The wind swept gently across the hill where Tanjiro, Nezuko, Yūka, Gon, and Killua stood, staring in awe at the new world they had entered. The rift they had crossed had led them to a vibrant land teeming with energy, but Tanjiro could sense something more—a strange, pulsing force in the air that wasn't present in their world.
This was not like the energy from breathing techniques or the cursed power of demons. This was something deeper, something that felt… alive.
Gon was the first to speak, his eyes shining with excitement. "We did it! We're in a new world, and we can feel nen everywhere!"
Killua smirked, his sharp eyes glancing at Tanjiro and the others. "Yeah, but they have no idea what nen is yet. They're going to need to learn before they can really understand this world."
Tanjiro, his brow furrowed in curiosity, nodded slowly. "Nen… I've heard you talk about it before, but I don't understand what it is."
Gon turned to him with a bright grin. "Don't worry, we'll teach you! It's the power everyone in this world uses. With nen, you can do amazing things—like using your life energy to fight, defend, and even heal."
Killua crossed his arms, watching the group carefully. "You've got your own abilities, but if you don't learn nen, you won't be able to survive in this world."
Nezuko, her eyes glowing faintly in the sunlight, tilted her head slightly, intrigued by the concept of this new power. Yūka, ever watchful, remained silent, but Tanjiro could see the curiosity in her gaze as well. She had been living in a world where breathing techniques dominated, but nen seemed like a completely different kind of power.
"Let's start with the basics," Killua said, stepping forward. "We'll show you how to open your aura nodes—the first step to learning nen."
The Introduction to Nen
For the next few hours, Gon and Killua worked closely with Tanjiro, Nezuko, and Yūka, explaining the fundamentals of nen and how it was the foundation for all advanced techniques in the Hunter x Hunter world.
Killua demonstrated first, activating his ten—the ability to control his life energy and keep it close to his body. His nen aura shimmered faintly around him, a controlled flow of energy that Tanjiro could feel but couldn't yet understand.
"This is ten," Killua explained. "It keeps your aura around you and protects you. You'll need this to keep your body safe from attacks."
Tanjiro watched in fascination as Killua's aura moved around him like a second skin. He closed his eyes, focusing on his breathing and trying to sense his own life energy, but nothing happened. It felt different from the breathing techniques he had mastered. This was… subtler.
"You've got to relax and focus," Gon said encouragingly. "It's different from how you fight, but once you feel it, you'll get it."
Tanjiro nodded, taking a deep breath and allowing his body to relax. He focused inward, searching for the flow of energy that Gon and Killua had described. Slowly, very slowly, he began to feel something—a faint warmth in his chest, like a tiny spark of life waiting to be ignited.
"There!" Gon said, his face lighting up. "You're starting to get it!"
Nezuko, standing beside her brother, hummed softly as she, too, began to feel the pulse of energy within her. Her demonic instincts, combined with her own sense of balance, allowed her to tap into her nen more quickly than Tanjiro. A faint glow of aura appeared around her, and Killua's eyes widened in surprise.
"She's a natural," Killua muttered, impressed.
Yūka, watching from the side, remained quiet, her eyes narrowing as she focused on her own energy. She had always been sensitive to the ancient powers of her world, but nen was something new. Slowly, she began to feel the flow of life energy within her, like a river running beneath the surface of her skin.
"I can… feel it," Yūka whispered, her aura flickering faintly around her.
Tanjiro smiled at her, his own aura beginning to stabilize as he learned to control the flow of energy. "We're getting there," he said, his voice filled with determination. "We'll master this, just like we did with breathing techniques."
Biscuit Krueger Arrives
As the group continued to practice, honing their ability to control their nen through ten, ren, and zetsu, a sudden voice cut through the peaceful clearing.
"You're making decent progress, but you've got a long way to go."
Everyone turned to see a small, blonde woman standing at the edge of the clearing, her hands on her hips and a sharp look in her eyes. Her presence was confident and commanding, despite her petite frame.
"Who…?" Tanjiro began, but Gon quickly grinned, recognizing her immediately.
"Biscuit!" Gon exclaimed, running over to her with a bright smile. "I didn't know you were here!"
Biscuit Krueger, or Bisky, as she preferred to be called, gave a small smirk and flicked her hair back. "I wasn't planning to come, but after hearing about this new group learning nen, I figured I'd better see for myself."
Her sharp eyes scanned Tanjiro, Nezuko, and Yūka, and Tanjiro could feel her gaze weighing him, almost as if she could see straight into his soul.
"Interesting," she muttered, walking closer. "You've got a different kind of energy about you. It's not quite nen… but it's close."
Killua tensed slightly but stayed quiet, while Gon, ever the open book, beamed. "They're from another world, Bisky! They're learning nen now, but they've got their own special skills."
Biscuit raised an eyebrow. "Another world? Well, that's a first."
Tanjiro smiled politely, hoping she wouldn't ask too many questions. The last thing they needed was for their past—especially the existence of demons and breathing techniques—to be revealed.
"I'll help you," Biscuit said after a moment of consideration, her eyes narrowing thoughtfully. "You've got potential, but you need proper guidance if you're going to survive in this world. And from the looks of it, you're all heading toward Greed Island, aren't you?"
Killua nodded. "That's the plan."
"Well, then you'll need to develop your hatsu abilities before you get there," Biscuit said firmly. "Greed Island isn't just a game. It's a battlefield. If you go in unprepared, you won't make it out."
Tanjiro exchanged a glance with Nezuko and Yūka. They had already come so far, but they knew they were only scratching the surface of this new power. If nen was the key to surviving in this world, then they had to master it.
"Please teach us," Tanjiro said, bowing his head respectfully. "We need to be ready for whatever's ahead."
Biscuit gave a small smile, clearly pleased with his attitude. "You've got good manners, I'll give you that. Alright, let's get started."
The Development of Hatsu
Over the next several days, Biscuit worked closely with Tanjiro, Nezuko, and Yūka, helping them not only to master the basics of nen but also to develop their own hatsu abilities. She was strict but fair, pushing them beyond their limits in ways they hadn't expected.
Tanjiro, ever dedicated, focused on refining his aura control, using his breathing techniques to help him maintain focus during long training sessions. Biscuit noticed this immediately and raised an eyebrow, but she didn't comment—yet. Instead, she pushed him harder, testing his endurance and ability to channel nen while in combat.
"You've got a steady foundation," Biscuit said as she observed Tanjiro practicing. "But you'll need to learn how to harness your emotional energy. That's what will fuel your hatsu."
For Nezuko, the training was more instinctual. Her connection to her demonic powers gave her a natural affinity for nen, and Biscuit was impressed by how quickly she adapted. However, Nezuko struggled with controlling the balance between her demonic strength and her nen aura, and Biscuit worked tirelessly to help her refine that balance.
"You're strong," Biscuit said to Nezuko, her eyes sharp. "But strength alone won't get you far. You need control."
Nezuko hummed softly in response, her eyes glowing faintly as she focused on her training.
Yūka, on the other hand, was a mystery even to Biscuit. Her knowledge of ancient techniques from her world gave her a unique perspective on nen, but she struggled with the emotional aspects of developing her hatsu. Biscuit noticed this quickly and began to push Yūka harder, forcing her to confront the emotions she had kept buried for so long.
"You're holding back," Biscuit said one afternoon, her voice stern as she watched Yūka train. "If you don't face your past, you'll never unlock your true potential."
Yūka's eyes darkened, but she nodded, her expression determined. She had carried the weight of her kingdom's downfall for centuries, but now, standing beside Tanjiro and the others, she knew it was time to let go of the pain and focus on the future.
"I'll try," Yūka whispered, her voice barely audible.
Tanjiro, watching from the side, smiled at her, his heart swelling with admiration. He could see how hard she was working, and he knew that together, they would find the strength to face whatever challenges lay ahead.
Preparing for Greed Island
As their training continued, Tanjiro, Nezuko, and Yūka began to develop their own unique hatsu abilities, combining their knowledge of breathing techniques with the power of nen to create something new.
Tanjiro's hatsu took shape as an extension of his Hinokami Kagura—a powerful, fiery aura that enhanced his sword techniques with the precision of nen. He could channel his aura into his strikes, creating devastating attacks that combined the power of both worlds.
Nezuko's hatsu was tied to her demonic strength. She learned to use her nen to control and amplify her natural abilities, creating a balance between her demon form and her human instincts. Her nen-enhanced strikes were quick and precise, allowing her to move with incredible speed and power.
Yūka, after much struggle, finally unlocked her hatsu—a mysterious, shadow-like aura that allowed her to manipulate the flow of energy around her. With her knowledge of ancient techniques, she could influence the nen of others, subtly shifting the balance of power in a battle.
As their training neared completion, Biscuit smiled proudly at the progress they had made. "You've come a long way," she said, her voice filled with approval. "You're ready for Greed Island."
Tanjiro, Nezuko, and Yūka exchanged determined glances. They had trained hard, and now they were ready to face the challenges that awaited them in the game. With their new hatsu abilities and the knowledge they had gained from Biscuit, they were prepared to step into the world of Greed Island and continue their journey.
But even as they prepared, Tanjiro couldn't shake the feeling that their true challenges were only just beginning.