Heaven's Arena – 201st Floor
The air was charged with anticipation. Lightning without clouds.
Every floor knew it. Every Nen user felt it.
Because tonight, the Phantom Troupe had come to hunt.
And at the center of the ring…
Kaen waited.
Not in fear.
Not in defense.
But with his throne floating behind him, burning with light from the Mind Palace.
A crown of golden aura coiled around his head like a living dragon.
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🕷️ "You're Interesting."
The crowd parted like water when he arrived.
Hisoka.
Smiling like a child at a massacre.
He licked his lips as he entered the ring, rolling his neck.
"You shine so beautifully," he said. "Like a firecracker I get to break open."
Kaen didn't speak.
He activated Velocity Grasp.
His shadow blurred.
And then?
"You're not worthy of a throne," Kaen whispered.
Hisoka lunged.
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⚔️ Battle Begins – Kaen vs. Hisoka
Hisoka struck fast—faster than most Hunters could track.
Bungee Gum lashed from his fingertips like pink lightning, rebounding off walls, ceilings, even the sweat of the crowd.
But Kaen moved like he was dancing ahead of time itself.
Every step was calculated.
Every counter already imagined.
Mind Palace Invocation – "Battle Blueprint: Joker Collapse"
Kaen manifested a miniature arena in the air—a projection of every possible move Hisoka could take based on micro-muscle reads, past behavior, and subconscious tells.
"You're not a mystery," Kaen said, dodging a Gum-kick that shattered the ground.
"You're a pattern."
He struck.
His fist glowed with combined abilities:
• Velocity Grasp (speed boost)
• Desire Engine (amplified precision)
• Reality Frame (locked Hisoka's gum to physical form)
BAM!
Hisoka flew backward into the arena wall, grinning as blood sprayed from his mouth.
"So rough~" he laughed. "You do know how to treat a body…"
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🕸️ Surprise Twist – Hisoka Wasn't Alone
Just as Kaen prepared the final strike—
The roof imploded.
Phinks. Feitan. Shizuku. Machi.
The Troupe.
"We're not here for a fight," Chrollo said, landing lightly beside Hisoka.
"We're here for an invitation."
Kaen narrowed his eyes. "To what?"
Chrollo smiled, holding up a sealed scroll.
Emblazoned with the mark of the Succession War.
"The Princes of the Kakin Empire are gathering.
So is everyone else who matters.
But they forgot to invite one kind of royalty…"
He threw the scroll into the air. Kaen caught it.
Inside:
"To the one who rules the Mind Palace—
Come and see what royalty truly means."
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🧠 Inside the Mind Palace – A Gathering of Wills
That night, Kaen sat on his throne.
The Court appeared before him:
Renzu, Mora, Selva, and two new beings formed from his own imagination—a strategist made of stars and a knight forged from dreamsteel.
"The world is opening its gates to you," Mora said softly.
"But every gate is a trap."
Kaen nodded.
"Then I'll turn traps into corridors.
Snares into staircases.
And the throne of Kakin into my balcony."
The strategist bowed.
"A true King does not march to war…
He lets war march to him."
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👑 Ending Scene – A New Challenger Awaits
Far away, in a palace of blood and silk…
Tserriednich Hui Guo Rou stared into the abyss through his Zetsu training.
And smiled.
"Kaen," he whispered.
"I felt your presence.
You shine brighter than any prince I've seen."
He cracked open his book of ancient curses.
"Let's meet.
I'd like to know which of us is the real heir to madness."
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🧨 TO BE CONTINUED in Chapter 36 – Embark for Kakin!