015 (Vol 4) HxH: Tombbound Power

The hands of the Fourth Prince, Tserriednich, were stained with more than just ambition—they were covered in the blood and eyes of countless victims.

And now, in the soaking jar inside his private collection room, there appeared to be the head of Pairo, one of Kurapika's childhood playmates.

How could Kurapika possibly stay calm after hearing that?

The moment he got word, he nearly lost it—intent on storming the prince's quarters then and there.

Fortunately, Bill managed to restrain him, while Izunavi rushed over to calm him down with words and presence. Only then did Kurapika manage to pull himself back from the edge.

Had he acted on impulse that day, there was a very real chance he'd have been killed—or worse, turned into one of Tserriednich's grotesque "Inhuman Things."

And just when he'd regained his composure and begun planning carefully, he received new intelligence:

Tserriednich was planning to strike first.

You think you can come looking for trouble when we haven't even settled the last score?

Apparently, Tserriednich was trying to recover face after his private army had been annihilated.

But to Kurapika, it was perfect timing—a golden opportunity dropped right into his lap.

Since you're coming to me yourself... don't expect mercy.

Once Bill and Izunavi confirmed that the prince's remaining forces posed no real threat, they had no reason to hold Kurapika back.

Still, out of consideration for their colleagues, they chose to accompany him.

The three emerged from their quarters, the servants watching with unease and Queen Oito filled with visible worry.

Just as they stepped into the corridor of the lower princes' area, they crossed paths with none other than Tserriednich, who had just arrived.

...

"Hmm?"

Tserriednich, on his way to visit the Eleventh Prince, spotted the trio approaching. Their blank expressions didn't fool him—he could sense the pressure radiating from them, and it made him narrow his eyes.

"What?" he asked with a mocking sneer, dangerous glint flickering in his gaze. "You here to pledge loyalty to me?"

"Of course not," Kurapika replied, voice cold but controlled. "I just have a few questions for His Highness the Fourth Prince."

"Questions?" Tserriednich looked past him, noting the presence of Izunavi, the former palace guard who had switched sides. Then his eyes returned to Kurapika.

"I'm not in the habit of answering to other people," he said curtly.

...

He stared hard at Kurapika, recognition dawning.

"You're the one who ran that Nen training session before, right?"

He spread his arms wide, flashing a twisted grin.

"Come with me. Once I become king, I'll give you the highest position in the palace."

"I'm not interested," Kurapika replied, eyes sharp. "What I am interested in… is your collection."

Tserriednich's face hardened, the pleasant tone dropping in an instant.

"Then I guess we've got nothing to discuss." His aura surged, eyes glowing. "I'll just make you part of my collection instead."

Without warning, his body pulsed with deadly Nen—and behind him, his conjured beast took form: a grotesque horse with a human face, teetering on high heels. Its features were twisted and obscene, its aura humming with disturbing energy.

Izunavi and Bill tensed immediately, falling into battle stance.

Kurapika silently drew the twin short staff-knives from his back—blades he hadn't used since sparring with Palo in the streets of Meteor City.

"Whoosh!"

The battle erupted instantly.

...

Room 1014—

"Morgan-san... shouldn't we check on Kurapika and the others?"

Queen Oito sat tensely on the sofa, her fingers twisted in her lap as she looked at Ronnel.

The raw strength of the higher-ranking princes terrified her. She couldn't help but worry.

"Don't worry about them," Ronnel said calmly, barely glancing up. "They're more than enough to deal with a prince."

Tserriednich was certainly gifted—his growth in Nen over three weeks matched what would take ordinary users years to achieve.

But still, he was no match for Kurapika in full combat mode.

Even Gido and his teammates, who had trained Nen for three years at Heavens Arena, were defeated by Gon after barely a month of training.

And Tserriednich, while far more talented than Gon, had still only been using Nen for a few weeks.

It wasn't enough to surpass Kurapika, who could activate Emperor Time at full capacity.

And Kurapika wasn't alone. With Bill and Izunavi flanking him, the odds were firmly in their favor.

...

Tserriednich's advantage lay in his conjured beast—the high-heeled, human-faced horse—and his precognitive ability, which let him peer into events moments before they happened.

In the opening ten seconds, that alone let him match Kurapika's group blow for blow.

But he couldn't keep it up.

Bill and Izunavi quickly noticed a flaw: every time Tserriednich invoked his precognition, his body would become slack and dazed, while the beast shielded him.

Spotting that weakness, the trio began coordinating attacks to exploit the opening.

From there, the tide turned sharply in their favor.

Izunavi had been meticulous—before setting out, he had discreetly passed word to Hanzo, Leorio, Melody, and the others.

As the clash intensified, Leorio and Hanzo, who had been standing by, leapt into action.

Melody played her flute at the edge of the battlefield, her music bolstering their physical and mental states.

Kurapika, empowered by Emperor Time, drew all the monster's aggression. Bill and Izunavi focused on damage output.

Leorio delivered air punches from range, Hanzo launched kunai darts, and Basho, having received permission from Luzurus, used his haiku-based Nen from afar.

With this seven-man assault unit, Tserriednich's defenses crumbled in under fifteen seconds.

Even Benjamin, in full strength, might not have lasted thirty.

...

Kurapika didn't kill him.

He never had a taste for killing—he hadn't even finished the scammer during the Hunter Exam.

Tserriednich hadn't personally massacred the Kurta Clan—he only collected their eyes and corpses.

Still, punishment was due.

Kurapika bound him in chains. After recovering his tribe's relics from the prince's collection, he activated Judgment Chain, enforcing a binding vow upon Tserriednich.