Kaizen's eyes followed the sudden flash of movement.
This person's abilities, at first glance, bore some resemblance to the techniques used by the Zoldyck family. But upon closer inspection, there was also an element of spatial manipulation at play.
"If the previous guy reminded me of Uchiha Obito, then this one is like a fusion of Uchiha Shisui and Namikaze Minato."
"Both of them were incredibly strong in their own right."
"Among A-rank Nen users, these two could be considered top-tier."
Just then, Kaizen noticed a woman.
She had short black hair and wore glasses, her presence seemingly unremarkable. But something was off.
The people near her were acting abnormally—some stood completely still, while others were in a frenzy, attacking not only the Kurta but even fellow outsiders. This chaos led to infighting, as if they were fighting over prey.
Kaizen had already eliminated two attackers, but those around the woman were clearly under some kind of influence.
"It's almost like... an illusion."
Before he could think further—
Boom!
A deafening explosion rocked the ground.
Kaizen's gaze snapped toward the source, along with nearly everyone else in the area.
A massive, humanoid figure had appeared, shrouded in black aura like a giant wreathed in shadow. At its core stood a man—a middle-aged warrior with eyes burning with fury.
Kaizen's expression hardened.
Among all the Nen users he had encountered so far, this man's aura was the most terrifying.
Even Dominica, Achilles, and Silva paled in comparison.
As for Maha, Zeno, and the current owner of Heavens Arena, Kaizen had never seen them fully unleash their aura, so he couldn't make a judgment there.
"This guy is probably stronger than Uncle Silva."
"And Chrollo, at this point in time, wouldn't stand a chance against Uncle Silva."
Kaizen turned toward the Phantom Troupe.
Sure enough, for the first time, Chrollo's face had changed.
His usual composed demeanor was gone, replaced by a look of serious concentration.
"Fall back!" Chrollo commanded.
Kortopi, Shalnark, and Pakunoda immediately withdrew. Franklin moved forward slightly, positioning himself strategically.
Bonolenov stepped ahead, shielding Chrollo, while Uvogin and Phinks remained at the frontlines.
"If this were a game setup, Uvogin would be the main tank, with Phinks as an off-tank," Kaizen analyzed.
"Nobunaga, Feitan, Franklin, and the others are damage dealers."
"Chrollo is the tactician."
"Machi provides support and healing."
"Shalnark acts as a secondary strategist."
"Pakunoda and Kortopi focus on disruption."
At this level of battle, though, Pakunoda and Kortopi had no role to play. The enemy was simply too strong.
Kaizen, positioned far from the battlefield's center, was already in a safe spot. There was no need for him to retreat further.
Then, a dozen figures emerged.
Their auras were no less formidable.
They were from the Aiyi Family.
From the other side, warriors from the Mimbo Republic also surged forward.
An unprecedented battle was about to erupt. Most of the other outsiders lacked the strength to interfere—some chose to flee, while a few stubborn ones stayed.
"One, two, three... six A-rank Nen users."
"And that guy in the center."
"The Kurta really aren't simple."
"No wonder Kurapika turned out the way he did."
"He managed to kill Uvogin not long after learning Nen."
"Of course, his victory came through restrictions, vows, and an element of advantage, but still—his talent is undeniable."
"Especially when he activates his Scarlet Eyes."
Kaizen glanced at the crystal ball in front of him.
The progress indicator had surged to 50% in less than two days.
Under normal circumstances, this kind of improvement would have thrilled him.
But now, he felt no joy.
Even if he had no personal reason to care about the Kurta, the sight before him still stirred something in his heart.
All for the Scarlet Eyes—the entire Kurta clan was being slaughtered.
An unjust massacre.
Despair and fury filled the air, thick as smoke.
The anguished cries of the Kurta echoed in his mind.
"Why are you killing us?!"
"What did we ever do to you?!"
"Aren't we human?!"
"Just because our eyes turn red?! How is that any different from black, green, blue, brown, or white eyes?!"
"Father!"
"Mother!"
"Son!"
"Daughter!"
"Run! Don't look back!"
"I'll hold them off!"
"You outsiders—you're monsters!"
"You all deserve to die!"
"You're inhuman!"
"There will be consequences for this!"
"Even in death, we will not forgive you!"
Hate. Grief. Wrath.
Blood and tears stained the earth.
Their roars of defiance rang through the battlefield.
"Go to hell!"
Kaizen clenched his fists. If the Zoldyck family ever suffered such a fate, he knew he wouldn't be able to accept it either. His rage and thirst for vengeance would be immeasurable.
"I wonder how the Uchiha felt when their clan was wiped out..."
But then he frowned.
Was this really just about the Scarlet Eyes?
Yes, they were one of the world's Seven Beauties, but still...
The bounty placed by the Aiyi Family was only 500 million Jenny.
The Kurta here numbered in the hundreds, but only a fraction had awakened their Scarlet Eyes.
And in the original timeline, the Phantom Troupe only collected thirty-six pairs of eyes.
Even if each one fetched a high price, the total earnings wouldn't exceed 10 billion Jenny.
Was that really enough to justify this level of bloodshed?
Was it worth deploying so many elite Nen users?
"Something doesn't add up."
Kaizen's gaze darkened.
"The Aiyi Family and the Mimbo Republic must have another motive."
On the battlefield, Aiyi warriors lifted enormous weapons—rocket launchers? No, they were even larger, resembling missiles.
Their targets?
The towering shadow-clad figure at the center of the chaos.
Boom!
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