Yorknew City.

The Wildlife Aurora Zoo, one of the two largest in Yorknew, was a bustling attraction, drawing in tourists and locals alike. But by night, it stood almost abandoned, with only a single, drowsy guard posted at the entrance. The pathways and enclosures were empty, devoid of any human presence.

Across from the zoo, a figure stood quietly on the rooftop of a restaurant, observing the zoo’s empty grounds under the midnight sky. He drew a cigarette from his pocket, lighting it with a steady hand, and took a slow drag, letting the night’s chill wrap around him. Smoke rose, softening his gaze, his sharp green eyes shifting slightly in the dim glow.

Since his arrival in Yorknew City, Cade had taken a particular interest in the zoo, keeping it under close watch for his own reasons. The lone guard, unaware of his presence, seemed lost in his own world, his attention slipping as midnight wore on.

"That’s my cue," Cade muttered, and in a swift, silent movement, he leaped from the rooftop and landed softly on the ground. He moved toward the guard’s blind spot, scaled the wall in a single, practiced motion, and slipped inside the zoo.

The guard stirred as a cold breeze hit him, rubbing his hands together in the darkness. “It’s cold tonight,” he whispered into the emptiness, his voice barely audible.

Cade moved silently through the zoo, his steps careful and deliberate as he navigated the familiar paths he had memorized over days of observation. Each turn and corner was etched into his mind, and tonight, he moved with purpose. His first destination was the cheetah enclosure, where the animals lay motionless in deep slumber. The faint sound of their rhythmic breathing filled the stillness of the night. Cade reached the enclosure's gate and found it carelessly secured. Slipping inside with precision, his Nen completely concealed through Zetsu, he avoided the cluster of resting cheetahs and turned his attention to a solitary one curled up in a far corner.

He approached with care, each step slow and measured. Stopping a short distance from the animal, Cade inhaled deeply and conjured a Rubik's Cube in his hand, its edges shimmering faintly. The intricate patterns of the cube stabilized instantly, and in under a second, he solved it. As the final twist clicked into place, the engraved snake pattern on one side seemed to shift, coming alive. A small, black serpent, no longer than a foot, emerged from the cube, its glossy scales reflecting the dim light. The snake coiled around Cade's hand, awaiting his next move.

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From his jacket pocket, Cade retrieved a syringe. With practiced swiftness, he injected its contents—a potent anesthetic—into the cheetah's neck. Simultaneously, he activated Gyo in his free hand, focusing his aura to firmly close the animal's mouth, muffling any potential noise. The cheetah’s brief struggle subsided quickly as the drug took effect, rendering it unconscious without disturbing the others.

The snake, attuned to Cade’s intent, slithered from his arm onto the cheetah. Its fangs sank into the animal’s neck, and it began to extract blood essence, a vital component for its unique ability: Genetic Codex Extraction.

Within its body, the snake processed the genetic material, refining it to be compatible with human physiology. Cade watched silently as the serpent completed its task.

After a few minutes, a mental signal flickered in his mind—it had consumed its fill. He looked down at the now frail-looking cheetah and sighed softly.

"I don't want to harm anyone," he muttered, his voice barely audible. "Unfortunately, kindness is a luxury I can't afford."

He gently retrieved the snake and slipped it back onto his arm. Exiting the enclosure as quietly as he had entered, Cade moved on. Over the next hour, he visited four more enclosures, repeating the process with the same efficiency, extracting blood essence from various animals. Each time, the snake dutifully consumed and stored the genetic material. By the time he reached the final enclosure, the sign above it caught his eye: Highly Endangered Species – Xilara Lizards.

This enclosure was far larger, spanning nearly a hundred square meters and mimicking the lizards’ natural habitat with dense bushes, scattered rocks, and small caves. Cade examined the heavy lock securing the gate and frowned. "I really should learn how to pick locks," he mused, though he knew brute force was always an option. Breaking the lock, however, would draw unwanted attention, a risk he couldn’t afford.

Kneeling, Cade placed the snake on the ground. "You’re up, little one," he whispered. The serpent understood and slithered through a narrow gap in the gate, disappearing into the enclosure. Cade waited in the shadows, his senses alert. Minutes passed, each stretching longer than the last, until the snake finally emerged, coiling back onto his arm.

“What took you so long?” Cade whispered, relieved.

Fragments of thought entered his mind, disjointed but clear enough.

"Lizard… small… hides well."

Cade nodded. The snake was still young, and its communication was limited to fragmented phrases. "You did well. Don’t worry; you’ll improve." He gave it a brief pat before the serpent dissolved into the Rubik’s Cube form, which he tucked safely into his pocket.

The snake’s voice echoed faintly in his mind again. "Six samples… limit…"

"I know," Cade replied softly. "For now, that’s enough. You’ll grow stronger, and so will your capacity." He glanced around to ensure no one was nearby, then slipped away. The ability required the snake to remain active as long as it carried genetic samples, but in its dormant cube form, its aura consumption was minimal. Cade could maintain it even while asleep.

As the night drew to a close, Cade retraced his steps and left the zoo as silently as he had arrived. His work was done—for now.