034 (Vol 4) HxH: Tombbound Power

"There's something called Nitro Rice on the Dark Continent that can extend your lifespan. I've still got that piece of intel~ Hui."

"With your body, getting hold of Nitro Rice wouldn't be difficult at all. Rather than risking everything in a succession war where your abilities might fail at any moment, why not bet it all here?"

"Not only can we permanently resolve the danger of that 'exchange', but we can also preserve our power, gain even greater strength, and obtain a younger, more promising vessel... the advantages go on and on. If you were me, which would you choose~ Hui?"

"Listening to you, swapping bodies with me really does sound like a good deal." Ronnel gave a small nod, seemingly agreeing with Nasubi.

"But with the succession war down to its final phase... and right when we're about to set out for the Dark Continent, you plan to take my body? You do realize my strength far exceeds yours. Do you honestly think you'll adapt in such a short amount of time?"

...

"Hahaha, you don't need to worry~ Hui." Nasubi rose from his plush chair. "Since the restriction of this ability is that it only allows one exchange with an outsider, then by the principle of Nen's equivalent trade, full mastery of the exchanged body is built into the effect."

"Whether it's your memories or your abilities, I'll be able to use them immediately—no obstacles."

As he spoke, he raised both hands. His aura surged around him, slowly condensing toward his eyes.

"You didn't close your eyes... didn't even try to back off or block me after learning what my Nen does. Are you really that confident in your own strength?"

"Ordinary Nen techniques might be suppressed by strong aura defense, but an ability like mine—based on precise rule-type telekinesis—isn't something brute force can block~ Hui!"

"Once the exchange is complete, I'll give you the most honorable death. Your body is the finest in all six continents. I'll accept it—gratefully."

As soon as he said this, Ronnel saw Nasubi's eyes flash with dazzling golden light.

"This is... Eternal Soul?"

...

But at that very instant, a glint appeared in Ronnel's eyes.

All trace of tension vanished from his face. A faint, almost amused smile played at his lips.

"Not a bad ability. Pity it's completely useless against me."

If Ronnel hadn't developed the Ability Encyclopedia, something capable of resisting Nen effects directly, he might've been in trouble.

His only option would've been to kill Nasubi instantly—before the effect triggered.

But that would've meant diving headfirst into the succession war... and killing the king of Kakin no less.

Nasubi claimed that killing the original body post-exchange would carry no consequences, but Ronnel had already seen through him using the man's own memories. The fat body Nasubi left behind was riddled with hidden Nen traps—backups meant to activate upon his death.

They weren't just for assassins. They were also insurance for his future self, who would inherit a new body. He had prepared meticulously to remove all lingering threats using his own soul.

If the exchange succeeded, Nasubi could remove those traps instantly and erase all trace of his former self from the world.

If he failed and died, those traps would activate automatically—making sure his killer paid the price.

Either way, he risked nothing.

But Ronnel wasn't like the others.

His encyclopedia granted him absolute resistance against both the body-swap and the post-mortem backhand.

In this situation, he held every advantage.

So instead of acting, Ronnel simply leaned back to enjoy the show. He calmly waited for the golden light to fade.

...

Seeing no reaction, Ronnel narrowed his eyes slightly and let out a quiet sigh.

"Did you fail~ Hui?"

Nasubi slumped back in his chair, shoulders sagging with exhaustion.

"I came this far… and still couldn't pull it off."

He looked at Ronnel with a complicated, almost sorrowful gaze.

"Just how strong are you? What kind of person are you~ Hui…"

There was loneliness in his voice… and regret.

...

Ronnel didn't respond. He simply studied Nasubi in silence, as if reading the ending of a story he already knew.

He silently calculated how many encyclopedia points it had taken to block the ability.

Fifty percent. That was the estimated success rate Nasubi had against him.

That might sound low, but for Ronnel—currently the strongest person on the six continents—half a chance was impressively high.

Nasubi's strength was legitimate. He had received the Initiation Award during the Egg in the Pot Ceremony and trained hard for decades. He was a formidable Nen user in his own right.

His solid foundation and carefully constructed conditions made this ability especially dangerous.

Honestly, if the target had been Netero, Beyond, or even the Chimera Ant King, the success rate might have climbed to sixty... even seventy or eighty percent.

If Ronnel hadn't used his encyclopedia to nullify it... he might've been relying on sheer luck.

But life doesn't work on "what ifs."

And the facts were plain.

...

"'I'll give you the most honorable death,' huh?" Ronnel repeated with a wry smile.

Nasubi blinked and slowly raised his head.

"I left behind a lot of Nen traps in my old body."

"They'll trigger when I die. Once activated, they'll cause serious harm to whoever killed me... and to the one behind the plan~ Hui."

"You might not care about one or two Oath-based Nen effects. But when there are dozens stacked together... even someone like you wouldn't want to waste energy cleaning them up~ Hui."

"And as for the time I've got left... hah. I'm not worried. It won't be long."