NOVEL NEXT Chapter 15: Chapter 15: What Is Steel Barbie?
The butlers stood in neat rows, all dressed in uniform—white shirts under crisp black suits.
"Condense!"
At Kaizen's command, two small orbs of aura gathered in front of his eyes, sharpening his vision. Since he had arrived at the Zoldyck estate, the speed at which the crystal ball absorbed new traits had increased dramatically.
Kaizen glanced toward the training ground, observing the sheer number of people practicing.
Hundreds of them.
It was impressive, and it gave him an idea of just how many butlers the Zoldyck family employed. If the ones under training were this numerous, the number actively working across the estate had to be just as large—if not more. After all, the Zoldyck estate wasn't just a manor. It was an entire mountain.
From where Kaizen stood, the massive silhouette of Kukuroo Mountain loomed in the distance, its peak hidden by clouds.
"Gotoh, how many servants work in the manor?" Kaizen asked without taking his eyes off the training grounds.
"Around a thousand," Gotoh answered smoothly.
"And what about the other servants?"
"Roughly the same." Gotoh adjusted his white gloves and elaborated, "Most of the servants patrol the mountain's perimeter, while the ones working directly inside the mansion are all butlers."
He continued, "Most of those in training are junior butlers. Above them are ranked butlers—first level, second level, third level, and so on. But I am your exclusive butler, Master Kaizen, so I'm not part of those ranks."
He gave a respectful pause before adding,
"About a tenth of the butlers can use Nen, but even among them, only a handful are truly capable fighters. Most don't have the talent to reach your level."
Kaizen gave a small nod, his expression neutral. The butler leading the current session cast a glance in their direction, but the moment he recognized Gotoh, he quickly looked away.
Kaizen shifted his focus back to the crystal ball, observing the trainees with mild interest. Just then, a new group entered the field—ten teenagers, each standing straight as they awaited orders.
Kaizen narrowed his eyes. He recalled something his great-grandfather, Zeno, had asked him earlier:
"Do you have any preferences for your personal butler?"
"Was he hinting that one of these might become my exclusive butler?" Kaizen wondered as his gaze swept across the group.
One face in particular caught his attention. Kaizen's pupils shrank slightly in surprise.
"This kid... Why does he look so familiar?"
After a moment, realization struck. If you tied his hair back into a ponytail and dressed him in a ronin outfit, he'd be a perfect match for... Nobunaga Hazama of the Phantom Troupe.
No... The timeline doesn't fit. Nobunaga should be in his twenties by now.
Kaizen did a quick mental calculation. When Killua was twelve, Nobunaga was thirty. Killua is five now, so Nobunaga should be around twenty-three. But this kid? He's clearly still a teenager.
Gotoh noticed where Kaizen was staring. "Would you like me to bring that trainee over?" he asked.
Kaizen shook his head.
"No need."
He lingered in the butlers' training area for four more days before finally making his way to the top of the mountain, where the Zoldyck family's mansion stood. The structure was nothing short of magnificent—befitting the world's most feared family of assassins. With wealth beyond measure, the Zoldycks could afford extravagance without restraint. Even the oddball Milluki had an impressive talent for making money through hacking and inventions, like his mosquito bomb prototype.
As Kaizen approached the main gate, he saw a familiar figure waiting for him.
It was an old woman, tall and strong, with pink hair tied into twin ponytails. She wore a monocle and carried herself with an air of authority. Her physique reminded Kaizen of someone—Biscuit Krueger—especially when she assumed her muscular form.
They must be similar types of Nen users.
The woman was Tsubone, the Zoldyck family's trusted guard. Her nen abilities were more focused on support, much like Biscuit's. Both were walking contradictions—women who could appear delicate one moment and transform into hulking warriors the next. Though strong in her own right, Tsubone wasn't quite on Biscuit's level.
"Master Kaizen," Tsubone greeted him politely. "Master Silva is waiting for you in the courtyard."
Kaizen gave her a slight nod and followed Gotoh toward the inner grounds.
In the courtyard, a lone figure sat beneath a tree—Silva Zoldyck, head of the family. His presence radiated calm authority, a quiet yet undeniable reminder of his strength.
Silva looked up as Kaizen approached.
"So, you're here. Take a seat." He gestured to a chair across from him.
"Uncle Silva," Kaizen greeted with a polite nod as he sat down. "It's been a long time."
"It has," Silva agreed, studying Kaizen carefully. "The last time I saw you, you were just a toddler. And now... look at you."
He paused for a moment, as if weighing his next words.
"What are your plans from here? Will you stay at the manor, or do you intend to explore the outside world?"
Kaizen didn't hesitate. "I'm planning to head to Heavens Arena. I've read a lot about it, and I'm curious to see it for myself."
Silva gave a small nod of approval. "And after that?"
Kaizen shrugged slightly.
"I'm not sure yet. Great-grandfather Maha wants me back here in a year, so I'll decide my next steps before then."
Silva rose from his seat, his gaze steady.
"Would you care to spar with me before you leave?"
Kaizen blinked, momentarily caught off guard. Then, after a brief hesitation, he gave a firm nod.
"All right."
----------------
For each review, upload +1 additional chapter
+100 chapters on patreon.com/FanficsHub