"Leonard is dead."
"It's my fault."
"If it weren't for me... Leonard would still be alive."
"I have a responsibility to carry on in Leonard's place. To fight for what he believed in."
"To take up Leonard's will... and save this country."
"So when Nessley invited me—I said yes."
"I'm grateful to her. Because of her, I can finally let go of the past."
"Even after everything I did... they didn't hate me."
"Let me make up for it, somehow."
Tucker had once been completely lost. He didn't know what he was supposed to do with himself. But Nessley's invitation had given him purpose again.
At first, Nancy hadn't understood why Nessley reached out to him.
Leonard's death had left Nancy filled with resentment toward Tucker.
"Nessley, you really trust him? Tucker was the reason Leonard died."
"I do trust him," Nessley replied calmly. "Tucker was our enemy once, but if he had truly wanted to kill us back then, we wouldn't be alive right now."
"He was misled."
"He's like us. We need his strength now."
...
Tucker turned to Kaizen.
"Kaizen… can I ask you for one more favor?"
"What is it?"
"Kill Duke Gruner."
Gruner—the noble who had once backed Tucker's rise. Tucker came from a commoner background, but through Gruner's support, he had climbed the ranks into the upper class. Gruner had once represented Tucker's dream of changing the system from within.
But now, Tucker had seen the truth.
Karoo's corruption. Gruner's complicity. There was no innocence in their world.
Gruner had known all along.
Tucker and Nessley laid it all out. The evidence. The betrayal. The bitter truth. Tucker had once admired Gruner. Now, he hated him.
Maybe that's what made it hurt more.
But Tucker knew—killing Gruner wasn't a simple task. He didn't have the strength or resources to pull it off.
"What can you offer me?" Kaizen asked.
...
Tucker was silent. He had nothing. No leverage. No reward.
"Taking down Gruner isn't some back-alley job. The risks are enormous, and the price is high," Kaizen said. "I'm sorry, Tucker, but I can't take that on."
"Unless you can offer a reward that actually tempts me."
Gruner wasn't just any noble. He was the Duke of the United States of Saherta—second only to the king. But the current king was just a puppet, a child under the control of corrupt ministers. In reality, Gruner held near-absolute power.
And Saherta, being one of the V5 nations, had considerable strength. They wouldn't lack for powerful Nen users. Gruner was probably surrounded by elite bodyguards—A-class at least. Maybe even S-class.
This job was far more dangerous than wiping out the entire Phantom Troupe or the Ten Dons of the global underworld.
Kaizen couldn't do it alone. Even the Zoldyck family might be stretched—and that included Maha.
Tucker couldn't afford the price. Not even the revolutionary group Dark Night could back this.
His eyes dimmed.
"...Sorry, Kaizen. I shouldn't have asked."
Tucker had known it was a hopeless request. It had just been... a desperate dream.
He handed Kaizen a package.
"This is payment for the last job."
Kaizen accepted it.
Tucker stood up, ready to leave. Then he paused, turned back.
"...Kaizen, do you think I have any chance of success?"
Kaizen considered the question.
"I don't know," he said. "But if it's something you believe in, then go for it. At least you won't live with regrets. Sometimes, the result isn't what matters most."
"You're right. Thanks."
"Can I ask you something else?"
"Sure."
"Kaizen... how strong are you now?"
Kaizen shrugged. "It's hard to explain without context."
"Use me as the reference, then."
"Compared to you? Dozens of times stronger."
"...Dozens?"
Tucker's eyes widened. He didn't quite believe it.
"Kaizen, when did you start joking around like that?"
Tucker smiled faintly, then walked away.
Kaizen watched him go, noting the weight in his step—the sadness and resolve.
...
Kaizen had a feeling he wouldn't see Tucker again.
Now that Tucker had joined Dark Night, he was on the path of sacrifice.
For his country.
For the people.
For the dream.
It wouldn't end well. Just like Leonard.
Kaizen himself would never walk that path. But he could understand it.
He was born a Zoldyck. His loyalty was to the Zoldyck family—and to himself.
And to his comrades.
As for Kukuroo Mountain's country? Honestly, it didn't mean anything to him.
Swap Zoldycks into another nation, it wouldn't change a thing.
But Tucker was different.
Born in Saherta. Raised in Saherta. Surrounded by Saherta's people. He had ties there. Love for the place.
So when the nation turned rotten, Tucker wanted to save it. Even if it cost his life.
Different people make different choices.
It's like the Phantom Troupe from Meteor City.
They'd take on the whole world for their home.
The Red Trang, too.
Even with their power, they could've lived peacefully. But they chose vengeance.
Tucker could've left Saherta and built a new life. But he didn't want that.
Kaizen wouldn't try to talk him out of it.
Sometimes, people find something more important than survival.
...
Ring ring!
Kaizen's phone buzzed urgently.
"Go! Get out of there—leave Saherta immediately!"
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