Chapter 169: Hisoka × Illumi × The Deal
"Ah!"
Gon exclaimed, jumping to his feet and clapping his hands together.
"Master Wing means that once Haze sets a goal, he never gives up, right?"
Killua looked slightly embarrassed, realizing Gon's partial understanding of Haze was a little too obvious.
Wing meant clearly that for someone as strong as Haze, only the result matters.
To reach his goal or dream, the process doesn't matter ... and even if something happens along the way, it won't affect him.
Haze's personal style was extremely strong.
Other high-level Nen users might try to find alternative ways to avoid negative consequences when facing obstacles, but Haze was different…
His actions were completely consistent with his Nen, aura, and will.
"By the way, Gon, isn't your father a Hunter too?" Killua remembered.
"You mean Ging…" Gon replied, scratching his head awkwardly.
"To be honest, I don't know much about Ging. I only know him through my family…"
"Ging? Ging Freecss?" Wingoo seemed surprised.
"Yes, Gon's father… what's he like? Is he strong?" Killua asked, noticing Wingoo's expression.
"Let me explain… Actually, my knowledge of Haze goes back many years, to when he left the Heaven's Arena. As for his current true level, I'm not sure. My evaluation of Haze and Hisoka was just my personal opinion. However, in terms of status within the Association, Ging Freecss and Haze are comparable… Although Gon's father is only a two-star Hunter, he joined the Association fairly early, so he has considerable seniority… His reputation is just a bit…"
Wingoo adjusted his glasses.
"Yes, Mr. Haze also admitted personally that Ging is very strong!" Gon nodded.
Snap!
Killua clapped Gon on the shoulder with a smile.
"Not bad, kid! Didn't know your dad was that amazing!"
Killua didn't know Ging Freecss personally, but he did know Haze.
A Nen user recognized by Haze himself, with equal status, was certainly no ordinary person.
"Hehe…" Gon felt slightly embarrassed.
"I really envy you guys… You're all so incredible. If one day I could be by their side and travel the world, it would be amazing." Gon sighed and sank lightly to the ground.
"When I was little, Aunt Mito told me Ging was special. He could do things even adults in the village couldn't… Mr. Haze is the same. I've seen incredible scenes of his training in the forest…"
Wing smiled knowingly at these words.
"You two are very young, and I assure you, Haze at your age was not at your level… Not even as good as Zushi. So youth is your greatest advantage, and your future is full of infinite possibilities," he reassured.
"Absolutely! In a few years, Gon and I will be able to defeat that guy… right?" Killua asked with a hint of pride, looking excitedly at his friends.
Gon smiled, showing his white teeth.
"All right, you've rested enough… I think you can do it. But right now… we must continue training, trying to release your Ki consciously, regularly, and deliberately, condensing it into usable energy instead of letting it dissipate."
"This also strengthens your will… To become excellent Nen users, you must be able to release it at will. Come on… endure another half hour."
Wing clapped to encourage his three young disciples.
"Ah!" Killua's eyes widened at the mention of another half hour.
Gon gave a wry smile.
"Think that's not enough? Then… let's make it an hour."
Wing smiled, eyes narrowed.
Killua and Gon felt somewhat desperate.
Master Wing… was too ruthless.
And… very clever.
Knock knock knock.
Meanwhile, Haze had entered the Heaven's Arena and ascended effortlessly to the upper floors, arriving at the players' quarters. He knocked on a door.
Moments later, the door opened, revealing a familiar figure.
Hisoka leaned against the frame, looking at Haze with mild surprise.
"How does someone as busy as you have time to come to a place like this?"
Haze ignored him, stepping into the room and removing his sunglasses.
He wasn't sure if Hisoka was in the Arena, so he had called ahead.
Unexpectedly, Hisoka was indeed there.
"Looks fine… but his voice is a bit off. That kind of wound would require an extremely powerful Nen user, and it must be a healing ability to recover fully… Some kind of illogical, almost supernatural Special Ability, perhaps?" Haze wondered, sitting on Hisoka's bed and examining his smooth, white neck, as if he had never been injured.
Hisoka's entire neck had been pierced. The fact that he could still speak was astonishing.
"No…" Hisoka replied, "You saw clearly, but you mentioned it deliberately."
Indeed… Hisoka's neck skin was fake, maintained by his Nen ability.
"Do you need my help? I should be able to find some special Devil Fruit users. Although I can't fully restore you to your original state, it would be much better than deceiving you like this."
Yes, Haze's words were like a knife stabbing Hisoka's heart.
"Thanks for your kindness, but it's unnecessary… I kept it on purpose. This scar is a medal, don't you think?"
Hisoka sat cross-legged in his chair, a malicious smile on his face.
"What medal? Your masterpiece of dying in a single blow to Chrollo?"
"…"
The atmosphere in the room became slightly awkward.
"Just kidding." Haze suddenly smiled.
Hisoka's eyes reflected a slight resentment.
"Indeed, you've become stronger…"
He stared at Haze for a moment, then suddenly said:
"Hehe… I'm still well below your level, but… don't worry, I'll catch up soon."
Hisoka thought Haze was eager to fight him and couldn't resist intervening.
He also struggled to contain himself; whenever he saw Haze, he had to suppress his inner impulse.
"Ten years have passed… and you're still so childish."
Haze shook his head.
This boy… Hisoka and he now belonged to two entirely different worlds, and the gap between them was insurmountable.
Being able to break free from the original story's trajectory and become a subworld-class Nen user was already Hisoka's limit.
More importantly, Hisoka had no means of surpassing his own limits infinitely like Haze.
This boy was immersed in his fantasies and could not escape them.
"You didn't come here just to see me, did you?" Hisoka asked, knowing Haze all too well.
"Are you not the same?" Haze retorted mockingly.
For both of them, the Heaven's Arena was a place for beginners… Who would come here without reason?
"Also… you're interested in him?"
Hisoka had already obtained his Hunter License and was a member of the Association.
Given Haze's status and identity within the Association, Hisoka must have investigated beforehand.
So… Hisoka was familiar with the environment and current situation in the Association.
The person he was referring to was Gon.
He also knew Gon was Ging Freecss's son.
And Ging, as one of the Zodiacs, had a rather intriguing relationship with Haze…
The Zodiacs did not seem very friendly toward Haze.
"I don't share your hobbies. I'm just passing by, taking a look, and I'll leave shortly."
"Where to?"
"To the Kakin Empire."
"Oh, really?"
Hisoka's expression showed interest.
"Anything fun to do there?"
With only three members remaining in the Phantom Troupe, Hisoka's curiosity naturally waned.
He couldn't stay idle… which was why he approached Gon and Killua for fun and, incidentally, to handle the fruit-related task.
But what Haze planned to do was usually far more thrilling ... perhaps even more so.
Hisoka wanted in.
"That's not suitable for you," Haze said with a single sentence.
Hisoka felt slightly disappointed.
"Even without danger, believe it… Tell me, what keeps you silent? Have you found a new target? Probably Gon can't satisfy you right now…" Haze arched an eyebrow.
"Heh… you can't hide anything," Hisoka said with a smile.
"Illumi and I made a deal that benefits both of us."
Seeing that Haze wasn't surprised at all, he asked in astonishment:
"You guessed it?"
"Why would I guess? Since they met, both of them… already sensed this day, right? …Just like I knew from the first day I met you… that you were a complete nuisance," Haze said calmly.
"You should be glad… because you're the only audience… witness, invited by both of us."
"To be honest, I don't care about your fight, because you're both too weak…" Haze said bluntly.
Then his tone shifted:
"However… for special reasons, I can grant you the honor of attending and witnessing your ridiculous performance."
"You weren't this arrogant before…" Hisoka teased.
"I'm just stating the truth… that's why it sounds harsh to you…"
(End of Chapter)