Between Two Worlds: Nen and Haki

"Actually, I'm leaving too," Kurapika said, much to the others' surprise.

"Haha, what a coincidence. I'm planning to go study for my medical license next, so I'll probably be buried in books for quite a while," Leorio said, scratching his head.

"What's with this? You guys asked me out just to tell me you're all leaving!" Killua said with a helpless look.

Gon quickly raised his hand. "No, I'm free! Killua, you can just come with me."

Best friends for life.

Killua couldn't help but laugh as he punched Gon's shoulder.

Parting was only natural.

Now that Killua was safe...

Whether it was Zane, Kurapika, or Leorio, all three had their own matters to attend to.

They bid farewell amidst laughter.

The original group of five began to walk their separate paths.

*

*

*

"I see. I didn't expect the Zoldycks to be so reasonable."

In a villa somewhere, Menchi rested her chin on her hand as she listened to Zane recount the trip to the Zoldyck estate, sounding quite surprised.

Several days had passed since the farewell.

This scene clearly showed that after Zane left the group, he had once again sought out his beautiful teacher, Menchi.

"That's because we didn't show any malice. Otherwise, it would have been a different ending," Zane said, leaning back on the sofa with his hands behind his head, feeling quite reflective.

The trip to the Zoldyck estate seemed safe on the surface, but in reality, his nerves had been taut the entire time.

And for good reason.

The pressure Silva and Zeno exerted on him was too great.

Pushing open the seventh level of the Testing Gate was impressive for an ordinary person, but for figures like Silva and Zeno, it was likely something they could do effortlessly.

Even if those two hadn't entered a combat state, how could Zane not have noticed that invisible oppression?

Menchi deeply agreed with Zane's sentiment.

Although she hadn't gone herself, based on the Zoldycks' formidable reputation, she knew such a power was definitely terrifying.

"Alright, enough reminiscing. Next, I'll need your help, Teacher, to assist me in developing my Nen ability," Zane said, sitting up straight with a serious expression.

Menchi made an OK sign, indicating it was no problem.

Zane had called ahead before coming, so his presence here meant he already had Menchi's consent.

While developing a Nen ability primarily relied on oneself, having a mature Nen user provide guidance would certainly be helpful.

Regarding the direction of his Nen ability's development...

Zane had spent many days during his cultivation on Newcastle Island thinking and planning.

In his mind, Nen abilities actually emphasized mechanics even more than Paramecia-type Devil Fruits.

At the same time, the Conjuration type was a category that relied heavily on mechanical systems, which gave him many ideas.

*The so-called advantage is having what others don't. Since I can travel between two worlds, I naturally have an advantage others can't match. Therefore, the development of my Nen ability must revolve around this point.*

As he communicated his concepts for his Nen ability with Menchi, thoughts flashed through Zane's mind.

The following days were spent developing the Nen ability.

During this time, Zane would occasionally return to the Pirate World.

This wasn't to slack off, but to repay Menchi.

Menchi was a Gourmet Hunter, and the best way to repay her was undoubtedly through cooking.

Zane couldn't help with cooking techniques, but he had an endless supply of ingredients.

Being an interdimensional merchant was truly incredible.

The Hunter World had all sorts of dream-like ingredients.

But the One Piece world was no slouch either, possessing rich culinary resources.

If nothing else, there were the Sea Kings.

When Zane specifically went back to the One Piece world to hunt a Sea King and brought a large piece of meat to Menchi, she was utterly amazed.

According to her evaluation, the Sea King's meat quality was the finest she had ever seen, let alone it being an unknown species of ingredient.

That night, Menchi showed off her skills and prepared a grand Sea King feast for Zane.

It was worth noting that Menchi didn't ask questions about Zane's ability to occasionally provide unknown ingredients.

Or rather, Menchi knew how to be tactful.

Since Zane didn't mention it voluntarily, she had the sense not to press him.

Zane naturally noticed this behavior.

So he responded thoughtfully by being even more proactive in transporting various Pirate World ingredients to Menchi.

One side provided guidance on Nen development, while the other provided favorite ingredients.

Zane and Menchi's arrangement could be described as a perfect mutual exchange.

Just like that, a month passed in a flash.

In the villa's courtyard.

Menchi stood still when suddenly, on the previously empty grass not far from her, Zane appeared.

This scene caught Menchi's eye, especially when she saw that only Zane had appeared and the rabbit he had been holding was gone; her eyes lit up, and she hurried forward to investigate.

"It's a success!" Zane said with a smile and a nod.

Hearing this, Menchi immediately beamed with joy. "As long as it's a success! Tonight, we must have a proper celebration."

"As we should. I'll go get some more ingredients in a bit," Zane said with a generous wave of his hand, his mood excellent.

Being in a good mood was natural.

After all, after a month, he had finally developed the Nen ability he had envisioned.

That night, after Zane made another trip between worlds, Menchi received a large amount of top-tier ingredients.

The two celebrated properly, and it wasn't until late at night that they each returned to their rooms to rest, still feeling exhilarated.

*

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*

The Pirate World.

"What is the Captain trying to do? Why did he have us catch so many wild beasts?"

"Not just that, the Captain also had Big Brother Manlong go into the sea to catch a Sea King."

"Could he be hungry? That shouldn't be it, didn't we just eat?"

"..."

In the camp where they had been stationed for over three months, the crew members had been busy since early morning. It wasn't until after lunch that they finally welcomed a break, drenched in sweat.

Similarly, while resting in their respective spots, the crew members also looked curiously at Zane in the center of the clearing.

The crew's busy work came from Zane's command: capture the island's wild beasts, and the fiercer and stronger, the better.

Now, besides Zane, the clearing was filled with wild beasts that were either knocked out or bound by iron chains.

BOOM!!!

By the shore, the sound of a massive wave crashing echoed.

The crew members hurriedly turned to look.

A second later, amidst the exploding spray, Manlong dragged a Sea King that looked like a brachiosaurus onto the shore.

Although this Sea King wasn't as large as the one Zane had punched to death before, it was still nearly fifty meters long.

But even such a colossal creature was no match for Manlong's monstrous strength.

Not only had it been beaten unconscious in the sea by Manlong, but it had also been forcibly dragged onto the shore.

"Boss, I'm back!" After dragging the Sea King ashore, Manlong let go of its tail and strode over to Zane.

"Good work!" Zane nodded with a smile, his arms crossed, and then turned his gaze toward the Sea King dragged onto the shore.