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357 HxH: The Strongest Assassin
🕑 Added 2025-03-12 06:01:01 +0000 UTC"Otherwise, with Leorio's strength at that time, he wouldn't have been qualified to be part of the Twelve Zodiacs."
Before meeting Gel, Kaizen didn't know much about the Hunter Association's top figures. But after witnessing Netero's strength and observing the way Silva, Zeno, and others treated the organization, he began to form some suspicions.
His understanding deepened further after meeting Gel and Mizaistom.
Those who were accepted into the Twelve Zodiacs were all acknowledged as possessing at least A-rank abilities, if not higher. Not all of them were combat specialists, but they were exceptional in their respective fields.
Gel's expertise in poisons, Mizaistom's analytical mind... Each member had their own strengths.
Leorio was undoubtedly talented, but he hadn't been practicing Nen for long.
There are two main schools of thought regarding the activation of Aura Nodes.
One approach is to open them early and start training in Nen as soon as possible. The other is to build up physical conditioning and combat ability first, then unlock Nen later, once the foundation is solid.
Leorio fell into the latter category. So, when he finally activated his Aura Nodes, he experienced a rapid surge in power, effectively exchanging all his previous training for a major breakthrough.
Of course, natural talent plays a big role in this process. Those with high potential advance quickly and experience explosive growth. Those with less talent progress at a slower pace.
Killua, Gon, Leorio, and Kurapika were all gifted in their own ways.
At first glance, Leorio might seem less talented than the others. And to some extent, that was true. But his potential was by no means weak.
After passing the Hunter Exam, he made his way to the Zoldyck estate. Before long, he was able to push open the second trial gate—something that required immense physical strength.
Kaizen turned his attention back to the crystal ball in front of him.
With Leorio nearby, the rate at which the crystal ball absorbed properties had increased.
Kaizen had already noticed this pattern. The speed and effectiveness of the observer's ability depended on the quality of the targets being observed.
And compared to most of the other Hunter candidates aboard the ship, Leorio was clearly on another level.
Of course, the only one who surpassed him was Kaizen himself.
"Leorio's already here. Next should be Kurapika..."
"After that, Gon joins the group."
Kaizen returned to his cabin.
Each room had two bunk beds, one above and one below.
His spot was on the top bunk.
Lying back, Kaizen rested against the headboard.
A shadowy figure appeared beside him, gently pressing its fingers over his eyes. But aside from Kaizen, no one else could see this figure.
Because this was Kaizen's Nen Beast.
Only those who had mastered Nen could perceive it.
This was his eighth Nen Beast.
Its ability helped relieve fatigue and enhanced muscle recovery—a concept somewhat similar to Bisky's Nen Beast.
Despite being a Transmuter, Bisky had taken a muscular approach to her training, creating a Nen Beast with properties more fitting for a Transmuter. Hisoka would probably call it an inefficient path.
But that didn't mean Bisky had chosen wrongly.
Her Nen Beast wasn't for combat, it was for training. As a successor of Shingen-ryu, she focused on refining her body through continuous practice.
Both physical and mental growth were essential to her philosophy.
This was the same path Maha Zoldyck had told Kaizen about.
Only those who fully dedicated themselves to this process could reach the pinnacle of mastery.
However, while Bisky's Nen Beast was purely for support, Kaizen's had powerful combat abilities as well.
There was one other similarity between their Nen Beasts, though—both were female.
Kaizen extended his hand.
A circular portal formed on the wall.
Reaching in, he retrieved a book before pulling his hand back. The circle vanished instantly.
It had been years since he acquired Sumus, and his control over it had become second nature.
As he flipped through the book, his mind drifted back to everything that had happened since leaving the Republic of Padokea.
It had been just over ten days.
After departing, he had immediately made his way to the Hunter Exam's registration site, already aware of the exam's location thanks to prior research.
Originally, Kaizen had planned to take both the 286th and 287th Hunter Exams. He estimated that he would need at least two exams' worth of observation to reach 100% mastery of his observer ability.
But the situation in the Republic of Padokea had been complicated. He couldn't just abandon his mission to focus on the Hunter Exam.
If he had, he wouldn't have been able to continue refining his observer ability. That would have been a complete waste of time.
So, instead, he stayed and absorbed everything the Republic had to offer.
"I wonder how much the crystal ball will improve after this exam."
"If it's not enough, I'll have to take the next one as well."
"I can't let Killua advance too quickly. The progression has to feel natural."
After leaving the Republic of Padokea, Kaizen hadn't even returned to Zoldyck Manor or visited Heavens Arena.
Instead, he had chosen this particular ship because Leorio, Kurapika, and Gon were all onboard.
If he wanted to continue refining his ability, it made sense to start with them.
That said, during his three years in the Republic of Padokea, he hadn't completely cut himself off from the outside world.
He had returned to Zoldyck Manor once.
Maha Zoldyck had personally tested his progress.
He had also returned to Heavens Arena once—because a challenger had specifically sought him out.
Kaizen accepted the challenge, and as punishment for wasting his time, he eliminated his opponent in an instant.
It was the first time he had killed someone in Heavens Arena.
But those who understood the situation knew—Kaizen was not the one at fault.
