Ron didn't grasp the situation imdiately, but after a brief look, he understood. Given his mories from a previous life—where the internet was brimming with "study materials"—he was familiar with such things.
"...I'm not sure," he said, shaking his head.
Then he started the car. Its engine roared to life, and the other car jolted as if startled. Ron turned the wheel, heading for the exit. Ponzu glanced back curiously.
"Captain, are they going to be okay?"
"Ponzu, what do you think they were doing?"
"I...don't know."
"Then do you know what a man and a woman do after they get married?"
Ponzu stared blankly for a mont, then suddenly flushed red—cheeks, ears, everything. It was as though steam were rising from her head.
"How boring," Ron muttered quietly. "They're actually doing that in a parking garage?"
Ponzu mumbled her agreent, wanting to drop the subject as quickly as possible.
Ron stopped the car in front of a breakfast place. Both of them got out.
"Welco! We have a couple's deal today—half-price for the second set!" The server greeted them warmly when they stepped inside. It was a fairly upscale breakfast spot that Ron had chosen on purpose.
Ever since he fused Toriko with his second shadow ability, Ron's base attributes had shot up. In addition, he'd gained considerable boosts from conceptualising and materializing Toriko as a nen beast. Now, Ron's physical body fully qualified as a bonified A-rank, and as he'd hoped, he had inherited Gourt Cells from Toriko. By eating, he could enhance his attributes further, with the effect depending on flavor and nutritional value.
Today, he wanted to test that out.
"Are you two a couple?" the server asked.
Ron neither confird nor denied it, but Ponzu—already a bit flustered—bowed her head in embarrassnt, cheeks reddening even more.
Sensing the mood, the server led them to a table. "Right this way."
After they sat down, Ron asked, "Ponzu, do you have anything you feel like eating?"
"Ah…whatever is fine with ."
"Then bring us two orders of your house specialty," Ron said to the server.
"Certainly!"
While waiting for the food, Ron reflected on his current condition.
"I'm a lot stronger now compared to when I took the Hunter Exam. The main difference is that my physical body's weaknesses are gone. Starting from now on, my real body isn't a liability; it can be a trump card. Outwardly, I can pretend my body is still not that strong, letting enemies think they can break through to reach . Then, once they do, they'll be caught off guard when I reveal my true strength. It'll be a huge psychological blow as well"
He ntally listed off his Nen beasts:
• Natsu, overall A-rank. Main abilities: Dragon Slayer Magic, Position Swap, Gravity Ga.
• Sasuke, overall A-rank. Main abilities: Fire Release, Lightning Release, Susanoo of the Rōshōmon, Gravity Ga.
• Aka, overall B-rank. Main ability: Murasa for one-hit kills.
• Killer Queen, overall B-rank. Main abilities: First Bomb, and Second bombe.
• Lampent, overall B-rank. Main abilities: Smog, Pain Split.
• Chii, a support Nen beast specialized in advanced computing/network skills.
His own body was A-rank as well, with assassination combat arts supplented with Baki's fighting technique, Nen bullets, the Second Shadow, Observer's Intent, and Gourt Cells.
"My assassination martial arts co from combining the Zoldyck techniques, Hanma Baki's fighting style, plus training in Heaven's Arena. Nen bullets are a basic skill for Emission users. Second Shadow and Observer's Intent are both auxiliary powers. Gourt Cells ca from Toriko.
"And my physical body's A-rank isn't just the lowest tier of A. Before, I was already near the barrier between B and A. Now, I've had two big power boosts—one from a Nen beast's feedback, another from fusing that Nen beast. That's a massive leap.
"On top of that, I still have the Rotten Life Blade, Nen needles, and Sumass. Because of my aura level and the nature of my abilities, I can handle multiple Nen beasts at once for a short ti without trouble—three A-ranks and three B-ranks, plus Chii to assist . I doubt the entire KUTE gang of thieves can stand against now. I've grown so strong without realizing it.
"At one ti, I couldn't even fight them directly—my only option was to run. Now the four mbers of KUTE together wouldn't pose a threat. And I'm only sixteen and a half…not even seventeen yet. There aren't many Nen users in this world who could match this pace of advancent."
Their breakfasts arrived. Both Ron and Ponzu were montarily lost in thought, though for different reasons. Ron was evaluating his power, while Ponzu's mind lingered on what had happened in the parking lot, the server's "couple's discount," and even the mory of how she'd barged into Ron's room last night to show him her newly awakened ability—clutching his hand with excitent.
"Does he really only want because of my Bee Queen?" she wondered. "Or is there more to it…?"
Noticing Ponzu still daydreaming, Ron spoke up. "Ponzu?"
"Huh?"
"Breakfast is here."
"Oh! Right…" She ducked her head and hurriedly started eating. Ron, too, began his al, quietly sensing how his Gourt Cells absorbed nourishnt.
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