"I'm fine."
Kaizen shook his head and said, "The United States of Saherta has officially announced that Oster was sentenced to death. His body was burned publicly."
Ponzu's eyes lit up.
"He's finally dead?"
"Good. That's good."
"Grandma's spirit in heaven, and everyone in the village... they can finally rest easy."
Kaizen said, "While you're here training, I have a few other matters to handle."
"Got it, Captain."
...
Kaizen returned to the isolated space within Sumas.
Four of the Beasts who served under Oster remained trapped—two still alive. He hadn't killed them yet. Not because he lacked the opportunity, but because there was still useful information to extract—especially regarding Oster's parasitic experiments.
These Beasts were Oster's top subordinates. They were bound to know something.
Then there was Parker.
Kaizen had mostly made up his mind on what to do with him. There was no need to kill him.
Parker had been one of Oster's more "successful" test subjects—an experiment in parasitism that hadn't gone wrong. If Ponzu wanted to reach S-rank as a Nen user, she might be able to learn a lot from Parker's experiences.
Besides, Parker didn't crave revenge. He just wanted peace—somewhere he wouldn't be disturbed.
Kaizen figured that placing Parker in the grassland region of Sumas might work well for both sides.
...
He spent half the day interrogating the two remaining of Four Beasts.
Once they had revealed all they knew, Kaizen disposed of them. Their bodies were sent to the trial grounds.
Then he turned his attention to Parker.
"Oster is dead," Kaizen said plainly. "The Saherta government announced his crimes and incinerated his corpse in front of the public. There's nothing left of him now."
"Good riddance."
A bitter smile crept onto Parker's face.
"That bastard should've died long ago. If not for him... my mother would still be alive."
Oster was Parker's biological father, but there was no love lost between them.
The death of his mother was one reason. The other—Oster had never seen Parker as a son. Just a subject for experimentation.
"I know you had no loyalty to him. But the rest of the Saherta Union doesn't know that."
"So here's my offer."
"This is a sealed-off area. No one enters or leaves except me."
"I can let you live here."
"I'll provide food, tools, even reading materials."
"But in return, I want your cooperation."
Parker narrowed his eyes. "What do you need?"
"Oster experimented on you. I want all the details. One of my companions is a survivor from one of the villages Oster destroyed. This matters."
"I see."
Parker nodded slowly. "I can give you everything I know."
"Then we have a deal."
"Deal."
Kaizen got what he came for—and Parker got something rare: peace.
...
Kaizen relocated Parker to the grassland sector. He transferred building supplies and crop seeds—resources he'd stockpiled in a blank area for just such situations.
He also introduced some low-threat creatures from the forest sector to simulate a natural ecosystem.
Parker took to it immediately. He poured himself into recounting everything Oster had done—every procedure, every experiment. He wrote it all down in detail.
The arrangement officially began.
It was a fair exchange. Parker got the tranquility he craved. He could plant, raise animals, read... even enjoy life like an old veteran entering retirement.
Kaizen, in return, received valuable research data—and a living specimen.
Parker's unique physiology made him an ideal subject for observation. Kaizen was curious to see what heights Parker could reach under these conditions.
And if Parker managed the grassland well, that was another plus. In extreme cases, Kaizen had considered hiding out in Sumas permanently. If that ever happened—whether for years or a lifetime—Parker's lifestyle would serve as a test model.
Moreover, everything Parker cultivated would eventually belong to Kaizen.
All the reports were handed off to Altan, who began compiling and integrating them through her system.
"I wonder if the Hunter Association has anyone specializing in parasitic Nen," Kaizen murmured.
"Might be worth looking into."
...
Kaizen left the Sumas space.
Outside, Shinji was already waiting.
"Kaizen-sama."
"What is it, Shinji?"
Kaizen glanced at him. The young man had grown noticeably over the past few years. The aura radiating from him now was solid—he'd reached the level of a C-rank Nen user.
"Zeno-sama has invited you to dinner at the mansion tonight."
"Understood."
Kaizen made his way up the hill to the main house.
It was still early. The sky was bright.
...
"Cousin Kaizen."
A small figure stood quietly in the courtyard.
"Little Kalluto."
Though biologically male, Kalluto wore a traditional kimono and carried himself with the poise of a girl. No matter how many times Kaizen saw him, the contrast was always striking.
"Where's your mother?"
"Mother and Father are in their room. They seem to be arguing. Grandpa hasn't arrived yet. Second Brother's in the lounge playing games. Third Brother... I'm not sure."
Kaizen nodded.
If Silva and Kikyo were arguing, it could only be about one thing—Killua's future. They probably had different plans, but Silva's opinion would ultimately win.
Kikyo might be allowed to shape Kalluto's growth, but not Killua's. He was too important.
"The 'Third Brother' you're talking about... that's Killua, right?"
Kalluto nodded.
Illumi wasn't at the manor at the moment.
Kaizen reached into his coat and pulled out a few vibrant red butterflies.
"By the way, I've come back a few times, but I haven't brought you a proper gift yet. These are Blood Butterflies—delicate little things, but they have some interesting properties. Consider them a toy... or a training partner."
"Thank you, Cousin."
Kalluto extended his hand. One of the butterflies fluttered gently onto his fingertip.
"I'm going to check in on Milluki. Want to come?"
Kalluto hesitated, then shook his head.
Kaizen nodded and turned toward the lounge.
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Fanfic is completed on patreon.com/FanficsHub (1047 chapters in total)