Outside the hospital.
Haze, now able to move, stood beside a tree trunk.
He looked up. Beneath a branch, a black spider crouched silently on its freshly spun web, waiting for its prey.
A butterfly fluttered nearby only to be caught by the silk threads, unable to break free.
The web trembled lightly, signaling the spider to move. It crawled swiftly, sank its fangs into the trapped insect, and injected venom, turning it into a al for its stomach.
In re monts, the once-beautiful butterfly was reduced to dust completely devoured.
It was a fierce, hungry spider… so hungry that it didn't even bother wrapping its prey in silk for later.
Haze's eyes flickered as he noticed a small bird perched atop the tree a bird no bigger than his palm, with bright, colorful feathers.
It had been watching the entire hunt unfold. Then, in a sudden burst of movent, it dove like a blade, tearing through the web in an instant. Its beak pierced the spider cleanly before soaring away into the sky.
"Sir... they're here."
A senior mber of the Firth Family approached from behind, whispering respectfully.
"Understood," Haze replied.
He turned away from the bird now just a black dot in the sky and slowly pivoted on his cane.
He wore a loose, hospital-white robe, almost like a cloak, and leaned on the walking stick. His complexion was pale; his body frail. Haze could no longer move around much if he walked too long, exhaustion would set in quickly.
The cane saved him much effort.
After a mont, a large group of gangsters approached from afar. The five at the front weren't dressed like typical mobsters they wore casual clothes.
But Haze recognized them imdiately: several of the Shadow Beasts.
The one leading was Owl grayish-brown hair, sunglasses, and sneakers, with a slightly disheveled look.
The others were Sick Dog, Bat, Porcupine, and a man with white hair tied into two small ponytails.
All of them had appeared in the original story but had later perished at the hands of Feitan and Machi.
Aside from the Shadow Beasts, the rest of the group were also Nen users elite mbers of various branches serving the Ten Dons.
The Ten Dons ten powerful underworld figures had caused chaos across several regions, particularly the Republic of Bartokia. The fact that five Shadow Beasts were gathered here ant that not many Dons were paying attention to exterminating the Brigade.
So probably didn't even know the Phantom Troupe was operating within their territories.
Perhaps only three or four of the Dons' factions had been affected.
Owl imdiately spotted the man standing beneath the shade of the tree. His eyes glead with curiosity and scrutiny.
The Shadow Beasts had all heard the legend of Haze.
Though Haze had resigned from his seat among the Ten Dons for personal reasons, his influence still lingered in the underworld.
Even the Don that the Shadow Beasts served had ntioned the unique status of the Firth Family
A single man, a single family.
The mafia had its own codes and traditions.
When Owl approached, he bowed slightly. "Sir."
The other four followed suit respectfully.
"Thank you for your trouble," Haze said with a faint smile.
"It's our duty," Owl replied.
Sick Dog raised his head with a sneer. "Since half our squad's here already, let's just wipe them all out at once!"
Porcupine harmless-looking, dressed in a red tracksuit, with sparse hair nodded eagerly. "Exactly! We're lucky they're still alive! If they keep stirring up trouble like this, it'll damage our family's reputation."
"Hmph. We've yet to et anyone who can actually challenge us," Bat muttered coldly. "Judging by their past feats, they seem capable… let's just hope they're not too weak. Otherwise, this whole trip will have been a waste."
The reason the Brigade had been able to act freely for so long was simple the Shadow Beasts hadn't entered the stage yet.
Hearing this, Haze said calmly, "Don't worry. You won't be disappointed."
Then, leaning on his cane, he slowly made his way past the group toward the hospital entrance.
Arrogance. Conceit.
That was Haze's first impression of the Shadow Beasts utter incompetence.
Though, compared to ordinary Nen users, their level was considered high… that strength didn't co from training. It ca from drugs and genetic modification a critical difference.
He had heard David speak of how the Shadow Beasts had been unstoppable since their creation sothing the Ten Dons praised endlessly.
They had proven formidable not only within the mafia but even against governnt and military forces.
But compared to Haze's own past achievents, these "engineered creatures" were nothing.
In gaming terms, they were like bots competent but predictable.
The Brigade, on the other hand, fought real opponents learning, adapting, and evolving through experience.
Their growth was organic. Their threat far greater.
Even if they faced five Shadow Beasts at once, it wouldn't matter.
Franklin, by comparison, ranked lower in pure combat power within the Brigade. Despite his devastating emission ability, his actual threat wasn't as great as theirs collectively.
The Shadow Beasts were… less than human. So looked grotesque and deford, though most still resembled people especially Owl, who could easily pass for a normal man.
The only thing the Ten Dons had done right was instill a strong sense of loyalty and belonging in these creatures. That much was clear.
And Haze's calm praise stirred sothing deep within them.
To fight alongside such a legendary figure it was an honor.
As Haze moved forward, the Shadow Beasts quickly surrounded him, escorting him toward the hospital entrance.
Only Owl lingered, watching Haze's retreating figure thoughtfully.
During their journey here, Owl and the others had been curious about him. Haze was the only Nen user among the Ten Dons. Those who'd t him said his power was terrifying cruel, rciless, and utterly ruthless.
To rise and conquer an entire territory alone… that wasn't sothing ordinary n could do.
His feats were legendary in the underworld.
But now… he looked frail, weaker even than a normal human.
Still, Owl didn't let his guard down. There was a reason he led the Shadow Beast Squad.
Though this man had fallen, his insight and mind were as sharp as ever.
And that group the Phantom Troupe was no ordinary band of killers.
They had to stay vigilant.
That a single Don family, so heavily fortified, could feel threatened proved the Troupe's power was beyond asure.
Owl sighed softly as he glanced at his companions still laughing and chatting. Then he followed them inside.
The Brigade, of course, knew nothing of this reinforcent.
Unbeknownst to them, Haze had ordered his n to scout the surroundings, ensuring there were no spies nearby. He suspected that the Troupe had withdrawn the day Netero appeared.
With the Shadow Beasts' arrival, all security fell under Owl's command. He assigned guards to every entrance and exit.
By the ti everything was in place, night had fallen.
Inside the hospital room, Haze sat reading ancient texts, absorbing knowledge.
Days earlier, the Hunter Association had sent him a notice acknowledging his achievents. Yet, he was still far from earning his One-Star Hunter rank. He needed more ti and effort.
Still, this incident had brought him recognition his na was spreading, and discussions about him were growing.
In the public's eyes, he had single-handedly completed a mission impossible… Hisoka's role remained invisible.
To earn a Hunter Star, one had to apply formally, undergo evaluation, and prove both strength and professional expertise.
Promotion to One-Star was relatively simple, decided by the Association's internal departnt.
But for Two-Star, nominations had to pass through a committee vote among senior Hunters. In other words, one's achievents had to be recognized by peers.
And for Three-Star, even the V5 had to be inford.
For instance, Ging Freecss was currently a Two-Star Hunter and one of the Twelve Zodiac mbers. His performance easily qualified him for a Three-Star title… yet he never bothered.
Too much bureaucracy.
And V5's approval process could take years.
"Sir, all arrangents are complete," Owl reported as he entered the room, bowing slightly.
"Good," Haze replied without looking up.
"Is it true you killed a mber of the Brigade?" Owl asked, lingering instead of leaving.
Haze raised a brow, closing his book to et Owl's eyes. "That's right."
"Were they strong?"
"The word strong is relative," Haze said calmly. "To so, they're unimaginably powerful. To others… just troubleso."
He smiled faintly recognizing that Owl was more intelligent than the rest of the Shadow Beasts.
"And what about us?" Owl pressed, leaning against the wall.
"You?" Haze's voice softened. "You can see the peak, but you're still standing at the base of the mountain."
"In raw strength, four of you could take on one… but victory isn't just about power. It's about experience, intellect, and will. In those, you're far behind. Improve those, and four-on-one would no longer be impossible."
He paused, then added, "I managed to kill that man because I had a small advantage. Had it been one-on-one, I might have won but not without injury."
Owl's pupils shrank at that.
"How strong is a man in his pri?"
"The fact you're asking," Haze said quietly, "ans you're the only one among them capable of changing."
"The gang world will teach you experience but it also traps you. Don't drown in a pond full of weak prey, enjoying easy kills and false superiority. You'll lose yourself. Stay alert. If you want to grow… broaden your world."
Haze lowered his head and reopened his book.
"Yes, sir."
Owl's lazy deanor faded. He stood upright, his tone filled with genuine respect.
(End of Chapter)
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