A Stinging Wake-Up Call

Inside the high-level medical room, everything was spotless and brightly lit.

But at this moment.

The atmosphere, however, was so frozen it seemed as if you could wring water out of it.

Everyone present, including Zeno and the Hunters, even the Beans, had a stiff expression.

They hadn't even considered it.

This old man, who has lived for nearly a century, stood at the pinnacle of Nen users, led the Hunter Association for decades, and crushed a host of brilliant geniuses, is hailed as "humanity's strongest Nen user."

To be called "kid" by a cat!?

"I... Ian, this is..."

The Beans spoke cautiously, his voice trembling.

He was afraid he had misheard and wanted to ask Ian what kind of cat it was...

Just then...

One of the Hunters looked quite angry, his voice trembling with rage.

"Hey, how dare you address Netero like that!"

This group of Hunters, if not all, but most of them, grew up under Netero's guidance during his tenure as chairman.

Therefore, how could they possibly accept the chairman accepting such an offense?

"Meow?"

The Cat Teacher glanced sideways at the Hunter who had spoken, yawned, flicked its tail, and looked impatient.

"I wasn't talking to you..."

The Hunter was about to speak again, but the next second, a trace of Martial Arts pressure unintentionally emanating from Cat Teacher made him freeze.

This is!!

His pupils contracted, his face filled with disbelief.

How could that vast, terrifying aura possibly emanate from this cat-like Magical Beast before us?

"Get out of here, Kaga."

At this moment, Netero spoke in a hoarse voice.

All eyes turned to him, as if they wanted to see how this most powerful human, who had been offended, would react to the Magical Beast's provocation.

After all, even in his old age, Netero remained a Martial Arts proud to the core.

He slowly propped himself up, ignoring the Beans's obstruction, and walked step by step off the hospital bed. His movements were slow but exceptionally firm, and he came to Cat Teacher's side.

Everyone held their breath and watched silently.

But.

The expected outrage did not occur.

Zeno seemed to have guessed something; his pupils contracted, and when he looked at the floating cat, his old face showed horror.

Netero showed no disdain, not even a hint of displeasure.

This elderly man with white hair.

Under the astonished gazes of the crowd, he slowly bent down, clasped his hands in a fist salute, and bowed so low that he almost touched the ground, his tone full of respect.

He even spoke with an undisguised reverence.

"Junior Netero greets Senior Martial Arts!"

This gesture of respect is Seeker of the Way of showing reverence to a higher level of power.

This scene completely overturned everyone's understanding.

A storm brewed in everyone's hearts; they couldn't understand why Netero would give such a grand gesture to a cat.

"I must have seen wrong, I must have seen wrong..." A Hunter rubbed his eyes, his face full of disbelief.

"President, he actually bowed to a cat! What's going on?!"

The crowd was puzzled.

The members of the Hunter Association were completely thrown into disarray, looking at each other blankly.

Ian, on the other hand, remained calm, as if he had anticipated this scene. He leaned against the wall, arms crossed, a faint smile playing on his lips.

Meanwhile, the Cat Teacher floated in mid-air, looking at Netero bowing, his furry face showing no emotion as he spoke calmly.

"At least you have some discernment; unlike these fools who only judge by appearances."

It paused, then gently lifted its paw, a soft force lifting Netero to his feet. It grinned, making the scar across its brow and eye look even more menacing, and laughed.

"Your level of understanding is quite good. I can see that you are a pure Seeker of the Way of the Dao. I acknowledge your dedication to Martial Arts."

Netero's voice was hoarse, but he spoke with utmost seriousness.

"I thought I had already reached the pinnacle of Martial Arts, but after meeting you today, I realize... I was just a frog in a well, and I haven't even truly stepped into the threshold of Martial Arts."

Everyone present froze upon hearing Netero's words.

Netero... if even you frankly admit that they haven't even stepped into the threshold of Martial Arts, then what are they...?

It's like playing a game of pecking at rice with chickens in Martial Arts...

Upon hearing Netero's humble words, Cat Teacher had a good impression of him and chuckled softly.

"There's no need to be so self-deprecating. However, you are right about one thing: the path of Martial Arts is vast and boundless. Even I consider myself to have only just touched upon a certain remarkable level. The road ahead is long, and I still have many more steps to take. This path has no end."

"As for reaching the pinnacle of Martial Arts, it's already quite good that you can recognize the absurdity of your previous ideas."

Upon hearing Cat Teacher's words, a light shone in Netero's aged eyes.

Yes...

He recalled the helplessness he felt when he fought Sashado, his persistence in trying to break through when he hit a bottleneck at the age of forty-six and punched ten thousand times a day, and the absurdity of thinking that the ultimate Extreme Realm of Martial Arts was only reached after a lifetime of hard work.

The path of Martial Arts is endless.

Hearing this from the Cat Teacher, whose level of cultivation far surpassed his own, made him truly believe in this fact.

It's not that Martial Arts have no future; it's just that his comprehension only allowed him to reach this level...

For a Seeker of the Way, the greatest fortune is to encounter a strong mentor who can guide one forward.

This made him realize that there was a road ahead, and that he was merely someone who had just embarked on this path.

"In the past, I seemed to be immersed in the praise of the world, and I took the power I had comprehended as the ultimate Martial Arts."

"Looking back now, it's really laughable..."

Now Netero finally understood why Sashado so strong, and why he felt so powerless against him.

It's because I set limits for myself when I was in my forties.

He foolishly believed that he had reached the pinnacle of Martial Arts, but now, looking back, he realizes that what trapped him was his former self, and empty fame that was useless on the path of Martial Arts.

Or perhaps... the arrogance of being invincible along the way.

"Senior, I have a question to ask you."

These thoughts flashed through Netero's mind quickly, and finally, he spoke with increasing respect.

"I throw ten thousand punches every day, trying to comprehend the compassion of the Bodhisattva. I once thought this was the true essence of Martial Arts. But when facing an enemy, my strength is still utterly inadequate. May I ask, senior, what exactly is the true way of Martial Arts?"

This question perplexed Netero throughout his life.

After all, he was already one of the best in the world of Martial Arts. If even he couldn't answer, who else could he expect to give him the answer?

Fortunately, he encountered a stronger expert with an even higher level of skill.

Hearing what Netero said, Cat Teacher became a little more serious.

Now it's just the two of them discussing their principles.

Everyone's Martial Arts is different, but in some ways they lead to the same goal, Cat Teacher said in a deep voice.

"The true essence of Martial Arts has never been compassion, nor has it been killing. In my view, it is mastering one's own state of mind..."

"You throw ten thousand punches every day, seemingly devout, but in reality you are bound by the 'fist.' I may not be able to say for sure what path of Martial Arts you are taking, but in my view, Martial Arts is Martial Arts. How can there be any talk of 'compassion'? That is a definition that you yourself have imposed on Martial Arts."

"Could it be that you are afraid of something? Otherwise, why pursue the meaning of compassion?"

Cat Teacher's words struck Netero like a thunderbolt, hitting him hard in the heart.

If it were someone else, he probably wouldn't care.

But Cat Teacher in front of him said instantly made Netero fall into deep thought.

Martial Arts... is just Martial Arts...

What am I afraid of?

Why pursue the meaning of compassion...? What is compassion for? Is it because you fear my techniques will harm humans?

Or perhaps...

I am terrified of the conflict between humanity's ever-growing technological weaponry and Martial Arts...

What... is this old man so afraid of...?

This moment.

Netero fell silent.