Chapter 6: Training Begins
Seeing Hazecontrol his Nen, both Abaki and Neo finally relaxed.
They stayed where they were, quietly watching.
"So this is… Nen."
After a while, Hazeopened his eyes and stood up slowly.
He stretched out his hands, watching the faint light flow aHaze his skin, and a wide smile broke across his face.
It was pure joy genuine excitement and wonder.
His ability to control Nen so quickly came partly from having already seen others forcibly open their aura nodes and understanding the process especially through his memories of the Chimera Ant arc, when those creatures first discovered Nen.
He also mimicked the experiences of Gon and Killua when they first awakened their aura.
As the saying goes: "Even if you've never eaten pork, you've seen pigs run."
Someone else had already stumbled through the danger; all he had to do was follow the path.
Still, Hazehadn't expected it to go so smoothly his heart had been pounding when his aura first burst forth.
"Congratulations."
Moritonio's voice pulled him back to reality.
Though the captain wore glasses, Hazecould see the complicated emotion in his eyes.
"Controlling your own Nen is only the first step," Moritonio continued. "Now comes training the fundamentals. What I mentioned before Ten and Ren are just the beginning."
The old man began to instruct Hisoka and Hazeon the foundations of Nen cultivation.
Hazealready knew most of it, but he didn't want to seem suspicious in front of Hisoka, so he listened attentively while secretly opening his system panel.
He noticed some new changes.
His training plan had updated, showing that his attributes had slightly increased. His overall rank had risen from Basic Nen User to Apprentice.
Since Hazeneeded to strengthen his body, the system generated a new training program based on his memories. It combined traditional martial arts and conditioning methods similar to the programs used by Wing, Biscuit, and others then optimized them with Haze's understanding of the Hunter × Hunter world.
"This is…"
He narrowed his eyes. The plan's details were dense full of techniques for refining aura flow and physical reinforcement.
It truly was the optimal path.
Meanwhile, Moritonio's voice carried across the room:
"Among the basic skills, Emission the ability to release aura is one of the most important. Nen can be divided into six major categories: Enhancement, Transformation, Conjuration, Emission, Manipulation, and Specialization. Each person's ability type is closely linked to their personality and disposition."
"The most common way to determine one's type is through the Water Divination test."
The captain took out a glass of water he had prepared earlier and handed it to the boys.
"Try it just as I showed you."
Hisoka went first. He released a steady flow of Nen into the glass. The surface rippled slightly but didn't change much.
Moritonio dipped a finger into the water and tasted it.
"Hmm… the flavor changed. Hisoka is a Transmuter."
"Haze, your turn."
"Alright."
Hazestepped forward and took the glass from Hisoka.
"I'd say Hazeis an Enhancer," Abaki said confidently.
Given his strong, athletic build and solid frame, it seemed logical.
But as the water rippled, something strange happened its volume didn't increase. Instead, a crystalline substance formed at the surface.
"Ah!"
Abaki gasped. She had been wrong.
Hazewas a Conjurer.
"Conjuration type…" Hazeraised an eyebrow.
He had assumed he'd be an Enhancer; after all, Enhancers had the strongest direct combat abilities.
Still, deep down, he'd always preferred Specialization a category with higher potential and limitless ceiling.
But Conjuration… wasn't bad either.
He recalled notable Conjurers like Shizuku and Kite individuals with depth and creativity.
"Enhancers are simple-minded and stubborn," Hazemused. "Yeah… that doesn't really fit me."
Feeling satisfied, he accepted the result.
The captain then continued explaining Telepathy and Aura Control fundamentals. Their lesson went Haze into the night.
When it finally ended, Hisoka and Hazeleft the hall together.
Moritonio watched their backs disappear into the dark corridor when a familiar figure caught his eye.
Ging Freecss.
As a veteran Nen user himself, Moritonio instantly recognized the kind of prodigies those two boys were.
Among Nen users, there were classes and levels but these two didn't beHaze to the ordinary.
Some people were simply born under the blessing of the divine.
Even though they shared the same world, they were creatures of a different order.
A gap that no amount of effort or devotion could bridge.
"Get some rest…"
Neo turned to Abaki beside him. For the first time, he felt a trace of pity for her.
The girl hadn't yet realized that from this moment onward, her path and theirs had completely diverged.
Later that night, back in the dorm hallway
"Hey…" Hisoka grinned, his tone playful. "You couldn't see Nen before your aura nodes were opened, could you?"
He had seen through Haze's act.
Hazeshoved his hands into his pockets and didn't answer.
"And you didn't seem interested in Moritonio's explanations, either," Hisoka continued, flicking his cards one by one. "So… your knowledge of Nen surpasses his, doesn't it? That story about meeting a Nen user before was that a lie?"
"Tsk."
Hazefrowned. "Hisoka…"
"Hm?"
"You're getting more annoying every day."
"Hehehe…"
Hisoka chuckled behind his fan of cards.
Time passed.
Since awakening his Nen, Haze's schedule had become even more intense.
Besides his physical training, he now cultivated Nen every day.
Dissatisfied with his current attributes and eager to master martial arts he worked tirelessly, almost without rest.
Nen energy was only the foundation; the true power came from mastering its application controlling it, shaping it, and infusing it into various skills and techniques.
Thanks to his theoretical knowledge and structured regimen, Haze's progress was remarkable.
But next to him stood someone even more extraordinary.
Unlike Haze, who trained every waking moment, Hisoka was utterly relaxed and yet, within just one week, he mastered Ren.
An achievement so astonishing it left everyone speechless.
Even Abaki, who had needed over a year to reach that stage, was stunned.
Moritonio, Neo, and Hazeall three were forced to admit it:
Hisoka's talent was simply inhuman.
Still, Hazemanaged to master Ren within two weeks an impressive feat in its own right.
Yet, compared to Hisoka, his efforts seemed to fade in the shadow of brilliance.
Hazeknew his advantage lay elsewhere: his systematic discipline and intellectual understanding of Nen theory.
That was his edge the edge of someone who refused to fall behind.
One afternoon, a soft breeze swept across the rooftop.
Haze, Hisoka, and Abaki sat side by side, enjoying the wind.
"The captain's tried to teach Nen to the troupe before," Abaki said quietly, "but so far, only I've succeeded."
"The captain… wanted to be a Hunter once," she continued.
"A Hunter?" Hisoka tilted his head.
"Yeah. They're people who seek treasures, secrets… things worth chasing."
"He even took the Hunter Exam once," Abaki said with a nostalgic smile. "But that year, only one person passed."
"He told me he felt hopeless seeing someone with incredible talent breeze through that impossible test."
She gazed at the horizon.
"I think that's why he teaches us Nen. He wants to nurture people strong enough to stand beside that man someday. To keep chasing his own dream through us."
"My dream," she added softly, "is to help the captain realize his."
"Someday, I'll leave the troupe and take the Hunter Exam myself."
"Oh?" Hisoka smirked. "And what do you plan to hunt?"
"Hunt…? Well… I haven't really decided yet."
"So your purpose isn't clear, huh~?" Hisoka teased.
"There are people who travel the world, relic hunters, gourmet Hunters who taste every rare food… I just "
She faltered under Hisoka's smirk.
"Easy, easy," he said, tossing her a piece of gum. "Here, relax. Have some."
He threw another toward Haze, who caught it silently and pocketed it.
"Leaving already?" Hisoka asked lightly as Hazeturned away.
Hazedidn't reply.
"You really do work too hard…" Hisoka murmured with a grin.
(End of Chapter 6)