Because of the Nen-based enhancement, Lu Ou's physical training had fully begun to show results. His speed had risen to an entirely new level. However, compared to Chairman Netero—who only occasionally used his left foot—Lu Ou was still far inferior.
Of course, that was under the premise that Chairman Netero was merely playing around. If he were serious, even Lu Ou's current strength wouldn't be enough to touch the edge of his ability.
The title of "the man with the strongest body" was not just empty praise.
"Ah!"
Lu Ou shouted as his right hand shot forward at incredible speed, aiming for the ball in Chairman Netero's hand. At the same time, his left leg swept toward the chairman's lower body with equal frequency—an upper and lower pincer attack that might just produce an unexpected result.
Netero seemed already accustomed to Lu Ou's attack speed. The moment Lu Ou's hand moved, the chairman simply raised the ball high and lightly leapt upward, easily evading the assault.
This time, of course, he used both feet. After all, Lu Ou was stronger than Killua and Gon were at present.
"Wow, Ou is amazing," Gon said, watching Lu Ou's rapid and continuous attacks, already thinking about what he would do when it was his turn.
"Hasn't he always been amazing?" Leorio leaned casually against the wall, appearing relaxed, though his eyes were locked tightly on every movement between Lu Ou and Chairman Netero. Opportunities like this to improve were not to be wasted.
He was determined to obtain a Hunter License. That meant putting in the effort.
"Indeed."
Although Kurapika's eyes could barely keep up with their movements, he noticed that careful observation sharpened his vision. Such a good opportunity could not be missed.
"His speed is incredible. The key is that you can tell he hasn't received professional training," Killua said. He had always believed his own training had given him superior speed and reflexes—at the very least better than someone without formal training.
Earlier, Gon's almost beast-like snatching had already shocked him. Now Lu Ou had shattered his understanding once again.
"Hu… hu…"
Lu Ou exhaled and glanced at the large clock on the wall. He realized he had been entangled with Chairman Netero for nearly forty minutes.
Time's about up, he thought.
Seeing Netero casually spinning the ball on his head again, clearly not taking him seriously, Lu Ou knew the opportunity he had been waiting for had arrived.
He burst forward like an arrow released from a bow, charging directly at the ball above the chairman's head. It was a move he had repeated countless times during the past forty minutes.
Naturally, Netero handled it with ease. He jumped straight up, avoided Lu Ou's reaching hand, then—following through with the motion—extended his left hand to pluck the ball from the air, landing on his left side.
Now!
Lu Ou acted without hesitation.
Legs, give me some face—double my speed.
As a warm current surged through his legs, he knew it was ready.
At that moment, Netero had only just gripped the ball in his left hand. Based on Lu Ou's earlier speed, it would have taken at least another second for him to reach that position. But now, having activated the power of the "Face-Face Fruit," the outcome was no longer certain.
In a flash, Lu Ou's doubled speed caught Netero off guard. His hand shot forward like a dragon breaking through the clouds—and made contact with the ball.
Slap!
Lu Ou struck the ball out of Netero's hand and sprinted after it at top speed.
Three more steps.
He was just about to pull the ball into his arms—
Of course, it had already been said that Chairman Netero would never calmly remain at one level while playing with Gon and the others. Every time they improved even slightly, he would quietly raise his own level just enough to counter them. That was why they had never even touched the ball.
Now Lu Ou had used human inertia and a sudden burst of doubled speed to nearly secure it. But Netero could not simply stand by and watch.
That would not suit his "mischievous old man" image.
The chairman could not lose.
Thud!
Netero reacted instantly, stomping the ground and launching himself forward like a cannon.
With reckless force, he crashed into Lu Ou, swept up the ball, and gripped it tightly once more.
"Not bad, kid. Even when your muscles and body have already reached their limit speed, you can still double it," Netero said. He had sensed a faint ripple of Nen just now and cast a probing look at Lu Ou.
After all, he was the only one present who had naturally awakened Nen.
"Heh… probably just a burst of potential after being pushed," Lu Ou replied.
At the same time, he discreetly rubbed the spot where Netero had collided with him. It had only been a glancing blow, yet it felt like being hit by a mountain. He couldn't imagine the consequences if the chairman had struck him full-on—it would have been like the Titanic hitting an iceberg. The results would have been disastrous.
"Oh ho ho ho ho! Want to keep playing?" Netero chuckled, not pressing further.
"No more. I'll rest."
Lu Ou smiled outwardly, but inwardly he was cursing.
With Netero adjusting his strength at will, even touching the ball required painstaking calculation—let alone securing it. In another hundred years, he might still not succeed.
There was only one chance. Netero had reacted. There would not be a second opportunity. The chairman would never make the same mistake twice.
Ultimately, it was the disparity in strength.
Though he had failed, Lu Ou's performance left everyone present astonished.
Strong.
Truly strong.
Those were the only thoughts in their minds.
The first "strong" referred to the chairman. He was so powerful it didn't even need saying.
The second "truly strong" referred to Lu Ou.
The chairman was too far beyond them to fully comprehend. But Lu Ou's strength was tangible—they had just witnessed how close he had come.
Anita's eyes were nearly bulging. Not only had he touched the ball—if Netero hadn't suddenly accelerated, he would have taken it.
That was the Chairman of the Hunter Association.
No wonder, she realized. Though the boy hadn't spoken much earlier, everyone seemed to revolve around him.
"That instant burst… it was incredible," Killua said.
"Ou is amazing!" Gon echoed immediately.
Leorio and Kurapika were still too stunned to speak.