Manlong, under the impact of the punches, felt his feet sink into the sand. He continued to slide backward, plowing two long furrows in the earth.
After an unknown amount of ti, Zane finally stopped as he threw the final punch.
"Not bad. You've gotten a decent handle on Armant Haki."
Zane remarked with feeling, looking at Manlong, whose blood was surging and body was steaming from enduring the repeated onslaught.
Manlong was indeed gifted.
In just three months, he had awakened his Armant Haki, and it was maturing by the day.
While Zane's constant sparring played a role, such a rapid growth rate proved that Manlong was an undeniable genius.
"You flatter , Boss. I'm still a long way from reaching your level."
Exhaling a long breath, Manlong recovered from the intense impact. He dispelled the Armant Haki on his chest and scratched his head, looking a bit embarrassed.
"Listen to you. If you surpassed in just three months, how could I still be your boss?" Zane rolled his eyes.
He then unwrapped the black cloth from his arm and tied it over his eyes.
"Co on, it's your turn to work hard now." With his vision blocked, Zane stood relaxed in place.
Manlong grunted in affirmation. Without hesitation, he raised his fists and began a fierce assault, just as Zane had done.
Footwork shifted.
The body swayed.
Unlike Manlong's brute resistance...
Zane dodged with agile movents, evading Manlong's attacks one after another.
Given his blindfolded state, this dragon-like evasion undoubtedly explained everything.
Whether it was the ntal stimulation from the awakening of his past life's mories or the sense of threat from Doflamingo...
...in short, Zane hadn't wasted these three months.
Through repeated bouts with Manlong, he had finally awakened Observation Haki.
After an intense assault lasting nearly an hour, Zane finally stopped his Observation Haki training as ntal fatigue set in.
Haki is a manifestation of will and spirit.
Using it for extended periods naturally drained the mind.
But this depletion was also a form of training.
As long as one didn't overextend, each ntal drain only made the Haki stronger.
Ending another day of sparring with Manlong...
...Zane led Manlong back to camp.
With the chef's prepared als—a routine by now—Zane ate heartily.
"Boss, aren't you going for your night run today?"
After filling his stomach, Manlong asked in surprise when he saw Zane heading straight to his tent to rest.
"Not tonight. Go on your own!" Zane waved without looking back and entered his tent to sleep.
Though surprised, Manlong didn't overthink it. Soon, he began his familiar night run around the island.
As for Zane...
He hadn't skipped the run because he was tired or lazy. After three months of bitter cultivation, he planned to get a good night's rest before returning to the Hunter world tomorrow.
'I've learned almost all the Nen techniques I know about. Next, besides developing a Nen ability, I need a more detailed understanding of it.'
With these thoughts, Zane soon drifted off to sleep.
.......
The Hunter World!
"That's how it is. Because of Killua's bastard older brother, Killua dropped out of the Hunter Exam."
"Where is Killua now?"
"He went ho!"
"......"
In the infirmary, Leorio gestured animatedly as he spoke to Gon, who was lying in the hospital bed. Kurapika chid in with detailed explanations throughout.
Upon hearing about Killua's situation, Gon's brow furrowed tightly.
He never expected such a thing would happen while he was being treated.
If Killua had gone ho of his own accord, he wouldn't have minded.
But according to Leorio and Kurapika, Killua was likely forced ho by his older brother, which made him very unhappy.
"I've decided. Once everything here is settled, I'm going to find Killua!" Gon announced after taking a deep breath.
Leorio and Kurapika exchanged a glance.
Kurapika was the first to nod. "We were thinking the sa thing. Even if we can't bring him out, we have to at least confirm he's safe."
"Exactly. The way that kid looked when he left... I can't just ignore it," Leorio sighed.
*Click!*
As they spoke, the infirmary door suddenly slid open.
"Yo! Count in then!"
Zane walked into the infirmary with a smile.
"Zane!"
"Huh? Didn't you say you were going to your room to rest? How are you back so soon?"
Seeing it was Zane, the three of them—Gon and the others—all smiled.
Leorio was the one who asked.
Zane shrugged casually. "I couldn't sleep, so I ca back out."
To Leorio and Kurapika, Zane had only been gone for a short while. In reality, he had been training in the Pirate World for over three months.
He had even taken a night's rest before coming back.
Well... he had even changed back into the sa set of clothes he was wearing when he left.
With Zane joining them, the four of them discussed Killua's situation further.
During the third phase of the exam, from Killua's performance against the prisoners, the three of them had already learned from Killua that he was from the Zoldyck family.
Facing the world's number one assassin family, it was impossible for the three of them not to feel so pressure.
However, the bond of friendship could grant one courage.
During the conversation, the three of them didn't change their minds.
Zane didn't try to stop them either.
After three months of bitter training, he felt his progress was significant.
This gave him more confidence to head to the Zoldyck estate.
After finalizing the travel plans with Gon and the others, Zane left first.
He asked a hotel staff mber for directions and soon arrived in front of a room.
He knocked.
A mont later, the door opened.
"Huh? Why is it you?" nchi poked her head out from behind the half-open door.
She looked at Zane in surprise.
"Examiner nchi, do you mind if we talk for a bit?" Zane asked politely with a smile.
Because of Zane's performance during the exam, nchi already had a good impression of him.
Now that Zane had successfully passed the exam and was about to beco a Pro Hunter...
...when faced with his request, nchi didn't refuse. She politely invited Zane into the room.
"Go on. What do you want to talk about?"
nchi took two wine glasses and a bottle of fine wine from the cabinet, pouring a glass for herself and one for Zane.
"Well... the reason I'm here is actually to ask you to be my teacher, Examiner nchi, and guide in my Nen training." Zane took a small sip of wine before stating his purpose.
"Huh?"
She looked at Zane in shock.
[ Author's Note : If you're loving the story, a power_stone, review or comnt ans the world!
Want 40 chapters ahead right now? patre0n.c0m/Royal_ink ]
User Comments
0 comments from readers