Chapter 128: A Little Secret
Haze's physical attributes, Nen strength, and sheer presence were on an entirely different level from Saiyu's.
Not to mention his terrifying enhancement in physical defense the result of mastering the Iron Shirt combat technique.
Haze knew the Twelve Zodiacs very well, especially after reaching a level comparable to theirs. By combining the memories in his mind with the information he had gathered over the years, he could roughly gauge the power level of each Zodiac member.
Most of the Twelve were national-level Hunters, including Saiyu.
The more outstanding among them were elite national Hunters not quite sub-world level but even if they were, it wouldn't matter.
Because Haze, though still classified as sub-world level, possessed actual combat strength close to world-class.
Saiyu, Kanzai, and Ginta were all martial artists focused on practical combat among the physically strongest of the Zodiac.
But to Haze, only three people truly mattered:
Dragon Botobai, Rat Pariston, and Boar Freecss.
He only wanted to see if any of them, at full strength, could make him feel danger or pressure.
As Haze's power grew, his mindset began to shift. He sensed something fading inside him… an emotion that was slowly disappearing.
The reason Netero had behaved like a carefree old man among the young was because he was fearless his overwhelming strength made most threats meaningless.
Under normal circumstances, almost nothing could endanger him. So, he stopped caring about what happened around him and let the next generation do as they pleased.
Age was a factor, yes, but the real reason was power.
Netero kept people like Haze and Pariston close to him allowing the young ones to grow unchecked as a kind of challenge to himself, hoping one day they might bring him trouble, or even danger.
As the saying goes: The higher you climb, the colder it gets.
When one stands too long atop the mountain, solitude and stagnation follow.
Haze was beginning to feel the same loneliness not as deeply as Netero's, but still troubling.
He needed danger to feel alive, to keep moving forward.
Otherwise, the only path left would be to venture into the Dark Continent prematurely likely the same reason the young Netero had gone there in the first place.
Remaining in the human world would only lead to stagnation.
Haze held Saiyu's weapon with one hand, exerting almost no effort. As he lifted his arm, the flexible staff bent further and further.
Saiyu gritted his teeth, veins bulging on his forehead, pouring every last ounce of strength into the struggle to no avail.
Only when Haze let go did the staff snap back and slip from Saiyu's grasp.
"Ah!"
Saiyu roared, darting between the trees, leaping above Haze's head as his weapon howled through the air.
A torrential rain of staff shadows descended.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
In seconds, countless branches shattered; trunks splintered.
The devastation was incredible Saiyu's staff techniques and raw Nen were ferocious. Within moments, an entire section of forest lay flattened.
Haze retreated lightly, tilting his head as he dodged the relentless barrage. The attacks were fierce but utterly ineffective even… too slow.
Before him, Saiyu looked like a frenzied monkey, pushing his Nen to the limit. His technique was flawless, his rhythm precise ...
but no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't land a single hit.
In his controlled breathing state, Haze relying purely on physical reflexes could already surpass all of Saiyu's techniques.
Saiyu's frenzied attacks had a purpose, however.
As Haze stepped back, a small monkey leapt down from above, crouching in ambush. Saiyu wasn't some mindless brute.
Every strong Nen user had their own mature fighting style a balance of power and strategy.
His rage was merely a façade.
He had been analyzing Haze's movements all along and he had found his opening.
The only way to defeat Haze, or at least buy time, was to use his two remaining Nen Monkeys.
Their special Nen could cause real trouble.
Haze only dodged he hadn't counterattacked once.
That made Saiyu think his opponent was underestimating him.
And underestimation... was a weakness!
Slash!
The small monkey sprang from behind Haze's feet before he even landed, grabbing at his exposed skin.
But Haze didn't turn around as if he had eyes on the back of his head.
He twisted his palm, aimed at the monkey in his blind spot, and clenched his fingers.
The Nen creature froze in midair, struggling violently and then, with a scream, exploded as Haze's hand crushed the air around it.
Saiyu didn't despair he smiled.
That was just a feint.
The first monkey was a distraction.
The second… was the real strike.
With a hiss, a shadow appeared out of nowhere in front of Haze ...
the second monkey. A gleeful, almost human grin spread across its face as it reached out toward Haze's eyes.
Everything happened in a blink.
The monkey's finger was inches away from Haze's eye when ...
"Choosing not to fight me head-on but to wait for backup... cautious, but disappointing.
I've given you enough time."
A cold voice echoed.
Saiyu's pupils shrank his carefully planned move had failed.
The second monkey suddenly turned into a shredded rag doll, ripped apart by invisible air blades. Its stuffing organs spilled into the air. Even its brain rolled free before dissolving into dissipating Nen energy.
Saiyu stared in shock at Haze's fingers.
Nen ability?!
Why had there been no warning?!
His opponent's finger strength was like a blade as before, no visible motion, no aura buildup just a twitch, and the strike appeared five meters away.
Within that five-meter radius, nothing could approach without being destroyed.
Saiyu still hadn't clearly seen the technique, but this second attack gave him a clue.
Fueled by desperation, he gathered his aura and lunged striking the other end of his staff toward Haze's forehead.
But ...
the same thing happened again.
Haze extended a single finger, slicing gently through the air ...
and a shredded gust tore across Saiyu's neck.
He tried to dodge, but the motion slowed his reaction just enough.
Splash ...
Hot, searing blood burst out, staining his face red.
The world itself turned crimson.
His carotid artery had been cut.
He staggered back, clutching his neck, but the bleeding wouldn't stop.
"Why…?" he thought.
"It doesn't just cut air… it carries mental energy. Aura transmitted through airflow?"
He reasoned that Haze's ability to ignore distance was due to a shockwave-like aura, not actual emission.
Unlike ordinary Emission-type Nen, which travels visibly, Haze's strikes had no trajectory they simply appeared.
"Technically," Haze said coldly, "it's not even a special ability.
It's just a basic attack nothing more."
As he spoke, his aura erupted like a blazing fire.
A dense green mist poured into the forest, swirling with ghostly figures that multiplied rapidly.
"This is the Nen ability you're familiar with…"
Standing amid the mist, Haze stared at the horrified Saiyu.
From Saiyu's eyes, the green fog was alive filled with twisted, screaming spirits trying to break free and attack him.
Their cries weakened his aura, gnawing at his will and draining his life force.
And in that instant, Saiyu realized ...
Thresh.
That hero from Heroes' Island!
He remembered Ging's warning when they entered the game world:
"Learn every hero's abilities they'll be important. Haze's purpose is tied to them."
Now it made sense.
Haze had materialized the heroes' powers.
But how?!
The Thresh from the game was simple his powers were nothing like this.
"These heroes form a complete system," Ging had said.
"Each has a clear design and origin. When Haze created them, he must have studied their lore.
The deeper details were hidden no one knows them, only hints through their abilities."
Thresh… was tied to hell.
To souls.
Multiple classes? Multiple manifestations?
Saiyu was stunned.
Not only had Haze recreated Thresh he had expanded his abilities beyond the game.
He wasn't just mimicking Thresh.
He was becoming him using himself as the medium.
Ging had been right all along.
The key was the heroes' backstories.
In the center of the spectral fog, countless spirits emerged from the mist, kneeling before Haze like tamed beasts.
Saiyu couldn't breathe.
He realized… he was no match for this man.
"Don't even think about it.
I've lost my patience with you."
Haze's voice was calm almost bored.
Saiyu froze, heart pounding, then turned and fled.
He shot out of the ghostly mist, desperately retreating.
"Catch him," Haze said quietly.
The vengeful spirits swirled at once, streaking after Saiyu like a swarm of hunting shadows.
"Now that you've discovered my secret,"
Haze smiled faintly,
"I can't let you leave."
He had anticipated Saiyu's trap from the start allowing himself to be baited, just to see what hidden cards Saiyu might have.
But his performance… was disappointing.
Strong, skilled yes.
But to Haze, not exceptional.
Originally, he had high hopes for Journey to the West's Monkey King.
Now, not only did he understand Netero's loneliness,
he also began to grasp Hisoka's fascination with fighting Kastro ...
That gnawing disappointment when an anticipated opponent fails to deliver.
(End of Chapter)