032 (Vol 4) HxH: Tombbound Power

From their anxious expressions alone, the guards could already tell: the flash in Tenshou's eyes just now wasn't some harmless trick or simple ability—it was an attack.

Tenshou, having successfully disguised himself and taken over the body of Nasubi, swiftly absorbed Nasubi' memories. Meanwhile, the guards knelt on the ground, pleading for forgiveness.

"Stand... up~hui."

Tenshou began mimicking Nasubi' tone.

"It wasn't your fault. I was the one who let my guard down…"

And so, from that moment onward, the name "Tenshou" disappeared into history, along with the fallen prince.

There was no more Tenshou. 

There was only—Nasubi.

I deliberately erased my name—Nasubi, the new identity of the man once called Tenshou.

Outwardly, nothing changed. But inside, a different person had taken root. Under the guise of recovery, he requested three days of rest.

...

During those three days, he fully organized Nasubi's memories—along with the network of power and influence under his command.

Three days later, after healing from his injuries and getting a complete grasp of the situation, the new Nasubi officially succeeded the old king and ascended the throne of Kakin.

And as the final victor of the egg-in-a-pot ceremony, he was granted the winner's prize by the ceremonial urn: a sharp increase in his aura and mental power.

With the Succession War having concluded, Nasubi became the new king—and began his sweeping reforms.

The very first act of his reign? Quietly executing his most loyal guard.

Even though that man had been deceived, there was no telling when the truth might resurface in his memory.

The dead are safest. With him gone, no one alive could uncover the secret.

...

After that, Nugui, the former logistics steward, was promoted to royal chief steward.

Thus began the decades-long partnership between master and servant.

The events that followed are already well-known.

"I spent decades reshaping Nasubi's personality," he explained, "gradually shifting it instead of suddenly changing into Tenshou's nature—so I could better manage the nation."

"And don't get me started on that sickening speech quirk I had to add to every sentence. Or the disgusting hobbies. Or the temperament—like a spoiled lapdog. Ugh, I could puke."

"Though this body once belonged to Nasubi, the soul didn't. That meant I wasn't bound by the restriction that prevents hosts from seeing their own parasitic Guardian Spirit Beast. I could see it—this filthy, grotesque creature. I find it repulsive."

Nasubi—no, the former Tenshou—spoke to Ronnel in what felt less like an explanation and more like a confession. His tone shifted from flat to fierce, his chest rising and falling.

...

Once Ronnel learned the truth, he gave the man his full attention.

"After stabilizing the situation, I discovered that my Nen ability, [Eternal Soul], had bound me permanently to Nasubi's body. Not only did my personality start getting affected, but with our memories fused, I began doing things unconsciously—like that damn speech quirk. Sometimes I don't even mean to say it. It just comes out. ~Hui."

"Just like earlier. I've realized this is one of the drawbacks of Nen, or maybe a side effect. It can't be completely eliminated... unless I use Nen again and leave this body behind."

A faint smile crept across Nasubi's face. Not one of pride or scheming—just the quiet smile of someone finally unburdening himself after decades of silence.

Then he paused… and resumed, shifting back to the present.

...

"After I took over Nasubi' body, this Specialist-type Nen became engraved into my soul. It follows me."

"That means I can activate it again—switch into the body of another royal from the Kakin bloodline."

A faint warmth returned to his voice, a small, satisfied grin forming on his lips.

"For example, the winner of the current Succession War. My next body will be the next king."

He wants to take over his own child's body.

Nasubi had removed the final mask.

He planned to use [Eternal Soul] to transfer into his own son—the one who would survive the war and inherit the throne!

Everything had been prepared. The old king, Nasubi, would be sent off with a grand funeral…

And he, the true mind behind it all—Tenshou—would be reborn in a new body.

...

"My original plan was to drain this body of all influence and power before abdicating. After all, the ability only activates if I'm on the weaker side... ~Hui."

He smiled faintly, narrowed his eyes, and uttered something utterly cold-blooded.

"In other words, no matter who wins this war, the final victor will still be me."

Ronnel narrowed his eyes, staring at the man in front of him.

"That's your own son. Tch. You really are heartless."

His voice wasn't exactly mocking, but it wasn't approving either.

Nasubi's plan was bold—maybe even outrageous—but from a practical standpoint, it was airtight.

Without Ronnel's intervention, whoever survived the war and stood before Nasubi would likely meet only one end.

With careful manipulation, Nasubi could continue ruling the Kakin Empire, changing faces as needed and staying on top of the world.

And if he played it right, he could use [Eternal Soul] to keep switching bodies—forever remaining the true king.

...

"No one gives up power after tasting it. Reputation? Ideals? I appreciate them, but they can't compare."

"And those princes... they're the sons of Nasubi, not mine~ash!!"

Nasubi's tone grew distant, detached. Ronnel could hear the weight of conviction in every word.

He understood exactly what the man was saying.

And what he was about to do.