Illumi's Needlemen.
Their most formidable trait isn't the forced Manipulation effect.
It's the sheer controllable quantity.
He usually nourishes his Nen needles with aura.
By using these needles to control targets, he can amplify their strength exponentially with minimal aura expenditure.
In other words, as long as he has enough special Nen needles, Illumi can command a formidable army of Needlemen without overburdening himself.
Combined with his exceptional physical prowess and refined techniques, he can synergize with his Needlemen to unleash devastating combat power.
This represents the upper limit of Illumi's ability system.
However, based on original source material, Illumi's specially nourished Nen needles are single-use items.
Thus, unless absolutely necessary, he won't casually deploy them.
Yet now...
To kill Morrow here, Illumi didn't hesitate to drive a special Nen needle into the heads of two intruders.
Distinguishing between special and ordinary Needlemen is actually quite simple.
Special Needlemen have only one Nen needle embedded in their heads, but the aura surrounding it is exceptionally dense.
Ordinary Needlemen, on the other hand, typically have four or five needles, sometimes more, but their aura intensity pales in comparison.
After missing his first strike, Illumi didn't pursue further. Instead, he turned sideways, watching Morrow retreat in a straight line.
At that moment... two special Needlemen and one ordinary Needlemen charged past Illumi from behind.
An extended application similar to "En"...?
Illumi held a special Nen needle between his index and middle fingers, allowing the Needlemen to rush past him.
But it can't be that simple. Sacrificing the offensive value of "Nen" likely means it's a prerequisite for a "Counter-type ability".
His gaze flickered over the starlight retreating alongside Morrow and the faint residual aura clinging to Morrow's body. From this, Illumi drew a basic conclusion.
However, an ability that sacrifices lethality and increases exposure risks also presents him with an opportunity to end the battle in an instant.
As this thought crossed his mind, Illumi pushed off the ground, following closely behind the special and ordinary Needlemen.
—--
Morrow frowned as he watched Illumi and the Needlemen advance in formation.
That near miss with Illumi's needle had given him a firsthand glimpse of Illumi's terror.
In a way, this guy was like Orion; both had achieved extraordinary results within their respective Nen types, exceptionally rare cases that combined the forced effects of Manipulation with high controllability.
On top of that, he possessed the Zoldyck Family's signature physical prowess.
A nightmare to deal with.
Two types of Needlemen.
Morrow continued retreating to maintain distance while observing the three Needlemen.
From the moment Illumi drove needles into the four brawny men's heads, Morrow had immediately noticed the differences between them.
The Needlemen with only one needle were stronger and didn't drain much of Illumi's aura output... He wasn't sure how Illumi managed it, but there was no point dwelling on it.
Because Illumi's "Needlemen count" wouldn't increase any further. At that moment, a special Needleman charged ahead to confront Morrow, raising its longsword high as if to cleave his head open.
Yet through Starlight Convergence's information-reading ability, Morrow perceived the special Needleman was merely bluffing.
A feint, or...?
Morrow swiftly glanced at the suddenly halted special Needleman, his eyes narrowing slightly as he suppressed the urge to decapitate it with his blade.
While maintaining Starlight Convergence, recklessly attacking the special Needleman could easily expose an opening. He would only strike if absolutely certain.
Just then, another special Needleman wielding a broadsword flanked him, thrusting its weapon directly at Morrow.
Morrow pushed off the ground with his toes, using Gazelle Steps to lightly leap backward and evade the thrust.
Simultaneously, a sharp whistling sound came from ahead.
An ordinary Needleman came flying through the air, clearly thrown by Illumi's bare hands.
Morrow looked up at the airborne Needleman but still chose not to counter, continuing to retreat and dodge its frenzied pounce.
The special Needlemen possessed stronger aura and didn't burden Illumi's aura output as much. Therefore, if a safe opportunity arose, eliminating them first was essential to reduce combat pressure.
As for ordinary Needlemen, they needed to be deliberately spared. They were crucial mediums for planting his Star Marks and potentially the key factor determining this battle's outcome.
One is enough...
Morrow's peripheral vision caught the ordinary Needleman crashing heavily to the ground before his gaze snapped back to Illumi, who was once again approaching from his blind spot.
Seeing Morrow react promptly yet again, Illumi pressed his assault, thrusting a long needle from his fingertips toward Morrow's face.
Morrow avoided the strike, using his footwork to retreat and narrowly evade the treacherous sneak attack.
But the instant Morrow withdrew, Illumi's other hand, hidden behind his back, suddenly hurled four bead-head needles at him.
Whoosh!
The whistling air carried a chilling killing intent.
Morrow's pupils contracted as he decisively abandoned the aura output sustaining Starlight Convergence. This was his countermeasure to overcome the ability's weakness.
Instantly, the starlight permeating the surroundings vanished.
Meanwhile, the aura output around Morrow surged dramatically as he swung his Poultry Scarlet Knife to deflect the needles.
Clang! Clang!
Sparks flew as two bead-head needles were knocked aside. The other two struck Morrow's body but were blocked by his concentrated Gyo defense, unable to penetrate his localized Nen defense. The needles fell powerlessly to the ground.
Thud.
The smooth beads bounced upon impact.
Before they even landed, a figure dashed past them. Illumi closed in, his long needle glinting coldly as it aimed for Morrow's face.
With no time to reactivate Starlight Convergence, Morrow could only brace hastily. Yet Illumi exploited the inherent intimidation of the bead-head needles, using just a feint to create an opening in Morrow's guard.
The Manipulators' innate "one-hit kill" intimidation, when applied in close combat, proved no less formidable than the Enhancers' Ko. Illumi twisted his waist and delivered a powerful kick to Morrow's abdomen.
Thud!
With a dull sound, Morrow was sent flying sideways, his lips and teeth instantly stained crimson with blood.
Without the support of Starlight Convergence, the gap in their martial skills became immediately apparent.
After all, his opponent was a true monster, raised from childhood by the Zoldyck Family.