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17 HxH: The Strongest Assassin
🕑 Added 2024-10-30 11:11:03 +0000 UTC"Over the centuries, the Zoldyck family has upheld two essential rules."
"First: the ability to assess an opponent's strength is more important than our own power."
"Before taking on a mission, or engaging in battle, it's crucial to investigate the opponent's abilities, limitations, and strategy thoroughly. Only with this knowledge can we determine the true nature of our opponent."
"This rule is paramount."
"Second: never engage in uncertain battles."
"We are assassins. If we don't kill, we will be killed. After evaluating the situation, we only strike if we have a 100% chance of winning."
"If the odds aren't certain, we don't fight. If it's not a mission, we walk away."
Kaizen had come across these rules in the original story of the Zoldyck family. The first rule made sense—nearly every member of the family followed it. Even most Nen users, aside from a handful of reckless fighters, preferred to collect information before jumping into a battle.
But the second rule was more complicated.
Kaizen recalled how Illumi implanted this mindset into Killua's mind using his needles—forcing him to avoid fights unless he was certain of victory. On the surface, it seemed like a sound strategy. But in reality, such perfection is unattainable.
There are times when one can't avoid a battle, even without guaranteed success.
Silva and Kaizen held slightly different opinions on this. Silva valued caution, believing confidence in battle was essential. But Kaizen thought one had to prepare for uncertainty too—otherwise, the will to fight could be lost when facing overwhelming enemies.
Silva's advice came with good intentions, and Kaizen saw no reason to challenge it.
"Uncle Silva, can I ask a question?" Kaizen asked.
"What is it?" Silva replied, glancing over.
"How exactly is Nen ranked? Like, is there a clear system?"
Kaizen hadn't found a concrete answer when watching the original plot. Nen users weren't neatly categorized by ranks—outcomes often depended on the circumstances of the fight, abilities, and strategy.
However, Silva gave it some thought before answering.
"There's no universally agreed ranking, but we can break it down into a few reference points. Rankings aren't absolute, but they offer some insight."
He raised a hand to count off the points.
"First: Aura Volume."
"The more aura you possess, the more abilities you can utilize and the longer you can fight."
"Second: Ability Strength."
"Not all abilities are created equal. You can have an enormous pool of aura, but if your ability is weak, it won't be much of a threat. On the other hand, even a small amount of aura, paired with a potent ability, can be devastating."
"Third: Basic Skills."
"This covers the core Nen techniques—Ten, Zetsu, Ren, and advanced ones like Ko and Ken. Specific abilities might not always be practical, so you need to rely on basic techniques to fill the gaps between using your main ability."
Kaizen nodded, understanding the comparison. Nen abilities were like powerful skills in a game, while basic techniques were the equivalent of standard attacks. Just as in arcade games, flashy moves could be avoided or countered, while consistent basic attacks could wear down an opponent through combos.
Silva continued,
"Fourth: Intelligence and Mental Fortitude." He tapped his temple.
"A calm mind and strategic thinking are invaluable. This includes experience, tactical insight, and the ability to read an opponent's movements or anticipate their next move."
He gave Kaizen a meaningful look.
"Remember that trick you pulled last time? That's what I'm talking about. It caught me off guard."
"Intelligence also covers situational awareness—like recognizing the right time and place to act. Sometimes, that makes all the difference."
"These four points form the core of assessing a Nen user."
"However," Silva added with a sigh, "some elements—like the interaction between abilities or unforeseen factors—are impossible to quantify. There are just too many variables."
He paused, giving Kaizen time to absorb the information.
"Nen abilities are often classified into six categories, but even among the same category, the skills can vary wildly. Take Uvogin and Nobunaga from the Phantom Troupe, for example. Both are Enhancers, but their fighting styles are worlds apart. One relies on brute force, the other on swordsmanship."
Silva folded his arms. "So, the best we can do is use a rough ranking system. Most people acknowledge these six levels: E, D, C, B, A, and S."
He explained:
E-level: Beginners who have just started learning Nen.
D-level: Those who have mastered the basics but lack advanced techniques.
C-level: Skilled Nen users considered elite within the general population.
B-level: Top-tier fighters, usually capable of dominating most encounters.
A-level: Rare individuals with exceptional abilities and records to match.
S-level: Legendary figures. Fewer than ten people in the entire world are considered S-class."
Kaizen leaned forward, intrigued. "What about you, Uncle Silva? What level are you?"
Silva gave a small, amused smile. "That's for you to find out, Kaizen."
