The First Level of the Black Whale No. 1 (B.W.1) had a very straightforward structure.
At the very center lay the chambers of King Nasubi Hui Guo Rou.
Connected to it was the banquet hall, and beyond that—the residential area for the Fourteen Princes.
The Eight Queens could choose to live with their respective children, but only Queen Seivanti (7th) and Queen Oito (8th) opted to stay beside their children.
After all, Prince Marayam (13th) and Prince Woble (14th) were still far too young.
Joey had been assigned to Prince Momozet (12th). Her room, designated "Room 12," served as both her quarters and a direct symbol of her rank in the succession.
Queen Seivanti returned with the guards to Momozet's room—not out of concern for her daughter, but to carry out the plan she'd previously stated: reassign Momozet's guards to protect Prince Marayam.
"Is this really okay? Reassigning Prince Momozet's security like this?"
One of the guards, a Kakin native, voiced concern.
He—and another—had started to genuinely worry for Momozet after spending time with her.
Despite showing no particular talents, she exuded a natural, quiet aura that made people want to protect her.
Joey silently watched, noting the two guards who spoke up. From their behavior and his earlier investigations, he could now safely categorize them: loyal to Momozet, with no hidden motives.
"You're too noisy. Six guards are more than enough."
Queen Seivanti waved dismissively and randomly pointed at six guards.
"This child is frightened. Someone, calm him down!"
She hadn't even taken Marayam back to his own room.
He was right there, beside her.
And the excuse about him being frightened? Nonsense. Marayam's eyes were sharp, observant, fully alert.
When a few guards still hesitated, her expression hardened.
"Marayam's safety is the priority. Move, now!"
"But… we signed our contracts with Prince Momozet…"
One of the guards hesitantly protested, clearly lacking resolve.
"What's the difference!?"
Queen Seivanti went into full denial mode.
"I only signed those contracts because of Marayam. The payment was upfront, wasn't it?"
"Besides, Momozet can take care of herself. Right, dear?"
Momozet, hair styled to perfection, turned with a soft smile.
Joey continued observing.
From how Queen Seivanti had picked her six "remaining" guards, he could tell:
These six had been planted by the Upper Queens.
Meaning—Seivanti had already decided to discard Momozet from the moment they boarded the ship.
Putting Momozet under those six guards' care was no different than throwing a chick into a lion's den.
Even if her Guardian Spirit Beast had already manifested—
No, perhaps exactly because it had manifested, they would now feel even more emboldened to act against her.
In truth, abandoning Momozet now was tactically sound.
Should she die, her guards could easily be reassigned to Prince Marayam, boosting his defense. The deaths would even make the Upper Princes more cautious.
No one would blame Seivanti. She had "naively" moved security for the sake of her younger son.
And Marayam, being a child, would be seen as the least threatening Prince—second only to Woble.
Even if someone suspected manipulation, they'd let it slide.
Because Momozet's death benefits every Upper Prince.
Call it cruel. Call it calculated.
But what Joey saw in Queen Seivanti's actions was desperation—a mother gambling everything on one surviving child.
He didn't like it—but he had to admit, it was smart.
With little political power and few assets, this was her only path.
"Yes, Mother. Please don't worry about me."
Momozet's voice was calm—too calm.
But she wasn't done.
"However, I would like to request that those two remain."
She pointed to Kurapika and Joey.
"The others can go protect Marayam."
Seivanti's brow twitched.
Her entire goal had been to leave the danger behind with Momozet.
For her to request that Kurapika and Joey stay—that changed everything.
From what she knew, Momozet had never interacted with either of them.
So how did she know to trust them?
Had they been in contact beforehand?
Was this whole thing planned?
Had she—the Queen—been manipulated by her own daughter?
Suspicion bloomed fast and deep.
"Is that so? Fine. Let all eight remain."
Her decision was swift.
There was no point in dragging it out. The deed was done.
And since Momozet had willingly released the other seven guards, there was no reason to fight over two more.
While Kurapika had been her ideal pick—his skills as a licensed Hunter unmatched—she had to let him go now.
Besides, if Kurapika and Joey could eliminate the six remaining guards… her plan would still proceed smoothly.
After all, she needed a sacrificial shield to place in front of Marayam.
And she didn't think two guards could beat the six.
More importantly, she now couldn't risk bringing Joey and Kurapika near Marayam.
"Come, Marayam."
She placed a hand on her son's shoulder.
"We'll leave you to rest, dear. It's been a long day."
"Yes, Mother. Safe journey."
As she and Marayam left, each person in the room brimming with secrets and agendas, Momozet shut the door.
Joey stretched his arms—and activated En.
Instantly, the entire room came under his sensory net.
Two people moved the moment En activated.
They bolted toward Momozet's position.
It looked like they were trying to protect her, but Momozet was right beside Kurapika.
And earlier, when she'd singled out Joey and Kurapika, it had been a signal of trust.
Anyone rushing toward her now clearly intended to attack, not protect.
That they acted so soon surprised Joey.
He had expected En to provoke reactions, but not direct aggression.
Was it desperation? A power play?
Were they trying to gain moral high ground—claim Joey and Kurapika were threats?
If so, they'd need overwhelming strength to back it up.
But that wasn't happening.
Joey's aura capacity had long surpassed 100,000 units. His En radius exceeded 50 meters.
A monstrous range.
Perfect for Weather Report.
With just a flick of his hand, his Weather Nen Beast appeared on his shoulder.
Air pressure shifted.
The room filled with a swirling breeze.
The two attackers were caught mid-charge—suspended in a sudden vortex of wind.
Joey closed his fist gently—layers of pressure folded around them like walls.
The breeze near them sharpened into gales, lifting them violently into the air, rendering them helpless.
"How do you want to handle these two?"
Joey asked Kurapika.
They weren't a threat.
As far as Joey could tell—they were amateurs with minor Nen abilities at best.
Only thing to watch for was any special Nen ability they might hide.
Kurapika responded calmly:
"We restrain them. Extract information first."
Joey nodded.
Nearby, a cabinet door burst open—ropes flew out, carried by the wind, and wrapped the two attackers, binding them midair.
"Sorry if it's a bit rough. Hard to be precise when I don't know their Hatsu."
Joey scanned their limbs, debating whether to use Killer Queen to immobilize them further.
But he decided against it.
No need to reveal his second Nen ability just yet.
Even Weather Report was a stretch—but necessary.
After all, they'd be at sea for months. Eventually, Weather Report would come out. Better to introduce it now.
His En swept the rest of the room.
Earlier, he'd sensed multiple Guardian Spirit Beasts passing through—not just Momozet's.
"We need to talk."
One of the remaining four guards stepped forward, hands raised in surrender.
"Of course," Kurapika said.
Joey turned toward Momozet.
"Pleased to meet you properly. Dio Brando."
"Thank you," she replied, voice trembling slightly.
Behind her stood a hulking, bear-like Spirit Beast, back-to-back with her.
Thanks to his abilities, Joey had already made contact with her before boarding.
He understood her position.
She had no hope of surviving the Succession War.
No backing from her mother. No allies.
She'd accepted death long ago.
But Joey offered something new—not a shot at the throne, but a chance to live.
All she had to do was follow his and Kurapika's lead.
For someone with nothing to lose, it was a rational choice.
"You don't mind if I deceive you?"
Joey had asked her during their initial contact.
"Even if you do… the worst outcome is still death."
That was her answer.
And now—she saw it.
A sliver of light through the darkness.
Her hands trembled—but from hope this time.
"No need to thank me. You trusted us. That's a gift."
Joey smiled and shrank his En radius to five meters—sufficient for safety, easy to maintain.
Kurapika had already bound the six suspects to chairs.
Joey and Momozet approached to watch the interrogation.
This wasn't Joey's forte. He'd tried it once—on Orlando. It hadn't gone well.
Kurapika, being Conjuration-Type, was better suited for this.
While the interrogation proceeded, Joey turned to Momozet:
"Your Spirit Beast comes from the Ceremonial Urn (Seed Urn) Ritual. Only Nen users can see them. Which means—the Succession War is a battle between Nen abilities."
"So that's Nen…?"
She was curious now—no longer cold and numb, but lively, inquisitive.
Still composed—but much more human.
"Yes and no. Nen is aura—life energy. I'll help you awaken it, but don't expect miracles.
Learning a Hatsu takes time, training, experience."
Joey was preparing to forcefully awaken her Nen.
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