Greed Island. As the name suggests, it is an island where desires swirl and churn.
Countless Nen users risk their lives to fulfill their desires in what is known as the most dangerous game in history. Its level of danger can even determine life or death, and on rare occasions, players end up killing one another.
Even though twelve years have already passed since Greed Island was released, no one has managed to clear it. It remains a phantom game.
As more and more players linger within Greed Island without anyone achieving completion, the number of people dissatisfied with this situation has gradually increased.
That dissatisfaction gave birth to malice. In order to reduce the disadvantages caused by the growing number of players—and to increase their own profit even slightly—more and more players began killing other players.
Player hunting. That was the name given to this malice. Killing other players who are participating in the same game—it wasn't just about reducing rivals.
To explain that, we need to go over the system of Greed Island.
In Greed Island, anything that meets certain conditions can be transformed into a card and carried by the player. From game-like elements such as items and spells, to ordinary stones lying around, monsters, and even the humans (NPCs) within the game—everything can be turned into cards.
The method to clear the game is to collect all the designated pocket cards, numbered from 0 to 99.
Naturally, as they are called designated pocket cards, their acquisition difficulty is far higher than that of normal cards, and many of them possess special effects. Furthermore, the number of times they can be converted into cards is far more limited than that of ordinary cards.
That's right—while most things in the game can be turned into cards, every card has a limit on how many can exist.
For example, suppose there is a card with a conversion limit of ten. You can possess up to ten of that card, but anything beyond that will remain in its original form and cannot be turned into a card.
Obviously, in order to clear the game, it is meaningless unless the items are collected in card form.
This system is what gave rise to player hunting.
When a player dies, all the cards they possess disappear. Therefore, even if you kill another player, you cannot take the cards you want. Originally, this was likely a measure to prevent players from killing one another.
However, as more people began playing Greed Island, the remaining number of cards that could still be converted gradually decreased. As a result, it became increasingly common for players to obtain desired items but be unable to convert them into cards.
To alleviate this, player hunters kill other players. Of course, they rarely aim to kill from the start. They beat, threaten, and torture their targets in order to obtain the cards while keeping them alive.
But all players are Nen users. Some will not break under mere torture. In such cases, they are killed. While killing them means the cards cannot be taken, the cards they possessed disappear, freeing up space within the card conversion limits.
Even for such a trivial reason—just the possibility of slightly increasing one's own chances of converting cards—there are those who kill. That is how much Greed Island is currently in a transitional phase.
Among the malice spreading across Greed Island—the player hunters—the most malicious and cunning of all was a figure known as the Bomber.
As the name suggests, the Bomber kills targets as if using explosives. Without anyone knowing their true identity, they operate beneath the surface, continuously killing players without being noticed. While part of their objective is related to the card conversion limits mentioned earlier, that is not their primary goal.
The Bomber had infiltrated a certain organization—the largest group in Greed Island. While most players form teams of only a few members, this organization had grown into a massive group of over fifty people.
They gathered such numbers because they devised what could be called an exploit, making use of the game's system.
In this game, there exist spell cards—cards with effects similar to magic.
These spell cards can be broadly divided into three types: movement, attack, and defense.
Movement-type spells allow instant travel to towns or to the current location of other players. Attack-type spells can reveal a target player's location, peek at their cards, or even steal them. Defense-type spells can block such attack-type spells.
In other words, without defense-type spells, there is no way to defend against attack-type spells.
This organization exploited that fact. By gathering a large number of members, monopolizing defense cards, and creating a situation where other players could do nothing, they would then use attack-type spells to steal cards. If everything went well, they could collect all 100 types of cards without harming anyone—a strategy that could truly be called an exploit.
This plan required many years to succeed.
At the beginning, they only had ten members. Since there is a limit to how many cards a single player can carry, the more allies they had, the better.
After all, to monopolize the necessary spell cards for their plan, they needed to obtain approximately 1,900 cards. People were needed not only to gather and store them, but also for surveillance and recruitment. Ideally, they estimated a group of around seventy members.
Gradually, their plan began to bear fruit.
Their numbers increased, and the required cards steadily accumulated. With more members, the rate at which cards were gathered accelerated.
Year by year, the plan progressed smoothly. At this rate, it was only a matter of time before they would clear the game.
That is—if the worst player hunter had not been among them.
As mentioned earlier, the Bomber had infiltrated this so-called "exploit group" from the very beginning. In fact, it was the Bomber who devised this entire strategy in the first place—all to claim the cards gathered by the group for themselves.
Even the nickname "Bomber" was something they spread personally. The Bomber's ability allows them to plant bombs on targets. One of the conditions for using this ability is that they must touch the target and say the keyword "Bomber."
To make saying that keyword seem natural, they spread the nickname "Bomber," and under the pretense of warning fellow members to be cautious, they planted bombs on everyone in the organization.
Once a sufficient number of cards had been gathered, the Bomber would calmly betray them, using the bombs as leverage to seize the cards. Regardless of the outcome of negotiations, they would all be killed. The Bomber had not even the slightest sense of camaraderie toward them.
This plan had been in motion for five years—no, even longer.
Carefully, without arousing suspicion within the organization, the Bomber spread fear throughout Greed Island.
Now you understand. Killing other players was not just about card limits—it was also necessary to spread the name "Bomber" as part of this plan.
Pretending to act for the organization, they searched for victims. At regular intervals, yet randomly enough to avoid suspicion, they killed players to imprint the existence of the Bomber into everyone's minds.
For their own sake, for money, to satisfy their desires—the malice that infested Greed Island continued to move even now—
—or at least, it was supposed to.
"I'll beat that rotten nature of yours out of you so thoroughly that such foolish thoughts will never cross your mind again. Prepare yourself."
"Why… why did it turn out like this…?"
The malice… was starting to crack a little.
Why had things turned out this way?
To explain that, we need to rewind time a bit.
Yes—back to the day Aisha finally entered the long-awaited Greed Island.
◆
…
Ugh… ah…
My body… feels heavy. This is exhausting. I want to sleep more…
Huh? Why was I sleeping? What was I doing before that?
…Ah, right. Greed Island…
"Ugh… where… is this?"
"Aisha-san! Thank goodness! You've awakened!"
Riina? Her face comes into view as she leans over me, clearly worried.
Looking around a bit, I also spot Bisky and Kastro-san. The two of them look relieved when they see me awake.
…Right. I must have fainted due to the [Boss Attribute] vow. How long was I out? No, more importantly—
"Riina, could it be… this place?"
The scenery before my still-blurry vision is completely different from the underground room I was in before losing consciousness. Riina wouldn't carry me somewhere like this—a strange room with no proper bed or medical tools.
Which means…
"Yes. Most likely, we are inside Greed Island."
The moment I heard those words, my body trembled.
Greed Island! Ah… finally! I've been aiming for this place for thirteen years! Ever since before Greed Island was even completed, I've longed for it—and now, I've finally arrived!
"…How long was I unconscious?"
"About six hours, I'd say. It seems phones don't get signal here, but they still work as clocks."
Six hours, huh. If my aura runs dry from using [Boss Attribute] during battle, it wouldn't just be dangerous—it'd be fatal.
Well, I knew that from the start. I just have to act in a way that prevents that from happening.
The real problem is the one-month state of Zetsu. There's nothing I can do about that. I'll just have to behave myself for a month somehow.
I'll start looking for the gender-change drug after that.
"You stayed here the whole time while I was unconscious, didn't you?"
"Of course. How could we possibly leave you behind while you were unconscious, Aisha-san?"
"I did say I'd protect you. Besides, chances like this—protecting Aisha—don't come around often."
"Indeed. It would be presumptuous of someone like me to protect the usual Aisha-san. I should instead be grateful for the honor of protecting such a beautiful lady."
Everyone is so kind. I guess I'll let myself be spoiled this time.
"Hehe. I feel like a princess in a story."
A princess… well, as someone who used to be a man, it feels a bit weird—but not entirely unpleasant. After all, I don't recall ever being protected like this before. Maybe it's nice once in a while.
"Whoa… this princess is way too strong…!"
Hey, Bisky. What do you mean by that? Right now, I'm just a girl who's mastered a bit of Aiki Jujutsu, you know?
"If Aisha is a princess, even a Demon King would have a hard time kidnapping her."
"If anyone tried to abduct Aisha-san, that so-called Demon King would have to face all disciples of the Kazama-style."
No, Riina-san? That would be an abuse of authority, you know? I'm not even affiliated with the Kazama-style anymore.
Anyway, now isn't the time for this kind of talk. There's no guarantee other players won't enter Greed Island at any moment. I want to minimize the chances of anyone noticing that I'm weakened. For that, we need to move quickly and find a place out of sight.
"Everyone, I'm sorry for making you wait until I woke up. I'm fine now, so let's move forward."
"Understood."
"Finally, I get to meet my beloved Blue Planet-chan~"
"Then, I shall open the door."
As I move to open the only door in the room, Kastro-san quickly steps in front of me.
…It seems he intends to go first to check for danger. I made him worry. The door opened on its own. It looks like it's designed to open automatically when someone stands in front of it.
With Kastro-san leading, we proceed forward, only to find another door. Just like before, it opens when he stands in front of it.
Inside, there's a woman sitting on a strange floating chair. She must be the one explaining Greed Island.
"Welcome to Greed Island… I will now explain the game. I'm sorry, but I will explain it one person at a time, so please wait if you are not the next."
"It seems I will receive the explanation first. Please wait a moment, everyone."
"Understood."
We return to the door and wait. A few minutes pass before the explanation room door opens on its own, and a voice calls out:
"Next person, please."
"Then I'll go next. Bisky, I'm counting on you."
"Yeah, yeah. You're making it sound so dramatic."
It seems Riina also wants to go in ahead of me to confirm there's no danger. It's not that she doesn't trust Kastro-san—she probably just won't be satisfied unless she checks herself.
It's just a tutorial explanation, so I doubt there's any danger, but since it's for my sake, I can't simply dismiss it as overprotectiveness.
After a few more minutes, the door opens again.
"Alright, I'll go next."
"I don't really get game explanations, so remember it for me."
"Try to learn it yourself for once, seriously."
Responding to Bisky's teasing, I step through the door.
The woman explains the game rules smoothly, as if she has done it countless times before. During the explanation, I'm given a ring.
While wearing this ring, anyone can use two spells: "Book" and "Gain."
"Book" is a spell that summons a binder to store cards.
"Gain" is a spell that returns carded items to their original form.
I'm not sure about Gain, but I was able to use Book. It seems this type of ability doesn't conflict with my [Boss Attribute].
It's probably the ring reacting to my voice and materializing the book. If it required me to conjure it myself, it would've likely been nullified by [Boss Attribute].
Gain should also work fine. After all, carded items have nothing to do with my body.
…Wait. I currently can't use Nen.
So maybe that's why I could use Book…? Either way, I'll have to confirm once I regain my Nen.
With the basic explanation finished, the session ends.
It's probably designed so you have to figure out the rest yourself. As expected of a game created by professional Hunters.
I descend the stairs and exit the room, where Riina and Kastro-san are waiting.
And beyond them—
An endless, vast plain stretches out before me.
Nice… I like this kind of scenery. But there are too many distractions to really soak it in.
"Welcome back, Aisha-san."
"Yes. Though… we're being watched."
"Indeed. However, for them to be noticed from this distance, they must be quite inexperienced. It's nothing for you to worry about, Aisha-san."
"Even so, we must not let our guard down. Aisha-san cannot use Nen right now."
"That's right. Please stay behind us, Aisha-san. No matter what happens, we will handle it."
"Ugh… I'm causing trouble…"
As we chat, Bisky comes down as well. Now we're all here.
So… what should we do next?
"Which way do we go?"
"I sense gazes from a certain direction—there's likely a town or something there. However, given that Aisha-san cannot use Nen, moving carelessly toward a place with many players might be unwise…"
"But we also have the issue of food. We should go to a town and gather information about the game."
"Then how about splitting into two groups? One group goes to town for information and supplies, and the other stays behind to guard Aisha."
"That seems reasonable. First, we secure a safe location. Then one representative gathers information and food, while the remaining two guard Aisha-san. What do you think, Aisha-san?"
Even if I stay silent, the discussion moves forward. Honestly… it's almost too easy.
"Yes, that plan sounds fine."
"Then we shouldn't stray too far from the town, or regrouping will be troublesome. Let's head in a slightly different direction from it."
"Agreed. By the way, I sense gazes from two directions. Which one shall we take?"
"How about letting Aisha-san decide?"
"We just started and don't know anything yet, so that works, right?"
"Is that so? Then… let's go this way."
Of the two directions where I feel someone watching us, I pick one at random.
Like Bisky said, we've just started the game—we don't know anything yet.
So, well… going with the flow is probably fine.
.
We advance with Riina and Kastro-san walking side by side at the front, me behind them, and Bisky behind me.
It's a complete escort formation. Though everyone seems to be chatting casually, each of them is carefully on guard. Of course, they're hiding that vigilance so well that even a decent Nen user wouldn't notice a thing.
Along the way, I tried a few things, and as expected, I was able to convert items into cards, and also return carded items back to normal using Gain.
That said, I can't be completely certain until I test it again after I regain the ability to use Nen.
If my deduction during the explanation was correct, then it should be fine, though.
"Still, this is seriously amazing. Is this really inside a game?"
"Yes… the feel of the wind on my skin, the scent of grass, the sensation of the ground beneath my feet… it all feels like reality."
"Could something like this truly be created, even with Nen?"
The three of them seem bewildered by how real Greed Island feels. That's only natural—they were told we entered a game, after all.
"No, this isn't inside a game. This is somewhere in the real world."
"Huh? Really?"
"Yes. Greed Island is created using a real location somewhere in the world. That 'game' is just a Nen-infused device used to transport players here."
"I see… in that case, it wouldn't require overly complex rules. I had wondered what kind of conditions would allow such a device to let us enter a game, but this makes sense."
"Aisha-san, where did you learn that?"
"A friend told me."
I wonder how Milluki is doing. He really helped me by sharing all kinds of information about Greed Island. I should thank him properly someday.
…Hm? I hear something coming from above.
Everyone else noticed it too. All of them look up at the sky, positioning themselves around me so they can respond to anything.
Whatever was making that sound descended near us almost immediately.
The one who landed was an unfamiliar man. Most likely a player. Whether he came from the sky using Nen or a card effect, either way, we need to be cautious.
Riina steps forward and addresses him.
"Who are you?"
"…Hmm. This is the plain near the starting point. That means you guys are beginners, right?"
"Answering a question with a question is not very polite."
Ignoring Riina's question, the man starts operating his binder. He's probably about to use some kind of card—but for what purpose, I don't know.
"Hmm, hmm. Riina, Kastro, Aisha, Bisky, huh."
"…"
I see. So there's a way to learn players' names using cards. Or perhaps the binder is just a feint, and he's actually using a Nen ability. We'll figure it out as we progress through the game.
Everyone raises their guard, preparing for combat.
Riina was about to make the first move, but I stopped her. Just by sending intent from behind, she seemed to understand.
This man doesn't seem particularly skilled. Since we're unfamiliar with the game, we should learn from observing how players act—even from someone like him.
"…From the looks of it, you guys aren't ordinary. In that case—'Adhesion'! Attack Riina!!"
"!!"
The moment the man shouted those words, something shot from him toward Riina! Is that Nen!?
"—!"
"Kya-hahaha! Too bad! You can't escape a spell!!"
Riina dodges the incoming light with swift movements, but it moves at high speed and tracks her. An auto-tracking ability? If that's a Nen construct, Riina might be able to handle it.
"Riina! 'That'!"
"Yes!"
While evading the approaching light, Riina activates her ability.
In an instant, a pair of beautiful gloves with black and white rose embroidery appear, covering her hands—the Shirring Gloves.
With those gloves materialized, Riina… grabs the incoming spell.
"…Hah!? Wh-what the hell!? How can you stop a spell like that!?"
"So, these are called spells? I have quite a few questions for you."
Riina absorbs the captured spell into her Shirring Gloves.
Hmm. Since Riina's ability could absorb it, that means spells are products of Nen. But then… why can I see it right now?
I shouldn't be able to see aura in my current state. Only Conjuration-type abilities can be seen without Nen…
Could it be…?
Are those spells actually materialized?
To a Nen user, a materialized object is indistinguishable from a normal object. So maybe these spells are intentionally manifested as glowing objects so people won't realize they're made of Nen…
If that's true… the creators of this game are beyond meticulous.
Seriously… they went that far? That's just incredible.
"'Return'! Back to Masadora!!"
"Ah, he ran."
"He fled."
"He escaped."
"My apologies, Aisha-san. I let him get away."
"No, it couldn't be helped. We still don't fully understand the mechanics of this game. There are likely various cards called 'spells' with different effects. The way he knew our names, how he flew, and even the attack he used—all of it was probably due to spells."
If that's the case, then what interests me most is the effect of the spell he used on Riina.
He said "Adhesion," right?
Adhesion… that means sticking or clinging.
If taken literally, is it similar to Hisoka's ability? But I doubt he'd use something like that so casually.
We're still lacking information. Let's find a safe place and wait to gather intel. Without information, not only will finding the gender-change drug be difficult—we might end up in danger ourselves.
"…Should we increase our speed? There's no telling when another player might attack. Finding a place where Aisha-san can hide should be our top priority."
"Agreed. …There's a forest over there, so let's find a suitable spot. Even if someone flies in like before, it'll be harder to spot us in a non-open area. And if we suppress our presence, we shouldn't be found easily."
"Indeed. It would be best to minimize the chance of Aisha-san being discovered by other players."
Ugh… their concern really hits hard. Sorry… even though this is all my own doing, I'm the one being protected.
Following Riina and Bisky's suggestion, we dash toward the forest.
But unlike them, I can only run at normal physical speed. That creates a gap between us, since they can enhance themselves with aura.
So right now, Riina is carrying me in a princess carry.
This indescribable embarrassment is something I'll never forget. Meanwhile, Riina looks extremely happy about it.
Ah… I want to return to normal already…
"Hmm. We made it to the forest, but… it feels more like a grove than a forest."
"True. There are fewer trees than expected. But there are enough bushes and dips to hide in, so it should be fine."
This area is mostly plains, so there aren't many places to hide.
But we can't be too picky. This spot is at a good distance—not too far, not too close—from the town. If we go too far, we risk losing access to information. Given the uncertainty of what dangers lie ahead, it's better not to stray too far from a place where we can gather intel.
Other players are likely thinking the same, but there are several similar groves around. It would be difficult to search each one thoroughly.
For now, we'll hide here.
"I'll stay hidden here for a while."
"Got it. Now we just need to decide who gathers information and who stays to guard Aisha. Well, the information-gathering role is already decided."
"…I will remain by Aisha-san's side—"
"Nope~ not allowed."
Riina hesitantly voices her wish, only to be shut down by Bisky.
Riina seems to understand the reasoning, as she makes a bitter expression but doesn't argue.
I get that she wants to stay with me, but she's the best suited for gathering information.
"You know it too, right? If someone's going solo right now, you're the best choice. Your [Lady's Gloves / Black Rose & White Rose Shirring Gloves] can grab aura—and they worked on those spells too. The rest of us can't block spells like that, but you can. There's no better candidate. Just accept it."
"Ugh… but protecting Aisha-san is my—"
"Riina. I'll be fine. Trust your best friend and your disciple a little more."
Bisky is unquestionably a top-tier Nen user. Kastro-san is still incomplete, but even so, he surpasses ordinary Nen users.
With those two, even multiple average users wouldn't stand a chance.
Of course, we shouldn't let our guard down. Fighting should be a last resort. It's better not to be found at all.
"Leave it to us, Riina-dono. I swear upon my life to protect Aisha-san."
"You worry too much, Riina. Just leave this to us and go gather information already. That's an important role that'll help Aisha too, right?"
"…Understood. Please take care of Aisha-san, Bisky, Kastro-san. Aisha-san, be careful… if it comes down to it, use those two as decoys and escape."
"Hey, what was that!?"
"Well then, I'll be off!"
Ignoring Bisky's retort, Riina disappears from the spot in an instant.
She didn't head toward the town, but in a different direction. She's probably taking a detour so our location won't be easily discovered.
Now all that's left is to hide and wait for Riina to return with information.
"Well then, let's suppress our presence and stay hidden."
"Got it. Wonder if there's a good spot around here~"
◆
While suppressing our presence, we moved carefully until we found a suitable depression in the ground and hid ourselves there.
There were no signs of people nearby. I have a fair amount of confidence in my ability to sense presences, so there's probably no one around. Of course, that changes if someone stronger than me is nearby—or if they're using a Nen ability that even I can't detect.
Several hours had passed since Riina-san left to gather information.
She should be back soon. If she takes too long, it's going to worry me. She's strong enough to handle most situations, but… this is a game with unknown rules. There's a chance even Riina-san might run into something she can't deal with.
I hope she's okay… Wait, this presence—could it be—
"Bisky, can you hear me? It's me, Riina."
"…Netero."
Thank goodness, it really is Riina-san.
But seriously, Bisky—what's with suddenly bringing up Netero?
"You old geezer."
"Looks like it's really her."
"A-Are you truly Master Netero's disciple…?"
Was that a password!? Don't use something like that as a code phrase!
Honestly… Netero… just how much respect—or lack thereof—does he inspire? Or maybe this is a sign of trust, that his disciples can joke about him like that. Maybe I should've been a bit more casual myself?
—Hey Riina! Let's take it easy, yo!—
…Nope. Not happening.
The fact that I even imagined myself (Ryushou) like that is embarrassing. It feels like I just disrespected not only myself but even Ryuzen-sensei…
My deepest apologies, Ryuzen-sensei!
As I was silently apologizing to my great teacher, Bisky returned with Riina-san.
…Wait. Why is she carrying a person?
Who is that? What is going on? Why did she bring someone here? He looks unconscious…
"Riina, have you finally resorted to kidnapping…?"
"How rude. There is a reason for this. Aisha-san! I have returned! I'm relieved to see you're unharmed!"
"It seems you were not quite as uneventful… Who is that person?"
"Yes, well… the situation is as follows."
According to Riina-san, this is what happened:
She arrived at a town called Antokiba to gather information and investigated the differences between Greed Island and the outside world.
Apparently, even currency must be converted into cards to be used for purchases. There's also a monthly tournament held in Antokiba. She even found an information broker—but using their services also requires card-converted money.
To learn more, she would need to investigate more thoroughly. So she decided to regroup with us first and organize the information.
That was when this man approached her.
It seems he identified her as a beginner and struck up a conversation.
With a gentle expression and a soft tone, he offered to teach her important things she should be careful about in Greed Island.
He asked if she knew about something called the "Bomber." When she said she didn't, he explained the danger.
The Bomber is apparently a malicious player hunter in Greed Island. Those targeted by the Bomber die as if their bodies exploded—like being blown up from within. The name "Bomber" is certainly fitting.
After explaining this, the man tried to place his hand on Riina-san's shoulder—
—and immediately had his wrist grabbed, was thrown to the ground, had his throat pinned under a heel, took a straight punch to the solar plexus, lost consciousness, had all his joints dislocated, and was brought here.
…Yeah. That's pretty bad.
I mean, I understand why she didn't trust him. Approaching a beginner and suddenly warning them about the Bomber is suspicious. Especially trying to touch her—could be related to an ability activation condition.
Of course, there's also the possibility he was just a genuinely kind player.
But still… this is excessive…
He's twitching. Like, actually twitching. What are we supposed to do if he really was just a nice guy?
"It's fine. I have a good idea."
"An idea?"
"Yes. Regardless, this man is suspicious. I will monitor him. Aisha-san and Bisky, please rest somewhere a little distance away. Kastro-san, could you go find some food? Unfortunately, I wasn't able to obtain any in town."
"Understood. I'll go look for some wild animals… but no more mushrooms, please."
Ah, right. He got food poisoning from mushrooms before and was treated by Leorio-san.
Now that I think about it, if Leorio-san had entered Greed Island, he might have reunited with Kastro-san. Kastro-san would've been happy to see his benefactor again… what a shame.
Also, Kastro-san—please make sure the food is clean.
Deer or boar would be fine, but I absolutely cannot eat anything that reminds me of filth, like rats or insects.
…Yeah, I'm definitely not cut out for survival.
◆
So this is Greed Island.
A vast plain stretching as far as the eye can see. If this truly is a game, then is even the realism I feel in my body being reproduced? It would be more reasonable to think this is somewhere in the real world… though perhaps thinking that way just means I've lost my sense of wonder.
…Wonder, huh.
Back then, I admired the tales of adventure written in a single book and set out into the outside world. I had forgotten that, consumed as I was by revenge and the desire to reclaim my comrades' eyes… but once I recover all of them and return them to my people, perhaps going on a journey of adventure wouldn't be so bad.
Traveling to many places, experiencing the unknown, and telling those stories to Pairo… yes, that wouldn't be bad at all.
"Oh, kept you waiting, Kurapika."
"You're here, Leorio."
"Yeah. But man, this is insane. Is this really inside a game?"
"That's probably what everyone thinks the first time they play this game."
If Leorio is here, then next should be Gon, and after that, Killua.
…No, actually, Milluki will probably come before Killua. That man will likely follow us. Traveling with us would be the fastest way for him to meet Aisha.
To think Aisha would capture the hearts of a Zoldyck… and two of them at that. Killua would never admit it, though.
"By the way, Leorio. I heard you met with Mr. Battera alone after the selection?"
After the selection ended and we received the rules and pledge for playing Greed Island, only Leorio was called to meet Mr. Battera.
We departed at 5 PM from Tzesguerra Station and made our way by car to the castle where the game consoles were installed, but Leorio had already arrived ahead of us.
Apparently, Mr. Battera sent him by helicopter. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't curious about what he was doing after the selection.
"Ah… sorry, but I can't talk about that. Confidentiality and all."
"I see. Then it can't be helped."
Confidentiality… then it must involve something private to Mr. Battera.
If he specifically called for Leorio, then it must be something only Leorio could handle.
There are few things he can do that I cannot. Among them, the most notable is his ability—Healing Palm (Hoimi).
Was he treating someone? That would make sense, given his goal of becoming a doctor.
But someone like Mr. Battera could hire any renowned physician. Could Leorio accomplish something even they could not? Though his ability loses effectiveness when dealing with injuries he cannot perceive or lacks knowledge of…
"Did the treatment go well?"
"…I need to study more."
"…I see."
So it failed.
From Leorio's expression, I can see the anguish of someone lamenting their own inadequacy.
"I may not be one to talk… but don't rush, Leorio. Humans cannot become gods. There's a limit to what one person can do. Saving everyone is impossible."
"I know that… better than anyone."
Of course. He couldn't save his dear friend when he was young.
I understand that pain all too well. I, too, once tried to carry out my revenge alone—becoming stronger on my own, solving everything alone.
But meeting all of you changed that.
Things I couldn't do alone… I was able to overcome together with my comrades.
So, Leorio—
"Rely on us more. What you can't do alone, we can overcome together. Even if I can't help, Gon, Killua, and Aisha can. We even have Riina-dono and Bisky here. There's far less we can't do. …It's okay to rely on us."
"…Tch. Don't say such cheesy things. It's embarrassing."
"Heh, are you blushing?"
"Shut up! …You've changed a bit, haven't you?"
"Have I? I don't really notice it myself."
If I have, it's because of all of you.
You changed me—from someone consumed by revenge.
"Yeah, you've changed. For the better. …Thanks. I'll try talking to Aisha. She might come up with something."
"I see. That would be wise. If you tell me, I'll help however I can."
"Yeah. It's not really the kind of problem I can tell a lot of people about. If I need your help, I'll let you know then."
It seems Leorio has regained his footing.
If he's to become a doctor, he will inevitably face people he cannot save. If he falters every time, he won't be able to save those he can.
"Do your best, Leorio."
"? …Yeah?"
I won't say it aloud, but aside from Aisha, you're the one I respect most.
Though you're also the one I look down on the most. If I told you, you'd get carried away, so I never will.
"Oh, looks like Gon's here."
"Sorry to keep you waiting! Whoa, this is amazing! It's a huge grassland as far as you can see! …Huh? This is…"
Gon seems impressed by Greed Island as well.
And he's noticed it—the gaze watching us.
Leorio doesn't seem to have realized yet.
We continued chatting idly for a while, and after several minutes, Killua finally descended.
"Sorry I'm late. Damn it, being last sucks."
"Haha, over twenty people and you came in last? Your rock-paper-scissors is terrible, Killua."
"Shut up."
The order for entering Greed Island was decided by rock-paper-scissors.
Nothing to do but blame bad luck.
"So, there are two directions we can go. Which one?"
First, we need information.
One of the most frightening things in this world is the unknown. Moving forward blindly without understanding anything is unthinkable.
"Why two?"
"Because I can feel someone watching us from those two directions."
They're probably monitoring the starting point.
To observe effectively, it's best to stay near a town. Following either direction should lead us to one.
"It depends on which way Aisha went."
"Milluki, you're still here? Isn't one person enough? Just go already."
"…Sticking with you all seems like the fastest way to meet Aisha. I'll travel with you for a while."
As expected.
I don't mind, but Killua clearly does.
Perhaps it's awkward since they're brothers. Killua has always disliked his family.
Still, Milluki doesn't seem like the kind of person I'd heard about. Perhaps he's changed as well… maybe thanks to Aisha.
"Come on, Killua. It's fine if your brother comes along. Let's just get along."
"…Sorry about that. You're Gon, right?"
"Yeah! Nice to meet you, Milluki-san!"
"That's right. If we're going to meet Aisha, we'll probably be traveling together. I should introduce myself as well. I'm Kurapika. Nice to meet you."
"…I'm Milluki Zoldyck. …Nice to meet you."
Killua is looking at Milluki suspiciously.
He really must have changed.
Perhaps the old Milluki was more fitting of a Zoldyck.
At the very least, he probably wasn't the type to exchange greetings like this. If his appearance and personality have both changed, it's no wonder Killua is confused.
"Well then, introductions are done, so let's decide where to go—"
"That won't be necessary, Leorio."
"!?"
A voice suddenly came from above, catching everyone off guard.
We immediately looked toward the source.
As I suspected—Bisky was standing atop the small hut at the starting point. Seeing our surprise, she jumped down cheerfully, holding her skirt in place as she landed.
"Bisky!? Why were you up there?"
"To hide, obviously. There aren't many places to conceal yourself around here."
"Why bother hiding?"
"To stay out of sight of other players. If strangers are waiting at the starting point, people will get suspicious, right?"
"I see. So you were waiting for us to guide us to Aisha?"
"That's right. …By the way, sorry for eavesdropping, but this one's Killua's brother, right? Can he be trusted?"
"He's not a bad guy. Pretty reasonable, actually."
"…This concerns an important secret of Aisha's. Sorry, but I can't take someone untrustworthy to her."
An important secret of Aisha's?
Her aura quality? No, that's already concealed by her ability. Then it must be something else…
What could it be?
"I swear I won't do anything to hurt Aisha! I understand you can't trust me right away. So just tell her that Milluki came to see her. If she refuses, I'll leave Greed Island."
What resolve.
I can feel a firm determination from Milluki now.
Even Killua must have sensed it—he started backing him up.
"Bisky, I'll ask too. Just asking Aisha should be fine, right?"
"Killua… thanks."
"…It's nothing. It'd be pretty harsh not to let you meet her after all this time."
Still not honest, as always.
But that's just how Killua is.
"…Alright. If Aisha says yes, then it's fine. Now that that's settled, let's go. I need Kurapika's help for something."
"My help?"
"Yep. Come on, follow me."
With that, Bisky dashed across the plain, and we immediately followed.
She needs my help?
Aisha, Riina-dono, Bisky, and even that man Kastro should all be there. So why me?
My ability…? Perhaps one of my chains is required.
The most likely would be Judgment Chain.
Well, there's no point overthinking it now. For the time being, I'll just follow Bisky.
◆
Following Bisky, we arrived in a small grove surrounded by trees.
So this is where Aisha is? I'm not sure why she would be in a place like this… perhaps it's related to that "secret" of hers.
"Around here. Riina, I brought them."
"…Ryushou-sensei."
Riina-dono's voice came from somewhere unseen. It seems she had been hiding. As expected, her ability to conceal her presence is first-rate.
But… Ryushou-sensei? What does she mean by that? She must be referring to her late master, the legendary martial artist Ryushou…
"Mansē."
"Good work, Bisky."
…Was that a password just now?
Even that great martial god probably never imagined his name would be used like this.
"Achoo!"
Hm? Did I just hear someone sneeze…? Must be my imagination.
"Thank you for coming, Kurapika-san. It seems everyone else was able to enter Greed Island as well. Congratulations. …Though there is one unfamiliar face here. Who might this be?"
"He's apparently an acquaintance of Aisha's. If Aisha says it's okay to meet him, then there's no problem, right?"
"…If Aisha-san permits it, then I have no objections."
"Good. I'll go check with Aisha, then."
With that, Bisky left us and moved elsewhere.
I am curious about Aisha's condition, but since Riina-dono remains calm, it doesn't seem to be a life-threatening situation.
"So. I hear you need my help?"
"Yes. We require your ability. Would you be willing to assist?"
"That depends on what you're asking."
I don't believe she would misuse my ability, but I'm not inclined to use Nen on others without a clear reason.
"I will explain. This way, please."
What I saw upon being led there…
…was a man, his entire body bound tightly, all his joints dislocated, contorted into a position no human should be able to assume. A gag was firmly secured in his mouth.
Honestly, I felt sympathy. I don't know what he did, but this is excessive… He appears unconscious, which is perhaps a mercy. If he were awake, this would be nothing short of torture.
"Uh… what is this?"
Gon, you've spoken for all of us.
Everyone looked at Riina-dono with confusion.
"He approached me while I was gathering information in a nearby town."
According to her, his approach and words felt unnatural.
Trusting her instincts, she knocked him unconscious, restrained him, and brought him here.
That was three days before we arrived in Greed Island—and since then, she has repeatedly knocked him out every time he regained consciousness.
…How cruel.
Everyone looked at the man with sympathy. If he's been knocked out every time he woke up, then he hasn't eaten or drunk anything for three days…
Before I realized it, I was looking at Riina-dono with reproach. She, however, brushed it off without concern.
"Now then, Kurapika-san. I would like your help. But… is he alright with this?"
…Ah. She means my ability being revealed.
I do trust that Milluki won't harm Aisha, but he's not exactly a comrade. It would be problematic for him to know my ability.
"Sorry, Milluki. Would you mind stepping away for a bit?"
"…Fair enough. I understand the importance of keeping abilities secret. I'd do the same in your position."
"I'll go with him, just in case. We might end up heading toward Aisha."
"…Didn't you say you trusted me, Killua?"
"I said just in case. If I leave you alone and something happens, Riina-san will chew me out."
As expected of Killua. He understands Riina-dono's tendencies well. That month in the Kazama style wasn't wasted…
Though… becoming knowledgeable about that isn't exactly something to be proud of.
Still, those closely involved with Aisha had no choice but to learn.
"Then I'll go too. If Killua and Milluki-san are alone, they might start fighting."
"…We're not gonna fight."
"That's if he doesn't start something."
"What did you say!?"
"You wanna go? Don't think I'm the same as before."
"Hey, stop it you two!"
…If they had gone alone, Gon's prediction might have come true.
Nice save, Gon.
After Gon and the others moved away, Riina-dono once again asked for my cooperation.
"I would like you to place a restriction on this man using your ability."
"…What kind of restriction?"
"'Absolute obedience to Riina Lockbelt.'"
"That's a bit—"
"Please rest assured. If he turns out to be innocent, you may remove the restriction. Someone as perceptive as you surely has a way to undo your ability once applied, correct?"
…That is true.
If the target reforms, I do intend to remove the restriction. Though the Phantom Troupe is an exception—no matter what, I would never release them.
"Of course, even if he proves guilty, I will not abuse this condition. It is necessary to correct his nature. This man is far more skilled than an average Nen user. As things stand, Gon and the others would stand little chance against him. Even you, Kurapika-san, would likely only be evenly matched."
"Seriously? He's that strong?"
"Yes. Barring compatibility, of course. And in Greed Island, there are special cards called 'Spell Cards' with various effects. Some can instantly transport you far away. If he were to use such a spell, we couldn't allow him to move or speak freely."
I see.
That explains why Riina-dono has restrained him so thoroughly. Without understanding the mechanics of this game, we could easily be outmaneuvered by someone who does.
She's right. To remain ignorant and not recognize the danger of that ignorance is among the greatest foolishness.
I feel somewhat sorry for the man… but for now, I will proceed.
If he proves innocent, then Riina-dono must offer him a proper apology.
"Very well. I'll place a restriction on him using Judgment Chain. However, I have one condition. If you cannot accept it, I won't cooperate."
"A condition?"
"Yes. I will place a restriction on you as well—'If this man was acting in good faith, you must offer an appropriate apology.' That is my condition."
This is not something I do lightly.
She is one of the people who helped me grow stronger.
But placing such a restriction on this man could alter the course of his life. If we impose such a rule, an equivalent price must be paid.
"Very well. If that is the case, I will acknowledge my fault. And I will offer a proper apology for the harm done."
"Then I'll begin with you."
"Please."
She shows no fear… does she trust me completely?
Her gaze is unwavering, as if she can see straight through my heart.
…Aisha sometimes has the same kind of eyes.
"Judgment Chain! …The chain has now pierced your heart. If you violate the rule, it will crush it. …Be careful."
"Yes, of course. Now, it's your turn."
As Riina-dono turned to the man…
…he was already awake.
His face was filled with anger and humiliation. Understandable—anyone subjected to this would feel the same.
"Perfect timing for him to wake up."
"I revived him before you placed the restriction on me. He should now understand his situation."
"I'll explain. I'm about to pierce your heart with a Nen chain. If you break the rule, it will crush your heart."
"Mmgh! Ngh!"
"There is only one rule… 'Absolute obedience to Riina Lockbelt.'"
"Mmghhh!!"
I have no idea what he's saying, but the tone suggests something like "You've got to be kidding me."
Understandable.
Three days of captivity, and now this…
If you must curse someone, curse your own suspicious behavior—not me.
Why do I have to do this…
"Relax. If you're harmless, I'll remove the chain. Riina-dono has also agreed to apologize. If not… well… give up."
"Mmmgh! Nghhhh!!"
Perhaps my words sounded like a death sentence.
He desperately tried to squirm away, reinforcing his body with aura.
His aura is impressive. Without activating Emperor Time, I would likely lose in a direct confrontation.
He truly is strong.
…Though in his current state, even with all that aura, he can barely move.
And so, as he struggled in vain—
I mercilessly drove the chain into him.
"Mmmghhhhhhhhh!!"
◆
This man—apparently named Genthru—who could not defy Riina-dono, was first forbidden from using any cards without her permission. On top of that, he was subjected to questioning by Riina-dono under a condition that prohibited any falsehoods.
The first thing she asked was Genthru's true objective—what exactly he had intended when he approached Riina-dono. In his current state, with his life literally in her hands, Genthru had no choice but to comply. Though reluctant, he revealed everything. And what he said was completely damning. Far beyond "guilty."
He confessed everything—his activities as the Bomber, the murders he had committed in Greed Island, and even how he had deceived the group known as the "Troupe" (Hame-gumi) and planted bombs on them.
To think he had chosen Riina-dono as a victim to spread the Bomber's infamy… was he fooled by her appearance? From the outside, she looks like a refined young lady, after all.
In any case, all one can say is that he chose the wrong target. At this point, there's not even room left for sympathy.
Genthru also provided other valuable information. Naturally, all of it was important for Greed Island. It ranged widely—from details about spell cards, to Masadora (the only town where such cards are sold), to effective ways of using something called a trade shop.
Since falsehoods were not permitted, it was safe to assume the information was accurate—unless, of course, Genthru himself believed something incorrect.
"That's about all I know about this game… I promise I won't get involved with you people again. So… could you let me go…?"
"It seems there's no lie in those words."
"If it were a lie, I'd already be dead, right? Even if you asked me to, I'm not going near you again…"
His spirit is completely broken. Given what he's been through, that's hardly surprising.
Though, since it's all the result of his own actions, it's difficult to feel much about it.
"No, I still have more questions. Tell me—were you carrying out this plan alone?"
"..."
So, he chose silence. That's understandable. While falsehoods were forbidden, silence itself was not.
But remaining silent is practically the same as giving an answer. And if Riina-dono were to forbid even silence, it would become meaningless anyway. Genthru should understand that. After all, he managed to carry out this plan for years without being discovered—his mind must be quite sharp.
Still… absolute obedience, huh? With just that one rule, most things can be handled… Couldn't I have managed with just that when dealing with the Spiders…?
"I see. Silence, then. That alone is answer enough. One more question—if we keep you restrained like this, will your companions come to rescue you?"
"…No. If the regular reports I send stop coming, they'll assume something unexpected happened… and abandon me."
So he realized there was no point hiding the existence of his comrades anymore. And again, no lies in that answer. But something became clear—regardless of what his companions are like, this man named Genthru does care about them.
"I see. Then—can you call your companions here?"
"..."
Silence again.
Just as I think of Gon and the others… and just as they think of me… Genthru is trying to protect his comrades—even if it costs him his life.
If his own life mattered more than his comrades, he wouldn't have chosen silence when first asked about them. After all, he had answered every other question truthfully.
Even if silence were forbidden, I doubt Genthru would speak. That much resolve can be felt from him.
"If I were to forbid not only falsehoods but also silence, you would violate the chain's rule—and your heart would be crushed. That would mean certain death. …This is my final question. Are you prepared to throw away your life for your comrades?"
"Kill me. Even if I die, I won't sell out my friends."
…How unexpected. Even someone as depraved as this… still possesses a heart that cares for others. Perhaps a person cannot be made of malice alone…
"I see… Very well. I have witnessed your feelings for your comrades. In recognition of that resolve, I will not press you further about them.
…However, while your concern for your comrades is admirable, your rotten nature—deceiving and harming countless people for money—is beyond saving. It is fortunate that you have not fallen completely into evil. I shall correct that twisted nature of yours myself!"
Ah… Riina-dono's eyes are gleaming.
Meanwhile, Genthru's eyes look completely dead.
"Ahh… there it is. Riina's bad habit showing up again."
Bisky, you're back. It seems Aisha isn't with you.
"Bad habit?"
"That's right. You see… Riina has this habit—when she finds someone with a warped personality, she just has to beat it back into shape. Eida and Tonpa were victims of that too. Well, Eida ended up enjoying it in the end. There've been plenty of others she's 'corrected' over time. Though, the ones beyond saving all ended up in prison."
"I will hammer your rotten nature into shape so that such foolish thoughts never cross your mind again. Prepare yourself."
"How… how did it come to this…?"
That's what we call reaping what you sow.
◆
"It's been a while, Miluki. You've changed so much."
I heard from Bisky that Miluki had come to see me. I was curious why he was in Greed Island, but Miluki likes games, and he had been researching Greed Island for me—so maybe he got interested.
If he came all this way to meet me, there's no reason for me to refuse. It's true that letting too many people know about my current condition is a problem, but I trust Miluki. I don't want to doubt someone who's helped me so much.
And when I saw him after so long—what a surprise.
He's incredibly thin now. When did he class-change from sumo wrestler to model? Losing this much weight in just half a year must have taken incredible effort.
After working that hard and gathering so much information for me, there was no way I wouldn't meet him.
"I-It's been a while, Aisha! Have you been well?"
"Yes. You've lost weight, Miluki. That suits you better (health-wise)."
"I-I see!"
He looks really happy. Being recognized for your efforts makes anyone happy.
This reunion is shaping up to be a pleasant one. Oh—and there's someone else I've reunited with too. Sooner than expected, though.
"Oh, Leorio-san came to Greed Island too? I'm glad we can be together, but… what about your medical studies?"
Yes—surprisingly, Leorio-san has joined Greed Island. He was supposed to focus on studying to become a doctor and act separately from us, but…
"Yeah. I can study here too. I brought my study materials with me. As long as I get out of here before the January entrance exams, I'll be fine."
I see. It's true—you can bring in whatever you're wearing or carrying into Greed Island.
So the things Leorio-san is carrying must be study materials. He plans to study while staying with us until January.
"Greed Island is a dangerous place. I don't think it's exactly suitable for studying…"
I don't know all the details of how dangerous Greed Island is.
But compared to studying in a quiet room, it's like heaven and earth.
I'm worried whether he can concentrate—and about the danger to his life.
"Yeah, I've heard. But I was also interested in your training, Aisha. I'll do both—study and training. If I get stronger, it'll be less dangerous, right?"
"That's true, but…"
Doing both study and training… will that really be okay?
No… if we use Bisky's ability… And strengthening Leorio-san's healing ability would definitely benefit him too.
"…Alright, I understand. But doing both training and studying will be very hard. Are you prepared?"
"Yeah!"
Good. If that's the case, I'll train Leorio-san into a Nen user he won't be embarrassed to show anywhere.
"Leorio… better prepare your will."
"I welcome you, Leorio. Welcome to the first circle of hell."
"Ahaha. Let's do our best together, Leorio."
My training is hell, you say? I felt like it was heaven back in my training days.
Well—that was thanks to [Absolute Obedience / Geass]! Without that, it probably is hell for them…
Oh, right—speaking of reunions.
"Oh! If it isn't—you!"
"Hey! You're that guy from before!"
Yes, Leorio-san and Kastro-san have reunited. Apparently, neither of them actually knew each other's names, so now they're introducing themselves properly.
"Man, you really saved me back then, Leorio."
"Don't worry about it. I got the Black Book as thanks, didn't I? We're even."
T-the Black Book… I wonder where it is now… Ah, hurry back to me…
…I'll make sure to erase you completely.
"So, Aisha… about this 'secret' of yours…"
"…Yes. I think I should tell everyone. Please make sure this stays strictly confidential."
Everyone agreed, so I explained my ability [Boss Attribute] and my current condition.
"—And that's the situation."
"Are you an idiot?"
Ugh… I can't argue with that… Killua is absolutely right. Knowing I'd lose my Nen and still entering a game full of Nen users—that is pretty stupid.
"That ability is incredible, but the drawbacks are huge."
"Yeah. Not being able to turn it on and off hurts. Without that, it'd be a perfect ability…"
"But that limitation is exactly why it's so strong. Without it, it'd be too overpowered."
Kurapika and Miluki are analyzing my ability. They both seem really good at this kind of strategic thinking.
"If you can't use Nen for a month, then we have to protect Aisha. It feels kinda strange protecting her…"
"Yeah. I mean, do we even need to? She beat Kastro while in Zetsu."
"No, that situation was different. During my match with Kastro-san, I suppressed the aura around my body, but my eye nodes were still open. I could still see aura. But now, I can't even do that. In this state, predicting a Nen user's attacks is very difficult…"
If an opponent releases aura, I can neither see nor sense it.
Maybe I could rely on experience and intuition—but there's no way I could keep that up indefinitely.
"I don't think I could beat anyone here right now."
"'Unbelievable.'"
Lately, I feel like Gon and the others are too in sync—especially when it comes to me. Seriously, what did I do?
…No, actually, I know exactly what I did.
"Hey, cut it out. Aisha's probably anxious since she can't use Nen. Don't worry, Aisha—I-I'll protect you!"
"I'll protect you too, Aisha. And if you get hurt, I'll heal you anytime."
"Miluki, Leorio-san… thank you both."
They're so kind. I don't deserve friends like them.
"Looks like you're done talking."
"Bisky. Seems your interrogation is finished too."
That man Riina captured… I haven't heard all the details yet, but apparently he was far worse than expected.
"That guy—Genthru, right? …Riina's decided to thoroughly 'correct' him."
…Ah. That hobby of hers—personality correction.
Still, the truly irredeemable ones were sent straight to prison, so in that sense, Genthru might be relatively better. He's still a criminal, of course, but hopefully he'll take this chance to change.
"By the way, Bisky. Since I can't use Nen for a month, I was thinking of focusing on training Gon and the others during this time."
"That makes sense. With your current condition, playing Greed Island would be impossible anyway."
"Yes. So I was hoping you could help again, like before… what do you think?"
"…Sure, that's fine. I won't even charge you this time. With their talent, I'd want to train them myself anyway."
That's a relief. I expected her to agree, but no fee is a pleasant surprise. I still have money, but I really don't want to go through another "dress-up as payment" situation…
I'm glad Bisky's hobby is refining talent.
"…So the training → recovery hell combo is back."
"You're too naive, Kurapika. We've got Leorio now. Even if we get hurt, we'll just recover—so it's even worse than before."
"That's true. It'll also help with Leorio-san's training. Since we can heal injuries, we can raise the level of sparring even higher."
"…We're going back to that river, aren't we…"
Gon—what river are you talking about? Kurapika mentioned it before too… just where did you all train?
.
_________________________________
====================
The serious tone was left behind in Yorknew. Honestly, it wouldn't survive the Greed Island arc (a.k.a. the comedy arc)…
The climax of Greed Island? The fight with the Bomber? Yeah, that existed in the original. In the original. But here? That kind of thing doesn't exist!
My interpretation of spell cards is just my own speculation. In reality, they might not be materialized objects invisible to non-Nen users.
Here are the details of Riina's ability:
[Lady's Gloves / Black Rose & White Rose Shirring Gloves]
Conjuration-type ability
A pair of elegant gloves embroidered with black and white roses, covering both hands up to near the elbows. These gloves allow the user to grasp aura as if it were clothing.
Riina created this ability so she could apply all techniques of the Kazama-style martial arts to any opponent. Since it's based on Aiki-jūjutsu, many techniques rely on grabbing clothing—but those techniques would be useless if the opponent wasn't wearing any. Riina found that unacceptable. She created this ability out of sheer determination so that techniques taught by Ryushou would never be nullified by something as trivial as lack of clothing.
She cannot grasp aura that exceeds her current active aura output. However, once grasped, the aura cannot be removed unless Riina releases it or the target nullifies it (e.g., via Zetsu).
She can also absorb the aura into her gloves. When absorbed, the grasped aura disappears and must be re-grasped if needed again.
She can also grasp conjured objects; if the total aura (both the aura coating the object and the aura used to create it) is less than or equal to her active aura, she can revert that portion into aura and absorb it.
Absorption is optional.
Absorbed aura can be stored and used freely. The maximum storage capacity equals Riina's total potential aura. However, it can only be stored for up to one hour from the moment the first aura is absorbed. After one hour, all stored aura is reset.
Cannot grasp aura exceeding her current active aura.
Total stored aura cannot exceed her maximum potential aura.
If, within one hour of first absorption, the total amount of absorbed aura exceeds her maximum potential aura, she will consume an amount of aura equal to the total absorbed amount.
Even when she uses absorbed aura, the total absorbed amount does not decrease—only the remaining usable aura decreases.
In other words, even if Riina consumes some of the absorbed aura, the cumulative total remains unchanged.
For example:
If she absorbs 10,000 aura in total, then uses 5,000, she has 5,000 remaining—but the total absorbed remains 10,000.
If she then absorbs another 1,000, the total becomes 11,000, and the remaining usable aura becomes 6,000.
Once the total exceeds her maximum potential aura, she loses aura equal to that total amount.
This system resets after one hour from the first absorption.
In long battles, frequent use of this ability increases the risk of triggering the vow. That said, Riina's potential aura is quite large, so it's not easy to overload.
This ability is less effective against stronger opponents (like her "teacher"), but extremely effective against weaker ones (i.e., anyone other than her teacher—according to Riina's ideals, she wants to be stronger than everyone except her teacher).
Also, storing aura cooperatively with others can make it very powerful—though the helper will be left nearly drained of aura.