Chapter 171 Nominal Disciple
"Do you know this person?"
In the tense atmosphere of the arena, Haze and Hisoka sat side by side among the spectators.
Hisoka glanced at a Nen user fighting on the stage and let out a small chuckle.
This kind of ordinary duel between Nen users normally wouldn't interest Haze… He only came occasionally to watch fights, to gather "green fruit." Haze's presence definitely had a reason.
If the match had been between Gon and Killua, it would've made sense.
"Yes… I owe him a lot from when I first arrived at Heaven's Arena," Haze nodded slightly.
He truly hadn't expected to run into Charles again bald Charles.
He was the martial artist who used to run errands for him back when Haze was embezzling money from the Field's family casino… Later, when Haze left for training, the Field's family captured and threatened Charles.
Haze eventually rescued him and sent him to a hospital.
They had not been in contact ever since.
"He… became a Nen user."
Haze was a bit surprised, though not entirely.
Back at Heaven's Arena, even though Charles was never accepted as a disciple, he had learned some basic body reinforcement techniques. Charles was deeply devoted to martial arts. To prove himself in Heaven's Arena, he had even visited countless dojos. And after the horrific experience of being kidnapped by the Field's family, it made sense that he eventually came into contact with Nen and became a user.
Almost eight years had passed.
Yet he was still lingering around the 200th floor, which meant his talent was average at best.
His situation was typical.
"Oh! Charles! Our Charles has defeated his opponent and scored another point!"
With the announcer's shout, the crowd erupted into cheers; Charles was clearly quite popular.
Many spectators didn't know that Charles had competed at Heaven's Arena for years, always at a relatively low level. Every time he left and returned, it was after a gap of one or two years, and every time he came back, he was noticeably stronger. Five years ago, he began rising through the rankings at an astonishing pace, reaching the 200th floor in just six months. Even though he had been eliminated countless times due to the rules and forced to endure long wait periods before re-entering, Charles had never given up. His perseverance and dedication had earned him a huge following.
He was a true martial artist an inspiration for many younger fighters.
During a pause in the battle, the announcer added more background information about the fighters.
Another commentator said:
"The person who influenced Charles the most was a fighter from many years ago, also a former Floor Master of Heaven's Arena Haze. His appearance caused a sensation back when the Arena changed its advancement rules. However, since Haze never returned to participate in regular Floor Master tournaments, he was disqualified… But Charles has repeatedly stated in interviews that he is Haze's disciple, whom he deeply respects and admires. His greatest dream is to become a Floor Master just like Haze."
Hisoka propped his chin up and glanced sideways at Haze.
He seemed surprised that such a story existed between Haze and Charles.
"I never accepted him as a disciple…"
Haze chuckled.
"After your fight with Gon, you should have enough points, right?" he changed the subject.
He meant the qualification to challenge a Floor Master.
"No, I'm still missing one point…"
Hisoka replied.
Haze paused, then understood.
In the original story, Hisoka's fight with Kastro had taken place two months earlier. But back then, Hisoka narrowly survived the Black Tide Incident and had been seriously injured… He didn't appear at Heaven's Arena as planned, so his encounter with Gon and Killua was delayed, triggering a chain reaction.
In other words, Kastro was still alive.
"So that's why his promised fight with Gon was postponed as well," Haze thought.
"Aren't you staying to watch it?" Hisoka asked.
"Do I have to?" Haze replied.
"Hehehe…" Hisoka laughed.
His fight with Gon was simply to savor the flavor of the "Devil Fruit"… and to feel Gon's extraordinary talent and potential.
"Congratulations to Charles on his victory!" the announcer shouted as the match ended.
Charles helped his defeated opponent up, displaying the spirit of a true warrior.
Compared to years ago, Charles seemed much more composed, no longer as impulsive as in his youth… After experiencing highs and lows, his inner resolve had naturally grown.
Haze rose slowly and left along with some spectators.
Hisoka followed him.
Moments later, Haze reached the contestants' exit, where he saw Charles towel on his bald head, beard grown out walking slowly down the hallway with his head lowered.
"He's still missing one point. Why not let him earn it before fighting Gon…? I'm quite interested."
Hisoka leaned against the wall, muttering quietly.
He was referring to Charles. Haze shot him a cold look.
"You can try."
"I was just joking."
Feeling Haze's killing intent, Hisoka smiled.
A moment later, Charles walked past them. He sensed Haze and Hisoka's presence, but didn't look at them.
He just wanted to return to his room and rest.
"Um…"
Haze suddenly spoke. "Can I have your autograph?"
He pulled out a small notebook and pen.
Charles naturally took them and wrote his name.
The scene felt familiar. On that bus long ago, Charles who had sat beside Haze had given him an autograph… and that was when fate began to change.
Back then, Charles dreamed of becoming a superstar of Heaven's Arena. Now, he had achieved it.
But he didn't seem to enjoy it as much as he once dreamed.
"Thank you for supporting me… I will…"
Charles forced a smile, thinking she was just a fan.
But when he saw Haze, the bald man froze instantly.
Rubbing his eyes, he couldn't believe it.
"M–Master…?" he murmured, mind completely blank.
"It's been so long."
Haze nodded with a faint smile.
It was the first time Charles had ever called him "Master."
Hisoka, standing to the side, looked at Charles several times.
How could Haze have taken someone like this as a disciple?
Even if only nominally…
Not someone like Gon or Kurapika, but an ordinary man…
That meant something must have happened between them that he didn't know.
Hisoka giggled softly.
"Ahhh…"
And then Charles finally snapped out of it he ran toward Haze and hugged him tightly, bursting into tears.
He cried uncontrollably, heartbreakingly… Even Haze hadn't expected such a reaction.
Charles, now over thirty and weighing nearly ninety kilos, clung to him while sobbing loudly; the scene was…
"Hey, calm down,"
Haze coughed, patting the bald man's back to soothe him.
A few minutes later, Charles finally calmed down.
Hisoka waved goodbye to Haze and began leaving.
"Was that… Hiso?" Charles asked in surprise, watching Hisoka's figure.
"Yes."
"Master, you know him? He's dangerous…" Charles said seriously.
"Don't worry, we're just friends."
Haze thought:
Hisoka really has a terrible reputation everywhere… Nobody likes him.
After a bit of small talk, Charles invited Haze to his room.
The bald man vividly recounted his experiences and growth over the past years. He was an Enhancement-type Nen user with an ability called "Power of Faith."
The ability wasn't very practical in combat; it developed by constantly strengthening his will and mentality. Every day he had to adhere to a "clear objective," completing tasks to improve himself, accumulating power little by little…
Charles's Nen ability suited his personality, but… it was mediocre.
Still, since he'd already formed it, Haze couldn't interfere.
Had they met earlier, Haze could've helped him develop a better technique…
But now it was too late.
Since they'd reunited by chance, Haze planned to guide Charles in training for the next few days in Heaven's Arena.
"Eh!?"
The next day, Haze brought Charles to meet Wing and the others.
When they heard that this bald, muscular, bearded man was actually Haze's disciple,
everyone, including Wing, was stunned.
Killua pointed at Charles and asked Haze again,
"Are you serious?"
"Of course," Haze nodded.
"Too… too weird…" Killua thought, speechless. Charles's whole vibe felt incompatible with Haze.
Besides, Gon and Killua had already fought Nen users on the 200th floor.
Though the boys weren't that strong yet, they had already realized that there weren't many truly powerful Nen users in Heaven's Arena. In other words, Charles's level was questionable…
How could someone like Haze who stood at the peak of Nen take such a mediocre person as his disciple?
"I'm so jealous. To be Haze's disciple… Uncle Char must be amazing," Gon said, smiling and offering his hand.
"I'm nowhere near my master…"
Charles shook Gon's hand warmly. "I know you and Killua too. Your fight was incredible."
Seeing this, Killua sneaked closer and whispered to Charles,
"Hey, baldy… do you know who Haze really is? What's his identity?"
Charles laughed but didn't answer.
"Killua, stop that…"
Gon sighed.
Haze was chatting with Wing.
Wing hadn't left Heaven's Arena all these years; he knew roughly what had happened back then. He also knew Charles's relationship with Haze and was the one who had informed Haze of Charles's current situation. Still, he hadn't expected Haze to take him as a disciple.
In the world of martial arts and among Nen users, establishing a master-disciple relationship was a serious matter never a joke.
Wing assumed Haze would choose prodigies maybe not as exceptional as Gon and Killua but certainly talented…
He never expected someone like Charles.
The contrast was too big.
Charles was over thirty, practically at his limit, with insignificant potential.
This is exactly why people prefer younger disciples.
When Wing had begun training under Bisky, he had been young. Early discipline maximized his potential. Without Bisky, Wing believed he would be half as strong.
To him, Haze accepting Charles was like picking up a piece of scrap. Not that Charles was bad, but the gap between them was absurd.
Not to mention inside Heaven's Arena, even within the Field's family there were countless Nen users just like Charles.
He saw nothing exceptional in the bald man.
Mediocre, plain and simple.
Except… Charles had a kind personality, was honest and straightforward, and possessed a true martial artist's spirit.
Wing had watched Charles's matches and understood his level.
"There have always been geniuses in this world… What's the point of guiding someone who already has exceptional talent?"
Haze ( Haze) read Wing's thoughts and smiled faintly.
"Isn't it far more challenging to train someone the world considers hopeless someone already dismissed to develop them to a level where they surpass their own limits and break everyone's expectations?"
"…"
Wing had no response.
So this was what Haze thought.
"Of course, I don't have much time to teach him, so I'm only taking him as a nominal disciple."
Haze looked at Charles chatting with Gon and the others and continued quietly:
"I don't doubt his effort, but his foundation is already fixed. Even if he improves, his future remains predictable."
Wing let out a long breath and voiced his opinion.
After all, accepting a disciple was Haze's decision. As long as he was satisfied, Wing had nothing more to say.
"At first, I planned to stay only a few days to see everyone… But now I might stay an extra week."
Haze looked at Wing with a half-smile.
"To what level do you think… he can reach?"
"This level…"
Wing hesitated.
"He's been stuck on the 200th floor for a long time. Every time he's eliminated, he has to wait nearly two years to re-register and fight again. I've been observing him… At his current ability, he might barely become a decent Nen user, and it'll take him ages to accumulate experience. But with you here, maybe he could challenge a Floor Master…"
"So you think his limit is the level of a Floor Master?" Haze asked.
"The strength of each Floor Master varies. He'd have to rely on luck to become one."
"A One-Star Hunter? In one week, I can prepare him to become a One-Star Hunter in the future," Haze said.
"One star?"
Wing's pupils shrank, expression stunned.
"The body is finite, but the mind is infinite… This is the true talent of humanity, and it's deeply connected to Nen. You should understand that."
"That's true… but not everyone can do it."
"Time is too short. If I could guide him for six months or a year, his future achievements would be far greater."
"…"
Wing shivered at Haze's casual tone.
He looked at Charles…
Could someone like him really shine again?
(Continuation of Haze's chapter from yesterday)
(End of chapter)