Chapter 7: Hisoka Takes Action
The circus was on vacation, preparing for the upcoming Grand Glam Spectacle in just a few days.
All the members were allowed to rest and explore the city. After all, they had been performing nonstop since arriving in Glam Garance… By then, the circus had become quite famous and successful otherwise, they wouldn't have been invited to the Grand Glam Show in the first place.
The members went out in small groups to have fun.
As for Hisoka and Haze, naturally, they stayed behind.
Hisoka had originally wanted to go out with Haze, but he was ruthlessly rejected.
"Just looking at your face ruins my mood,"
said Haze.
Hisoka even pretended to look hurt.
Meanwhile, out on the streets, Hazefollowed Abaki silently with his hands in his pockets. The girl didn't notice Hazehad hidden his presence using Zetsu.
He hadn't mastered the technique yet, but he could at least suppress his aura following its basic principles.
For someone like Abaki, that was more than enough to stay unnoticed.
"It should be today…"
murmured Hazeto himself.
Abaki was the only one the captain had ordered to restock supplies that day.
From what Hazeremembered, she would run into Moritonio, disguised and ready to kill, at dusk. A fight would break out and then Hisoka would appear, injuring the captain's eye in battle.
As an observer, Hazewas eager to witness this moment.
It fascinated him…
and would reveal how deep Hisoka's training had truly gone.
Although they lived under the same roof, Hazecould tell Hisoka deliberately concealed his full strength when fighting him.
They had both become Nen users only recently, and while Haze's Nen aura far surpassed Hisoka's and his understanding of Nen was much more profound that didn't necessarily make him stronger.
In real combat, victory depended on instinct on something called the "battle sense."
"Moritonio…"
At that thought, Hazesmirked.
Although the old man had been teaching both him and Hisoka Nen, it was clear that Moritonio had only shown them the surface never revealing the essence or the key principles of its use.
It wasn't fear of them growing stronger.
It was caution.
Had Haze's knowledge of Nen not surpassed Moritonio's, he might have shared Abaki's gratitude toward their captain.
After all, it was the captain who opened the door of Nen to them…
But it was obvious Moritonio hadn't realized the true potential hidden in him and Hisoka.
He had likely assumed they would end up just like Abaki.
If he had the chance to choose again, Hazedoubted the captain would have helped him.
This was evident from the way Moritonio treated them ever since they'd awakened their Nen.
Before, the old man had sincerely admired Hisoka and taken good care of Hazebut afterward, his attitude became distant and hollow.
Meanwhile, he still treated Abaki the same as always.
Why?
Hazedidn't understand.
Perhaps it was jealousy… or resentment.
Like a mediocre student harboring hatred for a gifted peer.
Hisoka's mere presence made the old man feel even more inadequate.
Hazefollowed Abaki through several markets and department stores as she wandered around shopping. She was somewhat reserved, yet when she thought no one was watching, her youthful side showed through.
She loved animals and often stopped to admire pretty scenes.
Before Haze, night had fallen.
"It's already dark… There's nothing else on the list, right?"
Muttering to herself, Abaki, carrying shopping bags, descended from an overpass into a narrow alley.
"Let's head back…"
Suddenly, she heard a faint crack in the darkness.
"Huh?"
Abaki turned toward the sound, frowning
Then
"Wah!"
A series of wet, indescribable noises followed.
Abaki rushed forward and peeked around the corner her expression froze.
A tall man in a trench coat with slicked-back hair was torturing someone.
The victim was slumped against a wall, their torso crushed inward, blood splattered everywhere. Yet they were somehow still breathing.
"H-help… me…"
the victim wheezed faintly.
Crushing someone to death?
Could this be… the serial killer John Doe?
Abaki's pupils shrank. She dropped her shopping bags and focused her Nen into her whip, the one she always carried for circus acts.
"Stop right there!"
She lashed out the whip stretched through the air like a steel cable, slicing toward her target.
But John casually sidestepped, dodging the blow.
Boom!
The whip struck the wall, leaving a gaping crack.
Before Abaki could retrieve it, she realized John had grabbed her weapon.
His strength was overwhelming.
"That's… Nen."
"He's a Nen user too!"
For an instant, Abaki froze in shock.
Her combat experience was nowhere near his.
In that brief hesitation, John closed the distance and drove his knee into her abdomen.
"Guh!"
Abaki coughed up blood and collapsed, unable to move.
Just one strike and she was completely defeated.
"It's over…"
Her mind went blank as John crouched, reaching for her.
Then
A blur shot in from behind him.
A sharp object sliced through the air, cutting his left eye open.
If he hadn't reacted instantly, half his head might have been severed.
John staggered back in pain, clutching his face.
And in the next moment, Hisoka landed lightly in front of him, crouched, holding a blood-stained playing card between his fingers.
He tilted his head, smiling eerily.
"Taking a stroll? You look like you're having… fun."
John said nothing.
A second later, Hisoka lunged forward, attacking with his card.
Sensing the young man's killing intent, John stepped back rapidly, dodging and then, without a word, leapt into a nearby alley and escaped into the night.
"Hisoka!"
Abaki called, struggling to stand.
Hisoka didn't chase. He stared down at the ace of spades in his hand, lost in thought.
"He got away… that bastard."
"But his eye's gone. They'll catch him soon enough… Hisoka, thank you."
"Hisoka?"
Seeing his dazed look, she shouted,
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing… it's just… when I hit him, it didn't feel real."
Hisoka smiled faintly.
"Let's go."
"Alright."
They gathered their things and left.
But before they disappeared, Hisoka glanced toward a shadowy corner.
"Tsk… so we had a spectator."
From that darkness, Hazeemerged after they were gone.
He could still feel the chill from Hisoka's earlier gaze.
"Could it be… this guy noticed me even while using Zetsu?"
The Hazeer Hazespent around Hisoka, the more terrifying the man seemed.
He had used intuition and perception to sense a hidden observer something no beginner should be capable of.
Unless… he had already grasped the concept behind Zetsu itself.
"That instant strike… his timing and precision were flawless. This Hisoka isn't fully mature yet, but with more experience…"
"As for Moritonio his level's… average at best."
The fact that Moritonio hadn't noticed Hisoka's attack said it all.
The difference between them was clear.
With that thought, Hazequietly left the scene.
Back at the residence, the troupe had already gathered in the lounge, discussing Abaki's narrow escape.
Moritonio sat on the couch, giving calm instructions. His expression revealed nothing.
Hazesimply nodded in greeting and returned to his room.
Opening the door, he found the room full of steam. The bathroom door was open Hisoka lay in the bathtub, half-submerged, lazily blowing bubbles.
"Care to join me?"
Seeing Hazeat the door, Hisoka grinned.
Hazestared at him coldly, heart pounding but his expression didn't change.
Because the water in the tub… didn't look normal.
It was thick viscous like jelly.
When Hisoka raised a hand, the liquid clung to his skin like glue.
"In such a short time, your control and understanding of Nen have already reached this level?"
"I figured it out myself…"
Though Hazedespised him, he had to admit Hisoka was inhuman.
"Next time you bathe, close the door. I don't want to hurt my eyes."
"Hehehe…"
Hisoka's Nen shifted, and the strange jelly-like water turned back into normal liquid, splashing softly.
"You were there too, weren't you?"
Hisoka said suddenly, smirking.
"We've lived together Haze enough I know your aura."
Hazefroze.
His Zetsu wasn't yet perfect. Even the faintest leak of aura… was enough for Hisoka to sense.
His awareness was terrifying.
"So did you enjoy my little performance?"
Bang!
The only answer was the sound of Hazeslamming the door shut.
(End of Chapter)