A.N: I've got some good news. I think I've found the solution to beating my slump consistently. I started working out by jogging every other day, and I have to say, it's really cleared my head. And I also have to say, if that's really the most consistent solution, my legs are going to be really jacked.
Anyway, enjoy the chapter folks.
Chapter 24: Show Me...
Tetsuichi was immediately staring at Gon with a look of utter confusion on his face. "And...who are you exactly? Actually, wait, don't answer that. You called this lady your 'Aunt Mito'. Guess that makes you her family, huh?"
"I told you to get away from Aunt Mito, now do it!" Gon demanded.
"No, Gon! Run!" Mito yelled. "Get away from him!"
"I'm not leaving you!" Gon shouted defiantly, putting up his fists, ready to fight the Cult of the End's Deacon.
Tetsuichi just laughed at this as he turned away from Mito. His body suddenly turned metallic gray as he walked over to Gon. "The pair on you, you little brat." He taunted. "I actually kinda like it. Unfortunately for you, I don't like it enough to go easy on you. I'm walking a path to greatness, see? And whoever bars that path gets swept aside violently, no exceptions."
Gon glared at Tetsuichi before repeating himself. "Get. Away. From Aunt Mito." He said firmly.
Tetsuichi chuckled. "Okay," he said, "fine, I'll get away from her, you little brat."
Tetsuichi walked away from the terrified Mito, who found herself paralyze, unable to do anything to help Gon. "But I'm going to approach you and play with you for a bit instead." Tetsuichi continued. "And you're really going to hate what comes next."
Gon kept his fists up defiantly, preparing to fight Tetsuichi. I don't have Nen anymore, but that doesn't matter. I'm not going to let this guy hurt Aunt Mito!
Tetsuichi frowned slightly as he continued to approach Gon. What is up with this kid? He wondered. If he's got the balls to approach me, doesn't he have some kind of trump card that he thinks he can use to hurt me? Huh? And yet, I can sense anything from him…
From the reports we got from our allies in this world, the strongest fighters have access to an energy source called Nen...which is weirdly enough, similar to our Reiki because it's basically a person's life aura converted to power. Tetsuichi remembered. Basically, the only way anyone in this world can survive a fight against us is if they have Nen. And in some cases, particularly strong Nen.
This kid...he's got the eyes of a brat who has actually been in a lot of life or death struggles...seen a lot of battles. That means he has to have Nen, right? Wrong! I can't sense anything inside him, so what the hell? What the actual hell?!
Tetsuichi scowled. This kid's powerless...and he's still got the balls...no, he's got the nerve to try and challenge me? Okay, I'm going to snap him like a twig for this. But first, a little torment.
"Okay, brat," Tetsuichi held out his arms wide open, turning his scowl into a big grin, "if you've got the pair to try and fight me, I'll do you a solid and let you take the first shot!"
Gon looked at Tetsuichi suspiciously, something the Deacon took notice of. "Huh? What's with that look? I'm being serious, ya know." Tetsuichi told him. "I may not look it, but I'm actually a very considerate guy. I meant my offer, one hundred percent, I swear."
Gon narrowed his eyes. He does seem sincere. I should try to get the first blow in, because that way I can wail on him before he can fight back. So, I'll take his offer! I'll smash this jerk and break every bone in his body!
Gon leapt up and threw a strong right hook right into Tetsuichi's face. Gon kept his composure for a brief moment, thinking it would make Tetsuichi flinch. Then, while Tetsuichi had flinched from the blow, Gon would throw a flurry of punches right into Tetsuichi's face that would break all his facial bones and give him a mean concussion that would make him lose consciousness within minutes.
However, that did not happen.
Gon immediately bit his lip instinctively to avoid screaming in pain, feeling the bones in his right hand break upon making contact with Tetsuichi's metallic looking face. Simply because his face was metallic now. Gon had just punched steel, enhanced by Reiki.
In that brief moment, Gon's plan to assail Tetsuichi with a series of punches instead of one blow stalled. And that was all the time Tetsuichi needed to counter. Tetsuichi looked at Gon's left arm, which was still gearing up to punch in spite of the fact that Gon's consciousness was focused on the pain in his right hand.
"Don't tell me you were going to punch me more than once!" He shouted before raising his own fist. "Naughty, naughty!"
Gon let out a brief yell of pain before being smashed into the ground by a haymaker from Tetsuichi. "Gon!" Mito screamed in horror, seeing her adopted son smashed into the ground.
Tetsuichi laughed before punching Gon into the ground repeatedly. "Die! Die! Die! Die! Die! Die! Die!" Tetsuichi screamed repeatedly with every punch.
Then, with one last punch, Tetsuichi created a miniature crater, leaving a bloodied and bruised Gon, lying motionless in the ground. "Well, that was disappointingly easy. Not that the outcome wasn't obvious from the very start." Tetsuichi heaved a sigh as he straightened himself out. "You never stood a chance, you brat."
Tetsuichi pointed at his metallic body. "This is my Art: Man of Steel! My skin can reform itself into steel! A defensive wall that only those whose strength surpasses my own can break!"
Tetsuichi then remembered that Gon was motionless and would therefore not respond and sighed, cursing his stupidity for talking to a kid who was unresponsive. "...Why in the world did I waste my time trying to explain all of that to you?" He wondered.
"Gon!" Mito screamed in horror, making Tetsuichi scowl.
Tetsuichi looked over his shoulder to see Mito looking at the crater Gon's body was in. She then glared at Tetsuichi. "You bastard!" She yelled at him. "How could you beat a child so brutally? How do you live with yourself?!"
"Huh? You saw how he was willing to fight me, right? Even if someone's a child, that little defense goes out the window once that someone decides to fight and put their life on the line. If you want to get mad at anyone, get mad at the brat for throwing his life away against an enemy he could never hope to beat."
"And trust me on this, as someone who's had to step on the throats of more than one screaming brat and then press down hard to shut 'em up, I can tell the difference between a defenseless child and one that can actually fight." Tetsuichi grinned sadistically at those particular memories. "That kid may no longer have his 'Nen' but he still had the balls to raise his fists against me. Now granted, that makes him stupid rather than brave. However, any violent act needs a violent response in war."
"That is just how the universe works." Tetsuichi began strolling casually towards Mito. He could take his time, after all. No one could stop him.
The others have been defeated...but no one is going to get here in time. Tetsuichi noted before frowning. Still, if that Grandmaster and his little gang were the ones who took down Hotaru and the others…
Tetsuichi was cut from his thoughts when he heard the sound of someone rising to his feet. Mito gasped in utter terror and shock, giving Tetsuichi an idea of who had gotten to his feet. Then again, there was only one person who was on his back, so there was really only one person who could've gotten to his feet.
"You have gotta be friggin kidding me." Tetsuichi complained, looking over his shoulder to see a bruised Gon Freecss rising to his feet. "For real? Brat, you really shouldn't be getting up after the beatdown I just gave you."
Gon glared at Tetsuichi. "Guess you don't know me." He spat. "You can knock me down as many times as you want. I'll always get back up if I have someone I have to protect, like Aunt Mito."
Tetsuichi scowled. "That's a real determined look ya got there, brat. As much as I love the brass balls you've clearly got...it's really starting to piss me off." He admitted. "You're a powerless little brat. And you're still trying to fight me. You're nothing special at all! So why the hell are you still trying to fight me, huh? What gives you the right to approach me with such resolve, huh?"
Tetsuichi then regained his composure and smirked. "Well, that's fine, I guess." He conceded. "Because truth be told, as an unbreakable man, if there is one thing I truly love, it's breaking the fragile, like you."
"So by all means, keep approaching me you brat." Tetsuichi gestured for Gon to continue approaching him. "Because I am really, really looking forward to breaking your body and soul into a million pieces."
"Bring it then," Gon growled, "I won't let you hurt Aunt Mito."
Tetsuichi's smirk vanished and scowled once more. "You brat," he growled, "I hate that look. I think the first thing I'm going to do is make sure your face is broken to the point where you can't look at me like that again. Let's see if you can make such statements when your face is too broken to glare at me."
Gon took a deep breath, bracing himself for what was coming. I can't beat him. He admitted. But I can't stand being helpless and being unable to help people I care about.
So...even if I've got no chance of winning, I won't back down. Ruby, Izuku, Asta, Grandmaster Sojiro...please, whatever happens to me, you've gotta save Aunt Mito.
Gon punched Tetsuichi with his left fist. He winced slightly, feeling his hand ring and throb from the pain. Gon may have had an incredible tolerance for pain, but that did not mean he did not feel everything. He was just better equipped to ignore pain.
This, unfortunately, was one of the moments where Gon's tolerance for pain did not help him. Rather, it hindered him. The reality is, experiencing pain at its fullest is necessary for a living creature's survival instincts. Without pain, a creature does not know when to use 'flight' rather than 'fight' and they die an idiotic death as a result.
If this kept up, Gon was going to die. Then Mito was going to die, then Mito's grandmother was going to die. They were all going to die, and Gon would not have accomplished anything other than delaying the inevitable.
Tetsuichi sighed. "I'm going to go out on a limb and say that you're not the brightest bulb in the drawer, eh brat?" He asked. "Punching me didn't work before so you thought you'd do it again? Or perhaps my last flurry of punches knocked something loose in your head?"
"Either way...do yourself a favor and stay down." Tetsuichi said flatly before punching Gon back into the ground. His expression immediately turned manic as he punched at Gon repeatedly. "You hear me?! Stay down! Stay down! Stay down! STAY DOWN!"
"GON!" Mito could scream, horrified at the sight of Gon being beaten down once more by Tetsuichi.
"And I don't want to hear a peep out of you, bitch!" Tetsuichi screamed at Mito, not missing a beat as he continued to ruthlessly beat Gon down. "Just wait right there and I'll snap your pretty little neck!"
"As for you, I'll smash you flat!" Tetsuichi turned his attention to Gon and delivered one final blow that blasted Gon into an even deeper crater than the one before.
Mito could only scream in terror and despair like before. She was helpless. Utterly helpless and unable to do anything for Gon.
Tetsuichi just laughed. "Oh man," he said, "I wonder if I could punch him right through the island. Now that would be a damn good way to test the limits of my strength."
His expression then turned serious. "I can't hang around here much longer though." He growled. "With the other Deacons down for the count, the tide has turned against us this time. Seriously, how the hell did they lose to the rest of those pieces of trash?"
"No matter, as the only survivor, that means I alone will be the one to receive the praise from the Archbishop." Tetsuichi smirked before advancing on Mito. "Now then, let's silence you two and I can wrap this up!"
"I'm going to politely ask you not to, young man." Tetsuichi instinctively blocked a karate chop that suddenly came out of nowhere with his forearm.
What the hell?
"Now then, you will leave Ms. Freecss and her family alone." Sojiro demanded.
Tetsuichi's eyes widened. This geezer...he's Menou's Grandmaster. Damn it, what the hell are those useless Acolytes doing? I thought they'd have him occupied a bit longer!
"Starlight Breaker!" Sojiro yelled, punching Tetsuichi in the stomach and knocking him to the edge of a nearby cliff.
"Are you alright, Mrs. Freecss?" Sojiro addressed Mito.
"We're fine, Grandmaster," Mito nodded before frantically pointing at the crater Gon was in, "but sir, Gon is…"
Sojiro turned to the crater and gasped in horror. "Gon!" Sojiro yelled in concern, running over to the crater and gasping, seeing Gon lying motionless inside of the crater.
Damn it, this is all my fault. Sojiro growled in frustration. I take my eye off him for a moment and he runs off on his own, unable to fight. At least he's alive...I just have to take him to Noriko as quickly as I can.
"Hey, geezer!" Sojiro turned to see Tetsuichi rising to his feet, his metallic stomach having cracked from the old man's Starlight Breaker. "I'd worry less about the brat, and more about the fact that either you or I am going to break your hip in this fight. Of course, I intend to break more than just your hip."
Tetsuichi smirked. "Oh yeah, the praise I shall receive from the Archbishop for snuffing out the life of Menou's washed up but somehow still legendary Grandmaster."
Mito looked at both men in confusion, unfamiliar with a place called Menou. Sojiro raised his fists. "Keep talking, boy." He said. "As a teacher, I consider it my sworn duty to break arrogant youths like you out of their habits."
"Of course, you're no student of mine, you're an enemy of my kingdom and the entire universe." Sojiro added. "I intend to break more than just your arrogance. For the people of Whale Island, I'm going to break you completely. I'd start praying to that dark god of yours, boy."
"Ha! I see age hasn't dulled your fire. Of course, the spirit is quite willing, but it looks like your flesh has aged tremendously." Tetsuichi taunted. "Now let's go-"
"Grandmaster…" Sojiro and Tetsuichi froze in shock, hearing a pained, weakened but very familiar voice.
Sojiro looked down and gasped. Gon had forced himself to his feet and was now climbing his way out of the crater, wincing in pain with each step he took. "Gon…" he muttered in disbelief.
How can he be standing after taking two brutal beatings without Nen to protect him and empower him? Sojiro wondered. Is this just the boy's natural strength of will? It's incredible!
Tetsuichi could only sputter in shock and anger as Gon managed to climb right out of the crater, still standing and still clearly raring to continue the fight. "You have gotta be kidding me. You have gotta be freaking kidding me!" Tetsuichi screamed in rage. "What the hell is with you, you damn brat?! What is it going to take to get you to understand that you can't do anything to me?"
"Gon, I admire your spirit, but please, stay down." Sojiro told him. "I can fight him on my own. You've done a splendid job holding down the fort and protecting your aunt and grandmother. Please, just let me handle this."
"Grandmaster...thank you for coming to save granny and Aunt Mito. I'm grateful to you for that" Gon weakly told him. "But...I have to ask that you let me fight with you."
"Gon, you know I can't do that." Sojiro gently told him. "You don't have power to allow you to last in a fight like this. Rest. Rest and I can get you to Noriko. She'll heal your wounds…"
"I don't want to rest! Not while this jerk is still standing!" Gon yelled before wincing in pain. "This guy...he attacked my family! Don't I have the right to kick his ass for that?"
"Gon...normally you would, but you can't fight him…"
"And it's not just this guy! These people...whoever they are, attacked my home! How many people did they kill, Grandmaster?" Gon demanded, furious with the Cult of the End. "How many people that I've known since I was a baby have died because of jerks like this guy, huh?"
Sojiro could not answer that. While his group had done so well in defeating these cultists, he did not doubt that they had also failed to save many innocent lives from a cruel death. "I...I can't stand being on the losing end forever!" Gon admitted. "But more than that...I can't stand being so damn weak that I can't protect people I care about!"
That stirred a chord within Sojiro. "So please, let me fight with you, even if I can't do much. I'm tired of being helpless while people I care about get hurt or die! I...I want to do some good with my power for once!" Gon was almost in tears now.
Sojiro looked into his pocket, remembering that he did have something that could help Gon in that regard. He may have only had a finite number of them. But he had more than one. That was all he needed to help Gon. Of course, doing so would go against everything he personally believed in about children participating in battle and warfare.
Of course, Sojiro had already been forced to break that rule so many times throughout his travels. And at the end of the day, Gon had something he simply could not ignore: heart.
"Are you absolutely certain you want this? I don't know why you had power but then lost it...but I can only imagine it was quite the trauma." Sojiro noted.
"I am, because what happened back then was completely my mistake to make." Gon managed to respond. "In spite of how things ended back then...if I could get the chance to try again...I would take it in a heartbeat, even if it meant taking that risk."
"I guess I really have softened up in my old age." Sojiro mused with a small smile. "You know, I lost two brothers of mine to war, they were just little children. So, as a rule, I try to keep children out of wars."
"But you know Gon, I can't say no, when you have resolve like that." Sojiro admitted.
"Now then, what if I told you I could give you back your power? It would only be for a short time, but I can do it. Of course, once the timer period runs out, you'll be back to normal once again. Are you still willing to do it?"
"I am." Gon responded without hesitation. "I don't know how you'd pull it off, but if you really can do it sir...I want you to do it to me!"
"Ms. Freecss," Sojiro turned to Mito, "I apologize for this. Are you alright with what I'm about to do to the boy?"
Mito shook her head. "I'm not...I know this means Gon's going to go and put himself in danger again." She then smiled. "But the happiest I ever saw Gon was when he was out there, living his dream with all the strength, wonder and resolve he had in his heart. I...I'd be selfish if I were denying him that. He's his father's son, after all."
"Grandmaster...whatever you do, please do it. Give my Gon his power back." Mito ordered.
Sojiro nodded. "I understand," he said before reaching into his pocket and retrieving the third Time Seal, "Gon, I'm going to lift up the back of your shirt for you."
Tetsuichi just stared in confusion as Sojiro did just that. What the hell...what is he hoping to accomplish by doing...whatever it is he's doing? Tetsuichi wondered before letting out a horrified gasp. Oh crap! Wait, the reports from the Quirk World and the Grimoire World regarding All Might and Wizard King regaining their powers! Is he going to do the same for the brat! No! No! No!
Tetsuichi rushed towards Gon and Sojiro. Sojiro ignored Tetsuichi and applied the seal. "Rewind back...to the time your body could use Nen." Sojiro ordered softly.
With that, Gon's body lit up in a golden glow. Tetsuich froze in place, staring at Gon in terror. What...what the hell is this? Tetsuichi wondered. Is this what restored All Might and the Wizard King's power?
No...it's not just that. It's the brat's own Nen! Tetsuichi realized as his confidence was wiped away in a near instant. This brat's a monster!
Tetsuichi regained his composure, snarling. Screw it! I'm not going to let it end like this! I'm a deacon in service of his god! There is no way in hell I'm going to let it end like this! A brat and a washed up geezer are not going to ruin my triumph!
Gon glared at Tetsuichi as the metallic man began rushing towards him once more. "Grandmaster, stay back." Gon requested in a low tone of voice. "As I am now...I can handle this on my own."
Sojiro smiled and nodded. "That you can."
Show me your resolve, my boy.
Tetsuichi was even closer now. And then, Gon dropped into a familiar stance and said the words he had genuinely missed being able to say and have them actually mean something.
"Show. Me. Rock." Gon growled as he gathered his aura in his right fist.
Tetsuichi was now upon Gon, crossing two open palms. I'll break him in half!
"Iron Cross Execution!" Tetsuichi yelled, attempting to uncross his arms and decapitate Gon with two karate chops. "Die!"
Gon calmly backed up, avoiding the swipes from Tetsuichi. "Too slow." He muttered.
Tetsuichi's eyes widened in disbelief. "My turn," Gon said to him, "Janken Rock!"
Gon delivered a punch right into Tetsuichi's midsection, right where the cracks were from Sojiro's last attack. Tetsuichi let out a brief yell before he was launched away by the force of Gon's Nen-enhanced punch. Sojiro could not help but smile in pride. He's strong. He noted. Something tells me he'll be joining up with us...he'll fit right in with the other little ones.
Tetsuichi was left splayed on his back, motionless from the force of Gon's attack. Sojiro took note of the fact that Gon had aimed for the spot he had hit earlier. The boy's actually a natural tactician. He mused. He knew to aim at that Deacon's weak spot, which I had made with my last attack. Yes, he will, without a doubt, make for quite the ally.
Gon could only yell with glee when it finally hit him. His Nen had indeed returned to him. He had power again. He could fight again. And he could use his power to do some good for a change, rather than just make things worse for the people who care about him.
Gon's happiness was immediately wiped away as Tetsuichi suddenly shot to his feet, bleeding from an open wound. The hulk of a man screamed in pain and rage. "You haven't won yet!" Tetsuichi screamed. "A piece of garbage like you can't beat me that easily, do you understand?"
Meanwhile, all across Whale Island the other Deacons began to rise to their feet, glaring at the foes that had bested them before. "Blondie! I'm not done yet!" Seiji screamed at Yang Xiao Long.
"Did you two really think you had beaten me?" Yoshikawa hissed, staring at Noelle Silva and Weiss Schnee with nothing less than murder in his eyes.
"I ain't done with you yet, Deku." Enko growled at Izuku Midoriya. "We're going another round, right now!"
"Look what you've done to me, Red!" Hotaru screamed, gesturing to her wounds. "You're going to pay!"
All 5 fighters only had one response. "Bring it!" They all seemed to yell in unison.
However, in an instant, the tide changed once more. This time, in favor of our intrepid heroes.
As static electricity surrounded Seiji's body, a young boy suddenly appeared behind Seiji and shoved his hand right through Seiji's body without fear of the electricity. Seiji let out a sharp gasp before going limp, much to Yang's shock.
Killua Zoldyck smirked as Seiji's dead body collapsed onto its stomach. "Glad I came to this particular spot. This guy was an idiot, thinking he could ever use electricity around someone like me."
Killua then noticed Yang, who was staring at this little boy in disbelief over the fact he had taken a life without even blinking. "So, who are you, exactly?" He asked.
A portal suddenly opened near Yoshikawa and a fist came out and punched him square in the jaw. Then a chain appeared, wrapping around his neck. A quick yank bent his neck at an unnatural angle, snapping it and killing Yoshikawa instantly.
"Excellent!" Leorio Paradinight made his presence known, flanked by Kurapika. "I've always wanted to come to the rescue of two lovely ladies."
"Still...was killing that guy really necessary, Kurapika?"
"Evil must be exterminated." Kurapika responded simply, making Leorio shudder at Kurapika's rather dark attitude.
Leorio then remembered the two very beautiful girls he had saved before and grinned at them. "Hey you two, how's it going. The name's Leorio. I'm single and I'm ready to mingle."
"EW!" Weiss and Noelle shrieked before slapping Leorio in unison.
As for Ruby and Izuku, help came in a very shocking way. A tall, young man with slicked back black hair, wearing a uniform similar to the other Travelers suddenly appeared behind Enko. Swiftly, he snapped her neck, killing her quickly and shocking Izuku.
And then the same man suddenly appeared from above, dropping onto Hotaru and driving her into the ground face-first, caving her skull in and killing her instantly as well. "Wh-what?" Ruby could only say in disbelief.
"Hi there," the two dark-haired men dressed in the garbs of a Traveler smiled in a friendly manner towards Ruby and Izuku, seemingly speaking in unison from two different locations, "my name is Kazuo. I'm a Traveler. I assume you know what that means, since I sense that you've been hanging around with other people of my kind."
And finally, an even odder form of help arrived for Gon and Sojiro. Odd in the sense that this one seemed far less friendly than the others. He was a man dressed completely in black, wearing a white mask eerily reminiscent of the Phantom of the Opera, only it covered his entire face and not just half of it.
He suddenly appeared in front of Tetsuichi, who gasped at his presence. "You…" He managed before the masked man shoved his fist right through Tetsuichi's chest.
"Tetsuichi, your position as Deacon is hereby terminated." The masked man said to Tetsuichi. "Farewell."
Tetsuichi collapsed after the masked man took his fist out of his body, dying soon after. Sojiro was immediately put on guard. This man was far more dangerous than the Deacon was. Said man then turned to Sojiro. "Oh, calm yourself, Grandmaster, I have no interest in fighting you yet." He revealed. "While it is true I am cooperating with the Cult, your destruction is their responsibility. This one had to be eliminated for being unable to do his job."
"But we will meet again." The masked man promised. "And one of these days, we will face off. I am the Phantom, the one who will remake the universe."
The one called Phantom then sped off. "Whoa!" Gon exclaimed. "Was that teleportation?"
"No...he's just that fast." Sojiro immediately realized.
That one...that one's dangerous.
The Phantom then appeared by the Black Knight's side, making the armored behemoth stop in its tracks.
"Halt, you're having a bit too much fun." The Phantom told him.
The Black Knight looked at the Phantom before nodding. Kinpatsu watched this happen with a visibly confused expression on his face. "Umm...who are you?" He asked.
"...Ask your grandmaster," the Phantom replied before disappearing with the Black Knight.
And thus, the battle for Whale Island came to an end with a victory for Sojiro's group, but also more questions than answers. But first, some important reunions…
"Killua!" Gon yelled with glee, embracing his best friend. "I can't believe you're here."
Killua let out a grunt of surprise from being nearly tackled off his feet by Gon. He quickly regained his composure and smiled, hugging his best friend back. "Of course we're here you idiot." Killua told him. "We're your friends, remember? Friends have each other's backs."
Gon nodded and let go of Killua before turning his attention to Leorio and Kurapika. "I can't believe you guys came to see me too! It's great to see you again."
"Well, we were worried about you." Leorio replied. "Killua especially. We just wanted to check on you and make sure you were alright."
"Even you, huh Kurapika?" Gon asked, knowing that Kurapika's mind had been...elsewhere, lately.
Kurapika's hardened expression softened into a brief smile. "Of course," he said.
"But Gon, how in the world did you get Nen back?" Killua asked curiously, remembering exactly why he had lost it in the first place.
"Oh, Grandmaster Sojiro helped me get it back." Gon replied.
"And who's Grandmaster Sojiro?" Leorio asked.
"Oh, he's basically from space and he came here to stop some kind of cult from destroying the universe for their evil god...or something like that." Gon replied.
Leorio, Kurapika and Killua looked at Gon like he had grown a second head before sighing in unison. "Okay, yeah sure." Killua said, accepting that answer as the truth.
"Ooh, I should introduce you to my new friends!" Gon noted.
"We did get to meet a couple of them earlier, though they were immediately taken for medical treatment. They really gave it their all, but it was a good thing we arrived when we did." Leorio replied. "I offered to help, but that nurse told me she didn't want me anywhere near the girls."
"I wonder why." Killua muttered.
"OH SHUT UP!" Leorio yelled. "I am a one-hundred percent serious doctor."
"Well, come on, let's go meet 'em!" Gon exclaimed, taking his friends and leading them to Sojiro's group.
Meanwhile, Sojiro stared at the Traveler who had come to save Ruby and Izuku, a young man by the name of Kazuo. Sojiro's serious expression then relaxed into a smile. "It's been a long time, Kazuo." He noted.
"That it has, Grandmaster." Kazuo nodded at his former instructor.
"You became a Traveler...but that was the last I had heard from you." Sojiro noted. "I was worried, but then I remembered you had gone on a long journey to discover worlds in the deepest corners of the universe, a job you had volunteered for. This is far from the Act Worlds, but certainly not the furthest corners of the universe."
"So why are you here?"
Kazuo heaved a sigh. "Well, I made a mistake when I was traveling across the universe. Three years ago, I came across a world that had been destroyed by the Cult of the End. I tried to contact Menou, but in the process, I gave myself away and was attacked by the Cult. I barely escaped with my life. The transmission never even made it to Menou, unfortunately. I know for a fact they intercepted my transmission somehow."
"I knew they were onto me, so I had no choice but to go into hiding."
"You didn't try to contact Menou during those three years in hiding?" Sojiro was surprised.
"I couldn't lose the trail, because of the nature of the Void." Kazuo admitted. "And if I stayed on the trail, any transmissions I could try to send to Menou would just be intercepted by the Cult."
"Whoa, so just like Star Trek." Izuku Midoriya, who was listening in, muttered with stars in his eyes.
Izuku is a Trekkie too. Yes, that makes sense.
"They travel in some sort of fortress that floats through the Void. If I had to guess, I'd say they've got some sort of navigation system that allows them to lock onto the nearest world, where they travel to said world, wipe out the population, and then move onto the next one." Kazuo heaved a sigh. "I try to help the population as best as I can, but I fail every single time. I just can't beat those bastards on my own."
"You should've continued trying to contact us." Noriko piped up.
"Like I said, Noriko, if I had done that, they would've intercepted my message, discovered my location, then I would've been killed." Kazuo said with a sigh. "I would've loved to have gotten your guys' help, but it would've been impossible."
"But, these past three years, I've gathered as much information on them as possible." Kazuo revealed. "Their army is five thousand strong. They're led in the field by four Cardinals known as the Cardinals of D, who each command three lieutenants that make up what they call a Bishop Triad."
"We've had quite a few encounters with people like that." Sojiro told him. "Can you tell us anything we don't already know?"
"I know exactly what they're planning to do." Kazuo replied. "They're led by a man known as The Archbishop. I don't know his exact name though. All I've gathered is that he's obsessed with the Cult's original goal, and has a very ruthless hatred for Menou. Apparently, he had gathered up like minded individuals to resurrect the Cult of the End that had almost destroyed the universe thousands of years ago."
"And I think this should be obvious enough," Kazuo narrowed his eyes, "Grandmaster, they want to resurrect their god. They're calling it: The Covenant Project.'"
"The Covenant Project?" Kinpatsu raised an eyebrow at the name.
"Information on that is even harder to come by than information on the Archbishop's identity." Kazuo admitted. "But I'll tell you what does worry me, Grandmaster. Why keep this operation a secret if the goal is the same as it was thousands of years ago? It makes no sense to me. There's something else going on here."
"You're right," Sojiro rubbed his chin at this, "what in the world could the Covenant Project possibly be?"
"I don't know, all I know is it has something to do with the resurrection of their god." Kazuo sighed. "I'm sorry that's all I can give you though. I had been walking a tightrope these past several years. I could only get so much information."
Sojiro nodded. "Kazuo," he said sternly, "while I don't doubt you've been acting cautiously all these years, I really must stress to you that not trying to communicate with us on different occasions was a mistake. We could've dealt with this sooner."
"Hey, Grandmaster, don't be so hard on him." Ruby spoke up in his defense.
"No, he's right. After what happened the first time they had intercepted my communications, I panicked. Those bastards are frightening. I just...I just couldn't bring myself to take that risk again. I'm sorry, sir." Kazuo said to his former instructor. "My Art, Cloning, is nowhere near some of the great cloning powers of the universe. For starters, I'm only able to make one double…"
Sojiro sighed. "Well, there's nothing we can do now. The important thing is, you're here and we're all safe and ready to fight back against them."
"That's the spirit, Grandmaster!" Asta exclaimed.
"We need to reconvene at our headquarters and decide what our next move should be." Sojiro noted. "The four worlds we've been to recently, including this one, are the nearest worlds in the immediate area. That means, we've visited all of the proverbial battlegrounds."
"That means, our next move needs to be battle." Noriko realized, shuddering at the thought of a full-scale war.
"It's unavoidable at this point." Sojiro sighed.
"Grandmaster!" A familiar voice called out to Sojiro.
Sojiro's move improved immediately at the sound of Gon's voice. Gon soon arrived, flanked by Killua, Kurapika and Leorio. "Ah, Gon, nice to see you're up and about."
"Yep, Ms. Noriko's an awesome medic." Gon replied, making Noriko blush in embarrassment. "I wanted to introduce you all to my friends. They've been with me since I took the Hunter Exam"
Killua was the first to raise his hand and introduce himself. "'Sup," he said, "I'm Killua Zoldyck. Something tells me we're going to be working closely together from now on, so I might as well tell you right off the bat: I'm an assassin from a family of assassins."
"You? An assassin?" Noelle could not believe what she was hearing from Killua. "But you're just a child."
Killua pouted at that statement. You know, like a child. Yang shook her head, shuddering slightly at how effectively Killua had killed her opponent. "Noelle, he's not joking." She vouched for Killua. "I've seen him in action. It's…"
"Frightening, awesome?" Killua grinned at how easily he had spooked Yang.
"The first one." Yang deadpanned, knowing that Killua wanted her to say the latter.
"I'm Kurapika." Kurapika introduced himself next, having returned to his serious and distant disposition from earlier.
"...Anything you'd like to tell us about yourself, Kurapika?" Ruby asked, trying to be friendly with the serious-looking blonde.
"No." Kurapika bluntly responded.
Geez, Weiss was more pleasant when we first met her. Yang rolled her eyes inwardly.
"And for those of you who don't know me yet, you may call me Leorio Paradinight." Leorio grinned particularly at the ladies of the group. "I'm 21 years old and single."
Everyone gaped at Leorio when he announced his age. Yes, even Sojiro, the man who was several thousand years old. "...What?" Leorio asked.
"LIAR!" All the young members of the group shouted in unison, pointing accusingly at Leorio.
"WHAT?!" Leorio's mouth dropped open at so many people calling him a liar.
"No way in hell are you 21." Asta accused. "You look like you're a thirty-year-old."
"Are you one of those narcs that Yang used to tell me to be on the lookout for if I became a party girl like her?" Ruby asked innocently.
"Do you live on 21 Jump Street?" Izuku asked, making everyone look at the young hero for making yet another cultural reference that only he could possibly understand.
"No to all of those." Leorio growled in frustration, as he was telling the truth about his age.
"It's a pleasure to meet all of you, regardless." Sojiro assured Gon's friends, getting the group back on track.
"And you must be the old man from space." Killua noted. "Gon told us about you."
"I see...so he told you our mission then?" Sojiro asked.
"Yeah," Killua nodded, "so you guy sare from space and are trying to fight an evil space cult trying to resurrect their evil space god or something?"
"...Technically we're not from space. We're from a completely different world." Sojiro explained.
"You know, most people would just call that being from outer space, Gramps." Killua deadpanned.
"Well, you do have an outer space, technically." Sojiro admitted. "It's just that we do as well. Every world, universe whatever you call it, has its own outer space."
"The truth is, everything you all know about the world around you...it's so much bigger than you realize. So, so much bigger."
And so, Sojiro gave them all the short version of the truth of the universe. The Watchers, the many worlds they protected, and the Cult of the End's plan to eradicate everything in its sight. By the end, Leorio was paling with terror. "Holy...Gon, you really find some crazy company sometimes." He said to the young boy.
"You say that, Leorio, but if they do plan to destroy our world with everyone in it, we'd have gotten involved regardless." Kurapika reminded Leorio.
"True, but still…" Leorio muttered.
"I won't ask you all to join us." Sojiro promised them. "I know for a fact that Gon has already decided he wants to come with us. The boy's got a hunger in him I've only seen in a select few of my students."
"But you three can walk away and that's that."
"Well we can't walk away though, Gramps, that's just the thing." Killua pointed out. "If the bad guys are already planning to destroy our world, it makes sense to take the fight to them, right? Not that I don't appreciate you looking out for us, but we're kinda already involved. Hell, the whole world is pretty much involved."
"Besides, I can't deny a part of me really wants to see what assassinating aliens looks like." Killua admitted.
"You know, usually we send kids with attitudes like yours to councilors in our world." Noriko deadpanned at Killua.
"Scary as it sounds, I think I'd better help too." Leorio volunteered.
"Really, Leorio? Even if you're scared?" Gon asked in awe.
Leorio grinned. "Come on, did you really think our friendship means so little to me that I'd let you face some wack-ass doomsday cult on your own, Gon? Give me a bit more credit than that!"
"And what about you, Kurapika?" Leorio asked the group's chain-user. "I'm sure you want to do your part, right? Can't let those cultists just kill whoever they want, after all."
"I refuse." Kurapika said simply.
"Huh?" Leorio gasped in disbelief at Kurapika. He was always a very moral guy who wanted to do the right thing. Why in the world would he refuse to help at a time like this?
"Really, Kurapika?" Gon looked disappointed. "Why?"
Kurapika shook his head. "If I go fight this war with you people, I'll be distracted from my mission. To hunt down and kill the Phantom Troupe to bring my clan justice."
"Phantom Troupe?" Asta, Ruby and Izuku all tilted their heads in unison and confusion.
"A group of criminals with Class-A bounties that killed all of Kurapika's clan." Killua said with a shrug, showing that even he was growing a bit tired of Kurapika's revenge quest, even if he empathized with Kurapika's trauma. But he was still growing tired of it, especially after he saw what vengeance did to Gon back then.
"That's horrible…" Weiss muttered.
"Simply saying that doesn't do it justice." Kurapika muttered. "However...I will spare you the details for your sake. But you see...my clan has scarlet-colored eyes that are sold on the black market for a hefty price. The Phantom Troupe killed them all for their eyes."
"That's...whoa…" Izuku paled, horrified by such an act. Acts like those were considered the most evil things villains could possibly do in the comics he read as a child.
"I do not doubt that your cause is just, but I must not be distracted from my life's purpose." Kurapika said with a bow to Sojiro. "I'm terribly sorry. I will pray for your success."
Ruby frowned slightly at Kurapika's refusal to fight over vengeance. Doesn't he realize that if the universe is destroyed, he won't live long enough to get his revenge? She noted. You can't really afford to be selfish and focus only on your own goals when everyone's lives are at stake. Grandmaster Sojiro probably feels the same way.
If I know the grandmaster, he's probably going to give Kurapika a lecture and tell him to join us…
"Very well, Kurapika, but if you change your mind, we will gladly welcome you into our ranks." Sojiro said politely, making Ruby face-fault in shock.
Wait...what?
"Thank you for understanding, sir." Kurapika said gratefully. "I'm...truly sorry I can't join you. I just...if I can't ignore what I've lost, and what I still must accomplish. I've only killed two members of the Troupe so far...the rest must die so that the rest of the clan can rest in peace."
Sojiro's expression hardened. Ruby raised an eyebrow at said expression. Wait...he does have a problem with Kurapika's words. So why isn't he…
"I understand." Sojiro said simply. "Please, stay in contact with us though. If you need us. If you wish to join us. Just let us know. I'd like to keep one of Gon's dear friends close to him, if possible."
"...I will keep that in mind, sir." Kurapika promised.
"So, what happens next?" Leorio asked, deciding to take the conversation's focus off of Kurapika, knowing that this kind of talk made his friend uncomfortable.
"Are we going to space? Or whatever you guys call space?" Killua asked excitedly. "Please, please, please tell me we're going to space! I'll be the first ever assassin to go into space! That's awesome to think about!"
"Calm down, calm down." Sojiro chuckled, amused with Killua's enthusiasm. "First off, again, we're not going into space, because we're not really aliens. Where we'll eventually go will actually be the dimension that exists between every single world called the Void."
"Whoa, whoa, why would we go to a place like that?" Leorio went pale.
"It's actually not as bad as it sounds." Ruby assured Leorio. "We've got a cool house that gives us almost anything we want. Just as long as we don't leave the house or fall into the Void, according to the grandmaster, we'll be safe."
"So we're still technically surrounded by death? Doesn't sound safe." Killua muttered.
"You'll understand when you see it." Izuku promised.
"Anyway," Sojiro got everyone back on track, "the truth is, we're not actually going back to headquarters. Have you all forgotten our original mission?"
"To warn people, right?" Noelle asked. "They're already here though, so warning them is kind of a moot point."
"No kidding," Yami Sukehiro spoke up, "that's like seeing a fire being started watching it spread for a bit, and then shouting fire."
"That may be true, however there is still one thing we have to do. We need to let people know that there are those who wish to help." Sojiro replied. "This world though...we need to figure out the best way to get that message across…"
"Well, you don't necessarily have to get the message across to the entire world, just to the strongest people in it." Gon offered. "I mean, you are going to fight a war, right?"
"But, they have to have some sort of UN-deal going, right?" Izuku asked. "Something where all the nations converse on how to maintain world peace?"
"I don't know what this UN thing is, but the closest thing we get to cooperation between nations is the occasional conference." Killua explained. "But anyway, Gon's actually right. The place you guys should actually be going to officially ally with this world is where the strongest people in the entire world are."
"And that place," Gon picked up the slack once more, "is the Hunter Association. Remember what I told you, Grandmaster? If you want allies, the Hunter Association is the best place to start."
Sojiro gasped, remembering that Gon had indeed told them that. He had honestly forgotten because things had immediately grown chaotic as soon as Gon had told them all of this. "And you also said," Gon continued with a grin, "that I could guide you. And now that I've got my Nen back, I can do more than just be your guide."
Sojiro nodded. "I did agree to that," he admitted before smiling, "I also believe that I told you we needed your aunt's permission first."
Gon nodded. Sojiro ruffled Gon's hair. "Then we do that first, then we can immediately set sail for this Hunter Association."
And so, the group made their way to Mito Freecss, who seemed shockingly relaxed even though she had just recently escaped death. Perhaps she was more focused on the fact that her adopted son was safe and healthy, but at the same time about to embark on yet another journey.
Mito's mood was also improved by the sight of Killua Zoldyck, and getting to meet Leorio and Kurapika for the first time. She did love Gon's friends, after all, simply on account of the fact they were Gon's friends.
Mito looked at Sojiro and gave him a sad smile. "I know what you're going to ask me." She admitted. "You want my permission to allow Gon to join you on your quest, don't you?"
Sojiro heaved a sad sigh and nodded. "I'm...truly sorry to put this on you, Ms. Mito." He apologized sincerely.
"No, don't be, you saved our island. I am truly grateful to you and your subordinates for what you've done for us." Mito said with a smile.
"Aunt Mito," Gon said, "these people need my help. If I'm able to help someone, I should do it, right?"
"...Yes, Gon, yes you should." Mito said calmly before wiping a single tear from her eye. "But, you misunderstand me, you don't have to convince me of everything. I've already resolved myself to let you go once again."
Everyone looked at Mito in surprise. "R-really, Aunt Mito?" Gon was surprised to hear this.
"...You were so happy when you got your power back." Mito reminded Gon. "I won't pretend I understand a thing about hunters and the powers they have. However, I do understand one thing about this subject: the happiest days of your life, regardless of the dangers, were when you were a Hunter, out there having adventures with your friends."
"I don't like that you're going to war, but you're your father's son, Gon." Mito acknowledged. "You see adventure, you see something that piques your curiosity, you have to go and pursue it. That's who you are, and no matter how much a part of me wants to, it'd be cruel of me to deny that side of you. I can't do that to you."
"And besides, you're using that curiosity and sense of adventure to help people. I can't think of a better use of your sense of adventure than that."
"Aunt Mito…" Gon was looking at Mito in shock.
"You just have to make me a promise, Gon." Mito said to him. "Promise that you will be extra careful. I know you're used to danger because of all your adventures, but still. You're going to war this time. The situation is far more dangerous than it ever has been for you. So you have to be careful, do you understand me?"
Gon nodded and smiled without hesitation. "Of course, Aunt Mito." He said. "And I promise, I will be extra careful. And besides, I've got Killua and my friends, along with all these new friends of mine as well. I'm going to be just fine. I promise."
Mito smiled and held out a single pinky. "You know I'm going to need more than just a simple 'I promise' though." She reminded him.
"I know, a pinky promise." Gon nodded in agreement, holding out his own pinky.
"That's...kinda a stupid." Yami muttered.
"Oh shut up," Noriko growled, "this is beautiful, you walking piece of testosterone."
Gon and Mito locked pinkies and began to recite their promise together. "Pinky swear! So if I lie, stick a thousand needles in my eye!" They chanted. "And seal it with a kiss!"
Mito's lip started to quiver. Gon's did the same at the sight of it. The two then smiled, putting on a brave face for each other. "I'll come home safely, I promise." Gon said.
"You better," Mito managed to choke out, "after all, you'll have to stick a thousand needles in your eye in the afterlife."
"I know, I know." Gon nodded.
"And as for you, Grandmaster," Mito turned her attention to Sojiro, "please...please look after Gon. He means the world to me."
"Your son is more than capable of taking care of himself Ms. Freecss." Sojiro said before adding with a smile. "That being said, I promise I will do my best to look after Gon. He's now a precious student of mine, after all."
Mito nodded. "You gonna make the old man do the pinky swear as well, Miss?" Yami could not resist cracking a joke.
"No, I think that will stay between Gon and me." Mito laughed at that statement. "I wish you all the best of luck. And also...if you're ever back at Whale Island, know that you'll always have a place here. I owe you that much."
"I very much appreciate that." Sojiro nodded. "But really, we were just doing what anyone with power should do. Help the innocent and the weak."
"Well, I wish you all the best of luck in your journey and fight to do just that, and Grandmaster." Mito's smile became a grin before she said something that showed she was still Ging Freecss' cousin, deep down. "Kick their asses."
Sojiro nodded. "Alright, everyone," he said, "let's get moving. Gon, could you perhaps secure transport for us? I'm sure you know someone with a boat on this island who could help us sail to the mainland."
"Actually, we've already taken care of that for you, Grandmaster." Leorio spoke up. "And frankly, now that we have a much larger party, enlisting his help was a pretty wise move in hindsight."
"Huh, you've already gotten us a ship, Leorio?" Gon asked.
"Yep, I called in a favor with an old friend." Leorio grinned. "He was more than happy to help when we told him we were coming here to check in on you. And he's waiting at the docks to take us back right now. Imagine his surprise when he sees we're coming back with more."
"...Who exactly are you talking about?" Gon asked. "What old friend?"
Minutes later, at Whale Island's docks, Gon received his answer, and he was sincerely happy to see this particular individual again. "Mr. Captain!" Gon exclaimed, excited to see the ship captain that had taken him to the Hunter Exam. "It was you?"
The captain gave a hearty laugh at the sight of Gon and his usual excited personality. "Good to see you too, lad." He said kindly. "Your friends told me they were worried about you and asked for my help. I had to sail here to help them when I saw just how much they cared."
The captain sighed slightly. "With all the craziness going on, my ship's not getting a lot of work right now anyway." He admitted.
"So, Paradinight," the captain addressed Leorio next, "what's the plan? The kid looks fine. Much finer than this island does by the way. It looks like a war just tore through this place."
"Not entirely inaccurate, Captain." Leorio admitted with a sigh.
"Sorry, Cap, but the plan has changed. First, it looks like we'll be taking Gon with us." Killua spoke up.
"Sounds fine, not much of a change in plans." The captain said.
"And we'll also be taking these people with Gon as well if you don't mind." Killua said, gesturing to Sojiro's group.
The captain raised an eyebrow at Sojiro and his group. He then shrugged. "Well, if they're friends of Gon, then I'll gladly offer my ship to them."
"There's one more thing, Cap." Killua said. "We're not heading back to the previous port. We're heading to the port nearest to the Hunter Association. Can you take us there instead?"
This was where the captain frowned at them. "Are you serious, brat? I supplied this ship for a trip to Whale Island and back. You do realize there's more to sailing then just having a ship and an able-bodied crew, right? We need enough food for the trip as well."
Killua blushed in embarrassment at asking such a stupid question. Sojiro let out a small hum. If they did not have the supplies to sail from Whale Island to wherever the Hunter Association was, the journey would be next to impossible.
Then, citizens of Whale Island suddenly ran into view. Everyone watched in confusion as they began rummaging through their destroyed businesses to try and find...something. One citizen then ran up to Sojiro and the captain. "You need supplies?" He asked.
"Huh?" Sojiro looked at the man in confusion.
"We heard everything from Mito, and how Gon was going to leave again. We had originally come here to see him off, but if your ship needs more supplies to get to the Hunter Association, then let us help you."
At that moment, the citizens of Whale Island managed to find crates and ice boxes among their ruined businesses, which were holding fish, and lots of it. Sojiro's eyes widened, realizing exactly what the people meant to do.
"Gon's one of us, and you saved our island." The man reminded Sojiro. "So please, let us return the favor and send you on your way with enough food to make two sailing trips to the Hunter Association, sir."
"But...you need that fish to sell on the market. That's your livelihood." Ruby pointed out. "Please, we couldn't possibly take it from you."
"And I can always fish onboard the ship." Gon added.
The two young members of the group were silenced by Yami placing his hands on their shoulders. "They want to help us, even after everything that happened." Yami pointed out. "Don't upset them by refusing that help."
"And besides, it's pragmatic to accept their offer, unfortunately." Noriko said with a sigh. "Gon, I don't doubt you're an excellent fisherman, but the sea's unpredictable. You never know when you'll have a good haul. And when we're apparently low on supplies, that's just going to put us at risk."
Sojiro just smiled. Even after all they've lost, their first instinct is to help others. He mused. Humanity really does amaze me sometimes.
"Everyone," Gon teared up, "thank you so much."
The captain grinned and addressed one of his crew members. "Katsuo!" He called out to the young man who had once been a nervous wreck before Gon helped him. "Get some guys out here and help these folks load all this fish onboard."
The captain then turned to Sojiro and his team. "Looks like we've got our supplies." He said. "I hope you all like seafood though."
"We're not exactly picky." Sojiro promised with a chuckle.
"And while we're enjoying a nice seafood dinner, the first of many, clearly," the captain continued, "you can tell me how you know Gon."
Sojiro grinned. "Hope you like long stories, Captain." He responded.
Elsewhere, a Cultist Deacon suddenly collapsed onto his back, holding the stumps that were once his hands out in front of his place, screaming in terror and pain. Surrounding him were the bodies of his Acolytes, all with playing cards sticking out of their bodies.
"You…" the Deacon looked up at his attacker in terror. "What the hell are you?!"
A clownish-looking individual looked down at the terrified Deacon with a serene but depraved smile. "Weren't you listening? I am a magician." Hisoka Morrow responded in a serene tone of voice before holding up a single playing card. "And now for my next trick, I'm going to make your life disappear."
In a flash, the playing card was embedded right into the Deacon's forehead. In fact, the Deacon had no time to scream as his life was cut short.
As the Deacon's body fell backwards, Hisoka's smile turned into a disappointed frown. "These...people," Hisoka muttered, "they kill a ton of people, but they die quite easily themselves."
"It's because you're simply that strong." A female voice spoke up.
Hisoka looked over his shoulder to see a dark haired woman wearing a strange, bird-like mask that looked like a skull. Flanking her was a woman dressed in a witch's attire, a man in a plague mask with two arms that looked like they had been sewn back on, and finally, a visibly nervous young man with oily black hair and green eyes, dressed in the same attire as the people Hisoka had just killed.
"And the way I see it," Raven Branwen said, removing her mask, "that could make you quite the asset."
"Asset, eh?" Hisoka smirked, pretending to wonder just what Raven meant by that.
Raven frowned at Hisoka playing coy. "You know what I meant." She said. "I want to talk, so let's talk, jester."
AN: A lot to unpack here, as usual. Gon's back in action and has reunited with his friends. Meanwhile, Raven Branwen has somehow met with Hisoka. I actually can see about two more chapters for the prologue before things end officially. I hope everyone enjoyed this chapter though. See you next time. Stay safe. Stay healthy. With my new method to beating my slump, I'm certainly going to be staying healthy.