Germain, Bisky, and Shizuku entered the mansion through the back door and saw Wing standing in the spacious lobby on the first floor.
Kurapika and Zushi were sitting in a horse stance, focusing and calming their minds.
"You're back?" Wing turned around, smiled, and pointed at Kurapika.
"Germain, you have a great student. Just looking at his aura, you can tell he's been working hard. He's truly combined talent with effort."
Bisky and Shizuku looked at Germain's students with curiosity.
They were eager to see why Germain was impressed, and then they saw a handsome young man, around sixteen or seventeen, open his eyes.
"Good-looking," Bisky thought immediately after seeing Kurapika.
Not quite as striking as his teacher, but still very handsome. Could this be a case of "birds of a feather flock together"? Bisky was already thinking of ways to get a photo of the master and disciple together. They'd make a great pair.
Kurapika seemed easy to approach, but Germain might notice her intentions quickly. She needed to find a natural way to do it...
Bisky chuckled softly.
Shizuku watched Kurapika's aura and nodded slightly.
The talent is impressive, and Germain chose a good student.
Kurapika slowly exhaled, keeping his breathing steady, mindful of Germain's advice—his aura must flow as naturally as breathing.
"Teacher," he said, standing straight. "After dropping off my luggage, I was very interested in Zushi's training, so I came here to practice with him."
Germain had no issue with this: "Of course, it's good to keep practicing."
Zushi, with his thick eyebrows and big eyes, waved his hands quickly. His voice still had a youthful hoarseness typical of his age.
"Kurapika, don't say that. My skills aren't even developed yet. I'm far behind you, so it's not really 'practicing together.'"
His face turned red as he spoke.
Zushi, who considered himself very talented and chosen by Master Wing to be the next disciple of the "Shingen-ryu," realized that there are always people better than you when he met Germain's students.
Zushi is definitely talented, and with time, he will surely become a "Nen Ability User." But Kurapika's talent is even more exceptional.
Excluding added benefit of "Vows and Limitations," Kurapika needed only five or six months of training to be able to face Uvogin from the "Phantom Troupe" in a one-on-one fight.
This is because abilities like the "Five Finger Chain," "Scarlet Eyes," and "Vows and Limitations" all depend on Kurapika's own training.
"Zushi, don't rush or get discouraged," Wing said calmly. "Kurapika has his own path, and you have yours. Just take your time."
The "Nen Experts" present understood why Kurapika could awaken his Aura Nodes so quickly, but that was not something Zushi should try to copy.
Firstly, this was a matter between master Germain and his apprentice Kurapika, and outsiders couldn't interfere.
Secondly, they were aware of Kurapika's involvement with the "Phantom Troupe" and knew that he probably didn't have the luxury of taking it slow.
May 5th.
Kurapika's hard work led him to the next stage of training. He was sitting cross-legged under a low locust tree, practicing "Zetsu." As he focused on his training, he didn't notice a man and a woman watching him from a distance.
"He must have just started practicing Zetsu," Menchi said, crossing her arms and looking relaxed. "But he's doing really well. Is he Wing's disciple, or has Bisky started training her students again?"
Buhara, a tall and hefty man compared to Menchi, gently nudged Menchi's shoulder and said, "Look over there."
"What..."
Menchi frowned and followed Buhara's gesture. He saw a simple platform by the lake, where a man in a black robe was fishing.
Hmm?
Menchi was surprised. "When did he get there? I didn't even notice him... That's a textbook example of Zetsu."
"He's always been there," Buhara said with a naive smile. "Menchi, you relied too much on the 'En' perception and missed what was right in front of your eyes."
Menchi was momentarily stunned, then sighed softly. "You're right. Thanks for pointing that out."
"But even so, he's still very impressive. Dressed in black, he almost blends into the surroundings. If you don't look closely, you wouldn't notice him."
Buhara observed for a moment. "From behind, he looks like a man, but he shouldn't be Wing. Wing doesn't dress like that."
"That must be Germain, the one Bisky mentioned," Menchi said, pinching her chin thoughtfully. "She spoke highly of him."
"It's the same with Chairman Netero," Buhara added. "It seems all three generations of the 'Shingen-ryu' masters and disciples view him favorably."
"Given his recent achievements and how quickly he earned the 'One-Star Hunter' title, he definitely deserves the recognition."
Menchi nodded.
"Who would have thought that just a few months ago, when we met him at the airport, he had just passed the professional hunter exam, and now he's known for the 'One-Star Hunter Fastest Legend'?"
As Menchi and Buhara spoke, they felt a presence nearby, causing both of them to freeze momentarily.
"We've been detected," Buhara said, unconcerned. "His 'En' has noticed us."
"We weren't trying to hide," Menchi said with a slight smirk, then walked openly toward the lake.
Buhara smiled and, despite his giant bear-like physique, moved gracefully and followed her.
Kurapika was still unaware of the situation.
Germain caught a black carp and placed it in his basket with the other live fish. After putting away his fishing rod, he picked up the basket and stood up.
Menchi and Buhara stood right in front of him, with Buhara's imposing shadow completely enveloping him.
Close to the stronghold, Germain wasn't wearing his bird-beak mask, so the two men recognized him immediately. It was indeed Germain.
"Germain, it's been a while," Menchi said, reaching out his hand. "We met at the airport after your Hunter Exam. Chairman Netero was there too. Do you remember?"
"I remember," Germain replied briefly, shaking hands with Menchi and then with Buhara.
However, when he shook hands with Buhara, his hand was almost entirely engulfed by Buhara's much larger hand.
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