"Behind you!"
Zeno caught it before Kaizen did.
Boom!
A massive creature loomed into view, making everyone freeze for a moment.
It was a cockroach—but not like any ordinary one.
This monster was gigantic. Its height alone reached over ten meters, and its length spanned dozens more. But its most disturbing feature was the face beneath its enormous compound eyes—it was eerily human.
"What... is that thing?" Kaizen frowned.
In his experience, the world was filled with humans, magical beasts, and those trained in Nen. But this creature... it was something entirely different—neither human nor beast.
"It's what we call a Disaster," Zeno said gravely, his voice heavy with warning.
"In extreme environments, creatures like this can emerge. They're unnatural—born with a fusion of traits from multiple species and driven by an indomitable will."
Zeno crossed his arms, his expression grim.
"They're incredibly destructive. Killing one is no easy task, either. Wherever they show up, they leave catastrophe in their wake."
"Disasters are drawn to Nen like moths to a flame," Zeno added, narrowing his eyes. "They actively seek out Nen-users to attack. At the same time, though, their bodies are extremely valuable."
Kaizen listened intently, absorbing the information.
"Typically, when someone wants to create a high-level Nen tool, they either use monster parts or rare metals as materials," Zeno continued. "They pour aura into those materials to forge weapons, but the result is often mediocre. Only a handful of Nen tools become truly exceptional.
"With Disaster materials, however, it's different. The parts of these creatures are naturally compatible with aura. They make ideal prison materials for containing Nen."
Kaizen's head spun. He'd never even heard of Disasters before. The only disasters he was familiar with were natural disasters—or, more ominously, the Five Great Calamities of the Dark Continent.
The Great Calamities:
Pap, the Beast of Training
The Hellbell-Tailed Twin Snake
Zobae Disease, the undying plague
The Gas Lifeform Ai
The Golden Plant Weapon, Brion
These were forces so terrifying that even Netero feared them. Kaizen wondered if the creature before him had some connection to those legends.
Then there was the mention of Nen tools—items infused with aura, similar to the ones Gon and Killua had sought in Yorknew City. Back then, they used Gyo to spot objects radiating aura, distinguishing them from ordinary things. If an object contained aura, it indicated that the creator had poured significant energy into its making.
Zeno's explanation gave Kaizen new insight—he now understood that the right materials were just as critical as the Nen itself.
"This creature is beyond your ability to handle right now," Zeno said, breaking Kaizen's thoughts.
"Judging by its aura level, it's at least B-rank—maybe higher. And a B-rank Disaster is far more dangerous than a B-rank Nen-user."
Zeno's aura surged, filling the air with oppressive pressure.
The giant cockroach shifted its attention to Zeno, recognizing him as the most powerful Nen-user present.
Disasters were instinctively drawn to strong auras, and Zeno was no exception.
"Get to safety, Kaizen," Zeno ordered without looking back.
Kaizen clenched his fists, frustration welling inside. Among his peers, few could match him, but in front of a creature like this, he knew he was outclassed. Staying here would only hinder Zeno.
"Got it. Parker, let's move!" Kaizen turned to the figure beside him—Raiken, his companion, who gave a curt nod.
With Parker trailing them, Kaizen dashed toward the rear of the battlefield.
Meanwhile, chaos erupted throughout the old garbage district. Hundreds of civilians were already dead or injured, and the death toll continued to rise. The cockroach let out a piercing screech, its sound so sharp that the ears of nearby walking corpses burst, sending streams of blood down their faces.
Zeno's expression darkened.
Kaizen couldn't help but compare this moment to what he knew of Zeno's past battles. Even when Zeno had fought Chrollo Lucilfer, the leader of the Phantom Troupe, his expression had remained calm throughout the duel. The fact that he now wore a grim face hinted at the severity of the current situation.
Kaizen recalled a crucial detail from that infamous fight: after their encounter, Chrollo had asked Zeno—"What are my chances if we fought to the death?"
Zeno had responded, "Nine times out of ten, I'd win. But if you intend to kill me, those odds change."
That answer had left the outcome open to interpretation.
Some believed it meant Zeno would win in a fair fight, but Chrollo would have the edge in a life-or-death struggle. Others thought the opposite—that Zeno would win under any circumstances, even if Chrollo fought to kill.
Kaizen believed Zeno was the stronger of the two. He also suspected that the fight between Zeno, Silva, and Chrollo during the Yorknew City arc had been more of a performance than a real battle.
After all, the Zoldyck family wasn't known for taking unnecessary risks. If they agreed to fight, they ensured victory. That was the Zoldyck way—never engage in uncertain battles.
Even Silva Zoldyck had clashed with Chrollo years before Yorknew City. At the time, Silva had been hunting the Phantom Troupe's original eighth member, and Chrollo had fought him in revenge.
Unlike their later confrontation, that fight had been genuine—Chrollo had intended to kill Silva. Yet, Silva survived, proving just how dangerous the Zoldycks could be when backed into a corner.
Now, facing the cockroach Disaster, Zeno prepared to confront yet another dangerous opponent.
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