The forest floor was damp from the morning dew. Renzo's breathing was steady as he balanced on one leg atop a mossy rock. His arms extended outward, fists clenched, eyes closed. Aura flickered faintly around him as he focused on Ten, wrapping his body in a thin shield of energy. Jack's voice echoed in his head.
"Do not think of it as armor. Think of it as a natural flow. Like breathing."
Renzo exhaled and let the tension leave his shoulders. For a brief moment, the aura around him smoothed, flowing evenly. He opened his eyes to check his stability, then hopped down with a grin.
"I held it for a few seconds longer today," he whispered to himself. "Progress."
The sound of rustling leaves caught his ear. He turned quickly, fists raised, aura retracting instinctively.
"Relax, boy. It is just me."
Jack emerged from between the trees, his hands tucked inside the sleeves of his worn brown robe. His gray beard was unkempt, his posture slightly hunched, but his eyes carried the sharpness of a hawk.
"You are too quick to tense up," Jack said. "That is good for combat, bad for living."
Renzo scratched his cheek awkwardly. "Old habits."
Jack studied him for a moment, then nodded. "At least you are consistent. Consistency is a martial artist's backbone."
Before Renzo could reply, a cheerful voice rang from nearby.
"Renzo!"
Both turned their heads to see Gon pushing his way through the brush, face lit up with his usual bright smile. He carried his fishing rod over his shoulder and a basket of herbs in his free hand.
"You were training again," Gon said, his eyes sparkling with curiosity. "I could feel it from far away."
Renzo chuckled. "Or maybe you just have good instincts."
Gon walked closer, stopping a respectful distance away from Jack. He looked at the old man with wide eyes. "So you are the one teaching Renzo?"
Jack gave Gon a long look before answering. "Teaching is too generous. I am only guiding him away from breaking his body before he learns how to use it."
Gon tilted his head, trying to understand, but smiled anyway. "That sounds important."
Jack stroked his beard. "You are the boy everyone on the island talks about. The wild child who befriends foxbears and wrestles giant fish."
Gon laughed, rubbing the back of his head. "That's me."
Renzo stepped in quickly, sensing Jack's curiosity turning sharp. "He is a friend, Jack. Just a friend."
Jack grunted. "Then treat him as such. But remember my warning, Renzo. Do not speak of what I teach you to outsiders. Not even him."
Renzo nodded firmly. "I remember."
Gon blinked between the two, sensing the serious air. He squatted near Renzo's training spot, poking at the mossy rock. "I don't really get what you are doing, but it looks tough. You are always out here sweating and focusing. Doesn't it get boring?"
Renzo laughed softly. "It is not boring when you know what you want."
Gon looked up at him with those pure eyes that seemed to cut through pretenses. "Then what do you want?"
For a moment, Renzo froze. He could not say the truth. He could not say, I want to survive in this world I never belonged to. I want to master Nen because I know what is coming.
Instead, he smiled faintly. "To be strong enough to protect what matters."
Gon grinned. "That's a good reason. My dad is a Hunter. Someday I'll leave this island and find him. That's my goal."
Jack's eyes flickered, but he remained silent, observing the two boys.
Renzo sat on the grass, motioning for Gon to join him. "Then we're not so different. You have your path, I have mine. Maybe they'll cross someday."
"They already did," Gon said simply, plopping down beside him.
The words made Renzo chuckle, but they also hit him deeper than expected. Gon's straightforwardness had a way of shaking walls Renzo had carefully built.
Jack turned away, muttering under his breath. "Hmph. Foolish words or honest ones, both can move mountains."
Renzo raised an eyebrow. "What was that?"
"Nothing. Continue," Jack said, walking a few steps away, as if giving them space.
Gon's gaze shifted back to Renzo's practice rock. "So what were you really doing? Balancing? Meditating? Both?"
"A bit of both," Renzo said. "It helps me keep my body and mind steady. It is harder than it looks."
Gon tapped his chin, thinking. "I like moving around more than sitting still. But… maybe I can try sometime."
Renzo smirked. "You? Sitting still? I would pay to see that."
They both laughed, the sound mixing with the rustling trees and distant waves.
When the laughter died down, Gon turned serious again. "Hey, Renzo. When the time comes, and I go take the Hunter Exam… would you come with me?"
Renzo's chest tightened. He wanted to say yes immediately, but he also felt Jack's gaze like a shadow at his back. He thought of the years ahead, of the training still incomplete, of the dangers waiting in the wider world.
"I will," Renzo said finally. "But not yet. I still have things to finish here."
Gon's smile returned, bright and unshaken. "Then I'll wait. And when you are ready, we'll go together."
Jack coughed loudly, making both boys turn. His eyes were hard, but his voice was calm. "Dreams are fine. But dreams without discipline are nothing. Gon, you have your own path. Do not wander too far into his. And Renzo, remember what I said. Strength without wisdom is ruin."
Renzo bowed his head slightly. "Understood, Master."
Gon stood, brushing dirt from his shorts. "I should get these herbs to Mito. But I'll come by tomorrow. Maybe you can show me more of your training."
Renzo smiled. "We will see."
As Gon dashed off, waving happily, Jack approached Renzo again. His tone was lower, carrying weight.
"That boy has a pure heart, but purity attracts danger. If you walk beside him, prepare to shield him, not drag him into your fire."
Renzo clenched his fists. "I know. That's why I train this hard."
Jack studied him for a long moment, then gave a rare nod. "Good. Then let us continue. The world will not wait for you to be ready."
Renzo straightened his back, feeling both the pressure of his teacher's words and the warmth of his new friendship with Gon. Two different worlds had met in the forest that day, and he knew they would never separate again.