Greetings Spectacular Readers!
Another day another chapter. I've been working on several NEW projects and I have to say it's been cooking. Though I got to take a little break to enjoy Comic Con where I am before turning. I want to have all of these stories up and running this year and I've even got the first chapter ready for the Avatar crossover. Kunoichi amongst Benders.
I hope these chapters brighten your days and relieve you of all your worries.
Enjoy!
Killua's exclamation drew their attention to the view beyond the airship's window, and their gazes were met by a breathtaking sight. Amidst the bustling cityscape below, a distinctive structure stood out—the very heart of their mystery destination.
"It's there!" Killua's excitement was palpable as he pointed towards the skyline. The airship hovered above the city, affording them an aerial view of their impending destination. Yet, amidst the urban landscape, there was a singular edifice that captured their attention.
It was a tower, a metallic marvel of asymmetrical design that seemed to defy gravity as it stretched towards the heavens. Its silhouette rose defiantly, piercing through the clouds and ascending into the boundless sky. Sakura and Gon's eyes widened as they marveled at the awe-inspiring sight that awaited them.
Gon's curiosity was unquenched as he turned towards Killua. "So, what's the plan? What are we doing here before heading to Yorknew City?"
Killua's response was direct, leaving no room for ambiguity. He recognized the urgency of their situation, particularly for Gon. "We're going to train, Gon. If you want even a remote chance of facing Hisoka and settling your score, you need to up your game."
Gon's agreement was accompanied by a nod, though his enthusiasm was evident at the prospect of intense training. Especially after Killu presented his belief on where Gon blatantly stood against Hisoka.
Drawing a line in the sand, Killua sketched crude depictions of Hisoka, Sakura, and Hanzo's heads, positioning them on one side. He then marked a point for himself, visually portraying his current standing on the power scale. With another line, he indicated how far Gon had to go before he could match Hisoka's strength. The visual representation starkly highlighted the immense gap between the two, even if Sakura gently reassured Gon that it might not be as dire as Killua depicted.
The trio now had a purpose, and a goal to work towards, and Killua introduced a strategic solution. He prodded Gon and Sakura to reveal their current financial status, which left them both slightly embarrassed. Gon's recent travels had depleted his funds, while Sakura's situation was unique, having been transported to a new world with unfamiliar currency.
Killua's solution to their financial predicament was met with intrigued anticipation. He disclosed a place where they could simultaneously earn money while honing their skills—Heaven's Arena.
As the tower's grandeur unfurled before them, Sakura pressed her palm against the windowpane, entranced by the view. Its colossal presence was nothing short of awe-inspiring.
"Heaven's Arena," Killua confirmed. "It's the world's fourth tallest building."
Gon's enthusiasm was evident, a gleam of excitement dancing in his eyes. "This is where we'll be training?"
"Yep,"
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As the trio stood before the towering grandeur of Heaven's Arena, it was clear that this architectural marvel was as impressive from ground level as it had been from the sky. Their gaze climbed upward, attempting to pierce the dizzying heights of the building, yet even craning their necks couldn't reveal its zenith. Amongst the growing crowd gathered at its entrance, Gon, Sakura, and Killua stood in a line, eagerly awaiting their turn to step inside.
Gon's amazement was palpable as he surveyed the multitude of people around them. "I can't believe so many people are here for Heaven's Arena."
Killua explained, his tone matter-of-fact. "There's no stringent criteria like the Hunter Exam here. It's straightforward—defeat your opponent. The higher you climb, the more prize money you earn. It's a dream come true for those who want to make a living with their fists."
Sakura's lips curled into a smirk, her enthusiasm igniting. "Well, this should be interesting. I'm actually getting a bit excited."
Killua's grin mirrored her sentiment. "Glad to hear it."
Time crawled forward, and the trio finally approached the counter, where an attendant handed them forms to complete. As Sakura began to read the characters on the page, something peculiar happened. The words before her eyes seemed to shift, morphing from kanji into an unfamiliar script of curves and dots—a syllabary she had never encountered. Just as swiftly, the characters transformed back into kanji.
The same phenomenon occurred as she glanced discreetly at Gon and Killua's writing. The foreign script emerged after they had penned something, shifting seamlessly back into their original language.
'Is this connected to the book?' Sakura mused, reminding herself of the distinct reality she now inhabited—a world intricately woven with the threads of the story. She pondered the idea that this world's writing system might diverge from hers, even if the language remained the same. Naruto's struggle to decipher the book's contents came to mind.
'So, I can naturally read and write in this world's script without prior practice?'
Her thoughts were disrupted by a hearty tap on her shoulder. Killua's gaze met hers, his form leaning towards the counter where Gon was already submitting his form.
"Sakura, hurry up. You're holding up the line."
"R-Right!" Sakura hastened, her pen racing across the form as she filled the blanks. In careful concealment, she allowed her eyes to observe the spontaneous script shift. While astonishing, this revelation paled in comparison to the enigma of the book that had summoned her here—a mystery that seemed more profound than the simple switch of written words between worlds.
Handing her completed form to the attendant, she offered an apologetic smile. "Sorry for the delay."
The woman briefly diverted her gaze to the computer monitor before returning her attention to the trio. Her fingers danced across the keyboard, retrieving information. With a nod, she announced, "Killua Zoldyck-sama, you're assigned number #2054. Gon Freecss-sama, you're #2055. And Sakura Haruno-sama, you're #2056. Remember your numbers; they'll be called on the first floor of the arena."
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Following the direction provided by the woman at the counter, Gon, Sakura, and Killua ventured down a brief, straight corridor that ushered them into Heaven's Arena's first-floor battleground. The stands were densely packed with eager participants, each anticipating their chance to step into one of the many rings. The rings themselves were compact squares, each marked alphabetically from A to P, and in each, three figures played their part – two combatants and a referee.
Gon couldn't help but marvel at the spectacle around him. "This place is incredible!"
Killua's voice carried a hint of nostalgia as he observed the bustling arena. "When I was six, my dad dropped me off here with no money and told me to reach the 200th floor before coming home. Took me two years."
Sakura couldn't help but gasp in surprise. The image of a six-year-old Killua navigating this place filled with violent and aggressive fighters was difficult to fathom.
Killua went on to explain that while fighters of Hisoka's caliber could be found here, they typically resided on the higher floors. With their sights set on the upper levels, he urged them not to linger too long.
The arena's intercom crackled to life, calling out for the next match. "#1973. #2055. Please enter ring E."
Gon's reaction was immediate. "That's me!" He quickly shed his backpack. "I'm getting nervous now."
Sakura reassured him with a warm smile. "Don't worry, Gon. You'll do great."
Killua, however, issued a gentle admonition. "Gon, you passed the Testing Gate, right? In that case, just remember to push hard."
"O-Okay…?" Gon replied, a touch uncertain.
Sakura and Killua watched from the stands as Gon entered ring E. The crowd's attention swiveled to the ring, where a young boy was about to face off against a colossal adversary.
"One push?"
Killua's smirk conveyed confidence. "We shouldn't waste time on opponents we can defeat in one move. Our goal is the higher levels, remember?"
"True," Sakura conceded.
"Besides," Killua added, gesturing to the ring, "just look."
The referee initiated the match, and Gon's opponent attempted a punch, only for Gon to dodge effortlessly. In one swift move, Gon executed a powerful push that propelled his adversary out of the ring and crashed into the walls of the arena. The impact left a distinct imprint on his body, rendering the crowd almost speechless.
"Well, what do you know?" Sakura smiled. "You were right, Killua."
"I usually am," Killua responded with a grin, fully aware of his own capabilities.
After Gon's victory, both Killua and Sakura received their calls for matches. Sakura stepped into ring B, where her opponent, yet another towering mountain of muscles, awaited her. The crowd couldn't conceal their surprise.
"A girl?"
"Come on, be gentle with the lady!"
"Just push her out of the ring!"
The referee stepped forward, positioning himself between Sakura and her opponent. "The purpose of this match is to assess your skills. You have three minutes for that. Ready? Begin!"
Her opponent issued a condescending remark as he charged forward.
"Don't think you're going to be able to cry your way out of this little girl!"
Sakura's response was a sly grin. In the blink of an eye, she raised her arm, touching her index finger to her thumb before releasing it. The flick was so precise and swift that it sent her massive adversary hurtling backward, crashing into the wall and rendering him unconscious.
"Funny," Sakura remarked, a hint of amusement in her voice. "I was going to say the same thing to you."
Once more, the arena fell into stunned silence. First, it was Gon with a single push, then Killua with a chop to the neck, and now Sakura with a flick to the forehead. The three friends were capturing the crowd's attention, leaving them in awe.
"Look over there!"
"Another kid with insane strength!"
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Exiting the first floor of Heaven's Arena, Sakura, Gon, Killua, and their newfound companion, Zushi, stepped into an elevator. A friendly attendant operated it and took a moment to further explain the arena's rules.
"The first 200 floors are divided into classes, each comprising ten floors," she began. "When a fighter defeats an opponent in the 50s, they move on to the 60s. But if they lose, they drop back to the 40s."
"So that's how it works."
Another voice chimed in, "And I heard that on the 100th floor, you get your own room!"
The three friends glanced at Zushi, who hadn't introduced himself yet. He rectified that by enthusiastically introducing himself with a traditional gesture. "Osu! My name is Zushi. What about you guys?"
"I'm Killua," came the response.
"Sakura," The girl greeted with a smile.
"I'm Gon. Nice to meet you."
As they continued their ascent in the elevator, they reached the 50th floor, where they continued their conversation. Zushi joined the three friends, eager to engage with his new companions, his interest stemming from them being so similar in age in a place like Heaven's arena.
"I saw your fights earlier. They were amazing!"
Killua raised an eyebrow. "What are you talking about? You made it up here with one match as well."
Sakura offered her praise. "Yeah, you knocked out that giant with only a few hits."
Zushi modestly acknowledged the compliments. "No, no, I still have a long way to go. By the way, which martial arts discipline do you all practice? I study the Shingen-ryu fighting technique."
Sakura responded first. "I studied shinobi fighting techniques."
"Shinobi? So, are you a ninja?" Zushi asked with genuine curiosity.
Sakura nodded. "That's right."
Turning his attention to Killua and Gon, Zushi inquired further. "What about you, Killua-san, Gon-san?"
Both boys exchanged glances before responding in unison, "We don't have any."
Zushi halted in his tracks, utterly astonished. "You're kidding! You're both that strong with no training? I still have a long way to go."
As the four continued their conversation, they heard clapping echoing down the hall. Zushi's demeanor immediately changed, and he straightened his posture. "Master."
A man came up behind them, lanky with neatly parted dark hair and thick glasses. He appeared unassuming but carried an approachable smile. Although his attire was a bit unkempt, with one side of his shirt sticking out of his pants, Zushi quickly pointed it out to his master.
The man inquired about the newcomers. "Who are they?"
Zushi introduced them with reverence. "This is Gon-san, Killua-san, and Sakura-san."
"Nice to meet you all. I am Wing."
In response to the introduction, the three friends briefly crossed their arms and then flung them out in the same manner Zushi had, mimicking the gesture. "Osu!"
"I didn't expect to meet other children. Why are you here?" Wing inquired.
Killua explained their reasons. "We're here to train and get stronger, but we're also broke,"
Wing shared some wisdom with the young fighters. "Pay strict attention to your opponent's body as well as your own."
Again, the three friends mimicked the gesture. "Osu!"
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After the introduction to Wing, the group proceeded to the reception to collect their prize money. They were handed small envelopes after exchanging the tickets they'd received from the referees. The contents amounted to one hundred and fifty-two jenny.
Killua headed straight for a vending machine, explaining as he went, "On the first floor, whether you win or lose, your reward covers a canned drink. But beyond that, a loss gets you nothing."
"I want one too," Sakura chose a canned iced tea from the vending machine. "So you were saying?"
Killua elaborated, "A win on the first floor against an opponent in the 50s gets you fifty thousand."
Gon and Zushi exchanged excited glances. "Fifty thousand."
"That's a lot," Zushi added, still amazed.
Gon was curious. "What about the 100th floor? How much do you get for winning there?"
Killua shrugged. "I don't know. I quit when I reached the 200th floor. But when I was in the 190s, I had around 200 million total."
The shock on their faces was evident. "T-Two hundred million?"
Zushi couldn't contain his trembling. "Where's that money now?"
Killua responded casually, "That was four years ago, so of course, it's gone now. I spent it all on snacks."
Sakura nearly choked on her drink. "Y-You spent 200 million on snacks in four years?"
Killua shrugged.
Gon inquired, "Wait, didn't you make it to the 200th floor, Killua? How much do you get for winning there?"
Killua admitted, "I don't know. I never fought there. We should probably head up to the waiting room. Since we got through our first match without injury, we'll likely get another today."
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The waiting room was filled with lockers and packed with eager fighters. All of whom glared at every new individual who entered the room. They were especially fixated on the four, as they made their way in. Most with powerful builds, showing off years of training and working out. Although Killua wasn't impressed at all and wasn't afraid to state it outright for the entire room to hear when they went to take a seat on one of the benches.
"These opponents should be a cinch, just take it easy," Killua told Gon.
"A little louder, I don't think the guys in the corner over there heard you," Sakura nudged Killua playfully.
Then a second later the intercom went off inside the room, "#2054, Killua-sama. And #1963, Zushi-sama. Please head to arena A, on the 57th floor."
'Oh boy,' Sakura grimaced. An astounding coincidence that out of everyone on the 50th floor, it was Killua and Zushi who were pinned to fight against each other.
Zushi was nervous about facing Killua but he swallowed that down to hold a strong front, "Osu! I shall give it my best,"
"Well, you can win them all. Better luck next time," Killua's comment earned him a swift swat at the back of the head from Sakura who gave him a pointed look in return.
"Good luck to both of you," Gon said to Zushi and Killua as they made their exit.
"I'll wait for you both above," Killua could throw him a comment or an icy glare.
Gon sighed, "He didn't have to be so blunt about it,"
"Like it's a done deal…." Sakura shook her head but smiled.
She could tell Killua had the advantage in terms of physical strength and most likely speed. Even so, she didn't think that blatant disregard for his opponent was necessary since they had just put themselves on friendly terms with Zushi. She also knew that Killua's behavior could be a dangerous thing for him in the future should he encounter someone strong who can hide their power until it's too late. She remembered Sasuke making the same mistake several times.
She had also learned not to look down on people in any manner because it was a trend that could have server repercussions in the future.
"But I think Killua's going to win right?"
Exhaling softly, Sakura nodded, "It seems very likely."
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While Sakura proved to be right, neither was expecting Killua to be the last person to arrive on the 60th floor. Sakura and Gon had finished their matches, with little effort on their part, just a push, and a flick and it was over. After meeting up, they went to cash in their tickets before waiting for Killua on one of the benches near the elevator. Only a few minutes passed before the doors opened and Killua stepped through. Completely uninjured.
"Hey Killua," Gon called, rushing over to his friend. "It took you a while to get here."
"Yeah I ran into a little trouble," Killua started walking away, knowing that Sakura and Gon were trailing shortly behind him. They were quick to sense something was off about him.
"Did Zushi put up more of a fight than you were expecting?" asked Sakura. Because of their matches, Sakura and Gon weren't able to get an update on Killua's match.
"Sort of," he replied, keeping his eyes ahead. "He definitely has potential, but right now he's just target practice for me,"
"Then what was the problem?" Sakura raised an eyebrow. "If he's so weak, shouldn't one chop to the back of the neck have finished your match?"
Killua stopped in his tracks, his voice held concern and confusion and…..something else, "I received the points TKO, but I couldn't knock him out. Further, when he changed his stance, his aura reminded me of my brother's."
A bead of sweat ran down the side of his face, recalling the match. More specifically what happened with Zushi? He had changed from his regular defensive stance that would protect him to another that gave Killua a lot more openings to attack, but with it came this powerful force that Killua didn't want to get anywhere near. It was as if his body became shrouded with a dangerous scent. It made him uneasy to remember.
"It must be some kind of technique," Killua said. That was all he could conclude after linking that feeling to his brother. While Illumi was much stronger than Killua, Zushi wasn't and yet he managed to make Killua retreat. It was only after Wing called out to Zushi from the stands in a stern voice that the feeling vanished and Killua didn't want to risk it coming back. So he finished the fight as quickly as he could, with a powerful punch that sent Zushi out of the ring. But even then, with such a bone-crushing hit, Zushi still stood back up.
And then there was the conversation he overheard between Zushi and Wing after his match that delayed Killua further.
"His master called it Ren, but he told Zushi he wasn't allowed to use it until he reached the top floor,"
Sakura held her chin, she remembered being in a similar situation to what Killua was describing with Hisoka. Although there were only brief fleeting moments when she sensed something and then it just vanished. She was a little too focused on the actual battle though to pay much attention to these things. What's more, Hisoka's bloodlust had been spiraling, practically trying to drown her. And with Killua mentioning how Zushi was able to take his blows with less damage than what was initially meant to be inflicted; also drew Sakura back to thinking of Hisoka.
"I think you might be right about your Ren theory. When I fought Hisoka, I had a similar experience, but it was almost fleeting,"
Killua nodded.
"Wait, Zushi was told he couldn't use Ren till he reached the top floor. The strongest fighters are at the top floor right?" Gon said,
Killua stared up at the ceiling as he spoke, "Guys change in plans. We're aiming for the top floors,"
"Uh-huh," Gon said in agreement, although that was his plan from the beginning.
"Right," Sakura was eager to see if their theory was right about this power. If a power like chakra in her world exists, it wasn't too far out there to think that there could be another world. But she still couldn't believe it completely until it was officially confirmed.
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Heaven's Arena had become their battleground, a place where Sakura, Gon, and Killua honed their skills while making a tidy sum. With six consecutive wins in three days, they were the talk of the arena. Spectators filled the stands to watch them, placing bets on their matches and eager to see how far they would go.
Reaching the 100th floor, each of them was provided with a private room. Although not spacious, it was equipped with the essentials: a single bed, a dresser, and a television set. Gon and Sakura were delighted to have a place to stay without worrying about money, but Killua issued a warning. Should either of them drop below the 100th floor, they would lose the room.
Gon and Sakura took Killua's caution to heart. Despite the unsettling feeling that they might be defeating the purpose of their objective to get stronger, they continued to win their matches with a single strike, advancing until they reached the 150th floor. Winning matches had its perks, and the prize money was impressive.
Sakura was walking away from the counter, clutching the receipt for their prize money deposit. The numerous zeroes on it brought a sense of excitement. She had never made this much money so easily before.
Gon marveled at the figures. "Wow, I've never seen so many zeroes. Just a week ago, we were totally broke."
Killua, however, voiced his irritation. "I'm a little annoyed, though. When I was here, it took me almost two months to reach floor 150. Meanwhile, you're breezing through it."
Gon and Sakura reminded him, "You were six."
Killua couldn't help but agree with their reasoning. "Yeah, but still."
Gon then changed the subject. "Oh yeah, I saw Zushi on TV earlier."
Killua chimed in with his observation. "Yeah, he's still on the 50th floor."
Sakura found it puzzling. "It doesn't really make sense, does it? From what Killua told us, it seems like he should be able to make it to the higher floors."
Gon pondered aloud. "I'm still wondering about what Killua sensed."
Killua gestured upwards. "Maybe if we face opponents higher up."
However, Gon's practicality prevailed. "Or wouldn't it be faster to ask Zushi?"
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The three found Zushi after his match and he was more than cooperative in explaining what Ren was, however, this led to more confusion than understanding. Despite saying it with a straight face, hiding absolutely nothing; Gon, Killua, and Sakura weren't able to absorb the information, and could only stare at Zushi with wide-lost expressions and as the explanation continued, Gon's head even seemed to smoke a little.
"Ren is one of the four major principles. The four major principles for disciplining your mind and body. Fundamental to every martial art!" How Zushi spoke, was like he had read it from a book and was repeating it step by step. "You must know 'Ten', learn 'Zetsu', achieve 'Ren' and reach 'Hatsu,'. That is all a part of 'Nen' training. That covers everything!"
"Eh?" Sakura asked blinking rapidly.
"I have no idea what you just said!" Killua exclaimed, glaring at Zushi.
"Zushi,"
When Wing called his pupil, the boy's face immediately changed to a nervous stand. Wing walked up to them with a smile on his face, but a clear warning in his posture.
"Are you sufficiently educated that you can teach others?" Zushi just gave a nervous laugh, knowing that it wasn't a two-part question. Wing then addressed the three.
"Gon-kun, Killua-Kun, Sakura-chan. There's an old saying that if you learn something piecemeal, you'll end up knowing less than when you started,"
Sakura rubbed the back of her neck, "Yes, that point has certainly been proven right now."
"So a little knowledge is dangerous?" Killua closed his eyes, "But I want to know right now. Because it's related to the secret behind my brother's power,"
Wing's smile vanished in that instant and he asked Killua if his older brother was able to use Nen, even though he knew the terms were completely lost on the trio. However, the way he said it, at least told Sakura that this wasn't just a martial arts practice, but she was still just as lost as Gon and Killua
"I need to know what Nen and Ren even mean," Killua said strongly, voicing his determination for the truth. "I'll agree to the full learning process rather than a quick explanation! And if you're willing to teach me, I won't try to figure it out myself."
Wing stared at Killua; more specifically his eyes, stern until he lowered his head, "I understand. Come with me to my residence."
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Wing brought the three friends back to his current dwelling, a small apartment house, within walking distance from the arena. Sakura, Gon, and Killua stood attentively in front of Wing who was beside a whiteboard, with a marker in hand. Zushi stood silently on the side. Curious as to what his maser's intentions truly were.
"Nen means to burn your soul. In other words, it tests your strength of will," Wing explained, wringing on the board, 'Burn'. "And the four major principles are of a training curriculum for strengthening your will."
Neither, Gon, Killua, nor Sakura were coming to understand Wing's lecture by far. Though Wing wasn't finished yet. They kept the information close at hand, in hopes that they would be able to go back to it as the lesson continued. Wing began writing out the four principles that Zushi had mentioned.
"Ten means to focus your soul on a single point, to increase awareness of your ego and goals. Zetsu means to express yourself in words. Ren means to temper that will. And Hatsu means to act upon that will."
Gon repeated the four principles, but it was clear there was still little substance to those words. At least for him and his friends.
"Killua-kun, Zushi tempered his 'refusal to lose' against you during the fight."
Sakura rubbed her cheek, "I'm sorry, but I'm still a little confused. I know that it's possible to intimidate an opponent psychologically to some degree, but I've had a similar encounter to what Killua was explaining with another person and it felt like a lot more than that. I would feel physically crippled from time to time and that made it hard for me to concentrate."
The feeling Sakura had when she fought Hisoka was something similar to a capable person being thrown off balance due to other factors like nerves. When a person isn't in their sharpest frame of mind, it could greatly affect the outcome of their ability. And she had experienced that in her fight during the final phase of the Hunter exams.
"I think a demonstration will help you better understand," Wing turned to Killua, "Killua-kun….I think I'm going to kill you now,"
Wing's tone completely lacking in motivation diminished the threat of his statement, and therefore no one reacted including Killua; who told Wing to 'go ahead.'
"Are you ready?"
"Sure. It's not happening," Killua said, holding his hands in his pockets.
Wing then said he would take things step-by-step so that the three would grasp the lesson better. "First comes Ten," Wing bent down with his legs apart, holding his fists in front with his arms crossed over. "I focused my soul into a single point."
Gon, Killua, and Sakura watched Wing without responding yet.
"Zetsu, you can express yourself mentally or verbally." Wing watched the three for a few moments longer than necessary before closing his eyes, "I will kill you."
They watched and waited, as Wing remained stationary, at first they could feel nothing but then when Wing opened his eyes, they appeared sharper and it felt as if fear had taken physical form and hit them in a wave with Wing as the source of it. This tremble-worthy feeling was something Sakura could recognize when she encountered some of her most dangerous opponents, but the one who was closest to this was Hisoka.
When Wing barely tilted his head forward, Killua had vanished from his position and Wing returned to a normal standing position in which that feeling evaporated. Then Sakura and Gon looked around the room spotting Killua in one of the top corners at the ceiling, holding himself up far against the wall.
"That was Ren. If I temper it enough then I can act. Hatsu. If your will is strong enough you can make your opponent back down without moving a muscle," Wing pushed his glasses up on his face, explaining that another term for this would be 'bluffing'. He told them that Ren was meant to harden that which was soft, and hence made someone lose the ability to correct an incorrect idea.
Killua jumped down from the wall, listening to Wing's explanation. "You should avoid using Ren until your soul has fully matured. Right now you three and Zushi should be training your souls."
Killua narrowed his eyes but turned towards the door calling to his friends. "Sakura, Gon let's go,"
But before they could move, Wing continued, "If you want to learn about Nen, you should focus on mastering Ten. If you focus on mastering Ten, you will no longer feel the pressure of your opponents will.'
Sakura glanced back at Killua and Gon before looking at Wing once again. She bowed her head slightly. "Thank you for the lesson,"
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Killua waited until, he, Gon, and Sakura were further away from Wing's residence before he spoke again. It was already dark when they left and the streets were quiet. It was only then that he stated outright that Wing was lying to them. Although Gon didn't understand why Killua would say that, Sakura did.
"His explanation made sense, but it doesn't explain Zushi's toughness," Killua stated. "He kept getting up after I knocked him down until I finally hit him as hard as I could. But even then, he was still able to stand and didn't take on as much damage as he was supposed to,"
"I've had a similar experience," Sakura agreed. When she was landing her punches on Hisoka, her chakra punches didn't have a very strong effect, which made her interpret Hisoka's strength and durability as something greater than what it should be.
"Willpower didn't keep him standing. He's hiding some other secret,"
"Why doesn't he want to tell us then?" Gon wondered though neither of his friends could answer that question. And they would likely all be left to wonder.
"Guess we're back to our initial plan," Sakura shrugged.
"Getting to the top floors,"
"And finding out ourselves," Gon finished.
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Passed the first floor, Heaven's Arena had single rings that were placed in the center of the stands where an audience could watch from all corners. There was a large screen to show the contestants for those matches as well as for tallying the votes for those betting on who would win. Gon, Sakura, and Killua were still able to breeze through their matches until the 190th floor. All three were having their matches on the same day and they were being screened almost simultaneously. The stands were packed with an audience who wanted to see if the three rookies could make it to the 200th floor on this day or if they were going to finally be dropped down.
Sakura stared at her opponent, he wasn't like one of the larger individuals she had faced, but he was well built through training and sharp eyes which held experience but also an arrogance that had him misinterpreting her entirely based on appearance.
"You may be powerful, but with that body, you're breakable." Her opponent sneered. "It's only a matter of reaching you before you can strike,"
The referee threw down his hand, calling for the match to start. "BEGIN"
The man moved in a blur towards the pinkette, reaching forward with the intent to grab Sakura quickly and toss her out of the ring. But when his hand lurched forward, she pushed down on his arm easily, giving an opening to his head where she used her other to give a quick flick. In another fast blur, he was sent flying out of the ring and into the wall surrounding the ring.
"Critical hit and knockdown. Three points. Knockout! The winner is Sakura!"
The crowd's cheers grew loud, but they weren't just for her when Sakura looked back at the screen in the other arena, she saw Gon and Killua standing in the ring, without their opponents in sight.
"Once again, the three rookies have managed to knock out their opponents with one attack. And have successfully cleared the 190's! They advance to the 200's!"
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191
192
193
194…
"I wonder what the 200 floor is like," Gon said, staring up at the elevator numbers the higher they went. The three had packed their belongings and met at the elevator to take them to the 200 floor since they would now be moved to different rooms.
"Beats me, I haven't been up there," Killua said.
"I'm more curious about the type of people that are on this floor,"
When the doors opened for the 200 floor, it was like entering a threshold to a whole other building. Granite tiles along with beige painted walls, soft red carpets, and couches instead of hard benches. It was as if they had entered the front of a five-star hotel rather than the next floor of a fighting arena. There were few individuals around but none to take notice of. They looked around for the reception until Killua spotted the sign to take them there.
Now their excitement began reaching its climax and they were content; that it until they took the turn to the hallway meant to lead them to the reception. As they came to that turn-off, an ominous feeling crept out of nowhere and seemed to envelop the three. Their senses heightened, warning them of danger, one that they were yet to see.
Sakura, Killua, and Gon remained in place. Their eyes fixated on something that they could not see but clearly sense.
"I don't like this,"
"Let's go!" Killua hissed, keeping his eyes on the hallway. "We can do this!"
The three began walking into the darkened hallway, but that feeling that they sensed did not go away. Only intensified.
"This seems familiar somehow," Sakura grimaced. "This is murderous intent."
"And it's aimed at us," Gon added. He couldn't bring himself to move forward, or rather, he didn't want to move forward.
"Who's there!? Show yourself!" Killua yelled, trying to keep himself rooted while every instinct inside was telling him to run away.
A figure appeared from around the corner, but it was not what they were expecting. A woman, who was an employee at the arena based on her uniform. She looked at the three and smiled.
"Killua-sama, Gon-sama, Sakura-sama correct? The receptionist desk is over there, so please register for a 200s match today," She gestured to the side, but the hallway prevented them from seeing anything due to the distance they were forced to maintain. Despite that, the murderous intent suddenly seemed to vanish. "You won't be able to register after midnight, so please be careful,"
"Was she the source of all that intent?" asked Gon.
"I can't tell,"
"Something's telling me no," Sakura whispered back to them.
"By the way," the woman continued, "There are currently one hundred and seventy-three contestants in the 200s. And starting from the 200s all weapons are allowed. Also, you will no longer receive prize money in the 200s class. You will only fight for glory, so please understand that if you're going to participate."
Halfway through the explanation of the dynamics of the 200 floor, Gon, Sakura, and Killua had stopped listening, distracted by the appearance of a playing card that seemed to float in the air, and then landed right in front of their feet. When their vision went from the card back to the woman, they froze.
A new presence had made itself known, as the woman finally seemed to notice someone standing behind her and moved out of the way. A very familiar figure was now present and shook the three to their core. He turned slowly before his narrowed yellow eyes met the friends.
Killua exhaled, "H-Hisoka,"
Sakura swallowed the lump in her throat before finding her voice, "What are you doing here?"
With his hand resting against his forehead and his other arm lax at his side, Hisoka replied nonchalantly. "It's not that strange. I love fighting and Heaven's Arena is a temple devoted to the craft. And why are you here?" Though he asked, he didn't let them answer, holding a sly grin while he spoke. "Just kidding. This isn't a coincidence, I've been waiting for you,"
Sakura narrowed her eyes. She hadn't forgotten those feelings Hisoka's presence stirred, but the memory didn't do justice. "Waiting? How the hell could you have known where we'd be?"
"Remember how you ordered your airship tickets over the cyber-net? With a little effort, it's possible to determine when and where a person will be. Well, I knew you would come here eventually. And so," Hisoka closed his eyes a moment too long before opening them again to observe the three. "As a veteran here, I have a little warning for the three of you. It's too early for you, to step on this floor,"
When Hisoka raised his hand, that ominous feeling that Gon, Sakura, and Killua had felt when they turned into this hallway returned, only this time, it was much worse. As if there was a physical force of nature keeping them from moving forward.
"How early depends on your efforts. Leave for now," Hisoka strolled to the end of the hall, no hesitance in turning his back to the three before he sat down against the wall. "It's too early right now,"
Killua was quickly irritated by the statement, and in a moment forgot caution, "That's stupid! We just got up here…."
Hisoka had raised his hand once again, and the wave returned, a pressure that was difficult to defy or fight against.
"I won't let you pass. Not that you could anyway,"
Sakura had encountered similar experiences to this in battle, even a time when Naruto had lost control, but this was something different. She was still able to move forward.
'I should be able to move forward still,' Sakura thought. If Hisoka's ability was similar to Zushi's then perhaps she had been misled this entire time. Determining Hisoka's strength as something more when it was not. But the only way she could prove that and overcome this was to take a step toward him and believe that the consequences this force promised were just an illusion. A magician's trick.
Gon was about to do the same, when everything, the pressure, and their footsteps were halted by a voice.
"Stop,"
Looking back, Wing appeared at the other end of the hallway. "You have no defense against his Nen,"
"Nen?" Sakura's tone took the word to a question.
"Right now, the three of you are like someone standing naked in a blizzard and wondering why it's cold," Wing said bluntly but he knew he had their attention. "If you continue to strain your body, you may die,"
Killua pointed his thumb at Hisoka, "This is Nen?! He can stop us from moving forward just through willpower!?"
Looking at Hisoka and then back at Wing, Sakura reached a quick conclusion through her analysis. "That explanation you gave us about Nen...It wasn't the full lesson was it?" Wing didn't respond, but she already had her answer, "The real Nen is far more powerful than what you explained to us,"
"Yes, I was lying." Wing confirmed, his hands tucked behind his back, "But I wasn't lying completely. I will teach you the truth about Nen, so retreat for now,"
Sakura glared back at Hisoka. From their previous encounter, the last thing she wanted to do was turn her back on him. For many reasons.
Gon looked to the receptionist, asking what would happen should the three fail to sign for a fight before midnight as she had cautioned them. She told them that should Sakura or Gon fail to register for a match today, then they would have to start from the first floor again. But Killua was different because he had turned away from the 200 floor before, he would be considered lacking in the commitment needed to fight on the floor and would, therefore, be banned from participating again.
"Hey Wing-san," Killua turned back, after hearing the explanation. "If we back down now, will we be able to return here by midnight?"
The digital clock on the wall in the hallway was already reading eight-thirty.
"That depends on you,"
That's all Folks!
MEMBERS NOW: (bmcmember)
-SPECIAL HALLOWEEN CHAPTER: Shinigami amongst Shinobi
-Kunoichi amongst Heroes chapter 62, 63, 64
-Kunoich amongst heroes Spin Off: Moive Part 5 (Finished)
-Kunoichi amongst Heroes WHAT IF SPIN OFF: Dorms and Exams
-Kunoichi amongst Pirates chapter 24, 25, 26, 27
-Crossroads of Fate chapter 17, 18, 19, 20
-Through the Looking Glass chapter 22, 23, 24, 25
-(SEQUEL) Through the Spyglass chapter 1, 2, 3, 4, 5,6
-NEW STORY: Kunoichi amongst Benders (Avatar x Naruto crossover)
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