"Start!"
The referee's shout echoed through the arena, marking the beginning of the match.
Neither fighter moved immediately.
Occam, a seasoned competitor, had studied Kaizen's previous fights in detail. He'd watched the recordings over and over.
"This kid has an invisible ability," he muttered to himself. "It appears suddenly, attacking without warning. That's his trump card, no doubt about it."
Occam, who had yet to learn the skill of Gyo for focused observation, misinterpreted Kaizen's tactics. His cautious approach was driven by incomplete information.
"Stay alert. Close the distance. The closer I get, the better my chances."
Occam was confident. He had gathered enough intelligence to feel prepared.
But Kaizen wasn't ignorant of Occam's strategy either.
In keeping with both his own nature and the Zoldyck family's meticulous traditions, Kaizen had ensured that every detail about his opponent was at his disposal.
As he faced Occam, Kaizen mentally reviewed the intel gathered by Altan.
"Occam," he thought, "a rough-looking guy, but he used to be a surgeon before coming to Heavens Arena. A Manipulator-type Nen user. His primary weapon is a scalpel—razor-sharp, but nothing else stands out about it.
"Based on his mastery of Nen, he's no higher than D-class."
Kaizen made up his mind.
"I won't need any special abilities for this one. This match will be pure hand-to-hand combat, with Nen techniques to supplement."
With that decision, Kaizen took the initiative. He darted toward Occam.
Occam froze for a split second, startled by Kaizen's uncharacteristic move.
"What's going on?"
From his research, Occam was certain Kaizen would rely on his invisible ability, keeping his distance and waiting for an opening. That was how Kaizen had won all his previous matches.
But now, Kaizen was closing the gap.
"This brat—!"
Kaizen's fist shot out, aiming straight for Occam's face.
Only Ten was active, reinforcing Kaizen's body with a modest amount of aura.
Occam reacted just in time, raising his arms to block.
Boom!
The impact sent Occam staggering backward. Pain radiated through his forearm.
"What the hell?" Occam thought, his face contorted. "How is this kid so strong? Is this his real power?"
Lowering his center of gravity, Occam steadied himself. But Kaizen didn't let up.
His next strike lashed out, a fluid motion like a whip.
Crack!
The sound reverberated through the arena as Kaizen's arm struck Occam's side.
"Agh!"
A sharp, searing pain tore through Occam. It wasn't like anything he'd felt before—not even from broken bones.
"What kind of attack is this?"
Kaizen observed the change in Occam's expression.
"Good."
He adjusted his stance. Power gathered in his right fist, his posture resembling the horned charge of a Triceratops.
Kaizen's strike connected with explosive force, launching Occam off his feet. He flew ten meters before crashing to the ground, struggling to regain his balance.
Kaizen stood still, lowering his fist.
"Next," Kaizen said calmly, "it's your turn."
Occam's eyes widened in disbelief.
"What does that mean?"
"It means I won't attack anymore. Use everything you've got to try and land a hit."
Occam's disbelief turned to fury.
"You're mocking me?"
Kaizen tilted his head slightly. "Prove me wrong."
Occam growled, his ferocity surfacing. "Fine! Don't regret this when I cut you down!"
A gleaming scalpel appeared in Occam's hand as he charged forward, his killing intent palpable.
The moment Occam entered the range of Kaizen's En—a sensory aura field extending from his body—Kaizen perceived everything.
(T/N: En: A fusion of Ten and Ren, En spreads your aura into a thin field to perceive your surroundings. It can detect distant targets or approaching enemies)
Occam's position.
His movement.
The air currents around him.
The rhythm of his heartbeat.
Even the subtle fluctuations in his breath.
Occam lunged, thrusting his scalpel toward Kaizen.
The blade had a unique property—once it pierced flesh, Occam could alter its shape, causing devastating internal damage. He believed that one successful stab would seal his victory, even against an opponent stronger than him.
But the scalpel sliced through empty air.
Occam staggered, thrown off balance by the lack of resistance.
"What?"
He turned quickly, spotting Kaizen a few meters away.
"You—!"
Occam launched another attack, but Kaizen simply dodged, moving effortlessly out of reach.
Kaizen's expression was calm, almost detached.
"En really is an incredible technique," Kaizen thought. "The range and clarity it provides make it invaluable in combat.
"For someone like me, it's even more meaningful."
Occam began to notice a troubling pattern.
No matter how fast he moved, Kaizen was faster.
It wasn't just speed—Kaizen seemed to anticipate every move, reacting before Occam could complete an action.
"Is this an ability?" Occam wondered, a bead of sweat running down his face. "Can he… predict the future?"
Kaizen's focus sharpened.
He adjusted his Ren, suppressing his aura to a bare minimum.
Occam's eyes lit up as he noticed the sudden drop in Kaizen's energy.
"His aura… it's weakening? Is he running out of stamina?"
A sly grin spread across Occam's face.
"This is my chance."
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