Time passed.
Two days later.
Moses continued his routine of watching Kastro's matches and took some time to check on Hisoka's whereabouts. He learned that Hisoka had left Heavens Arena before his injuries had fully healed.
'That day's duel should leave Hisoka's wounds 'aching' for a long time.'
But Moses knew that Hisoka would never give up on the idea of 'settling the score' with him. After a crushing defeat, Hisoka would surely reflect and become stronger, and then seek the next duel with him.
"Become stronger, little apple."
Moses is looking forward to Hisoka's transformation, and even more so to what reward Hisoka can bring him next time.
No matter what, he would never refuse any direct confrontation with Hisoka.
Therefore, as long as he cooperates and stands on the stage, he could also drive Hisoka to come forward openly.
Their pursuits were aligned, and in the process of setting up the stage, no tricks were needed.
On this day.
Kastro paid a visit.
In order to gain Moses's approval, he used up all his abilities and energy, just to reach the 200th floor with an undefeated record.
He did it.
So, he didn't bother to deal with the injury he suffered in the last match and rushed to find Moses.
"Not bad."
When they met again, Moses voiced his praise.
At this moment, Kastro could not hide his excitement.
Being recognized by Moses might mean that his chances of reaching the 'door to the new world' have increased.
"Mr. Illumi..."
"Call me Moses; that's my real name."
Moses interrupted Kastro's address and, without waiting for his reaction, said directly: "The kind of power you want to understand is called Nen."
"Ah?"
Kastro's eyes gradually widened, and his breathing became involuntarily rapid.
At the same time, he couldn't help but marvel at how straightforward Moses was. He didn't want to waste time on meaningless things and conversations and said straight to the point.
"Mr. Mo...Moses, can I..."
Kastro looked at Moses cautiously.
He realized that—
This moment could very well be the most important turning point in his life.
"I will teach you."
Moses's subsequent answer made Kastro so excited that he almost lost his composure.
Beside them,
Menchi quietly frowned and muttered in her heart: 'He said he'd only accept me as his apprentice...'
The carefree Rat Jewel sat in front of the TV, intently watching the cartoons, with no interest in what was happening in the outside world.
Moses, observing the overly excited Kastro, calmly said: "But I will only stay in the Heavens Arena for a month. During that time, regardless of how much you learn, I will leave."
"Understood!"
Kastro nodded vigorously.
In this situation, no matter what Moses said, all he could do was agree and nod.
Thus, Moses and Kastro established an initial relationship.
.....
The next day.
Moses didn't immediately help Kastro open his Aura Nodes, but first taught Kastro some basic knowledge about Nen.
In order to impart these knowledge points more vividly, Moses naturally used his own Nen abilities during the teaching process.
After witnessing the power of Nen with his own eyes, Kastro's enthusiasm and eagerness surged to the maximum.
Moses gave Kastro two days to digest the knowledge of Nen before officially helping him open his Aura Nodes.
With a gentle surge of Nen energy flowing into Kastro's body, the closed Aura Nodes were pried open one by one.
In an instant, the life energy within him began to flow out from various nodes, transforming into a bright light that enveloped Kastro's body continuously.
"This is… Aura."
Kastro looked down at the white light flowing on his body with excitement, and felt as if his body was wrapped in a layer of slime mucus.
Moses watched silently from the side, without offering any hints.
He wanted to see how long it would take Kastro to envelop the constantly leaking Aura.
Soon, half an hour passed.
Kastro was finally able to control the leakage of his Aura with his own abilities and barely maintained the Ten state.
'Twenty-nine minutes and thirty-one seconds, not bad.'
Moses nodded inwardly.
If Kastro could better suppress his inner emotional fluctuations, this process could have been shortened by half.
In the days that followed, Kastro did not participate in any more matches at Heavens Arena. Instead, under Moses's guidance, he gradually learned Ren and Zetsu.
At this point, Moses had Kastro engage in combat training with Menchi.
The result was predictable.
Kastro was tortured by Menchi to the point of doubting his life, but he also truly experienced the formidable nature of Nen.
.....
Under the deep night sky, a long street was dark and unlit.
The uneven cobblestone road had noticeable cracks with hints of greenery sprouting from them.
A tall figure clad in a deep blue coat walked from the end of the long street.
Next to that figure, there was a woman with shoulder-length blonde hair and a voluptuous figure.
The two walked side by side down the empty street and entered an alley.
Unlike the darkness of the long street outside, the alley was illuminated by an old bulb that still struggled to emit faint light.
Under the soft, dim yellow light, the faces of two figures were revealed. They were none other than the leader of the Phantom Troupe, Chrollo Lucilfer, and No. 9, Pakunoda.
Chrollo gradually took the lead and soon stopped in front of a dilapidated wooden door.
Creak—
He pushed the door open and was greeted by a strong smell of blood.
Inside the room.
Large amounts of blood stained the floor, walls, and ceiling.
Several bodies with distorted faces and badly mutilated bodies were tied to chairs, and next to the chairs stood a short figure.
Watching Kuroro push the door open, the short figure narrowed his eyes in amusement and asked, "Do we need to change the plan?"
"Not for now."
Chrollo took out a booklet.
The cover of the booklet prominently featured an image of the Monka Expeditionary Force.
"I'm still considering it."
Ignoring the blood-soaked room, he walked slowly through the blood mixed with various unknown substances and approached the only 'living' person.
The survivor's face was covered in blood, his eyes were lifeless, and when he breathed, his bloody mouth was exposed.
Pakunoda followed Chrollo, not looking at the person who had been tortured to the brink of death but at the short figure.
"Feitan, where are the others?"
"Who knows?"
The short figure called Feitan responded indifferently.
Pakunoda said nothing more, but turned to look at Chrollo in front of her.
But Chrollo just stared quietly at the man in front of him who was living a life worse than death.
There was no trace of emotion in his eyes, making it impossible to discern his thoughts.