Maha Zoldyck gave a brief nod, his expression as unreadable as ever.
"Return in a year, and I'll teach you the next phase."
"Yes, great-grandfather," Kaizen replied respectfully.
Maha's piercing gaze lingered for a moment longer before he spoke again.
"I'll be in seclusion for a while. If anything urgent comes up, seek out Zeno."
"Understood."
With that, Maha vanished in the blink of an eye, leaving no trace.
Even the butlers had no idea where Maha retreated. Not even Zeno was privy to his exact whereabouts.
Kaizen didn't rush into action after his great-grandfather's departure. Instead, he resumed his focus on the task at hand: completing the absorption of energy from the crystal ball.
This crystal ball belonged to Maha's courtyard, a place rich with aura. The stronger the environment's energy, the more powerful the Nen Beast that the crystal would eventually produce for Kaizen.
Kaizen structured his training into two core routines.
Physical Conditioning: Building his raw strength and endurance.
Nen Practice: Mastering the four major Nen principles and refining his ability to condense aura.
In Hunter x Hunter terms, a fighter's strength is a blend of four elements:
Technique – The application of Nen, combat techniques, and weapon skills.
Physical Strength – Raw power and stamina.
Nen Control – The amount and quality of aura one can produce and manipulate.
Nen Specialization – How well someone integrates Nen into their abilities.
Kaizen recalled examples from stories he had heard: Uvogin, a member of the Phantom Troupe, who pushed his physical strength to incredible limits through Enhancer abilities. Even Netero and Biscuit Krueger followed similar philosophies, balancing power with refined technique.
Improving all four aspects would ensure that Kaizen's growth was well-rounded.
Two days later, Zeno Zoldyck returned to the estate, accompanied by ten figures—teenagers, all vying for one purpose.
Only one of them would become Kaizen's personal butler.
Zeno's instructions were simple: the strongest would earn the role. The others…
Some would perish during the trials. Those who survived elimination by luck might still linger within the Zoldyck estate, performing lesser duties or wandering the grounds as shadows of their former selves.
The Zoldycks weren't cruel without reason—they were pragmatic. Sentimentality had no place in their world of assassins. Death or survival depended on a person's usefulness.
Occasionally, outsiders attempted to infiltrate the estate, believing they could challenge the Zoldyck family and make a name for themselves. Such fools were easily disposed of. Some, however, were granted a peculiar mercy—they were allowed to live, though only under strict servitude.
"Tsubone," Zeno called out, gesturing toward the group of candidates.
"Yes, Master Zeno," came the reply.
Tsubone, a loyal steward of the Zoldyck family, had served Zeno for many years. She was trusted to oversee the training and management of new staff. When Zeno eventually transitioned into semi-retirement, most of the estate's stewards would report directly to Silva, the next family head. Even then, Zeno would still retain a few loyal servants.
(T/N: Like all Zoldyck butlers, Tsubone wears a black formal suit. She is a relatively tall and bulky old woman. Her hair is tied up into two pigtails, and she wears a monocle on her right eye.)
After giving Tsubone his instructions, Zeno made his way toward Kaizen's training courtyard. This time, Zeno allowed his aura to radiate freely, ensuring Kaizen could sense his approach.
"Kaizen."
Kaizen turned toward the familiar voice.
"Grandfather Zeno."
Living in Maha's secluded courtyard, Kaizen rarely interacted with other members of the Zoldyck family. Zeno was one of the few exceptions, a presence Kaizen had grown accustomed to. Though technically his grandfather's brother, Kaizen called him "Grandpa" out of respect.
"Where's your great-grandfather?" Zeno asked.
"He went into seclusion and told me to focus on training. If I need anything, he said I should come to you."
Zeno nodded. "Good. If you run into trouble with your training or have any needs, don't hesitate to ask me."
After a moment's pause, Zeno's expression shifted thoughtfully.
"Do you need a sparring partner?"
Kaizen hesitated, considering the offer.
"If you have someone suitable, I'd appreciate it."
"You want a partner who won't use Nen?" Zeno asked, raising an eyebrow.
"That won't be necessary," Kaizen replied.
His own Nen abilities were still in the early stages of development. The aura from the crystal was still gathering, and his Nen Beast had yet to take form. A battle focused solely on physical combat would be more beneficial than facing an opponent limited by artificial constraints.
Zeno gave a small nod. "Understood. I'll find someone appropriate. I'll have them here soon."
He paused before adding, "By the way, about your butler—do you have any specific preferences for their personality or appearance?"
Kaizen glanced briefly toward the doorway, where the prospective butlers stood, waiting nervously.
"I don't care much," Kaizen said finally. "As long as they're quiet. I don't like noisy people."
Zeno chuckled softly. "Got it. I'll make sure you get someone that suits you."
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