Between Two Worlds: Nen and Haki

Manlong, under the impact of the punches, felt his feet sink into the sand. He continued to slide backward, plowing two long furrows in the earth.

After an unknown amount of time, Zane finally stopped as he threw the final punch.

"Not bad. You've gotten a decent handle on Armament Haki."

Zane remarked with feeling, looking at Manlong, whose blood was surging and body was steaming from enduring the repeated onslaught.

Manlong was indeed gifted.

In just three months, he had awakened his Armament Haki, and it was maturing by the day.

While Zane's constant sparring played a role, such a rapid growth rate proved that Manlong was an undeniable genius.

"You flatter me, Boss. I'm still a long way from reaching your level."

Exhaling a long breath, Manlong recovered from the intense impact. He dispelled the Armament Haki on his chest and scratched his head, looking a bit embarrassed.

"Listen to you. If you surpassed me in just three months, how could I still be your boss?" Zane rolled his eyes.

He then unwrapped the black cloth from his arm and tied it over his eyes.

"Come on, it's your turn to work hard now." With his vision blocked, Zane stood relaxed in place.

Manlong grunted in affirmation. Without hesitation, he raised his fists and began a fierce assault, just as Zane had done.

Footwork shifted.

The body swayed.

Unlike Manlong's brute resistance...

Zane dodged with agile movements, evading Manlong's attacks one after another.

Given his blindfolded state, this dragon-like evasion undoubtedly explained everything.

Whether it was the mental stimulation from the awakening of his past life's memories or the sense of threat from Doflamingo...

...in short, Zane hadn't wasted these three months.

Through repeated bouts with Manlong, he had finally awakened Observation Haki.

After an intense assault lasting nearly an hour, Zane finally stopped his Observation Haki training as mental fatigue set in.

Haki is a manifestation of will and spirit.

Using it for extended periods naturally drained the mind.

But this depletion was also a form of training.

As long as one didn't overextend, each mental drain only made the Haki stronger.

Ending another day of sparring with Manlong...

...Zane led Manlong back to camp.

With the chef's prepared meals—a routine by now—Zane ate heartily.

"Boss, aren't you going for your night run today?"

After filling his stomach, Manlong asked in surprise when he saw Zane heading straight to his tent to rest.

"Not tonight. Go on your own!" Zane waved without looking back and entered his tent to sleep.

Though surprised, Manlong didn't overthink it. Soon, he began his familiar night run around the island.

As for Zane...

He hadn't skipped the run because he was tired or lazy. After three months of bitter cultivation, he planned to get a good night's rest before returning to the Hunter world tomorrow.

'I've learned almost all the Nen techniques I know about. Next, besides developing a Nen ability, I need a more detailed understanding of it.'

With these thoughts, Zane soon drifted off to sleep.

.......

The Hunter World!

"That's how it is. Because of Killua's bastard older brother, Killua dropped out of the Hunter Exam."

"Where is Killua now?"

"He went home!"

"......"

In the infirmary, Leorio gestured animatedly as he spoke to Gon, who was lying in the hospital bed. Kurapika chimed in with detailed explanations throughout.

Upon hearing about Killua's situation, Gon's brow furrowed tightly.

He never expected such a thing would happen while he was being treated.

If Killua had gone home of his own accord, he wouldn't have minded.

But according to Leorio and Kurapika, Killua was likely forced home by his older brother, which made him very unhappy.

"I've decided. Once everything here is settled, I'm going to find Killua!" Gon announced after taking a deep breath.

Leorio and Kurapika exchanged a glance.

Kurapika was the first to nod. "We were thinking the same thing. Even if we can't bring him out, we have to at least confirm he's safe."

"Exactly. The way that kid looked when he left... I can't just ignore it," Leorio sighed.

*Click!*

As they spoke, the infirmary door suddenly slid open.

"Yo! Count me in then!"

Zane walked into the infirmary with a smile.

"Zane!"

"Huh? Didn't you say you were going to your room to rest? How are you back so soon?"

Seeing it was Zane, the three of them—Gon and the others—all smiled.

Leorio was the one who asked.

Zane shrugged casually. "I couldn't sleep, so I came back out."

To Leorio and Kurapika, Zane had only been gone for a short while. In reality, he had been training in the Pirate World for over three months.

He had even taken a night's rest before coming back.

Well... he had even changed back into the same set of clothes he was wearing when he left.

With Zane joining them, the four of them discussed Killua's situation further.

During the third phase of the exam, from Killua's performance against the prisoners, the three of them had already learned from Killua that he was from the Zoldyck family.

Facing the world's number one assassin family, it was impossible for the three of them not to feel some pressure.

However, the bond of friendship could grant one courage.

During the conversation, the three of them didn't change their minds.

Zane didn't try to stop them either.

After three months of bitter training, he felt his progress was significant.

This gave him more confidence to head to the Zoldyck estate.

After finalizing the travel plans with Gon and the others, Zane left first.

He asked a hotel staff member for directions and soon arrived in front of a room.

He knocked.

A moment later, the door opened.

"Huh? Why is it you?" Menchi poked her head out from behind the half-open door.

She looked at Zane in surprise.

"Examiner Menchi, do you mind if we talk for a bit?" Zane asked politely with a smile.

Because of Zane's performance during the exam, Menchi already had a good impression of him.

Now that Zane had successfully passed the exam and was about to become a Pro Hunter...

...when faced with his request, Menchi didn't refuse. She politely invited Zane into the room.

"Go on. What do you want to talk about?"

Menchi took two wine glasses and a bottle of fine wine from the cabinet, pouring a glass for herself and one for Zane.

"Well... the reason I'm here is actually to ask you to be my teacher, Examiner Menchi, and guide me in my Nen training." Zane took a small sip of wine before stating his purpose.

"Huh?"

She looked at Zane in shock.

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