Between Two Worlds: Nen and Haki

A 40% gap is undoubtedly massive.

Therefore, if Zane could obtain an Enhancement-type Nen category, even if the looted Nen ability was garbage, the power of his Nen aura output would receive a tremendous boost.

Ring, ring, ring...

Just as Zane was pondering, his phone, which he had only recently put back in his pocket, suddenly began to ring.

Interrupting his thoughts, Zane pulled the phone out.

Looking at the caller ID flashing on the screen, he raised an eyebrow and immediately answered.

"Boss, I saw the bounty you submitted! You're truly incredible—to think you could even take down an A-rank criminal!" the person on the other end said excitedly.

"I say, Tonpa, did you call me just to tell me that?" Zane asked, sounding dissatisfied.

Tonpa.

Indeed.

The person currently speaking with Zane over the phone was none other than Tonpa.

At the same time, he was a subordinate Zane had taken on after becoming a Crime Hunter.

The process behind it had been quite simple.

Since luckily passing the Hunter Exam, Tonpa, who had lost his livelihood as the Rookie Crusher, had been forced to look for other work.

Because he lacked confidence in his own strength, Tonpa eventually used his Hunter License privileges to start brokering information.

With one person buying intel and the other selling it, it was only natural for them to cross paths.

Similarly, to make purchasing information more convenient, once Zane discovered his old acquaintance, he directly recruited Tonpa as his subordinate.

"Er... not exactly. I actually received a new piece of intelligence. The target is also an A-rank criminal," Tonpa said hurriedly.

He deeply cherished his current situation.

Since becoming Zane's subordinate, he not only had a powerful expert as his backer, but Zane also paid him generous commissions.

With his career flourishing, he practically treated Zane better than he would his own father.

"Oh? Let's hear it!" Zane's spirits lifted at the news of another A-rank criminal.

Soon, Tonpa relayed the information he had received to Zane.

"The Phantom Troupe..." Zane was quite surprised after hearing Tonpa's account.

He naturally knew that the Phantom Troupe was a criminal gang where every member was an A-rank criminal.

He just hadn't expected that he would have the chance to encounter these people so soon.

The Phantom Troupe was, of course, among his hunting targets.

However, according to his original plan, he had intended to hunt them during the auction in Yorknew City.

After all, the Phantom Troupe's movements were a mystery; that was the only time their location could be confirmed.

But according to what Tonpa had just described...

Not long ago, a wealthy man had been robbed. During the clash between the robbers and the Hunter hired by the wealthy man, that Hunter had accidentally discovered a spider tattoo on one of the assailants.

This Hunter was clearly well-informed; he immediately judged from the spider tattoo that the robber was very likely a member of the notorious Phantom Troupe.

Subsequently, the Hunter decisively fled.

He had no choice.

If the opponent truly was from the Phantom Troupe, then continuing to engage would have meant certain death.

In the end, relying on his decent strength and the help of his Nen ability, the Hunter managed to escape with his life.

But the act of abandoning his employer and fleeing would certainly deal a significant blow to that Hunter's reputation.

To make up for it, the Hunter chose to make one last score by selling this intelligence to Tonpa, who had been buying criminal information at high prices.

"Talk about perfect timing," Zane couldn't help but chuckle after his initial surprise.

Although it was earlier than planned, since the opportunity had presented itself, he certainly wasn't going to miss it.

*

*

*

Night arrived.

However, the advent of civilization meant that darkness could no longer fully shroud the earth.

Under the night sky, the city lights were bright, and the streets were filled with a never-ending stream of pedestrians.

"Tch—so what if we were spotted? We aren't afraid of them, so why go through the time and effort of tracking them down?"

"It is not about being afraid, but if we do not react at all, it sends a bad signal to the outside world."

"Hm? You mean it will make others look down on us?"

On the street, two figures—one tall and one short—walked side by side, conversing casually.

The tall one wore a tracksuit and had short blonde hair, but his face lacked any eyebrows.

The short one wore a black leather trench coat with a skull pattern printed on the collar that covered the lower half of his face; his skin was pale, and his eyes were thin and narrow.

This tall-and-short duo was none other than Phinks and Feitan of the Phantom Troupe.

As they continued their conversation, Phinks and Feitan unknowingly arrived in front of a towering, luxury hotel.

"This is it. That kid Shalnark said the guy who fought us earlier is staying at this hotel."

Phinks looked up at the hotel before him, a cruel grin spreading across his face as his hands pressed against his knuckles, making them crack.

"Nothing to say. Besides the target, kill everyone else who sees us next," Feitan said, lifting the red umbrella in his left hand and drawing the hidden blade with cold, emotionless eyes.

"That is for sure!" Phinks's grin became even more bloodthirsty.

The crimes committed by the Phantom Troupe were too numerous to count, yet they had always remained mysterious.

This complexity was quite intriguing.

Just like the so-called perfect infiltration meant killing everyone who saw you.

At this moment, Phinks and Feitan were clearly prepared to replicate their past operations once again.

Stepping forward, Phinks and Feitan prepared to storm the hotel.

But as their feet moved, they both seemed to sense something and simultaneously dodged to either side with great agility.

BOOM!!!

Almost at the exact moment Phinks and Feitan moved, a figure plummeted from the sky onto the spot where they had just been standing.

Like a meteor impact.

Amidst a massive roar, the ground instantly shattered and collapsed, forming a huge crater.

Dust flew into the air.

Ignoring the chaos caused by the massive disturbance...

With a swing of his arms, Zane dispersed the dust and stepped out of the crater.

And just as he appeared at the edge of the crater, the dodging Phinks and Feitan had already circled back.

A crimson flash flickered in his eyes.

Zane's gaze swept left and right.

To the left was Phinks coming in with a whip kick; to the right was Feitan thrusting his sword.

There was no trace of extra emotion on their faces, only coldness and a thick killing intent.

'So much for a grand entrance.'

He had thought that by mimicking Kaido's feat of falling from a hotel rooftop, he could intimidate his enemies, but he had not expected them to be far cooler than he imagined.

While lamenting in his heart, Zane's movements were lightning-fast.

Wrapped in Ken and Armament Haki, both his hands moved in unison.

His left hand snatched the whip kick Phinks had swung, while his right hand slapped the side of the sword Feitan was thrusting.

In that brief exchange...

Phinks's heavy whip kick was firmly blocked by Zane.

Feitan's sharp thrust was also parried aside by Zane's palm.

An expert!!

With their respective attacks blocked, the two of them changed expressions and jumped back decisively.

[LET'S DUEL!]

Phinks and Feitan retreated warily because of the strength Zane had displayed, but Zane had no intention of stopping there.

He admitted there was an element of gambling involved.

But now that his stake-out had succeeded and Phinks and Feitan had actually appeared, he did not want to allow for any more variables.

Scanning the area, Zane's gaze first landed on Feitan.

With a single look, both sides were pulled into the Equality Space.