"I'm fine."
Ron shook his head. "The Saherta United Federation officially announced that Oster was given the death penalty. They publicly burned his remains."
Ponzu's eyes lit up.
"He's finally dead?
"That's wonderful.
"Grandma and everyone in the village can finally rest in peace."
Ron said, "Stay here and keep training. I have some other matters to handle."
"Understood, Captain."
Ron then headed toward another section of Sumas's space. Of the Four Beasts, there were still two he hadn't killed yet; he'd simply been holding them captive here. He was in no rush to finish them off now, wanting to interrogate them about Oster's parasite research. They were high-level subordinates of Oster, so they should know something useful.
He also thought about Parker. Ron had more or less decided what to do with him. There was no need to kill Parker, who was one of Oster's more successful parasite experiments. If Ponzu wanted to achieve S-rank as a Nen user, studying Parker's situation could be helpful. And Parker himself only wanted a quiet life, free from interference.
Under those circumstances, placing Parker in the grasslands area of Sumas's space seemed a good option.
Ron spent a few hours interrogating the remaining two members of the Four Beasts, extracting all the intel he could about Oster's operations. Once he was done, he put them down. Their bodies were sent to the Trial Grounds.
After that, Ron went to see Parker.
"Oster is dead," Ron said to him. "The Saherta United Federation declared his crimes and burned his body in front of everyone, reducing him to ash."
A flash of satisfaction crossed Parker's face.
"That old bastard deserved it!
"If not for him, my mother would still be alive!"
Oster was Parker's biological father, but Parker felt no affection whatsoever. Partly because Oster was responsible for his mother's death, and also because Oster had never treated Parker like a son, only a test subject.
"You and Oster may have been at odds, but not many people in the Saherta United Federation know that," Ron continued. "So I have a proposal. This place is extremely secluded. Aside from me, no one else can enter. I'll allow you to live here, and I'll provide whatever supplies you need.
"In return, there are things I want you to help me with. Oster performed all sorts of experiments on you, and I need that information. One of my companions was from the village Oster destroyed."
Parker hesitated briefly before coming to his decision.
"Alright. I can give you all the details about his research."
"Great. Then we have a deal."
"Deal."
Ron got the information he wanted, and Parker gained a peaceful environment. Ron transferred Parker to the grasslands area, bringing in some building materials and crop seeds he had in storage, as well as a few magical beasts from the forest area.
Parker then wrote down his entire experience, leaving nothing out. Their arrangement proceeded smoothly; Parker got to live quietly, tending crops and livestock and enjoying a life reminiscent of a retired official. Ron, for his part, obtained Parker's research data and a subject of ongoing observation. Because of Parker's unique nature, Ron was curious to see how far he might go.
Additionally, if Parker developed the grasslands well, that could benefit Ron. In an extreme scenario, Ron might need to hide inside Sumas's space for years or even decades—potentially the rest of his life. Though that was unlikely, it was good to have the option ready for a well-mannered home just in case.
All of the new information went to Chii, who compiled and organized it.
"I wonder who's leading the Hunter Association's end of the parasite research. I'll have to find out," Ron mused before leaving Sumas's space.
Outside, Shinji was waiting by the door.
"Ron, sir."
"Shinji, what's up?"
Ron looked him over. It had been several years, and Shinji had grown a lot; the aura he was giving off suggested he'd reached C-rank in Nen.
"Master Zeno wants you to come to the manor for dinner tonight."
"Got it."
Ron set off for the mansion at the top of the mountain. It was still early in the day, the sky bright.
"Ron!"
A small figure stood in the courtyard—Kalluto.
"Hey there, Kalluto."
Though biologically a boy, Kalluto dressed like a girl in a kimono. Even after seeing him like this many times, Ron still found it a bit odd.
"Where are Kikyo and Silva?"
"Father and Mother are in their room. Seems like they're arguing. Grandpa isn't here yet. My second brother's in the lounge playing games, and I'm not sure where my third brother went."
Ron nodded. If Silva and Kikyo were arguing, it could only be about Killua's future. They probably had different plans. In the end, though, Silva would get the final say. He might give Kalluto to Kikyo to train as she wished, but never Killua.
Kalluto's mention of his "third brother" referred to Killua. Illumi wasn't at the estate at the moment.
Ron had a thought and pulled out a few Good-Blood Butterflies.
"It's been a while since I brought you anything, so here are some little pets for you to play with. They're actually quite useful, too."
"Thank you, cousin."
Kalluto examined the butterflies. One of them landed delicately on his fingertip.
"I'm going to drop in on Milluki. Care to join me?"
Kalluto hesitated, then shook his head.
"Alright take care Kalluto." Ron turned and headed for the lounge.