"Well, I trust you," Vega said, giving Kevin a firm pat on the shoulder.
With that, he turned and walked out of the villa, where a sleek black car waited. It drove him straight to the airport.
Soon after, Vega stepped off an airship and arrived at one of the most iconic landmarks in the world—Sky Arena.
It was said to be a paradise for martial artists and one of the most renowned tourist attractions in the world. Compared to the modest Nacro City, this place was a giant. The moment he left the terminal, he could see the 991-meter tower of the Sky Arena piercing the clouds, visible from nearly every corner of the city.
The streets around the arena buzzed with energy. Countless martial arts dojos lined the roads, their signage advertising styles from every corner of the world. Fighters and tourists alike filled the sidewalks—some in flamboyant costumes, others in traditional martial artist clothes. It was a city built on combat, spectacle, and strength.
Vega stretched with a yawn and glanced at the sun, then began to review the intel in his mind.
Murphy Monroe, fourth son of the Monroe family.
Currently residing in the Presidential Suite of the Teiro International Hotel, Murphy had brought a small army of Nen users—seven in total. The most dangerous among them was Natoli, his personal bodyguard, a powerful Enhancer from Meteor City. According to intel, Natoli was rarely seen in action and had little public record, but based on Nen readings, he was estimated to be stronger than most of Vega's own subordinates.
The others were less impressive. As reported by the captives—Red Snake and Green Lizard—two of Murphy's guards specialized in defense, not offense. They wouldn't be a serious threat.
Murphy had reportedly come to Sky Arena to recruit a rising star on the 200th floor—a promising Enhancer who had already won five consecutive matches. There were rumors this new fighter was favored to reach ten wins and challenge for Floor Master.
"Hmph… so that's your goal," Vega mused, rubbing his chin.
If Murphy was still holed up in the hotel, he could just rush in and kill him. He certainly had the strength for it.
But… that would be reckless.
He wasn't in Nacro City anymore. There were no subordinates here, no network to clean up after him if things went sideways. If he made a move too early and Murphy wasn't there, the target might escape, disappear, and fortify his defenses.
Worse—Murphy might realize the operatives he'd sent to Nacro City had been eliminated and go into hiding permanently.
No. It was smarter to wait.
Late night. Early morning. That would be the perfect time to strike—when the hotel was quieter, and Murphy was more likely to be inside.
Since he had time to kill, Vega decided he might as well enjoy the Sky Arena as a spectator. He bought a ticket and made his way to the elevator heading toward the 200th floor, where mid-tier Nen users clashed for glory.
As he waited for the lift, a figure nearby caught his attention.
A young man—lean, gray-haired, dressed in a martial arts gi. His face was youthful but determined. Something about him felt oddly familiar.
Vega narrowed his eyes.
"Where have I seen this guy before...?" he muttered to himself. "He's definitely a canon character…"
Then it clicked.
wait—Kastro?
In the original timeline, kastro made his appearance around this time. A proud martial artist who had made it to the 200th floor, his first fight was a disaster. He was matched up against Hisoka—and was swiftly defeated. Yet despite his loss, Hisoka saw potential in him. In his twisted way, Hisoka marked him as "green fruit"—not yet ripe, but promising.
Afterward, kastro awakened his Nen and attempted to develop it on his own, ultimately creating a dual-type ability combining Conjuration and Manipulation, though he was fundamentally an Enhancer. Without proper guidance, his technique lacked efficiency, and he eventually met a tragic end… also at Hisoka's hands.
Vega's eyes studied the young man.
"If Hisoka saw potential in him… then he must have talent," Vega thought. "Look at Hisoka's other 'favorites'—Gon, Killua, Kurapika, even Chrollo. All monsters in their own right."
"If I get to him first… and he trains properly as an Enhancer… maybe he could reach the level of someone like Uvogin. Maybe not quite as strong, but still—a powerful ally."
Just as Vega was weighing his options, kastro turned and gave him a curious look.
"Excuse me," he said politely. "Have we met before?"