Aura surged from the old man, radiating from his fiery red eyes.
In Kaizen's mind, a certain figure immediately surfaced—Danzo from the world of Naruto. However, Danzo's modifications paled in comparison to the grotesque transformation before him. Danzo had merely embedded multiple Sharingan into his arm. But this old man? His entire upper body was covered in blood-red eyes.
Scarlet liquid streamed down his skin, and his aura weakened with each passing moment. Yet even as his strength waned, his power remained a deadly threat to the outsiders.
One by one, they fell under his assault.
A high-ranking member of the Aiyi family grew frantic.
"All of you, attack together! Whoever kills this old man will be rewarded ten billion Jenny!"
It was a desperate attempt to motivate the hired mercenaries.
Clearly, they were nothing but cannon fodder.
Yet greed was a powerful motivator. Ten billion Jenny was an unfathomable sum. Even knowing they were likely being sent to their deaths, some still advanced. They clung to a sliver of hope—that perhaps, the old man was already at his limit, and one of them might land the final, fatal blow.
Not many shared this delusion.
But for the three major forces, it was enough.
Many had already perished at the old man's hands, but their numbers remained vast.
His crimson eyes burned with hatred.
"You will all be punished!"
"What you did to my Kurta Clan will be repaid in full!"
"I will curse you for eternity!"
"You will never obtain this ability!"
Suddenly, Kaizen spotted a familiar figure.
Mond.
He lay sprawled on the ground, his lower body mangled beyond recognition. Unconscious for a long time, the chaos around him must have jolted him awake. His eyes fluttered open, glazed with pain and desperation.
"Kaizen..."
"Help me! Help me!"
Mond clung to Kaizen like a drowning man grasping at driftwood.
Kaizen approached and examined him. After a moment, he let out a quiet sigh and shook his head.
Mond's face fell. His lips twisted into a wry smile.
"So that's how it is..."
"There's no hope for me?"
"I should never have come."
Regret clawed at him.
As a Floor Master in Heavens Arena, Mond had status, power, and wealth. There were few true masters in the arena, and Mond wasn't the weakest among them. His life had been comfortable, largely free from the threat of challengers.
Sure, every now and then, a strong fighter or a prodigy would emerge. But they were rare. The risk had been manageable.
And yet, greed had led him here—to the ruins of the Kurta Clan's sanctuary. He had sought greater riches, greater power.
And now, he had nothing.
Kaizen hesitated for a moment. Then, he spoke.
"Mond-san, perhaps this will bring you some comfort."
"What is it?"
"Jili died before you."
Mond fell silent. His expression was difficult to read, but a faint sense of relief seemed to settle over him.
"Kaizen, I have one last request. Of course, I wouldn't ask for free."
Mond coughed, his breath labored.
"I'll give you access to my account. I want you to take care of my child. When they come of age, just give them one-tenth of my wealth. The remaining nine-tenths are yours."
"My child is in Heavens Arena."
"Once I die, my title as a Floor Master will be revoked."
"They have no other relatives."
"Kaizen, please..."
Kaizen thought for a moment, then shook his head.
"I'm sorry. I don't have the time. But if there's someone you trust, I can ensure your child reaches them safely."
A flicker of disappointment crossed Mond's face.
"I see..."
"Then, please... Take them to Yoneda Doppo. Let him be their master."
Kaizen nodded.
"I'll do it."
Mond exhaled shakily, relief washing over him.
"Thank you, Kaizen."
His body gave out. Blood trickled from the corner of his lips, and with a final breath, his life slipped away.
A sudden tremor rocked the battlefield.
Kaizen instinctively looked up, his eyes widening in shock.
The old man's gaze had shifted—straight toward him.
"Why?" Kaizen muttered. "I didn't do anything to the Kurta Clan. I was just watching. There's no reason to target me."
But he quickly realized his mistake.
The old man wasn't looking at him.
He was looking at the woman standing beside him.
Their eyes locked.
The hatred in the old man's gaze deepened.
"It's all because of you!"
Larkin's voice rang out over the battlefield.
"He's finished! Everyone, this old ghost is on his last legs—kill him!"
Nen-users surged forward, launching a barrage of attacks.
But this time, the old man didn't evade. He didn't counter.
Instead, he absorbed every attack head-on.
He had no intention of fighting anymore.
He was pouring everything—every last ounce of his power—into Sumas.
The moment his body vanished, the sphere shot toward Sheila's position at an incredible speed.
A massive force erupted from it, pulling everything within range into its gravitational grasp.
Kaizen felt the pull immediately. His expression darkened.
"Raiken!"
An entire section of the battlefield vanished.
Kaizen, and the Prison Spirit Orb disappeared along with it.
Silence fell.
All eyes were fixed on the empty space where they had once stood.
For the three major forces, this mission had been a failure.
The Kurta Clan was gone.
But so was the Prison Spirit Orb—their true objective.
They had obtained some Scarlet Eyes, but what use were they?
Other than collectors with twisted tastes, no one had a real need for them.
"It's over."
"Everyone, leave."
The leaders of the three major forces paid their mercenaries their agreed-upon sums. One by one, the hired fighters dispersed.
But the major factions remained.
They weren't ready to give up just yet.
The Prison Spirit Orb had vanished without a trace.
And if there was even the slightest chance of recovering it...
They would tear this place apart, stone by stone, until they found it.
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