"I need to ensure my own safety."
Kite spoke calmly, laying out his terms.
"Once the mission is complete, I'll arrange for someone to pick you up at a location far from the checkpoint on the border of the Republic of Rokario. From there, you'll be given a new identity in Yorknew City.
During our time together, I'll also help you open your Nen pores and teach you the basics of Nen."
Joey listened in silence.
Kite continued,
"The NGL Autonomous Republic borders Rokario. To prevent illegal crossings, there are numerous hidden sentries along the border.
Anyone attempting to sneak out will be warned once. If they don't comply, they'll be killed without exception.
On top of that, Hunters are stationed there year-round. Their primary duty is to investigate the surrounding forests and mountains, but they also handle difficult immigration cases."
As for the new identity in Yorknew City—
Joey understood without further explanation.
That city was controlled by underground forces. Creating a new identity there was easy.
More importantly—
Neither he nor Kite actually intended to rely on that identity as leverage.
It was simply Kite's way of saying:
You don't really need this—but beyond helping you leave, this is the limit of what I'm willing to offer.
"So after everything's done," Joey said slowly, "I'll have to reach the designated border location on my own, right?"
He had caught the hidden condition.
A terrible deal.
"Of course," Kite replied without hesitation.
Joey's brows twitched slightly. His expression shifted—hesitation, reluctance, calculation.
In the end, he clenched his teeth.
"…Fine. Deal."
Then he added,
"But forget the identity. Give me money instead. Ten million Jenny."
"Agreed," Kite said immediately.
The deal was settled.
At the same time, Gon and Killua spoke up together:
"We're going!"
Pokkle hesitated for a moment, but ultimately said nothing.
As for Ponzu—
There was no need to ask.
After witnessing the Chimera Ants firsthand, she was probably the one who most wanted to leave NGL—second only to Joey.
Even if she wanted to stay, Kite wouldn't allow it.
Her slight change in attitude toward Joey came from their cooperation the previous night—and his final warning.
Still…
Something bothered her.
Why had Pokkle revealed Joey's identity as a member of the organization so quickly?
It hadn't been necessary.
And Joey had admitted it without resistance—which didn't quite match the impression she had formed of him earlier.
Lost in thought, Ponzu met Pokkle's gaze.
She gave a barely noticeable nod.
A small bee quietly flew out and landed on Joey's backpack.
The group didn't linger.
They turned back toward the village, leaving the blood-soaked clearing behind.
---
Unlike the original timeline, the message Ponzu had sent to Kite—while urgent—was more of a call for help.
It didn't fully convey the scale of the danger in NGL.
Their experience had been different.
Although they had encountered a Chimera Ant at the level of a squadron leader, it had been severely injured by Joey before it could display its full strength.
As for the crocodile—
Its revival had been an anomaly. A rare, unrepeatable situation.
The two who escaped had never witnessed the overwhelming numbers of Chimera Ants.
Nor had they fully grasped their intelligence.
As a result—
They had underestimated the threat.
Because of this, when Kite received the information, he rushed over with Gon and Killua—but didn't send his translator and amateur Hunter companions back to the border, unlike in the original scenario.
Judging by the timing, those companions should already be on their way here by horse.
But given Ponzu's warning—
How many would actually arrive… was uncertain.
---
Kite gave Gon and Killua a brief look.
They understood immediately and moved off to the side.
Then Kite turned back to Joey.
"It's time you learned Nen."
His tone was calm—but serious.
"The ability you're about to learn is called Nen. At its core, it's the control of life energy.
Since your aura nodes have likely been opened once before, reopening them should be easier.
This time, I'll force them open. After that, your job is simple—focus on sensing and controlling your aura."
Before Joey could ask anything—
Kite's hand pressed against his back.
A surge of aura poured into his body.
Joey's entire body suddenly burned.
At the same time, he felt something inside him expanding—stretching outward—
Then—
It burst open.
His eyes widened.
Something surged out of him uncontrollably.
His vision filled with a faint, mist-like substance—warm, drifting, alive.
"This… is aura," Kite said.
"Listen carefully."
"Stand in a position that helps you relax. Then focus on controlling your aura—imagine it flowing through your body like blood."
"Close your eyes. Picture it moving from the top of your head, down to your right shoulder, through your arms and legs, across to your left side… then slowing… until it stops."
"When you can clearly visualize it surrounding your body—that's when you've gained control."
Joey's breathing was uneven at first.
But gradually—
He calmed down.
His body relaxed.
Kite watched quietly, then gave a slight nod.
Nearby, Ponzu looked on with a hint of envy.
She hadn't learned Nen yet.
Not because she couldn't—
But because she had chosen not to rush it.
If she wanted, Pokkle could have forced her aura nodes open long ago.
Still, she preferred a natural approach.
Like relationships.
Things should come in their own time.
---
Joey closed his eyes.
Following Kite's instructions, he tried to enter a meditative state.
At the same time, he searched his memory for knowledge about Nen from the original series.
But—
It was useless.
He could remember abilities. Fights. Moments.
But the technical explanations?
Gone.
All he had were fragments.
After a while, he gave up trying to recall.
Instead, he focused entirely on the sensation within his body.
The flowing energy. Unstable. Restless. Hard to control.
Minutes passed.
His strength began to fade.
Then—
A sudden realization struck him.
The feeling—
It was similar to when the wallet had injected energy into his body before.
Using that memory as a reference, he adjusted his control.
Slowly—
Very slowly—
The chaotic flow began to stabilize.
It gathered. Circulated. Wrapped around him.
A warm, protective feeling enveloped his body.
With his eyes closed, Joey felt an unexpected sense of peace.
Safe. Calm.
Almost like the quiet life he had once longed for.
Kite nodded slightly.
"Open your eyes. How does it feel?"
Joey spread his hands slightly, searching for the right words.
"Like… I'm being protected."
He paused.
"Or like I'm wrapped in a thick layer of plastic."
"…That's a new one."
Killua's voice came from nearby.
He and Gon had already returned.
Killua studied Joey with mild interest.
He didn't dislike him.
In fact—
Joey's earlier performance against the Chimera Ant had made him curious.
Kite continued,
"This state is called Ten—the most basic application of Nen."
"Maintaining Ten strengthens your body and slows aging. It has many benefits."
He glanced at Joey.
"But all of that comes with time."
"For now, your priority is simple."
"Learn how to use Nen to run faster—and last longer."
___________________________
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