"We will proceed to free-sparring following our attack drills. Everyone, stay focused! Begin!"
Hmm. Out of nearly one thousand disciples at the dojo headquarters, barely twenty serve as instructors. And when it comes to assistant masters and above, there are only four... We are sorely lacking in manpower.
More than ten years have passed since Ryusho-sensei entrusted me with the position of dojo head. While our branches have multiplied and the student body has surged, our qualified teaching staff remains far too scarce. I should urgently request transfers from our branches, but finding individuals with the requisite caliber is another matter entirely...
Numbers without accompanying quality are meaningless—though perhaps complaining about such prosperity is a luxury in itself.
If I could dedicate myself solely to instruction, things might improve slightly, but with this many students, it would barely be a drop in the bucket. Besides, I cannot afford to neglect my own daily training. It would be ideal if I could devote all my time to personal refinement, yet reality rarely accommodates such wishes.
Sigh. If only there were someone capable of taking over the mantle of dojo head from me. But as a baseline requirement, they must possess martial and spiritual prowess exceeding my own.
In fact, I would accept nothing less. Under no circumstances will I permit anyone weaker than myself to succeed me—to succeed the legacy of Ryusho-sensei.
Ah, if only a day had forty-eight hours, I could accumulate so much more training... Time is simply never enough.
"Linna-sensei! The administrative office received an urgent telephone call for you. The party is holding the line and insisted it is of utmost urgency!"
"...An urgent call? That sounds rather alarming. Did they state their name?"
"Y-Yes, ma'am! They claim to be Chairman Netero of the Hunter Association..."
"—! I understand. I will attend to it immediately. Thank you for the notice; you may return to your training."
"Yes, ma'am!"
An urgent matter from that old ge—Chairman Netero? What on earth could he want?
"Hello. This is Linna speaking."
『Oho! Linna, my dear girl! Pardon the intrusion while you're busy. It is I, Netero!』
"If you truly believed I was busy, you would not have called in the first place."
『As acerbic as ever, I see. Truth be told, there are two matters I wish to inquire about, which prompted this call.』
"Matters to inquire about? And what might those be, you shitty ge—Chairman Netero?"
『Wait! You were about to call me a shitty geezer just now, weren't you?! Isn't that a bit harsh?!』
"You must be imagining things, Nete—Shitty Geezer Chairman."
『There was no need to correct yourself just to say it! Why did you go out of your way to correct it?!』
"My apologies, my tongue slipped."
『You did that entirely on purpose! No one slips their tongue like that!』
"We are making no progress. If you called merely to indulge in idle chatter, I am hanging up."
『Bah! Fine, fine! Enough banter!』
Teasing him this much should suffice. Prolonging this would only waste precious time.
"So, what were the matters you wished to ask?"
『Hmm. Before we proceed, it would be troublesome if this line were tapped. Would you mind switching over to the private line?』
The private line? He must be referring to the direct, encrypted frequency connected to Chairman Netero inside Sensei's private quarters. If he requires its use, the subject matter must be exceptionally grave.
"Understood. Please hold for a moment."
What could this possibly entail? A conversation grave enough to necessitate a secured line... Could it be regarding The Black Book...?
The Black Book. A manuscript penned by Sensei detailing the theoretical concepts of numerous Nen abilities and esoteric training regimens. Because Sensei had reread it countless times over the decades, the original title had long worn off from age and wear; thus, it came to be known as The Black Book after the color of its binding.
It was discovered while sorting through Sensei's personal effects following his passing. Much of the handwritten script had faded, and certain pages were damaged or torn, rendering parts of it undecipherable.
Within The Black Book were recorded concepts for Nen abilities far beyond what ordinary minds could fathom—an absolute treasure trove for any Nen user.
Consequently—it was stolen. It had been entrusted to a research facility for deciphering, only to vanish without a trace shortly thereafter. We commissioned the Hunter Association to conduct a comprehensive search, yet no favorable reports have surfaced to this day...
And now, a direct call from Chairman Netero via the private line. Could it be—
Unable to contain my surging anticipation, my pace quickens down the hallway.
"Thank you for waiting. We may speak freely now."
『Splendid. It has been quite some time since this line was last used. There is virtually no chance of eavesdropping here.』
"Now then, what is it you wished to ask?"
『...The first matter concerns the Penetration Palm.』
It is not about The Black Book...? No, perhaps that is the second matter. It is too early to be discouraged.
"What about the Penetration Palm? Ah, do you wish to experience its taste firsthand once again? Very well. While my strike is unrefined compared to Sensei's, I shall gladly deliver it with all my might."
『Are you trying to murder me?! I have no desire to ever suffer that wretched technique a second time!!』
"A second time? You have never once received a full-powered Penetration Palm. Had Sensei struck you with everything he had, you would be resting in a grave right now. It is, after all, one of the most lethal secret arts in Kazama-ryu."
Though given Chairman Netero's mastery, he might well have mitigated the internal shockwave by manipulating his internal aura reserves.
『...Indeed, its lethality is terrifying. Which is precisely why its practitioners must be strictly chosen. Am I correct?』
"Naturally. As I just stated, the Penetration Palm is a technique of extreme lethality, making it the deepest secret of Kazama-ryu. I am the sole disciple to whom Sensei passed it down. None of the other disciples are even aware of its existence."
『...Is it possible you taught it to one of your own students?』
"I have taught it to no one. If I ever transmit the Penetration Palm, it will be solely to my designated successor. Regrettably, no one of such caliber has appeared thus far."
『What about the original lineage of Kazama-ryu back in Japon? Might there be a practitioner there?』
"Equally impossible. The Penetration Palm was an original creation developed exclusively by Ryusho-sensei. I reiterate: at present, I am its only living practitioner... You have been dancing around the subject for some time now. What exactly are you trying to say?"
...Could it be that Chairman Netero's implication is—No, impossible. There cannot possibly be another practitioner of the Penetration Palm!
『Truth be told... just the other day, I fought someone who wielded the Penetration Palm.』
"Absurd!! That is utterly impossible...!! Was it truly the Penetration Palm?! Could you not have mistaken it for some other palm technique...?"
『Do you honestly believe I could mistake it? How many blows do you think I took from Ryusho over our lifetimes?』
That is true... Given Chairman Netero's discerning eye, it is inconceivable that he would misjudge it...!
『Had it ended there, one might write it off as a coincidental independent invention, but...』
"There was more?"
『...The user utilized the Willow Leaf Sway to slip effortlessly into my blind spot, and from there executed Kazama-ryu jujutsu upon me. Flawless, unmistakable Kazama-ryu. Caught off guard, I was sent soaring through the air.』
"I-Impossible... Even the Willow Leaf Sway? And to execute a throw upon an esteemed master of Shingen-ryu Kung Fu, no matter how caught off guard you were?"
『You never miss an opportunity to slip in a barbed comment, do you...?』
"Who on earth was this person?! Under what circumstances did you engage a practitioner of Kazama-ryu?!"
『Strictly speaking, it was not a genuine battle. During an intermission in the Hunter Exam, I played a small game with one of the applicants...』
Playing games during the Hunter Exam... How typical of Chairman Netero.
"So... this person is an exam applicant?"
『Indeed. Her name is Aisha. A youthful, black-haired beauty with quite the voluptuous figure!』
"Perhaps you should consider dropping dead, you lecherous old geezer."
『You've completely dropped the pretense of politeness now, haven't you?!』
"Forgive me. My true feelings slipped out unbidden. Please drop dead by way of apology."
『Why should I have to die for that?! Ahem! Regardless, let us set that aside. The crux of the matter is that this young girl, Aisha—』
"—utilized the deepest secret arts of Kazama-ryu... Wait a moment. You said 'girl'?"
『...According to her exam application, her recorded age is thirteen years old.』
"Th-Thirteen?! At such a tender age, to possess the Aiki and Penetration Palm capable of tossing you?! That is beyond preposterous! It cannot be! If that were true, it would mean Sensei's century-plus of accumulated refinement is equaled by a mere child's dozen years of life!"
I cannot accept such a thing—
『Calm yourself, Linna! ...I understand full well your inability to accept it. Having experienced it firsthand, my own feelings defy description. Yet the reality remains: the sharpness of young Aisha's technique, the quiet ferocity of her burning battle aura—it mirrored Ryusho in every conceivable way.』
"..."
If Chairman Netero says so, it must be the truth... This man was, after all, Sensei's sole rival and closest friend...
『...Do you recall that I mentioned having two inquiries?』
"Ah, yes. The initial revelation was so staggering that it completely slipped my mind. Though I still desire to hear more about that encounter."
『The second matter concerns The Black Book.』
"—! Have you located it?!"
『No, unfortunately not. We maintain the search, but no trace has surfaced...』
"Tch! What in heaven's name are you people doing?! You bring shame to the name of Pro Hunters!"
『My apologies. Ever since the rumor surfaced two years ago that it entered the black market, all leads went cold. We dispatched a Hunter immediately, but it had already changed hands through separate channels, obliterating the trail.』
"I am well aware of that report. As well as the fact that the dispatched Hunter was a Temp Hunter affiliated with that counterfeit Vice Chairman... Had that man not occupied the seat of Vice Chairman, I would have pummeled him to dust long ago."
『...Indeed, it was my blunder that the mission was quietly reassigned to a Temp Hunter midway through. I am truly sorry.』
"Enough of that. More importantly, retrieve it at the earliest possible moment. That book is a precious relic left behind by Sensei... Under normal circumstances, I would scour the world for it myself, but I lack both the time and the specialized tracking expertise..."
『I understand, I understand... But we stray from the topic. Linna, how much of The Black Book's contents do you remember?』
"I remember every decipherable word and line verbatim without a single error. It is the natural duty of his chief disciple."
『I-Is that so? That is splendid. I read through it myself back then, but I certainly didn't commit the entirety to memory.』
"And what of it?"
『You recall, don't you? There was a theoretical ability outlined within those pages—a Nen concept designed around rebirth into a new life.』
"Ah, you refer to [Reincarnation]. The Black Book recorded it as follows:"
[Reincarnation]
Nen Category: Specialization
Effect: An ability that allows the user to be reborn into a new life following physical death. The user retains their previous knowledge, experiences, and aura capacity.
Limitations (Conditions):Will not activate unless the user dies.The cause of death may be anything, but it will not activate upon suicide. Purposely allowing oneself to be killed by another is also classified as suicide.
"That was the entirety of [Reincarnation] that could be deciphered. Regrettably, the section detailing the Vows and Pledges was torn and missing, and other portions were fragmented, making it incomplete. If such an ability were genuinely feasible, one can only imagine how immense the requisite vows would have to be... Regardless of Specialization's boundless potential, it seemed practically impossible."
『...The reason I brought this up is because I saw Ryusho's unmistakable silhouette in young Aisha.』
"Are you truly serious...? You are suggesting that this girl named Aisha is Sensei's reincarnation...?!"
『I believe the possibility is far from negligible...』
"Nonsense! A reincarnation that preserves one's complete memories and abilities—even for Sensei, such a feat is... Furthermore, Sensei was a Manipulator. It should have been impossible for him to develop a Specialization ability."
『He might have acquired Specialization later in life.』
"Even granting that—"
『Tell me, Linna: do you know what Ryusho's Hatsu was?』
"—!"
The words catch in my throat. Indeed, I do not. I have never known what Sensei's Nen ability was.
"...No. Though I inquired countless times, he never once revealed it to me."
『Precisely. In all our battles over the decades, that man never utilized a single Hatsu against me. When questioned, he claimed he possessed no combat-oriented Hatsu.』
"No combat-oriented Hatsu... Meaning you suspect he possessed a non-combat Hatsu instead?"
『Indeed. It is inconceivable that a man so singularly devoted to strength would simply choose not to create a combat Hatsu. But what if it was not a matter of choice, but rather that he could not?』
"—! He lacked the aura memory capacity to forge a combat ability...?"
『Exactly. He had poured all his available capacity into an ability of immense magnitude.』
"And that ability was [Reincarnation]...!"
『To crown it all, consider Aisha's age. It has been nearly fourteen years since Ryusho passed away. And that girl is currently thirteen years old. Accounting for gestation and birth, the timeline aligns with frightening perfection... With this many coincidences converging, denying the possibility becomes far more difficult than accepting it.』
"...Could she truly be Ryusho-sensei reborn?"
『We cannot say for certain yet. However...』
"However?"
『I find it difficult to believe that anyone other than Ryusho could withstand my [100-Type Guanyin Bodhisattva]. Much less a thirteen-year-old child.』
—Pardon? What did this doddering old fool just utter?
"Withstand... your [100-Type Guanyin Bodhisattva]?"
『...Ah? D-Did I not mention that earlier?』
"This is the first I am hearing of it! What on earth were you thinking?! What sort of lunatic unleashes the [100-Type Guanyin Bodhisattva] upon a thirteen-year-old girl?! Were you trying to slaughter her?!"
『N-Now hold on! She struck me with a Penetration Palm at a moment when I was completely unable to evade... A-And besides, she emerged virtually unscathed, so all is well!』
"Being unscathed does not excuse—! ...Unscathed?"
『Y-Yes. Well, she suffered minor superficial scratches, and I cannot speak for internal bruising, but after taking the blow, she bounded off with complete vigor...』
"T-To withstand the [100-Type Guanyin Bodhisattva]... It truly is difficult to imagine anyone other than Ryusho-sensei."
Sensei, reborn? —If that is so, then why—
"—Why has Sensei told us nothing?"
『...We have no definitive proof that Ryusho actually reincarnated. And even if he did, there is no guarantee he retains his past consciousness and memories. In our brief exchange, she behaved like an ordinary, albeit precocious, young girl. I doubt that old martial maniac could pull off such an act.』
"...I understand. In that case, I shall meet her in person and discern the truth for myself. Where is the current Hunter Exam venue?"
『Whoa, hold your horses! You cannot simply barge in! The applicants have only just entered the Third Phase. If you confront her now, you risk ruining her Hunter Exam entirely. Wait until just before the Final Phase; there will be ample time then. Please, be patient until then.』
"Tch... Very well. When the time comes, you must notify me immediately. If you fail to do so, I will ensure you regret it."
『Understood, understood. No need to threaten an old man. I will factor in your travel time when contacting you.』
"Frankly, you should simply award Aisha-san a passing grade right now. With your authority, it would be effortless, and her capabilities are more than sufficient."
『I-I cannot possibly make such an exception!』
"Why are you so flustered?"
『N-Nothing at all! Well, our business is concluded, so I am terminating the connection. Farewell for now~』
Click—
Hanging up unilaterally... How thoroughly ill-mannered.
Still... if Ryusho-sensei has truly returned to this world...
Though her form may differ, to meet Sensei once more? To receive his personal guidance and sparring once again?!
Ah, what a wondrous thought! That settles it! I shall have Sensei take back the position of dojo head! It was his dojo to begin with, so there is no issue whatsoever. And then, I can bask in Sensei's direct teachings once more... Haaah...
N-No, I must not get ahead of myself. There remains a strong possibility that this girl named Aisha is not Sensei's reincarnation.
Yet even if that proves true, would it not be splendid to adopt her as my personal disciple and train her to succeed the dojo?
From what I have heard, her martial prowess is extraordinary, and she is already a practitioner of Kazama-ryu. Her background remains unknown, but provided there are no complications, it would be an ideal solution.
And should there be flaws in her character or temperament, I need only reform her rigorously, just as I did with Tonpa-san... Though perhaps that particular reformation was somewhat of a failure.
Her age might present a slight hurdle, but that is merely a matter of time. And once she assumes leadership, I shall have all the time in the world to dedicate to my own training...
Ah! I want to meet Aisha-san as soon as possible! How many years has it been since my heart pounded with such exhilarating anticipation?
Fufufu... It seems sleepless nights are in store for me.