Boom!
An unmistakable shot burst from Kaizen's outstretched hand. The aura-infused projectile struck the ruins not far away.
Under the force of the explosive nen-crafted attack, the structure shattered into fragments. Dust and debris filled the air as a massive crater formed in the ground. The scene was reminiscent of Uvogin's destructive power when he unleashed his legendary Big Bang Impact—nearly as devastating.
Kaizen staggered briefly, a sharp backlash coursing through his body. Gritting his teeth, he steadied himself with effort, but exhaustion quickly set in. A hollow emptiness spread through his limbs, a consequence of overexerting his aura reserves.
Taking a deep breath, Kaizen muttered, "Uncle Silva, let's head back."
Silva nodded silently.
Together, the two figures turned toward the towering form of Heavens Arena. The quiet trek back offered Kaizen some respite, though his aura and stamina were recovering sluggishly. His training today had pushed him to his absolute limits.
Despite the fatigue, the results were evident—never before had he achieved such profound progress in a single session.
As they neared the arena, Silva glanced down at him. "Kaizen, I'm heading over to check on Killua."
Kaizen waved him off casually. "Sure thing, Uncle."
Silva escorted Kaizen to the entrance of Heavens Arena. After a curt farewell, Kaizen entered and took the elevator to the upper floors. By the time he reached the player's quarters, his condition had improved slightly.
Within the safety of Heavens Arena—where he was both a recognized participant and a key member of Troupe Sub-Team (TST)—encounters with danger were rare.
"Leader!"
The familiar voice of Shizuku cut through his thoughts as she wrapped up her training and approached.
Kaizen offered her a weary smile. "Shizuku, call the kitchen. I need food—meat, carbs, fruits, and vegetables. Enough for three people. Get yourself something too if you're hungry."
For a moment, Shizuku blinked at the sudden request but quickly nodded. "Understood."
Kaizen collapsed onto the sofa, sinking into the cushions with a deep sigh. His body relaxed entirely, yet a faint hum of tension remained from the day's training.
Before long, Silva's voice rang through his phone.
"Kaizen, I'm here to retrieve your team members."
"Got it," Kaizen replied and hung up, immediately dialing another number. "Nina, bring Sally back. Silva's waiting."
"On it, brother!" Nina's cheerful response came from the other end.
Shortly after, the kitchen delivered his requested feast. Kaizen wasted no time digging in, his appetite voracious yet controlled. His quick, efficient movements belied an underlying elegance—though any observer would note the sheer speed with which he ate.
For ordinary people, eating slowly aids digestion and reduces strain on the body. But for a nen user, the situation is different. Their mastery of aura not only enhances physical strength but fortifies the body from the inside out. Digestive efficiency, like all biological processes, reaches extraordinary levels when reinforced with aura.
Kaizen's stomach processed the meal with ease, replenishing his energy reserves at an accelerated rate. The day's fatigue began to lift.
A sharp knock echoed through the room. Shizuku moved to open the door as Nina and Sally stepped inside.
"Brother!"
"Team Leader."
Kaizen greeted them with a nod. "How did things go today?"
Nina quickly reported, "No surprises. Killua returned to the hotel right after his match. He bought some snacks along the way but didn't leave his room again."
Kaizen frowned slightly. Snacks?
The thought triggered an odd association, reminding him of Milluki's obsession with junk food. During phone calls, Kaizen could almost hear Milluki chewing on something crunchy.
"Killua likes snacks?" he mused aloud. "Doesn't seem like it was mentioned much in the original story... though maybe I overlooked it. Still, it's normal for kids to have a sweet tooth."
Shaking off the idle thoughts, Kaizen refocused. "Thanks for keeping an eye on him. You've both done well today."
Nina beamed. "It's no trouble at all."
Sally nodded in agreement. Despite her amnesia, she regarded Kaizen as a steadfast anchor in her life, her loyalty unwavering.
As midnight approached, Kaizen sat cross-legged on the bed in meditation. His breathing slowed, and his thoughts drifted to the day's training.
Reflecting on each movement, strike, and burst of aura, Kaizen reviewed his progress with meticulous care. He could feel his understanding of Nen deepening—not only his mastery of enhancement techniques but also his grasp of other fundamental applications.
The following morning, Kaizen left Heavens Arena with Silva, heading to a different part of the city for training. The site from yesterday's session was no longer suitable—Kaizen's actions had drawn too much attention. A new, quieter location was necessary.
Nina and Sally left early to resume their duties. Kaizen began his regimen much like before, pushing his limits with intense focus.
"If I keep this pace," he muttered to himself, "I'll reach 90% mastery of Nen-reinforced conditioning in no time. That's the right way to train."
As the sun dipped below the horizon, Kaizen prepared to wrap up for the day. But as he turned to Silva, the older man raised a hand.
"Kaizen, wait."
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