The Strongest Assassin of the Zoldyck Family!

Compared to Natsu, Kurapika had no advantage at all. In terms of aura output, Natsu surpassed him. In speed, Natsu was faster. In strength, Natsu was stronger. In durability, Natsu was tougher. In recovery ability, Natsu was better. Kurapika did have a healing ability, but Natsu was a Nen Beast—so long as he had aura, he could recover. In information, Natsu had the upper hand. Ron knew all about Kurapika's abilities, but Kurapika knew nothing about Natsu. In experience, Natsu was ahead. In technique, Natsu was more refined. In mentality, Natsu was steadier.

Even if Kurapika activated Emperor Time with his scarlet eyes, he still wouldn't gain any meaningful advantage. Especially because he couldn't use the Chain Jail on Natsu. It wasn't that it wouldn't work—but that he couldn't use it at all. If Kurapika applied that restriction and vow to anyone outside the Phantom Troupe, it would cost him his life.

From the start, Natsu had suppressed Kurapika. But Ron didn't immediately let Natsu win. He gave Kurapika a chance to fully display his abilities. The thumb—healing. The index finger—stealing abilities. The middle finger—Chain Jail, which he couldn't use on Natsu. The ring finger—tracking and lie detection. The pinky—Judgment Chain, a vow-setting tool.

Four of these could be used in battle, but with Chain Jail unusable against Natsu, only three remained. And Judgment Chain required strict conditions, making it unusable under the current circumstances. As for Steal Chain on the index finger, it seemed Kurapika hadn't yet developed it properly. That left healing as the only functional ability. Everything else had to rely on close combat and Nen user techniques.

In this state, Kurapika was fighting like a martial artist—his fists and legs became his primary weapons.

"He's strong!" Leorio's eyes widened. No matter which side he imagined himself on, he knew he wouldn't stand a chance. Both Ron and Kurapika were far stronger than him.

"It's terrifying. Ron's strength is absurd. Just one Nen Beast is this powerful… and Ron himself hasn't even taken action. Nor has he summoned any of his other Nen Beasts. If Ron did make his Nen beast visible I would even know what Kurapika was fighting against."

"And Kurapika? Also insane. It hasn't been long, and yet he's already this strong. I've only learned Ten so far, and he's out here doing this. "

Leorio clenched his fists, blood rushing hot through his veins.

Ron thought to himself, It's about time to end this. He had seen enough of Kurapika's ability and strength. He also had a good idea now of why, in the original timeline, Kurapika was able to defeat Uvogin.

There was no reason to drag this out.

"Natsu. End it."

With Ron's command, Natsu's attacks suddenly intensified. Flames surged from his fist.

"Fire Dragon Iron Fist!"

A tremendous force blasted Kurapika backward. But Natsu stood firm, not giving Kurapika any more time to breathe. He followed up immediately with another move—he inhaled deeply.

"Fire Dragon Roar!"

A torrent of flames erupted, like a dragon charging forward. Kurapika had no time to dodge.

It was a direct hit.

Boom!

Kurapika's body was sent flying, his clothes catching fire. Ash and soot covered him. His hair and eyebrows were singed. And that was after he had already used his healing chain on himself.

Ron gave the order and Natsu vanished.

Kurapika got back up, dazed. After developing his Nen abilities, he could feel how much stronger he had become. Among the Nostrade bodyguards, Kurapika could say confidently that none of them surpassed him—not even Dalzollene. Let alone someone like Squala.

When Uvogin was bound, Dalzollene had driven his Nen sword into him—and still failed to do any real damage. Uvogin even laughed at him. And that sword was a Nen weapon meant to boost Dalzollene's attack power.

Yet Kurapika's bare fists had harmed Uvogin.

That alone proved his strength far outmatched Dalzollene's.

As for Gon, Killua, and Leorio—Kurapika could tell he was stronger than them too. Especially Killua. During the Hunter Exam, he had been no match for Killua. But now, he felt he had surpassed him.

Still, this battle against Ron had shattered his confidence. He had been crushed.

"Kurapika. Want to hear my assessment?"

Kurapika hesitated, then nodded quickly.

Ron said, "I can tell you've learned most of the Nen user techniques, but you're rushing it. Learning something doesn't mean you've mastered it. Many techniques you've only grasped roughly. You need to spend more time polishing them."

"Your Nen abilities are mostly developed, so there's no need to sink more effort into creating new ones. You probably won't make another Hatsu any time soon."

"In terms of aura reserves, you're decent. But your strength lies in mental energy. Physically, you're lacking—less durable than Gon or Killua. You'll need to train your body. Even now I don't think you would outlast them in endurance without using any Nen."

"Spiritual strength is powerful, yes—but it relies heavily on mental stability. If your will falters, your power will as well."

Gon and Killua followed the Hatsu route taught by Wing—balanced and stable. It didn't yield fast results, but the foundation was solid and could take them further in the long run. The subsequent Hastu developed had a strong bedrock they could build upon.

Using terms from novels he read in his previous life. Kurapika, in martial terms, was walking a demonic path. Righteous cultivation takes time. But a demonic path? One can rise rapidly—but always with a cost.

The path Kurapika had chosen was full of flaws.

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