Zeno Zoldyck

Zeno is composed, pragmatic and highly confident in the experience he has accumulated as an assassin. Unlike members of the family who display more overt cruelty, he treats killing as a profession with rules and costs. He does not believe in risking his life without a sufficient reason, and he distinguishes between completing a contract and killing simply because he can.

His casual manner can make him appear less threatening than he is. Zeno jokes, complains about his age and wears clothing carrying slogans such as "A Kill A Day" and "Never Retire," yet his behavior in combat is intensely analytical. He can study an unfamiliar Nen ability while fighting and adjust his tactics without losing composure.

He also possesses a professional conscience by Zoldyck standards. During the Yorknew operation, the possibility that an innocent person may have been caught in his attack troubles him, showing that he does not regard collateral casualties as an acceptable or meaningless part of his work.

Zeno is an elite Nen practitioner whose natural category is Emission. His enormous aura reserves, combat experience and refined control allow him to shape aura into dragon-like constructs that can be used both for direct attacks and for transportation.

Dragon Head creates a large aura dragon that Zeno directs through the air. Dragon Lance extends that construct offensively, while Dragon Dive separates an enormous airborne dragon into a rain of aura projectiles covering a vast area. His control is precise enough to transport several people aboard his aura construct over long distances.

His physical abilities remain extraordinary despite his age. Zeno can move at speeds that overwhelm ordinary fighters, withstand demanding battles and fight in close quarters against exceptionally dangerous Nen users. During the confrontation with Chrollo Lucilfer, he rapidly analyzes Chrollo's fighting style and concludes that defeating him may require accepting a lethal counterattack.

Zeno first enters the story as part of the wider Zoldyck family when Gon and his companions travel to Kukuroo Mountain after the Hunter Exam. His presence establishes that Killua comes from several generations of elite assassins rather than merely having unusually capable parents.

He becomes substantially more important during the Yorknew City conflict. Zeno and Silva Zoldyck are contracted by the Ten Dons to eliminate Chrollo Lucilfer, leading to one of the series' clearest early demonstrations of high-level Nen combat. Zeno takes the tactical lead, identifies the risks posed by Chrollo's stolen abilities and pins him down so Silva can attempt a decisive attack.

During the Chimera Ant crisis, Isaac Netero recruits Zeno for the assault on the East Gorteau palace. Zeno's Dragon Dive provides the enormous opening bombardment that disrupts the palace and creates opportunities for the invasion team. After fulfilling the portion of the mission for which he was hired, Zeno withdraws rather than treating the conflict as his personal battle.

Silva Zoldyck is Zeno's son and frequent professional partner. Their coordination during the Yorknew assassination demonstrates considerable mutual trust, with Zeno willing to place himself directly in danger so Silva can deliver a finishing attack.

Killua Zoldyck is his grandson. Zeno is notably less hostile toward Killua's independence than some other members of the household and understands the exceptional potential that the family sees in him.

Illumi Zoldyck, Milluki Zoldyck, Alluka Zoldyck and Kalluto Zoldyck are his other grandchildren.

Chrollo Lucilfer is a professional target whom Zeno regards as exceptionally dangerous. Their battle gives Zeno enough information to recognize Chrollo's intelligence, restraint and considerable combat ability.

Isaac Netero has known Zeno for many years and personally recruits him for the palace operation. Zeno's familiarity with Netero extends far enough that he can comment on the chairman's extraordinary history and strength.