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Chapter 51 - Chapter 44: Friendship really is wonderful.

Huh? Where is this place again?

Hmm? It feels familiar somehow…

A large river, a ferry boat crossing it. And near a tree close by, there was a woman I vaguely recognized, lying there asleep…

Oh, right, I remember! This is a place I've seen a few times on Whale Island! But why am I here? What was I even doing?

Umm… yeah… Aisha couldn't use her Nen anymore, so for one month until she recovered, we decided to focus more on our training instead of clearing Greed Island.

So, like usual, we trained until we collapsed using Biscuit's ability, then recovered, and if we got injured, Leorio would heal us. Train, recover (Biscuit), train, recover (Leorio), over and over.

On top of that, we also started training by capturing Greed Island monsters. Each monster has unique traits, so you have to skillfully apply different Nen techniques to defeat them—it was perfect training. Killua and Kurapika both defeated monsters faster than me, so I have to work even harder!

And then… umm… right! I was having a mock battle with Aisha without using Nen. …After that, I don't remember anything. What happened?

 

"Oh my. You're here again. It's been a while~"

While I was lost in thought, the woman called out to me. She'd always been asleep before, so we'd never talked…

"Uh, you know me?"

"Well, yeah. You've been here a few times, haven't you? And it's rare for people who come here to be able to talk. Last time you were muttering to yourself, so you left an impression—I remembered you."

Whoa… she heard me talking to myself here before.

But this lady doesn't seem like a bad person. Even though Kurapika told me before that if I ever came here, I should leave immediately without talking to her…

Why was Kurapika so wary of her?

"Do most people who come here not talk?"

"Well, if everyone could talk, that'd be a bit of a problem. In that sense, you're a problem too~"

Huh? What does she mean by problem? Wouldn't it be more of a problem if you couldn't talk?

"Anyway, you'd better hurry. If you take too long, I'll have to do my job. Go back to where you belong. It's still far too early for you to be here. The fact that you can talk proves that. Come back after you've enjoyed your youth more."

"Huh? …Okay, got it."

Right. I don't have time to be relaxing in a place like this. I need to get back to everyone.

The moment I thought that, my consciousness began to fade…

"Don't you da—… you bette—…!"

The woman was saying something, but I couldn't make it out anymore…

 

"…! Hey, Go—! …pull yourself together, Gon!"

Huh? That's not her voice. Who is it? It sounds familiar…

This time, my consciousness started returning little by little. Whose voice is that?

"Gon! Get a hold of yourself!"

"…Leorio?"

"Oh! You're awake! You scared the hell out of me, you idiot!"

Why is he panicking so much? There are even tears in his eyes.

"What's wrong, Leorio?"

"What's wrong?! Your breathing stopped for a moment! Aisha put her hand on your chest and you started breathing again!"

"Oh, that. It stopped again, huh."

"…Again?"

"It's fine, Leorio. Stuff like my breathing stopping happens all the time during Aisha's and Biscuit's training."

"…Huh?"

What's wrong with Leorio? Why does he look so stunned?

"I told you, Leorio. Worrying about him is pointless."

"Neither alive nor dead. We disciples are constantly on the brink of life and death depending on our master's whims. Something like breathing stopping isn't enough to let us die."

"…Am I the weird one here?!"

"…Don't worry, Leorio. You're probably the normal one."

"Yeah. The weird ones are everyone here. Every last one of them is insane…!"

"Milluki, Genthru… right? I'm not the strange one, right?"

For some reason, Leorio, Milluki-san, and Genthru-san were huddled together with grim expressions. Is what we're doing really that strange? If you want to get stronger in a short time, harsh training is only natural, right?

"Gon, is your body okay?"

"Ah, yeah. …Yeah, nothing's wrong."

It seems like I passed out after taking one of Aisha's attacks, but my body feels fine. I don't think Aisha would use an attack that leaves lasting damage.

"I see. Then we'll resume training."

"Osu!"

'This is definitely strange…'

Is it really that strange? Our training, I mean.

Training in the name of correction… no, correction in the name of training?

Doesn't matter. Either way, it doesn't change what I have to do. Because of that damn chain, I can't defy that bitch.

It pisses me off to follow her orders, but with my life on the line, I don't have a choice.

Damn it! How did it come to this?!

Back then… everything went wrong the moment I spoke to that woman.

To fulfill a long-standing plan, I chose a suitable target to spread the Bomber's notoriety—her, Riina.

Not like I picked her at random. I confirmed there were no other players around, and chose someone who seemed easy to deal with.

Her way of walking, the quality of her aura, the atmosphere she carried—everything about her screamed second-rate. That's why I picked her.

But it was all a disguise. She had been hiding her true strength. I consider myself a first-rate user, and precisely because of that… I failed to notice.

Someone who could completely conceal their power even from me—that was beyond my expectations. I never imagined someone overwhelmingly stronger than me would be a woman like that.

…Excuses. I didn't just judge her by the strength I sensed—I let her appearance influence me too. Maybe I'd grown too used to the low level of Greed Island players.

Anyway, I lost to her. I never thought I'd get countered like that just for trying to place a hand on her shoulder. What if I'd actually been a player giving genuine advice? That would've been traumatic for life.

After that, that brat's ability forced me to swear absolute obedience to her. Thanks to that, Genthru-sama is now completely under her control. Someday, I'll definitely remove this chain and take my revenge!

…But putting that brat aside, there's no way I can beat her as I am now.

That fact was drilled into me thoroughly.

I was allowed to fight at full strength. The deal was that if I won, I'd be freed.

She probably wanted to crush my will to resist by showing me the difference in power. The chain makes me obedient, but I've never submitted in my heart.

I didn't intend to take her promise of freedom at face value—but if I'm allowed to attack, then the chain won't react. Even if I killed her, it'd just be an accident. That's what I thought as I went all out to kill her.

She already knows about my ability [Countdown]… but she doesn't know about my other one—[Little Flower]. Once I grab her with this hand, those thin arms or her neck will be blown off easily.

No pointless crippling—I know she's strong. No playing around, no carelessness. I'll kill her for sure!

To avoid revealing my intention to grab, I mixed in feints, striking as if punching instead. First, I'd blow off her arm—then while she's stunned from the pain, I'd take her head.

That's what I planned when I attacked.

But the one who got grabbed first… was me.

The moment I realized it, my body was already flying through the air. By the time I understood it was some kind of Aiki technique, her heel had already slammed into my throat—just like before.

As I endured the pain, I suddenly found myself standing. Not by my own will—she made me stand. I had been lying down, yet somehow my body rose on its own. Was that Aiki too?

Then she threw me again. Over and over. Even though the ground wasn't reinforced with Nen, it shouldn't have hurt a Nen user like me that much.

But repeated like that, it's a different story. I couldn't completely nullify the impact, the air in my lungs kept getting knocked out, and I couldn't breathe properly. At some point, she was tossing me around in midair like a ball.

It made no sense anymore.

Eventually, the assault stopped. I couldn't even stand—I just lay there on the ground, gasping.

Damn it! If even one attack had landed—if [Little Flower] had connected, someone like her…!

I must've said it out loud without realizing. After I thought that, that damn woman said:

"So, you believe you could win if it hits. Care to explain what kind of ability it is?"

…What the hell did I just say?

I was furious at my own stupidity.

I couldn't resist. I spilled every detail of my final hidden ability.

I thought I was completely finished. My hands would be on full guard now—there'd be no way to activate my ability.

"Then, go ahead and try to land it."

When I heard that, I doubted my ears. And when I realized I hadn't misheard, I thought she was an idiot. She'd gotten too full of herself.

No matter how strong she is, that's about technique. I admit there's a massive gap in skill between us.

But the aura covering our bodies isn't that different. No—in fact, mine might even be greater. If it hits, there's no way [Little Flower] wouldn't work.

I forced my unsteady body forward, slowly approaching her.

She stood there without moving, waiting for my attack as if she had all the time in the world.

Fool. Regret it after you die! [Little Flower]!!

Conclusion: she's a monster.

My full-power [Little Flower] didn't leave even a scratch on her. At that moment, her aura was on a completely different level from mine.

And at the instant of the explosion, she concentrated her aura with Gyo to guard the exact spot I grabbed. The way her aura moved… it was almost mesmerizing.

"Seems good for relieving shoulder stiffness. Could you do my shoulders next?"

"…Please spare me."

I think I heard the sound of my spirit breaking.

It's been a week since that woman crushed my will.

This past week has been hell. Endless repetition of basic training. If that were all, it wouldn't be a problem—I'm a self-proclaimed first-rate user. I do basic training regularly.

The problem is the intensity.

Training until collapse every single day. Repeating the same thing endlessly. The actual methods I've done in this week could be counted on one hand—but the time spent training is about 70% of the day.

The rest? Eating, the bathroom, and sleep.

Sleep? I'm training even while sleeping. Where the hell is the concept of "rest"?

It's not like I can't go without sleep. I'm used to sleeping while maintaining tension… well, that's assuming I wasn't already exhausted from daytime training. When was the last time I vomited from exhaustion?

After a week, I've started getting used to this environment… even though I don't want to.

I've also had time to observe the others.

Around the woman who enslaved me, there are many companions. With Riina and Biscuit at the center, it seems a lot of disciples have gathered here. Every single one of them is strong enough that a bunch of average Nen users wouldn't stand a chance.

The brats—Gon and Killua—are still developing, but for their age, they're impressive. They've got talent. They'll definitely become strong.

The bastard who bound me with chains—just as irritating as that woman—is no slouch either. Among the disciples, he's near the top in terms of ability.

That guy Kastro isn't really at a disciple level anymore. I don't think I'd lose to him, but it'd be a tough fight. Depending on ability compatibility, I might even lose.

Leorio is the weakest here in terms of strength. But he has talent. Since he's the most inexperienced, he's also improving the fastest. Still, splitting his time with medical studies slows his training.

Milluki's Nen ability is quite refined among the disciples. Though apparently he's not exactly the same type as them.

Everyone here except Leorio and Milluki… is insane.

How can they go through this level of training and not think it's crazy? The ones giving the training are nuts, but the ones enduring it are just as bad. Don't act like your breathing stopping is normal!

"Alright. Let's end the usual sparring here."

"Osu! What's next, Aisha?"

Aisha… she's the one I understand the least.

She's strong—no doubt about it. She uses the same martial arts as that damn woman, and her technique is just as refined.

But that's all.

She hasn't shown any Nen ability at all. The aura covering her body is zero—she's always in Zetsu. Yet as someone in Greed Island, she must be a Nen user…

No, that's not the main issue.

What bothers me more is how that damn woman treats her. She follows her like a subordinate, showing her respect. Aisha is probably her lifeline. If I could use Aisha properly—

…No, I'd definitely get killed. I just saw my own future.

"Let's see, next…"

Did she notice me watching her?

Aisha looked at me, thinking about something.

Crap. That woman isn't here right now, but she ordered me to follow Aisha's instructions in her absence.

I wasn't slacking off, but if she thinks I was just standing here staring…

That'd be bad.

Still, these rules binding me are pretty unfair, aren't they? Absolute obedience? Give me a break.

"Genthru-san."

"W-what is it?"

"Could you spar with Gon using Nen? Of course, hold back. It's just training. Also, no Hatsu, please."

…Looks like she didn't think I was slacking.

But she wants me to train a brat? Why should I bother with something so tedious…?

…Wait. Wouldn't that actually be easier than my current training?

Definitely easier. I'll take it.

"Got it. Hey, Gon—come at me."

"Osu! Please take care of me, Genthru-san!"

…This brat is hard to understand too.

He knows I'm a mass murderer, and that I'm here because I was captured. And yet, he looks at me without any hostility.

Does he think it doesn't matter as long as I haven't done anything to him personally? Naive kid.

"Hey. Your aura control is sloppy. Your attacks are predictable like that."

"Ugh… not yet… not yet!"

He's tough, I'll give him that. His Ren is still developing, but it's not bad.

But his lack of experience shows. That's something he can only fix through real combat.

"Your aura isn't following your attacks. That makes them meaningless."

"Then—how about this!"

He's attacking cleverly, but his aura distribution is still crude.

Still, he learns fast. I can see him improving even during this sparring… impressive brat.

"That's enough."

About ten minutes, I guess. The kid is already out of breath.

Still, he held on pretty well. Toward the end, he even started using aura feints. That's more than enough.

"Th-thank you… very much…"

"Leorio-san, please treat Gon."

"Yeah, leave it to me."

The injuries Gon took during our spar healed quickly under Leorio's ability.

Pretty convenient ability. Though since training resumes immediately after healing, it's a double-edged sword.

"Thank you, Genthru-san. That was very precise guidance."

"Tch. I just did it because I was told to."

"Is that so? I only asked you to spar—I didn't ask you to teach."

…Now that she mentions it.

After watching Aisha teach Gon, I ended up doing the same. Gon's quick to learn—it didn't feel strange at all.

"Hehe. Please help out like this from time to time. Not just Gon, but also Kastro and Kurapika. Fighting someone of your level will be good stimulation for them."

"…If I'm ordered to, I'll do it."

It's not like I have a choice anyway.

Better than repeating the same training endlessly. Sparring with them is far more interesting—and they're skilled enough to make it worthwhile.

"Then, I'll count on you again."

"Tch."

"…By the way, there's something I'd like to ask. Do you have any item that causes a sex change?"

"Huh? Oh, yeah. You mean the Hormone Cookies."

"Th-that item! Do you have it, Genthru-san?!"

Why is she so fixated on that? Does she actually want to change her sex? Coming from her… that's just weird.

"Too bad—I don't have any. The Hamet group should've had some."

"I see… I'm sorry. Please forget I asked…"

She looks visibly disappointed. Was she serious about it? What the hell is she thinking…

The Hamet group, huh… They've tried contacting me several times with "Contact," but I had no choice but to ignore them. They're probably suspicious by now.

Not that it matters anymore. I've got no chance of clearing the game anyway.

Though eventually, they might come directly using "Magnetic Force." Or even show up as a group with "Accompany."

If that happens… well, depends on how the people here react. Those weaklings don't stand a chance, even together.

The best they could do is expose my identity and force the cancellation of [Countdown]. They might attack me in desperation—but I won't go down without a fight.

…That is, if that damn woman allows me to fight back.

Damn it. I'll definitely get my revenge someday. Just you wait!

For now… back to training.

I need to build my base strength first.

That's right—this isn't submission to that woman. It's sharpening my fangs for a counterattack.

…That's the only way I can keep going.

I secretly asked Genthru-san, but it seems he doesn't have any sex-change items. Too bad. Still, it's certain that such an item exists in Greed Island. Apparently someone from the Hamet group has it.

…I want it.

I wonder if I could negotiate and have them hand it over? No, that's probably impossible. I don't have anything to bargain with.

Well, there is the bomb Genthru-san planted, but I don't want to use that as leverage.

No choice. I'll just have to get it myself. The problem is… I have no idea how to obtain the Hormone Cookies in the first place. But that's normal for a beginner in the game.

Wait, if I need a game advisor, there's a perfect candidate right here.

"Genthru-san, one more question. Do you know how to obtain the Hormone Cookies?"

"…I could tell you. But there's a condition. Release me."

Eh? Yeah, no—that's not happening.

I do feel a little sorry for Genthru-san's situation, but it's the result of his own actions.

Besides, while I do want the Hormone Cookies, if I can't get the information, I'll just search for them slowly on my own.

"I'm sorry, but that's impossible. And since it seems you haven't reflected enough yet, please complete double your usual training set."

"Wait. I was wrong. I'll tell you—just wait."

"No negotiations. Now hurry, or you won't finish today."

"D-damn it!"

The information would be nice, but I can't afford to give in to Genthru-san right now.

Riina's personality "correction" methods are… questionable, but I also don't intend to let a villain run free. He should reflect at least a little.

Well, technically, since Riina ordered him to obey me absolutely, I could've just commanded him to tell me everything. But that didn't feel right. At the very least, it's not a privilege I should use just to satisfy my own desires.

Anyway, since I can't get the Hormone Cookies yet, there's only one thing left to do: accelerate Gon and the others' training.

Even if I had the information, I wouldn't be able to obtain the card myself in my current powerless state.

And even if I did, it would just get stolen by another player—just like what happened to Killua after he won the monthly Antokiba tournament.

The tournament held on the 15th of every month—he won, but afterward, another player took his card using a spell card.

If Riina had been there, she could've blocked that spell with [Black Rose & White Rose Shirring Gloves]… but unfortunately, she's currently outside Greed Island.

 

That reminds me of the discussion we had when we reunited with Leorio-san.

Battera-san is obsessed with clearing Greed Island because he wants to wake his beloved from an unexplained coma. Riina heard this directly from Battera-san, and she said it was undoubtedly true.

Leorio-san apparently tried to treat her using [Palm Healing Technique / Hoimi].

As for how Battera learned about Leorio's ability—it seems a pro hunter hired by Battera, who also served as an examiner for the Greed Island player selection, told him.

…Honestly, that's a breach of confidentiality if I've ever seen one.

Leorio-san did receive compensation for the information leak, as well as a reward for attempting treatment.

He refused the payment for the treatment.

That's so like Leorio-san.

But he did accept the compensation.

…Also very like him.

 

Anyway, what Leorio-san consulted us about was the coma.

[Palm Healing Technique / Hoimi] had no effect at all, and even numerous renowned doctors couldn't determine the cause.

He said it didn't seem like a normal illness or injury.

Hearing that, the first thing that came to mind was a Nen-based attack.

If Nen is the cause, then of course even the best doctors wouldn't be able to identify it. And since it's not a physical injury, a healing ability like [Hoimi] wouldn't work either.

Battera-san is extremely wealthy. People like that tend to have many enemies. It's not impossible that one of them used a Nen ability on his lover to make him suffer.

If that's the case, then there are only two ways to save her: either have the user cancel the ability, or remove it through exorcism.

Well, it's also possible the Greed Island clear reward could cure her…

But there's no guarantee she'll remain alive in a coma until the game is cleared. She needs treatment as soon as possible.

…The look on Leorio-san's face, filled with helplessness as he talked about someone he wanted to save but couldn't… it was painful to watch. I wanted to do anything I could to help.

Though, realistically, all I could do was rely on Riina…

Riina can make connections with Nen exorcists from the Kazama-style. Meanwhile, I can't even leave Greed Island.

Pathetic… Even if I'm called a "Martial God," this is all I am.

 

When I asked her, Riina immediately threatened—no, requested cooperation from Genthru-san, got the method to leave the outside world, and acted on it right away.

There are two ways to escape.

One is using the spell card "Leave."

The other is defeating the harbor master—the only port on this island.

Since "Leave" is apparently a rare card, Riina chose to go to the harbor.

…Of course, she made Genthru-san guide her.

Since only Genthru-san came back, she must've successfully made it out.

 

Now, all that's left is to hope Battera-san's lover can be saved through exorcism…

But there's no guarantee the coma is caused by Nen. At this point, all we can do is pray.

As for me, the only thing I can do right now is focus on training myself and Gon and the others.

I can't use Nen anyway… so I'll just focus on improving my physical fundamentals.

It's already been two weeks since we started training in Greed Island.

Gon and the others' training has evolved from just basic exercises to include category-specific training as well.

They do basic training until they collapse, then recover with Biscuit's [Magical Esthetician]. After that, they alternate between sparring based on Ryu derived from Ryuryūbu and full-power Nen sparring, then heal their battered bodies with Leorio-san's [Palm Healing Technique / Hoimi]. They also train one Nen category per day based on their strengths, and then return to basic training again.

Even the monsters in Greed Island play a role in training. Apparently, you can't defeat them without skillfully applying Nen techniques. Though… I wouldn't know right now.

According to Biscuit, Greed Island is designed so that if you progress in the right order, players can level up efficiently.

…It seems the creator's intentions are deeply embedded in it.

Biscuit thinks Jin—Gon's father—made it for Gon's sake.

…It doesn't seem like he actually doesn't care about Gon after all.

Gon and the others are improving at an astonishing rate. At this point, it's beyond surprising—it's admirable. Leorio-san is also training hard so he won't fall behind them.

He has considerable talent too. And beyond that, his strong desire to become a doctor and save people is likely accelerating his Nen growth. Even while spending time studying, he's leaping up the ladder of progress.

Leorio-san's natural category is Emission.

Even though that's the case, the fact that he developed a healing ability—a Enhancement-type skill—really shows his dedication to helping others. Despite being a neighboring category, [Hoimi] has a fairly decent healing effect.

Still, his main affinity is Emission.

So during this training period, he plans to develop an Emission-based ability as well. Apparently, it's something he's been thinking about for a while…

…And he's using the Black Book as a reference.

How long is my dark past going to haunt me…?!

Begone! Along with those cursed memories!

…Ah, I really want to find it and dispose of it already. Where even is it now? I heard Hanzo-san took it…

Anyway, hearing about the Black Book depressed me a bit, but whatever.

Since I can't use Nen right now, I've left everything regarding Leorio-san's ability to Biscuit. Actually, I'm relying entirely on Biscuit for anything related to Nen.

The only things I can do right now are physical training and occasional hand-to-hand combat practice without Nen.

And no matter what I do, someone is always nearby acting as my bodyguard.

I'm completely in princess mode.

…Ugh, how pathetic.

Hurry up and let me use Nen again already.

Recently, Gon and the others' training has become even harsher.

It's not just that the level of training increased—well, it has, along with their growth—but that's not the main point.

Each individual exercise has become more demanding.

It all started with something I casually said during a meal.

"Gon and the others have really gotten used to the basic training. If we don't add some variation, it might get harder to improve their physical strength…"

That's right. Their growth is incredible.

They improve rapidly with just a bit of training. I expected visible growth, but at this point, the speed is just abnormal.

Still, there are limits.

Even something like digging holes becomes less effective once you get used to it. Compared to the beginning, their rate of physical improvement has slowed quite a bit.

Though it's still far above average.

"Are these guys doping or something?"

I completely agree with Genthru-san.

Have they been consuming something since birth or what? This is definitely strange. It makes no sense.

"…In that case, Aisha. I know a good method."

"Milluki? …But is that really okay?"

Milluki is part of the Zoldyck family—the legendary assassin clan.

He must've undergone training worthy of such a family. There are probably many training methods I don't know about, and some might even be closely guarded secrets.

That's what I thought, but—

"…Yeah. It's not some Zoldyck secret technique or anything. Besides, if it helps Killua get stronger, Dad and the others won't complain. And this is just related to my ability, not the family directly."

"If it's your ability, that's even more concerning. Revealing it here means exposing it to many people."

For assassins, having your abilities known is a major disadvantage. The more your cards are revealed, the lower your chances of success.

I would've thought that kind of thing was strictly avoided…

"It's fine. I'm not… yeah. I'm not going to make a living from killing anymore."

"Milluki…"

Unlike Killua, who questioned his role in the assassin family, I'd heard that Milluki—and the rest of the family—didn't feel that way.

But now, Milluki is seriously saying he's quitting being an assassin.

I can't read aura right now, but even so, I can tell he means it.

What caused this change in him?

Still… it makes me genuinely happy.

Milluki is my friend. And that friend just said he's leaving the assassination business.

How could I not be happy?

"Yeah. If that's what you want, Milluki, then I think that's great. No… that makes me happy."

I truly meant that from the bottom of my heart. The happiness naturally brought a smile to my face.

"A-Aisha…! I—about you—!"

"Oops, my hand slipped~"

"HOT—?! What the hell, Killu—!!"

"Ah, my bad, my bad. My hand slipped. Here, wipe your face already. Don't ruin that handsome look, big bro."

That sounded way too fake to be accidental.

Also… he totally aimed that tea straight at Milluki's face, didn't he?

"C'mon, Milluki, over here. I'll use [Hoimi] on you (Hey, what happened to our 'no cutting in line' agreement?)"

"Ah, yeah. Thanks, Leorio (S-sorry. It was just a reflex…)"

Those two really get along well. I often see them talking together.

Maybe they just click?

That's a good thing.

Maybe becoming friends with Leorio-san is what made Milluki decide to quit being an assassin.

…Yeah. That might be it.

Friendship really is wonderful.

"Hey, you guys. You're getting off track. Weren't we talking about training?"

"Right. Anyway, with my ability, training should become even more efficient."

"Is it like Biscuit's or Leorio's ability?"

So, a recovery-type ability?

No… probably not.

At this point, adding another healing ability wouldn't make training that much more efficient. At best, it would just reduce Leorio's workload.

"No. I'm a Manipulator. Specifically, my ability deals with manipulating matter."

"Manipulating matter? How does that help with training?"

Honestly, I couldn't imagine how.

If it were manipulating the human body, that'd make sense. But matter?

"Oh, it definitely helps. Killua—and yeah, Gon, Kurapika, and Leorio too—you've all benefited from my ability before."

"We have?"

"…I can't recall when."

"Yeah, was it before we met Aisha?"

All four of them experienced it, but not me…

When could that have been?

"You guys trained in front of our family gate, right? You used those ridiculously heavy teacups and clothes. I made those."

"Oh yeah, you were good at making that stuff. But weren't those made from special alloys? What does that have to do with Nen?"

"Are you stupid? No alloy could make something that heavy. Even using pure gold or platinum wouldn't get you there. Use your brain."

"Grr…! Then how did you make that metal?! You're not a Conjurer!"

Well, Killua has a point.

Milluki could use Conjuration, but creating an ability two categories away isn't very practical.

"I didn't make the metal. I manipulated its weight."

"You can manipulate weight?"

"Yeah. My ability controls weight. I made objects heavier for training."

Weight manipulation…

So he can make things heavier—or lighter?

But that alone doesn't fully explain it.

Even though Manipulation is adjacent to Emission, meaning the effect wouldn't drop off too much at a distance, there are still limits.

"Milluki, can your ability handle multiple objects at once? You'd need to affect quite a lot for everyone's training."

"Yeah, that's fine. Normally it'd be difficult, but I embedded runes into the objects, so it's no problem."

"Runes… I see. That makes sense."

Runes assist Nen abilities.

By embedding specific runes, he stabilizes the weight manipulation.

"So those teacups and slippers had runes too?"

"Yeah, carved on the inside. That's why you can say I made them. Got it now, Kill?"

"Shut up!"

"Well then, Milluki, does that mean you'll make heavy training equipment for us too?"

"Exactly. Actually… they're already finished."

"Oh? When did you make them?"

"Bit by bit over the past two weeks."

So that's what he was doing late at night.

Making them for everyone…

That must've taken a lot of effort. Runes aren't easy to work with.

What Milluki pulled out were two types: a vest for the upper body, and bands for the arms and legs.

When I tried lifting them… they were far heavier than they looked.

The wristbands looked like they weighed 2–3 kg at most—but each one was around 20 kg.

If you wear several of them, training would definitely become more effective.

The vest alone weighs about 100 kg.

"If I pour more aura into them, I can make them even heavier. Once you get used to the current weight, I'll increase it."

Amazing…

This ability is incredible. Everyone's physical growth will accelerate even more.

"Training's going to be even better! This is great, everyone!"

"…For Alluka… for Alluka… for Alluka…"

"…Defeat Hisoka… defeat Hisoka… defeat Hisoka…"

"I'll come visit you again, miss…"

"Gon! If you go there, come back immediately! You might not return next time!"

"I'm gonna take my college entrance exams once I get out of Greed Island."

"Sub, Bara… you guys survive…"

Everyone's eyes are dead…

Aren't they happy?

"Alright. Starting tomorrow, you'll wear these at all times."

"Living (training), got it."

Kurapika…

That's basically correct.

Well… let's just get stronger.

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