"Sumimasen. Thank you for your concern, Miss Nanako. I was out for two days handling some business. I will send the final draft to your email shortly."
"Please rest assured, this week's four-issue run will not be short."
"Yo. So you *do* still remember you're a mangaka." On his first day back home, he felt his grandfather's "deep" love.
Sean hung up on Matsuki Nanako and glanced at Maha. The old man was rocking in his rocking chair, engrossed in an "Overbearing CEO" novel. In his words, manga could no longer satisfy his boundless imagination; he had to read some novels to satisfy his cravings.
'Tsk. As expected, there's no end to a person's perversion.'
Sean pouted but, surprisingly, didn't say anything back. This unusual state caught Maha's attention.
The old man poked his head out from behind the novel in surprise and sized Sean up. 'Something's not right with this brat... Could it be...'
"What did that bastard Netero say to you?"
"Not much. Just asked him a few questions about Shingen-ryu."
"Bullshit!"
'Why doesn't the old man believe me?' Maha flipped himself up from the rocking chair. "Grandson, if you were threatened, just say it! We're not afraid of him!"
"Did that bastard force you to join that bullshit Hunter Association?"
'You already know, so why ask?' Sean feigned admiration. "Chairman Netero is my idol. His request... I couldn't ask for more. It's much better than a certain rotten old man who mooches off me all day."
"That bastard! I knew he was up to no good!" Maha was furious. "It's just Shingen-ryu, isn't it? Your dear grandpa can teach you too."
His figure flashed, and Maha grabbed Sean's forearm. "Let's go. With this old man here, you don't need him at all. I guarantee you'll materialize your Heart Lake within two years!"
'Panicked? Too late!' Sean sneered and pushed the old man's hand aside. 'You're not around when I need you, and now that I don't, you're rushing to suck up.' "Sorry, Grandpa. I... already learned it."
*Snap!* He snapped his fingers and chuckled. "Let's get to work, brothers."
"Poof Poof Poof" Seans 2 through 20 came online. The moment they appeared in front of Maha, the old man's eyes narrowed. He immediately sensed something different.
The 19 shadow clones looked identical to Sean, except they now had feather markings on their faces, and a ribbon woven from hazy aura was wrapped around their necks.
The moment they appeared, a prompt from the "Sage" sounded in Sean's mind—
[Host's spiritual transformation detected. Shadow Clone training rate increased to one-half of the main body.]
It was originally one-third, and now it was one-half. Adding the blessing of the "Wind" characteristic... Sean estimated that a single shadow clone could now provide him with 4 attribute points per day, a full double the previous amount!
"Huh? Why do these shadow clones of yours look so... off?" His attention focused on the ribbons wrapped around the clones' necks. The old man narrowed his eyes and reached out to grab one. The ribbon was tangible but without substance, passing straight through his palm. And then—
Maha's expression changed instantly!
"A spiritual ribbon! You brat, did you really materialize your Heart Lake?!"
Nen abilities are a reflection of the heart and personality. The shadow clones were also a product of Sean's Nen. Unlocking the "Wind" characteristic added feather markings to their faces. Naturally, materializing a Heart Lake would also leave something on the shadow clones. That "something" was the spiritual ribbon wrapped around their necks!
"What are you screaming about?" Sean shot Maha a sidelong glance. 'Is the old man going senile? Staring at me in disbelief like that is just creepy.'
He pouted disdainfully. "Is this really something to make a fuss about?"
"Chairman Netero said materializing a Heart Lake is so easy anyone with hands can do it. Since when did it take two years, according to you?"
"It's not that I'm nagging you, Grandpa, but sometimes, admitting you're not good enough is its own kind of bravery."
Waving for 2-20 to go out and train, Sean left him with that parting shot, turned, and sat down at his desk to start drawing *Pot Shadow Ninja*.
The old man just stared at him stiffly. By the time the moon was high and the shadow clones had finished grinding attributes and returned, he was still dazed. He lay limply in the rocking chair, lifeless, like a piece of dried, salted fish.
[Reminder: Congratulations Host for completing the daily "10,000 Practice Swings." Attribute points +76]
'76 points a day... that's over 20,000 points a year.' Which meant... 'In less than three years, I will definitely break the second layer! Or even—'
A sharp light flashed in his eyes. Sean quietly clenched his fist. 'As I continue to unlock the progress of [Wind], my training will get faster and faster. It might not be impossible to surpass Duo Sang and reach the triple-layer-break state!'
With faint anticipation in his heart, he snapped his fingers, recalled the shadow clones, and casually tossed his pen on the desk. Sean pushed back his chair, stood up, and yelled at Maha, "Time to eat, old man."
Maha, his face covered by the novel, waved a hand weakly. "You go eat by yourself."
Sean raised an eyebrow at that, gave him a strange look, but didn't bother with him. Assuming he was just having one of his usual fits, Sean pushed open the door and casually left the room, heading for the dining hall.
The evening breeze blew, making the curtains rustle. Not long after Sean left, Zeno, with his flashy white hair, appeared leisurely with his hands behind his back.
"Sigh. Ever since that kid locked in the 'Wind' characteristic, it's not even easy to hide from his perception."
The former Zoldyck family head shook his head, glanced at Maha, and said, "Grandfather, you're not asleep, are you?"
"If you skip dinner, watch out for stomach ulcers."
'You bastard, can't you wish me something good?' A novel came flying over. Maha glared at Zeno. "I'm waiting to see when *you'll* finally meet him!"
"You, who fears his grandson like a tiger. Are you afraid Sean is going to eat you?"
"Grandfather, you just don't understand." Zeno reached out, snatched the novel from the air, and said calmly, "Not meeting is better than meeting."
"Letting the kid know he has a mysterious grandfather who shows his tail but never his head... isn't that better than you clinging to him all day?"
"Besides," Zeno stroked his long beard, "the unknown and mysterious is also the most terrifying. I'm counting on leaving a powerful and grand impression on the kid."
"Get the hell out!" Maha backhanded Zeno across the face, cursing, "Who the hell do you think you are?"
"Do you have any idea?! That brat materialized his Heart Lake in less than a day!"
"Counting on leaving an impression on Sean? *You*? Are you worthy?"
Zeno: "..."
He barely felt the slap, but he was completely stunned by the old man's ridiculous words!
What did he mean, "materialized a Heart Lake in less than a day"? "Grandfather... you're not joking, are you?"
"Joking my ass! Do I look like a joke to you?"
*Crash! Bang!* The Zoldyck household was in chaos that day. It's said that little Killua didn't see his grandfather for several days straight and was worried to the point of tears.
However, a boy must always become a man one day.
Two years later.