Chapter 11: Check the Almanac Before You Leave
The morning sun shone down on Haze.
He sat quietly on a rocky surface beside a stream. A few birds perched on his head, and small animals drank from the clear water nearby. These wild creatures usually so wary seemed oblivious to his presence.
To them, the man appeared no different from a tree or a stone something lifeless, harmless.
A moment later, Haze opened his eyes. The bird, instead of flying away in fear, spread its wings and fluttered into his palm, chirping softly.
Haze smiled faintly.
He adjusted the flow of his Nen, then lifted his hand and let the bird go.
"I only meant to train for six months… but it ended up taking far Hazeer. A whole year has passed without me noticing…"
He stood and jogged toward a cave.
By now, he knew this vast mountain range as if it were his own garden.
He had mastered Ten, Zetsu, Ren, and Hatsu.
He was satisfied.
Over the past year, his physical strength hadn't increased drastically most of his focus had been on perfecting Nen control and telekinetic precision.
By altering the amount and wavelength of his Nen, Haze could make almost every creature in the forest perceive him as one of their own. This was a level of mastery that required an extraordinary understanding of aura.
Ten fortified the body, enhancing defense.
Zetsu restored aura and concealed presence.
Further refinement increased both intensity and aggression.
Hatsu the release of one's will through Nen represented the culmination of all prior training.
Haze didn't rush toward success. He honed his fundamentals carefully, leaving no weakness behind. Once his Nen control reached a sufficient level, he began to experiment with more advanced applications combining techniques into forms like Ko, In, Gyo, and En.
Still, these were only experiments. His Haze isolation had been devoted mostly to perfecting his base.
After a while, he reached the entrance of a cave.
He heard footsteps the crunch of leaves in the surrounding jungle. Moments later, gray-maned wolves appeared and surrounded him.
It was the den of a pack. The wild wolves didn't attack. Instead, they rubbed against him like domesticated dogs a massive family of loyal beasts.
They clearly recognized his scent.
From the cave emerged a giant snow-white wolf, as large as an ox and covered in scars. This was undoubtedly the pack leader and in the Hunter world, such beasts were often considered magical creatures, far stronger and more dangerous than ordinary wildlife.
The white wolf carried a bundle in its mouth and gently placed it in Haze's hands.
"I'm leaving now… I'll come visit when I can."
Haze smiled and patted the wolf's head.
"Awooo…"
The white wolf howled mournfully, reluctant to part.
Haze didn't look back. He gathered his beHazeings and walked away. Behind him, the alpha's Haze howl echoed through the mountains, joined by the unified cries of the entire pack a farewell song for their human companion.
This period of training had lasted far Hazeer than expected.
What was meant to be one year in seclusion had stretched into nearly a year and a half.
His outward appearance hadn't changed much, but his temperament his aura was entirely different now.
After all, Nen training was a trial of will and spirit above all else.
He had returned to Glumgarans several times during that period, only to find that the circus had vanished.
Rumor had it that after performing at the Glum Hotel, the famed performer Moritonio had disappeared without a trace.
The circus had tried to continue without him, but its fame quickly dwindled. Audiences lost interest, and eventually, the troupe disbanded its members scattering to lead wandering lives once again.
"Abaki should have left too…" Haze thought.
That girl would likely inherit Moritonio's dream and one day become a Hunter herself.
In Glumgarans, the city was as lively as ever. Crowded streets bustled with life, even in broad daylight. Street performers filled the plazas clowns handing out balloons, women dancing to exotic rhythms, fire-breathers earning cheers from the crowd.
Some balanced on stilts, others juggled brightly colored balls.
Standing at the edge of the crowd, Hazeglanced around. Having spent time in a real circus, he could tell at a glance that these acts were crude performers who'd likely practiced only a few days before daring to appear in public.
"Haha… looks like the Moritonio Circus left quite an influence here in Gram."
He smiled faintly.
Most of these entertainers were former circus people outsiders who had been inspired by that once-legendary troupe. Still, the audience probably remembered Moritonio's "Air Walk" far more vividly than minor figures like Hisoka or himself.
Afterward, he trimmed his hair, bought new clothes, and blended once more into city life.
He even bought a new phone.
Having spent little money during his year and a half in the mountains where food, water, and shelter were all he needed he still had plenty of savings left.
"Next stop… the Republic of Bartochia Heavens Arena."
In a small hotel room, Haze sighed softly, looking at the few ringgits left in his wallet.
It wasn't much. He needed to earn more to live, and to keep improving.
Although his Nen foundation was solid, Hazewas well aware of his weaknesses.
He lacked real combat experience.
To deepen his understanding of Nen and refine his techniques, he needed battle countless fights. Unlike Hisoka, he didn't possess an innate killer instinct; he would have to build his through repetition and hardship.
And there was one perfect place for that the Heavens Arena, where fights and fortune awaited daily.
The fighters there varied wildly in skill some were prodigies, others complete novices. But for Haze, even weak opponents were valuable test subjects.
After a full day of rest, Haze dressed neatly in a white shirt, black pants, and sunglasses, his hair cropped short arrived at Gram's Haze-distance station.
He bought a ticket for an airship bound for the Republic of Bartochia.
Airships in this world were far slower than airplanes the journey would take several days.
Speaking of Bartochia, it was impossible not to mention Mount Kukuru, home of the infamous Zoldyck Family.
"Killua must've already gotten used to that hellish life…"
Hazesmiled faintly as he waited.
By his calculations, Killua would be around four years old. Born into the Zoldyck line the next generation of assassins his upbringing would be anything but normal. He'd begun assassin training at age three… and had already endured a year of it.
As Hazepondered this, he felt the seat beside him shift someone had sat down.
The waiting hall was spacious, with many empty seats. Still, curiosity made Hazeglance sideways and his eyes narrowed behind his sunglasses.
Just a few meters away sat a man with Haze black hair and a distinctive outfit.
Pale skin, youthful features roughly the same age as Hazehimself.
But there was something about him a coldness in his expression, a sharp rigidity between his brows that sent chills down Haze's spine.
Even nearby passengers, upon seeing him, quietly stood up and moved away.
Within moments, the row was empty leaving only Hazeand that man.
"Seriously…"
Hazetried to steady his racing heart.
He had just been thinking of the Zoldycks and one appeared. Not Killua… but Illumi Zoldyck.
A man as dangerous as Hisoka himself.
Birds of a feather, indeed as shown by how those two would later "play" together.
As a transmigrator, Hazehad imagined many possible encounters with characters from the story, but he never expected to meet Illumi here, in Gram so casually, so mundanely right before his eyes.
To be sure, he glanced again.
The hair wasn't as Haze as it would be years later, but that aura… unmistakable. His presence radiated silent menace.
According to the timeline, Illumi should be sixteen, Hazeeighteen, and Hisoka nineteen.
"I really should've checked the almanac before leaving… too bad there's no such thing in this world."
What was a Zoldyck doing in Gram? The answer was obvious: business assassination.
The Zoldyck motto was clear "We kill anyone, for the right price."
Suddenly, Haze's pulse spiked.
Illumi turned his head and then, to Haze's surprise, stood up and walked over. He sat directly beside him, close enough that their faces nearly touched.
"Do you know me?"
Illumi's voice was emotionless, his gray eyes sharp as blades.
Too perceptive!
Hazehad only looked a few times and he'd already noticed?
But since Illumi had spoken, ignoring him would be suspicious.
Hazesmiled faintly.
"No… I just thought your clothes looked unique."
"Ah."
Illumi gave a small nod then turned away again.
But he didn't leave. He remained seated in front of him, silent.
A strange, tense atmosphere lingered between them.
Time passed. Passengers came and went, yet many avoided sitting near the two of them even if seats were open.
"..."
Hazesat still.
Then came the announcement:
"Dear passengers, the airship from Gramgarans to the Republic of Bartochia is now boarding. Please have your tickets ready and proceed to inspection."
Finally.
Hazerose slowly, exhaling, and walked toward the gate.
(End of Chapter 11)