Kapitel 16: Abilities and Types
The dense foliage of the boar territory loomed ominously ahead, casting long shadows as the sun dipped lower. The remaining applicants were restless, shifting nervously while adjusting their gear and preparing for the next phase. Hisoka strolled through the group, his eyes flicking with interest at the nervous faces around him. He finally stopped near Tonpa, who was busy whispering something to a couple of gullible newcomers while holding the remaining of his signature juice cans. All while thinking of a few of the rookies he managed to push into the fog during the chaos.
Hisoka's smile widened as he watched Tonpa fumble with the cans. "Tonpa, Tonpa, Tonpa," he drawled, sidling up to the older man with a languid grace. "You were so generous with your juice cans back in the first phase, but I noticed you didn't offer me any. Why's that?"
Tonpa stiffened, his usual smug grin faltering. He turned to Hisoka, trying to muster some semblance of confidence. "I... I didn't think you'd want any."
Hisoka's smile didn't waver, but there was a dangerous edge to it. "Hmm, what kind of juice was it, then?"
Tonpa hesitated, eyes darting around for an escape. His voice cracked as he mumbled, "It... it was orange juice."
"Orange juice?" Hisoka repeated with a delighted chuckle, his eyes lighting up with mock enthusiasm. "Yummers! I was just thinking I needed to shove as many calories as possible into my body for the course."
He reached out, poking Tonpa's soft belly with a playful jab. Tonpa flinched, trying to edge away without drawing too much attention.
Tonpa's face flushed. "I... I needed fuel to run," he stammered defensively, trying to cover his unease with a sheepish laugh.
Hisoka leaned in closer, his eyes narrowing. "And why didn't you give me some fuel to run too, hmm?" His voice dipped, taking on a cold edge. He then slapped Tonpa's belly.
"Does this jiggling pile of lard..."
He slapped again.
"needs more..."
He slapped harder making Tonpa groan.
"... than me, you fatfuck."
Tonpa paled, his body stiffening under Hisoka's unsettling gaze. Before Hisoka could press further, a voice cut through the tension.
"Leave this chubby alone." Gojo appeared beside them, casually draping an arm around Tonpa's neck, his grip firm enough to make Tonpa wince. His usually relaxed smile was sharp, almost predatory. "We've got bigger things to deal with, remember?"
Gojo's tone was light, but there was a clear undertone of warning. His Six Eyes glanced over Hisoka with a flicker of amusement before focusing on the path ahead. His presence alone was enough to pull Hisoka's attention away from Tonpa, the momentary tension diffusing.
Hisoka cocked his head, giving Gojo a curious look before grinning, stepping back gracefully. "Oh, of course," he said with a small laugh, though his eyes lingered on Tonpa a moment longer. "Wouldn't want to keep the fun waiting."
As they continued through the dense, looming trees of boar territory, the group moved with a cautious but steady pace. Gojo walked beside Hisoka, their conversation lingering in the air.
"So, about our deal," Gojo began, his tone casual as if they were discussing the weather. "We start the moment you tell me everything about Hatsu."
Hisoka's grin widened, his eyes gleaming with amusement. "Oh, I remember, and I can't wait. Consider it a deal."
Their exchange was interrupted by the sudden approach of Kurapika, Gon, and Leorio. All three wore expressions of concern and anger, with Leorio still nursing his wounds from their earlier encounter with Hisoka.
"Gojo!" Kurapika's voice was sharp, echoing with frustration. "Why are you with Hisoka? He nearly killed Leorio, and he's already murdered other participants!"
Gojo turned to face them, his expression unbothered. "So what?" he said, his tone dismissive. "I missed the part where that's my problem. This is a competition. If Hisoka can be beneficial to me, I'll hang with him just like you all have stuck together."
Kurapika's eyes flared with anger. "Hisoka is a murderer! He's dangerous, Gojo. This isn't just some game."
"This is a game and you are just a lousy player for not seeing it," Gojo said, his gaze cold and unwavering. "The whole swamp is a dangerous game arranged by the association. Everything in this exam is designed to push us to the edge. Do you think the Hunter Association cares if kids get thrown into environments like this? They expect us to survive or die trying."
Gon, looking disheartened, stepped forward. "But we were supposed to be a group, to help each other!"
Gojo fixed Gon with a level stare. "No. This is an individual competition, always have been. No one is obligated to stick together. Everyone's on their own. You team up when it suits you and split when it doesn't. That's the how it is."
Gon's face fell, but he didn't argue further. Leorio, still fuming, clenched his fists but said nothing. Kurapika glanced at Hisoka, his eyes filled with suspicion, before turning back to Gojo.
"If that's how you want to play it," Kurapika said tightly, "then so be it. But if Hisoka does anything, anything at all, I won't hesitate."
Gojo smirked slightly, unfazed by the warning. "Do whatever you think is right. Just remember, everyone's on their own out here."
A sly grin crept across Hisoka's face as he casually made his way over to him, his presence unsettlingly calm.
"Do what, exactly?" Hisoka whispered in a mocking tone, leaning in close to Kurapika. "You just ran from me not long ago, didn't you? And yet here you are, being so angsty."
Kurapika stiffened, his hand instinctively tightening around the hilt of his weapon. Hisoka's grin only widened as he continued, his voice dripping with taunting amusement.
"You should be thanking me, along with whatever god you pray to, for still being alive," Hisoka said, his eyes gleaming with a predatory gleam. "After all, it's not every day someone gets to walk away after crossing me."
Kurapika met Hisoka's gaze, his eyes burning with a mix of anger and controlled fear. He didn't back down, but the tension between them was palpable. Hisoka, sensing Kurapika's resolve, chuckled softly, clearly enjoying the discomfort he was causing.
Before the situation could escalate further, Gojo's voice cut through the tension, his tone casual but firm. "Alright, that's enough, Hisoka. We've got more important things to focus on than playing with dummies."
Hisoka straightened up, giving Gojo a sideways glance before turning back to Kurapika with a smirk. "You're lucky he interrupted. But don't worry. There's still plenty of time left in this exam for a little… fun."
With that, Hisoka sauntered back toward Gojo, leaving Kurapika standing there, fists clenched, anger and unease swirling in his mind. The group pressed on, but the tension remained thick, and Kurapika's thoughts lingered on Hisoka's words, knowing that the real dangers of the exam were far from over.
'It leaves a bitter taste with how I ended it all with those guys, but we have different goals, different with sweeter prizes that overpower any bitterness.' Gojo thought. 'And I am a person from a different world.'
As the rest of the participants scattered through the forest, focusing intently on tracking down the boars, Gojo and Hisoka peeled off from the rest, making their way toward a secluded clearing. The area was surrounded by towering trees and dense underbrush, the perfect spot to avoid prying eyes.
As they were walking Gojo noticed strips of paper appearing on Hisoka's palm and with a smile, he extended his hand to pass it over to him. Gojo carefully took the strips, and the texture just felt like normal paper but Gojo with his Six Eyes that just like the harpoon Fenwick used the paper too was made out of aura.
Hisoka then said, "Hatsu is the personal expression of one's aura which allows the nen user to come up with a paranormal effect that could honed into special powers, and these effects are categorized in six different categories."
As for the contents of the papers they seem to be some kind of charts with hexagons and terms like Enhancement, Transmutation, Conjuration, Specialisation, Manipulation and Emisson in order on each side.
( A/N: See them here )
"These are categories in which a nen users' aura manifests," Hisoka said, "There are six types of aura; Enhancement, Transmutation, Emission, Conjuration, Manipulation, and Specialization. Every individual is born having one of these six different aura types. Upon learning one's aura type, a student of Nen can set about learning to apply the technique in a unique way that suits their personality, which can develop into a unique skill."
'So it's kind of cursed techniques,' Gojo thought as Hisoka continued.
"There are numerical approximations to indicate exactly how efficient an average Nen user would be at utilizing categories into which they were not born. Starting at one's own aura type, a Nen user has the potential to be nearly 100% efficient at using abilities based on that category alone. One has the potential to be 80% efficient at using aura types adjacent to one's primary type, 40% efficient at the category opposite of their own, and 60% efficient in the two remaining categories.
"Now, a person can only have one main Nen affinity," Hisoka explained, "but some Nen users might lean towards an adjacent affinity on the Nen category chart. These users can master that adjacent category more efficiently than others because of this natural inclination."
He paused for effect before adding, "There are even rarer cases where someone is directly in the middle between two affinities. These people have what's called a dual affinity, meaning they can master that second affinity just as quickly as their natural one. But even with a dual affinity, one type remains the dominant one, and the secondary affinity will still be subject to the rules of the Nen category chart. While they can learn fast, It won't be as efficient as the primary, but it's a significant advantage nonetheless."
He added, "Specialization is the exception to all these rules, it is typically unusable for non-specialists because it is impossible to partially use; one either can or cannot use Specialist abilities. However, turning into a Specialist later in life is possible, with Conjurers and Manipulators having the highest chance of succeeding."
Hisoka came to a stop, a playful glint in his eye as he reached into his jacket with a flourish. With a theatrical wave of his hand, he produced a clear glass of water seemingly out of thin air. The liquid sparkled in the dappled sunlight as Hisoka held it up, his expression one of feigned innocence.
"A little magic trick," Hisoka said with a smirk, swirling the water around in the glass. "Impressed?"
Gojo raised an eyebrow, his expression flat. He activated his Six Eyes, scanning the scene with a level of scrutiny that went beyond normal sight. Hisoka watched with a smile, expecting a reaction, but Gojo's gaze sharpened as he pieced together the mechanics behind the trick.
"You know," Gojo began, his voice calm, "there's a famous trick where a magician makes objects appear from nowhere. But it's never actually 'nowhere,' is it?"
Gojo stepped closer, his Six Eyes dissecting every detail. "You've got a hidden pocket, Hisoka. Double-lined with a bit of misdirection when you waved your hand—classic sleight of hand. The water? Well, there's a thin, flexible plastic bag hidden in that sleeve of yours. You kept it folded and pressed against your wrist, barely noticeable unless you're looking for it..."
Gojo pointed directly at the spot on Hisoka's wrist where the thin outline of the plastic could barely be made out. Hisoka's smile remained, but a flash of irritation flickered in his eyes.
"And that 'glass'?" Gojo continued. "It's one of those plastic collapsible ones, designed to look solid when expanded but easily hidden in that same sleeve. A quick flick of the wrist, and voilà, you've got yourself a glass of water."
"Oh, you caught me. Not everyone does. This shows that you have potential now let us see of what kind," Hisoka laughed then placed a leaf upon the water and said, "The first step to developing one's Hatsu ability is to strengthen the use of Hatsu itself. A common method to understand one's Nen affinity is through Hydromancy or Water Divination." He pointed at the glass. "In Water Divination, you float a leaf atop a glass of water and focus your aura to see the effects."
He continued, "For instance, an Enhancer might start by making the water rise slightly, but as they improve, they can create a geyser strong enough to break the glass. Each aura type produces a distinct effect in Water Divination or Hydromancy."
'So it's through water memory.' Gojo observed, his attention fixed on the glass. "So, what are the specific indicators?"
Hisoka nodded. "Here's the breakdown: Enhancers, cause the volume of water to increase. Transmuters alter the taste of the water. Conjurers make impurities appear. Emitters change the colour of the water. Manipulators move the leaf on the water's surface. Specialists produce completely different effects which are too numerous to be categorized."
Gojo's gaze remained focused as he analyzed the glass with his Six Eyes. "And what does this tell you about your Hatsu?"
Hisoka grinned. "It's a starting point. By practising and observing these changes, you can refine and strengthen your Hatsu, making it more effective and unique to you. And to find out your affinity you just have to use ren on it."
Gojo held the small glass of water between his fingers, examining it as if it were something more than a simple object. Hisoka watched, amused as usual, from a nearby tree stump, leaning lazily against it. The air around them was still, almost too quiet, but Gojo wasn't the type to waste a moment in silence. His expression turned thoughtful.
He focused his Ren, an almost imperceptible energy enveloping the glass. At first, nothing seemed to happen. Then, with a loud *crack*, the container exploded into pieces, spraying shards and water in all directions. Hisoka blinked, a grin spreading across his face.
"Interesting," Hisoka said, wiping a stray droplet from his cheek. "You're an Enhancer with quite a lot of potential." He tapped his chin, his eyes narrowing in thought. "Although... I was sure you'd turn out to be a Specialist."
Gojo didn't even flinch at the remark, his gaze still fixed on where the glass had been moments ago. "Enhancer, Specialist... Tell me more about these categories," he said, his tone flat. He brushed off Hisoka's attempts at analyzing him with the same nonchalance he applied to everything. "What exactly do they do? How do they function?"
Hisoka chuckled softly. "So curious, Satoru." He crossed his arms, taking his time before answering, relishing the opportunity to explain. "There are six main categories for Nen users: Enhancer, Transmuter, Emitter, Conjurer, Manipulator, and Specialist. Each category dictates how one's aura behaves and the types of abilities they are best suited for."
He raised a finger as if conducting a lecture. "Enhancers, like you, increase the natural properties of something, making it stronger or more durable. It's simple but powerful, and even aura efficient as the farther aura moves away from the source the more unstable it gets. A proficient Enhancer who also takes good care of their body can make it far more durable than a tank and generate the force of a missile with one blow. They also have the added have bonus of being able to heal from injuries at a much faster rate compared to a regular Non-Enchancer."
He continued with the next category.
"Transmuters change or should I say transmute the properties of their aura into something else, some other substance like metal or rubber. Just about anything physical, granted that they have to be extremely familiar with the substance and its properties, also because it's all still aura although altered it's invisible to normal non-nen initiate. If chosen to do so they can just transmute aura into have just properties of specific substance, allowing their transmuted aura to have properties of multiple substances, but only if said properties don't counteract each other and break the technique," His voice lilted with amusement before moving onto the next category.
"Conjurers focus more on creating tangible constructs or phenomena from their aura. But to create something you know it, from material science to its relationship with your senses to point to you perfectly visualise the object you want conjure to point you hallucinate, see and feel it with all your senses. That's the hard part, the prerequisites are the reasons as of why conjurers aren't just going about creating anything they so desired other than limited aura capacity of course. They also can't create something something that breaks the natural laws that govern reality, like unbreakable metal chains for example."
"Emitters project their aura outward, detaching it from their body. Think of it like throwing your energy outwards, not very aura efficient but if you are a natural who likes to fight longer ranges it's useful, and some are skilled enough to imitate shapes and objects with it, and can devise through the study of it devise smarter ways to use it. Aura usually decreases in intensity very quickly when it leaves the source body, but adept Emitters can separate their aura from their body for long periods, over long distances, and still be able to maintain it and its functions. Almost like a mix between Transmutation and Conjuration; as it can try to imitate properties of substances but is limited only in its effects, like the hardness of steel but not its metallic properties, something a transmuter would be able to do; and while it can be used to mimic objects it could never form the actual substances like iron or water which can be done through Conjuration. While Emission is primarily often used to attack, it can also be used to propel oneself or to cast an effect of another Nen type remotely. Some high level emitters could even make use of something akin to flight and teleportation. It's all about creativity just the other categories."
"Manipulation allows the user to control living or non-living things, including aura constructs. Its primary advantage in combat lies in the ability to directly control opponents, ending a battle swiftly once the right conditions are met. This control works by blending the user's aura with the target's, a process that is typically imperceptible. Skilled Manipulators can even force open the aura nodes of non-Nen users, although seizing control of someone already under the influence of another Nen user's ability is impossible. Manipulators are renowned for their capacity to channel large amounts of aura into objects, often utilizing a medium they have a deep connection with, typically something they've used for years. Through this medium, they can maintain their influence over a target from a distance, seemingly without relying on Emission-type Nen, making their abilities especially feared in battle. There are various types of mind controls they can induce into their victims so it's always good to be wary of them."
Hisoka paused, letting the weight of the explanation sink in before adding, with a sly smile, "And Specialists... well, Specialists are unique. They have abilities that don't fit neatly into any category. They can be quite... unpredictable."
Hisoka's eyes gleamed with mischief. "I thought you'd be one of those. But perhaps I've misjudged you."
Gojo glanced at him briefly, still unbothered. "So, Specialists can do... what exactly?"
"Whatever their ability allows for," Hisoka answered with a shrug. "Their abilities can often break the usual rules of Nen. It's why they're so dangerous—and so interesting."
Gojo folded his arms, thinking for a moment. "And how do you figure out someone's category?"
Hisoka smirked. "It's a simple personality test that is my own design. Enhancers are direct, straightforward... often a little simple. Transmuters are playful and tricky. Emitters have fiery tempers and are very emotionally volatile. Conjurers are typically high-strung, stoic and logical. Manipulators are persuasive, and Specialists..." His grin widened. "Well, they tend to be independent, somewhat charismatic, a little... eccentric, if you will."
Gojo raised an eyebrow. "Simple, huh?" He shook his head, dismissing the idea with a wry smile. "Doesn't sound like me."
"Not at all," Hisoka replied, a playful gleam in his eye. "That's what makes you so intriguing."
Gojo remarked, "I don't believe in personality tests of any kind, but judging by the way you described Transmuters, I'd guess you were one too. But everything you have shown yet was conjured."
Hisoka grinned, "Oh, my main ability is a thing of surprise. But you are correct, and if you would like there was a more reliable way to figure it out than just guessing based on personality traits."
He leaned in slightly, his voice becoming more conspiratorial, "A person's Nen category could be determined through their habits and the flow of their Ten."
"Enhancers and Transmuters," he continued, "depending on their level of skill, had a soft, quiet Ten that shrouded the part of their body where they activated their favourite attacks."
"Emitters and Manipulators tended to have a broader Ten. And when they tried to shrink it, their aura appeared denser. Manipulators also liked to keep their dominant hand free, as it was usually the one they used for their abilities."
"And Conjurers," Hisoka added, "have strong Ten around the body part where they used their main abilities, with a much softer flow in other areas. They too preferred keeping their dominant hand free, like Manipulators."
Gojo listened carefully, then with a half-smile, replied, "I see. That did sound a bit more practical than a personality test. Still, it looked like I'd need more than just flow to figure out the rest."
Hisoka leaned in slightly, his tone becoming more serious as he concluded his lesson. "Now, listen carefully. Everything I've told you about the limitations of Nen as of yet can be broken—or at least mitigated—under certain circumstances. Theoretically, you could have such an immense amount of aura capacity and output you surpass many limitations." He smirked. "But that's just theory. No one we've seen so far can pull off something like that. So, let's talk about more pragmatic solutions."
Gojo raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Go on."
"Conditions," Hisoka said plainly. "By setting specific conditions on an ability, you can increase its power or even make it viable when you lack the necessary skill. This works on the principle of equivalent exchange. Essentially, the more restrictive the condition, the more powerful the ability becomes. Sometimes, conditions are necessary just to make an ability functional."
He continued, "These limitations, however, aren't always foolproof. The more proficient you are with Nen, the less reliant you'll be on such conditions. But for most Nen users, particularly Conjurers, Specialists, and Manipulators, conditions play a huge role in enhancing their abilities."
Gojo leaned back, processing this. "So, you place limits on yourself, and in return, you get more power."
'Kind of the vows and conditions in cursed techniques.'
"Exactly," Hisoka affirmed. "But there's more. Vows and Limitations take this a step further. If you consciously restrict how or when you use a particular ability, and you're able to abide by those restrictions, the power of the ability increases even more. These limitations—like only using a skill on a certain day or only against specific people—are a form of self-imposed restriction. The stricter the limitation, the stronger the ability. Some say it's a thing of your subconscious or you make a deal with some God when you make a nen vow. No one I knows for sure but I like the former explanation more."
Gojo's eyes narrowed thoughtfully. "But wouldn't that also make the ability situational?"
Hisoka smiled the kind that hinted at dangerous knowledge. "That's the trade-off. The more restrictive you are, the greater the power, but it can make the ability less versatile. However, this leads to risk, which is another factor. Risk can amplify your Nen if you're willing to endanger yourself. Imagine willingly giving up one of your senses, for example. By taking on such risks, you prove your resolve, and that amplifies your power."
"So emotions, resolve, and risk all play a role in how far someone can take their Nen," Gojo said, nodding. "It's not just about strength but how much you're willing to sacrifice."
"Exactly," Hisoka replied. "While emotions can naturally enhance your aura, true determination only manifests through the addition of conditions or self-imposed risks. It's all about your willpower. The stronger it is, the more formidable your Nen becomes."
Gojo muttered. "That's... fascinating. I can make use of this."
Hisoka grinned back. "Isn't it? But remember, these limitations are also liabilities. They can backfire if you're not careful. Use them wisely."
Hisoka then stretched his arms with a satisfied smile, signalling the end of their conversation. "Well, that concludes the lesson for now. We should get back to the exam before it is all over."
Gojo nodded, his expression calm as he adjusted his mask.
Hisoka watched him closely, his usual playful tone dropping into something more serious. "You know, you're a strange man, Gojo. You've made more people suspicious of you than you realize. You broke away from your old group because of me."
Gojo turned his head slightly, his gaze sharp beneath his mask. "I'm fine on my own," he said flatly. "Besides, I don't trust you either."
Hisoka raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Oh?"
"I can usually see when people are lying to me," Gojo continued, his voice steady but cold. "And if you had tried anything funny, I'd have knocked your lights out without a second thought, Hisoka."
Hisoka chuckled, seemingly unfazed by the threat. "Well, good to know we understand each other."
AUTORENGEDANKEN 
LimitlessDrill
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