Chapter 348

"One involves flames.

Another involves dark red claws—something like a Transmutation–type ability. Its aura is fully at the A-level tier.

And adding those two Nen Beasts…"

Illumi then glanced at Akame and Chii.

"These two have comparatively weaker auras, but the one on the left isn't that much weaker, and the one on the right seems roughly on par with that martial arts–type Nen Beast.

What kind of abilities might they have?"

For a Nen user, each new ability signified countless new possibilities. When two fighters were otherwise equal, the one with more techniques held the advantage.

Ron's current display of power was already considerable. Illumi recalled hearing Silva and Zeno talk about Ron's talent, but now, for the first time, he was truly witnessing it.

"At only sixteen, he's reached this level? How is that possible?"

Illumi remembered his own situation at sixteen. Back then, he was just a B-level Nen user whose abilities weren't all that exceptional. Ron's body itself was still at B-level, but as a Manipulator, Illumi's focus was always on his own personal Nen abilities. Ron, on the other hand, was an Emitter specializing in Nen Beasts.

Comparing overall strength—including the Beasts—Illumi roughly gauged that Ron at the same age was already much stronger than he had been. And it wasn't just about being stronger; it was about the difference in innate talent, many times greater than his own. Illumi could hardly imagine how Ron had managed to create so many highly developed Nen Beasts in such a short span of time.

"He definitely surpasses me in talent. No wonder Great-Grandfather took the time to train him personally. Ron can accomplish several times more than I can in the same amount of time. How far might he go? Beyond Father? Grandfather? Could he reach Great-Grandfather's level?"

Illumi didn't feel upset. He never saw the world through a narrow lens—his loyalty lay with the family as a whole, not just his own standing within it. Ron's remarkable talent, like Killua's, was an asset to the Zoldyck name, and that was what mattered.

They weren't the only ones who noticed the commotion. The examiner for the first phase of the Hunter Exam, Satotz, crouched in a tall tree some distance away and observed the scene through binoculars.

"Hisoka and Ron… Both of them are stronger than I am."

Satotz recalled the moment Hisoka had briefly attacked him earlier and felt a twinge of fear.

"If Hisoka had gone all out back then, I definitely couldn't have blocked it. And Ron…he's supposed to be just a Floor Master at Heaven's Arena?"

Some in the Hunter Association—like Netero, Gel, and Mizaistom—knew Ron's true situation. But Satotz did not.

"A typical Floor Master wouldn't have power like this. And why is Gittarackur standing next to Ron?"

Meanwhile, Menchi and Buhara also saw the fight between Hisoka and Ron's two Nen Beasts. They exchanged glances, swallowed hard, and decided they would act especially cautious in dealing with Ron and Hisoka later on.

"Why would people this strong even take the Hunter Exam? They're far beyond the normal standard of candidates—they could easily be examiners themselves. This year's exam is bound to go down in history as one of the toughest, what with all these extremely talented newbies plus these combat monsters. Unreal!"

A regular applicant noticed the clash in the distance and, upon looking up, saw Hisoka seemingly fighting air.

Normally, objects materialized by Conjuration–type Nen can be seen by ordinary people, but Emitted Nen Beasts are a different matter. Thus, from this candidate's perspective, it looked like Hisoka was throwing punches and dodging absolutely nothing—but doing so with intense fervor. One moment there was a burst of flame; the next, loud crashing sounds shook the forest.

"What's going on? Is Hisoka just…fighting the air? Has he lost it?"

But the more this candidate watched, the clearer it became that Hisoka really was fighting some invisible opponent. A horrifying possibility occurred to him; his eyes widened in shock.

"Is it…haunted? I'm out of here!"

He screamed in terror and fled, drawing the attention of other applicants who went to ask what happened.

All the while, Hisoka's entire body was trembling with excitement. Previously, he had rated Ron around eighty-three points, but now Ron's performance far exceeded those initial expectations—and this was only part of Ron's true power. Hisoka's curiosity soared at the thought of what else Ron might have in store, and he craved a battle without constraints.

He immersed himself in the fight, reveling in it—until, at the height of his excitement, Natsu and Hanma Baki both stopped. Their auras vanished.

Hisoka frowned and shifted his gaze to Ron.

"Time's up," Ron said calmly.

Hisoka's face grew taut, but he couldn't argue. The agreement had been to fight for ten minutes, and that time was now over. Logically, it made sense. Emotionally, however, he felt unfulfilled. He had only just begun to truly enjoy himself when everything abruptly ended—a frustrating sensation reminiscent of the time at the Wetlands, when Ron revealed his identity before Hisoka could even make a move.

Still, this time was slightly better. At least he'd gotten a genuine ten-minute taste of what Natsu and Hanma Baki could do. Even that fleeting glimpse thrilled him.

"Any chance we can keep going? Do you have anything else like that?"

"No."

"Then maybe next time, once you get more of it?"

Ron was very pragmatic. He had no interest in a fight for fighting's sake—especially against someone like Hisoka. So, since Hisoka had nothing new of value to offer, Ron refused outright.

"Alright," Hisoka conceded with a regretful sigh.

"Someone's coming," Illumi spoke up just then.

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