A/N: Don't forget to check out my original novel: Can I Magic Please. It's like really good. 😉
ANYWHOOO. ENJOY THE CHAPTER
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For one long second after the match ended
Nobody moved.
Nobody spoke.
Smoke still drifted from the shattered wall where Gido had disappeared.
The arena itself looked wounded.
Cracked.
Broken.
Scorched by force.
And standing calmly at the center of it all was Yuzuki.
One hand in his pocket.
Expression relaxed.
Like he had done nothing remarkable.
Then suddenly
The stadium exploded.
"THAT WAS INSANE!"
"ONE HIT?!"
"DID YOU SEE THAT?!"
"WHAT EVEN WAS THAT ATTACK?!"
"YUZUKI! YUZUKI! YUZUKI!"
The entire crowd erupted into deafening cheers.
People stood from their seats screaming wildly.
Some looked terrified.
Others looked exhilarated.
Many simply could not believe what they had witnessed.
The announcer herself nearly lost composure.
"UNBELIEVABLE!"
"THE NEWCOMER HAS DOMINATED HIS FIRST MATCH ON THE 200TH FLOOR!"
"WHAT AN OVERWHELMING VICTORY!"
High in the stands
Hisoka smiled beautifully.
Almost lovingly.
LICK.
"Weaklings like that… ♠"
"…will never satisfy him ♥"
His gaze remained glued to Yuzuki below.
"That boy needs someone stronger ♣"
"Someone like me ♥"
Beside him, Machi's eyes narrowed immediately.
"Keep your hands off him."
Hisoka tilted his head innocently.
"How scary ♠"
Machi's expression did not change.
"You're looking at him the same way you look at all your toys."
Hisoka chuckled softly.
"…But he's not a toy ♥"
"He's art ♣"
Machi visibly looked more uncomfortable after hearing that.
Elsewhere
Zushi was practically vibrating in his seat.
"DID YOU SEE THAT?!"
"He blew him away in one hit!"
"That attack was amazing!"
Wing smiled faintly.
"Yes."
"It was."
But internally—
Wing was deeply unsettled.
Because the aura compression behind that technique had been absurd.
Far beyond what a thirteen-year-old should possess.
Even more concerning—
Yuzuki's control over it was extraordinary.
'That level of Nen mastery…'
Wing adjusted his glasses slowly.
'Could I even beat him?'
The thought surprised even himself.
Meanwhile Bisky grinned proudly with her arms crossed.
"That brat's going to challenge a Floor Master soon if he keeps this up."
Zushi's eyes widened.
"A Floor Master?!"
Bisky nodded.
"He's progressing too quickly."
Then she smirked.
"Though he still has terrible habits."
Wing sighed softly.
"That much is true."
Meanwhile several rows lower—
Kastro remained seated silently.
Watching Yuzuki carefully.
'So he really does know Nen.'
Not only that.
He was proficient.
Dangerously proficient.
Kastro frowned thoughtfully.
'That attack…'
'And his aura control…'
'He's talented.'
Then another thought crossed his mind.
'Should I ask him for advice?'
Normally Kastro would never consider asking a child for guidance.
But Yuzuki was clearly abnormal.
And Kastro understood something many fighters did not:
Strength recognized strength.
Finally he stood from his seat.
And headed toward the backstage corridors.
Elsewhere—
Inside another viewing area.
Sadaso and Riehlvelt looked absolutely horrified.
Neither man spoke for several seconds.
Because their brains were still processing what had happened to Gido.
One attack.
ONE.
That was all it took.
Riehlvelt swallowed nervously.
"…We should leave."
Sadaso nodded immediately.
"Yes."
"Immediately."
"No revenge."
"No baptism."
"No anything."
"That kid's a monster."
The two stood up instantly.
And very quickly headed backstage.
Only to freeze the moment they arrived.
Because someone was already waiting there.
Yuzuki.
Leaning casually against the wall.
Smiling brightly.
"…Yo."
The two nearly jumped.
Yuzuki waved cheerfully.
"Seniors."
His smile looked innocent.
Friendly even.
"Who wants to fight me next?"
The way he said it—
Like an excited child asking to play a game.
—made it infinitely scarier.
Riehlvelt forced a laugh.
"Haha… well…"
"You're still inexperienced."
"Yes!" Sadaso added quickly.
"You need more seasoning first."
"More growth."
"We wouldn't want to crush your potential too early."
The two nodded rapidly.
Trying desperately to appear calm.
Trying desperately not to show fear.
But Yuzuki's smile slowly faded.
The hallway temperature suddenly felt colder.
His gaze sharpened.
Dangerously.
"…It's fine."
The pressure in the corridor shifted instantly.
Both men stiffened.
Because for a brief second—
They felt something monstrous beneath Yuzuki's calm demeanor.
Yuzuki tilted his head slightly.
"I want to fight you anyway."
Silence.
Sadaso's back became drenched in sweat.
Riehlvelt nearly cursed internally.
'This kid is terrifying.'
Neither wanted that fight anymore.
Not even remotely.
But under that pressure—
Refusing felt impossible.
"…S-Sure."
"Yeah."
"We'll fight."
The pressure vanished instantly.
Yuzuki smiled brightly again.
"Great."
Satisfied, he turned to leave.
Only to stop.
Because someone stood in front of him now.
Tall.
Muscular.
Calm.
Kastro.
The man smiled politely.
"Good match."
Yuzuki looked up slightly.
Kastro extended a hand.
"My name is Kastro."
"I'd like to talk with you for a moment."
The hallway backstage was quiet now.
Far quieter than the roaring stadium outside.
Only distant echoes of the audience remained.
Yuzuki stared at the tall man before him for a moment.
Then immediately recognized him.
'Kastro.'
Of course he knew who he was.
One of the more tragic fighters in Hunter x Hunter.
Talented.
Hardworking.
Strong.
Yet ultimately doomed because he walked down the wrong path with Nen.
A Manipulation-Conjuration ability despite naturally leaning toward Enhancement.
All because of obsession.
All because of pride.
And in the end
Killed by Hisoka.
Yuzuki inwardly sighed.
'Such a waste of potential.'
Outwardly though, he simply returned the greeting calmly.
He shook Kastro's hand.
"Yuzuki."
Kastro smiled faintly.
"I know."
His eyes carried genuine respect.
"Your climb through the tower has been incredible."
"Five days to the 200th Floor…"
"…That's absurd."
Yuzuki shrugged lightly.
"Thanks."
Then he tilted his head slightly.
"So what did you want with me?"
Kastro hesitated briefly.
Then answered honestly.
"…Nen."
Yuzuki blinked once.
Kastro continued.
"You're extremely proficient with it."
"I can tell."
"I'm still learning Nen myself."
His expression remained calm.
Simply sincere.
"I wanted advice."
Then he added quickly.
"But I don't expect you to simply hand it over for free."
Yuzuki listened quietly.
Kastro crossed his arms slightly before speaking again.
"So let's make it simple."
"We fight."
"If I win…"
"You help me with what I want."
"And if I lose…"
"…I'll do whatever you want."
Silence.
Yuzuki stared at him for a moment.
Then internally thought:
'There was absolutely no need for all that.'
If Kastro genuinely wanted help understanding Nen…
Yuzuki honestly would have helped him anyway.
Because unlike many Nen users
Kastro actually had tremendous potential.
He simply lacked proper guidance.
And if developed correctly?
He could become incredibly dangerous.
Yuzuki's eyes narrowed thoughtfully behind his sunglasses.
'Besides…'
'Someone this strong could become useful in the future.'
Not disposable useful.
Reliable useful.
The kind of ally worth investing in.
Finally Yuzuki nodded.
"…Fine."
"Deal."
Kastro visibly brightened slightly.
"Great."
Then he said calmly,
"We can fight tomorrow if you want."
But Yuzuki shook his head.
"There are still two fights I need to finish first."
Immediately Kastro understood.
The other two fools.
Riehlvelt and Sadaso.
"…I see."
"That's fine."
He stepped aside.
"Tell me when you're ready."
Then with one final nod—
Kastro turned and walked away down the corridor.
Yuzuki watched him leave quietly.
'Honestly…'
'He's surprisingly normal.'
Compared to the psychopaths currently surrounding his life, Kastro almost felt refreshing.
Meanwhile
Elsewhere.
Far away from Heavens Arena.
Inside a dimly lit room.
A phone rested against someone's ear.
Chrollo Lucilfer sat calmly on a couch while listening quietly.
Across from him, Machi Komacine continued her report.
"…He's gotten stronger."
"Far stronger than before."
"His combat instincts are abnormal."
"And his Nen output…"
Even Machi paused slightly there.
"…It's dangerous."
Chrollo smiled faintly.
"I can't believe that child has grown this much already."
There was genuine intrigue in his voice.
Careful interest.
Then Chrollo glanced sideways.
Toward a girl sitting nearby flipping through a magazine absentmindedly.
Shizuku Murasaki looked up lazily.
Chrollo asked calmly,
"Shizuku."
"Would you like to go see Yuzuki?"
The moment she heard that name—
Her eyes brightened slightly.
"…Yes."
Simple.
Across the room, Pakunoda smiled softly.
"I'd like to meet this Yuzuki too."
From nearby, Shalnark raised a hand casually.
"Same here."
Chrollo chuckled quietly.
"Well then."
"It seems we have plans."