Kituso is a fairly large metropolis dedicated to art and visual attractions, whether through statues, monuments, or art in the streets that represent the history of the place, its cultural diversity, and the creativity and emotional involvement of its creators.
However, as beautiful as it may seem at first glance, a large city like this is always linked to increased crime, and that's what we're going to take advantage of during our stay.
Delving deeper into this city with our car, Nicholas and I enjoy the turistic sights until we book a hotel room and unpack our things in preparation for our little criminal hunt and Nicholas's practical introduction to the Blacklist Hunter profession. But before that...
"Okay, everything's set up, so now you can investigate the crimes and jobs you've read about with the police and people on the street while I go see Pokkle to advise him on Nen." I say to Nicholas.
'I hate leaving him here doing all the research work alone again, but I can't keep delaying my commitment of making Pokkle stronger.'
"I'll do my best in your absence, boss, but how long do you think it will take you to get back?" Nicholas asks while I open the portal.
"I don't know exactly. Hmm... 3 to 5 days or so. If I feel like it's going to take longer, I'll call you to discuss how to proceed." I state, waving goodbye to him before crossing and closing the portal.
Arriving at the city of Beeskafmarro, I begin to walk through the streets of the familiar city until I reach the place I will never forget for being the place where I met my first canon character in this new world: the bookstore Moon Dream. Inside the store, Pokkle is sitting in the reading section, and as soon as he sees me, his face fills with excitement and anticipation as he stands up to approach me.
"Finally we meet again, Kai! I've been waiting for this reunion for a long time! Tell me, how has your Hunter career been going?!" Pokkle asks, somewhat overwhelmed by emotion.
"Ssh. This store is for shopping and reading books, so turn the volume down a bit." I say at Pokkle's unintentionally loud voice.
"Sorry. I got carried away." Pokkle apologizes in a lower tone.
"We've spoken on the phone a few times, but we haven't seen each other in person since the Hunter Exam. For now, how about we sit down and discuss our experiences since then in more depth?" I ask, offering the table for us to sit down.
Pokkle nods at me, and we both sit down to begin chatting about our lives since then. Apparently, Pokkle had found his current Nen instructor while investigating a valley of colorful trees where a giant creature made of vegetation was said to have been sighted. The instructor posed as the guide for Pokkle, leading him through the grounds on platforms that made up the place while praying and placing strange dolls of foliage and dried mud along the way.
After several days following trails around the place, they came across the creature, which proved to be quite large and attacked them by surprise, seriously injuring Pokkle. It was just when it seemed that it was going to deliver the final blow that the guide took control of the surrounding vegetation to confront and incapacitate the fantastic creature, revealing himself to be the Nen teacher issued by the Hunter Association.
After the introduction and explanation to the hidden world of Nen, Pokkle followed the usual procedure to learn how to use the four basic principles and strengthen his Hatsu. Unfortunately, it turned out that he wasn't a particularly talented individual, and even now he still couldn't use Ren well or create his own ability.
For my part, I tell him about my training under Satotz, my career in Heavens Arena, my odd jobs as a Beast and Blacklist Hunter, and how I'd met other exam graduates. I kept the news of my recruitment for the Greed Island game a secret because it's a confidential matter, and it could get me in trouble if it gets noticed that I'm not there.
Anyway, although Pokkle feels motivated and curious about everything I tell him, what he most wants to talk about is my fight against Hisoka on the 230th floor of Heavens Arena.
"But my favorite part was, of course, when you surprised Hisoka by opening a circle to launch a second giant beam at him. You were exhausted, tied up, and Hisoka was a long way off, and you still turned the tables and stopped him in his tracks. Honestly, that completely shocked me, and the look on that bastard Hisoka's face in the footage was priceless."
"How did you create the ability to open such a portal in front of him?" Pokkle asks after the long talk.
"I practiced a lot with the Emission category, tried to increase my total aura amount as much as possible and created the appropriate limits and conditions to generate the Nen ability." I explain.
"Emission? Does that mean you are an Emitter?" Pokkle asks again intrigued.
"Yes, that's true." I nonchalantly answer, not seeing the need to hide it.
"What a coincidence! I'm also an Emitter! Does that mean I could also do the things you do?" Pokkle asks once more, quite excited at the idea.
"Well... Yes and not." I respond, leaving him confused. "Based on the concept of Nen categories, it would be plausible for you to learn these abilities. However, as with any skill, talent makes a big difference in Nen."
"You yourself have said that you are not a very talented individual and that you have not yet mastered Ren, whereas I mastered the 4 four principles and their advanced applications in just 3 months, so, modestly speaking, I believe I am quite a talented individual."
"In addition to that, there's also the concept of each individual's mindset and compatibility. Even if it's an ability in the same category as yours, that doesn't mean you can use it as well as I do, or even that you can use it at all. Being comfortable with it and having it fit your personal principles is fundamental to creating and using a Nen ability."
"Just so you understand, you could spend months or even years training and in the end you might be unable to create the ability, or if you do in the end it wouldn't be as powerful and efficient as it is with me."
"Yeah, it's true. I remember my teacher also telling me something like that back in the day. What a shame. I would have loved to open portals like that." Pokkle says a bit depressed by the letdown.
"Don't sweat it. Even if you can't use my abilities, you can still become a great fighter and create great Nen powers that fit your own character. With my special methods, I'm sure you can do it if you try hard." I say trying to comfort him.
"Seriously? Do you have then any ideas on what abilities I should create?" Pokkle asks, regaining his enthusiasm.
"I have some loose ideas that might interest you, but nothing definitive, and I'd also prefer we practice a bit before giving you my ideas. Do you know of any secluded place where we could start with it?"
To my question, Pokkle spends a few seconds meditating on the answer with his fist covering his mouth.
"Well, there's the secluded corner of the forest that my current Nen master isolated to teach me with privacy and freedom of movement, but I honestly don't think we'll be able to use it." Pokkle states.
"Why not?" I ask.
"Simply because I don't trust you enough to reveal it to you." Pokkle answers seriously. "Don't get me wrong. I'm not trying to say I'm prejudiced against you; it's just that I barely know you, so I don't trust you that much to reveal to you the place hidden by my master."
"We could go to the apartment I've secured while I'm in this city. What do you think?"
"Hmm... That doesn't seem like a viable option to me. I have to cover the most relevant topics in just 3 days, and my teaching methods require more physical effort, so I don't think a closed, cramped space like an apartment would be a good fit." I reject.
"You said there's a forest nearby where you train with your master. Would it be possible for us to do the training in a different area than the one you usually do? I'd feel more comfortable teaching you that way."
Pokkle crosses his arms, pondering my request for a few seconds before giving me an answer.
"Okay, that sounds good to me. The forest is vast, and I know of plenty of spots where we can train without restrictions. With that decided, should we head there to get started right away? I mean, we only have three days before my master returns." Pokkle remarks.
"I'm fine with that, although first I'd like to take advantage of the opportunity to pick up a few books I'm interested in. Just go to the exit and wait for me. I won't be long." I say, getting up and walking towards the sections with the books that interest me:
Business management, property management, 101 original delicious dishes, tactics for investigating and confronting criminals, and tips for maintaining a stable long-distance relationship.
These are all the books I buy at the bookstore before heading out to the forest, guided by Pokkle. We walk for about half an hour until we settle in a spot surrounded by trees and devoid of people, ready to begin the lessons.
"All right, Pokkle, raise your hands and take a fighting position! NOW!!!" I shout, trying to sound firm and getting into a fighting stance.
Pokkle surprises at this, but follows my instructions, placing one leg back and extending his right arm with a closed fist while bending his left elbow to have his other fist next to his body.
"As we agreed, I'll instruct you in my special training to grow stronger over the next three days while your official master is away. Are you ready to begin a program of blood, sweat, and tears and remain faithful to it even after I'm gone?"
"Y-Yes, I'm ready." Pokkle answers somewhat nervously by my attitude.
"I can't hear you, louder!" I yell.
"Yes, I'm ready sir!" He answers again, this time more convinced.
"Alright. To begin the first steps of the training, I first need to know your true level; not from a vague description or personal opinions from others, but from experiencing it firsthand."
"So, I want you to try to flare your Ren and try to attack me."
"Eh? But that..."
"Don't worry, I don't expect you to succeed." I say, cutting Pokkle off before he starts complaining. "This is just a practice run to assess your performance and learn how to improve it. We'll spend about 10 minutes sparring to confirm this for sure, so don't be shy and get started now."
Although Pokkle is a little reluctant, his aura begins to take form, enveloping his body as his stance settles.
'It takes him a long time to generate a fairly small amount of aura, and it's not concentrated within his body, but rather slightly disperses throughout his surroundings. His posture isn't good either. He has many gaps in his defense and is unbalanced. Just as Killua said, he doesn't seem suited to combat.'
While I'm making my judgment at first glance, Pokkle runs in my direction and starts the fight with a forward kick. I dodge it quite easily, and for the next 10 minutes I focus on analyzing his fighting style, dodging and blocking all of his subsequent punches and kicks and occasionally throwing an attack against him without using Nen or trying to seriously hurt him, of course.
Through this practice, I am able to form a clear and detailed profile about Pokkle abilities;
He has good agility and accuracy, likely from his experience as an archer. But his body is very weak, he lacks control, and he lacks technique. In comparison, he would have even less combat potential than Ponzu before training under my guidance.
Like this, even with a year and a half of training, he won't become strong enough to fight the Chimera Ants.
With my understanding of his current situation more clear, I grab his imminent punching arm, give his legs a small kick, and pin him to the ground by twisting his arm behind his back.
"Aahhg, ay ,ay, ay! Hey Kai, relax a little, you're hurting me! This's the end of the practice spar, isn't it?! Then you can let me go!" Pokkle exclaims, struggling uselessly.
"It's truly pitiful. I haven't even used my Nen, and it took me no effort at all to overpower you. Now you're at my mercy, unable to break free or fight back even though I am only using one hand. And at this level, you want to be a Beast Hunter?" I ask maintaining my grip on Pokkle and trying to employ strict discipline with him.
"What are you talking about? If you came all this way, it's to teach me how to get stronger, right? Besides, I'm a huntsman. I specialize in setting traps, or else hunting from a distance!" Pokkle counterargues, apparently displeased by my attitude.
"And you think that with those methods you're going to be able to confront and survive the unknown and dangerous creatures out there?" I ask, moving closer to continue talking next to his ear.
"Do you think that with those methods of a normal huntsman you'll be able to survive creatures as big as houses? Or that work in large, organized groups? Or that are smart enough to set traps for you or catch you by surprise? Because honestly, I don't think so."
"If you take my aura out of the equation, there are beings far more dangerous than me out there in the world. Beings who will show no mercy when they confront you, and that if they don't eat you alive, they'll make you suffer a far worse fate."
Instilling a sense of danger and caution in his psyche, I finally release Pokkle, who turns around to look directly at me.
"Fortunately, as you said, I came here to make you stronger, and now that I've checked where you stand, I know what I have to do. Are you ready to start the real training? Keep in mind that it won't be an easy task if you accept." I ask, offering my hand to help him up.
"Of course. That's what I intended to do from the beginning." He answers, taking my hand and getting up from the ground.
"Okay, I like that willingness. We can start with the training program then. The first thing we need to do is fix your lack of inability." I say making my Orbital Orbs appear and starting to explain to Pokkle about the use of my Development Orb.
"Now that you know, do you want me to use it on you?" I ask after the obligatory heavy explanation.
"Yes, I do."
With that confirmation, I insert the orb into Pokkle's body, and the effects immediately begin to kick in. In response, Pokkle attempts to activate his Ren again, and upon exerting it, he inspects his glowing body and notices a clear difference.
"I can certainly tell the difference. My body feels more awake and lighter, and my aura, which I previously struggled to control, feels more manageable. I think I'll be able to master Ren in no time like this." Pokkle says with a face of joy and expectation.
"That's not enough. Mastering Ren is expected; there's nothing extraordinary about it. There are many, much more difficult things you need to learn before I leave, so you can prepare yourself for hard work." I tell him in a strict tone, ready to begin the training guidance.
For the rest of the day I dedicate my time and efforts to train Pokkle in practical combat in an attempt to improve his use of Ren and his ability for unarmed combat, mercilessly pounding him with aura-free blows as opposed to the previous mock sparring so that he reinforces his control, intensity, endurance and his efficiency with martial arts.
I also try to teach him the principles and application of Gyo and In through the practice of forming hidden numbers with a penalty of repetitions, and Shu through a bit of practice with his bow and arrow. Although they are advanced applications, these principles don't require as much control and experience as the others, so even if he can't use them yet, he'll be able to get a feel and harmonize them.
By nightfall time, Pokkle is lying on the ground beaten to a pulp, his clothes bloodied and his face unrecognizable due to the many bruises that adorn it.
"Well, that was a good practice session. I think you'll finally get the hang of Ren by tomorrow, and I'll be able to teach you other training methods." I say pleased, helping him up.
"I never imagined your attacks would be so strong without using aura. What will you do if you end up crippling me for real and I can no longer act as a Hunter?" Pokkle complains, getting up in pain from the various bruises and bleeding wounds on his body.
"Come on, I've been gentle with you. I haven't even broken a bone of yours, don't be such a crybaby." I tell him in a meanie manner as I help him walk back to his apartment.
After a while of walking very slowly, we arrive at the apartment block, and after climbing the stairs, I take him in front of the door of his rented apartment in the building.
"Well, have a good night, Pokkle. We start tomorrow at 6:00 am. Make sure you get a good night's sleep and don't stay up late because tomorrow's training will be even tougher than today's." I say with a smile as Pokkle walks in, sending a chill down his spine that makes him shiver.
Leaving Pokkle aware of reality, I leave the place and look for accommodation in the same building as the last time I was in this city. While I eat a self-made dish and follow my pre-bedtime hygiene routine, I review today's lessons and their implications in my head.
'I know I'm being a bit abusive even by my standards, but there's no other choice. Even with the Development Orb, I can't guarantee how far Pokkle will grow, and I must cram as much Nen into his skull as I can. Even if he ends up bloodied or I break a few bones of him, that'll be nothing compared to being incapacitated, tortured, and gruesomely killed to be eaten by a giant bug.'
'The rise of the Chimera Ants must happen to fulfill my plans, even if it ends up costing the lives of tens, if not hundreds of thousands, of innocent strangers, and as a Beast Hunter, Pokkle is bound to be involved with these events. That's why, just like with Ponzu, I must do everything necessary to ensure the tragedy doesn't happen again.'
The thoughts of the vast number of people I plan to let die weigh lingering in my head and chest as I emerge from the bathroom in my nightclothes and sit dejectedly on the bed.
'I don't know them at all, and I need the ants to put together the pieces needed to travel to the Dark Continent. It's the right decision for me, so I have to stomach everything to carry it out.'
Despite repeatedly affirming my conviction in my head, the feeling remains unchanged. The thought of leaving families with children to die and be devoured by monsters became more present in my mind after seeing Pokkle again, and the bitter taste in my mouth hasn't gone away.
Before I set out to create a new Wormhole Orb to replace the Development Orb I used up with Pokkle, I grab my phone and search for someone in my contacts list.
"It'll be useless. I don't think she'll still be awake at this late hour. And even if she is, she probably won't answer me right now." I say mockingly as I finally call the number and put the phone to my ear.
After about 6 rings, someone finally picks up the phone on the other end.
"Hi Ponzu. Yes, everything's going well over here. I just miss you and wanted to talk to you for a bit." I answer her.
The two of us continue chatting for a long time on the phone about the events that have befallen us during our two weeks apart, making the weight on my conscience lighter thanks to her voice filled with warmth and support.