Chapter 8

It wasn't that Zigzagen did not respect Illumi and Milluki. 

As a butler, respect for the master is fundamental, and Zigzagen had always fulfilled that duty. 

However, his attitude toward Killua was different.

As for Ron, even though he had been following Maha Zoldyck since childhood, the butlers who knew of Ron's existence believed he was not much different from Illumi, Milluki, or Kalluto. 

In terms of talent, they all seemed inferior to Killua. 

But now, after witnessing Ron's rapid progress firsthand, a thought began to grow in the butler's mind: could Ron's talent be greater than Killua's? 

At the very least, the Illumi of that year couldn't reach this level. 

---

**Crack!**

The clear sound of bones breaking echoed through the air. 

Sangis flew backward until he slammed into the wall several meters away, finally coming to a stop.

"I actually lost."

"Lost to a mere child."

Sangis's eyes widened, his pupils unfocused, as if he had suffered a significant mental blow. 

The butler approached him. 

"Master Ron, would you like to ask Lord Zeno for a different sparring partner?"

Ron glanced at Sangis on the ground. 

"No, he's fine. He can still be useful."

"Understood."

Upon hearing this, Sangis regained some composure and looked at Ron, gratitude flickering in his eyes. 

He had already lost. There was no way out. According to their previous agreement, he would be killed and disposed of like trash by the Zoldyck family. There would be no chance to return to the dojo or his hometown. He would never see his family again: his aging wife, his beautiful, obedient granddaughter.

A strong sense of regret welled up within Sangis, regret for coming to the Zoldyck estate. But because of Ron's words, he could continue to live, at least as a sparring partner. 

Sangis felt that Ron had said this to spare his life. But in reality, Ron was speaking the truth.

The two encounters with Sangis had given Ron a clearer understanding of his own fighting skills. 

In terms of techniques, he lacked nothing. 

The techniques of the Zoldyck family were not weak; after all, they were the world's top assassin family. Moreover, his techniques had been personally taught by Maha Zoldyck. 

Thus, what Ron needed more was experience. 

Those fighters' techniques, to put it bluntly, were not very useful. Whether it was Sangis or anyone else, the effect was similar for Ron. Non-Nen fighters were generally at this level.

Since that was the case, there was no need to change partners and risk any trouble.

---

A figure pushed open the large doors of the Zoldyck estate and walked in. 

The guard at the entrance glanced over and cast a respectful gaze. 

A large dog, comparable to a small house, looked over and displayed a pleasing smile. Silva had returned after completing his mission.

A series of intense training sounds attracted Silva's attention.

"Zigzagen."

"Lord Silva."

Seeing Silva, Zigzagen hurried over. 

"What's this?"

Silva looked at the ten youths who were training. 

"These are the individuals Lord Zeno brought back; they are potential candidates for the butler position."

"Butler? For whom?"

Silva furrowed his brows. Illumi had already gone through this process, and Killua wasn't of age yet.

"Master Ron."

"Ron, huh."

Silva paused for a moment. 

"I remember Ron is only nine years old; has great-grandfather already started him on Nen training?"

As an uncle, Silva had seen Ron several times and understood his situation. Back in the day, Ron's father had a good relationship with Silva as cousins. Moreover, Ron was the only young descendant raised by Maha Zoldyck within the Zoldyck family, which held special significance. 

Even though Ron did not have white hair and was not the Zoldyck heir, the family's regard for him would not diminish. In fact, it might even be higher than their regard for Illumi and Milluki. Even Zeno and Silva's esteem for Ron was only slightly beneath Killua's.

"I understand. Continue training," Silva said.

"Yes."

Silva returned to the courtyard. Kikyo was watering the flowers in the yard and quickly approached Silva upon seeing him. 

At this moment, Kikyo had not yet been transformed into the playful version of herself by Killua; she still had an ordinary girl's appearance, without any bandages, and was wearing something resembling a communicator over her eyes. 

However, this was not an ordinary communicator. It was likely Kikyo's Nen ability — a Conjuration-type ability.

"Hubby," she greeted.

Silva nodded. 

Illumi was out on an assassination mission. Milluki, Killua, and Aluka were all absent as well. However, upon hearing the commotion in the courtyard, Kalluto soon ran out, dressed like a little girl. But in reality, Kalluto was a boy.

"Father." 

Kalluto bowed down slightly.

Alluka's situation was somewhat special; he had been imprisoned for a long time. Among the entire Zoldyck family, aside from Killua, who was still a child, all other members feared Alluka. Alluka's abilities had surpassed those of a typical Nen user. It had some connection to the Dark Continent.

---

**Somewhere else**

The sound of a whip cracking echoed from the basement. 

The one wielding the whip was Milluki, while Killua endured the lashes. However, the expressions on their faces seemed somewhat reversed. Milluki looked quite displeased, while Killua was actually smiling. 

Milluki's discontent was even more evident; he stopped whipping and walked over to press a switch. 

The next moment, a surge of electricity coursed through Killua. His body trembled, and all the hair on his body stood on end. This was both punishment and part of his training. Using high-voltage electricity, the special training for Killua was designed to induce changes in him. In addition to this, Killua underwent various other specialized training, such as resistance to poison, drowning, and more.

---

"Father."

Silva approached Zeno. 

Zeno glanced at Silva. 

"Welcome back. How did the mission go?"

"Smoothly."

Zeno nodded. "That's good."

After a brief pause, Zeno continued, "Your strength is now completely satisfactory, and you are becoming increasingly mature in handling affairs. I can trust you to manage the Zoldyck family."

"I am getting older, and from now on, I wish to enter semi-retirement."

"You will be responsible for family matters."

"As for tasks, I will still take on a few, but not many."

Silva's pupils slightly contracted, but he quickly calmed himself. He knew that this day would eventually come.