Chapter 134: Waiting for a Great Buddha
Hunter Association Headquarters.
"This might be the last time I wear this garment," Chairman Netero murmured as he changed into his long-stored heart-patterned T-shirt, gazing at his reflection in the mirror.
He walked out of his office as usual, casually greeting every staff member at the headquarters, smiling and saying farewell.
But one never knows when an offhand farewell might truly be the last.
Sitting in his office, Pariston watched the familiar old man through the transparent glass, maintaining his signature smile.
Yet his eyes, for some reason, carried an undeniable sorrow.
"The heart-patterned T-shirt—legend says you only wear this combat outfit when you're serious about fighting. I thought it was just a rumor."
"So it was... all true after all..." Pariston's lips curved slightly as he whispered to himself.
Despite the one-way transparent glass,
Netero outside seemed to sense Pariston's gaze from the vice-chairman's office and turned to look in his direction.
Their eyes met across the distance.
Each bidding their own farewell.
"Goodbye..."
"Farewell."
...
Kukuroo Mountain, Zoldyck Family.
Mord finally met the family's supreme elder, Zeno Zoldyck.
He appeared as a taciturn old man with silver hair and dragon-like whiskers, resembling an ancient dragon lying in wait. Dressed in traditional Eastern attire, his chest bore embroidered characters reading "One Kill Per Day" and "Active Career," proclaiming his continued presence at the forefront of the dark world.
From the Yorknew City arc in the original story, it was clear that with the right price, one could indeed summon this old dragon into action.
Though in the original, he and Silva only fought Chrollo, initially, the Ten Dons had hired them to completely eliminate the Phantom Troupe. This meant they had prepared for the worst-case scenario of facing the entire group from the outset.
This demonstrated his confidence in his own abilities.
And reality proved him right.
Sensing the bottomless aura emanating from Zeno, Mord's expression grew serious. This old man before him was likely the current number one in the dark world.
"Have you been well these past few days here?" Zeno asked, taking a sip from his teacup.
Mord replied: "Quite well."
This wasn't a lie. Though residing in the world's foremost assassination family, these days had been unusually peaceful for Mord.
His days were spent either teaching Canary or teasing the chubby Milluki in his leisure time.
It is worth mentioning that under Mord's guidance, Canary's strength improved by leaps and bounds. She had successfully passed Gotoh's assessment and became a full-fledged butler.
"I heard you're from Meteor City," Zeno spoke up.
The information was likely reported by Canary, but Mord had never intended to hide such matters anyway.
Mord nodded.
"Are you with the Phantom Troupe?" Zeno set down his teacup, looking at Mord as he awaited his response.
So they think I'm with the Troupe.
But it made sense—being from Meteor City and possessing such formidable strength, it was hard for people not to associate him with the Troupe.
Mord shook his head and chuckled. "The Troupe probably wishes they could kill me."
From Meteor City, yet mortal enemies with the Troupe?
Interesting.
Zeno looked at the young man before him and said, "What, did you kill one of their members? My son once killed one too."
"Not one," Mord picked up his teacup and blew on it gently. "Four, including one of the Troupe's founding members."
"That means it's a fight to the death," Zeno fell silent for a moment before speaking again.
"But with your strength, the Troupe will likely never be able to exact revenge in this lifetime."
"Who knows," Mord chuckled.
"I heard you're waiting for someone here?" Zeno asked, as this was what puzzled him most. Aside from business dealings, the Zoldyck Family rarely had visitors on ordinary days.
Could it be that he had received advance information and was lying in wait here for the Zoldyck Family's employer?
If that were the case, then a battle would be unavoidable.
This was the worst-case scenario.
Although the young man before him appeared harmless at the moment, Zeno was absolutely certain that this was one of the most formidable opponents he had ever encountered in his life.
Tap!
Mord set down his teacup, looked up at Zeno, and smiled. "To be precise, I'm waiting for a great Buddha."
...
At the foot of Kukuroo Mountain.
The ancient and majestic city gate welcomed yet another uninvited guest today.
The elderly gatekeeper looked at the old man before him, who seemed even older than himself, and kindly advised, "Old friend, with your strength, you won't be able to push that door open. Be careful not to strain your back."
"Heh heh," the old man in a heart-patterned T-shirt and sports shorts chuckled, extending one hand and effortlessly pushing open the massive city gate.
"How long has it been since I last came here? I'm feeling quite nostalgic."
Seven gates again!
What is happening to this world? Have there really been so many powerful individuals during the twenty years I've been guarding the gate for the Zoldyck Family?
This is insane!
The gatekeeper rubbed his eyes. The moment the other party pushed the gate open with one hand, he thought he saw a great Buddha.
Was it an illusion?
No, I must report this to the butlers immediately.
...
A tall, silver-haired man with an imposing, kingly aura walked in from outside. It was none other than the current head of the Zoldyck Family, Silva Zoldyck.
"Father, Gotoh just reported that an old man at the foot of the mountain pushed open the seven testing gates with one hand," Silva paused before continuing. "In this world, only one person fits that description."
Zeno looked up at the young man sitting across from him and asked, "Is the great Buddha you're waiting for him?"
"The strongest man in the world, Chairman Netero of the Hunter Association."
"The old man has kept me waiting long enough," Mord said with a slight smile, the corners of his mouth curling upward.
Netero ascended the mountain swiftly, arriving within just a few minutes of the gatekeeper's report.
Both Zeno and Mord's En detected Netero's aura immediately.
"Let's go, then. We should go out and welcome this great Buddha," Zeno said, rising to his feet with his hands behind his back and heading toward the door.
Silva followed closely behind.
Mord trailed after them at a leisurely pace.
Along the way, the Zoldyck Family butlers were astonished to see Zeno and Silva personally going out to greet someone, each wondering in their hearts which great Buddha had arrived.