This was something Kaizen hadn't expected.
He had rarely encountered such a situation before, but after confirming the news, he realized it made perfect sense.
It was no longer just the audience—his fans—who acknowledged his strength. Even among the fighters on the 200th floor of Heavens Arena, he had earned significant recognition.
Kaizen couldn't help but reveal a strange expression.
"I didn't expect to reach this point so quickly."
"So this is what it feels like to be recognized as strong."
But in truth, Kaizen didn't consider himself truly powerful yet.
He still saw himself as a student, learning and improving. On the Human Continent alone, there were plenty of Nen users far stronger than him. In Kaizen's mind, reaching A-rank in Nen was the real threshold of being considered strong.
And when it came to the Dark Continent? A-rank Nen was merely the starting point. Only those at the S-rank level could be considered truly formidable.
"Well, since every fighter on this floor is required to have a match at least once every three months, I suppose I'll just wait patiently."
Suddenly, his phone rang.
"Jingle Bell!"
Kaizen pulled out his phone and answered.
"Doppo-san."
"Kaizen, do you have time to drop by?"
"I do."
Shortly after, Kaizen arrived at Doppo's floor. Standing beside Doppo was a young man.
"Kaizen, your improvement speed is truly something else. At this rate, I can't even guarantee that I'd be a match for you."
The case of the three slain Floor Masters from AKA remained unsolved. However, Doppo had a strong suspicion about who was responsible.
Last time they spoke, Kaizen had expressed his intent to eliminate the AKA trio.
Taking down those three wasn't an easy feat. Even if they were on the lower end of the power spectrum among Floor Masters, they were still dangerous.
And while Doppo himself was a Floor Master, he wasn't considered one of the strongest.
"Doppo-san, you flatter me. I still have much to learn."
Kaizen remained humble.
But in reality, Doppo's strength was already significantly weaker than his.
After some casual conversation, Doppo gestured toward the young man beside him.
"Kaizen, this is my disciple—Lacus."
"He recently reached the 200th floor. His Aura Nodes haven't been opened yet."
"You've been lacking a proper sparring partner, haven't you?"
"Lacus admires you greatly, Kaizen. So I thought he could apply for a match against you."
"Would you mind helping me train him?"
Kaizen observed Lacus carefully.
Despite Doppo's words, Kaizen didn't see much admiration in Lacus's eyes. Instead, what he saw was pure fighting spirit.
Kaizen frowned slightly.
"Sure."
Doppo smiled. "Then I'll leave him in your hands."
Turning to Lacus, Doppo instructed, "Go apply for the match."
"Yes, teacher."
Lacus left to handle the application.
Doppo then looked at Kaizen with a more serious expression. "Kaizen, if possible, I'd like Lacus to awaken his aura during the match."
Kaizen blinked. "You want me to open his Aura Nodes?"
"Exactly."
"Has he learned the basics of Nen?"
"Not yet. But once his Aura Nodes are open, learning Nen won't be an issue."
Kaizen nodded. "Alright, I'll do it."
Before long, Kaizen received confirmation that the match had been approved. His opponent would indeed be Lacus.
The fight was scheduled for the day after tomorrow.
As soon as the ticket sales opened, an enormous buzz erupted. Kaizen's popularity now rivaled that of some Floor Masters.
His youth and his winning streaks only added to the hype.
Though he had forfeited a few matches in the past, he had never lost in a direct fight.
Within two hours, every single ticket had sold out.
Scalpers who had managed to grab tickets were ecstatic. The more popular the match, the more profit they could make reselling them.
...
Match Day.
As soon as his name was announced, Kaizen stepped onto the arena.
The crowd erupted, with most of them chanting his name. Only a few voices cheered for Lacus.
Lacus's eyes gleamed as he glared at Kaizen.
"Tch."
"It's just a matter of learning Nen."
"If teacher had trained me earlier, I would be the boy genius everyone talks about."
"Just wait. Once I master Nen, I'll take that title for myself."
"I'll surpass you, Kaizen!"
The referee took one last glance at both fighters.
"Are you both ready?"
Kaizen and Lacus nodded.
"Then... Begin!"
Lacus sprang into action.
Kaizen didn't move.
Lacus frowned. "What's this? Is he underestimating me? Not even bothering to move? Is he waiting for me to attack?"
His expression darkened.
"Even if you're a Nen user and I'm not, the gap between us can't be that wide!"
"Tch!"
With a frustrated grunt, Lacus lunged forward.
Kaizen remained still.
Lacus threw a powerful kick at Kaizen's arm.
"Bang!"
The impact landed—but Kaizen didn't budge an inch.
Instead, the force rebounded, sending a painful shock through Lacus's leg. He staggered, nearly losing his balance.
Kaizen's arm was like solid steel.
Lacus clenched his teeth. "Damn it!"
He now realized the gap was even greater than he had imagined. But he refused to give up.
He pressed forward, unleashing a flurry of attacks—punches, kicks, palm strikes. Every move he knew, he used.
But nothing landed.
Kaizen didn't even take a step back.
From beginning to end, he only used one hand, effortlessly blocking every strike.
Even the audience began murmuring.
"The gap is obvious."
"They're not even on the same level."
"No contest."
"Kaizen is leagues ahead of him."
"Disappointing. I thought this would be a real fight."
Lacus grit his teeth, his frustration boiling over.
A dark resentment surged within him.
"Why...?!"
His eyes turned bloodshot with anger.
Doppo, watching from the sidelines, sighed and shook his head in disappointment.
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