Silva was already there.
"Uncle Silva."
"Ron."
Silva looked at Ron and smiled.
"You performed well in the Taris Kingdom."
During the Taris Kingdom operation, Silva learned of Ron's performance through Zeno, who in turn gathered information from the Hunter Association and Dominica. One person defeating a B-level mutated creature, and even taking down a heavily injured A-level Nen user, Shusuke Ito, one-on-one.
Just facing those mutated creatures in Taris, Ron had performed exceptionally, surpassing Silva's expectations. Much less him deafening an A-ranked Nen user.
Silva carefully examined Ron again. From the moment Ron began learning Nen until now, Silva had been astonished multiple times. Each time, after being surprised, Silva would raise his evaluation of Ron. But before long, he would be surprised once more.
"Maybe in a few years, you'll catch up to Illumi."
"And as for Killua…"
Silva had to admit that, so far, from what Killua displayed, his talent wasn't greater than Ron's—even though Killua was the family's heir.
"But Killua's true potential will only be revealed after he truly learns Nen. Killua's situation is not entirely the same as Ron's."
Ron smiled.
"I still need to keep working hard."
Silva glanced at the hotel across from them, where Killua was staying, then withdrew his gaze. Killua was now asleep, and the surroundings were normal.
"What are your plans next?"
"I'm planning to visit the Fiore Kingdom," Ron said. "Wendy invited me, and I want to take a look for myself."
"Looking for inspiration for Nen beasts?"
Silva knew this was the excuse Ron used before heading to Taris.
"Yes."
"Ron, you must have created quite a few Nen beasts by now?"
"Mm."
"Don't neglect training your main body."
"I know. I train daily in physical and Nen technique exercises. Currently, for all the Nen techniques I've mastered, I'm over ninety percent proficient."
Silva nodded.
"That's good."
"By the way, Uncle Silva, how's the situation with the Temple?"
"The Underworld Mafia, centred around Ganlu Temple, built a city named 'Lox.' That guy was originally a member of the Shadow Beasts, but now seems to have gone independent."
Ron raised an eyebrow.
From Silva's tone, this Lox person had essentially carved out his own territory. Considering Ganlu Temple's Nen spirit, it made sense for Lox to do so.
It just meant the Underworld Mafia didn't fully understand Ganlu Temple before sending people. They had to take quick action, or changes would occur.
Ron, through Chii, had gathered some new information on the Underworld Mafia. The Shadow Beasts had been replenished back to ten members, but none impressed Ron. The ones he remembered from the original storyline hadn't joined yet.
"It seems being a Shadow Beast is indeed a dangerous profession."
Just counting those who died at Ron's hands, there were already two Shadow Beasts. By the time of the Yorknew chapter, these current ten would all be replaced. Most likely, they would die rather than get promoted.
Within the Underworld Mafia, the Shadow Beasts were basically at the top as hired enforcers. They couldn't rise higher without the right background or connections.
Thus, after arriving at Ganlu Temple, Lox seized the opportunity and used his own name for the city.
Using the Underworld Mafia's resources, he built a city of his own, which surpassed the status of any Shadow Beast. With Ganlu Temple, Lox's strength would far exceed that of an ordinary Shadow Beast member. If he continued cultivating Ganlu Temple's power, Lox might even reach A-level strength by borrowing it. Of course, Lox must have shown obedience to the Ten Dons. Otherwise, even if it meant heavy losses, they'd eradicate him. A Nen user who couldn't move freely was limited, no matter how strong.
"Why are you suddenly asking about Ganlu Temple?"
Ron answered,
"Because during the Taris Kingdom operation, Dominica brought out a very special Nen spirit called 'Colosseum.' It divides those inside into two camps and forces them to fight one-on-one."
Silva's eyes showed surprise.
"He brought it out?"
"Yes, Dominica carries this Nen spirit with him. When activated, it merges with the surroundings and transforms into a proper Colosseum. A portable Nen spirit—it's a rare and precious existence. The previous intelligence didn't mention anything like this in the Fiore royal family."
Silva spoke, "It must be something that existed naturally, not modified from known Nen spirits. Ganlu Temple can't transform into something like that."
As he talked, Silva suddenly looked at Ron's waist—specifically, at the Rotten Life Blade.
"This blade is dormant?"
"Yes, after absorbing enough death-related Nen, it fell asleep. Not sure when it'll awaken."
"This blade is good and can work well with your abilities. When it wakes, it might improve. Ron, show me your 'Ren.' I want to see your current aura."
Ron nodded.
"Alright."
The next moment,
"Ren!"
A massive amount of aura surged from Ron's body, expanding outward. Silva's eyes lit up slightly.
"Purely from aura volume, you've reached the B-level range. You're slightly lacking in other areas, but not by much. It won't be long before you become a B-level Nen user. And given your special abilities, once you hit B-level, you definitely won't be at the bottom of that tier—at least mid-to-upper range."
"How about we have a full-power fight?"
Upon seeing Ron's aura, Silva grew interested.
"Now?"
Ron was taken aback.
"What about Killua?"
"Quick match. It won't take long. I just confirmed earlier that there are no abnormalities nearby. Killua will be fine."
"Okay."
Ron also wanted to know his full-power level. Especially now that he had Lampent. Against others, Ron had to keep some abilities hidden, but against Silva, there was no need.
The two figures flickered.
In the next instant, they were standing in the suburbs.
"Ren!"
Ron pushed himself to his strongest state, closing his eyes. A large amount of aura was refined and released. Then he opened his eyes.
Silva saw figures appearing beside Ron.
Baki, Ryūnosuke Akutagawa, Killer Queen, Lampent.
All four Nen beasts except Chii appeared.
Silva observed them.
"Come on."
"Yes."
With a single thought from Ron, Baki charged forward.
"Demon Back!"
A demonic face appeared on Baki's back. Even under the tight white shirt, it could be clearly seen.
"Cockroach Sprint!"
In an instant, Baki reached Silva's side.
Ryūnosuke Akutagawa's figure appeared nearby.