033 (Vol 4) HxH: Tombbound Power

No matter how hard you work, the body still belongs to Nasubi. The children born of the queen will carry his bloodline. Some of the princes aren't even truly contenders for the throne.

Ronnel was thinking this when he suddenly felt the sharp gaze of Nasubi cutting through the air and locking onto him.

"Originally, everything I planned was perfect. But unfortunately, I didn't anticipate someone like you showing up and completely disrupting it."

Ronnel smirked faintly as he spoke, having already uncovered the truth through the memories his particle clone had absorbed from the reconstituted body.

Nasubi didn't respond directly. His tone slowed, turning calm again.

"At first, I was furious at your meddling. You were beyond my control.

"But after witnessing your strength, I started thinking differently."

...

"What do you think?"

A slight curl tugged at the corner of Ronnel's lips—hidden from Nasubi's view.

"Do you know why I've been explaining all this to you in such detail?" Nasubi suddenly shifted the topic.

"Hmm, yeah, why?" Ronnel played along with a puzzled look.

"Nasubi was always known for talking too much, for showing off, for getting drunk on his own schemes—until you used that against him and made your comeback."

"You should've learned from his mistake. So why repeat it...?"

He activated his long-unused talents in deception and acting, carefully crafting the look of a prime minister who was beginning to feel uneasy.

"Because it's related to a secondary restriction of my Eternal Soul Nen ability," Nasubi said, visibly satisfied with Ronnel's expression.

"Eternal Soul doesn't just allow me to swap souls with other members of the Kakin royal family who share my bloodline. I can also exchange with outsiders.

"But the restrictions are far harsher when it comes to strangers."

He raised three thick fingers.

"The success rate isn't guaranteed like it is with blood relatives. On the contrary—it plummets, based on how big the power gap is between me and the target. The stronger the target, the more likely the attempt fails."

"That's why there are two ways to boost the success rate. First: eye contact. The longer we maintain it, the better the odds."

He bent one finger.

"Second: full disclosure. If the target is informed of my ability's existence, its limitations, how it works, and all relevant context—the more they know, the more exposure I give—the better the chances."

"That's why I've been talking to you for so long. It wasn't just posturing—it was deliberate, to extend our eye contact and tell you as much as possible."

He bent the second finger down. Now only the fat index finger remained, gently swaying side to side as he pointed at Ronnel.

"And the final, most important part—while I can exchange souls with bloodline members indefinitely, I can only perform one exchange with an outsider. After that, Eternal Soul vanishes—permanently."

...

"In other words... you're planning to use me as the target?"

Ronnel held the question in his mind. His face remained unreadable, but his voice dropped into a low, serious tone.

"Why me? I'm an outsider. A variable. A threat to your plans. Wouldn't it make more sense to use one of your princes instead?"

"You said it yourself—once you swap into my body, that's it. One chance. You can't ascend the Kakin throne. And even if you survive, you'd only get one more life. Wouldn't it be safer to keep swapping between your descendants and rule indefinitely?"

Nasubi laughed, catching the slight shift in Ronnel's demeanor.

"Hohoho… But someone like you is a better choice."

...

"Of course, having political power is nice—but it comes with countless variables. What if my descendants resist my attempt to take over? What if another anomaly like you appears in the future and ruins everything?"

"One break in the chain, and everything falls apart. I'd be left with nothing—just paving the way for others to benefit."

"But now... I've found a better alternative. A body with power. Control over the power players behind the throne. And the chance to pursue my ideals directly, without relying on anyone else."

He grinned. "Why wouldn't I seize this opportunity?"

Ronnel's tone deepened, his muscles subtly tensing.

"I still don't get it."

"It's simple."

Nasubi's voice turned calm and cold.

"Right now, you're the guarantor of Luzurus and the others. Even if they become king, they'll still rely on your opinion. You'll be the power behind the curtain."

"This doesn't change my original plan that much—it just moves it further into the shadows."

"You're strong. I know what it means to lie half-dead in a hospital bed, knowing you're helpless. The Kakin royal family doesn't exactly breed masters of Nen."

"I had high hopes for Tserriednich, but he was eliminated early in the succession war."

"You, on the other hand, are different. Young. Talented. Strong. A body like yours is exactly what I want."

"With power comes the ability to chase your dreams. Sure, Beyond isn't the only one who dreams of adventure..."

"I'm curious about the Dark Continent too. I want to see the birthplace of humanity with my own eyes."

"As for how long I'll survive afterward?"

He laughed.

"I'm not worried in the slightest."