Chapter 65 - 65

Words : 1250 Updated : Sep 19th, 2025

"Incredible destructive power." "Extremely difficult to kill." "Once it appears, it brings catastrophic results to the surrounding area." "Moreover, these creatures have an instinctual interest in Nen users." "They actively seek out and attack those who wield Nen." "However, these creatures hold unique value for Nen practitioners." "Under normal circumstances, if a Nen user wants to craft a Nen weapon, they would typically use parts from magical beasts or rare metals as materials." "They would then infuse the material with a significant amount of Nen, repeatedly refining it with their aura." "Only then could a Nen weapon be forged." "Most Nen weapons made this way end up fairly ordinary." "The chance of creating a truly powerful Nen weapon is slim, and when it happens, the cost is usually extraordinarily high." "But the materials harvested from these creatures are inherently well-suited for Nen weaponry." The information Zeno provided was all new to Ron. The term "calamity" as Zeno used it seemed to carry a weight Ron hadn't encountered before. He'd heard the term "calamity" in reference to the five great catastrophes of the Dark Continent—the Nurturing Beast Pap, the Plant Weapon Gold and Silver, the Hellbell Twin-Headed Snake, the Gas Lifeform Ai, and the Immortal Disease Zobae. Each one was infamously dangerous. Even Netero regarded them with caution. Ron wondered if the "calamity" Zeno mentioned was somehow linked to these calamities. Then there was the matter of Nen weapons. Ron had previously thought of Nen weapons simply as objects infused with Nen energy. As long as enough Nen was imbued into an object, it could become a weapon in the hands of a Nen user. In the original storyline, during the Yorknew Arc, Gon and Killua had been trying to earn money. They'd learned the technique of Gyo, allowing them to enhance their sight with aura to detect hidden Nen, and used it to examine items at a flea market. Their search was for valuable items displaying an aura signature. If an object showed no aura, they deemed it ordinary. But if it did, it indicated that the creator had poured considerable effort and Nen into it. Objects like these, created with devotion and skill, naturally held greater value. Technically, such items could be considered "Nen weapons" too. However, most Nen users had a more specific view of Nen weaponry, seeing them as items crafted for unique, targeted functions within Nen. Ron hadn't realized that the power of a Nen weapon depended so heavily on the materials used. Zeno's explanation made it clear that the choice of materials was perhaps as crucial as the skill of the user imbuing it with Nen. "This creature is beyond your ability to handle, Ron." "For a Nen user, this creature ranks at least a B-level threat—possibly higher." "A B-rank creature is far more challenging to defeat than a B-rank Nen user." Zeno's aura pulsed with intensity. The giant cockroach had already sensed Zeno's formidable presence. These creatures were drawn to Nen users, and Zeno was the strongest one in the vicinity. Naturally, the creature fixed its attention on him. "Grandpa Zeno, I'll step back." Ron knew his limits well. Among his peers, he was confident in his strength. However, he also understood he lacked the experience needed to face such a creature. Remaining here would only hinder Zeno's efforts. "Park, let's go." At Ron's side, a figure appeared—Baki Hanma. Parker, carrying Peter, followed close behind. Casualties among the residents of the garbage district had already climbed into the hundreds, possibly thousands, and the numbers continued to rise. A piercing screech erupted from the cockroach, and some of those nearby began bleeding from their ears at the sound. Zeno's expression darkened. Ron recalled that in the original story, Zeno hadn't shown such intensity, even when facing Chrollo Lucilfer, leader of the Phantom Troupe. In that clash, Zeno had maintained his composure throughout. The encounter had ended without a definitive victor. After the fight, Chrollo had asked, "If we were to duel, what are my chances of winning?" Zeno's answer had been, "Eight or nine times out of ten, I would win." But he added, "However, if you came at me with intent to kill, that's a different story." There were two interpretations of this statement. One view held that Zeno would likely win a standard duel, but in a battle to the death, Chrollo might prevail. The other view suggested that Zeno would triumph in either scenario, with Chrollo's chances in a death match being minimal. Ron believed Zeno's strength surpassed Chrollo's. He had previously analyzed the situation and concluded that, during the Yorknew events, the fight between Zeno and Chrollo was more of a performance than a true clash. Nonetheless, Zeno and Silva would have assessed their strengths against Chrollo's accurately. The Zoldyck family would never take a risk with a criminal like Chrollo without being fully prepared. After all, the Phantom Troupe was infamous. The Zoldycks would never enter a battle without a high probability of success. "And Uncle Silva had faced Chrollo one-on-one a few years before the Yorknew event." At that time, Silva had taken a mission to kill a Troupe member, the former number eight. This led Chrollo to seek him out for revenge. During that fight, Chrollo had aimed to kill Silva. That clash had been far more consequential than the Yorknew incident. Upon returning to Zoldyck Manor after his encounter with Chrollo, Silva had remarked, "Don't take on any more jobs involving the Phantom Troupe—they're not worth it." Clearly, at that time, Chrollo's strength hadn't matched Silva's. Though Chrollo wanted Silva dead, he had failed. In Silva's view, Chrollo "wasn't worth it." However, years later, it was likely that Chrollo's abilities had grown considerably. Still, Ron doubted that Chrollo had surpassed either Zeno or Silva. "We can also look at Hisoka's evaluations." Hisoka rated himself a perfect 100 and likely viewed Chrollo in a similar league. He rated Illumi Zoldyck at 95, which indicated only a narrow gap. However, Illumi's black hair set him apart within the Zoldyck lineage. White hair, typical of the chosen heir in the family, generally signified greater potential. All except Ron, of course. Therefore, it was doubtful that Illumi would ever reach Silva or Zeno's level. The gap between Illumi and the older Zoldycks was likely far more than a mere five-point difference. Another key detail: when Silva eliminated the original Troupe member, Chrollo's desire for revenge had surfaced. Back then, the Troupe members were still relatively young, and as time passed, they would naturally grow stronger. This growing strength could become a potential threat to the Zoldyck family. In light of this, why hadn't the Zoldyck family simply wiped out the Phantom Troupe? Typically, there were two possible reasons. One, they couldn't accomplish it. Or two, it wasn't necessary. With Maha Zoldyck still in the family, it clearly wasn't a matter of inability. So it must be the latter. Ron could sense the deep-rooted values within the Zoldyck family. Compared to the massive cockroach, Zeno appeared small, but his aura was equally intense, even slightly overpowering the creature's. "Dragon Head!" Zeno maintained his distance, choosing not to engage the cockroach directly. Instead, he concentrated his aura, shaping it into the form of a dragon.

Chapter 65 - 65

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