Chapter 55: Tailgating
After finishing his meal and getting dressed, Haze handed Miss Mito some money to take home.
He told him to thank Mitt on his behalf he couldn't just eat someone else's food for free.
Miss Mito didn't refuse.
When he returned home, he enthusiastically told Mitt about the miraculous scene he had witnessed with Haze.
His words were so vivid that Mitt couldn't help but picture Jin in her mind.
She vaguely sensed that Haze might be more than he appeared to be… and even began to harbor certain suspicions.
But she said nothing.
For a time, Miss Mito went to the forest early every morning partly to bring food to Haze, and partly to follow him around.
He discovered many fascinating things about Haze… For instance, Haze seemed able to communicate with certain animals, giving them commands that they obeyed.
In just a few days, he had completely grasped the layout of the forest, becoming even more familiar with it than before.
He could easily locate the habitats and nests of creatures. He taught Miss Mito about the essence of nature and the food chain, explaining things through casual conversation.
Gon also noticed that Mr. Haze sometimes practiced martial arts in an open area or meditated in silence.
During those times, Gon would simply watch quietly from the side, leaving Haze undisturbed.
In short, Haze taught him many things, and Gon found this period deeply fulfilling. Every day he was full of energy, and as soon as the sun rose, he couldn't wait to go find Haze.
Mitt had initially wanted to stop him, but a single word from his grandmother made her change her mind.
With Jin far away, Gon lacked a father's love and, at least for a short while, Haze filled that void. Most importantly, though Gon's cheerful nature made him well liked by the villagers, very few could truly connect with him.
Both Mitt and his grandmother sensed that Gon had something unique about him just like Jin.
And with Haze… Gon felt like he'd found a kindred spirit.
So Mitt didn't interfere with their relationship. After all, she believed Haze was an outsider who would eventually leave.
Meanwhile, Haze continued his martial arts training during the holidays.
At his current pace, he would only need a little over two months to master a single technique.
However, this time he wasn't practicing mere martial arts he was studying the traditional Chinese discipline of breath, circulation, and qi regulation.
Through systematic analysis, he found that the breathing techniques from his previous life helped warm and nourish qi and blood, invigorate the mind, and strengthen the essence. Maintaining them over time allowed the body to surpass its limits, greatly enhancing strength.
It also stimulated the mind the most obvious effect being a denser, more powerful qi.
Breathing techniques and martial arts represented two distinct approaches: one focused inward, the other outward a purely external technique.
Yet mastering breath control was no less difficult than mastering martial arts, perhaps even harder.
He had to start from the basics: silent breathing, abdominal breathing, paused breathing, intentional breathing, and finally, word-reading breathing. Only after mastering these could he progress to the secret breathing and inhalation methods of internal martial arts.
The martial techniques recommended by the system came from Haze's memories of his past life. Yet, he hadn't truly practiced them back then he had only gained a partial understanding through books, phones, and computers.
The system's strength lay in its ability to deduce and expand on his attributes and physical data to create a complete version formulating specific training methods as well.
The martial arts he practiced were, strictly speaking, killing techniques!
Not something ordinary or ornamental.
Chinese martial arts had always existed, and their original purpose was to kill. During certain eras of his past life, they had demonstrated immense power in warfare.
However, as the nation stabilized, the true essence of Chinese martial arts was officially suppressed, restricted to a few military institutions. Genuine heirs among the public were rare inevitably so, because their lethality was too great. A single strike could be fatal.
If such techniques were widely spread and misused, the consequences would be disastrous.
Thus, over time, the true killing arts of Chinese martial disciplines disappeared from history's stage, evolving into a gentler form focused on fitness and aesthetics emphasizing form, beauty, and philosophy.
But when it came to real combat, these arts suffered crushing defeats, and the reputation of Chinese martial arts plummeted.
The true arts faded into obscurity.
With his experience in the Sky Arena and his knowledge of this world's martial schools, Haze was certain that his techniques resembled those of the Zoldyck family. The main differences lay in technique, power, and training process.
After all, the Hunter world was defined by chaos and brutality its many factions and violent tendencies meant that most martial disciplines were centered around killing.
Whether ordinary fighters or trained martial artists, they shared the same stance and philosophy.
This atmosphere aligned perfectly with the true spirit of martial arts: the pursuit of overwhelming, efficient destructive power.
In short environment determines everything.
Two rocks one large, one small lay on the surface of a shallow stream.
On the larger rock sat Haze, cross-legged.
On the smaller one sat Miss Mito .
Sunlight poured down from the sky, bathing them both in its warmth.
Haze gave no instructions; Miss Mito simply practiced on his own. After watching for a while, he couldn't resist trying to imitate Haze's meditation.
Haze was a little surprised Miss Mito had actually realized that breathing was the key. Within moments, his breathing rhythm matched Haze's, though slower and less steady.
His exhales were soft and faint.
A minute later, Miss Mito 's face turned red, his cheeks puffed up and his attempt failed. He opened his eyes, coughed violently, and clutched his chest.
As his body tilted, about to fall into the water, Haze grabbed him.
"I feel… my lungs are burning… it hurts…" Miss Mito gasped, pale-faced, looking at Haze, who remained calm beside him. "But my whole body… feels warm really comfortable."
Haze grabbed him by the collar like a chick, jumped to shore, and set him down.
"You're still young, your body's still developing. Your flesh, blood, bones, and organs are all very sensitive… Naturally, you can't handle the side effects of this kind of breathing."
He pointed at Miss Mito 's chest. "Especially your lungs different breathing puts pressure on them. If you overdo it, be careful they don't burst."
"Amazing!"
Haze had expected Miss Mito to be frightened, but instead, the boy's eyes shone as he clenched his fists. "Mr. Haze… aren't you worried at all? That's incredible!"
"…"
Haze rubbed his hair and yawned. "If you really want to learn, slow down your breathing first. Let your body adapt little by little… Then gradually increase the rhythm and intensity."
"Got it!"
Miss Mito bowed deeply and nodded hard. "Thank you, Mr. Haze!"
"…"
Haze looked at Miss Mito , feeling a strange pang in his chest.
Once he truly interacted with the boy, he found it hard not to like him. His personality was straightforward honest to the core.
And though Miss Mito could seem a bit simple, he was surprisingly perceptive when dealing with others able to sense emotions and avoid sensitive topics instinctively.
That made getting along with him easy and natural.
For instance, Miss Mito knew instinctively that Haze wouldn't get mad if he kept observing him. And if Haze seemed preoccupied, Miss Mito would quietly stay out of his way without being told.
His actions and words always came from the heart.
Considering his age, people like him were incredibly rare both in Haze's past life and in this world.
A truly rare kind of person.
Honestly, Haze's first impression of Miss Mito had been quite ordinary…
But now, that impression had changed for the better.
As long as they weren't forced to fight side by side, Haze didn't mind having him around.
"This breathing method will put some strain on your body in the short term," Haze continued. "It changes your blood flow, improves organ efficiency, and stimulates growth."
"Remember to empty your mind when breathing, and focus on feeling the air moving through your lungs… Slowly extend that awareness to your limbs and your whole body."
"Yes, sir!"
Then Haze shoved his hands in his pockets and led Miss Mito out of the forest.
He walked ahead while Miss Mito followed closely behind, listening intently to Haze's every word and nodding seriously.
(End of Chapter)