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102 HxH: The Strongest Assassin
🕑 Added 2024-11-05 06:56:27 +0000 UTCFor Parker and Peter.
Kaizen and Zeno were in action, strategizing while considering the escape routes for Parker and Peter. They subtly created an opening for the two to get away.
Simply put, Kaizen and Zeno had treated Parker with as much consideration as possible. Parker worked for them, and Zeno paid Meteor City's leader, for his services. However, Kaizen wasn't privy to the exact negotiation between the Meteor City Elders and Parker—it was beyond his control.
After being tracked by the Оld O, Zeno and Kaizen teamed up to confront him. But as they engaged, reinforcements from Old K began to close in. Zeno wasn't confident he could handle both at once, so he decided to withdraw with Kaizen. It was the wisest choice he could make. If Zeno couldn't ensure victory, Kaizen could easily be overpowered and killed by both Old K and Old O.
Zeno wasn't about to let that happen.
In this case, even if Kaizen and Zeno hadn't gone out of their way to ensure Parker and Peter's safety, there would have been no issue. The Kute Gang of Thieves hadn't drawn the Zoldyck family's attention of their own accord, it was they who set their sights on Meteor City. Parker worked for Meteor City's Elders, not Kaizen. Kaizen had only asked him to act as a guide, with no real friendship between them.
Peter, on the other hand, was simply a kid from the old garbage district. Kaizen allowed Parker to take him along purely out of goodwill. Truthfully, if Kaizen and Zeno had opposed it, Parker wouldn't have had the authority to bring Peter with him. But had they intervened, Parker might not have survived subsequent events.
Kaizen understood Peter's resentment toward him, and he held no personal grudge. However, the sheer hostility and intent to kill radiating from Peter made Kaizen uneasy. From his perspective, Peter simply lacked the qualifications to challenge him.
What should I do?
Kaizen's initial thought was to eliminate the threat immediately and kill Peter. That would solve the problem permanently. But he also knew Zeno and Silva wouldn't take that path—they'd take a different approach.
In the original plot, Silva had killed a Phantom Troupe member for a job, which led Chrollo to swear vengeance on the Zoldyck family. Yet, upon Silva's return, no further action was taken against the Troupe—they simply ignored them.
Is it wise to let a potential enemy grow like that?
Kaizen couldn't quite grasp this mindset.
Knock, knock, knock…
Kaizen walked next door and tapped lightly on Zeno's door.
A moment later, the door opened.
"Grandpa Zeno, I have a question I'd like to ask."
"What is it?" Zeno asked, taking a seat on the sofa.
Kaizen sat across from him. "Just now, I sensed a hostile gaze directed at me from a boy we met before—the one Parker took with him from the old garbage area."
Zeno nodded. "I remember. What's on your mind, Kaizen?"
"When I felt that gaze, my first instinct was to kill him. But I thought you, Grandpa Zeno, might think differently."
Kaizen looked at Zeno expectantly.
"Grandpa Zeno, if you were in my place, what would you do?"
Zeno paused thoughtfully. "Is this question coming from your experience at the Testing Gate? You've seen many who tried to invade Zoldyck Manor, yet we didn't kill them all?"
Kaizen nodded. "Yes."
"Honestly, Kaizen, sometimes things don't need to be overcomplicated," Zeno replied. "The reason I've drilled our Zoldyck family rules into you is because they're crucial. Those rules protect us."
"We didn't kill every intruder at Zoldyck Manor because we didn't see the need to. Those people are weak, posing no threat to the Zoldycks. Whether they live or die makes little difference to us."
He paused, then continued, "However, there are exceptions. Do you remember what Silva and I did after killing Old O while fighting the Kute Gang of Thieves?"
Kaizen nodded. "You stopped."
"Exactly," Zeno affirmed. "Our mission was to kill one Thieves, which we completed by taking down Old O. Killing him meant Old K now held a grudge against us, but we didn't immediately retaliate against Old K."
"Because Old K still had value," Kaizen answered reflexively.
Zeno's brows lifted slightly. "Precisely. Maximizing benefit. Killing is a business—a trade. To do business, you need to make money and, ideally, more money while ensuring your safety.
"So, when it comes to Peter, he's not a threat to us, nor is he of any particular business interest. You can do as you like—if you want him gone, end it. If not, leave him be.
"Handle matters like this according to your instincts. The clearer your thoughts, the smoother your aura flows. A Nen user with clouded intentions is prone to mistakes."
Kaizen nodded. "Thank you, Grandpa Zeno. I understand now."
"By the way," Kaizen continued, "speaking of the Kute Gang of Thieves, do you think there's a chance two of their members might escape the Hunter Association's prison one day to seek revenge?"
Zeno's expression remained unchanged. "It's possible. That's why Zoldyck members performing missions must conceal their identities and whereabouts. That's one of the most crucial rules."
"Like when we first crossed paths with the Kute Gang of Thieves—it was unexpected," Zeno added. "We must avoid situations like that during missions. Events like that have only happened to me a few times in my entire career.
"If someone were to target the Zoldycks directly, we'd respond with full force. Even your great-grandfather, Maha, would get involved.
"But few are bold or ignorant enough to take on the Zoldycks. Those who are lack either the strength or the judgment to survive such a choice."
