Night had fallen, but Oster wasn't panicked in the slightest.
From his perspective, as long as Zotan didn't show up, then even if they mobilized all their forces, it wouldn't make a difference.
Eight people? So what?
Could they break through the layers of defenses in the manor?
Could they even reach him?
It would be hard enough for them to even get close—much less kill him.
Tucker, Nessley, Nancy... all eight charged headfirst into the fray.
As a fierce battle erupted there...
...
Elsewhere, at a massive circular plaza—
Six people and Six Fiends had just arrived.
Kaizen stood on the east side of the plaza.
The six figures stood shoulder to shoulder, their gazes fixed on him.
"Kaizen?" someone asked.
Kaizen nodded calmly. "That's right."
"You knew we were coming. Why didn't you run? Or is it that you knew you couldn't?"
The white-haired youth stepped forward.
"No need to run," Kaizen replied. "I've been waiting here for a while, honestly. Took you guys long enough to show up."
The white-haired youth's expression darkened.
The black-haired one beside him scoffed.
"Larkin, enough talking. Let's just crush this guy. He's a nobody—wasting our time while Oster-sama still needs us to deal with 897."
After three of their beasts had been defeated, followed by the other four, they had no choice but to leave Oster Manor behind.
It was clear to both Oster and Ravik that someone would use this opening to make a move.
There were plenty of factions within the United States of Saherta who held grudges against Oster.
"Relax. Oster-sama has his own plans," said one of the black-haired youths.
"This guy took down three dogs and four beasts. Even if those idiots were weak, it still means this guy isn't just some random punk. We should tread carefully."
"But we've got six people," the black-haired one, Ikes, countered.
"He's not alone," said the loli-like girl as she turned her head slightly. "I smell others nearby."
Ikes froze. "Others?"
The six from Ravik instinctively turned to scan the surroundings.
The bunny-eared girl narrowed her eyes. "Could it be a Nen Beast?"
"There's more than one aura," the loli girl said. "And they're not beasts. They're human."
Kaizen looked directly at her.
"Didn't expect one of you to have such sharp perception. You're right—I'm not alone here. And I'm not the only one you'll be facing."
...
Footsteps echoed.
Not from Kaizen's direction—but from the north and south.
Two figures stepped slowly into view.
The plaza connected to four roads, like a cross.
Kaizen stood in the east.
Now, two people emerged from the northern and southern paths.
One tall. One shorter.
Both lean, upright.
Both radiating an unmistakably deadly aura.
Both had white hair.
Suddenly, the atmosphere shifted.
The plaza fell silent.
Only the sound of footsteps remained.
Step. Step. Step...
Dum.
Dum.
Dum.
When the middle-aged clown among the group laid eyes on the newcomers, his pupils shrank.
"Zoldycks?"
The moment the name was spoken, the expressions of the other five grew grim.
Anyone in the Nen world knew of the Zoldyck family—and the terrifying strength each member possessed.
They were few in number, but each one was absurdly strong.
Zeno and Silva didn't react. They simply stepped to the edge of the plaza and came to a halt.
The air became unbearably tense.
"So it's really the Zoldycks," someone muttered. "I didn't think that bastard would actually hire them."
"These guys are professional killers. Way more professional than we are."
"This is getting tricky…"
Ikes looked toward the clown uneasily. "Even if they're Zoldycks, so what? There's only two of them."
"You think the six of us can't handle two assassins?"
The clown shook his head. "I'm not so sure. But I know it won't be easy."
Larkin narrowed his eyes toward Zeno.
"Zoldyck-sama, this is between us and Kaizen. If you've taken a commission from him, I hope you'll reconsider. Did he tell you who we are?"
"We're the Six Fiends under Minister Oster of the United States of Saherta."
"This mission comes directly from Oster-sama."
"If Kaizen didn't tell you that, then he withheld key information. Are the Zoldycks still planning to accept the job under those terms?"
Zeno gave Larkin a blank stare but said nothing.
Larkin turned to Silva.
Silva ignored him too.
Larkin's gaze darkened.
"Zoldyck-sama, are you really willing to go against us over one commission? Do you intend to oppose Oster-sama? The entire United States of Saherta?"
"We're part of the V5!"
"Even if your Zoldyck family is the most renowned group of assassins in the world, you can't seriously think you can defy a V5 nation. Are you ready to risk your family's survival for this?"
He was about to continue, but Kaizen cut in.
"Enough."
"You're not going to convince them. And aren't you the one who was so confident a moment ago?"
"Why are you suddenly so worried?"
"Also… can you really speak for all of Saherta?"
"Don't kid yourself."
"Right now, Oster—the man behind you—is barely holding his own."
Larkin's pupils contracted.
"So you are working with the Revolutionary Army!"
Kaizen shrugged. "Not exactly. I just know a few of them. They heard about your movements and figured this was a good chance to make a move."
Ikes snorted. "Kaizen, Oster-sama doesn't need your concern. Those parasites won't pose a threat. Anyone who comes for him will die."
"Just like you."
...
Suddenly, the loli girl's expression changed.
"There's someone else—coming in from the west. Fast."
All Six Fiends and their handlers turned at once.
There—a new figure sped toward the plaza.
And the aura they emitted was anything but weak.
Their hearts sank once more.
The situation had just gotten a lot more complicated.
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