"Biscuit." When the cute girl with golden twin-tails saw Daniel and flashed him an adorable smile, he immediately turned his attention back to the match. However, he couldn't help but silently call out her name in his mind.
In the world of Hunter x Hunter, Daniel might forget other names, but not Biscuit's. When she first appeared, Daniel thought she was the main heroine because her age seemed close to Gon's and Killua's, and she wasn't weak. It wasn't until her true identity and age were revealed that Daniel was shocked.
"What is she doing here? Is she the one teaching Nen, not Wing?" Daniel wondered while watching Hisoka's match. If Biscuit were here, it would indeed be lucky. Although training in Nen primarily depends on oneself, a good teacher can help avoid many detours. Compared to Wing, Biscuit was clearly stronger, and she was Wing's mentor.
Biscuit was also a two-star Gem Hunter. Typically, newly licensed Hunters wouldn't be taught by star-level Hunters as it would be a waste. Star-level Hunters had made significant contributions in their fields, especially two-star Hunters.
"Hisoka is indeed impressive, this strategy." Watching Hisoka's opponent get lost in thought over Hisoka's question, Daniel shook his head. Thinking about unrelated matters during a fight was a sure way to court death. However, it wasn't entirely the opponent's fault. It was human nature to ponder questions, and even the spectators, referee, and host seemed lost in thought about Hisoka's question.
Even Killua appeared to be pondering Hisoka's question, while Gon simply ignored it. In some ways, Gon's single-mindedness made him a counter to Hisoka.
Biscuit, on the other hand, smiled at Hisoka's question, showing her experience and strength as she wasn't falling for Hisoka's trap.
"This is worth learning." Hisoka's battle experience was invaluable to Daniel. Hisoka's tactic of posing a premeditated mathematical question to affect his opponent's state was a brilliant strategy.
Hisoka's opponent, ensnared by the question, was soon taken down by the playing cards on the ground, his body covered in them. While the Heavens Arena tried to avoid deaths during matches, it wasn't always possible. If someone died during a fight, so be it.
The arena also had a mode called "deathmatch," where the battle ended only with one party's death, not just severe injury.
The death rate below the 200th floor was low, but above it, it increased significantly.
"How does Hisoka do it?" As they left the match, Killua kept pondering Hisoka's methods, growing frustrated when he couldn't figure it out.
Killua's frustration wasn't for himself but for Gon. To return Hisoka's number 44 plate, Gon would inevitably have to fight him, and not understanding Hisoka's abilities would put Gon at a severe disadvantage.
"Don't worry, Killua. I just need to get stronger," Gon said, undeterred by Hisoka's strength. Instead of feeling despair, he was motivated.
Compared to hoping the opponent would weaken, it was better to become stronger oneself.
Back at the training room, Gon threw himself into training with even more enthusiasm. During this time, Killua taught Gon some Zoldyck family training methods and techniques, focusing on combat skills rather than assassination techniques.
Gon had exceptional talent. Among all the Hunter Exam participants, he was the only one without any combat techniques. Kurapika and Leorio had prepared for a long time for the exam, but Gon had joined directly.
"Not as good as the Six Powers. If I could trade Six Powers training methods, I might make a great deal with the Zoldyck family." The Zoldyck family's martial arts techniques were strong, but in this world, Nen was paramount, and martial arts were just the foundation for training Nen.
In contrast, the world of One Piece was purely about martial arts.
Though Gon reassured Killua, the latter continued to gather information on Hisoka, hoping to find a weakness.
"Strange, Biscuit hasn't shown up. Maybe she's not here to teach Nen." Daniel, reading a book, couldn't help but think about how he hadn't seen Biscuit since their last encounter. Even using his Haki occasionally to check for surveillance, he only sensed the butlers, no one else.
Daniel was anxious because without Nen, he couldn't fully use his Hunter License's functions. The real benefits of the license lay beyond the public facilities; it allowed access to the Hunter Association's official website.
The value of a Hunter License mainly came from this. Using Nen, one could appear in a virtual world, showcasing Nen's wonders. Ging and his companions even created a game world with Nen, Greed Island, which existed in reality.
Even with a virtual game like Oasis, Daniel was fascinated by such technology. Combining Nen with Oasis's technology might create something even more amazing.
While others used Nen primarily for combat, Ging had undoubtedly advanced beyond many.
"Master, I didn't expect you to have a disciple already." The Biscuit Daniel had been thinking about was in another hotel, sitting on a sofa and smiling at Wing and his student, Zushi.
"Master, why are you here?" Wing was delighted to see his master, Biscuit, whom he hadn't seen in a long time.
"That old man sent me to teach someone Nen." Biscuit's smile faded as she mentioned it. She had been searching for gems in some ruins when Netero called her over.
"Since you're here, they're your responsibility. I'll take the chance to make some money."
"Yes, Master."
Wing could only reluctantly accept his master's delegation.
"So it's them." Hearing Biscuit's information about Gon, Killua, and Daniel, Wing finally understood. He wasn't familiar with Daniel, but Gon and Killua were making waves below the 200th floor of the Heavens Arena, especially Killua, who hadn't lost a single match.
Despite his young age, Killua's undefeated streak drew attention.
Daniel, despite also being undefeated, wasn't as famous due to his age.
Because of Daniel's intervention, Killua wasn't captured and sent home, so he never encountered Zushi. By the time Wing and Zushi arrived, Killua and Gon were already above the 100th floor, while Zushi was still around the 60-70th floor.
With Nen, Zushi could easily reach the 100th floor, but Wing wanted him to train without using Nen.
"Betting on Hisoka is really profitable." Watching his bank balance grow, Daniel smiled. Even though he didn't lack money, this felt like easy cash, and he wouldn't refuse it. The Heavens Arena's prize money was minor compared to the real earnings from betting.
Especially above the 200th floor, a single match could earn millions if one had the right eye for it. Of course, without a good eye, one could end up bankrupt.
Professional Hunters weren't supposed to lack money, but it depended on who they compared themselves to. Ging, for instance, could casually give away billions of Jenny like it was nothing.
Daniel didn't bet on every match but mainly on Hisoka.
"Ha ha ha." As Daniel enjoyed his winnings, Biscuit was also very pleased. With her eye for talent, the chances of her chosen fighters losing were slim.
"They've reached the 200th floor already, and still no appearance. What's going on?" Gon's strength was improving rapidly. While most people improved gradually, Gon's progress was more like leaps and bounds. With his growing strength, Gon's desire to challenge Hisoka surged.
Killua supported Gon unconditionally, so the three of them acquired entry passes for the 200th floor and took the elevator up.
Without knowledge of Nen, Gon and Killua's assessment of Hisoka's strength wasn't entirely wrong. Similar to how the supernovas in One Piece's world initially underestimated the Yonko's strength, Gon and Killua couldn't yet grasp the true power of top Nen users.
"What's this? Hisoka, what did you do?" In the hallway leading to the 200th-floor service desk, Gon and Killua were suddenly overwhelmed by a powerful pressure that immobilized them. They immediately suspected Hisoka, who sat leaning against the wall, extending his right hand.
"You don't have the qualifications to be here yet. Go back." Hisoka said calmly.
"Qualifications? What do you mean? What qualifications?"
"You'll find out soon enough. Now, go back." Hisoka increased his Nen output, making Gon and Killua tremble and sweat profusely.
"So this is Nen." Daniel wasn't affected as Hisoka didn't waste Nen on him. He stayed back, observing quietly.
As Gon and Killua resolutely tried to push forward, a voice interrupted them, "Are you crazy? Do you want to die? Damn it, Wing, can't you handle even this?"
The golden twin-tails girl, Biscuit, walked over unaffected by the Nen field. Not because of her strength, but because Hisoka didn't apply it to her, just like Daniel.
"Alright, come with me now." Biscuit commanded Gon and Killua.
"Who are you? Why should we listen to you?" Killua protested.
"Shut up, kid." Biscuit knocked on Killua's head.
"Enough, withdraw your Nen field." Biscuit said, turning to Hisoka.
"No can do." Hisoka responded with a smile.
"Come with me, and I'll explain what qualifications you need." Biscuit didn't mind Hisoka's refusal. In fact, he was doing them a favor. If Gon and Killua had registered and fought without understanding Nen, it would've been troublesome.
"Can't you explain now?" Gon asked.
"You think this can be explained
in a few words?"
"What happens if we don't register now?" Killua looked at the female staff member who had brought them here. She remained silent under Hisoka's signal.
"Gon, here's the situation." The staff briefly explained. Gon didn't mind as it was his first time. But Killua, having given up once years ago, couldn't register again if he forfeited now.
"Can we make it before midnight?" Killua asked Biscuit, who checked the time and thought for a while before answering, "Whether you can or not depends on you."
"Alright, Gon, let's go with her." They followed Biscuit to the hotel where Wing was staying.
"Wing, what's going on? I told you to find them. Why haven't you? Do you know they almost registered for the 200th floor?" Back at the hotel, Biscuit confronted Wing.
"What?" Wing exclaimed in surprise.
"What's with the 'what'? Explain!" Biscuit demanded.
"Can you guys explain later? We're in a hurry. Can you tell us what's going on and what qualifications we need?" Killua interrupted as Wing was about to speak.
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"You teach them about Nen." Killua's words immediately reminded Biscuit of the main issue at hand. However, she quickly passed the task to Wing.
After that, Biscuit went to sit on the sofa, casually flipping through a beauty magazine. With her level of skill and Nen ability, no beauty products could compare, and being a master of Nen, she had no need for cosmetics.
Still, the fact that she didn't need them didn't stop her from enjoying the magazines. Just like she enjoyed reading magazines about handsome men—purely for appreciation.
"Mr. Wing, what is Nen?" Before Killua could say anything, Gon stopped him, and Gon promptly directed the question to Wing.
"Well, fine. I'll tell you what Nen is." Wing began explaining that Nen is the ability to control life energy, allowing one to freely manipulate the life force that emanates from within.
Human potential is immense, and theoretically, anyone can learn Nen, unless they're dead. While explaining what Nen is, Wing also clarified why he had previously taught Gon and Killua a false version of the Four Major Principles.
The Four Major Principles are the steps to learning Nen: Ten, Zetsu, Ren, and Hatsu. What Wing had shown them earlier wasn't entirely false; it was just an incomplete explanation.
Wing had delayed teaching Nen to Gon, Killua, and Daniel because he was evaluating their personalities. Due to Nen's destructive power, it's common practice to assess a person before teaching them such a dangerous skill.
Of course, this evaluation varies from person to person. A typical moral worldview doesn't quite fit in the world of Nen users. After all, this is a world where an assassin family can exist openly and pay taxes.
This evaluation mainly focuses on the thoughts of the professional Hunter. If they get along, the teacher will impart everything about Nen; if not, they'll only teach the basics and leave the rest to the student.
In the original story, Wing only taught Gon and Killua the Four Major Principles, but Kurapika's teacher taught him about Vows and Limitations, knowledge that most Nen users never learn.
"Nen's destructive power is immense, and mastering it is quite difficult. There's no way you can master it before midnight, so give up."
As Wing said this, he demonstrated Nen's destructive power. He picked up a book and tore out a piece of paper. The crumpled paper straightened in his hand. Then, as he threw the paper forward, it sliced through a nearby soda can, continuing until it embedded itself in the wall. Only then did it soften again.
This scene caused both Gon and Killua to widen their eyes. This wasn't an ordinary piece of paper—it was a deadly weapon.
"So, what did Hisoka do to stop us from advancing earlier?" After a brief pause, Killua asked again.
"Oh, that's simple." As soon as Wing spoke, Killua's face changed, as if encountering something terrifying, and he quickly retreated.
"That was a Nen aura barrier. It's useless against people who can use Nen, but to those who can't, it's a deadly threat." Wing explained what an aura barrier is.
"Both of you have excellent talent. Don't rush. In time, you'll master Nen. There's no need to be too anxious now. Those people up there all know Nen, and anyone who doesn't will be thoroughly tested." Wing continued, persuading Gon and Killua to give up their midnight plans to ascend.
He then explained the situation of the fighters above the 200th floor. There's a vast difference in power between those who can use Nen and those who cannot. Every year, many fighters reach the 200th floor, but few survive.
The gap in strength is too great. A single strike from a Nen user can be fatal to an ordinary person. Those who survive with disabilities are actually the lucky ones. Their bodies, after withstanding a Nen attack, allow them to learn Nen, though at a high cost.
"I remember you said there was a way for us to make it to the top," Killua said, turning his gaze toward Biscuit, who had been silent but was focused on her magazine.
In fact, Killua didn't care much about reaching the top, but since Gon wanted it, he would go all out to support him.
"Wing, tell them," Biscuit said without looking up from her magazine.
"Well, alright." Wing sighed. Seeing Biscuit's attitude and the determined look in Gon and Killua's eyes, he reluctantly explained how they could quickly master Nen.
The method was to have a skilled Nen user forcibly open their aura nodes. This could quickly allow someone to use Nen, but it was dangerous. Many of the crippled fighters on the 200th floor had learned Nen this way.
Later, even the Chimera Ants learned Nen through this method after being punched by Gon.
"Let's do it." Despite Wing explaining the dangers, Gon and Killua remained resolute.
"And what about you?" Wing turned to Daniel, who had been silent the entire time.
"I'm not in a hurry. I'll train the normal way." Gon wanted to challenge Hisoka, and Killua would accompany him, but Daniel had no such desire. Training the proper way would be more beneficial in the long run, especially if he intended to teach others in the future. After all, once he mastered Nen, learning the rest wouldn't be difficult.
As for the Sky Arena, Daniel wasn't concerned. Besides, he still had one more chance to fight and could earn another prize—a hefty two billion Jenny.
The Hunter world is a place where the poor stay poor, and the rich get richer.
Boom.
After Wing forcibly opened Gon and Killua's aura nodes, their life energy manifested visibly around them. This dense aura shocked Wing, and even Biscuit paused to watch them carefully.
"Focus on sensing the life energy around you, then try to control it," Wing instructed, teaching the basics of Nen control.
Under his guidance, Gon and Killua's life energy began to move and slowly retracted into their bodies.
For most people, life energy is their lifespan. Uncontrolled outbursts of aura are a waste of life force, and using Nen in battle is, to some extent, fighting with one's lifespan.
Of course, this is all theoretical. In reality, no one can perfectly control their life energy without any loss. If they could, they'd be immortal.
Even the strongest Nen users can only delay the depletion of their life force, effectively extending their lifespan.
Not even supreme sorcerers like the Ancient One or gods like Odin can achieve immortality. If Odin could, he wouldn't have grown old and died.
Before long, Gon and Killua managed to retract all their life energy, binding it within their bodies using Ten. By doing so, they could strengthen their physical bodies, making themselves stronger or even maintaining youth. Biscuit's youthful appearance was the result of using Nen.
Ordinary people can't fully harness their life energy, just like most can't use their soul energy. Nen, however, allows users to tap into these life forces.
For Daniel, this was a game changer. Combining Nen with the physical training from the One Piece world would give him an overwhelming advantage. The experts of the One Piece world, after all, were those with immense life energy and devastating physical power.
If Nen were introduced into the One Piece world, it would surpass even Raftel. Combining this power with the physical prowess of that world would be truly formidable.
For Daniel, mastering both would be like quadrupling his power. Nen combined with the physical techniques of the One Piece world, plus the magic of Kamar-Taj, would make him a force to be reckoned with, both physically and spiritually.
This wasn't just one plus one; it was an exponential increase in power.
To overcome Hisoka's Nen aura and enter the Sky Arena, Gon and Killua spent the rest of their time practicing Ten, covering their bodies in life energy to enhance their defense, similar to Haki in the One Piece world.
Meanwhile, Wing also began teaching Daniel how to develop his own life energy and open his aura nodes.
"Time's up, Gon. Let's go."
"Yeah, Killua."
As midnight approached, Gon and Killua stopped their training, ready to head to the Sky Arena.
"Remember, you can only register. Don't challenge anyone. Wait until you've fully mastered Nen before fighting," Wing reminded them again as they prepared to leave.
At this point, Gon and Killua had only learned Ten. They weren't ready to face the Nen masters in the Sky Arena. Many fighters above the 200th floor targeted newcomers, using any means necessary to win and increase their victory count for a chance to challenge the floor masters.
On the 200th floor and above, only floor masters reap both fame and fortune. A victory in the biennial Battle Olympiad grants the floor master two years of fame and dominance.
For these fighters, Daniel held nothing but contempt. Using dirty tricks to win without improving their own strength was foolish. They were courting death if they thought they could challenge the floor masters that way.
The floor masters of the Sky Arena were formidable. Even Hisoka sought to challenge them. One master in particular was well-known: Chrollo Lucilfer. Daniel had spotted his name on the list of floor masters.
It was only then that Daniel realized Chrollo was one of the floor masters. This was surprising, as Daniel hadn't known that Hisoka and Chrollo had once had an intense battle in the Sky Arena.
Their fight was not just a contest of Nen power but also a clash of their wits. In the end, Chrollo outsmarted Hisoka, killing him and earning Hisoka the title of the "Toilet God of War," after which Hisoka went on to
kill two members of the Phantom Troupe.
Thinking he could use underhanded tricks to challenge a floor master would only lead to disaster. But those fighters lacked Daniel's knowledge—or rather, Daniel's intelligence.
"Let's change rooms. Don't you think this one is a bit small?" Daniel suggested after Gon and Killua left, and the group moved to a presidential suite.
The room Wing had been staying in wasn't small for just him and Zushi, but with four more people, it was cramped.
Though the Sky Arena offers luxurious suites to fighters on the 200th floor, Gon and Killua wouldn't be staying there, as they still needed to learn Nen.
Floor masters enjoy the privilege of owning an entire floor. From the 230th to the 250th floor, there are 21 floor masters, each claiming a floor. Winners of the biennial Battle Olympiad earn the right to occupy the top floor for two years.
If they win again, they can continue their reign. The Sky Arena's rewards are astonishing, backed by the powerful V5.
Boom.
In a deserted valley southeast of the Sky Arena, Daniel stood, his life energy erupting from his body, creating a massive crater with a radius of nearly 30 meters.
Considering his strength, once Daniel realized he could use his life energy to open his aura nodes, he immediately sought out a secluded place to train.
Although Daniel was new to Nen, his knowledge and physical training far surpassed that of Gon and Killua.
"With this combined with Haki, I might even be able to take on a Yonko," Daniel thought, feeling the changes in his strength.
"Biscuit is from the Shingen-ryu school. Maybe I could learn the 100-Type Guanyin from her. Imagine Guanyin versus Sengoku's Buddha. That would be something to see."
Daniel pictured a battle between Sengoku's Devil Fruit form and Netero's 100-Type Guanyin. Of course, in their current states, Netero wouldn't stand a chance against Sengoku, but if Netero trained for a few years in the One Piece world, he'd undoubtedly reach Yonko-level strength.
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