Hello everyone, it's Gon Freecss, whose tourist visa is about to expire.
A week had passed since Killua joined Gon and his group's training. That day, the three beginners were holding a debriefing session after being soundly defeated by Hisoka in sparring.
Killua, who already had a solid foundation, came closest to victory. Despite the rule forbidding actual attacks, he managed to land several blows on Hisoka.
Leorio, though technically the weakest of the three, possessed considerable physical strength due to his build. He achieved a decent win rate against other beginners, even if he couldn't match Hisoka.
Kurapika, on the other hand, had the lowest win rate among the three. Though he held a slight edge in Nen fundamentals, the gap in actual combat ability was becoming apparent.
"Leorio doesn't think enough, Kurapika overthinks everything, and Killua is too cautious," Hisoka assessed. "That's my honest evaluation. Leorio and Kurapika are practically beginners, so their performance isn't too concerning. But Killua—honestly, if he doesn't fix that habit, he'll break under pressure someday."
The three had trained the Four Major Principles of Nen to a reasonable level and were now focusing on refining their offensive, defensive, and movement techniques. Each displayed the exact weaknesses Hisoka had identified.
Killua, in particular, had developed an automatic retreat response whenever he sensed aura above a certain threshold. Both Gon and Hisoka had been pointing out this flaw repeatedly, but it seemed ingrained in his very instincts and showed no signs of improvement.
"I know, I know," Killua said, scratching his hair with a bitter expression. "I've been told the same thing since I started training at home. I just can't help it. Maybe I need to be pushed to my absolute limit once."
Since this was fundamentally a mental issue, finding a solution proved difficult, even for Killua himself. Leorio and Kurapika similarly understood their own weaknesses, but these simply reflected their personalities—early improvement would be challenging.
"If you watch Gon and Gin spar, you'll see that Nen's offensive and defensive applications are so crucial they might as well be basic techniques—or even advanced ones," Hisoka explained. "The higher your level, the faster you need to make split-second judgments about your limits."
As if to prove his point, Gon and Gin could be seen sparring in the distance, their fists and claws colliding at speeds that made it look like a genuine life-or-death battle. An ordinary person stepping into that exchange would be reduced to mincemeat, yet the two were simply taking it seriously—like an intense game of rock-paper-scissors.
Even Killua and the others, whose Nen offense and defense hadn't yet caught up, could barely follow their movements in an unrestricted sparring match.
"If you can move like that, you could call yourself an intermediate Nen user," Hisoka continued. "You three have reached a level where you can graduate from 'beginner' status. Fix the flaws I pointed out, and you'll improve drastically."
As the three watched the ongoing brawl, Killua asked Hisoka about something that had been bothering him.
"I understand that Gon is strong, but honestly, I don't see how he could ever beat you, Hisoka."
The past week of training had painfully demonstrated the strength gap between Gon, Gin, Hisoka, and everyone else to Killua.
Hisoka's power, in particular, was overwhelming—he surpassed everyone present in both aura manipulation and combat technique.
Gon's strength was catching up in terms of aura manipulation, but he still couldn't match Hisoka. His combat techniques were only refined enough that Killua could win against him in no-aura sparring.
Killua believed Gon could only win if his attack timing was absolutely perfect, but during the Hunter Exam, Hisoka had claimed his timing was superior.
"Isn't it because Gon is more of a Manipulation type? If his grappling techniques connect, he could win," Leorio suggested.
"No, if Gon were Manipulation type, muscle-to-muscle combat would be too ineffective for him," Kurapika disagreed. "Judging by his emphasis on fundamentals alone, I think Gon is Enhancement type."
Killua voiced his own opinion: "I also think Gon is Enhancement type. When he sparred with Gin and Hisoka, even though Gon had less aura, his power matched theirs. Plus, everyone's fighting style focuses on close-range combat—considering that, Enhancement fits best."
Leorio and Kurapika couldn't read as much from the sparring as Killua, but after hearing his explanation and observing more carefully, they could indeed see that Gin was using more aura output.
"Hmm, Killua really is observant," Hisoka noted with his characteristic unsettling smile. "Leorio and Kurapika are improving considerably as well. It might be time to begin serious training to establish your individual combat styles."
Confirming that Gon's sparring had ended, Hisoka announced a change in the training schedule.
"First, let's explain our techniques to resolve Killua's questions. Then we'll discuss developing yours."
As physical training like sparring concluded, the usual time for mental conditioning arrived with dusk. Gon and the others sat in a circle in a forest clearing.
Though observing the instructors' techniques directly would have sufficed, preparations for the Water Divination ritual were made at Leorio's request.
Just as they were deciding who should perform the divination first, Gin—still in his enlarged form without releasing his compression—held his paw over a glass and began the practice.
"Wow! Gin is Emission type like me. But seeing this reaction, mine is still way behind."
As Leorio said, Gin's Water Divination dyed the water in the glass such a deep green that light couldn't penetrate it. Not only Leorio, but Kurapika and Killua as well, were stunned by the intensity of the reaction.
Though it wasn't particularly praiseworthy, they had decided to understand each other's abilities in preparation for their battle against the Phantom Troupe, so Gon explained Gin's abilities.
"Everyone knows about Gin's compression ability. As for his attacks, he has three types that involve projecting aura through roars. The first is for long-range—he projects it forward in a focused beam. The second is for close-range, he blows away everything around him. The third involves amplifying high-frequency sound waves to damage inner ears and internal organs."
While Gin sat with a smug expression, Leorio was simply impressed, but Killua and Kurapika were troubled by how problematic those abilities sounded.
Gin, being a large beast, already surpassed humans in physical capability and senses. After years of training with Gon, he boasted an even more resilient physique.
Simply charging while wrapped in aura was threatening enough, but the fact that he could maintain distance while still having multiple attack options made him genuinely formidable.
"This is a more dangerous combination than I expected," Kurapika acknowledged. "I'll be counting on you in the fight against the Spiders, Gin."
As Gin responded with a grunt to Kurapika's request, Leorio refilled his glass and glanced expectantly at Gon and Hisoka.
Hisoka performed the Water Divination first, but after a moment, no visible changes occurred. When Hisoka stopped concentrating, Killua—looking displeased, dipped his fingertip into the water and tasted it.
"Tastes like cheap, overly sweet candy. Since Hisoka is Transmutation type like me, the taste is similarly sweet, huh?"
"Haha, you should be happy, I'm the best at teaching your type," Hisoka laughed. "My ability transforms aura into properties of both gum and rubber, allowing me to create deceptive textures on thin materials like paper or fabric."
"Hm? So the ability itself has no direct attack power? I was imagining something more combat-oriented," Leorio questioned.
"Actually, I'm developing a new ability right now. That one is combat-oriented, so keep your expectations high," Hisoka replied.
Leorio's question was shared by Killua and Kurapika, but before they could think deeper about these abilities, Gon interjected with additional insight.
While acknowledging the versatility of Bungee Gum and Texture Surprise, Gon pointed out that Bungee Gum's combat contribution was incredibly high due to Hisoka's fighting skills. Everyone nodded in understanding.
"So Hisoka really is one of the strongest in close combat? Then why develop a new technique? Wouldn't it be safer to keep improving your current abilities?" Leorio asked, building on Gon's explanation.
In response, Hisoka smiled broadly and turned his gaze toward Gon.
"While changing combat styles carries risks, if I remain as I am now, I'll never be able to defeat Gon in the future. If Gon continues growing steadily, there will be no one capable of beating him in direct confrontation."
Hearing Hisoka's assessment, Killua and the others all looked at Gon, who responded with a smug double peace sign.
Ignoring the irritation of the other three—who were smiling despite themselves, unlike Hisoka—Gon quickly prepared for his Water Divination.
"If you're so confident, show us your Water Divination and your technique!" Leorio declared.
As soon as Leorio finished speaking, Gon began concentrating on the glass.
It lasted mere fractions of a second, but enough time for a small puddle to form around the glass's base.
Leorio instinctively stepped back, while Killua and Kurapika leaned closer, certain that what they'd witnessed wasn't a mistake.
"I see, so that's Gon's reaction," Kurapika murmured.
"What the hell, Gon?" Killua pressed. "If Hisoka is Transmutation type and Gin is Emission type, you should be Enhancement type. But you're supposed to be Specialist type, right?"
As Killua demanded an explanation, Leorio looked confused. Kurapika then explained the Water Divination reaction.
"Increased water volume indicates Enhancement type, but in Gon's divination, the leaves were also vibrating at high frequency. In other words, Gon displayed an inexplicable dual reaction of Enhancement and Manipulation properties—characteristic of Specialist type."
"What the hell is that? How does such a reaction even happen? Are you saying Gon is like a defective version of Kurapika?" Killua exclaimed.
As Killua and the others crowded around him, Gon calmed them down and explained his ability...
The three fell speechless hearing about Gon's original physique when muscle release was activated, but upon learning the effects and limitations of "Brain Muscle Victory," they finally reached their breaking point.
"You kept warning us about limitations, yet you set such extreme ones for yourself!" Kurapika shouted.
"How can you talk about adaptability being key when your technique can only charge straight and knock people out?!" Leorio added.
"Wait, isn't it all just 'muscle' anyway?!" Killua concluded.
Hisoka, who had been watching Gon get surrounded by the three, finally intervened when the conversation stalled.
Though they clearly had more complaints, the three temporarily stopped pressing Gon.
"Well, I understand you have plenty to say, but Gon's technique is genuinely powerful. My new ability is specifically designed to counter Brain Muscle Victory, after all."
"Really? I feel like anyone using trickery or fighting from range could counter it pretty easily. Isn't it problematic that you can only charge straight and try to knock them out?" Leorio doubted Hisoka's assessment.
Killua and Kurapika, though looking displeased, understood the ability's power.
"Countermeasures against Manipulation-type abilities targeting Enhancement users are already covered by the fact that I'm manipulating myself," Killua explained. "Besides, using trickery usually means low direct combat power, so Gon probably plans to bulldoze through anyway."
"And 240% Enhancement is way too much," Kurapika added. "The aura required for concentration is more than double even for Enhancement types. For Transmutation and Emission users fighting nearby, you'd need three times as much. That's a nightmare, how do you even prevent someone like that from closing distance?"
"Exactly. Gon is currently at about 150%, right? At that level, I can still fight him head-on, but once he surpasses 180%, it's going to get rough," Hisoka confirmed.
"Ah, so even though his thinking and methods seem stupid, the results are genius-level... Nen really is profound," Leorio concluded with growing tension.
As he listened to the explanation, Leorio's expression became increasingly strained. Gon, having put away the Water Divination materials, asked Killua and the others about their technique concepts.
"Alright, let's continue. I'll go first," Leorio began. "Though honestly, I've only decided on the basic framework. I want to modify Gon's muscle manipulation for medical applications. Is that possible?"
"Of course. Specializing it for medical use would make it far more powerful than mine. I have several ideas I'd like to incorporate, so let's work on it together next time," Gon replied.
Leorio, having only settled on the medical application, wrapped up quickly. Killua spoke next.
"About my technique—actually, I've already figured it out. When I realized I was Transmutation type, I had this sudden inspiration and tried activating it recently."
Saying this, Killua slowly brought his index fingers together. A small crackling sound and flash of light appeared.
Gon and Hisoka were stunned, while Kurapika and Leorio simply marveled.
"As you can see, I transmuted my aura into electricity. Right now it's only static electricity, but I should be able to increase the output soon and think of various applications."
He demonstrated by channeling static electricity into Gin, making his fur stand on end. The three celebrated while Gon stared at Killua with an indescribable expression.
"Honestly, I'm quite shocked. I've never seen such an incredible ability before. ♥ Well, Gon probably has plenty to say, but Killua seems to be enjoying himself right now, so maybe you shouldn't worry too much. ♦"
Hearing Hisoka's rare words of comfort, Gon took a deep breath and finally understood the true meaning of Biscuit Krueger's words from the original story: "The fact that we can laugh now is a miracle."
"I understand the Zoldyck family raised Killua with his best interests in mind, but I still can't help wanting to complain," Gon murmured.
As Gin—growing increasingly agitated from the static, rampaged and got tossed around, the three laughed joyfully. Gon watched them with a complex expression mixing admiration and tenderness, carefully choosing his words.
"We have to keep working hard so we can all laugh together like this forever."
Hisoka observed Gon, who had renewed his resolve, with a lecherous expression, his tongue darting out in a way that made him look utterly perverted.
As Gin finally calmed down and the sun began to set, Kurapika started explaining his situation.
Due to Kurapika's emotional outburst the previous week, Leorio—who had witnessed it—and Killua—who had heard about it—seemed slightly uneasy.
Kurapika looked around at the two of them and at Gon, who wore a stern expression, then began explaining his thoughts from the past week with a wry smile.
"First, as a basic premise, I've decided not to create a Spider-specialized ability. Instead—though it's hardly a substitute, since I tend to become emotional at times, I'm considering making my emotional state's effect on my abilities more extreme."
Rather than specializing against Spiders, Kurapika decided on a restriction he wouldn't compromise on: imposing a limitation that would maximize effectiveness against Spiders specifically.
While the drawbacks were significant for everyday use, applying this restriction to only one of his planned abilities, and since it would enhance performance against non-Spider targets as well, made it overwhelmingly more versatile.
"For materialization targets, I plan to materialize five chains, each with its own ability. When the system became clear, this vision emerged in my mind."
"Materialize chains? Honestly, I was imagining something more aggressive," Leorio questioned.
Everyone else was thinking the same thing and waited for Kurapika's response.
"That's a fair question. I was surprised too. When I first learned about the six Nen types, I assumed Conjuration would manifest as swords, which I'm familiar with."
Running his fingers over the twin blades he'd carried since before the Hunter Exam, he continued with a resolute expression showing no trace of regret.
"When the chains appeared in my mind, I thought I couldn't let the Spider roam free, I had to bind it. But after a week of reflection, I realized that was just a pretext."
Closing his eyes and releasing his grip on the swords, Kurapika felt the deepest emotions within his heart.
"If this were purely about revenge, there are plenty of other suitable tools. I chose chains because they represent what I value most right now, they bind what I hold dearest."
Opening his eyes, Kurapika met the gaze of Gon and each of the others in turn, then spoke his feelings with a slight blush.
"What I want to bind are the bonds between us. There's an Eastern legend that destined lovers are connected by a red thread, but I couldn't settle for something as fragile as thread. The result of wanting a stronger connection was chains."
The chains, the bonds, extending from Kurapika's hands to each of Gon and the others seemed to shimmer faintly but distinctly in the air.
Finally, with a completely serious expression, he declared the name of his ability with all his heart.
"Chain Jail, that is the name I have chosen."
However, Hisoka could not see any chain extending from Kurapika to himself.
He watched the exchange between the four friends and the beast with an uncharacteristically beautiful smile, murmuring to himself, "How noble."
***
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