Chapter 008: No Comment
"My name is Uvogin, and she's Machi..."
"Machi Komacine."
Machi emphasized her full name.
"Alright, so I'm the one without a surname."
Uvogin spread his hands.
"Kaizen."
Kaizen simply stated his name.
Hearing this made Uvogin even happier: "So you don't have a surname either, just like me!!"
"..."
In this world, the Western naming convention was followed—given name first, surname last.
Just like Gon's full name, Gon Freecss—Gon is his given name, Freecss his surname.
Generally, people here addressed each other by their given names.
Only those with unparalleled influence and formidable reputation earned enough respect to be addressed by their surname as an honorific.
The most typical example was currently the world's strongest person, Chairman Netero.
Full name: Isaac Netero.
Isaac was his given name, Netero his surname, but people worldwide now only referred to him by the honorific "Chairman Netero."
This nearly caused his descendant, his disappointing son Beyond Netero, to almost lose his own surname.
"This is the first time I've ever enjoyed mochis so freely..."
Uvogin still seemed to savor the memory, "Anyway, Kaizen, right? Thanks for the treat."
He made a fist and pointed his thumb toward himself: "From now on, in this area, you can freely say you're under my protection, Uvogin."
"Anyone under my care in this territory—I'll guarantee their safety!!"
Uvogin declared this with overwhelming confidence, carrying himself like some badass gang leader.
But Kaizen knew his true capabilities all too well.
Apart from his massive build and brute strength, he was practically brainless.
Even Chrollo, with just Shalnark and Franklin, could easily run circles around him.
And it wasn't just Uvogin and Machi's duo—even the pair of delinquent biker boys, Feitan and Phinks, were equally manipulated by Chrollo like puppets on strings.
So, Uvogin's words about vouching for someone should just be taken with a grain of salt.
"If you're ever hungry and need to fill your stomach in the future, you can just come to me."
Kaizen clapped his hands and made a promise to the two of them.
"Really?!"
Uvogin's eyes sparkled, his two large eyes instantly widening into perfect circles.
"Do you think the mochi you ate today was fake?"
Kaizen shrugged: "Next time you're hungry, you can come directly, but think about what you want to eat in advance."
"Of course, if you still don't trust me and don't want to come again, that's fine too..."
"Come! How could we not come?!"
Uvogin grinned widely, then moved closer to Kaizen:
"Kaizen, you're really something~!!"
"I really like you so much!!"
"Come, let me thank you properly~!!"
Uvogin didn't have any other assets or anything worthwhile to show gratitude to others with.
Even after the Phantom Troupe was established later on, he still didn't have a single cent on him.
So much so that in Yorknew City, when Shalnark helped him locate the hotel where Kurapika was staying.
No matter how much Shalnark emphasized that he only wanted money and nothing else, Uvogin still shamelessly pressed his thick lips against Shalnark's face.
And now, clearly, Uvogin had the same idea.
"I don't need your thanks at all."
Kaizen expressionlessly reached out his hand, covering Uvogin's head and holding him firmly in place.
All he needed from Uvogin right now was his food "request," which was enough.
"Don't be shy, I don't have anything else... Oh?! Your strength is no ordinary kind of strong..."
Uvogin originally thought it was just a joke after eating his fill, a way to vent his excitement.
But he suddenly realized that the strength Kaizen could muster with his hand... wasn't inferior to his own~!!
This sparked his competitive spirit, and he began silently engaging in a contest of strength with Kaizen's Nen-infused hand.
Machi, standing to the side, glanced at Kaizen who was easily restraining Uvogin, then looked at the Mochi Maker nearby.
The curiosity in her eyes couldn't be more obvious.
"Enough, enough!!"
Uvogin, who also sensed something was off, came to his senses and shouted as he stepped back, breaking free from Kaizen's grip.
He voiced the question on Machi's mind:
"How did you do that?!"
Uvogin smacked his lips and asked bluntly: "How did you... invent this thing?"
He felt that Kaizen's so-called "invention" was somewhat different from what he had imagined.
"Do you want to know?"
Kaizen looked at Uvogin's utterly curious expression and slowly curved his lips into a smile.
"Mmm..."
Uvogin immediately nodded, and Machi also turned to look.
"This so-called 'invention' originates from a certain marvelous power within the human body."
Kaizen said leisurely, "Depending on each person's physique, this power manifests different effects."
"And how to awaken this power..."
Noticing how intently focused both of them were, Kaizen's lips curled slightly:
"That is..."
That is...
Uvogin and Machi instinctively leaned forward.
"No comment."
Kaizen suddenly spread his hands, his tone taking a turn.