Soon, Kaizen left the butler's area and ventured into the outer jungle.
"Huff!"
Kaizen let out a long breath, feeling the weight of his recent encounters.
"Almost lost it there," he thought. "Nen is really something else. No matter who you're up against, you can't afford to take things lightly."
He acknowledged that he had let his guard down during his fight with the third butler. The victories in the first two rounds had lulled him into a false sense of security. When he faced the third butler, his vigilance had slipped, allowing him to fall victim to the butler's ability.
"The mind-affecting type," he mused. "It's reminiscent of the illusions in the Naruto world. This ability is incredibly strong, especially in combat support. A D-level Nen can still hold its own against C-level and even B-level Nen users. There's plenty of room for creativity."
"However, my Nen Beast is no slouch," Kaizen reminded himself.
Though he had been hit by the opponent's ability, his Killer Queen had remained unharmed. It sensed the shift in Kaizen's aura and immediately separated it, allowing it to return to him. The information embedded in that aura was invaluable, and using it, Kaizen broke free from the opponent's illusion. It was akin to a ninja in the Naruto world being awakened from a genjutsu by a comrade, unless it was a high-level illusion like Tsukuyomi.
Feigning vulnerability, Kaizen attacked an empty space. The middle-aged butler, believing he had succeeded, took advantage of Kaizen's apparent distraction. Sensing that Kaizen's Nen Beast was under control and no threat, the butler boldly approached from behind, thinking he could finish Kaizen off with a single blow.
What he didn't realize was that it was all part of Kaizen's plan.
"The Killer Queen's bomb ability holds endless possibilities and strong concealment, making it incredibly versatile," he thought. "Uncle Silva was right: the more possibilities a Nen has, the stronger it becomes. When there's a significant level gap, pure strength can overwhelm, but at equal levels, creativity is what determines the outcome."
Kaizen felt excitement building within him. Killer Queen had performed magnificently just now. What would happen when he acquired the next few abilities, especially the one that allowed the loser to eat dust?
"And what about the other beasts?" he wondered. "After I absorb the characteristics of the Heavens Arena, what kind of beast will I summon?"
Suddenly, a figure leapt out and charged at Kaizen.
He raised his hand and, with a swift motion, crushed the creature's throat. It was a wolf-like beast; after a few convulsions, it lay still, blood pooling beneath it.
As Kaizen exited the jungle, more dangerous creatures emerged, ravenously gnawing at the corpse.
He stepped out through the side door and was met with a massive dog's head. Its four eyes locked onto his, and after a brief nod, the creature turned away.
Kaizen pushed the door open and walked out.
"Master Kaizen," Zebro greeted, stepping forward.
"Zebro."
"Are you heading down the mountain?" Zebro inquired.
"That's right."
"Master Kaizen, a sightseeing bus will be arriving soon. If you don't wish to hide, you can take it down."
Kaizen frowned slightly, but after considering the matter, he realized it wasn't a bad idea. His identity remained undisclosed, and the energy expended in the fight with the three butlers had drained him. Walking down the mountain would only be a further drain on his energy. If he could take a sightseeing bus, why not?
If anyone questioned him, he could simply pose as a challenger to Zoldyck Manor—there were plenty of those around.
At that moment, two figures appeared: a young man and an old man. They first glanced at the gate of Zoldyck Manor before turning their attention to Kaizen and Zebro.
"Are you here to challenge?" the young man asked, his tone serious.
Kaizen hesitated for a moment, but Zebro quickly interjected with a smile, shaking his head.
"I'm not."
"Then who are you?" the young man pressed.
"I'm the gatekeeper of the Zoldyck estate."
At this, both the young man and the old man narrowed their eyes slightly.
"This kid?"
"It has nothing to do with me," Zebro added, distancing himself from Kaizen to protect his true identity.
The young man scrutinized Kaizen, clearly assessing him.
"You're here at such a young age? Or are you just a tourist who missed the bus?"
The old man chimed in, "Regardless, this isn't your place. You should step back."
"Yes, teacher," the young man said, taking a step closer to Kaizen. "Kid, you should move away. We'll wait for him to fight. We wouldn't want you getting caught in the aftermath of our battle. Find a safe spot over there."
Kaizen considered the request but ultimately decided to comply. He moved in the direction the young man indicated, keeping an eye on the unfolding situation.
Zebro's demeanor was intriguing, hinting at a more strategic approach. Still, he represented the Zoldyck estate, and despite the young man and old man's challenge, they appeared to possess good character.
Kaizen gestured to Zebro. "Just teach them a lesson. No need to kill them."
Zebro nodded in understanding.
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