When the power gap between two sides is enormous, technique becomes meaningless.
"He looks like an Enhancement-type Nen user, following a body-strengthening path like Uvogin."
"But definitely not at the level Uvogin had during the Yorknew arc."
"Also, this guy is a member of CCD."
CCD and TST are similar; both are small groups formed around several Floor Masters in Heaven's Arena, supplemented by other competitors.
"So this guy was sent by those Floor Masters to test me?"
"They want to gauge my true strength?"
"So they can respond more effectively when I challenge them in the future?"
Ron could guess their thoughts.
If Ron were just an ordinary Heaven's Arena contender, he might care about this.
But Ron was not.
Ron paid no attention to their actions.
Because Ron stood far above them.
What does this compare to?
In a wuxia setting, it would be like Ron already being a top-tier master, while a few third-rate fighters jump out, worried that Ron would steal their fame.
"A D-level Nen user."
"Facing him with Hanma Baki alone would be enough."
Before the match began, both Ron and Kentucky hadn't entered the ring yet, but the stands were already packed.
The host introduced both sides with excitement.
"First, let's welcome the human embodiment of an unstoppable wall, Kentucky!"
"A top-tier physique!"
"Top-tier strength!"
"Unrivaled defense!"
A wave of cheers erupted in the stands.
Kentucky walked toward the ring from the passageway, waving to the crowd.
The atmosphere became even more enthusiastic.
"Next, let's welcome Heaven's Arena's young genius, Ron."
"Taking down multiple opponents at such a young age."
"All his battles resolved with ease."
"A flawless victory over Juliana, who once held the right to challenge a Floor Master."
Juliana, who was already dead, now served as a stepping stone to bolster Ron's reputation in the host's words.
In the stands, one figure frowned deeply.
Selina clenched her fists, glaring at the host with displeasure.
"My sister is already dead, and they're still exploiting her?"
After Ron stepped into the ring, he received even more applause than Kentucky.
But Ron, unlike Kentucky, did not warmly greet the audience. He merely glanced around briefly.
Kentucky looked at Ron, his expression serious.
In truth, Kentucky knew his role was just that of a tool—to test Ron's strength.
But Kentucky was unwilling to be merely a tool.
"I, Kentucky, am very strong!"
"Those old guys in CCD are terrified of you. They've lost their nerve, fearful of you. But I'm not afraid."
"In the end, you're just a brat."
"The strongest opponent you've beaten was just Juliana."
"And Juliana wasn't really that strong."
"I don't understand why those old guys are so wary."
"A Nen user who relies on Nen beasts of the Emission type—how strong can you be?"
"When it comes to offense and defense, Enhancement surpasses Emission."
Ron's gaze paused slightly.
He saw two familiar figures in the stands.
One was Sadaso.
The other was Killua.
They sat together.
Sadaso looked at Ron with envy and admiration.
Two years ago, Ron first arrived at Heaven's Arena at the same time as Sadaso.
But now, their situations were as different as heaven and earth.
Ron made many of the lower-ranked Floor Masters wary.
Sadaso, meanwhile, still struggled in the lower floors, uncertain of when he'd earn the right to ascend to the 200th floor.
After the initial jealousy faded, Sadaso now only had determination left.
"Without talent, I can only improve through hard work."
"It might be slow."
"But one day, I will gain the right to enter the 200th floor. I will become a Floor Master."
Sadaso's eyes grew firm.
Killua studied Ron, recalling the information Sadaso had gathered about him.
"Ron."
"Age eleven."
"Four years older than me."
"When he came to Heaven's Arena, he was nine."
"He achieved victory after victory."
"So far, on the 200th floor, he has had eight matches, won six, and forfeited two. Now he's in his ninth match, and his chances of winning are high."
"At eleven, could I reach this level?"
Killua remembered Silva's arrangements.
The goal was to come to Heaven's Arena and obtain the qualification to enter the 200th floor, and that would be considered as mission completed.
Previously, Killua thought the same.
But after seeing Ron, Killua suddenly wanted to participate in battles above the 200th floor.
Upon seeing Killua, Ron changed his mind.
Originally, Ron intended to have Hanma Baki fight Kentucky.
But after noticing Killua, Ron decided to face Kentucky personally.
"Consider it the first lesson from an older cousin to his younger cousin."
Ron withdrew his gaze from Killua.
The referee asked both fighters.
"Are you both ready?"
They answered.
"Ready."
"Ready."
With the referee's declaration:
"Start!"
After the match began:
"Ren!"
"Ren!"
Both used Ren simultaneously.
A powerful aura spread out from the ring.
Some in the audience sensed it and couldn't help but exclaim:
"What intense pressure!"
"So this is what top-tier fighters on the 200th floor are like."
"They're not even on the same level as regular competitors."
"Both are on the Floor Master tier."
Kentucky was taken aback.
Under Gyo, Kentucky saw that Ron did not summon any Nen beasts.
This detail contradicted the intel Kentucky had.
"What does this mean?"
"Not using Nen beasts?"
"Is he looking down on me?"
Kentucky's face darkened slightly.
Indeed, Kentucky guessed correctly.
Right now, Ron did not take Kentucky seriously at all.
Even though Ron followed Zoldyck family rules—"A lion uses its full strength even against a rabbit"—
First, this was a match, not a life-or-death battle.
Second, the gap in strength between Ron and Kentucky was even greater than that between a lion and a rabbit.
Because Killua was present in the stands, Ron wanted Killua to learn something from this match.
After all, Killua was his younger cousin.
Zeno and Silva treated Ron very well.
"You're not using Nen beasts?"
Kentucky frowned.
"Come on."
Ron gestured for Kentucky to attack without offering any explanation.