"The matter’s settled. I’ll pick you up later—still at the sa hotel?"
"Yeah, still there."
"Good."
Zeno hung up.
A few hours later, a car pulled up in front of the hotel. In the back seat sat Zeno. The driver this ti wasn’t Parker—it was soone else.
Kaizen opened the door and climbed into the car. After getting Zeno’s directions, the driver stepped on the gas. Silva had already left, likely heading back to Zoldyck Manor or off to handle another assassination.
The issue with the Kute Gang of Thieves was resolved, and only Zeno was needed here.
"Grandpa Zeno, how did it go?"
"You know the situation already, don’t you?"
"Yeah, I sensed it through my Nen Beast."
"Old K was taken down in a joint attack by Silva and . Old T and Old U survived, but a Hunter Association mber took them in."
"And the two artifacts?"
"One’s ours, for the Zoldyck family. The other went to the Hunter Association."
This ti, Zeno didn’t give Kaizen any training materials—Kaizen already had one. And he wasn’t the only one in line for inheritance.
In Zeno’s mind, it would be more fitting to give it to Killua. Killua was a special case among the younger Zoldycks, the likely heir. But, like Kaizen, he’d have to earn it. There are no free gifts.
"There’s another artifact, one the Kute Gang of Thieves had taken. But it’s lost sowhere in teor City."
"We probably won’t be able to retrieve that one."
"Anyway, I’ll take you to the battleground."
Before coming to teor City, Kaizen had told Zeno he wanted to observe the place, hoping to get inspiration for creating his own Nen Beast. This battlefield, where top Nen users clashed, would be invaluable.
"Sounds good."
Entering teor City, Kaizen noticed that the progress on his crystal ball quickened as it absorbed the surrounding energy. Especially near the battlefield of the Kute Gang of Thieves.
"Grandpa Zeno, what’ll happen to the Kute Gang mbers the Hunter Association captured?"
"Usually, they’re put on death row," Zeno said. "But they won’t actually be executed. Nen users of this caliber are rare and useful."
"The Hunter Association keeps them as long as they have potential uses, then releases them when needed."
Kaizen thought of Greed Island—an S-rank criminal, yet spared execution. Instead, Ging Freecss vouched for him, letting him beco part of the Greed Island team.
Death row prisoners serve many purposes. In the Hunter Exam, they serve as trial checkpoints for candidates. They’re dangerous but expendable. And for certain high-risk missions, they’re the ones who go in first.
Kaizen’s crystal ball progress spiked as they walked through teor City. Their driver followed behind, moving the car as needed. From the scrap-ridden outskirts, they moved into more chaotic areas. Then, Elders district ca into view.
This was Elders district.
Looking at the city, Kaizen was surprised at its prosperity. Then, it made sense—teor City’s resources were concentrated in just twelve sectors. Elders district held the wealth of an entire city-state.
The guard at the city gate noticed their car and imdiately beca alert. After stopping at the entrance, the driver identified himself. Still, the guards inspected Kaizen and Zeno thoroughly, which worried the driver. Not about Kaizen and Zeno—he was worried the guards would offend them and get killed.
The driver didn’t dare say anything, but it was clear he knew who he was transporting.
The guards stepped back, and the gate opened. The driver drove inside, past a long line of people waiting for entry. So were being turned away, pleading outside the city walls.
The driver noticed Kaizen watching and explained,
"Only those who’ve contributed can live in Elders district. Anyone can enter if they have the right contributions. But once they run out, they’re forced to leave."
The term "contribution" clearly ant resources and money. Kaizen understood that instantly.
"So, are we headed straight for the elder’s manor?"
The driver had been instructed to bring them there but wanted to confirm with Zeno and Kaizen.
"I’d like to explore the city a bit first, if that’s okay," Kaizen said.
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