Kapitel 22: Chapter 22: Someone Really Important To Me
Meanwhile, inside the forest, Ponzu finds herself running in fear, panting as her body tries to overcome the uneven surroundings and her mind is overwhelmed by the accumulation of emotions that the recent events have caused.
'I need to get as far away as I can and find a place to hide! I don't want to face that psychopath!'
Despite thinking like this, Ponzu can't shake off the lingering feelings about Kai having to face Hisoka alone so that she can flee and get to safety. 'I don't have to think about that! He was the one who decided to help me in this phase, and the one who offered to face that guy! There's nothing I have to feel bad about!'
—It's like I told you, I'm helping you and the others because I like you.— A flashback of Kai saying this passes through Ponzu mind as she tries to reject her feelings.
'So what if you like me?! I want to pass the exam and become a Hunter! I'm not going to throw it all away for some stranger who was nice to me!' She thinks still trying to convince herself.
—I promise I'll do everything I can to make sure you're safe.— Another flashback of Kai crosses Ponzu mind.
She bites her lip, frustrated by her helplessness in this situation. 'I'm so sorry for you Kai, but I have to get safe and hide until the next phase of the exam.'
—F-Fine. I'll follow you for the rest of the phase.— Another flashback crosses her mind, but this time it's of the promise she made to Kai.
'I'm sorry I can't keep my promise, but even if I go, I won't be able to do anything. Because I'm weak.' Ponzu thinks in a depressed tone as she tries to keep running.
Back at the camp site, things are not going well for Kai. He finds himself throwing out a flurry of punches and kicks, attempting to apply his combat knowledge with the boost of his Ren. However, Hisoka blocks and dodges all of his attacks, displaying his superior speed and experience as if dancing in a frenzy of style and precision.
In the middle of the combo, Hisoka throws a right punch, and although Kai blocks it with his Ren-clad left forearm, the force of the blow not only fractures his bone, but sends him flying several meters backwards.
As Kai lands with a backflip, he watches Hisoka launch himself into a kick at him, but Kai manages to move out of the way, causing Hisoka's leg to crack the ground where it hits. 'Such monstrous strength!' Kai thinks as he watches Hisoka's power.
However, he doesn't have time to land as Hisoka launches himself at him again the instant his attack missed. Hisoka tries to slash him with a card in his left hand, and although Kai manages to dodge it by leaning back, Hisoka takes advantage of the inertia and kicks him in the abdomen with his right leg, making Kai spit blood and sending him flying, this time falling to the ground.
As Kai struggles to get back on his feet, he notices that the blow has broken several of his ribs despite using Ren. At the same time, Hisoka lets out a chuckle as he watches him. "It was indeed true what you said before: you are vastly inferior to me." Hisoka says while fiddling with the card in his left hand.
"Although trained, it is clear that your body has not yet reached its true potential, the lack of variations in your aura shows that you have not yet studied the applications of Nen in depth, and you are obviously not used to facing immensely powerful adversaries like me."
"However, your way of fighting shows skill and knowledge of martial arts, as if you had learned them through instinct and analysis, rather than practice and study.
"Also, although simple, you seem to have fluid and efficient control of your aura, making sure to switch between Ren and Ten according to your need in battle, showing that you have practiced with dedication.
"And although you were aware enough of your limitations for not wanting to confront me, your gaze and posture show that you feel no real fear of me. You are truly wonderful." Hisoka says, narrowing his eyes as his cheeks rise high in a smile and his body writhing in pleasure.
'As expected of a prodigy at Hisoka's level. After a bit of fighting, he's already developed a profile of my capabilities.' Kai thinks without diverting his attention from the twisted man who is his rival.
"You might actually turn into quite the monster. I'm really glad you didn't run away this time. You might feel even more motivated if I finish your girlfriend." Hisoka says turning to look in the direction Ponzu had gone, causing Kai to lose his composure for a moment.
Hisoka quickly takes advantage of this distraction by lunging at Kai and trying to punch him, but Kai dodges in time by activating his Ren and moving to the side. However, Hisoka throws a punch with his other hand at Kai's stomach, which does manage to hit.
Bearing the pain, Kai grabs Hisoka's arm and lands a good punch to his face, lifting him off the ground and sending him sliding backwards. Taking advantage of the moment, Kai is the one who instantly goes on the attack this time, landing a few punches before Hisoka grabs one of his fists, pulls him towards him, knees him in the stomach, and knocks him to the ground with a punch to the face.
Despite wincing on the ground, Kai manages to react in time to dodge Hisoka's flying cards, but realizes that Hisoka has closed the distance between the two again, so he draws his sword in an attempt to change strategy. Even with the unexpected upward movement covered in Shu, Hisoka manages to cut the sword with one of his cards, giving Kai a noticeable cut across his chest at the same time.
Faced with the serious wound, Kai takes a couple of steps back while pressing it with his hand to slow the blood loss. 'He's tearing me apart with his attacks, and I'm barely able to affect him with mine. This is the first time I've been so overwhelmed since I came to this world. However, ever since he announced his assessment of my capabilities, his blows seem to have lost a lot of power. He's holding back.' Kai thinks, disoriented and limply by the various damages he has received.
His analysis is correct. After witnessing Kai's current level, despite making his approach more aggressive, Hisoka had begun to suppress his strength so as not to kill or seriously injure Kai, making sure he could enjoy the fight as much as possible within the feasible. For the magician it was both pleasurable and frustrating, as he could prolong the fight but he couldn't go all out.
Hisoka once again runs towards Kai with his hardened cards ready for the assault, to which Kai prepares to counterattack. Throughout the barrage of attacks, Kai's vision begins to blur, and his aura begins to subside, slowing down his performance more and more as Hisoka continues to slash and strike across his body.
After a certain point, Hisoka lands a final punch to Kai's face, pushing him to the ground and cracking it slightly under his head. Raising his fist, Hisoka with a satisfied smile looks down at Kai with his bruised body and battered, bleeding face.
"It was really fun, Kai. Even considering how much I've been holding back, it's impressive that you managed to land so many hits on me. Your performance was truly exceptional." After saying this, his expression changes from a cheerful one to a sadistic one as he shifts his focus to the forest. "Now, I have to get going and kill your girlfriend. That will surely encourage you even more."
Hisoka prepares to leave, but before he can take a step, he notices his leg tightly held by Kai's left hand. "She's not my girlfriend. I don't even know her that well. We just met a few days ago and we haven't had that many opportunities to talk and get to know each other better."
Hisoka looks at Kai with an eyebrow raised in doubt. "Really? If that's true, then why are you going through all the trouble to try and help her."
"Because... Because..." Kai murmurs tremblingly before looking up at Hisoka. "BECAUSE SHE IS SOMEONE REALLY IMPORTANT TO ME!!!"
"It doesn't matter that we've only known each other for a short time, or that she doesn't consider me someone special, I want to help her find her way and prosper in this harsh, cruel and uncontrollable world! I'll do whatever it takes to protect her, whether I have to face you, an army, or even a physical god, because she is a precious person to me! That's how I feel and that's how I'm going to act." Kai shouts, never loosening his grip on Hisoka.
His words were the complete truth. While he had initially wanted to help her out of his enormous devotion to HunterxHunter, just as with Nicholas, with their punctual interactions, Ponzu had become very dear to him, and Kai would always go to great lengths to protect those he loved.
"If you want to see my potential blossom so much, then wait until I become a hunter and learn how to use Nen properly. I assure you that I will eventually find you so we can have our rematch, so judge for yourself then. Because if you end up hurting those I love, then I will not defeat you, but I will destroy you and all your ambitions. I swear that in the name of my tribe. Have you understood?" Kai finishes saying while coughing up blood due to his injuries.
Hisoka is left dumbfounded by Kai's statement. Without fear—Without doubt—Without greed. His face displays a bold and determined expression, showing his resolve to do whatever it takes to accomplish what he says, and his voice has a firm and menacing tone, conveying complete confidence that he can accomplish what he's saying, despite knowing firsthand the disparity between their power.
Despite his swollen, battered and bloody face, Hisoka can see nothing but the face of a warrior with a will that can pierce the heavens and shake the earth. Just like seeing a delicious-looking plate of food, Hisoka can't help but yearn to taste the monstrous adversary that Kai will eventually become.
Turning around to face him, Hisoka gives Kai a gentle smile. "Very well. You have made your position clear to me. I will not pursue that girl." Hisoka says before giving Kai a kick to the chin that lifts him off the ground before falling back down.
"Prove that your words are not just bragging, and come find me when you are ready. I will be waiting for you." These are the last words Kai hears Hisoka say before the contusion, the exhaustion, the wounds, and the relief in those words cause Kai to lose consciousness, lying on the ground.
Point of View Switch: Kai
Seeing only darkness, I notice something rubbing my head. Slowly opening my eyes, my vision blurs until it settles, allowing me to see Ponzu in front of a starry night sky.
"Wow, you've finally woken up. You really are a fool after all." Ponzu says annoyed as she wipes the blood off my head.
As I become aware of my surroundings, I notice that my head is resting on Ponzu's lap, making my face red and causing me to lose my composure. "W-What?! What's going on?! I-I shouldn't be like this, I'll get up right now!"
As I try to hurriedly get up shaking with nerves, Ponzu grabs me by the shoulders to lower me back down. "Don't get up and stay still. You still need to rest and have your wounds treated further, so let me work."
Beyond her annoyed expression, I can see the concern in her words. So, using the self-control techniques I practice at Trick Tower, I calm my uncontrolled nerves and let Ponzu continue with the task.
"What are you doing here? You were supposed to get as far away from here as possible. What happened to Hisoka in the end?" I ask confused by her presence here.
"Well, what happened was that..." Ponzu begins to narrate.
Flashback to a few hours ago.
Point of View Switch: Ponzu
Against all common sense, I've decided to return to the campsite, not even knowing what I can do to help Kai. As I get close to the campsite, I hide behind the trees while watching Kai and Hisoka fight. What I see leaves me both shocked and horrified—Kai overpowered by Hisoka.
Ever since I met him, Kai had always exuded an aura of confidence and power, seeming capable of facing any kind of danger and coming out victorious. Even when Hisoka appeared and Kai made it clear that he was vastly inferior to him, I still couldn't see anything that could dwarf his might, believing that Kai would be more concerned with Hisoka's creepy and unpredictable nature.
And yet, right in front of me stands the man I had glimpsed as a warrior of otherworldly strength, covered in bruises and bleeding wounds, and taking an onslaught of blows all over his body without being able to protect himself.
However, on Kai's face what I see is not the face of a distressed, frightened or defeated man, but one who continues to fight without a shred of doubt and with unwavering conviction, managing to strike back at an insurmountable adversary without allowing himself to be stopped by the wounds he sustains or the blows he receives.
After an intense exchange of blows, Hisoka hits Kai in the face and slams him into the ground, scaring me as I see Kai's head cracking the ground.
As Hisoka congratulates Kai on his performance, I watch as his expression suddenly changes to a sadistic one. "Now, I have to get going and kill your girlfriend. That will surely encourage you even more."
With those words, the feeling of panic and desperation suddenly falls upon me. 'He's going to kill me. He's going to kill me. I knew I shouldn't have come back.' I think scared as I watch Hisoka turn around with my trembling eyes.
However, the sight of what happens next manages to change my state—A defeated, badly wounded and bloodied Kai, holding Hisoka's leg in an attempt to keep him still.
"BECAUSE SHE IS SOMEONE REALLY IMPORTANT TO ME!!!" Kai shouts with all his might.
As soon as I hear him shout those words, suddenly, for a moment, all the negative emotions that were plaguing me disappeared, and as I listen to Kai's spirited speech, I can't help but start to feel nervous, my heart starts to pound, and my face gets hotter and hotter.
'What's wrong with this guy? Despite the blood, bruises, and distortion, his face shows an unwavering conviction and will, unwilling to give up even in the face of an enemy so superior to him to protect a stranger like me.' I think while twiddling my fingers in nervousness.
My nervousness soon turns to shock as I watch Hisoka send Kai's body flying with a kick to the chin, telling him to come get him when he's ready.
"Okay, you can go out now." Hisoka says out loud after a moment of silence in the room, sending a chill down my spine.
"If you don't come out, then I'll have to get you out myself." Hisoka says turning his head to look in my direction.
Realizing that there is no point in trying to hide, I emerge from between the trees, entering the campsite and putting on a serious expression to hide my fear.
"Since you decided to come back here, I can leave Kai's care in your hands. I don't think he'll die from these injuries even if you don't do it, but he'll surely find it more comfortable to move around afterwards if he receives immediate treatment."
I find myself a little taken aback by Hisoka's worried words as he looks at Kai. "You're not going to try to kill me?" I ask in disbelief.
"No, I don't see the need for it anymore. If he's willing to become stronger to protect his friends, then I want to see how far that conviction takes him. In addition, seeds need sunlight in order to grow properly." Hisoka reply with a slight laugh before walking aside.
As he walks away, I quickly walk over to check on Kai's unconscious body. "By the way, I think I'll take you up on his offer of some stew after all. This workout has made me a little hungry. You don't mind, do you?"
I nod at Hisoka's smiling question, and while he serves himself a bowl of stew, I take charge of trying to tend to Kai's wounds.
End of the flashback.
Point of View Switch: Kai
"After finishing eating, he disappeared into the darkness of the forest, and I have been cleaning and bandaging your body ever since. It's amazing that you carried a first aid kit in your bag." Ponzu says as she bandages my head.
"I see. I'm glad we're over it." I say finally relaxing my body at the prospect of Ponzu no longer being in Hisoka's sights. "But that doesn't explain why you came back? You should have kept running and hiding so you wouldn't be in danger." I state in confusion.
"Even though it may not seem like it, I am capable of defending myself. I am not as defenseless as you think." Ponzu answers with a slightly annoyed tone. "Besides, I said I would follow you to the end of the phase, and I'm not a woman who breaks her promises."
"I guess we have that in common." I let out accompanied by a laugh.
As Ponzu tends to my head, I notice how her gaze softens. "Hey, Kai. You said you wanted to build a good relationships with me for when we become Hunters, right? If it's okay with you, when we both get our licenses, we could exchange contact information. After all, I think I'd feel a lot more comfortable knowing I had someone like you covering my back."
At Ponzu's unexpected words, a light blush stains my cheeks as I look away. "Well, the truth is that I haven't gotten myself a phone yet, so I don't have any number to give you. If it's okay with you, you can give me yours, and I'll give you a call when I get one of my own."
"Yes, it's ok." Ponzu says nodding.
Suddenly, an awkward silence falls over the place as we both find ourselves flustered about the current situation. The air is charged with a peculiar sensation that isn't unpleasant, but that I don't know how to handle either.
After helping Ponzu finish changing my bandages and pack up the camp, I ask her to wait a bit before heading to the cave because there is something I need to do first—Arrange a burial for my sword that has been cut in two by Hisoka.
I know this may sound like a stupid thing to ordinary people, but in this life I was born into a tribe of honorable warriors who value the effort and protection that combat weapons provide us against beasts and enemies, and who respect the tradition of passing them on to the next generation not only for protection, but to remember our history and the hopes of those who came before us. These are the values that have been passed on to me as a member of the Ikeda clan, and so I want to send off my family's old companion in a proper manner.
After burying my sword and setting up a stone as the tomb, I kneel down and put my hands together in a prayer position. "My dear and faithful companion, today your work is finished. I am thankful that you fought side by side with my predecessors. I am thankful that you fought side by side with me. I would not be where I am without you, and everything I do and achieve from now on will be thanks to you helping me through my difficult times. On behalf of myself and the Ikeda clan, I thank you for your service and I hope you rest in peace."
After my farewell speech, I stand up and, grabbing my bag, I begin to walk with Ponzu down the path to the hideout. Despite the darkness of the night and my still badly wounded body, we managed to reach the hidden cave after about half an hour.
'Thank goodness Hisoka went the other way.' I think while moving aside the underbrush so we can enter.
Wöchentlicher Energiestatus
-- Power-
Rangliste 
-- Power-
Stein