Chapter 10: Return of Zoldyck's Silva!

Hearing this, Sanghir snapped back to reality, a flicker of gratitude softening his gaze toward Kaizen.

I've already lost. It's over. There's no point fighting anymore.

By the terms of their agreement, the Zoldycks would dispose of him like trash. His failure meant death.

No chance to return to his dojo. No way back to his hometown.

He'd never see his wife again—or his kind, beautiful daughter.

Regret welled in his heart. He regretted setting foot on Zoldyck estate.

But thanks to Kaizen's words, Sanghir had been spared. He would live to fight another day.

Sanghir thought Kaizen's words were meant to save him—but Kaizen had only spoken the truth.

Fighting Sanghir twice gave Kaizen deeper insight into his own abilities. In terms of technique, Kaizen knew he wasn't lacking.

The Zoldyck family's skills were formidable—unsurprising, as Maha Zoldyck himself had taught him. This was, after all, the world's most notorious family of assassins.

What Kaizen needed now wasn't better techniques—what he lacked was experience.

It didn't matter whether he sparred with Sanghir or someone else. Fighters without the ability to read aura were all the same to him.

Why waste time looking for new sparring partners?

Suddenly, the heavy front doors of the Zoldyck estate creaked open. A figure stepped inside, and the guards at the entrance bowed respectfully.

Off to the side, Mike—an enormous guard dog, nearly as large as a house—bared his fangs, only to break into an almost comical grin.

Silva Zoldyck had returned.

Having completed his latest mission, Silva headed deeper into the estate, following the sounds of intense training.

"Tsubone," he greeted, spotting the elderly but sharp-eyed attendant.

"Master Silva," Tsubone answered, hurrying over.

Silva glanced at a group of ten teenagers, hard at work in the training yard.

"What's this?"

"These are the candidates Mr. Zeno brought back," Tsubone explained. "They're being trained as potential butlers."

"Butlers?" Silva frowned. "For who?"

"For Master Kaizen," she replied.

"Kaizen?" Silva's brow furrowed in surprise.

"Isn't he only nine years old? Did father really have him start learning aura?"

Silva had met Kaizen several times before. As the boy's uncle, he knew Kaizen's background well—how Kaizen's father, Silva's cousin, had once been close to him.

Kaizen was special. Of all the Zoldyck children, only he had been directly trained by Maha Zoldyck. That fact alone carried great significance.

Even if Kaizen wasn't the heir by birthright, the family's attention toward him would only increase with time.

They might even place higher expectations on him than on Illumi or Milluki.

Not even Zeno or Silva himself received as much scrutiny as Killua did.

"Understood," Silva said at last. "Let the training continue."

"Yes, Master Silva," Tsubone answered with a bow.

Silva left the training yard, making his way to the family garden, where his wife, Kikyo, was watering flowers.

When she saw him approach, Kikyo hurried to greet him.

At this time, Kikyo's face was unblemished—no bandages or scars yet marked her features. She wore an unusual device over her eyes, which might have looked like a simple communicator to anyone else.

But this was no ordinary gadget. It was a Nen-enhanced tool that allowed Kikyo to monitor things from afar—a manifestation of her realization-type ability.

"Husband," Kikyo greeted warmly.

Silva nodded.

"Illumi is out on assignment," she reported.

"Milluki, Killua, Kalluto, and Alluka aren't here either."

But the sound of hurried footsteps soon followed, and Kalluto appeared in the doorway. Clad in a traditional kimono, Kalluto looked every bit like a delicate young girl, though Silva knew better.

"Father," Kalluto greeted softly.

Silva gave a brief nod but didn't linger long. Alluka's situation weighed heavily on the family. Unlike his siblings, Alluka was feared by nearly everyone in the household—her ability far beyond the realm of ordinary Nen.

Something tied to the Dark Continent… Silva thought grimly.

From the basement, the sharp crack of a whip echoed through the estate.

Silva didn't need to look to know what was happening—Milluki was in the middle of Killua's training.

Despite the whipping, Killua's laughter rang out, infuriating Milluki even more. Milluki, annoyed, stopped the whipping and flipped a switch on the nearby console.

A surge of high-voltage electricity flowed through Killua, causing his entire body to spasm as his hair stood on end.

This was both punishment and part of Killua's training—a way to condition his body to resist pain and build his unique tolerance to electricity.

Besides enduring electrocution, Killua also trained by resisting poison, withstanding drowning, and more.

At last, Silva reached the estate's inner sanctum, where Zeno Zoldyck awaited.

"You're back," Zeno said, barely glancing up.

"The mission went well," Silva reported.

Zeno gave a satisfied nod.

"Good."

A brief silence followed before Zeno spoke again.

"Your strength has grown, Silva, and your ability to handle assignments has matured. It's time to begin transferring more responsibility to you."

Zeno's gaze softened, though his tone remained steady.

"I'm getting older. Soon, I'll step into semi-retirement. You'll oversee the family business from now on."

"I'll still take on a few missions," Zeno added, "but not many."

Silva's pupils dilated slightly, though his expression remained composed. He had known this day would come sooner or later.

Just as it once came for Zeno…

"I understand, Father," Silva said. "I'll handle everything."

Zeno nodded, satisfied.

"Good."

After a moment, Silva hesitated before asking,

"Father… what about Kaizen? What should we do with him next?"

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