Chapitre 4: Chapter 4
Author's Note: I received a remark about Alluka's gender. So I want to clarify that in this fanfiction, she is depicted as a girl. By the same token, Kalluto is also a girl in this story.
Oh, I was forgetting! I also received some relevant advice regarding the logic behind the names of Killua's brothers, and I thank you for that kind attention. But I decided not to change anything since I have an idea to explain later the origin of the main character's name. And unfortunately, I like the name "Hiro" too much to consider modifying it!
I hope these clarifications shed some light on certain narrative choices made in this fanfiction. Feel free to share your impressions or suggestions, it's always constructive for a novice author like me. Enjoy the rest of the story!
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As the sun reached its zenith, Hiro stood in front of a huge door with Killua and Zeno.
There was also a number of servants accompanying them, and two in particular standing behind Hiro with immense suitcases.
"Killua, why do Canary and Amane have to carry your luggage too?" asked Hiro wearily.
"And why wouldn't they?" replied Killua, tilting his head with a sly smile.
"He knows very well I didn't bring Canary and Amane for menial work like carrying bags. But Killua still makes them carry his, even though technically I gave them mine too," thought Hiro with a twinge of guilt.
Just as Hiro wondered if he should play a trick on Killua later to punish his laziness, he was interrupted in his thoughts.
"Perhaps you've already seen it from afar, but let me formally introduce it to you," said Zeno.
"This is the door to our residence, we the Zoldyck family. It is also known in the region as the Door to the Netherworld, or the Testing Gate," he continued, walking until he stood right in front of it.
"If you ever find yourself outside, know that you are only allowed back through this door, or you will be punished," explained Zeno.
"Now, I will show you how to open it, which is quite simple...at least for us Zoldycks," he added before using one hand to push the first of the seven doors making up the Testing Gate.
"From now on, each of you will only be allowed to pass if you can get through this door, otherwise you will have to stay here," declared Zeno. When he finished speaking, his piercing gaze lingered on Canary and Amane.
After observing everyone, Zeno crossed to the other side of the door and closed it behind him.
"I thought I would get to see Grandfather Zeno's true physical strength in action today, but I was mistaken. He's merely opening the first door, the 2-ton one," thought Hiro.
Two tons is huge, at least by Earth standards. To give you a clear picture, the world record for heaviest weight lifted by a human is 500 kg.
So no Earth human could ever qualify to pass through the Testing Gate.
And of course, Zeno had only displayed the bare minimum required to avoid wasting unnecessary time and energy.
That had always been one of Zeno's principles: use the minimum needed to complete the mission in the fastest, simplest way.
"Hey Killua, could you go first?" asked Hiro.
"Yeah, sure, no problem!" accepted Killua without hesitation.
Once in front of the door, he took a deep breath and pushed with all his might.
Hiro could see enormous veins bulge from Killua's visible hands, even though such things shouldn't be exposed on a 6-year-old's body.
BOOM That was the sound of the first 2-ton door.
BOOM The next sound was the second door, twice the weight of the first: 4 tons.
BOOM Then the fourth door, again doubling the previous: 16 tons.
When Killua opened the third door, it seemed the fourth would never budge with his current strength. So he went through and the doors closed behind him.
"Young master Hiro, Canary and I would like to know why you want us to come with you," asked Amane.
But Hiro nonchalantly ignored her question as he gazed at the door before him.
"I know the current situation is bizarre for you two," Hiro began speaking.
"After all, I summoned you on short notice even though you must have plenty to do," he continued calmly.
"But I have personal reasons for choosing you two specifically, out of all the butlers and apprentices," he explained, this time turning his back to them and heading towards the Testing Gate.
"So I'll ask you not to question me for now, and wait until we reach our destination," concluded Hiro, placing his hands on the door.
This was the first time Hiro had the chance to test his physical strength in its raw state, and he was very tempted to do so. But this was neither the time nor place, unfortunately.
"I'll have to hold back again, but not too much since Canary and Amane are here. I have to show them I'm a much better potential master than Killua or the other Zoldycks," thought Hiro.
While his mind was flooded with various thoughts, they all evaporated in an instant.
All that remained was Hiro and the Testing Gate, the moment he started applying force onto it.
BOOM The first door opened.
BOOM The second also gave way under Hiro's pressure.
BOOM The third door opened as well.
Yet Hiro didn't want to go through right away. He wanted to try something.
"Future Devil," he mumbled.
Thanks to his vision, Hiro saw that if he used his full strength, he could open the fourth door.
"All this extra training with Zeno and my determination is finally paying off," thought Hiro, delighted.
Hiro ended up going past the door and saw Killua give him a thumbs up.
"I'm surprised. Even though you never manage to beat me in our little matches, you have physical strength equal to mine," observed Killua.
"Is that a compliment or are you bragging?" asked Hiro.
After hearing that, Killua pretended to think then answered "Both" with his signature catlike grin.
Just as they were starting a minor argument, a familiar sound rang out.
BOOM That was the door, the 2-ton one precisely, and Canary had just opened it while laboriously bringing the luggage through one by one.
After Canary had moved all the suitcases, it was Amane's turn. She managed to open the second door.
"It's normal for Amane to open the second door, she's older than me, Killua and Canary, not to mention her grandmother's identity," thought Hiro.
"Now that you have passed through the Testing Gate, we can leave for our destination," declared Zeno, looking satisfied at me.
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Hiro's POV
It was a long journey and when I say long, it was really very long.
It was my first trip since my reincarnation in the HxH world and I'll admit, it was exhausting. But at least we're here now.
"So this is our destination, Grandfather?" I said admiringly, looking out the airship window.
Through the porthole, I began to glimpse a breathtaking view: Heaven's Arena, which is truly impressive.
"Yes, this is where we're headed, Hiro and Killua. I present you the place that will host you for the coming months or years, depending on your results," announced Zeno.
"This location is called Heaven's Arena."
After that, Zeno gave me and Killua more details on our goal in coming here: to fight in the tower up to the 200th floor, just as I expected.
"Hiro, I bet I'll be the first to reach the 200th floor!" exclaimed Killua, overexcited.
"Don't worry Killua. I'll console you when you're in tears after I beat you in the tower. And of course, I'll be the first to the 200th floor," I shot back.
Personally, I'm not worried about reaching the 200th floor, since it will be easy with my future vision and superhuman strength.
But I'll stay in this city as long as Killua to enjoy a brief period of freedom, far from the Zoldycks' influence.
"And you Canary, you listened carefully to Grandfather, right?" I asked the young girl.
"Yes, young master. You must reach the 200th floor and only then will you be allowed to return home," she explained.
"That's true, but he didn't mention any rule preventing you or Amane from participating in the tower fights," I pointed out.
She seemed a bit shocked and hesitant about taking part in my plan.
And I could see on Amane's face that she felt the same as Canary.
"Don't worry, I've already spoken to Grandfather Zeno. And he has entrusted you two to me for the duration of our stay," I reassured them.
They quickly relaxed after hearing Grandfather Zeno had placed them under me during our trip.
État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone