Meteor Street isn't your average city. Its exit is more like a gap. Once you leave the building complex, you're practically out of Meteor Street, but you still have to trek a kilometer to reach the landfill.
Uvogin spotted Machi and Ryuugin in the distance, a few hundred meters away, and he yelled out at the top of his lungs, "Machi, you're late!"
"Your voice is too loud!" Nobunaga leaned against a nearby wall, expressing his dissatisfaction.
"Oh." Uvogin shrugged, ignoring Nobunaga's complaint and focusing on Machi and Ryuugin approaching them.
"Your reaction is too bland, don't you think? You ought to show a bit more awareness and promise to do better next time," Nobunaga scolded.
Uvogin just smirked. "This is just how I am. You can't change it. If you're not happy about it, then go ahead, cut out my vocal cords."
"Huh?" Nobunaga's eyes narrowed, his hand instinctively reaching for the wooden knife at his side. "You sure about that? Don't blame me if I have to get rough."
Uvogin didn't respond verbally, but he turned to face Nobunaga with a wicked grin, his sharp teeth glinting ominously.
Meanwhile, down the street, Machi remained oblivious to the impending clash between Uvogin and Nobunaga.
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"Uvogin hates tardiness, so this could get messy," Machi remarked with deadpan eyes, regretting her oversight. She should have paid more attention to time management; now she'd have to deal with Uvogin's wrath.
"What happens then?" Ryuuji inquired, intrigued by the explosive-haired figure at the exit.
"The punishment is arm wrestling with him," Machi sighed softly.
"Wait, you've been punished before?" Ryuuji's surprise was evident.
Machi nodded, a hint of resignation in her tone. "Once, I couldn't use my right arm properly for a week."
"No way, because of him?" Ryuuji couldn't fathom how Machi, petite and delicate, could contend with Uvogin's strength.
"No," Machi clarified. "But that brings up a good point. You can't really go all out against that guy, can you?" Ryuuji asked.
Indeed, in a arm wrestling match, there's a certain level of competition and ego involved. But facing off against someone as physically imposing as Uvogin would likely result in injury, and Machi didn't seem keen on experiencing that kind of pain again.
Ryuuji mostly pretended to forget the fact that he had been outpowered by Machi some time ago.
Upon hearing Ryuuji's question, Machi nodded in affirmation.
Ryuuji couldn't help but chuckle bitterly. "You're really something. What's the difference between you and a stubborn man?"
Machi shot him a glare. "I hate admitting defeat. Plus, if I don't give it my all, Uvogin will be even more displeased."
Ryuuji was left speechless, running his index finger across his forehead in exasperation. He had come to understand Machi's character. Despite her petite and adorable appearance, she possessed an unmistakably masculine personality.
The two quickened their pace. As they drew closer, Ryuuji began to discern the features of Uvogin and Nobunaga. There was a stark contrast between their current appearances and his memories, considering it was more than ten years ago.
Uvogin had a dark complexion, with a distinctive black shock of hair, towering in stature, and boasting robust arms and legs, though still a far cry from the formidable figure he would become over a decade later.
Nobunaga, on the other hand, sported a straight braid atop his head, his features strikingly handsome with a fair complexion. He stood in stark contrast to Uvogin, exuding an air of refinement. It was hard to fathom how he would transform into the enigmatic figure of a decade later.
This marks Uvogin and Nobunaga's first encounter with Ryuugin. They can't help but marvel at the formidable power Ryuugin wields with his Nen abilities, realizing he's no ordinary opponent. It's a sobering reminder that Meteor Street harbors dangerous individuals, and Ryuugin is just another testament to that fact.
Suddenly, Ryuugin's mind drifts to Hisoka, a hunter capable of hunting down and eliminating other candidates during the hunter exam. Hmm... Speaking of which, it seems like Uvogin and Nobunaga are gearing up for a confrontation.
Nobunaga gripped a wooden knife tightly, his gaze locked onto Uvogin with intensity.
A sharp "crack" echoes through the air as Uvogin flexes his fingers, producing an unsettling bone-cracking sound.
Tension fills the arena, the air thick with anticipation as it feels like the clash could erupt at any moment.
"Here we go again, you two," Machi sighed, hands on her hips in exasperation.
Meanwhile, Ryuugin observed Uvogin and Nobunaga closely. As members of the Phantom Brigade, they were adept at reading opponents, but it was apparent that Machi hadn't tapped into that ability yet. Uvogin and Nobunaga's aggressive stance signaled danger, but Ryuugin was convinced they hadn't activated their Nen abilities.
If it weren't for their warlike posture, Ryuugin wouldn't have been able to discern. However, the fact that they hadn't unleashed their Nen despite being on high alert confirmed Ryuugin's suspicions.
"Nobunaga, if you're itching for a fight, I'll have to use my threads to disarm that wooden knife of yours," Machi's tone turned icy as the two men disregarded her.
"Why me?" Nobunaga's brash demeanor suddenly softened, his gaze shifting to Machi with a puzzled expression.
"Haha," Uvogin chuckled, his face devoid of any seriousness.
The tension in the air gradually dissipated, the sharp edge of confrontation blunted by Machi's intervention.
"Could they be unconsciously activating their aura without consciously accessing their Nen abilities? It seems like they're on the verge of reaching that threshold soon," Ryuuji pondered silently, observing the scene from the sidelines like a detached observer.
In a way, this encounter marked their first formal meeting, though technically it was their second. The first time they met, Uvogin and Nobunaga wore gas masks and didn't exactly give Machi a warm welcome due to their disagreement with her decision. After that encounter, they parted ways and never visited Machi's place again.
"Put away your wooden knife. Ending this battle swiftly will save us all some time," Machi responded firmly to Nobunaga's inquiry.
Nobunaga complied, stowing away his wooden knife and running a hand through his hair with an expression that seemed to say, "Fine, whatever."
Uvogin's laughter only grew louder upon hearing this, and he reached out to pat Nobunaga on the shoulder, chuckling, "A man's best weapon is his fist, you know?"
"Get off!" Nobunaga swatted Uvogin's hand away, clearly irritated.
Unfazed, Uvogin turned to Machi with a grin. "Hey, Machi, you're two minutes late. According to the rules, that means you owe me a wrestling match. And if one of us loses, they have to forfeit 50% of today's earnings."
Machi could only smile wryly. Two minutes... she recalled it was more like ten seconds late. "Two minutes late and you're making such a fuss?" Ryuuji frowned upon hearing Uvogin's words. Even if they did wrestle, forfeiting 50% of the earnings seemed excessive, especially if Machi lost.
Stepping forward a few paces, Ryuuji positioned himself in front of Machi. "Oh, it's you," Uvogin remarked, barely sparing a glance at Ryuuji before returning to his cold demeanor.
Nobunaga, on the other hand, addressed Ryuuji sternly, "Boy, being even a second late is a violation of the rules, not a matter of care. Do you understand?"
Unfazed by their reactions, Ryuuji remained composed. "Alright, I accept your challenge," he said calmly.
He knew he couldn't match Machi's strength, but perhaps he could still outsmart Uvogin.
Upon hearing Ryuuji's response, Nobunaga's interest was piqued, while Uvogin remained dismissive. He was well aware that Ryuuji's strength didn't measure up to Machi's.
"Ryuuji, don't make trouble," Machi told Ryuuji, then noticed the slightly peculiar reactions from the three of them, prompting her to become puzzled.
"Don't make trouble..." Ryuuji mused internally. The tone didn't seem characteristic of Machi.
Ryuuji, Nobunaga, and Uvogin exchanged glances, as if they were encountering Machi for the first time again.