"It's too reckless. You two just got your qualification to reach the 200th floor, and now you want to register for a fight already?"
Wing stood up sharply.
"No—I have to stop them."
Reaching the 200th floor of Heavens Arena wasn't a big deal in itself. For those above that level, the only requirement was to fight once every 90 days. That pace was actually slower than Wing had expected.
But what he had expected was that once Gon and Killua reached the 200th floor, they'd register, take it all in, and then return—calmly.
Considering their situation, Wing was still in the process of teaching them the basics of Nen.
"They're too impatient. Too reckless. Can't they wait just a little longer?"
Without wasting another second, Wing headed straight for Heavens Arena.
...
He rode the elevator to the 200th floor.
Ding—
The doors slid open.
Wing stepped out and immediately spotted Gon and Killua—standing still at the hallway entrance to the registration counter. His tense expression relaxed slightly.
"Killua. Gon."
The boys turned around quickly.
"Wing-san!"
Wing stepped forward. And then he saw who had stopped them.
Hisoka.
The magician was sitting casually against the wall, flipping a playing card between his fingers.
A dangerous aura oozed from Hisoka—an oppressive presence that was unmistakably Nen, laced with malice. He hadn't even moved a muscle, but that alone was enough to freeze Gon and Killua in place, preventing them from taking even one step forward.
To Gon, though, that only made it more exciting.
Killua's eyes narrowed.
Compared to the man on the airship back then… Hisoka's aura is on a completely different level. The gap between Nen users is massive.
Cousin Kaizen… just how strong are you?
Hisoka wasn't the only one who knew Gon and Killua would be arriving at the 200th floor.
Kaizen knew too.
But unlike Hisoka, Kaizen wouldn't intervene. He knew Killua had enough judgment not to act recklessly.
As for Gon's impulsiveness? That was Gon's responsibility alone—it had nothing to do with Kaizen.
Wing, on the other hand, would intervene. As a Hunter Association member with a strong moral compass, and as someone who knew Ging Freecss—one of the Zodiacs—Wing held a closer relationship to Gon than Kaizen did.
Kaizen inserting himself would have felt out of place. Like during the Kurta Clan massacre—Kaizen had no position or authority to stop the Kakin Royal Family, the Phantom Troupe, or the people of Meteor City.
Hisoka, however, was different.
He'd chosen Gon as one of his "targets," and he wanted to see him grow. Smoothly. Properly.
If Gon received his Nen initiation the "standard" way—before understanding what made it dangerous—Hisoka believed it would ruin the surprise. It would ruin him.
And Hisoka hated that.
...
"Gon, I heard from Zushi that you're trying to register for a match right away?"
"Yes, Wing-san."
"Why not just register first, then challenge someone once the time is right?"
Gon didn't answer, but the look in his eyes said it all.
In terms of stubbornness, Gon easily outpaced Wing.
"Wing-san, I want to experience a 200th floor battle myself. I can't wait. Not even for a day. I want to fight now."
Wing went silent for a moment.
He looked at both Gon and Killua.
"Come back with me. I'll teach you Nen—right now."
"After your Aura Nodes are open, then you can register. Then you can apply for a fight."
"At the very least... learn the basics."
Wing had his pride. Gon had his determination.
In the end, Wing gave in.
"Yes, Wing-san!"
Gon and Killua followed him without protest.
...
Soon, the three returned to their temporary apartment.
"You both already know a bit about Nen, so I won't repeat the theory. I just have one question: Are you truly ready to learn?"
Wing's expression turned serious.
Gon and Killua exchanged glances and nodded firmly.
"Yes, Wing-san. We're ready."
"Good. Then I'll open your Aura Nodes now."
He held out his hand.
A stream of aura emerged from him, swirling around the boys.
Then—
"Open!"
Both Gon and Killua gasped.
Something had switched on inside their bodies—something subtle, invisible, scentless, but clearly there.
"...It's warm."
"And hot."
Wing watched them closely.
"Seems like you can feel it already. That's your aura—your life energy flowing out from the Aura Nodes I just opened."
"Aura is made up of physical and spiritual energy."
"I've already taught you about Ten. Try it now."
"You need to master it quickly. If you don't, your life energy will leak out constantly. It can cause serious damage—or even permanent side effects."
"I'm sure you don't want to—"
"Is that so?"
Gon raised his hands, interrupting.
"I think... I've got it."
Killua nodded beside him. "Same here."
Wing blinked.
He quickly focused his aura around his eyes—Gyo—to check their aura flows.
At first, he thought they were mistaken.
But after focusing, he could clearly see it.
The two boys were using Ten already—and not clumsily, either. Their control was surprisingly smooth.
Wing's eyes widened slightly.
"...They mastered it this fast?"
"And it's not even a crude attempt?"
"Is this really their first time using Ten?"
If Wing hadn't opened their Aura Nodes himself, he might've suspected they were already Nen users.
"This is... talent?"
"The talent these two have... it's terrifying."