Gon's gaze flickered with interest, while Killua's expression grew slightly complicated. Before learning Ron was actually his cousin, Killua's attitude toward him had been straightforward. Now that he knew the truth, he found he no longer felt the same motivation to compare himself to Ron.
"Killua, how long are you two planning to stay at Heaven's Arena this time?" Sadaso asked. "Do you have a specific plan?"
"We're aiming to climb all the way up," Killua replied. "Last time, I got a ticket to the 200th floor but never went. This time, I want to check it out."
Sadaso's expression turned serious. "Above the 200th floor? If you really plan on fighting there, there's something you need to know in advance. The world above the 200th floor is completely different from everything below."
He continued, "I still remember the first time I got my ticket to the 200th floor. I spent months preparing for that first match and still lost—horribly. I was badly injured. That was when I realized there's another world beyond the one we normal people know: the world of Nen users.
"That fight left me with serious wounds, but it also forced open my aura nodes. That's how I learned Nen at all. Without it, there's no way I could've kept competing on the 200th floor. Anyone who hasn't awakened Nen can't possibly stand up to a Nen user. Judging by what I've seen, neither of you are Nen users yet, right?"
Killua nodded. "No, Gon and I still haven't learned Nen."
"You haven't—but you already know what Nen is?" Sadaso's eyes flickered in surprise.
"Yeah," Killua said, hesitating a second before adding, "Actually, Ron is my cousin."
Sadaso's eyes widened. "Ron is your cousin?"
Killua nodded. "I only found out recently. Before this, I had no idea. But we came to Heaven's Arena together this time."
It took Sadaso a moment to absorb that. "Never would've guessed you were related to Ron," he murmured. In his mind, they must be somewhat distant relatives who discovered the connection at some extended family gathering. That wasn't uncommon in large families.
Sadaso couldn't help another wave of reflection. No wonder Killua had such prodigious talent; apparently, it ran in the family. You couldn't compete with that kind of bloodline.
"I was about to offer to open your aura nodes for you," Sadaso went on, "and teach you the basics of Nen, if you were willing. But if you're Ron's cousin, that's probably not necessary. He's way stronger than I am, so I'm sure he can teach you far better."
In fact, Ron had no intention of training Killua in Nen—they were waiting for the Hunter Association's designated teacher—but Killua saw no need to mention that part.
"Thanks anyway, Sadaso."
"No problem." Sadaso gave a dismissive wave. "Since Ron's your cousin, he definitely knows Heaven's Arena above the 200th floor inside out. I'm sure you can learn from him."
He paused. "Still, it's not every day someone I know comes back here. You two have any free time this evening? Let me treat you to dinner. I've been here so long, I'm practically a local host."
Sadaso had lived in Heaven's Arena for nearly eight years—meeting new people and then watching them leave, over and over. People came and went, but he'd never formed many real friendships. Seeing Killua again made him genuinely happy, for both nostalgia's sake and a little self-interest: if he stayed on good terms with Killua, perhaps some indirect connection to Ron might benefit him someday.
"No need to go out of your way," Killua replied.
"It's no bother at all," Sadaso insisted with a grin. "I've saved up enough over the years. One meal won't break the bank. You'll be earning decent prize money yourselves once you've fought a few more matches, right? You can return the favor then."
Hearing this, Killua decided not to refuse. "All right, thanks."
A young boy dressed like a monk—Zushi—hurriedly pulled out his phone.
"Wing-sensei, Wing-sensei!"
Wing's voice came through. "What is it?"
"Those two you showed me photos of—I just saw them," Zushi said. "They're on the 50th floor, at a café with a fighter from the 200th floor."
Wing's eyes narrowed at that. "A 200th-floor competitor?"
He felt a stab of worry. This was the job the Hunter Association Chairman, Netero, had personally assigned him: to teach Gon and Killua the Shingen-ryu path of Nen. If someone else opened their aura nodes before he could, even if Wing tried to fix things afterward, they might go astray or face complications. That would be difficult to explain to Netero.
Wing quickly pulled out his phone.
Gon's phone started buzzing.
"Hello? This is Gon speaking."
"Yes, hello, Gon. My name is Wing, the instructor the Hunter Association arranged to teach you Nen. I'm already at Heaven's Arena. Where are you now?"
"We're at a café on the 50th floor," Gon replied.
"What's it called?" Wing asked. Gon gave him the name.
"Got it. I'll be right there."
Wing ended the call and headed straight for Heaven's Arena. For the moment, he wasn't inside the building. Outside the café door, Zushi kept watch.
"What was that about, Gon?" Killua asked.
"Someone said he's the teacher the Association picked to teach us Nen," Gon explained. "He's coming here now."
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