Chapter 22: Mastering Hamon
Hamon, as the legend from the world of JoJo's Bizarre Adventure goes, is a special breathing technique that originated in Tibet. By using a specific breathing rhythm, one can alter the oxygen levels in their blood, drastically enhancing their physical abilities. Because this special breathing rhythm generates a ripple-like power within the body, it came to be known as Hamon.
Furthermore, because the ripples generated by this method have the same properties as sunlight, it has a devastating effect on creatures like vampires and the Pillar Men.
But in Kaito's eyes, Hamon had another special effect that was incredibly useful to him.
Ki.
Kaito knew that Mercenary Tao had initially been quite impressed with him. He could learn any martial arts move after seeing it just once. The special talent the Nexus had identified as [Absolute Territory] not only gave him the ability to exert power beyond his limits in special circumstances but also granted him incredible control over his own body. He could replicate almost any physical action he saw, a gift of muscle coordination that felt innate.
But ki was a completely different story.
Tao had tried to teach him several times, but Kaito was completely unable to grasp the ethereal, intangible concept. He didn't know if it was because he wasn't a native of the Dragon Ball world or for some other reason, but he simply couldn't get a feel for ki.
In the world of Dragon Ball, quickly grasping the sense of ki was the hallmark of a genius. Both Tien and a young Son Goku were able to master it almost immediately after their first encounter with it. Compared to that level of talent, Kaito was naturally far behind, which was why Tao had all but abandoned him, leaving for the inn below without another word of instruction.
Kaito held no grudge against Tao; he had killed him purely to complete his mission. Nor was he disappointed in himself. He was well aware that his inability to sense ki was likely due to a difference in his origin or species.
But conversely, he had an advantage that Tien and Goku could never match.
He was a [Reincarnator]!
A Reincarnator who could walk through countless worlds and come into contact with innumerable treasures and abilities! "Qigong" was not exclusive to the Dragon Ball world. The so-called "ki" of that world was a type of special energy, similar to a bio-magnetic field. There were many other, similar energy systems. The reason the martial artists and aliens of the Dragon Ball world were so abnormally strong wasn't because their ki was so special, but because they were so strong. With enough raw power, even a brick can fly. The sheer quantity of their ki was overwhelmingly, outrageously high.
As a new Reincarnator who had just obtained a powerful ability like the [Dodon Ray], it was only natural for him to strive in that direction. Once he could learn to use that ability, it would become a terrifying trump card.
"Very well. Name your price," Kaito said. He wasn't surprised that Kai had the Hamon scroll. The [Stone Mask] and [Hamon] were products of the same story arc. It was far easier for a Reincarnator to ambush and kill a few Hamon users than to take on the terrifying Pillar Men.
Kai felt that he was finding it increasingly difficult to see through this Reincarnator with the "visage of an Elder God." The man showed absolutely no emotion, even after finding something he clearly wanted. Was he not getting it for himself, but for a friend or a teammate? If he couldn't figure out his customer's true intentions, it was difficult to quote a price.
He could only test the waters. "One D-rank Singularity, plus 3000 Dimensional Points."
Kaito shook his head. While he didn't know the market prices in the Nexus, he knew that in a situation like this, the first offer was always an exploratory highball.
"Too high."
Kai was now fairly certain that his customer was a high-ranking Reincarnator, either outfitting a second-string member of his team or preparing to enter a world with vampires.
He decisively lowered the price. "Two E-rank Singularities, plus 2500 Dimensional Points!"
Kaito had his own philosophy on haggling. The first offer can be rejected without a second thought. For the second offer, you counter by adjusting it downwards. That's how you get close to the real price.
"One E-rank Singularity, plus 2000 Dimensional Points."
Kai sat down, shaking his head firmly. "That price is too low. The two E-rank Singularities are non-negotiable."
Kaito now had a rough idea of the Hamon scroll's true value. He made his final offer. "Two E-rank Singularities. No Dimensional Points."
He had keenly observed that the stall owner was fixated on the Singularities and refused to budge on them. So, he changed his approach and cut out the other currency entirely.
Kai mulled over the offer for a moment, then agreed to the trade.
[ID# AX95162347 (Kai) has initiated a trade with you. Accept?]
"Accept."
[You have obtained the Ability Scroll: Hamon (C+)]
Seeing the Singularities credited to his account, Kai felt a wave of relief. With these, his team's immediate crisis could be resolved. He checked his trade log and gave Kaito a nod.
"Mercenary Tao, is it? You're a smart one. I'll remember you. We might have a chance to cooperate in the future."
He took one last look at Kaito's mentally scarring face, then packed up his stall and walked away, heading toward the so-called "Miracle of the East Sector - the Goddess's Sanctum."
Kaito knew he was probably going to use the Singularities. He was tempted to follow and see what it was all about, but then he checked his remaining time in the Nexus. He decided it was better to wait until just before his next mission to enter the space for targeted enhancements.
More importantly, Kaito had realized another, alternative use for his [Nexus Dwell Time]. This place was a peaceful, neutral zone. If he ever encountered a dangerous situation in the real world, he could hide in the Nexus, using the stalls and other Reincarnators to find a way out of his predicament. But if he used up all his Dwell Time, that trump card would be gone.
With a simple thought, he instantly returned to his exclusive private space and tore open the ability scroll.
[You are attempting to learn the ability: Hamon.]
[Analyzing aptitude…]
[You have successfully learned the ability: Hamon (C+).]
Kaito immediately checked his status panel. Below [Proficiencies], a new category had appeared: [Abilities].
[Karma Reincarnator EX051]
[Codename: Mercenary Tao]
[Equipped Milestone: Gourmand]
[Lineage: Human (Black-Iron Rank, Native Species)]
[Talent: Absolute Territory (Similarity 87%) (A-)]
[Proficiencies: Martial Arts Aptitude Lv3 (+1); Street Fighting Lv3, Hand-to-Hand Combat Lv5, Footwork Lv4] (Parentheses indicate bonus from equipment)
[Abilities: Hamon (C+) Lv1 - Can use a special breathing frequency to enhance physical capabilities.]
[Foundational Attributes] Strength: 13+2 Agility: 12+2 Constitution: 12+2 Spirit: 9
[Assets]
Singularities: 1 B-rank; 2 D-rank
Dimensional Points: 3950
Items: Misfortune's Knock (Blue); Dual Wielding Proficiency Scroll (Blue); Precious Gemstone (Special); Mercenary Tao's Pink Robe (Silver)
Rank: Paper - Upper Tier
The rhythm of Kaito's breathing changed. The special cadence created a vibration within his body, which then intensified into a ripple of energy. He felt lighter and stronger. He pressed his hand against the wall, but he didn't feel the surging power of the Ripple he had expected. He figured that his Hamon was only at Lv1. To use it with the flexibility and power seen in the series, he would need much more practice.
After a brief test, Kaito turned the doorknob, preparing to return to reality. There was no point in wasting his precious Dwell Time on simple practice.
[Return]