The communication between the woman and Gogus was complete.
Kaizen had a thought.
Uchiha Sasuke's figure vanished without a trace.
The three of them—Kaizen, Siper, and Ponzu—made their way down the mountain.
Gogus' team arrived one after another, but only Gogus himself entered the village. The rest of his team set up a small logistics base outside.
Siper, who had just awakened her Nen, was still in an excited state, eager to find a chance to test out her abilities.
Ponzu, however, was still dazed.
She was deeply concerned about the village and couldn't let it go so easily.
In some ways, Ponzu's situation was similar to Kurapika's.
Both had left their homes, only to return and find everything gone.
Everyone in the village—disappeared.
The difference was that Kurapika knew exactly what had happened. His people had been slaughtered. He knew who his enemies were. His hatred had a clear direction, a purpose—to grow stronger and take revenge.
Ponzu, on the other hand, didn't even know what had happened.
Was it a natural disaster? An attack? Was anyone even responsible?
The confusion made it worse. Pure hatred, unshaped and directionless, could sometimes burn even hotter.
But at least Kurapika had a goal.
...
As they descended, Kaizen cast a calm glance back up the mountain.
He didn't say anything, but instead struck up a casual conversation with Siper.
"Siper, what are your plans from here on out?"
Siper blinked, surprised.
"Captain Kaizen, do you have something in mind for me?"
Kaizen paused for a moment.
"I have two suggestions."
"One, you could choose what type of Hunter you want to be, work toward that goal, find partners, and build your own team—just like most Hunters do."
"As for me teaching you Nen... when the time comes, you could help me out with a few favors."
Siper's expression darkened slightly.
She had assumed that by learning Nen from Kaizen, she would naturally become part of his team.
But now, he wasn't offering that directly.
What did that mean?
Was her talent not good enough?
Was she not strong enough?
Siper glanced sideways at Ponzu, who was still lost in her own thoughts.
Kaizen continued.
"The second option is to head to Heavens Arena and find someone for me."
"A woman named Sally. She's one of my team members."
"Your abilities are somewhat similar. You can train together."
Siper's eyes lit up.
Before learning Nen, Siper hadn't been especially eager to follow Kaizen. She had even hesitated about approaching him after the Hunter Exam.
It was curiosity—and the unforgettable image of Kaizen piercing stone with a leaf—that pushed her to seek him out alongside Ponzu.
Back then, Ponzu understood Kaizen better than she did.
But now, after awakening Nen and glimpsing the vast world it opened up, Siper truly understood.
Kaizen's strength wasn't just a rumor—it was real.
To join his team would be an incredible opportunity for any Nen user.
Once you've seen a better world, it's hard to go back.
"I'll take the second option," Siper said firmly.
Kaizen nodded.
"Good. I'll give you Sally's contact information once we reach the city. I'll let her know to expect you at Heavens Arena."
"Thank you, master."
"And don't call me 'master,'" Kaizen said casually. "Just like Ponzu, call me Captain."
"Got it, Captain."
Kaizen glanced toward a dilapidated cabin near the road.
"Siper, Ponzu—let's take a break."
Ponzu, still in a daze, said nothing.
Siper tilted her head in confusion.
"Captain, you want to rest now?"
"Yeah."
Kaizen entered the cabin with Ponzu and Siper trailing behind.
But the moment he stepped inside, he moved his fingers lightly—and a hidden door appeared on the wall.
It was a portal to the Sumas space.
...
Kaizen opened the door.
"You two head inside. I'll explain everything later."
Siper and Ponzu exchanged a glance, then entered without hesitation.
Kaizen closed the door with a thought.
The entrance vanished.
Now, he wouldn't have to worry about them during whatever battle might come.
Without anyone holding him back, Kaizen could move freely.
This was one of the purposes of Sumas: during team operations, if a fight broke out, Kaizen could send intelligence-type or support-type Nen users into the Sumas space for safety.
Kaizen stepped back outside.
He looked towards the dense woods nearby.
"No plan to come out?"
A figure, hidden behind a tree trunk, stiffened.
They hadn't expected to be found, but thought maybe Kaizen had just noticed something unusual.
Kaizen was bluffing.
Or so the figure thought—until a chilling feeling ran up their spine.
Someone appeared behind them.
A breath drawn sharply—
"Roar of the Dragon!"
Blazing flames surged forward.
The figure's pupils shrank, and they leapt aside just in time.
"You did find me?!"
Before they could catch their breath, another figure flashed beside them.
Lightning crackled.
"Chidori!"
Sasuke's hand pierced straight into their side.
The crackling lightning paralyzed the figure, slowing their movements.
They staggered back, a scorched wound blooming across their abdomen. The air filled with the smell of burning flesh.
From a distance, Kaizen watched calmly.
The attacker was a young man—his clothes tattered, vines growing along his arms. His expression twisted in pain—or was it something deeper?
He raised his head and glared at Kaizen, eyes burning with hatred.
But Kaizen could tell—
The hatred wasn't directed at him.
"It's not me he's after."
"Ponzu? Or Siper?"
Siper was unlikely. She had never even been here before.
That left only one possibility.
"Ponzu..."
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