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[Hyakushiki Kannon] vs [Ryūkashiki – Protruding Fang]
The battle erupted with overwhelming intensity from the very beginning.
Ordinarily, a fight between a Conjurer and an Enhancer would favor the latter; Conjurers are generally disadvantaged in direct combat. However, this was no ordinary confrontation. Zeno Zoldyck—a man known to stand on equal footing with Chairman Netero—is far beyond the realm of common sense.
"Boom! Boom! Boom!"
The clash resounded like a relentless artillery barrage, the deafening sound echoing throughout the underground cavern.
Among the onlookers, a younger member of the Zoldyck family winced, clutching his ears. Yet even that did little to protect his eardrums from the shockwaves. Blood began to trickle from his cochlea.
Illumi shot a cold, disdainful glance.
"Useless," he muttered.
His younger sibling's reaction embarrassed the Zoldyck name.
Perhaps sensing Illumi's killing intent, Silva interjected sternly:
"Do not forget the family code, Illumi."
"Yes, Father."
One of the core Zoldyck family principles: Family members are absolutely forbidden from killing one another.
Silva's eyes drifted back to the battlefield, where cracks were beginning to form in the ultra-high-density concrete floor—wide enough to fit a palm through.
"So he's the rumored child…" Silva murmured.
Thanks to the Zoldyck family's vast intelligence network, he knew Kai was not even ten years old. And yet, he was able to engage Zeno in battle at such a level.
"What a pity he isn't part of the Zoldyck family…"
---
Five Minutes Later
Zeno finally seized a fleeting opportunity as Kai readjusted his Nen output across different parts of his body. Enduring two successive attacks, Zeno broke through with precise timing.
He shattered Kai's Hyakushiki Shura (Hundred-Style Shura) technique with a single palm strike and followed up with a powerful punch that sent Kai flying.
Kai was unprepared for how rapidly his aura reserves would deplete in battle against such an elite opponent. He had estimated that he could maintain the fight for at least 10–15 minutes, but in reality, he lasted barely a third of that.
Were it not for his aura consumption rate, not even Zeno would have been able to break through his conjured guardian with a single strike.
"You've got potential, kid," Zeno said, reappearing beside him with silent, fluid steps.
"Would you like me to train you?"
"Really?!"
Panting and eyes closed, Kai looked up at him in disbelief.
Not once—neither in the original storyline nor in his own assumptions—had he imagined that a Zoldyck family member would ever take on the role of a mentor.
In his vision, the ideal instructor had always been Biscuit Krueger, the eccentric but powerful Nen master who trained Gon and Killua.
However… wasn't having a Zoldyck as a teacher just as valuable?
After all, Killua, a child close to Kai's age, had been trained to become an elite assassin. While talent played a role, such development wouldn't be possible without world-class instruction.
Perhaps Zeno's offer carried more weight than expected. After that encounter, even the Zoldyck family's usually cold and distant butlers treated Kai with a new degree of politeness. Illumi, too, stopped glaring at him with those lifeless, haunting eyes.
Kai couldn't help but think smugly:
"If I can take on your grandfather, do you think I'd be scared of you?"
Of course, he would never say that aloud. He wasn't that lacking in emotional intelligence.
Still, Illumi seemed visibly unsettled. Whenever Kai looked at him, Illumi would subconsciously avert his gaze.
---
The Following Day
The group prepared for departure. As expected, they would not use conventional transportation.
Staring at the massive, dragon-shaped creature that served as their transport, Kai felt an uncontrollable surge of appetite.
"It looks delicious," he muttered involuntarily.
The creature—sensitive to malicious intent—shuddered under his gaze. If its master weren't present, it would've fled in panic.
Though Silva didn't know exactly what had frightened the beast, the only possible source of hostility nearby was Kai.
"Don't scare it. Otherwise, you can find your own way back," Silva warned, half joking and half serious.
Kai gave a slight, wordless smile in response.
The beast took off at extraordinary speed—far faster than any airship Kai had ever taken.
"Grandfather, you have so much experience. Can I ask you something?"
"Go ahead."
"If I want to eat meat from rare and powerful creatures, where should I go?"
As soon as he asked, Silva glanced sideways with a look of realization. The mystery behind his pet's terror was now clear—Kai was its natural predator.
Still seated cross-legged on the dragon's back, Zeno answered calmly, eyes closed:
"What you're looking for overlaps with the goals of Gourmet Hunters."
"If you have the funds, you can place a request through the Hunter Association. But that process is slow, and professional Gourmet Hunters aren't likely to fetch rare beasts just for your consumption."
"You don't strike me as the patient type, so here's a suggestion: offer a bounty in the Dark Continent Underworld."
The Dark Underworld—a realm of criminal syndicates, mercenaries, assassins, rogue nations, and more. Chaotic and unregulated, it teems with powerful and dangerous individuals.
If one has the money and strength, tasks can often be completed more efficiently there than through official channels.
Kai fell into thought.
"The Dark Underworld… It's rarely mentioned in the canon, but in this world, it makes perfect sense to exist."
---
Eventually, they arrived at Meteor City.
"Machi, Nobunaga, Uvogin! I'm back!"
Even before the dragon landed, Kai leapt from the sky.
The members of the Phantom Troupe, who had initially been on guard, relaxed when they saw it was Kai.
"This is the current head of the Zoldyck family, and this elder is one of its most respected seniors," Kai explained as the beast was dismissed.
Uvogin, typically loud and brash, stood unusually quiet. Despite his straightforward personality, his instincts were razor sharp.
As Nobunaga once said, Uvogin had a beast's natural sense of danger—and the two figures before them radiated death itself. The bloodlust ingrained in their very beings was undeniable.
After the Zoldycks were led away to rest:
"With those two here, this place is practically impenetrable now," Kai said with satisfaction. "Any incidents while I was gone?"
Everyone shook their heads. Meteor City had no laws, but it also had few outsiders. Without a specific reason, no one visited the place.
"What about the personnel screening I initiated earlier?"
Kai had no interest in mass recruitment. He preferred to build a force of Nen users from scratch—handpicked and personally trained.
A subordinate replied, "We've gathered the most prominent fighters. As for the general population, the screening process is slow. So far, we've only managed to assess about 15%."
Considering Meteor City's population was around 10 million, it wasn't an easy task.
"Alright. Prioritize the people on the list. We'll handle the rest over time."
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