"So, if I get the token, will you try to take it from me?"
"Take it? Of course not."
"Why? Logically speaking, you're here for the token too, right? You put in all this effort, only to let me walk away with it?"
"It's just a token. Even if you get it, it's just a commission for an assassination mission. Whether you actually get paid is another matter entirely."
"Besides, it's not that important to me."
"I'd rather establish contact with a Zoldyck."
"I want to test myself against someone from the Zoldyck family who's my age."
"I want to see how strong a Zoldyck really is."
"What does the world's most infamous family of assassins look like?"
Kaizen nodded.
At that moment, Natsu broke through the mechanism inside the abandoned church and grabbed the token.
Returning to Kaizen, Natsu handed him the token.
"Didn't expect you to be so obsessed with the Zoldycks. Fine, I'll give you that chance. Let's go outside town—I'll fight you."
Dick froze for a moment. "What do you mean?"
"I mean exactly what I said—I'll fight you."
"You?" Dick, still processing, glanced at Natsu. Realization dawned on him. "Alright!"
His eyes lit up.
Dick had wanted to fight before, but Kaizen had dismissed him as just a kid, making the match seem pointless. But now, things were different.
If Kaizen had a Nen Beast like that, his strength was anything but ordinary.
The two figures swiftly left Brock Town.
...
Ten kilometers outside town.
A flat expanse of land.
The two stood facing each other.
"Can we start?" Kaizen could barely contain his excitement.
"Let's begin."
The moment the words left Kaizen's lips, Dick lunged forward in a flash, aiming straight for him.
But before he could get close, Natsu moved in, blocking him. A rapid exchange followed—fists clashing, bodies weaving in and out of attacks.
Dodging, blocking… blow for blow.
Both fighters were incredibly fast.
Kaizen stood at a distance, observing.
Dick's expression grew serious. He hadn't expected a Nen Beast to match him so evenly.
"A battle-type Nen Beast?" he murmured. "Fine, then I'll use this ability."
He took a deep breath.
Boom!
Flames ignited in his hands.
Kaizen raised an eyebrow.
Dick's strength had already been below Natsu's. Seeing him activate his ability, Kaizen was somewhat curious. But he hadn't expected it to be fire-based.
He was completely countered.
"Break through!"
Dick hurled his flames at Natsu.
But it had no effect.
The next moment, flames flickered on Natsu's fist.
With a single punch, Dick was sent flying.
Both of them wielded fire, but the difference in their abilities was clear.
Dick's flames barely singed Natsu.
But Natsu's punch knocked Dick to the ground, leaving him unable to get up immediately.
Kaizen walked over.
"I lost," Dick admitted with a bitter smile. "I didn't expect you to be this strong. The gap between us is massive. How old are you?"
"Almost twelve."
"Only twelve? Not even yet?" Dick's eyes widened in disbelief.
The bitter smile on his face deepened.
"If you're already this strong, then I don't stand a chance against a Zoldyck my age."
He sighed. "Now I understand why the Zoldyck family is the world's number one assassin family."
"They're number one because no one else comes close."
"And our Bodo can only be number two because there's only one Zoldyck family."
Dick pushed himself up.
"I still have a long way to go. I thought I was strong, but now I see how small my world has been. There are too many people out there with greater talent and skill."
"Thanks for giving me the fight I wanted."
Dick turned to leave.
Kaizen called after him. "The token doesn't say you have to go alone. Why don't you come with me?"
"No." Dick waved him off. "I just want to be alone for a while."
"By the way, I never got your name."
"Can you tell me? If you don't mind."
"I want to keep in contact with you. I lost too easily this time, but I won't give up. I want to challenge you again once I've gotten stronger."
Kaizen hesitated, then nodded.
"Sure."
Kaizen gave him his email address.
He saw no point in hiding his identity.
"My name is Kaizen."
Dick had already seen his face. Given Kaizen's growing reputation in Heavens Arena, it wouldn't take much effort to find out more about him.
Dick quickly disappeared into the distance.
Natsu pulled out the token.
It was similar to the book Dominica had taken out earlier, guiding them in a specific direction.
"If I'm right, following this should lead us to our destination."
Kaizen didn't touch the token himself, letting Natsu hold it instead.
"Let's move."
With that, Kaizen and his Nen Beast sprinted forward.
Eventually, Kaizen hopped onto his bike, with Natsu sitting on the back.
Of course, only those with Nen could see Natsu—ordinary people wouldn't notice him at all.
"Hiding the token here suggests that the destination isn't too far. Even if the Kakin Empire's client wants to test us, they wouldn't set it up to waste too much time."
Kaizen frowned slightly.
"Wait… isn't this pointing toward Heavens Arena City?"
"Could that be the destination?"
"If so, then the Kurta Clan's hiding place definitely isn't where we're headed."
His eyes flickered with thought.
"Well, I'll find out soon enough."
As they entered the city, Kaizen followed the token's guidance, stopping in front of an old restaurant.
The sign read:
"I Feel Like Eating Some Barbecue Today."
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