True Threat × Messenger × Damn It!

Joey spoke of retaliation—but not just yet.

From Sakata's mouth, it was clear: Tier 3 wasn't the only faction targeting Tier 12. Dealing with the Royal Army and Judicial Bureau was just surface-level; the real threat never came from them.

After all, those two represent the official system, and official channels still require proper procedures when dealing with royal matters. Even if some steps were bypassed, there would be a cost. It couldn't be done recklessly.

The real attack from the Third Prince should've come from the Shu Wu Wu Family's Nen users. But they misstepped. Their execution didn't maximize the ability's success rate.

Joey couldn't blame them. He'd been excellent at concealing his abilities. The only Hatsu he revealed to Sakata was Golden Experience—the one that made seeds bloom.

After all, Sakata had undergone Nen awakening under Kurapika's guidance, so he naturally believed Joey's ability was just plant acceleration.

But that was all misdirection.

The blond-haired man, however, was a greater concern. If he was possessed by Weapon, then his partner was likely the King of Kakin himself.

His appearance and accusations meant one thing: not only were the upper princes watching Tier 12—Nasubi Hui Guo Rou, the king himself, was paying attention and even taking action.

Had their infiltration of the King's Quarters and attack on Nasubi been discovered?

Joey's brow furrowed. If that was the cause, it likely stemmed from what happened on Tier 5. Perhaps the Royal Army had connected the dots.

And given that Joey had been seen on the lower tiers without disappearing from the Twelfth Prince's room, the clone usage became more obvious.

But strangely, even with this probable evidence, the Royal Army hadn't launched an official investigation—or even sued Joey. That was odd.

Were they preparing a deadlier strike?

Joey wasn't surprised if his identity had been exposed. He'd met the Gasyah Family and openly revealed who he was. And they clearly had ties to the Royal Army on Tier 5.

So yes—his identity being known made sense. But inaction? That was what felt wrong.

"Strange anomalies always hide something sinister." Joey believed that completely.

It was becoming clear: he couldn't stay on the first tier much longer.

On the Third Prince's side, after the failure of his earlier plot, he would likely adjust his strategy. But his available personnel were limited.

The prince would probably stay holed up in the VVIP section under Royal Army "protection"—or more accurately, surveillance.

But that would be underestimating what a true Nen user could do.

Joey might not know the exact layout of the VVIP zone, but he had a simple plan to figure out the Third Prince's room number:

Leak an assassination plan to the First Prince.

According to Sakata, multiple upper princes had it out for Tier 12. But Joey was sure the First Prince wasn't one of them.

That was easy to deduce: lack of movement and shortage of personnel in Tier 1.

If the First Prince was smart, he'd realize it wasn't the right time to act—because Second Prince's agents were already in motion.

Joey was confident: once Balasamilko learned about the corpses in Tier 10 and the Ninth Prince's situation, he'd deduce what was happening.

Yes, to the First Prince, letting Second Prince handle lower-tier matters might seem like overstepping—but Joey believed Balasamilko could convince him to let it slide for now.

And from what Joey knew, the First Prince—despite seeming like a musclehead—was actually sharp-minded.

He was, after all, the one who created "Heir to the Stars", a highly complex Hatsu. Underestimating him would be foolish.

So even if Tier 1 provided small pieces of intel to those targeting Tier 12, Joey could accept that.

In their position, he'd probably do the same.

All Tier 1 needed to do was wait—watch someone else make a move. If Tier 12 fell, they gained. If it didn't? No loss.

So now Joey baited them—with a juicy target.

A chance to eliminate the Third Prince without lifting a finger. If Tier 1 didn't take that opportunity, they'd be fools.

With no time left to linger in the royal zones, Joey decided to stop hiding.

The plan was sent directly to the First Prince's private guards.

And once again, the ladybug played its role.

First Prince's guards were well aware of bugs being potential listening or surveillance tools.

As soon as one got close, they'd destroy it.

Joey just had to write his message on paper, imbue the paper with life, and send it as a ladybug toward Sector 6.

As the ladybug flew off, Joey finally pieced together which princes Sakata had meant.

There weren't many.

Excluding the First and Second Princes, only the Ninth Prince had direct contact with Tier 12.

The Second Prince was obviously gunning for them—there was too much evidence already.

As for the Ninth, Kurapika had only recently returned from there. So for now, they remained allies.

The others? Too busy with their Nen training to start fights.

The Fifth Prince wanted to build ties with Tier 12, though he kept it discreet due to First Prince's guards.

But Maor, the one visiting daily to learn Nen, always relayed the Fifth Prince's wishes to Kurapika.

That alliance had been building for some time.

The Sixth Prince was a non-threat—preaching peace and love, obsessed with spreading the Teachings of Tyson.

No time to plot against Tier 12. More likely to spend energy planning how to preach at the next banquet.

Seventh Prince? Always smoking legally and watching films. Living his best life.

With Basho as Joey's insider, any plot from Tier 7 wouldn't go unnoticed.

And the Fourteenth Prince was still an infant in swaddling clothes.

All told, Sakata's warning was mostly nonsense.

Funny thing—Joey realized—very few princes were even left on the first tier.

At the next banquet, everyone would see how many royals skipped attendance.

If Joey removed the Third Prince too, then with the First unable to appear, the only princes likely present would be the Second, Fifth, Sixth, Seventh, Ninth, Twelfth, and Fourteenth.

Only seven left.

Back in Sector 6, Oraw, the First Prince's private soldier, was startled.

A ladybug had appeared in his En.

And it was flying straight toward him.

Without moving a muscle, Oraw let it approach—then flicked a small Nen bullet from his fingertip, striking the ladybug.

He didn't obliterate it. Curious what Joey had planned, he waited.

As expected, the ladybug reverted to its original form—a note covered in writing, drifting to the ground.

Oraw's brow furrowed. He glanced around. No one in sight.

He quickly picked up the note.

Simple message: "I want the Third Prince's room number."

Oraw destroyed the paper instantly—and passed the intel directly through his earpiece to Balasamilko.

So he was just being used… as a messenger.

But he wouldn't be a messenger much longer.

He'd already deciphered the Sixth Prince's Guardian Beast ability.

Time to let the experts clean up.

First, though—he had a problem to solve:

Juliano, the Hunter Association agent, had been completely brainwashed.

As for Izunavi—he could leave that to the First Prince's people. Wasn't Izunavi part of Kurapika and Joey's team?

Between keeping Izunavi around to slowly brainwash him or assassinating the Sixth Prince to break the spell—Oraw preferred the latter.

Especially now, with this note requesting the Third Prince's location—it was the perfect trade.

He made his report to Balasamilko.

But he didn't offer opinions. He trusted Balasamilko's judgment more than his own.

At that moment, Balasamilko was in the VVIP zone, discussing the situation with the First Prince.

Hearing Oraw's intel, he immediately frowned.

"Spatial abilities—belong to the Tenth and Eleventh Princes," he said, instantly identifying the source.

"We'd already confirmed this. But I didn't expect both of them to fully side with Tier 12—or more precisely, with Dio."

"Useless garbage," growled Prince Benjamin, fury radiating from him. "They're royalty. To be ruled by another? They deserve death."

Balasamilko nodded.

"I've deployed our agents to find their base of operations in the lower decks. But it won't be quick. I suspect they have more accomplices down there."

"Is this about the Succession War? Or about Kakin itself?" Benjamin's voice was laced with killing intent.

To him, it didn't matter. Either one was unforgivable.

"It depends on who's helping them. If it's just Nen users, it's about the Succession. But if it's the Hunter Association... then it's a threat to Kakin itself. And then we know who's behind it."

Balasamilko's eyes sharpened.

"You mean… V5," Benjamin said, instantly grasping it.

"Exactly. Since the day Kakin announced its plans to explore the Dark Continent, V5's been dragging their feet. Whether it's materials, voyage approval—they've been obstructing us."

"So it's possible they smuggled agents aboard just to sabotage us."

"But I doubt it's that simple. From what we know, this voyage may not reach the Dark Continent at all—but rather, an unknown, uncharted region."

"His Majesty likely knows that—and agreed to the detour. Probably to use this chance to join V5 and become V6."

"Well-reasoned," Benjamin nodded. "And if that's true, V5 wouldn't need to interfere directly."

"So what's their goal? Do they seriously think they can put the Twelfth Prince on the throne?"

Balasamilko nodded.

"It's possible."

At that moment, Nen exploded from Benjamin like oil hitting a fire.

"Damn it!" he roared, eyes wide, hair bristling.

"This is good for us," Balasamilko said calmly. "If he wants intel on the Third Prince—give it. Let him take him out for us."

His voice was full of reverence—but his words were devilish whispers.

"And what we'll do—is hunt down the other hidden princes in the lower decks and eliminate them."

(End of Chapter)