"Begin!"
The battle erupted the instant the call was made.
Not long after Gon and Killua had left, Wing revised his teaching system, moving the step of instructing nen far earlier than before. As a result, he had already begun teaching Zushi nen.
Angel, however, was older than Zushi. Their ti studying nen wasn't far apart, and while talent was hard to judge, in terms of physical ability Angel was clearly ahead for now.
Moreover, the style Angel studied had been designed by Chii after observing countless nen users, then optimized and calculated to suit Angel's own condition—the most effective route for her.
Zushi followed the Shingen-ryu style. That didn't necessarily make it weaker, but Shingen-ryu had one defining trait: it placed imnse emphasis on fundantals. Thus, in the early stages, practitioners didn't see much of a power boost. Progress was slow. While others might already be learning advanced nen techniques, Shingen-ryu disciples would still be polishing their basics.
Angel's figure darted across the stage with incredible speed. Zushi remained in place, eyes wary, relying on calm patience to counter sudden changes.
Then Angel rushed in.
Zushi spun to respond, only to realize it was a feint. Angel instantly shifted direction. Zushi's heart lurched as he forced his body to move again, but Angel altered her angle of attack once more.
This ti, Zushi failed to react in ti.
Bang!
The blow landed squarely. Zushi was knocked clean off the stage.
"The winner—Angel!" the referee announced.
Wing let out a quiet sigh. "The gap really is a bit much."
As soon as she left the arena, Angel sought out Sally and the others.
"Teacher Rico, Teacher Sally."
Nearby, a figure turned his gaze toward them, raising his brows slightly.
Sadaso recognized Sally. "Ron's people? So that little girl is the newest mber of Ron's team? No wonder. If Ron chose her, her talent must be exceptional."
Sadaso drifted into mory.
The first ti he'd gone to Heaven's Arena, he had coincidentally run into Ron on the blimp. Back then, he'd never imagined Ron would beco such a formidable existence.
Then there had been Nina. Later, Killua. And now, Angel.
"It might not be long before Angel surpasses ," he thought. "But that's life. People aren't the sa. So are born to rise to the top. Others are destined to struggle at the bottom. I've already done well for myself. My talent is average, and I had no background, but through steady effort I climbed step by step to reach the level of a D-rank nen user.
And among D-rank users, I'm considered above average. I even have a chance at becoming a Floor Master. But I owe much of this to Ron. Without his invitation to join TST, it would've taken much longer to get here. If I hadn't t Ron and Killua, I might have ended up on a completely different path. At least I didn't turn into soone like Gido or Riehlvelt."
...................
anwhile, on the 200th floor of Heaven's Arena, another battle was underway—a Floor Master challenge match for Kastro.
Transford into a white tiger, Kastro fought through a grueling battle and finally erged victorious, earning the Floor Master title.
Relieved, he smiled as he left the arena. His long-held obsession with Heaven's Arena was finally fulfilled.
He pulled out his phone and dialed ten numbers in succession, but no one answered. Twice, three tis, four… finally, the call connected.
A stranger's voice answered.
Kastro's brows furrowed. "Who are you? Why do you have Killua's phone?"
"Mr. Kastro? I'm a staff mber here. Killua has already entered the Greed Island ga and can't answer calls. If you're interested, you can co to us."
Because of Ron's arrangents, Kastro had ford a good relationship with Killua and Gon. Misty's presence in Ron's main team ant Kastro no longer had a place there, and his strength wasn't quite keeping up. Ron preferred for Kastro to join Killua and Gon instead, so they could grow together.
Kurapika was destined to walk a solitary path.
Kastro, with decent talent, could still grow alongside Gon and Killua. Before the two left Heaven's Arena, the three had made a promise. Before entering Greed Island, Killua had even recomnded Kastro to Tsezguerra, who in turn grew interested in Kastro's abilities and instructed the staff to reserve him a slot in the ga.
"We're here," the staff mber said, giving him an address.
"Got it. Thank you."
After hanging up, Kastro imdiately searched information on Greed Island.
"A Hunter ga? And only such a limited number of slots? One console going for over thirty billion jenny at auction? Looks interesting."
Kastro made up his mind.
With the Floor Master title secured, he no longer cared much for Heaven's Arena. The allure of Greed Island far outweighed it. He bought an airship ticket to Yorknew and set off. If soone later ca to challenge his Floor Master title, he didn't care—he'd simply forfeit the position.
anwhile, a figure in a black cloak and hood arrived outside Ruco's and Sally's dojo.
"Who's there?"
At that mont, Ruco and the others had just returned from Heaven's Arena.
Ponzu and Shizuku spotted the figure at the door, froze, then ran forward in delight.
"Elita!"
"Ponzu, Shizuku," Elita greeted.
Because they had all taken the Hunter Exam in the sa year, Ponzu felt a natural closeness to Elita. And for her part, Elita was most familiar with Ponzu among Ron's team.
She also had a sensitive sense of sll—and the scent of honey was one she especially liked.
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