The battle erupted the instant the call was made.
Not long after Gon and Killua had left, Wing revised his teaching system, moving the step of instructing nen far earlier than before. As a result, he had already begun teaching Zushi nen.
Angel, however, was older than Zushi. Their time studying nen wasn't far apart, and while talent was hard to judge, in terms of physical ability Angel was clearly ahead for now.
Moreover, the style Angel studied had been designed by Chii after observing countless nen users, then optimized and calculated to suit Angel's own condition—the most effective route for her.
Zushi followed the Shingen-ryu style. That didn't necessarily make it weaker, but Shingen-ryu had one defining trait: it placed immense emphasis on fundamentals. Thus, in the early stages, practitioners didn't see much of a power boost. Progress was slow. While others might already be learning advanced nen techniques, Shingen-ryu disciples would still be polishing their basics.
Angel's figure darted across the stage with incredible speed. Zushi remained in place, eyes wary, relying on calm patience to counter sudden changes.
Then Angel rushed in.
Zushi spun to respond, only to realize it was a feint. Angel instantly shifted direction. Zushi's heart lurched as he forced his body to move again, but Angel altered her angle of attack once more.
This time, Zushi failed to react in time.
The blow landed squarely. Zushi was knocked clean off the stage.
"The winner—Angel!" the referee announced.
Wing let out a quiet sigh. "The gap really is a bit much."
As soon as she left the arena, Angel sought out Sally and the others.
"Teacher Rico, Teacher Sally."
Nearby, a figure turned his gaze toward them, raising his brows slightly.
Sadaso recognized Sally. "Ron's people? So that little girl is the newest member of Ron's team? No wonder. If Ron chose her, her talent must be exceptional."
Sadaso drifted into memory.
The first time he'd gone to Heaven's Arena, he had coincidentally run into Ron on the blimp. Back then, he'd never imagined Ron would become such a formidable existence.
Then there had been Nina. Later, Killua. And now, Angel.
"It might not be long before Angel surpasses me," he thought. "But that's life. People aren't the same. Some are born to rise to the top. Others are destined to struggle at the bottom. I've already done well for myself. My talent is average, and I had no background, but through steady effort I climbed step by step to reach the level of a D-rank nen user.
And among D-rank users, I'm considered above average. I even have a chance at becoming a Floor Master. But I owe much of this to Ron. Without his invitation to join TST, it would've taken me much longer to get here. If I hadn't met Ron and Killua, I might have ended up on a completely different path. At least I didn't turn into someone like Gido or Riehlvelt."
Meanwhile, on the 200th floor of Heaven's Arena, another battle was underway—a Floor Master challenge match for Kastro.
Transformed into a white tiger, Kastro fought through a grueling battle and finally emerged victorious, earning the Floor Master title.
Relieved, he smiled as he left the arena. His long-held obsession with Heaven's Arena was finally fulfilled.
He pulled out his phone and dialed ten numbers in succession, but no one answered. Twice, three times, four… finally, the call connected.
A stranger's voice answered.
Kastro's brows furrowed. "Who are you? Why do you have Killua's phone?"
"Mr. Kastro? I'm a staff member here. Killua has already entered the Greed Island game and can't answer calls. If you're interested, you can come to us."
Because of Ron's arrangements, Kastro had formed a good relationship with Killua and Gon. Misty's presence in Ron's main team meant Kastro no longer had a place there, and his strength wasn't quite keeping up. Ron preferred for Kastro to join Killua and Gon instead, so they could grow together.
Kurapika was destined to walk a solitary path.
Kastro, with decent talent, could still grow alongside Gon and Killua. Before the two left Heaven's Arena, the three had made a promise. Before entering Greed Island, Killua had even recommended Kastro to Tsezguerra, who in turn grew interested in Kastro's abilities and instructed the staff to reserve him a slot in the game.
"We're here," the staff member said, giving him an address.
After hanging up, Kastro immediately searched information on Greed Island.
"A Hunter game? And only such a limited number of slots? One console going for over thirty billion jenny at auction? Looks interesting."
Kastro made up his mind.
With the Floor Master title secured, he no longer cared much for Heaven's Arena. The allure of Greed Island far outweighed it. He bought an airship ticket to Yorknew and set off. If someone later came to challenge his Floor Master title, he didn't care—he'd simply forfeit the position.
Meanwhile, a figure in a black cloak and hood arrived outside Ruco's and Sally's dojo.
At that moment, Ruco and the others had just returned from Heaven's Arena.
Ponzu and Shizuku spotted the figure at the door, froze, then ran forward in delight.
"Ponzu, Shizuku," Elita greeted. This text is hosted at novelFɪre.net
Because they had all taken the Hunter Exam in the same year, Ponzu felt a natural closeness to Elita. And for her part, Elita was most familiar with Ponzu among Ron's team.
She also had a sensitive sense of smell—and the scent of honey was one she especially liked.