Chapter 89: Disaster and Hope
"I didn't expect him to be one of the Ten Dons!"
The next day, on the rooftop of a tall building near the hospital where Haze was staying, all the members of the Phantom Troupe were gathered except Chrollo and the other two.
The knight in charge spoke first:
"I never imagined that the man in the suit who took the Hunter Exam alongside him and Phinks was one of the Ten Emperors of the Underworld!"
Still, he had suspected that Haze's identity was not simple. After all, even with his Nen awakened, he had taken the Hunter Exam just to obtain a license. Someone like that had to belong to a powerful organization at the very least, he must have his own faction.
"The Ten Dons are just ordinary people, right? Only this guy uses Nen,"
Machi asked from the side.
"From the information we've gathered, it seems that for people of the Ten Dons' status, learning Nen is unnecessary and troublesome. With their influence, they can easily hire plenty of fighters like us. What they value most is power."
The knight nodded and smiled faintly, then added in a serious tone:
"However, this Haze isn't just any master he's extremely strong."
"Judging from how Phinks fought him and died, the fight probably lasted only a minute or two. It ended quickly… not a total one-sided defeat, but close."
Machi frowned slightly.
Everyone knew it already, even without the knight's words.
This Haze was far too young about their age.
Yet, according to what they'd learned, he had risen by himself to the rank of one of the Ten Dons and even become the master of Heaven's Arena.
That's why they were acting so cautiously.
This prey was anything but ordinary.
"Someone's coming!"
Pakunoda spoke solemnly from the edge of the rooftop, telescope in hand.
A black limousine drove into the hospital and stopped at the entrance of the building where Haze lived.
The hospital had multiple wings, but Haze occupied an entire one by himself. There were no other patients there.
The entire building was filled with mafia bodyguards. Entry and exit were tightly controlled. Nearly twenty Nen specialists from the Firth Family were stationed there, and Hunters were often seen coming and going each radiating powerful auras.
It made the Troupe hesitate to take any rash action.
They had only confirmed that the tenth Don, Haze, was gravely injured and receiving treatment there.
Through the telescope, a figure emerged from the limousine.
Pakunoda's pupils shrank. She immediately lowered the telescope, looked away, and turned around.
"What is it?"
Uvogin and Nobunaga noticed her expression and asked.
"It's the president of the Association," Pakunoda said quietly. "Isaac Netero."
"So not only does he hold influence within the mafia, but Haze also seems to have status within the Hunter Association…"
The knight stroked his chin thoughtfully.
"The Hunter Association is merely a platform, not a single unified group. Its members act according to their own beliefs and goals. Haze's a newcomer, having just joined why would they treat him so seriously? For someone like Netero to come in person…"
"Could he have noticed us or sensed our intentions and come to protect him?" Nobunaga asked suspiciously, twirling a strand of hair.
Meanwhile, Pakunoda had already called Chrollo to report the situation.
"Impossible," the knight said with a smirk, raising one finger toward Nobunaga. "That man is the most powerful figure in the Hunter world. Honestly, with his ability, he could kill us dozens of times over. And besides him, there are others in the Association who could easily destroy us. The mere fact that we're still alive proves they haven't noticed us."
"Never underestimate the Hunter Association… Their influence in modern society exists because of this man. Compared to them, we're nothing but small fry."
His words irritated Nobunaga, but he couldn't deny the truth.
Uvogin spat heavily onto the ground.
If it weren't for Chrollo's orders and the Troupe's code, he would've already stormed the hospital to face the man who killed Phinks.
Just how strong was he, really?
It was the first time their group had ever acted with such hesitation and fear.
"Understood," Pakunoda said after hanging up. "The Captain's orders are to withdraw for now."
With that, the group dispersed, temporarily halting their surveillance.
Meanwhile, inside the hospital, Netero finally entered Haze's room.
It was his first appearance since the incident over six months had passed.
"Well, well… you look lively enough," Netero chuckled as the door opened.
Haze was sitting in bed, reading an old volume of classical Chinese literature.
When he looked up, he saw the familiar old man wooden sandals, loose training clothes, one eye closed, stroking his beard with a teasing smile.
"You nearly killed me," Haze said dryly.
"But you got what you wanted, didn't you?" Netero's tone carried a hidden meaning.
He gestured toward Phils Lily, who stood nearby, and greeted her.
"Just seeing you gives me a headache… I doubt your visit brings good news," Haze sighed, setting his book aside.
"How could you say that? I came all this way just to see you!" Netero replied cheerfully.
Seeing Haze's doubtful look, he added,
"Well, maybe I was a bit bored and wanted to check how your recovery's going."
"You don't need anyone to entertain you. There are plenty in the Association especially among the Zodiac Twelve," Haze replied. "After what happened, just seeing you makes me a little uneasy."
The young man wasn't wrong.
Age makes one cunning and Netero, having lived over a century and faced countless hardships, was no exception.
Even against Biscuit, Haze could occasionally turn the tables. But with Netero, he couldn't gain the slightest upper hand.
This was an open game he knew it was a trap, yet he had no choice but to play along.
Dealing with that old fox required utmost care.
"I'll leave you two to talk," Phils Lily said tactfully, calling her subordinate and stepping out of the room.
Once they were alone, Netero's tone shifted to serious.
"Your basic movements are stable again?"
"Barely able to walk."
"Hmm… Once that's solid, focus on regaining your physical condition, then rebuild your aura. Any ideas?"
He smiled faintly, testing Haze's understanding.
"You mean using external ki to nourish one's flesh and blood," Haze replied.
"Heh… Clever indeed," Netero praised, his eyes glinting.
Haze's calm, focused demeanor pleased him. He hadn't lost his spirit.
He understood Nen training well first sensing one's life energy, then stabilizing it through Ten, refining it through Ren, and enhancing it through will and discipline.
To Haze, it was the process of strengthening one's "inner force."
Within that refinement method, Nen could also be increased by two means:
First, strengthening the body itself bones and muscles so one's life force grows stronger.
Second, absorbing external energy, taking it from other living beings.
However, that host had to be weak and the energy pure, otherwise absorption was impossible.
It was a form of conversion absorb and transform.
Haze knew this from the Dark Continent arc: Kurapika had once described helping ordinary people awaken Nen using a similar principle.
The best place for such extraction was in nature itself.
Every blade of grass, every tree… all emitted Nen faint, but harmless to absorb.
That was why Haze had once secluded himself deep in the mountains, and why his Nen surpassed ordinary users'.
"It could take a long time to regain your full strength," Netero said.
Haze had already done the math.
Starting from zero from the Moritonio Circus to the Association had taken him nearly five years.
Now, his state was even worse than back then. Even if his body and mind were adapted to Nen, it would still take at least three years to return to his peak.
But Haze didn't want to wait.
If training was the only option, he'd do it. But if another path existed… why not take it?
"I've contacted the Zoldyck Family," Haze said.
"Ah…" Netero wasn't surprised.
"You already know?" Haze smiled faintly.
"Yes." Netero nodded.
Haze had made the Zoldycks an offer they couldn't refuse.
But the matter of Alluka was a tightly guarded secret.
That being lived imprisoned within Kukuru Mountain sealed, for the world's safety. Without it, disaster could strike.
The Zoldycks' true mission was not just protection it was containment.
Haze's journey to Kukuru Mountain would take place entirely within their territory, and he would bear the consequences himself. For such a reward, the Zoldycks had no reason to refuse.
And that was precisely why Netero had come to discuss it.
"How did you find out?" the old man asked curiously.
He was certain that information about "that being" was kept secret even within V5. Not even a tenth Don like Haze should've known.
"I won't tell you," Haze replied coolly, meeting his gaze.
That smug look of a young fox teasing an old lion almost made Netero chuckle almost.
Then his expression hardened.
"It can heal you… but your wounds are severe. Full recovery is unlikely. And there's always a price. That power is dangerous you might not survive it."
"Let's just do as I said."
"No," Haze interrupted firmly. "I can achieve my goal without paying any price safely and completely."
"Oh?" Netero narrowed his eyes. He wasn't joking, and Netero knew it.
"I'm not the one making the wish," Haze added. "The Zoldycks already sense something."
"How much do you know about the Dark Continent?" Netero asked quietly.
For the first time, the old man felt genuinely puzzled by Haze's depth of knowledge.
So few had returned from that place and none had shared everything. Unless Haze had direct connections within V5's upper echelons, it shouldn't have been possible.
Martial mastery, powerful Nen, and knowledge of forbidden secrets…
Even Biscuit had begun to suspect who his master really was.
Such things weren't achieved by one man alone.
"The Five Calamities and their corresponding Five Hopes… What you know, I know," Haze said softly.
"And even what you don't know I might know a little."
Netero fell silent.
"What's wrong? You look pale. Feeling unwell?" Haze asked calmly.
"Worried I might reveal it? Don't. I won't tell anyone. I know what would happen if this got out. I'm only sharing it with you."
He smiled faintly.
"These secrets aren't hidden from everyone. Within the Association, others must know. And you've already guessed why I joined because of you, and Linne."
"Heh…"
Netero chuckled again, though his eyes remained sharp.
"You really are a dangerous brat. Even this old man finds you unpredictable and that's saying something. You need to be watched, or who knows what trouble you'll cause."
"You're not just watching me, though," Haze smiled. "Aren't you too old for all this? You sure you've got the stamina to keep up?"
"Well… for now, I eat and sleep well enough. I can probably last a few more decades," Netero said calmly.
"I won't stop you from going after the Direk Family. It's your decision and your risk. Good luck."
He gave a cheerful "OK" gesture, flashed his teeth in a grin, and walked toward the door.
As he left, he murmured to himself:
"This new generation… such troublemakers. But that's what makes life interesting."
When the door closed, Haze exhaled deeply.
His body relaxed at last.
He had known Netero would come this was both a test and a game.
An invisible confrontation.
To choose the Five Calamities or the Five Hopes
Netero and V5 had chosen to fear the Calamities, to contain them for humanity's safety.
But Haze… a soul not of this world, with no family, no roots he only sought power.
He leaned toward Hope.
The Calamities threatened the weak masses.
For those with strength, they were merely challenges.
And Haze loved challenges.
Even if the human world were to collapse, to him, it would simply be natural selection.
Others might call him cruel, inhuman.
Driven by his thirst for power, Haze admitted his selfishness
but for someone like Netero, that mindset was hard to accept.
Netero cared for humanity as a whole.
If Haze knew of the private discussions and judgments between Netero and Biscuit, he would realize they had read him perfectly.
And he wasn't alone.
Beyond, Pariston, Ging Freecss… they were all the same kind of people.
The kind who smiled at disaster and called it hope.
Outside the hospital, Netero walked toward his car, glanced up at the skyscraper window, and sighed.
"Wasn't I just like that, once?"
(End of Chapter)
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