"You'll find out soon enough."
Kaizen didn't explain further.
Killua frowned. The number of examinees had dropped significantly once again.
More than a hundred had advanced to the second phase of the exam, but now, only half remained.
Once again, everyone boarded the airship, and for the time being, the candidates could finally relax.
Netero reintroduced himself with his usual dramatic flair.
Kaizen returned to his assigned room, took a quick glance around, then stepped onto the deck of the airship.
Killua followed close behind.
"Kaizen, how did you do it?"
Kaizen looked at him and furrowed his brow slightly.
"Didn't I tell you? You'll understand in due time."
Then he smirked. "But if you're that eager to know, I suppose I can tell you now."
He extended a hand toward Killua.
"You've stepped into the real world, Killua. By now, you should know—nothing in this world comes for free."
"If someone wants something, they have to pay a price."
Killua's expression grew serious.
"What do you want?"
Kaizen chuckled. "No, no. The real question is—what do you have to offer?"
Killua hesitated for a moment. "I can give you a million Jenny."
Kaizen shook his head. "Sorry, but no."
"Not enough?"
"Not even close. To be honest, the information isn't all that valuable, but to me, it's worthless. I have no need for it."
Kaizen was telling the truth while teaching his younger cousin a lesson.
Thanks to the network he had built through Altan, information was at his fingertips. If he wanted something, he could simply buy it.
Right now, he had more Jenny than he could ever spend, having accumulated billions through various deals. Compared to someone like Battera, he might have less, but it was more than enough for his needs.
Some things, however, couldn't be bought with money.
The rarest items in the Hunter world weren't always the most expensive.
Killua frowned, deep in thought.
Just then, a familiar voice called out.
"Killua! Kaizen!"
Gon waved as he approached.
Killua's tense expression softened. "Gon."
Kaizen gave him a polite nod. "Good evening, Gon."
Unlike with Killua, Kaizen maintained a level of politeness with Gon but didn't get too close.
One reason was that he hadn't fully figured Gon out yet. Another was that Gon was Ging Freecss' son, and Kaizen had no idea what kind of arrangements Ging and the Hunter Association had made for him.
But with Killua, Kaizen saw him as family—a bond similar to how Zeno and Silva viewed him.
After all, they were both Zoldycks.
"What were you guys talking about?" Gon asked.
"Nothing much," Kaizen replied, shrugging. "Just making small talk. The view from here isn't bad."
"By the way, where are Leorio and Kurapika?"
"Resting. I wasn't that tired, so I went for a walk and saw you two out here."
Gon grinned. "Killua, want to explore the airship?"
Killua's eyes lit up slightly. "Sounds good."
"What about you, Kaizen?" Gon and Killua looked at him.
Kaizen waved them off. "I'll pass."
"Alright, see you later."
"Yeah."
Kaizen watched them go until their figures disappeared down the corridor. Then, he turned his gaze away.
The rhythmic clatter of wooden sandals echoed in the hallway.
A figure approached.
"Chairman."
"Good evening, Kaizen," Netero greeted him with a grin. "Fancy playing a game?"
Kaizen raised an eyebrow. "What kind of game?"
"A simple one—try to knock me down."
Netero chuckled. "Mizaistom spoke highly of you. An old man like me couldn't help but get curious. It's been years since I've seen such a promising young talent."
Then he added, "Even the royal family of Kakin speaks highly of you, Kaizen."
"And that brat Zeno couldn't stop bragging about you last time we spoke."
Kaizen hesitated for a moment.
"Well… I doubt I'd be much of a challenge for you."
"That's hard to say. Youth is strength, isn't it?" Netero said with a mischievous glint in his eye. "I'm just a feeble old man now, completely outmatched by you youngsters."
Kaizen felt a strange sense of déjà vu. It took him a moment to recall—Netero had said something similar to Morel and Knov during the Chimera Ant incident.
It was true that Netero had aged, and his peak strength had long since faded.
But even compared to fighters like Morel, Netero was still on an entirely different level.
"Alright, then. I'll gladly take your guidance, Chairman."
For someone of Netero's caliber, calling it "guidance" wasn't an exaggeration.
"Follow me."
The two walked side by side toward the training hall of the airship.
...
From a distant corner of the corridor, a pair of eyes gleamed with intrigue.
Hisoka narrowed his gaze slightly.
"Kaizen vs. Netero?"
He licked his lips. "That sounds… fun."
The thought alone was enough to excite him.
"What a pity…"
Hisoka clicked his tongue in disappointment.
It was a shame he wouldn't get to watch up close. A shame he wouldn't get to join in.
Both Kaizen and Netero were targets he had set his sights on.
The difference was—Kaizen was a goal within reach.
Netero, on the other hand, was a distant dream. A fight for another time—far beyond Gon, far beyond anyone else.
Hisoka knew he wasn't at that level yet. He had no idea how long it would take before he could truly face Netero.
Rushing in now would only end with his untimely death.
...
Boom!
The doors to a massive, circular training hall shut behind them.
Kaizen and Netero stood across from each other.
"Come at me, Kaizen."
Kaizen nodded.
One by one, figures emerged beside him—Natsu, Uchiha Sasuke, Lantern Ghost, Raiken.
He didn't summon Killer Queen or Chitong.
Nor did he call upon Altan…
The battle was about to begin.
------------
+415 chapters on patreon.com/FanficsHub