"Shu!" Loki announced.
Gon and Killua exchanged a look. "Shu?"
Loki nodded. "Shu is an advanced Ten technique. Normally, you wrap aura around yourself, but applying this technique to an object significantly enhances its offensive or defensive capabilities."
Loki picked up a vase, plucked a leaf, and casually tossed it at the wall.
Whoosh!
The leaf pierced the wall.
"With Nen infused, even something as fragile as a leaf can be lethal. This is Shu (周), an advanced application of Ten!" Loki explained. "Imagine the object as an extension of your body and try using Ten on it."
Gon and Killua picked up the pieces of paper Loki provided and practiced the Shu technique, treating the paper as an extension of their bodies.
Learning the Shu technique wasn't difficult; mastering it, however, demanded consistent training. Loki gave them a week to achieve a basic level of proficiency. Instead of the typical training method of digging with a shovel, Loki devised a unique exercise: using the paper to repeatedly chop against a sharpened blade. The goal was to execute 300 chops without causing any damage to the paper, requiring them to maintain a flawless state of Nen throughout each chop. While initially manageable, maintaining the precise Nen form became increasingly challenging as the exercise progressed, leading to damage to the paper and the need to start again.
For a week, Gon and Killua trained relentlessly on the Shu technique. Meanwhile, Loki participated in another match, his opponent again proving to be exceptionally weak, resulting in another swift victory with a single punch.
Loki's initial plan of seeking strong opponents to complete his mission and potentially trigger a double reward seemed increasingly unlikely given the consistent weakness of his adversaries.
Subsequently, Loki purchased data on several floor 200 contestants, discovering that stronger fighters rarely participated in matches. Those who did were often those compelled to compete due to circumstances, and their skill level was comparable to Tanuki Heita, easily dispatched with a single punch.
"In the entirety of floor 200, excluding the unchallengeable floor master, only Hisoka seems remotely worthy of a proper fight," Loki concluded, reaching for his phone to contact Hisoka.
Upon connecting the call, Hisoka's distinctive, unsettling voice immediately filled Loki's ear.
"You finally contacted me. Fighting those imbeciles is utterly devoid of any amusement, is it not?" Hisoka inquired, his tone laced with a hint of amusement.
"I'm not interested in amusement; fighting weaklings is simply pointless," Loki responded bluntly.
"So, you've finally decided to call me?" Hisoka pressed, his voice tinged with a hint of anticipation.
"Correct," Loki confirmed concisely.
"Ready for a match, then?" Hisoka asked, his voice taking on a slightly more serious tone.
"Indeed. In the entire Heaven Arena, aside from the floor master, only a match against you, Hisoka, holds any genuine interest," Loki replied, his voice devoid of any hint of arrogance or disrespect.
"Is that so? I concur entirely! How about tomorrow? I'm already exceedingly eager," Hisoka declared, his excitement palpable.
With the call concluded, Loki made his way back to his room. Meanwhile, in Hisoka's own quarters, Hisoka continued to shuffle his deck of playing cards, his anticipation for the upcoming match against Loki having grown considerably over time. He had meticulously reviewed the video recordings of Loki's previous matches, noting the formidable nature of Loki's flame-based abilities, yet it was precisely this challenging prospect that fueled his excitement.
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Upon Hisoka's submission of his match request, it was naturally paired with Loki's application. The match was scheduled for the following morning.
Gon and Killua were in their room, diligently practicing the Shu technique. Upon hearing the announcement over the broadcast system, they both paused their training, momentarily taken aback by the news.
"Loki's fighting Hisoka," Gon murmured, his training momentarily forgotten as he lay back on the bed, a pensive expression clouding his features. "Loki's match against Hisoka begins tomorrow. I wonder when I'll get to fight Hisoka myself," he mused, his voice tinged with a hint of disappointment.
Observing Gon's slightly dejected mood, Killua let out a soft sigh. "Gon, don't rush it," he consoled gently.
"I know, but thinking back to the Hunter Exam…" Gon began, his voice trailing off as he recalled the events of the Hunter Exam.
"Loki and Hisoka's match—should we go watch it tomorrow?" Killua smoothly shifted the subject, attempting to lift Gon's spirits.
Gon abruptly sat upright, his eyes gleaming with renewed enthusiasm. "Of course, we should!" he exclaimed.
"Then let's get some rest tonight and wake up early tomorrow," Killua suggested, his tone calm and reassuring.
The night passed without incident, although the rare respite from their intense training proved insufficient to lull either Gon or Killua into a restful sleep. The night stretched on, feeling exceptionally long and filled with anticipation.
Early the next morning, Gon awoke well before dawn, his excitement preventing him from falling back asleep, despite the considerable time remaining before the match was scheduled to begin. Killua found himself in a similar state, unable to shake off the nervous energy that coursed through him.
The match was scheduled for 10:00 AM. The time slipped away as they trained listlessly, their minds preoccupied with the upcoming event.
An hour before the match, they finally reached the arena and secured excellent viewing positions. As the time approached, the arena rapidly filled with spectators, transforming into a sea of faces.
The large screen displayed information on Loki and Hisoka.
"Loki, after entering floor 200, fought three matches in just over a month, achieving a dazzling record of three wins and zero losses. He's hailed as floor 200's super dark horse!!" the announcer declared, her voice brimming with enthusiasm. "He's also been dubbed the 'Fire User' by the enthusiastic spectators." She continued, "In each match, he swiftly and decisively defeated his opponents. However, aside from his inaugural match where he unleashed the full force of his flame-based abilities, all subsequent matches have seen him effortlessly dispatching his opponents with a single, well-placed punch."
The announcer skillfully worked the crowd's emotions, transitioning seamlessly from Loki's introduction to Hisoka's.
"And Loki's opponent today is the renowned 'Magician,' Hisoka!" she announced, her voice rising in anticipation. "Hisoka is an incredibly formidable fighter on floor 200, his battles always as spectacular and unpredictable as a magic show."
"In this epic clash of titans, who will emerge victorious? Let's wait and see!" she concluded dramatically, building the suspense to a fever pitch.
Loki and Hisoka emerged from opposite entrances, each taking measured steps towards the center of the arena, their presence commanding respect and attention. The moment both fighters appeared on the ring, the arena erupted into a thunderous roar of cheers and applause.
Loki, having secured three consecutive victories, had already garnered a significant following among the floor 200 spectators. However, Hisoka's fan base was even larger, his captivating and magical fighting style proving to be far more alluring to the crowd.
Upon Hisoka's entrance, Gon's expression became even more focused and intent, his eyes fixed on the enigmatic magician. Killua, too, furrowed his brow, his gaze unwavering as he assessed the formidable opponent.
On the ring, Loki remained cloaked in his signature white cloak, concealing his entire body from view. His attire consisted of loose-fitting black pants cinched at the waist with a broad, red canvas belt, a style reminiscent of Yō Asakura's own distinctive clothing.
Once both fighters had reached the center of the ring, the referee promptly announced the commencement of the match. The arena erupted into a deafening cacophony of cheers and shouts as the match officially began. However, both Loki and Hisoka appeared to effortlessly block out the noise and commotion of the crowd, their focus unwavering and intense.
Hisoka's eyes gleamed with a dark, almost predatory light as he observed Loki's calm and composed demeanor, his mind racing to comprehend the remarkable transformation that had occurred since their last encounter.
Hisoka found Loki's rapid development utterly astonishing. It had been a relatively short time since their previous confrontation during the Hunter Exam, a match where Loki had been no match for Hisoka's superior skills and experience. Yet, now, Loki stood before him as a Nen user capable of exerting immense pressure, having even developed the terrifying power to manipulate flames.
The tables had turned; it was Hisoka who now felt the weight of anticipation and pressure, not Loki.
The match began, yet neither fighter made any immediate move, the spectators below remaining remarkably patient and expectant. Hisoka, breaking the silence, finally spoke.
"Loki, you're a Specialization-type Nen user, aren't you?" he stated, his voice laced with a hint of playful challenge.
"No," Loki replied instantly, his response both firm and unequivocal.
Upon hearing Loki's immediate denial, Hisoka's expression shifted subtly, a hint of amusement playing on his lips. "Your gaze shifted noticeably when you lied," Hisoka observed, his voice a low chuckle.
"Oh, I thought I'd gotten away with it," Loki responded, a hint of playful banter in his tone.
"I'm just teasing you. You didn't change your gaze at all. It's just that I refuse to believe you're not a Specialization-type Nen user," Hisoka declared, his voice laced with a hint of playful intrigue.
Loki's lips curled into a subtle smile at Hisoka's words. As expected of a Transmutation-type Nen user, Hisoka possessed a penchant for deception and manipulation. However, Loki remained unfazed by Hisoka's attempt at deception, unconcerned about Hisoka's awareness of his Nen type. Revealing that he was a Specialization-type Nen user would not significantly alter the outcome of their impending battle.
Having successfully ascertained Loki's Nen type, Hisoka was no longer surprised by Loki's rapid advancement. Specialization-type Nen users possess the inherent advantage of having the five basic Nen types present naturally within them, neither increasing nor decreasing in strength over time. The only factors subject to change are the overall quantity and quality of their Nen. Loki's current Nen capacity was clearly far beyond what could be achieved through short-term training alone.
Recalling the immense aura of Nen he had sensed emanating from Loki during their encounter on the flight ship, Hisoka had initially assumed it belonged to Netero or some other seasoned professional Hunter. However, considering Loki's subsequent absence from the Hunter Exam, Hisoka now concluded that the immense Nen he had sensed on the flight ship undoubtedly belonged to Loki.
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