Just as their conversation was growing lively, a crisp knock at the door interrupted them.
Gon practically bounced over to open it, the excitement still lingering on his face.
When the door opened, Wing was standing outside with Zushi.
“Mr.
Wing!
Zushi!
You’re here!”
Gon greeted them in delight and stepped aside to let them in.
Wing did not enter immediately.
His gaze swept carefully over Gon like a searchlight.
Only after confirming that Gon was energetic and clear-eyed did the tension in his shoulders ease almost imperceptibly.
Wing understood the potential dangers of Kael’s ability.
The concern had weighed heavily on him the entire time, and only now could he finally relax slightly.
“Mr.
Wing.”
Killua and Kael also rose from their seats to greet him.
Wing nodded in acknowledgment before entering the room with the somewhat nervous Zushi.
The moment Zushi stepped inside, he could not help glancing curiously at Kael.
His hands anxiously clutched the corners of his clothes.
Wing did not waste time on pleasantries.
He looked directly at Kael with a serious expression.
“Kael, could you tell me more about the other world?”
Kael seemed to have expected the question.
Without concealing anything, he described the world of One Piece, its various power systems, and the cruelty that existed there.
As Kael spoke, Killua leaned against the wall with his arms crossed.
His eyes flickered as though he were imagining that vast ocean.
Gon listened with complete fascination, unconsciously clenching his fists as both anticipation and nervousness filled him.
After hearing Kael’s explanation, Wing fell into a long silence.
His fingers unconsciously rubbed his chin.
After a long while, he raised his head and stared sharply at Kael.
“May I ask you to promise me one thing?”
“What is it?”
Sensing the weight in Wing’s voice, Kael straightened in his seat.
“Do not form contracts with people from other worlds.”
Wing’s voice was low and resolute.
Kael immediately understood what Wing was worried about.
He nodded solemnly.
“I understand your concerns.
I promise.”
Hearing such a definite answer, Wing released a long breath.
Most of the gravity between his brows faded.
The unknown was always the most frightening thing.
If the desires in people’s hearts were ever freed from all restraints, disaster could easily follow.
At the very least, this promise provided one safeguard.
“We’ll be heading back now.
You should all get some rest as well.”
After speaking, Wing turned toward Zushi.
However, Zushi’s feet seemed to have been nailed to the floor.
He looked at Kael, then at Gon and Killua.
His lips moved several times, and his face was filled with longing and hesitation.
“Master…”
Zushi’s voice was barely louder than a mosquito’s, carrying an unmistakable plea.
Wing immediately understood what his disciple wanted.
He sighed and did not force him to leave.
After adding one final reminder not to stay too late, he turned and departed alone.
The instant the door closed, the calm expression on Wing’s face disappeared, replaced by an even deeper seriousness.
Kael’s ability was like a double-edged sword.
It contained limitless possibilities, but it was also accompanied by enormous uncertainty.
Should such a power truly be allowed to exist?
The more Wing thought about it, the more turbulent his emotions became.
He could not help smiling bitterly.
What kind of luck did he have to encounter three astonishingly talented “monsters” all at once?
Inside the room, Zushi watched his master leave.
As though gathering every last bit of courage he possessed, he walked up to Kael and raised his head.
One final trace of hope remained in his eyes.
“Kael, could I… could I also…”
Kael looked at Zushi without surprise.
He patted Zushi on the shoulder, his voice gentle but firm.
“Zushi, I only have a limited number of contract slots.”
“Furthermore, if a contractor dies in another world, I won’t merely lose all the training gains I received from them.
I’ll also suffer a backlash myself.”
“The consequences are impossible to predict.”
The light in Zushi’s eyes instantly dimmed.
He lowered his head and blinked hard several times.
When he looked up again, he had already forced a somewhat strained smile onto his face.
“I-I understand!
I didn’t really want to go that badly anyway!
A place that dangerous…”
“I need to concentrate on training my Nen right now.
My goal is to become a Floor Master at Heavens Arena!”
He spoke extremely quickly, as though slowing down would allow his true emotions to escape.
“It’s already late.
You should all rest!
I need to go back to sleep too!”
After saying that, he practically fled from the room.
Even the hand he used to close the door was trembling slightly.
Gon stared at Zushi’s disappearing back.
His extraordinary instincts allowed him to clearly sense the disappointment Zushi had forcibly suppressed.
He turned toward Kael, his brows drawing tightly together.
Confusion and faint dissatisfaction filled his voice.
“Kael, can’t we really bring Zushi with us?
We could protect him!”
Kael sighed.
He placed both hands on Gon’s shoulders and made Gon look directly at him.
“Gon, listen carefully.
This isn’t a game.”
“The cruelty of the world of One Piece is far beyond anything you can imagine.
The road to becoming stronger is covered in thorns.
Surviving it requires extraordinary talent and exceptional survival instincts.”
“Zushi works very hard, but he may not possess the qualities necessary to grow quickly and stay alive in an environment like that.”
“Taking him with us by force wouldn’t be helping him.
It might get him killed.”
Killua also walked over.
He lazily rested one arm on Gon’s other shoulder, but his tone was unusually serious.
“Idiot.
Kael’s right.”
“We can tell Zushi about our adventures whenever we return.
For him, that might be the best gift we can give.”
Gon looked at the serious expressions of his two companions, then remembered the forced smile Zushi had worn moments earlier.
Although his chest still felt heavy, he eventually nodded.
“…Okay.”
“All right.”
Kael clapped his hands, drawing their attention back to him.
“We only have one priority right now—Gon’s battle with Hisoka.”
“There are only fourteen days left.
You don’t have time to worry about anyone else.”
Gon took a deep breath.
His gaze once again became focused and determined.
“Right!”
“For the remaining time, we need to concentrate on strengthening your Nen fundamentals, especially your use of Gyo.”
“Hisoka’s Bungee Gum can be perfectly concealed with In.
During the battle, you must constantly maintain Gyo.
Otherwise, you won’t even understand how you lost.”
“Understood!”
Gon and Killua answered simultaneously.
“Then the special training begins now.”
Kael raised his index finger and swept his gaze across the two boys.
“Listen carefully.
From this moment onward, whenever I point my finger toward the ceiling, you must activate Gyo as quickly as possible and correctly identify the number I’ve written above my fingertip using Nen.”
“We’re going to turn activating Gyo into a combat instinct and carve it into your bones!”
“Yes!”
The instant Kael finished speaking, his finger shot upward.
Killua reacted like lightning.
Almost the moment Kael completed the movement, a sharp light flashed through Killua’s eyes as he activated Gyo.
Gon was clearly half a beat slower.
He froze for an instant, seemingly only then remembering the rules.
He hurriedly focused his mind and gathered aura into his eyes.
“Seven!”
Killua immediately called out the number.
“…Seven!”
Gon followed shortly afterward, his voice carrying a trace of haste.
Kael looked at Gon and shook his head helplessly.
This was with Killua beside him providing both a comparison and an indirect reminder.
If Gon faced an opponent like Hisoka alone—someone exceptionally skilled at creating confusion—the consequences would be unimaginable.
(End of Chapter)