…Gradually, my consciousness begins to resurface. When I immerse myself in Zen, my awareness completely disappears.
No, rather than "disappear," it would be more accurate to say I sink into myself. Depending on how I unify my mind, I sometimes fall into the sensation of my consciousness expanding and merging with the world. My master, Ryūzen, once recommended it as good mental training, and I've grown to really like it. Especially the feeling of my awareness slowly returning—that sense of comfort that comes with it.
As my awareness returns, I suddenly recall the time as Ryūshō. What comes to mind, of course, is the battle with Netero.
That brief moment of fighting him was bliss. After all, he was an opponent against whom I could unleash my full strength without restraint. Back during Ryūshō's time, no matter how much I trained or polished my techniques, there was no one I could use them against at full power.
If it were just a throw, that would be fine. I could always hold back. But jujutsu, of course, is a martial art. Which means there are many techniques designed to break the body. If I executed them with full force, I wouldn't just shatter someone's body so they could never practice martial arts again—it could even cost them their life.
That's why training in the dojo mainly revolved around safe aikijutsu.
Meeting Netero was a stroke of fortune. No matter how dangerous the techniques I threw at him, he would read them, evade, deflect, divert, parry, and withstand them all. Since I never had to worry about breaking him, I could hurl my full strength at him without hesitation…
Now what I'm remembering is the moment I tried to unleash Tornado Drop on Netero…
Twist the opponent's wrist, simultaneously shattering the elbow joint, then spiral their body up into the air. While they're upside down midair, step in and slam them with a kōgeki (a body check using the shoulder or back), using body weight to crush their stance and prevent any counterattack. The kōgeki isn't meant to deal real damage—just to break their posture. Then pin their intact arm so they can't use it to break their fall, and drive an aura-infused palm strike into their inverted jaw. Finally, add my body weight and smash them headlong into the ground.
And sure enough, Netero was slammed deep into the ground. The impact was perfect. No way he could get up anytime soon!
…Wait. Didn't he actually block that technique? Before that, didn't I get intercepted by 100-Type Guanyin Bodhisattva? Then why am I recalling it as though the move succeeded? Come to think of it, my techniques never once worked on Netero. So what's with this vivid sensation of impact…?
Ah—my consciousness has completely returned. Slowly, I open my eyes. And what enters my vision along with the light is—!
…For some reason, an abnormal sight: a pair of legs sprouting out of the floor. W-what on earth is this? Who is this person? Some kind of performance art? Or maybe it's a yoga-type practice?
Hahaha. If it's training, I shouldn't interrupt. Let's just leave quietly, yeah.
…Yeah. No, I can't keep running from the reality. This was definitely my doing. Enough denial…
I-I really did it!! W-what have I done…! If this were the result of a match or a fight, maybe it could be excused—but doing it absentmindedly like this!
Ahh, how can I ever face my master, or my mother…!
…Wait? Oh! There's aura leaking from this person's body. That means—they're not dead!
If I administer first aid quickly, I might be able to save them. Then I'd better pull them out of the ground! Panicked yet careful, I begin pulling the poor person who'd been buried into the floor.
…Later, I would regret pulling them out. But I maintain it wasn't my fault.
◆
What a letdown. Far too easy ♠ At least if that examiner had put up a little more of a fight, I could've had some fun ♣
"Number 44, Hisoka—second person to clear the third exam!! Time taken: 6 hours 17 minutes."
So that's the third exam done. Guess I'll just play with my cards until time's up. …Second? That means someone reached the goal before me ♥
That's nice. I wonder who it could be? Maybe Illumi? But if possible, I'd prefer it to be someone else ♦ That way I'd have even more fun ♥
…Not here? Where could they be? Even when I probe for presence and scan the area—ah, there ♣
That's Aisha ♥ So you're the first one. Excellent. Looks like I won't be bored after all ♠ And what an incredible Zetsu. In this open space with no cover, to blend in this perfectly… If it weren't for that ridiculously huge backpack beside her, I might not have noticed ♥
Yes, you're wonderful… ♥ You give me shivers ♣
"Hey, Ai—"
I stopped, hesitating to speak. This… this is incredible ♥
Right now, Aisha is absolute nothingness. I don't really understand it, but is this what they call the state of muga no kyōchi (the realm of selflessness)? Probably even if I called out, she wouldn't answer ♦
If I tried to touch her, I could already see myself being thrown across the room ♣
It would be such a waste to ruin something so beautiful ♠ I'll just watch her for a while ♥ There's plenty of time ♦
How long did I stare? ♣ I've never focused on a single thing like this before ♥ Her dignified posture is truly beautiful. Destroying this would be such a waste ♠
—Which is precisely why! The more it feels like a waste to break, the more I want to break it!
Ahh, why is it that the things too precious to destroy are exactly the ones I most want to? She's already ripened deliciously. But maybe—just maybe—she could ripen even further ♦ Still, I don't think I can wait anymore. After gazing at such a delectable fruit for so long ♥
Should I send out a little killing intent? Or touch her directly? Either way, this beautiful thing will shatter. A pity… but there's a part of me that delights in that ♣
And so, the instant I aimed killing intent at her—my wrist was seized.
"Eh?"
Fast? No, not exactly. The motion was smooth and swift, but not beyond my reaction speed. Yet in truth, I couldn't react. That's how naturally she slipped into my guard—! My wrist was released. To dislocate it in that split second—amazing. This is bad. My elbow's already locked ♠ At this rate, my elbow's going to be crushed. No choice—I'll throw myself away ♦
Tch! Even when I spun my body to match the twist and launch myself, she accelerated the twist to match my movement ♥ In the end, my elbow was wrecked. At least it's not permanently ruined—that's lucky ♣
Anyway, I need to reset my stance. Ku ku ku, I didn't expect such an incredible response. You're rougher than I thought—wait, an attack even from this position? Three ribs snapped in one blow ♠ My balance is gone too—this could be dangerous ♥
But my thoughts are accelerating like never before. This condensed sensation of time in a single instant—it's been so long since I tasted it ♦
A palm strike to the jaw. No aura infused, but just in case I'll guard with Ken. Taking more damage right now would ruin the fun of fighting Aisha ♣
Wha—!? My jaw's cracked. I thought there was no aura—what's going on? And now she's slamming me into the ground with this momentum. I can't break the fall, my brain's rattled—if I take this head-on, I might die ♥
Will Bungee Gum make it in time? Even if I stick it to Aisha's body, it'll only soften the blow a little. The walls are too far away ♠
Guard my head with Ken, then spread Bungee Gum across the ground to absorb the impact. With this—!
…Ugh, my consciousness is fading. Even with all that, I couldn't completely block the damage. That was one hell of an attack ♦
I don't want it to end like this… Aisha, you… absolutely, you'll be mine… ♥
◆
…Bury him.
What I pulled out was the pervert named Hisoka, passed out with an ecstatic expression still plastered on his face… Honestly, maybe I should just leave him here—no, no, that won't do. Even if Hisoka is a pervert, a battle junkie, and a serial killer, letting him die from an unconscious attack I unleashed would weigh on my conscience.
For now, let's check his condition.
A cut from a bladed weapon on the right shoulder and left side. That wasn't from me. Probably injuries he picked up inside Trick Tower. The wounds aren't fully closed, but there's hardly any bleeding.
As expected of a Nen user. Did he reinforce his natural healing ability? In any case, it's fine to leave these alone.
His elbow is thoroughly shattered. Well, since he threw himself like that, it's not destroyed beyond repair. His wrist is just dislocated; that can be reset quickly. Ribs 8, 9, and 10 on the right side are broken. But since they haven't pierced his organs, it's not too serious. The impact bruised his insides somewhat, but again, as a Nen user, he'll recover fast.
His jaw… is fractured. For a while, even talking will send jolts of pain. But it seems he properly guarded himself with Gyo. Well, at least it's nothing life-threatening.
The head is the problem… Hm. Considering the force he was slammed with, the damage is minimal. Just some lacerations. Did he somehow defend against it? Not completely, but partially.
The reason he's unconscious isn't from damage, but from a concussion caused by the blows to his jaw and head. I can't diagnose whether there's any brain abnormality here. …Then again, his brain's been abnormal from the start.
First, I need to stop the bleeding. The head wounds are severe. Even the strongest person dies if they lose too much blood. I reach for the first-aid kit in my backpack and extend my hand toward Hisoka's head—only to have my hand suddenly grabbed—
—so I reflexively threw him.
"Ah—"
"Guh! …That's cruel, Aisha ♥ Trying to finish me off?"
"S-sorry… it was just an instinctive reaction. I felt disgusted at being touched by you."
"…You really are cruel, huh ♠"
"Ahh, um, err… Are you all right?"
"Kukuku. You're worried about me? Even though you're the one who did this ♦"
"No, it's just—I didn't mean to. It was unconscious, and before I knew it, the damage was done… I really am sorry…"
"Kukuku. Well, I'll manage ♣"
"…It does seem so. In any case, I'll treat you as much as I can. Let's start with stopping the bleeding from your head."
"Oh, no need for that… See? It's already stopped ♥"
Huh? …Indeed, the bleeding's stopped. Did he cover the wound with aura? But just that alone shouldn't be enough to stem the bleeding. Unless he used a tremendous amount of aura.
It must be some kind of Nen ability. Not Enhancement-type healing—since the wound isn't actually closed. More like he's altered the properties of his aura to induce hemostasis.
Well, that's just speculation.
"Your head is fine then. But your wrist and elbow joints remain. I'll set them now."
"Heh. Same as when you took them out—happened in an instant. Quite the display♠."
"…Thank you. Next is the elbow. If I leave it as is, it'll heal in a strange shape, so I'll realign the bone and tendon to their proper positions. This part will hurt, so be prepared."
"Mmm ♥ Pain from you only turns into pleasure for me ♦"
"…I'll smash it again, you know?"
Why—why did I even help this guy? I should've just ignored him and buried him again…
"Now, about your ribs and jaw—"
"Oh, that much is fine. They're clean breaks, I can heal them myself ♣. But since you're being so caring, Aisha, maybe I'll let you handle it ♠"
"…This was my mistake to begin with. I'll give you first aid. …Sigh."
…How did it come to this?
Several dozen hours passed since then. After patching him up, Hisoka, contrary to my fears, didn't actively approach me. Probably conserving strength to recover faster.
…Or maybe the growing number of successful candidates gathering around bored him.
Still no sign of Gon and the others. Around ten hours remain. If they don't arrive soon, it'll be dangerous. Maybe they failed along the way. That would be unfortunate, but as long as they're alive, they can try again.
In the original, they passed… but this world has already diverged. Anything could happen.
Not that I remember much of the original anyway.
While nibbling on tasteless prison food, I sensed a presence behind the door. A new passer must have arrived. The door opened, and—Gon and the others! Thank goodness, they passed.
Wait, five people? Gon, Killua, Leorio, Kurapika… and that loose-tongued guy who spoiled the sushi recipe earlier. Why are they with him?
"Good work, everyone! Congratulations on passing the third exam."
"Ah! Aisha! Where were you!? We were searching for you on the roof the whole time!"
"Huh? Leorio-san, why were you looking for me?"
"Gon here found five hidden doors and wanted to invite Aisha too. But you were nowhere to be found."
"K-Killua!!"
I couldn't help but raise my voice at Killua's words. But it couldn't be helped—because…
"W-what is it?"
"You finally… finally called me by my name…"
Kuh! That cheeky Killua… I'm moved!
"Ha!? Don't yell over something so stupid!"
"It's not stupid! This is important to me. Anyway, Gon, sorry. You tried to include me."
If I'd known, I wouldn't have jumped off…
"It's fine, Aisha. I just did it on my own."
"Well, in the end, one person couldn't use the hidden door anyway. I already took one first."
The loose-tongued man spoke up. So he cleared the tower with Gon's group. Lucky him…
"Um, nice to meet you? Though maybe that's strange to say now. I'm Aisha. What's your name?"
"Ah, if you're an applicant, we've probably crossed paths. I'm Hanzo. This time, I had the fortune to team up with these guys to clear the exam. Actually, I'm a ninja. I want to be a Hunter to find the hidden scroll The Hermit's Book. Oh, but keep the ninja thing a secret, yeah? Ninjas stay hidden, after all. Anyway, meeting like this must be fate. Let's both pass. Of course, if we face each other in the exam, I won't hold back."
"R-right…"
…Have ninjas changed with the times? I doubt there are many this chatty.
As we talked, time slipped by. It'd been so long since I last had a conversation like this. It was fun… I'd forgotten how enjoyable talking with people could be.
Ever since my mother disappeared, I'd been alone. Even back as Ryūshō, I didn't really talk much. It was all just nonstop training instead. That Absolute Obedience/Geass was seriously insane.
…Wait. Is this my first time laughing and chatting in over a hundred years?
Damn, that's depressing… what a lonely life I've had.
Right! This life, I'll make friends for sure!
Hmm, does Netero count as a friend? No… more like a rival you call a "best friend" in shonen manga. Different thing. What I want are companions I can laugh with like this.
As I thought that, the third exam officially ended. Next was the fourth. What kind of test was it again…?
Number of candidates passing the third exam: 25
Hunters and prey. That seems to be the gist of the fourth exam. A hunt, perhaps. I don't know the exact details.
"Then, draw lots in order of when you escaped the tower."
I go first. As I step up, I hear murmurs behind me. …Gon's group, no doubt. They didn't expect me to be first. Some others look surprised too. Underestimating me because I'm a woman, maybe?
Well, being underestimated is easier than being overestimated.
I draw a card. …Number 401. My own candidate number. …I have a bad feeling about this.
"The examinee whose number is on your card is your target."
Uh… huh?
"You are to take your target's badge."
…I already have mine?
"Your target's badge is worth 3 points. Your own badge is worth 3 points. All others are worth 1 point."
So technically I already have 6 points? …No way.
"To advance to the final exam, you need 6 points. During your stay on Zevil Island, collect badges totaling 6 points."
"I have a question."
"What is it?"
"Is it possible for one badge to be worth more than 3 points?"
"What are you—ah, I see. Unfortunately, no. Each badge counts only once. You understand what that means, yes? I'm afraid you'll just have to consider yourself unlucky."
Ah, I knew it… my target doesn't exist in this trial. Damn… means I have to hunt three people instead. Sigh.
Some candidates understood the meaning of my question—Kurapika looked sympathetic. Gon and Leorio didn't get it. But those who did probably won't target me. After all, I can't be anyone's 3-point target.
…Except as a 1-point bonus.
We board the ship to Zevil Island. Everyone's tense, hiding their badges. Of course—nobody knows who's hunting them.
But me? I'm safe. Nobody hunts me (not for 3 points, anyway). As for my prey, I can choose at random. Better keep my badge in my backpack just in case.
I'll just pick someone and take their badge. I don't want to hunt Gon and the others if possible… maybe that's soft of me.
Looking around at candidates… Hisoka and Needle Guy stand out as the most dangerous. Next is Hanzo. With Nen training, he'll be a formidable fighter. Then Killua—at his age, his strength is insane. A true genius, same for Gon. Raw gems. Kruger would be thrilled to train them.
But Gon, Kurapika, and Leorio are still unpolished. Compared to average candidates, they're not overwhelmingly strong. In a survival like this, they could lose easily.
So the best targets are anyone outside Gon, Killua, Leorio, Kurapika, Hisoka, and Needle Guy. They don't pose much threat. Taking their badges won't be hard. Sorry, but better luck next year—you get the automatic invite, after all.
Hisoka and Needle Guy would be troublesome opponents. I don't think I'd lose, but in a week-long trial, I'd rather not waste stamina.
The earlier you cleared the third exam, the earlier you start. Two-minute intervals. So going first is advantageous. With a week-long stay, though… Good thing I stocked up on rations.
All right then. Time to do my best in the fourth exam.