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29: On different levels
"My name is Biscuit Krueger, but you can call me Bisky," The woman gestured to herself with her thumb, explaining she wasn't big on formalities, which said something given she wasn't actually a little girl. Merely wearing the suit of her younger self, but when they asked how she didn't seem to have an answer beyond it's what she wished for.
'Must be similar to Tsunade-sama' Sakura's mentor had a similar ability that kept her transformed in her youth, but that was only skin deep. She concluded that to be the same case here. A mirror effect, depending on how the glass was woven together, could interpret the shape of anything that stood in front of it, regardless of its true physical form.
The contrast between her delicate appearance that looked out of place in their rugged surroundings. Biscuit's small frame, with its childlike features, belied the strength lurking beneath. It was one of the greatest defenses to have.
Sakura eyed her warily, her hand still firmly over Killua's mouth, though his eyes narrowed in annoyance as he continued his attempts to speak. "Why would you want to help us? We're in a game where everyone is essentially an enemy. For all we know, you could be laying some kind of trap."
Although he was still trying to bite through her skin, Killua nodded in agreement.
Biscuit chuckled, noting Sakura's cautious nature. "A trap? There are barely any cards between the three of you, so I haven't got anything to gain."
Sakura's brow furrowed, her gaze still skeptical. "There was a murderer in the town we just left."
"Yes," Biscuit raised her chin higher, "and that murderer likely has their own agenda. But, frankly, they're the least of your worries. There are a lot more players out here with far more experience, and they'd love to pick off newcomers. Weakness is always an excuse to attack."
"So why bother with us at all?" Gon was curiously flicking between the two as they exchanged, unable to sense the rising pressure. Both were holding onto that like a rubber band stretched to its brim, waiting to see who would let go.
"Because I want to train you, and teach you how to use your Nen properly. I can't stand watching such potential go to waste,"
At that, Killua finally wrenched Sakura's hand away, his eyes knitted together with irritation flashing across his face. "We don't need a teacher!" he spat, turning to Gon, hoping for backup. "Tell her, Gon!"
Although Gon didn't hold the same alertness in his eyes as his friend's he was still on board with their decision, though not their skepticism and reasoning for denying Biscuit's request. "We already have Wing,"
"That's right, so we don't need you!" Killua flicked his wrist in a shooing motion at her but Biscuit didn't attempt to swat him like when he called her a hag. In fact, she had become more intrigued, rather than dis-swayed.
"You mean the little boy with the glasses and messy shirt?"
Sakura's lip twitched at the description for that lanky man, "Well not exactly a little boy but…"
"Do you know him?" asked Gon.
"Wing was one of my students,"
"Does that mean you're pro-hunters?"
Killua jabbed his thumb in his friend's direction, affirming that it was just the two of them. Since he had been disqualified from the final exam.
"Well I'm essentially your master's master, so you shouldn't have any problems with my teaching you,"
While Gon was more in awe of the new discovery that was Biscuit Krueger, Killua remained skeptical, while Sakura chose to stand at a passive point. She wasn't against the idea of learning more about Nen and nurturing this power to new heights. It would be beneficial, assuming there was no agenda behind this generosity. However Gon and Killua were the ones primarily reliant on the power of nen, and they had to get through this game as well. Biscuit wasn't swayed by Killua's stubbornness though, and decided to start him off with a hard lesson.
Biscuit took out her book and began to show off a number of cards with monsters in the slots that she had taken down, some that the boys had trouble dealing with and opted to flee from during their journey through this area. Biscuit pointed out the simplicity of these creatures, and how many players would've been able to easily fill their slots with these cards, while the boys weren't able to fill in one.
"The only reason you even have your rare card is because of her," Biscuit pointed to Sakura, "But what's going to happen if you continue to get ambushed like this? Is she expected to save your skin every time? You can't rely on one person to carry the weight of everyone, that's not a team. That's a burden, which is what you boys are going to continue being if you keep this up,"
"Hold on," Sakura was about to argue when Biscuit gave her a glare with some real push behind it she stumbled a little.
"You're not that much better! This is only going to hinder the boys, you can't expect them to reach their potential if you continue to act as their shield every time!"
Sakura did not imagine even once that she was doing that. Or that her actions had been a hindrance to them. The circumstances just called for it, and she was the only one who had the tools equipped to deal with it.
"If these boys should ever be separated from you, then it's as good as game over for them,"
The conversation had dropped anchor when Biscuit gasped, her eyes momentarily loosening with shock. She recovered quickly from whatever had spooked her and didn't give the others a chance to get a word in before she carefully began instructing them.
"Sit down and pretend like we're still chatting," She instructed, her playful tone from earlier was gone, which set the three on edge.
"What's the problem?" Sakura asked. "Did you notice something?"
She nodded, her eyes calm, "There's an enemy,"
Immediately they attempted to probe until Biscuit told them to re-frame from it, in case they should be caught out. Right now the enemy was still oblivious to their knowledge of them, and Biscuit wanted to keep it that way.
"How could you sense him?" Since Killua was instructed not to probe for the enemy, he decided to probe for answers from her.
"He let out a tiny bit of bloodlust for an instant. Probably letting his guard down because he saw a bunch of kids," Biscuit assured them that just because he allowed the slip, didn't mean he was an armature, as he already covered his tracks in the dark. And that's when her words sunk like stones in a pond for Killua, creating ripples of unease. None of them had been able to sense that trickle, but to Biscuit that instant was all she needed to affirm they were being stalked like prey. As an assassin, Killua wasn't dull in that particular skill department, Gon had spent a good portion of his life in the mountains with animals who used that skill every day to survive.
Sakura was taken aback as well, she herself hadn't felt that instant trickle, it had been concealed too quickly for her instincts to shift into danger. How surprising. She had brushed this off as a phantom reaction of sorts, being out where they were and given the topic they had been standing on.
"What should we do?" asked Killua.
"What do you think?" Biscuit countered.
"We should stick together," Gon said.
"Why do you say that?"
"I'm guessing he decided to be careful because there's four of us. If we move together he won't be eager to attack," There was a mutual consensus that Gon's observation had been the right one.
"I agree but that's not what we're going to do," Of course, her statement had them on edge. If they weren't going to travel together, then what was going to happen? Well, Biscuit had an answer for that as well.
She gestured discretely to a stone tower, out in the distance, "Walk five hundred meters without concealing your presence. Aim for that pillar, once you get there use Zetsu and rush back as fast as you can,"
"Why?" Sakura asked softly, "If this is a ploy to snuff him out, is it really worth the risk?"
Biscuit waved her hand as if she was swatting away Sakura's concern like cobwebs in the wind, "I can handle him on my own if it comes to a fight. You three just stick to the plan,"
Killua had a smile on his face, but it only remained there for a moment, "Okay so stalk the stalker…."
SLAP!
The noise echoed against the area before Killua could even finish his sentence. Biscuit's hand holding a little ways in the same direction his head was suddenly turned, he could feel his skin reddening from the strike but was still too stunned to respond. Until Biscuit stood up, with a huff, "Fine be that way!"
'That hag!'
Sakura's jaw dropped and she had to cover her mouth to hold back a snort when she registered Killua's expression. Gon was utterly frozen as if he hadn't been present for the moment. The entire scene had shifted from dire to absurd in the blink of an eye.
"I've had enough," Biscuit declared before stomping the ground in her baby doll shoes in the direction she said she would.
"We didn't want you around anyway!" Killua declared, walking in the other direction and gesturing for his friends to follow. Gon finally realized that they were now on stage with the curtain drawn back and the play starting.
No one dared to turn around to scout for their stalker. If he was as good as Biscuit claimed then turning around would be like shooting an arrow into this person's back, and they would likely turn their attention away or catch onto the plan.
When they were about 200 meters away, Killua spoke. "That woman is amazing. I was on full alert but I didn't even realize what she had done when my cheek began to sting,"
"Okay none of us were expecting that," Sakura said. "I genuinely thought that she was mad at you for the hag comments or something,"
"Well, she is!" Killua bit back.
Sakura sighed her shoulder hiking, "I have a teacher just like her from home. And she has the same reaction whenever people realize her real age. And she's stronger than me,"
Gon swallowed hard, "There's someone stronger than you?"
"Oh yeah," Her face twisted with grimace. "And being her student was rewarding with the results but it had consequences as well. Especially when you made her angry,"
Gon gave Killua a discerning look that he simply couldn't mask, which annoyed the former assassin, "What?!"
"Killua…." He hands a finger on his chin, "I think you're in trouble,"
"Funny I was thinking the same thing," Sakura chuckled, poking his cheek.
Without further exchange, they made their way to the pillar, moving as if nothing happened until they reached that point. Then activating zetsu, masking their presence, they turned on their heels and sped off in the direction of Biscuit, eager for the results of the trap they had laid. And curious about what they would find at the end.
..
..
..
Somehow, Biscuit had lured their stalker into a pit, seeming to deliberately trap herself. And when he finally revealed his presence, she had taken the act up another notch, by allowing him to cut off one of her pigtails with his scissors as that appeared to be his initial goal. He was a lanky man with wild hair, and even wilder eyes drenched in bloodlust. He snapped his fingers together to listen to the sound of the scissors between them slicing.
He truly had an unnaturally pleased smile for someone who had only cut Bisky's hair. She didn't seem moved by those actions. He clutched the pieces of hair in his palm and told Biscuit the reason for his excitement. Holding out the hair above his face, before dropping the stands into his mouth.
That was his nen ability called Scissor hands. He would learn everything about the person whose hair he cut. From their generic strengths to potential for diseases, even an in-depth print of their physiology, including their age. However, this wasn't something that even tilted Biscuit, never mind faze her. Gon, Sakura, and Killua arrived in time to learn about this. They hid their presence, and peered from behind rocks, turning the stalker into the stalked.
The man seemed to have fallen into a daze. He was astounded by what was revealed through his nen ability. Analysing Biscuit, he found that what was in front of him, had been nothing more than a shell to mask the perfectly honed physique of a fighting veteran. He set his scissors back into his belt, and removed it, before taking a stance, bending his knees, and raising his arms in defense.
"My fighter's spirit insists I challenge you to a duel,"
"So I guess you aren't just trash after all," Biscuit said, unblinking as she removed her gloves and took her own stance. "Okay, let's go,"
Sakura, Gon, and Killua watched the exchange holding their breath. Now they were going to be able to see what this master of their master was capable of, and if they had really come across a fortunate path.
Even from where she stood, Sakura could tell that the man was on a tightrope trying to balance his fighting constitution as he faced Biscuit, completely different from the demeanor he displayed barely a minute ago when he cut her hair.
It was no more than instantaneous, as he came towards Biscuit, feet barely touching the ground, she maneuvered him into the air swiftly, with a flick of her wrist against his own, taking his entire body upward and spinning, then delivering a heavy palm attack before he even hit the ground.
"You're lucky, if I had been using Nen, you'd be dead." The statement fell off her lips casually, she then looked over at the three friends who came out of hiding. "So, what did you see?"
"That guy being flipped through the air," Gon answered, glancing at the body lying on the ground.
"Same," said Killua.
"I caught a little more," Sakura answered honestly. "Those movements were so fluid, the way you used his weight and force against him at the very last instant,"
Biscuit nodded, "Good, you're actually paying attention,"
There was a notion shared between Gon and Killua at that time which Sakura was oblivious to. The opponent Biscuit faced, was not weak in their eyes, but it was that she was overwhelmingly more powerful. It was like comparing a spark to an inferno, although right now, they felt like cotton, easy to catch fire no matter how small the flame.
"If he were an in-game character he would be D-rank," To put it subtly, Biscuit was informing Gon and Killua specifically, that they wouldn't be lasting much longer in this game if they continued to go through it with their current stats. Emphasizing their desperate need for a level-up. "How long are you going to rely on your friend to keep you from losing your lives?"
"Bisky-san,"
"Just call me Bisky," Biscuit said, "If you insist on using honorifics, call me Bisky-chama!"
Her demeanor changed to that of a little girl for an instant before Killua ran his mouth, and her fist was running through the air to hit his face. Yet again Biscuit reminded Sakura of Tsunade, who had a similar temperamental reaction to anyone using the related terms of 'old lady' to address her. Always serving painful lessons as reminders to hold your tongue, after training with her for three years, Sakura had that fear drilled into her, but she didn't think it had become a traumatic response until she felt a cold sweat on the back of her neck from watching Biscuit throw Killua into the air.
While Gon wasn't questioning her intentions, he still couldn't hold his curious tongue. "Why are you here Bisky?"
In hindsight, he might not have seen it as anything more than a casual question, but Sakura and Killua were on full alert to hear her answer. Since she seemed so eager to train them, that could end up putting her own ambitions on hold.
"I'm here to clear the game. And get a jewel, it's called Blue Planet, it goes in a restricted slot," She spoke with a glimmer that revealed her fanatic side. Showing off her deep appreciation for gems. "What about you three?"
Rubbing his swollen cheek, Killua stepped back into the circle, "We're here to clear the game."
"Actually my dad made this game," Gon admitted. "I'm looking for him so I thought this game might contain a lead."
"Who's your dad?"
"Ging Freecss," Biscuit's mouth fell open, taking a deep exhale of excitement.
"Ging?!" This was the first time Biscuit appeared surprised.
"You know him?"
"Of course, he is famous! Chairmen Netero said he's among one of the top five Nen users!"
Something in Gon's eyes shifted, "Bisky, if you're willing to postpone your treasure hunt, we'd appreciate it if you would teach us Nen,"
That was it. Gon had made his decision, and with that, Sakura and Killua knew their fates were sealed as they didn't have the heart to go against his word. This had become an unseen habit of the two. Like the way, leaves would bend to the direction of the wind.
Biscuit's expression turned steely. "I'm not as soft as Wing, so don't expect me to go easy on you," she warned. "If you're here to survive, you'll need to earn it."
Their stalker that Biscuit had knocked down finally came back to reality, stirring and groaning, as he struggled to his feet, still fully winded from the impact, his torso aching with each breath he drew and exhaled helping him understand the extent of the damage that was inflicted. He knew he wouldn't be able to win against Biscuit, so when she demanded he take out his book so she could raid it of the cards, he obeyed without complaint. Only hoping to make it out of this with his life.
Biscuit only briefly examined her new finds before turning back to him. "I'll give you a chance to survive," she said, surprising them all. She pointed toward Gon and Killua. "For the next two weeks, your only job is to evade their attacks. In that time you aren't allowed to leave this crater."
"The same rules apply to you, boys." Biscuit looked over Gon and Killua. "If you leave or fail to defeat him in two weeks, you'll be punished,"
And they believed her. The man had Biscuit clarify to him, what he was allowed to do in order to deter the boys from attacking and she promised that anything went as long as they didn't leave the crater.
Although this was the first time they had met, Biscuit already knew the identity of their stalker. Binolt, a bounty hunter who ironically had a bounty on his own head as well. He had the reputation of a ruthless murderer. As a pro hunter, she always kept herself well informed. And that was also how she knew he would be the perfect accessory for the boy's first training session. It seemed that she had arranged all the pieces perfectly. Except for one, who wasn't too happy with the arrangement.
"Hold on," Sakura stepped forward, "I'm not going to do this with them?"
"Of course not," Biscuit stated, hands on her hips. "If you stayed in here to fight, it would be over in less than five minutes."
Gon gave that same wide-eyed expression he always did when he was unable to contain his surprise. "Really? So Sakura's that strong huh?"
"Of course," Biscuit stated firmly. "She's the only reason you boys have been able to hold onto your cards for as long as you have. The problem is that she's getting in the way of your own growth,"
"Huh? That's not true," Gon's immediate instinct was to wholeheartedly reject Bisky's statement without even considering what she was saying to him.
"It's not with ill intent, but she's been shielding you from everything while following your lead. There's an imbalance of power between the three of you that's affecting your dynamic. It might not be with Nen but in other forms of combat ability and instinct," Biscuit elaborated. Killua showed signs of understanding, but Gon seemed to start steaming again.
Sakura kept quiet, she hadn't thought her presence a hindrance to the boy's potential. However, when Biscuit pointed out how she was constantly protecting them, it dawned that perhaps that had been the case.
"Besides, you're going to have it much worse than the boys," Biscuit said turning to her with a serious expression that did not match her persona.
"What?" Sakura felt like she was getting cut by her gaze, the power of her Nen release in that instant was like having tar poured over you.
"We'll get more into that later," Biscuit gestured to Gon and Killua to get ready, they moved to the opposite end of the crater to face their opponent, while Biscuit ordered Sakura to leave with her. The two were standing on the edge to watch, it was like a coliseum viewing. The sun was already risen when they began.
"Don't even think about jumping in to save them," Biscuit warned her before the boys even made a move to close in.
"I won't let my friends die,"
"They might be young, but they're fighters just like you. They won't be able to keep growing if you insist on smothering them with your shadow," Sakura didn't give a response and turned back to watch the boys. Gon and Killua were attempting to close in on Binolt while he was still injured, but even in his condition, he could defend himself, fiercely enough that they couldn't touch him. He was trying to recover while keeping them at bay.
Sakura couldn't help the unease rising in the pit of her stomach, Biscuit remained impassive as she watched them. Sakura couldn't help but whisper. "Are they ready for this?"
"They'll have to be," Biscuit said, folding her hands in her lap. "They'll either grow stronger or crumble, but whatever happens you cannot interfere with the process, or they'll never be able to shine,"
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