"Brother!"
"Leader!"
"Leader!"
Nina and the other two hurried over, their excitement barely contained.
Kaizen had won, and the three of them were already aware of his strength. Sally herself had been no match for Kaizen, and even Occam, who Sally had evaluated as a powerful fighter, was outclassed.
What thrilled them even more was how Kaizen had achieved victory—effortlessly. Without relying on any specific Nen ability, he had used pure combat skill and mastery of basic Nen techniques to toy with Occam. This performance gave the trio newfound clarity on the Nen skills they were learning.
As they stood together, a figure approached—a tall, muscular man with a bald head and a single, sharp eye.
"Mr. Doppo!"
Kaizen greeted the man with a smile.
"Kaizen, congratulations on your victory," Doppo said warmly.
"Thank you. What brings you here?"
"Actually, I'm here on behalf of someone to extend an invitation."
"An invitation?"
"Yes." Doppo nodded. "In Heavens Arena, there are 21 Floor Masters in total. The positions shift slightly each year, but not by much—so we Floor Masters tend to form close-knit circles over time."
He paused before continuing, "Generally, Floor Masters fall into three categories:
Those who focus on self-improvement and aim for the pinnacle. Those who have plateaued and enjoy their current status. Those who seek growth through collaboration and exchange."
Doppo's voice grew more serious. "Currently, there are six small groups in Heavens Arena, each led by one or more Floor Masters. These groups sometimes invite exceptionally talented fighters to join them. I'm a member of one such group: TST."
"TST?" Kaizen asked, intrigued.
"Yes," Doppo explained. "TST has four Floor Masters as its core members. We prioritize combat skills while supplementing our Nen abilities.
"We've been watching you, Kaizen, and think you'd be a valuable addition. Are you interested in joining?"
Kaizen frowned slightly as he processed the offer.
Doppo's description of TST resonated with Kaizen. His personal training focus had always been on honing his physical abilities while allowing his aura beasts to develop independently. After all, the beasts were designed with specific combat capabilities and strategies in mind. This approach freed Kaizen to concentrate on his own physical growth.
"I'd get to train with skilled opponents, right?" Kaizen asked.
Doppo nodded. "Yes. You'll find plenty of good sparring partners among us."
Kaizen's interest deepened. "How many members are in TST, and what's the group's primary activity?"
"There are currently nine members, including the four Floor Masters," Doppo explained. "If you join, that makes ten.
"Our activities revolve around training, sparring, and sharing techniques. We've modified some of our floors to create unique training environments—plains, mountains, rivers, even ocean simulations. You're free to use them however you like.
"It's a loose, low-pressure group, focused purely on personal improvement. No rigid rules or formalities. It's the perfect place to grow stronger."
Kaizen nodded, appreciating the relaxed philosophy.
"I'll join," he said decisively.
Doppo smiled and handed him a keycard. "Welcome aboard. This card grants you access to our primary floors. There's no grand initiation ceremony, though—don't expect a party."
"That's fine by me," Kaizen replied. "I prefer it this way."
Doppo left soon after, leaving Kaizen to examine the keycard. Four numbers were printed on it: 36, 39, 42, and 45. These were the floors owned by the TST's core members.
That evening, Kaizen decided to explore. He stepped into the elevator and pressed the button for the 36th floor.
When the doors opened, Kaizen was greeted by a vast, open plain that stretched out before him. The environment felt expansive and natural, a stark contrast to the metallic confines of the Arena.
As Kaizen stepped in, he sensed someone watching him.
"Hello, Kaizen."
A young man approached, his demeanor friendly but focused.
"Hello," Kaizen replied. "And you are?"
"I'm Jack," the man introduced himself, extending a hand. "I've seen your matches—impressive work."
"Thanks," Kaizen said, shaking his hand.
"Care for a spar?" Jack offered. "If you've joined TST, you must be looking to improve. Here, we fight to grow stronger, not just to win."
Kaizen smiled faintly. "Exactly what I'm here for."
Jack nodded. "How about a match with no abilities? Just aura manipulation and physical combat. Pure technique. Does that sound good to you?"
"Perfect," Kaizen agreed.
They moved to the center of the plain, facing each other. Both men assumed their stances, locking eyes as they prepared to fight.
The next moment, they charged.
Without using advanced Nen abilities or special techniques, the clash became a test of raw strength, agility, and precision.
Jack's expression shifted as they exchanged blows. Kaizen's physical power was far beyond what he had anticipated.
"At your age," Jack said, his voice tinged with awe, "to have strength like this—it's terrifying!"
Kaizen smirked but didn't reply. His focus remained on the fight. This was exactly the kind of training he needed—a chance to push his body to the limit and bridge the gap between himself and the formidable beasts in his arsenal.
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