Hum—
The propellers sliced through the air, creating a steady, rhythmic thrumming.
On Flight K8451 bound for the Republic of Padokea, inside VIP Lounge No. 9, Roy sat on a plush sofa by the window. He sipped his black tea leisurely as Gotoh attended to him. Spread out on the mahogany table before him was a book—the cultivation notes left behind by his grandfather, Zigg.
Flipping to page 27, he found clear records of the old man's understanding of the nature transformations of Nen. According to the notes, 'Nen is both complex and simple.'
'It is complex because it is a collective manifestation of human emotion and physical potential, focusing on elements like mental will, psychological projection, and soul strength.'
'It is simple because it can be divided into Yin and Yang, and further subdivided into the Five Elements. These serve as the foundation to compose all the diverse objects that exist in the vast world.'
As for the mechanics that formed a Nen ability beyond the mere numerical value of aura, that belonged to a different level—the realm of Vows and Restrictions.
Roy took a sip of tea, reflecting on his recent conversation with Ging.
To understand an object and to feel deeply for it was the key to gaining the ability to conjure or reverse-conjure it. He asked Gotoh for a pen and, after a few seconds of contemplation, added his own insights into the blank space of the notes. Rather than saying one must feel deeply for an object, it was more accurate to say...
'One must have a fundamental understanding of the Yin, Yang, and Five Elements that compose the most basic structures of this world.'
Since Wood Release was a product of combining Water and Earth while utilizing the Sun as a catalyst, could other Kekkei Genkai from the Naruto world be condensed using the same logic?
Roy put down the pen and fell into deep thought.
Outside the window, ethereal white clouds drifted by under a brilliant blue sky. As the airship climbed higher, the temperature gradually dropped. A gust of wind brushed against the glass, forming a thin mist of condensation that trickled down the pane.
Gotoh moved gracefully to take Roy's teacup, intending to refill it with hot tea. Just as his hand touched the rim, Roy dismissed him with a casual wave.
"Master Roy, the tea has gone cold," Gotoh explained.
"Then we shall heat it."
Without any visible movement, the boy simply gripped the cup. In his mind, he channeled two strands of aura—Fire and Water—and injected them into the tea. The cold liquid heated up visibly, and within two seconds, it began to bubble and boil, steam rising from the surface.
Fire plus Water produced Boil... the same Boiling Release mastered by Kokuo, the Five-Tails!
"Master Roy, boiling water can easily burn the esophagus. It would be best to let it cool a little before drinking," Gotoh reminded him carefully.
Roy nodded. "Then we shall cool it."
Keeping his hand on the cup, he shifted his thoughts, connecting Wind and Water. He injected two more strands of aura. The tea, which had been emitting thick steam, suddenly acted as if it had been plunged into a frozen wasteland. The bubbling ceased, and as a cold breeze brushed past, the liquid solidified into a block of tea-flavored ice!
Wind plus Water produced Ice... the Kekkei Genkai of the Yuki Clan, once possessed by Haku, who followed Zabuza Momochi. It was Ice Release!
Roy turned the cup upside down; the frozen tea was obviously undrinkable. He smiled and asked Gotoh, "Would you like a popsicle?"
Gotoh felt a phantom ache in his jaw. "That would shatter my teeth," he said blankly.
"True. Too cold, gives you a brain freeze," Roy agreed, nodding. His thoughts shifted once more. The hand holding the cup suddenly glowed with a scorching red light. The frozen tea thawed instantly, becoming neither too cold nor too hot—it was perfect. Roy took a sip, finding it refreshing. He now understood that Fire plus Earth produced Lava... the Lava Release favored by Son Goku, the Four-Tails!
Gotoh stood by, watching everything clearly. Once Roy finished the tea, Gotoh refilled it. He adjusted his glasses and spoke. "Master Roy, it seems Water Divination is no longer an accurate measure for you."
"Your Nen is far too inclusive."
Water Divination was the Shingen-ryu method for testing Nen categories. One would place a leaf on a glass of water and project their aura into it. For Enhancement, the volume of water would increase. For Transmutation, the taste of the water would change. For Conjuration, impurities or crystals would appear. For Emission, the color of the water would change. For Manipulation, the leaf would move. Anything else was considered Specialization. For instance, after Tserriednich Hui Guo Rou awakened his Nen, he made the water become foul and rancid, reflecting his own depraved nature.
But to make water boil, freeze, and melt at will, changing its state according to one's heart—Gotoh had never seen anything like it.
"This isn't Water Divination," Roy said, turning the pages of the notes without further explanation.
At this stage, the young butler's priority needed to remain on polishing his advanced Nen techniques. Delving deeper into these concepts would only be a waste of his time. Gotoh, having experienced the battle with Razor, was acutely aware of the gap between himself and such power. Since Roy chose not to elaborate, Gotoh tactfully refrained from asking more.
He began his daily summary, reporting on the family's affairs. He then mentioned the task Roy had given him: sending chefs into Meteor City. Gotoh glanced out the window and asked tentatively, "Master Roy, the flight has a layover in Yorknew City. Would you like to visit Meteor City?"
The route from the Yorubian Continent to the Republic of Padokea passed through Yorknew and the Republic of Minbo. The layover provided nearly half a day—enough time for a quick trip to Meteor City.
However, since Taiyi was stationed there, Roy didn't need to go personally. Besides, the clone was doing a fine job.
[NOTIFICATION: POTENTIAL FOLLOWER DETECTED...]
[POTENTIAL FOLLOWER UVOGIN: LOYALTY +5... SOURCE: ADMIRATION FOR YOUR FOLLOWER KASTRO]
[NOTIFICATION: POTENTIAL FOLLOWER DETECTED...]
[POTENTIAL FOLLOWER NOBUNAGA: LOYALTY +5... SOURCE: ADMIRATION FOR YOUR FOLLOWER KASTRO]
[NOTIFICATION: POTENTIAL FOLLOWER DETECTED...]
[POTENTIAL FOLLOWER SARASA: LOYALTY +5... SOURCE: ADMIRATION FOR YOUR FOLLOWER KASTRO]
[NOTIFICATION: YOUR FOLLOWER KASTRO HAS MASTERED FLAME BREATHING: TOTAL CONCENTRATION - CONSTANT THROUGH DILIGENT EFFORT]
[FAITH POWER +1]
The corner of Roy's mouth curled into a shallow arc as he shared his vision and memories with Taiyi.
At that moment in Meteor City, following the deaths of Bolton and Elijah at the hands of Roy (Taiyi) and Kastro, the duo had officially moved into the church on 4th Street in the Western District to begin their ministry. The street, once considered a forbidden zone, was gradually opening its gates to the public, drawing in more and more curious souls.
Among them were many who approached with suspicion, doubt, or even outright hostility. The reason was simple: in Meteor City, a place that worshipped the law of the jungle, the idea that one could receive a piece of bread and a bowl of porridge from a soup kitchen simply by devoutly saying "Praise the Sun" was absolutely baffling.
"To be honest, I think that priest is either insane or stupid. Doing charity for nothing... he must have more money than he knows what to do with."
"Is the bread good?"
"It's amazing!"
"Is the porridge good?"
"Delicious!"
"Then what are we waiting for? If he's crazy, let's just rob the soup kitchen and kidnap him. We can split whatever money we find fifty-fifty!"
"Good idea! Once they're here, they're not leaving. We won't let even a single breadcrumb leave Meteor City!"
One ambitious group after another went in, only to come back out battered and bruised. This continued until the third day of Roy's residency in the dilapidated church.
Uvogin and Nobunaga were among those shouting about going to 4th Street to kidnap the "rich crazy guy."
"If there's free bread, why shouldn't we take it?"
"Chrollo, you might be scared, but I'm not!" In the True Lord Church on 3rd Street, Uvogin—who had just finished rehearsing the Clean-up Rangers play—patted his growling stomach. He glared at Chrollo, Shalnark, and the others blocking his way before shouting at Nobunaga. "Hey, old man, what do you say?"
Nobunaga, with his long, horse-like face, was wearing a loose bathrobe he had likely scrounged from a trash heap. The rusty, broken sword at his waist hung crookedly. He stepped forward silently to stand beside Uvogin, looking calmly at Chrollo, Shalnark, and Pakunoda. Without even glancing at Uvogin, he said, "I'm only one year older than you. Call me old man again and I'll cut you."
"One year older is still older!" Uvogin laughed loudly. He stood straight and imposing like a grizzly bear, physically towering over Chrollo and Shalnark. With Nobunaga by his side, he pumped his fists, his confidence soaring and his aura shifting!
"Xiao Jin, A-Shin, are you two picking on Xiao Ku again?" With two golden pigtails swinging as she marched over, a small, feisty girl arrived. Due to long-term malnutrition, the tips of her hair were a sickly, withered yellow, and she was as thin as a blade of grass bent by frost. Yet, her presence was powerful.
She stepped between them, shielding Chrollo from Uvogin. Her glare said it all: 'If you want to fight, you go through me!'
Uvogin: "..."
Nobunaga: "..."
They actually stopped. Despite Uvogin's agitation, he was clearly afraid of accidentally hurting Sarasa if he pushed her aside. He could only glare and roar, "Don't stop me! They're being ridiculous!"
To take away someone's livelihood was like killing their parents. "There's free bread on 4th Street! They won't go themselves, and now they won't let anyone else go either!"
"Is that true, Xiao Ku?" Sarasa turned to look at Chrollo. She glanced over at Shalnark and Pakunoda as well.
The three children remembered what they had witnessed from the top of the highest trash mountain. Even now, they felt a lingering dread. What kind of swordsmanship could summon fire? What kind of fire could vaporize an entire church, including Bolton and his men? The terrified faces of Bolton and Elijah—unable to even scream as they were erased—haunted Chrollo's dreams, causing him to wake up in a cold sweat. It had even affected their rehearsals.
The prayer hall fell into a heavy silence.
Chrollo took a deep breath and looked at Sarasa, Uvogin, and Nobunaga. "It's too dangerous there. That priest and his attendant are not normal people. They aren't people we can afford to provoke."
There was something the boy didn't mention. Yesterday, while cleaning the mansion of Boss Berus, he had heard that because of the deaths of Bolton and Elijah, a power vacuum had opened on 4th Street. The entire district, including the priest, was now seen as a prime target by several big shots. It wasn't just Berus; the 7th, 8th, and 12th Elders and their respective factions were all watching.
A bloodbath was coming for that priest and his attendant.
Chrollo had keenly picked up on this information and didn't want Uvogin or Nobunaga to get involved. With their current strength, they would likely end up as casualties.
"See, Sarasa? I told you... he's a coward!"
"What 'priest'? I'll knock him flat with one punch!" Uvogin raised a fist the size of a bowl. Catching them off guard, he bypassed Sarasa and shoved Shalnark aside, nearly toppling him. He stormed out of the church, heading for 4th Street.
Just as he would one day leave the troupe to duel Kurapika, he was acting on his own. This time, however, Nobunaga followed silently with his sword at his side, and Sarasa, after a hesitant look at Chrollo, followed them as well.
Step, step...
"Xiao Jin, A-Shin, wait for me!" Her golden pigtails fluttered in the wind.
Sarasa moved to follow them. The vast prayer hall was suddenly empty, leaving only the other three.
"See? I told you so. Talking to that bear Uvogin is a waste of time. He never listens." Shalnark fiddled with a game controller he had salvaged from the trash. He popped the back open, noting it was missing a battery. He shrugged.
Chrollo remained silent for a long time. Eventually, he began walking in the direction the others had gone, toward 4th Street.
"Hey! Where are you going?" Shalnark reached out but grabbed only air.
Beside him, Pakunoda, whose figure was already beginning to mature, gave him a knowing look. She followed Chrollo, her hips swaying as she disappeared through the church doors. Finally, Shalnark was left alone, staring at the controller. Perhaps it was because the hall felt cold now that everyone was gone, but after a few deep breaths, he calmed down, shoved the controller into his shirt, and marched after them.