016 (Vol 4) HxH: Tombbound Power

After issuing strict orders not to use Nen, avoid his usual perversions like skinning people, and refrain from antagonizing the other princes, Kurapika left—taking several key items with him. He had learned of Tserriednich's depraved tendencies through Izunavi.

This time, Kurapika had successfully acquired several eyes from the tribal victims and was returning to mourn and pray in his people's native tongue.

Left behind, Tserriednich stared up at the ceiling of his room in stunned silence.

He was defeated, restricted, stripped of his interests and pleasures. He could no longer use Nen to amass a private army. The throne was now hopelessly out of reach.

To someone like Tserriednich—who viewed himself as the destined King of Kakin—this was maddening.

His overwhelming arrogance was shattered in an instant. He'd gone from future monarch to helpless prisoner.

And this wasn't just about losing the crown. Stripped of Nen, he couldn't even protect himself. Once the other princes caught wind of this, they would never let the opportunity go to waste.

Especially Benjamin. That guy would never pass up the chance to kick someone when they're down.

I can't just sit here and wait to die...!

Time passed—how much, he couldn't say. But when Tserriednich finally snapped out of his daze, his expression had twisted into something monstrous.

He began to tear through his room like a madman and eventually uncovered a skinning knife and a pistol left behind by the tattoo artist who had previously worked for him.

If I can't use Nen and can't reach the throne... then I'll drag someone down with me!

His eyes burned with manic hatred. So focused on vengeance, he never noticed the soldier creeping silently up behind him.

...

The Fourth Prince of Kakin, Tserriednich, was found dead in his quarters. He'd allegedly shot himself while his attendant was delivering his meal.

The news spread quickly. Everyone knew that once his Nen was sealed, his fate had been sealed too.

But the official story—suicide—made many laugh coldly.

Tserriednich, with his pride? No way. He wouldn't take his own life unless he had no other choice. Killing himself now, in disgrace? Impossible.

Anyone who understood the internal politics knew what really happened.

Either Prince Benjamin or Prince Halkenburg made the move.

Some even whispered that it might've been their father, King Nasubi, pulling the strings.

But most people leaned toward Benjamin. After all, Zhang Lei's execution had made quite the impression on the palace.

"Nicely done~."

In Room 1001, Benjamin offered a rare smile to the man standing before him.

"Furykov, you did not disappoint."

"For the glory of His Highness's cause!" Furykov snapped to attention, giving a sharp salute, blood still drying on his face.

Benjamin nodded. "You're not badly hurt, are you?"

"I'm fine, Prince. When I moved to assassinate the Fourth Prince, his guardian beast had already been gravely injured by the lower princes' guards. It struck back before dying, and I took a few hits, but it's nothing serious."

Benjamin had acted decisively. The moment he confirmed Tserriednich was vulnerable, he ordered the hit—no hesitation.

He wouldn't leave an enemy room to recover, not even to make a last stand.

Although Tserriednich's own Nen was sealed, the guardian beast was a parasitic type. It would continue to protect him independently.

Fortunately, it had been weakened in its previous clash with Kurapika's group and fell to Furykov with little resistance.

Tserriednich himself didn't even have time to react—Furykov seized control of the situation and made it look like suicide with a single bullet.

The mission had gone smoother than expected. The only real threat had been the grotesque human-faced guardian beast, which left Furykov with some injuries.

But what haunted him more than the wound was Tserriednich's eyes before death—wild, hateful, unrepentant.

His last words?

"I want to see Benjamin...!"

But Furykov ignored him. Benjamin had been clear:

"If he asks to see me, don't bother. I'm not interested."

That had been his exact wording. He had never once viewed his younger brother as family.

Furykov followed those orders to the letter.

...

"Well done. If you're okay, go get some rest. Our next move is to settle things with the Ninth Prince."

"Yes, sir. But... Your Highness, are you sure we can ignore the Fourteenth Prince?"

"Don't worry," Benjamin replied coolly. "According to the intel gathered through Secret Window, the Tenth Prince and the others are furious with their bodyguards for supporting the Fourteenth. They're planning to punish them.

"And the Seventh Prince, Luzurus, is also annoyed that his guards acted without permission.

"They'll turn on each other soon enough—no need for us to interfere. Once Halkenburg is taken care of, we'll move in to clean up the rest."

Tserriednich's death had removed Benjamin's biggest rival, and the sense of victory had gone to his head.

Arrogant to begin with, he now believed even more strongly that the lower princes were mere children pretending at power—mud that couldn't stick to a wall.

Furykov hesitated. He wanted to say something.

But Benjamin's smug smile made him bite his tongue.

Maybe Benjamin was right. Maybe the remaining princes would devour each other. Maybe they really could play the long game—wait until the others tore themselves apart and then walk in to claim the throne.

Still, a strange unease gnawed at Furykov's mind.

He couldn't say why.

But something about all this felt... off.