Killua's steps were incredibly strange—silent and almost imperceptible, yet full of menace. These weren't ordinary moves; they came from the Zoldyck family's elite assassination techniques. His speed didn't appear astonishing at first glance, but the moment he moved, countless afterimages danced around him like ghosts in the mist, forming a disorienting mirage.
"It's incredible… Killua looks like he's split into several copies of himself," Gon gasped, wide-eyed.
"Oh?" Lan Fei narrowed his eyes, analyzing each movement with precision.
"As expected of the Zoldyck family," President Netero nodded with interest, arms crossed. "This is the 'Rhythm Echo'—an advanced assassination step. He uses precise limb control and body vibrations to create visual echoes of himself. It's not just about speed—it's about control and confusion."
"To be able to manifest that technique at his age… remarkable," Lan Fei added, keeping his gaze locked on Killua.
Boom!
Suddenly, a dozen phantoms encircled Netero, forming a ring of deadly illusions. Without warning, Killua charged, his real body concealed among the afterimages. His silent steps glided across the airship floor like shadows under the moon.
"You're a bit too straightforward," Netero chuckled, taking a half-step to the side with the casual grace of a martial artist. Killua's foot sliced through air.
Undeterred, Killua continued. He didn't waste time with taunts or frustration—he was cold and focused, an elite from the world's most feared killer family. His body twisted with serpentine fluidity, his fingers aimed like daggers, aiming not to injure—but to snatch the basketball from the seemingly unshakable old man.
But Netero wasn't just an elder. He was the former chairman of the Hunter Association—one of the strongest Nen users alive. Though his movements were minimal, they were steeped in years of martial mastery. Killua couldn't even come within a meter of him, let alone touch the ball.
After dozens of rapid exchanges, Killua was panting slightly, frustration evident.
"Is he really an old man?" Killua muttered, frowning.
"Killua, you've got this!!" Gon cheered from the sideline, fired up.
"Why don't you two try together?" Lan Fei suggested, arms folded as he leaned casually against the wall.
"What about you?" Gon asked, tilting his head.
"I'll go one-on-one later. I'm interested in testing him myself." Lan Fei smirked. His internal system stirred restlessly—he could open several of the Eight Gates, combine them with the Glittering Fruit's burst speed, and possibly catch even a master like Netero off guard.
"I wouldn't be so sure," Gon said nervously. "That old man is a total monster."
"How will we know unless we try?" Lan Fei shrugged.
Just then, Netero smiled brightly, spinning the basketball between his fingers like a performer. "What, giving up already?"
"Tch… Don't mock me," Killua hissed, and his eyes narrowed. His instincts as an assassin flared. He launched forward with a low dash, suddenly diving at Netero's feet—a classic Zoldyck tactic aimed at unbalancing the opponent's center of gravity.
Crack!
A sharp sound echoed as Killua's kick made contact—but not with the ball.
"Nice!" Gon clapped excitedly.
"Hmph. The old man let him hit that time," Lan Fei remarked, observing closely.
"Hmm?" Killua's face contorted in pain. "Gahh!!" He grasped his left foot, the agony unmistakable. His body trembled as a burning pain surged through his limb.
"What a feisty boy," Netero chuckled. "That move would've shattered the ankle of an ordinary Hunter."
"Damn… What is his body made of? Iron?" Killua muttered through gritted teeth.
"Killua!" Gon called out, concerned. "Rest for now, I'll go next!"
Reluctantly, Killua hobbled away, eyes still burning with frustration.
Netero's gaze shifted to Gon, whose enthusiasm hadn't waned. "This one's got decent potential too," he thought.
"Gon's reflexes are good," Lan Fei thought to himself. "Similar to Killua's. Let's see what he does differently."
Whoosh!
After a brief warm-up, Gon lunged forward. Unlike Killua's illusions, Gon came in direct. It was a frontal charge filled with raw momentum.
"Hmm… Going straight in? That's bold," Netero mused.
Suddenly, Gon disappeared mid-sprint, leaping high into the air. In a split second, he was right above Netero.
"Oh?" Netero's smile deepened.
Clang!
Gon smacked straight into the ceiling of the airship.
"Ow—owowow!" Gon groaned, holding his head.
Lan Fei slapped his forehead. "He forgot we're indoors…"
"Gon, what the hell are you doing?!" Killua shouted, exasperated. "You idiot."
Brushing off the embarrassment, Gon steadied himself and began circling Netero cautiously. His mind worked overtime. He knew raw power wouldn't work—he had to outwit him.
Boom!
Another charge—but Netero dodged with fluid elegance, never losing his grip on the ball.
Gon tried again, and again. Like Killua, after dozens of exchanges, he still couldn't touch Netero.
"Killua, let's team up!" Lan Fei called.
Killua wiped his forehead and joined in. "Together, huh?"
"What about you?" Killua asked.
"I'll go solo afterward," Lan Fei grinned. "Once you both give up."
Killua's brow furrowed. "He's confident… dangerously confident."
One after the other, Gon and Killua attacked in sync—Killua flanking from the sides, Gon charging from the front. They tried feints, reversals, misdirections—but nothing worked.
Time passed.
An hour… then two… then three.
Hundreds of attempts. But the basketball never left Netero's hands.
Gon and Killua collapsed onto the ground, sweat pouring from their foreheads. They were completely spent, muscles aching and breathing ragged.
Across from them, Netero looked completely unbothered, his hands behind his back, still spinning the basketball with one finger.
"I'm done," Killua muttered, wiping his brow. "There's no way…"
"Me too. He's… insane," Gon agreed, defeated but amazed.
They turned to Lan Fei.
"Your turn," Gon said, panting.
"Oh? I nearly forgot there was another challenger," Netero smiled, eyes now fixed on Lan Fei.
Lan Fei took a step forward. His eyes gleamed with excitement.
"Now," he thought, "let's see how the Eight Gates and the Glittering Fruit fare against the strongest old man alive."