Kaizen didn't respond right away.
Instead, he analyzed the situation in his mind.
The other party belonged to the Bodo Group, so it wasn't surprising that he recognized Kaizen's identity from his movements. His Ghost Step technique still carried traces of limb distortions, a telltale sign.
Years ago, the Bodo Assassin Group had claimed the title of the world's second-best assassin organization. Naturally, they would have studied the Zoldyck family extensively.
It was worth noting that the Bodo Group was not a family-based organization. Instead, it was an assembly of assassins from various backgrounds, each required to adopt the surname 'Bodo' upon joining.
"Why do you want to fight me?" Kaizen asked.
"I want to see how the legendary Zoldyck family fights. Just how strong are you? How far are we from your level?"
"So that's why you passed up the chance to attack me earlier?"
"But I'm just a kid." Kaizen spread his hands.
Bodo Dick froze.
"You want to challenge a Zoldyck? I can understand that," Kaizen continued, "but shouldn't you challenge someone your own age? What's the point of targeting a child like me?"
A flicker of embarrassment crossed Dick's face.
"You're right. I didn't think that through."
"My apologies." Dick cupped his fists in a respectful gesture.
Kaizen tilted his head slightly. "You got the token yet?"
"Not yet."
Dick shook his head. "There are traps inside. It's not that easy to obtain. So I figured I'd wait for others to arrive."
A clever strategy. Let someone else trigger the mechanisms, then swoop in to pick up the prize. Or wait for someone to retrieve the token and then take it from them by force.
"Would you mind taking me there?" Kaizen asked.
Dick hesitated only for a moment before nodding. "Alright. But don't be reckless. The mechanisms are deadly. One wrong move, and you won't walk out alive."
"Come with me."
Dick led Kaizen toward the central district of Brock Town. Before long, they arrived at an abandoned church.
"The token is hidden in there," Dick explained. "I tried going in earlier, but I was forced back almost immediately. Nearly got myself hurt."
Just as he finished speaking, a presence approached swiftly from another direction.
Dick's pupils shrank. "We need to hide."
Without hesitation, he slipped into a nearby shadow. Kaizen followed suit.
A lone figure emerged, approaching the church entrance. The man in black surveyed the surroundings carefully before stepping inside.
Moments later, the traps were triggered.
Swish!
Swish!
Swish!
A series of sharp projectiles shot through the air.
The man in black flinched and quickly retreated outside.
Dick sighed, clearly disappointed. He had hoped the intruder would set off even more traps, reducing the risks for himself later.
"What a shame."
The man in black, now outside, exhaled sharply and glanced warily at the church. Then, after a moment's pause, he turned to move toward a nearby corner.
Unfortunately, that was precisely where Kaizen and Dick were hiding.
As he rushed forward, three pairs of eyes locked onto one another.
For an instant, there was silence.
Then, without hesitation, the man in black attacked.
Dick countered immediately.
A fierce battle erupted. Unlike the earlier fight between Kaizen and the young challenger, this was a clash between two skilled Nen users.
Boom!
Blow after blow landed with forceful impact.
Realizing the fight wasn't in his favor, the man in black cast a glance at Kaizen. He assumed that Kaizen and Dick were allies, and threatening the boy would work to his advantage.
Big mistake.
He struck a powerful blow, forcing Dick to stumble back, then lunged toward Kaizen.
"Careful!" Dick shouted urgently.
As an assassin, Dick wasn't just an ordinary killer—he was ambitious. His interest in the Zoldyck family ran deep. After realizing Kaizen might be one of them, he had abandoned the idea of ambushing him and instead sought a challenge.
But Kaizen was young. Even if Dick won, it wouldn't feel like a true victory. So he let the idea go.
Still, he didn't want Kaizen to die.
This might be his only chance to connect with the Zoldyck family. He wanted to meet them, fight someone his own age.
So Kaizen had to survive.
Kaizen shook his head.
The man in black had made the worst possible decision.
Had he kept fighting Dick, the outcome could have gone either way.
Had he run, Dick might not have chased him at all.
But instead, he chose to attack Kaizen.
Flick.
A small motion of Kaizen's fingers.
Shk! A needle embedded itself in the man's body.
Immediately, the crystal feather bone poison spread through his system.
The man in black froze.
Dick didn't miss the opportunity.
He lunged forward and struck the man's vital points.
Shk!
More poison spread through the man's body.
A moment later, he collapsed.
Dick frowned slightly, puzzled by the man's reckless decision, but he didn't dwell on it.
"You alright?" he asked Kaizen.
"I'm fine."
Dick swiftly disposed of the body while Kaizen turned his attention back to the church.
"Natsu."
A red-haired boy appeared beside him.
"Go retrieve the token."
Natsu moved toward the church.
The moment he stepped inside, the mechanisms activated once more.
But unlike the man in black, Natsu dodged each and every trap effortlessly, advancing without issue.
Hearing the commotion, Dick rushed over.
"You went in?" He sighed in relief upon seeing Kaizen still outside.
"Good, you didn't," he muttered. Then, noticing Natsu inside, he asked, "That's… your Nen Beast?"
Kaizen nodded.
"Smart." Dick's eyes glinted with approval. "Using a Nen Beast is a good idea. But… you know they disappear if they take too much damage, right?"
"I know."
"You should pace yourself," Dick advised. "If the beast takes too many hits, let it rest, then send it in again. Take your time, and the token will be yours."
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