It's already been over twenty years since I came to this world.
I'm now approaching forty…
I've spent every day solely devoted to training, without ever experiencing what people call the "springtime of youth." Yet, I don't see this as misfortune. In fact, I consider it happiness. I'm doing what I truly want to do—how could that be unfortunate?
It's not that I've completely lost the desire to return home, but right now, training is more important. Besides, this world is far more suitable for my training.
However, there was a miscalculation.
I never thought that [Original Knowledge / Orishunotokuten] would stop working.
It happened when I wanted to reread the original Hunter × Hunter as a reference for my Nen training, just to double-check things. No matter how many times I tried to activate it, [Original Knowledge / Orishunotokuten] wouldn't respond.
This ability doesn't have usage limits like [Absolute Obedience / Geass], and I haven't broken its vow. I pondered why for a while, and then it hit me:
Both [Original Knowledge / Orishunotokuten] and [Absolute Obedience / Geass] are abilities that operate by controlling myself. Right now, I'm under the influence of [Absolute Obedience / Geass]. And when it comes to manipulation abilities, the first one to take effect has priority…
And [Absolute Obedience / Geass] won't wear off unless my heart stops or someone performs Exorcism on me…
A dead skill is now complete. Rest in peace, my memory…
I was… pretty depressed, to be honest.
But that wasn't the only miscalculation. My basic physical growth plateaued very quickly.
Gon and the others were able to move doors weighing several tons within a month, but me? No matter how much I train, my limit is lifting a 200 kg barbell at best.
Impressive by my old world's standards, sure.
After arriving here, my muscle growth was rapid, but it seems my cap is still based on the standards of my original world. Thinking about it, that makes sense—this body wasn't originally from this world. I should be grateful I can even learn Nen at all.
But even my Nen training has hit a wall.
I've mastered the basics and applications. My Ken duration has improved dramatically since the beginning, and it still increases bit by bit.
The problem is specialized training by category.
From the original series, I only know Enhancement Level 1, Emission Levels 1 and 5, and Transformation Level 1.
Ideally, category-specific training should create a pyramid shape centered on your main type (except for Specialists).
In my case, that means a rotation like Manipulation → Emission → Manipulation → Conjuration → Manipulation, one type per day.
…But how exactly do I train Manipulation and Conjuration?
Even for the other types, the highest known training level is 5.
For Manipulation, Biscuit mentioned training to control your internal aura, so maybe that counts, but I don't know the proper method—so I had to make my own.
So I devised my own approach for Manipulation training.
The hint came from Transformation training. Transformation Level 1 is Shape Change: forming your aura into the numbers 0–9 within one minute (final goal: under five seconds).
That's shape transformation, not property transformation. Changing its properties would already be a Nen ability (e.g., Bungee Gum turning aura into rubber and gum).
So for Manipulation, I figured the training should be moving the aura itself.
If I manipulate objects, animals, or people, that already becomes an actual ability.
Thus, I started concentrating aura into a part of my body, then moving it around internally as my training method.
And no, this isn't Ryu. That's a Ken application for focusing aura in attacks or defense. This is actually manipulating and moving aura around.
Based on this, I created my own training rotation:
Manip → Emission → Manip → Enhancement → Manip → Emission → Manip → Transformation.
As for Conjuration… I gave up.
I just couldn't think of a training method. Am I supposed to make aura visible to normal people? Someone tell me.
Honestly, I feel like Manipulation is a bad bargain. Both offensively and defensively, it's weaker than the other types. Enhancement is obvious. Transformation and Emission are right next to Enhancement.
Conjuration has similar multipliers to Manipulation on the chart, but by adding special effects to conjured objects, it can still achieve strong combat power. Specialists… aren't even worth comparing.
Meanwhile, Manipulation… well, I'm already manipulating myself. Sure, I could manipulate other things, but it feels like a waste of memory space.
If my Manipulation is Level 10, Enhancement would cap at 60%—so Level 6. And accuracy scales the same way, so Level 6 at 60% efficiency makes my effective Enhancement only 3.6—barely mid-level.
In a straight brawl, I'd lose to a true Level 4 Enhancer.
Of course, that doesn't mean I'd definitely lose to a Level 4 Enhancer. If my Manipulation was Level 20, Enhancement could reach Level 12. Plus, factors like physical skill, Nen technique, total and output aura, and ability compatibility all affect combat.
I understand that… but it's still frustrating.
In short, my Nen training beyond the basics has stalled. My physical growth has also peaked.
So what now? The answer is obvious.
If I lack strength, I'll refine my technique.
◆
After agonizing over my physical and martial limits, I finally came to… gratitude.
…Just kidding.
I haven't even hit my martial arts limit—because I've never studied martial arts in my life!
My days were solely spent training my body and aura… fun, but still.
Right now, I'm in Jappon, a country modeled after my homeland, Japan.
I quit my job. Everyone was reluctant to see me go, and I felt a bit lonely too, but training was too alluring.
They even gave me parting gifts, which was nice.
I had already saved plenty, but more is always better.
Naturally, I came here by ship.
No way I'd swim across the ocean just for training—I'd die for sure.
I came to this country thinking I might find my ideal martial art—something like Jujutsu, Judo, or Aikido, the arts of yielding.
At first, I thought of joining Shingen-ryu Kenpo, but that seemed like a hard-style martial art.
My physical capabilities are much lower than native people in this world—so low that a well-trained 12-year-old could beat me.
Which means hard styles won't benefit me much.
Soft martial arts, on the other hand, don't require raw strength. If you master the principles, strength is unnecessary. Even the Sea Emperor said so.
My goal: become like Shibukawa… or the Sea Emperor!
And so began my Martial Arts Pilgrimage across Jappon. But first, one important observation:
Rice is delicious!!!
◆
Two years later, after touring Jappon, I finally found the dojo I'd been searching for.
"Kazama-ryu Aikido Dojo"!
I had visited many dojos, but most were underwhelming. I'm sure their techniques were far above mine, but none could defeat me when I used Nen.
It's only natural—non-Nen users can't beat Nen users. But I was looking for the ultimate softness. If they lose to a Nen-wielding amateur like me, they're not it.
Some dojos had Nen users, but the results were the same. Apparently, my aura pool has grown considerably, and none of them surpassed my mastery of the basics.
The first time I faced a Nen user, I was nervous… But the moment I saw his Ren, all tension vanished.
So weak lol.
I hadn't realized before because I had no one to compare with, but 18 years of daily foundational training had paid off. Long live training! Of course, I trained throughout my travels too.
I was nearly ready to give up and join Shingen-ryu, but then I discovered Kazama-ryu Aikido Dojo.
About ten students, and a master who seemed to be over sixty. He wasn't even using Ten, nor did he react to my Ren at all.
I thought this dojo was another dud… but I still requested a match.
And there, I met the real deal.
No matter how many times I attacked, I always ended up on the floor before I knew it. Even with Ken, my brain was rattled so much I could barely stand.
My strength… meant nothing!
Next thing I knew, I was lying in the corner of the dojo. Apparently, I had been knocked out. Training continued around me as if nothing happened.
The master's art was truly the pinnacle of stillness. I couldn't even begin to guess how far he had reached.
This is it! This is the martial artist I've been seeking! I want to learn under him!
I might be ridiculed for instantly switching from dojo challenger to groveling applicant, but I don't care. I'll beg as many times as it takes until I'm accepted!
I immediately rushed to the master's side and bowed deeply.
And with all my soul, I shouted:
"Please take me as your disciple!!!"
"Sure. No entrance fee. The monthly fee is 5,000 yen."
…So anticlimactic.
I was accepted way too easily.