Hunter X Hunter: The Strongest Assassin Of The Zoldyck Family!

Kaizen didn't rely on the strength of a rusted blade—he made up for its imperfections with precision and skill.

A slash at his opponent's waist left a deep wound, blood pouring out freely.

The man staggered but didn't falter. His face twisted in pain and anger, yet the ferocity in his eyes only grew.

"Even if I die, I'll take you with me!" he roared. "Don't get cocky, kid!"

Kaizen remained calm. He raised the dull knife, its edge catching the light. With one swift motion, the blade cut across the man's throat.

A guttural choke escaped the man as he clutched his neck. His body fell limp, collapsing onto the blood-soaked ground.

Such battles were commonplace in this trial ground—a ruthless contest for survival, resources, and dominance. Here, life and death were two sides of the same coin.

...

A Month Later

The ruins' massive iron doors creaked open, revealing a middle-aged man standing imposingly in their shadow.

"The assessment is over!" he declared.

One by one, survivors emerged, their faces lined with exhaustion and determination.

"Congratulations," the man continued, his tone flat but commanding. "From today, you are candidates for the Seven Deadly Sins."

He handed each participant a small, engraved identity card. When Kaizen received his, the man added, "This grants you the right to move freely within this city, with the exception of a few restricted areas. Use it wisely."

Kaizen turned the card over in his hands, the faintest flicker of satisfaction crossing his features.

Becoming a member of the Seven Deadly Sins or the Shadow Beasts wasn't what he cared about. What mattered to Kaizen was freedom—unrestricted movement within the world of gangsters.

Expanding Horizons

At Zoldyck Manor, Kaizen never faced such restrictions. After all, as one of the Zoldyck family, he moved freely across its vast grounds. Yet, compared to other regions, Zoldyck Manor was small—rich in history but limited in size.

His ventures into Heavens Arena had proven more challenging. The lower floors were accessible with a simple ticket, but the 251st floor was a different story. Only during the biennial Fighting Conference could Kaizen advance, and even then, the journey tested his patience and resolve.

Meteor City posed a greater challenge. With its sprawling, nation-like expanse, the truth of the Kute Gang was buried deep within its labyrinthine streets. It took Kaizen considerable time to fully absorb the essence of the city.

And now, Orion City, a hub of the world's gangster network, offered its own labyrinth of opportunities and obstacles.

A Meeting in Orion

Near the city's outskirts, a car idled. A familiar figure waited beside it—a man Kaizen immediately recognized.

"Master Kaizen," the man greeted with a polite bow. "Mr. Waters, at your service."

Kaizen nodded and stepped into the car.

Waters spoke as he took the wheel. "Master Greed is currently away on a mission. If you have any requests in Orion, please don't hesitate to ask me directly."

Kaizen leaned back in his seat. "Start by showing me around. I'd like to know which areas are accessible to me and which are restricted."

Waters smiled. "Of course."

The car rolled into motion, weaving through Orion's bustling streets.

"This city is one of the world gangsters' core hubs," Waters began with pride. "As a cadre, your authority here surpasses most. However, there are still a few locations even you cannot enter."

Waters listed them off:

The Conference Building: "The largest, most opulent structure in the city's center. It's said the Old Man himself stays there when visiting."

The Weapon Factory: "A high-security facility where our firearms and explosives are manufactured—and sold."

Experimental Base No. 2: "Its purpose remains a mystery. Few know what happens inside."

Shadow Beast Manor: "The stronghold of the Shadow Beasts. Entry is by invitation only. It's incredibly dangerous for outsiders."

Kaizen nodded, committing the information to memory. "Understood."

Back at the manor, Kaizen sat in quiet contemplation.

"Four restricted areas," he mused. "The Conference Building, the Weapon Factory, Experimental Base No. 2, and the Shadow Beast Manor. I'll need opportunities to access each of them eventually."

For now, however, his focus would be on the accessible parts of Orion.

"I'll split my time between training and exploring," he decided. "Too much wandering might draw suspicion."

Kaizen smirked, his determination steeling.

In the world of gangsters, patience and strategy were just as deadly as any blade.

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