"Because of the existence of the Land of Nirvana, the Kingdom of Fiora has prospered for generations."
"Even if the inheritors selected by the Three Avenues aren't the most gifted, they can still receive an immense boost in strength after undergoing the trials of the Land of Nirvana."
"If someone gains control over this power, they could replicate that same process."
"It would be an invaluable asset to both the Kakin Empire and the Mimbo Republic."
"Kakin already has the Egg in a Pot ritual, but no one would ever consider that to be too much power."
"As for the Mimbo Republic, after enduring a long period of colonization under the Kingdom of Fiora, they must have gained some understanding of the Land of Nirvana. They know its value more than anyone."
"The relationship between the Mimbo Republic and the Kingdom of Fiora is complicated."
"On one hand, Fiora's rule was what allowed them to form such a large nation in the first place."
"Before that, Mimbo was nothing more than a collection of scattered tribes."
"But the people of the Mimbo Republic see that history as humiliation."
"Even now, they long to overthrow Fiora."
When Kaizen traveled to Fiora, he saw firsthand the hostility between the two nations. It was undeniable.
He even encountered a Nen user from Mimbo who lost their life at his hands.
"So after hearing about the abilities of the Kurta Clan, the Mimbo Republic would undoubtedly be desperate to get their hands on it."
"And then, there's Meteor City..."
"Meteor City was once controlled by its Elders, a stagnant system built on survival. By selling off the unwanted and forgotten, the Elders lived in comfort while the people below them barely scraped by."
"But when the Shadow Beasts were crippled by the Kute Gang of Thieves Incident and the Phantom Troupe seized their opportunity to rise, everything changed."
The moment the Nen sphere manifested, all three factions moved at once to claim it.
More than a dozen figures surged forward from different directions—
The Aiyi Family. The Mimbo Republic. Meteor City.
Each of them radiated an intense aura, the strongest Nen users from their respective groups.
On the Phantom Troupe's side, Chrollo took the lead.
To his left, Uvogin. To his right, Feitan.
The three most formidable combatants in the Troupe at the moment.
As their auras clashed, the very air around them seemed to distort.
The onlookers watched in awe, eyes wide with disbelief.
"They're monsters...!"
They hadn't even unleashed their full strength yet.
"Even without hiring outside help, they alone could've wiped out the Kurta Clan. They're too powerful. I have no idea who will end up with that sphere..."
Some of the mercenaries who had once entertained the idea of betraying their employers now felt only fear.
"But if that's the case, why did they hire us in the first place?"
"Could it be out of generosity?"
"Or were we just meant to be cannon fodder?"
The answer was obvious.
"Either way, this is still a chance to make a fortune."
"It's just mutual exploitation."
While these mercenaries had no qualms about hunting the Kurta, they wouldn't dare make enemies of any of these three factions.
Boom!
Before anyone could reach the Nen sphere, the battle erupted.
Flames, water, massive energy spheres, frost—
"Super Destruction Punch!"
"Burning Sun!"
Machi's eyes narrowed sharply.
Without hesitation, three of her threads shot forward, latching onto Uvogin, Chrollo, and Feitan. With a forceful pull, she yanked all three of them backward, forcing them to retreat over ten meters.
"Machi?"
Feitan glanced back at her instinctively.
Uvogin and Chrollo, however, didn't hesitate.
Among the Troupe, Uvogin, Nobunaga, and Machi had the closest bond. Uvogin, trusting Machi completely, didn't question her at all.
Chrollo, ever composed, had briefly wondered why she acted—but in the end, he trusted her instincts.
Feitan, on the other hand, had always been closest to Phinks.
"Something's off," Machi said simply.
The other factions hesitated when they saw Chrollo's group suddenly pull back.
And then—
BOOM!
A figure burst from underground.
"DIE!"
A devastating, all-encompassing attack erupted from the center, radiating outward. The sheer force of it dwarfed every other attack that had come before.
The Aiyi Family and the Mimbo Republic suffered severe losses instantly.
Three or four people were killed outright.
Six or seven were gravely injured.
Only a handful managed to evade the blast by sheer luck.
Feitan's pupils contracted.
Had Machi not pulled him away just now, he would have taken a direct hit. Given the intensity of the attack, even his best defenses wouldn't have been enough. He'd have been seriously wounded—at best.
"...Thanks, Machi."
She shook her head, dismissing it.
Everyone turned to look at the figure that had emerged from the ground.
An old man.
Hunched over, breath unsteady.
His hair was completely white.
Bandages wrapped around his upper body.
"A Kurta...?!"
"I can't believe he was hiding underground this whole time."
"He must've been waiting for the perfect moment to strike—and damn, did it work. We took heavy losses."
"But in the end, he's just an old relic."
"He must be running on fumes. That kind of attack? He probably can't pull it off again."
"If he could, he wouldn't have waited this long."
"Look at him. He's barely standing."
"Finish him."
Chrollo glanced at Machi.
She gave a slight nod.
The three factions surged forward, aiming for both the Nen sphere and the old man standing before it.
The Kurta elder's expression remained icy as he watched them charge.
Rip!
The sound of tearing cloth echoed through the battlefield as he ripped off his bandages.
His upper body was exposed.
And then—
Everyone froze.
Their eyes widened in shock.
"What... is that...?"
"Is he even human anymore?!"
His chest, his arm—
Covered in eyes.
Dozens of them, burning a deep, blood-red hue.
Each one moved independently, shifting and focusing as if they had minds of their own.
A strange, suffocating aura filled the air.
Silence fell over the battlefield.
And then—
The eyes began to glow.
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