"Unlike a Nen beast, a Nen curse lacks self-awareness," Silva explained. "But a Nen beast does."
"There are many ways a Nen beast can be born:
The lingering thoughts of the dead. The prolonged use of aura to purge harmful energy. Or even the manifestation of disaster itself."
Silva's tone grew heavier as he continued.
"Nen beasts often stem from strong desires—greed for money, lust for beauty, hunger for power. Each beast's level of self-awareness varies."
He paused, his gaze sharp. "Ganlu Temple's protective Nen beast, for example, is bound to a single, programmed purpose. It doesn't go beyond that."
Kaizen listened intently, his sharp eyes narrowing at Silva's next words.
"Among the underworld syndicates, there exists a particularly powerful Nen beast—so formidable that even an A-rank Nen user would struggle against it. If you ever deal with the syndicates, be extremely cautious."
Kaizen's mind raced. Silva's words aligned with his earlier theories about the underworld's mysterious strength. The world's gangsters weren't as formidable as the Phantom Troupe or the elite fighters of Meteor City, but they had something that tipped the scales.
Why else would Maha Zoldyck personally intervene to eliminate the Ten Dons?
The answer was clear now. It wasn't just political or financial influence—it was the Nen beast.
This entity gave the syndicates a weapon powerful enough to rival A-rank fighters, forcing even the Zoldycks to take notice. It also explained why the Phantom Troupe avoided direct confrontation with the Ten Dons despite easily crushing their elite fighters and Shadow Beasts.
Their relationship with the world's gangsters was fraught with tension. Perhaps it stemmed from simple greed, or maybe it was deeper—rooted in conflicts of principle. Kaizen thought back to his time in Meteor City with Zeno.
"Human trafficking…" Zeno had told him, "is something those old fools in the underworld thrive on. But not all of Meteor City approves of it."
Kaizen remembered clearly:
The syndicates were the largest traffickers from Meteor City. Often, they served as middlemen, pocketing the difference.This put them at odds with the Phantom Troupe, who had one clear rule:
'We don't reject anything, but don't try to take what's ours.'
Human trafficking directly violated that principle, creating inevitable antagonism.
The Zoldycks also had ties to Meteor City, with many of their staff hailing from there—including Silva's wife, Kikyo. However, her circumstances were different. Kikyo had chosen to leave Meteor City willingly, making her case unique.
Silva's explanation tied everything together. "The syndicates' reliance on that Nen beast is the only reason the Phantom Troupe hasn't eliminated the Ten Dons outright."
Kaizen couldn't help but wonder: What price did the Phantom Troupe pay to get Maha Zoldyck involved?
Maha rarely intervened in such matters. Even when Netero took on the Chimera Ants, he only hired Zeno. The cost of hiring Maha had to be astronomical.
"Alright, Uncle Silva. I understand now," Kaizen said. "But there's no need to worry too much. Most Nen beasts are bound by certain limitations and can't act freely."
Silva grunted in agreement but said nothing more.
Kaizen's thoughts drifted to the Black Whale of the Kakin Empire. He recalled how the 10th Prince, Kacho, had mysteriously died after leaving the Black Whale. The creature that returned wasn't Kacho but her Nen beast, bound to follow her will.
Could the Black Whale itself be a massive, rule-bound Nen beast? Kaizen pondered. It was a possibility. If the Black Whale's sheer size and isolation made it immune to external threats, its true danger might lie in its rules.
Three hours later, Silva slowed the car to a stop.
"Get out," he said curtly.
Kaizen followed him out. In front of them loomed a towering mountain, dense with trees. It exuded an ominous aura that would deter ordinary people. The complex terrain suggested the presence of dangerous creatures—beasts, venomous insects, or worse.
"Ganlu Temple lies just beyond this mountain," Silva said. "We'll need to climb over to reach it."
Without further discussion, the two darted into the forest.
Kaizen activated his En as they moved. His current radius was 18 meters, and it provided excellent sensitivity. He could detect any approaching danger almost instantly.
A shadow appeared beside him. Akutagawa Ryunosuke, his Nen beast clad in black, materialized silently at his side. Unlike Raiken, Akutagawa was better suited for handling multiple opponents simultaneously.
Silva's eyes briefly flicked to the beast before returning to the path ahead. Kaizen had summoned several Nen beasts in Silva's presence, and it was clear each one had its own distinct purpose.
"This kid…" Silva mused. "Great-grandfather was right to personally train him. He never ceases to impress."
As they reached the mountain's summit, Kaizen looked down. Nestled in the valley below was Ganlu Temple—a solitary structure surrounded by dense forest. Its imposing aura matched the tales Silva had told.
"Let's go," Silva said. Without hesitation, they descended toward the temple.
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