Chapter 127: Ronin's Ambition
Shortly after Hisoka's departure, Miria arrived at the manor.
The match had been a goldmine for her financially, but she felt a nagging sense of stagnation. While her bank account was overflowing, her aura growth was slowing down. High-level Nen users were a cautious, paranoid breed. Unless they were desperate, few were willing to sign a contract to borrow energy from a stranger.
To many, her "Rental Demon" looked like a trap.
This was especially true for Transmuters, Conjurers, and Manipulators—archetypes naturally predisposed to suspicion and layered secrets. It was why Miria preferred dealing with the straightforward natures of Enhancers and Emitters.
"By the way," Miria said, handing Ronin a slip of paper. "You asked me to set up a meeting with Kastro. After he watched your match with Hisoka, he contacted me personally. He wants to see you."
The paper contained the address of a private martial arts dojo.
Ronin pocketed the note. He planned to visit Kastro before the team moved on to their next objective.
"Are you planning to stay here forever, just making money?" Ronin asked, looking at Miria with a serious expression.
Judging by the mechanics of her ability, Ronin knew Miria was ambitious.
But from his perspective, staying anchored to Heavens Arena was a bottleneck. While it provided wealth and connections, relying on the consent of random challengers to lend aura was an agonizingly slow way to increase her total capacity (POP).
"Are you inviting me to join your team?" Miria asked, catching the intent behind his words instantly.
She was technically their logistics coordinator, but she knew their relationship was currently a partnership of convenience. She wasn't part of his "inner circle."
"I am," Ronin admitted.
If he could help Miria rapidly increase her aura capacity, the amount she could lend him would increase proportionally.
Temporary Nen lending didn't raise a user's AOP (Actual Output Power/Burst Damage), but it massive boosted their POP (Potential Output Power/Total Fuel). For a standard Nen user, this meant more stamina.
But for Ronin, POP was the key to everything. His Ninjutsu wasn't restricted by the AOP bottleneck of the Nen system. The more POP he had to convert into Chakra, the more devastating his Jutsu became.
To Ronin, Miria was the ultimate "External Battery."
"But I have zero interest in your crusade," Miria said bluntly. She had her own life planned out. Revenge against the Phantom Troupe, reclaiming Scarlet Eyes, or rebuilding a lost clan—none of that was on her bucket list.
To her, joining Ronin meant becoming a satellite orbiting his goals. She'd be a support tool, not a player.
Ronin didn't push the issue. She was right. His team was a high-risk unit with goals that didn't align with her desire for stable, profitable growth.
Unless he could provide her with a constant stream of high-level Nen users who needed to borrow aura, he couldn't convince her to leave her base of operations.
After thinking it through, he realized that having Miria stay at Heavens Arena as their "Anchor" was actually the optimal configuration. She could manage their shadow empire and logistics from a position of safety and influence while they handled the fieldwork.
"Fair enough. My mistake," Ronin said, clearing his head.
Kurapika and Neon, watching from the side, looked frustrated. Neon, especially, had been rooting for them.
Ronin is such a meathead, but Miria is so cool and analytical! They're a perfect match! she thought.
Neon could sense that Ronin had ulterior motives for the invitation, and she hated to see him back down so easily. But she couldn't think of a logical argument to sway Miria.
Is there a prophecy for this? she wondered.
Kurapika remained silent. He wanted Miria on the team, but he knew this was Ronin's move to make. He caught the subtext in the prophecy poems; the timing for a permanent addition like Miria wasn't right yet.
The atmosphere grew slightly awkward. Ronin cleared his throat. "I'll probably hold off on my next Arena match for a while. We have work to do. But I'll be back before the three-month deadline hits."
"No problem," Miria said, acting as if she hadn't noticed the tension. She sat down next to him on the sofa.
The group began to dig into the pile of fried chicken and fries Shizuku had "provided," the grease and salt slowly dissolving the heavy mood.
Shizuku wasn't chatty, but when she did speak, her observations were surgically blunt—often stopping the conversation dead.
Ronin's mental note: Keep Shizuku away from PR. She is a 'silent, artsy type' for a reason.
Neon and Miria hit it off over fashion. They spent the next hour debating the merits of various jewelry brands and high-end designers. Miria was a true corporate socialite; even her combat-ready suits were name-brand.
Kurapika ignored the fashion talk, focusing instead on Ronin. They discussed the nuances of the Weighted Boulder training and the efficiency of the Yin Seal.
That evening, Ronin left the manor alone.
He arrived at the dojo and found Kastro training with a ferocity that bordered on desperation.
There were no complex introductions. They sparred immediately.
The fight ended quickly. Ronin stayed in his base form, using only melee combat and pure Enhancement to systematically dismantle Kastro's defenses.
Kastro lay on the floor of the training room, drenched in sweat and panting. He looked at Ronin with a mix of awe and confusion. "Why... why are you helping me?"
"I want to see what happens when you're on the right path," Ronin replied.
He had spent the spar demonstrating the Nen category chart to Kastro. He explained why an Enhancer trying to master complex Conjuration and Manipulation—the "Doppelganger" path—was a waste of talent.
"I want to see if a real Kastro can beat Hisoka in three years," Ronin said.
Kastro was as stubborn as Ronin. Once he gave his word or set a goal, he wouldn't waver. Ronin knew that as long as Hisoka lived, Kastro would seek a rematch.
Ronin didn't know if Kastro would win, but he wanted to see a fight worth watching.
Survival is up to him, Ronin thought as he walked out of the dojo. But at least he won't die because of a bad build.
☆☆☆
-> 30 Advanced chapters Now Available on Patreon!!
-> https://www.pat-reon.co-m/c/Inkshaper
(Just remove the hyphen (-) to access patreon normally)
If you like this novel please consider leaving a review that's help the story a lot Thank you