need the committee to redirect its verdict. Killua shouldn't have been eliminated!" Kurapika stated seriously. Leorio cleared his throat, "We all saw that Illumi had struck Tsuno, who at the time not only had passed, but wasn't his opponent. Killua was completely innocent, he hadn't even moved." Leorio explained, hoping to deter Netero and the committee. The Chairman sighed, "Killua was not eliminated based on Tsuno's injury. If Illumi had killed Tsuno, then your points would be valid. But Killua was eliminated based on Tsuno interfering with his match." He looked between Kurapika and Leorio. "Tsuno injuries were a result of that interference. Based on Illumi's account, he had struck because Tsuno came towards him with bloodlust. He reacted impulsively, and that was because Tsuno wasn't supposed to be there." Netero debunked the claims, and Kurapika tasked.