Chapter 27: Ren of Force

Chapter 27: Ren of Force

Chapter 27 Ren of Force

Rayleigh, Gon, and Killua were invited to Wing's house on the two-month anniversary of Gon's punishment, and each was excited.

Killua was slightly peeved at Rayleigh because the latter claimed that he knew how Hisoka did all his tricks, but he refused to explain it to him.

Why? According to Rayleigh, he also ruined the surprise for Kastro, so Killua should figure Hisoka out himself.

Hisoka's match had given the assassin more questions than answers, so he was eager to finally learn about Nen and figure out what could be done with it.

Wing welcomed the trio and said, "Starting today, you'll train with Zushi. Gon, you kept your promise during those two months, right?"

Gon smiled and presented his string-tied pinky finger. "Right. It's thanks to this string. I was tempted a bunch of times, but each time I looked at the string, I calmed down."

Wing smiled, "That's because I put my Nen in it."

Gon looked surprised and asked, "Really?"

Wing answered, "No, that was a lie," making everyone cringe at the terrible joke.

Killua could not help but bring up, "How do you know he kept his promise? I mean, he could have said whatever he wanted to."

Gon was less than pleased Killua was throwing him under the bus for the sake of curiosity, but Wing still answered. "Because of the string. Let me show you. Gon, it's been two months, but how about you show us your Ten."

Gon closed his eyes and took a natural stance. A moment later, his aura covered his body. What was impressive was that, although the aura was shrouding him, it didn't dissipate away from him. It formed a thick layer around him like wearing a half dozen sweaters.

Wing turned to Zushi and asked, "What do you think?"

Zushi answered, "It's great! His aura is stable, and the flow is smooth, soft, and calm. He is really strong!"

Gon was elated and shouted, "I did it! I was afraid I forgot."

Wing said, "It's like swimming or riding a bike, it's not a skill that can be forgotten once learned. Of course, it takes a lot of effort to improve it."

Gon countered, "But how did mine improve? I did it faster and easier than before, but I haven't trained at all."

Wing smiled and answered, "That's the result of training Ten of Point this entire time. As you can see, your effort is never wasted. Now, show me your hand."

Gon presented the hand with the string-tied pinky and gasped when he noticed it. The string broke in multiple places.

Gon asked, "How did it break?"

Wing pushed up his glasses and answered, "I tied it in such a way that if you used Nen, it breaks."

Rayleigh grabbed Gon's hand and took off the string so he could examine it. He hadn't looked at it before, but now he noticed that the string had tiny inscriptions on it. Rayleigh asked, "Can I learn to do this?"

Wing answered, "It's called Divine Script, or Inscription. It grants what it is written on Nen-like properties, but can only grant the properties of the Nen of the person who writes it."

He continued, "I only know how to make an Inscription that makes something durable but breaks in the presence of Nen. It's basically a cheap trick."

He turned to a bookshelf and said with a smile, "I do have a few journals you can look at if you want to try figuring it out." The mischievous way he said it made everyone in the room recognize the offer as a prank, but Rayleigh feigned ignorance and said, "Yes, please. I'll return them if I can't get anything out of them."

Wing gave a smile filled with humor and shook his head.

Killua changed the subject by asking, "Wing, you saw the match between Hisoka and Kastro, right?"

"Yes."

Killua continued, "How did Hisoka do all of that? Rayleigh said he knows but refuses to say anything. Can we do all of that?"

Wing turned to Rayleigh and asked, "Oh, you know how he did it?"

Rayleigh nodded, "Yep," but didn't elaborate.

Wing smiled and turned back to Killua, "As for your questions about what he did and if you can do it, let's start with the first. Gon, have you seen the match on tape?"

Gon shook his head, and Wing produced a DVD and inserted it into his large TV.

The match started, and after a few minutes, Hisoka threw his arm into the air from under the handkerchief and revealed the playing cards that fell to the ground.

Wing paused at that moment and asked, "So, do you see it? There are wires of aura coming out of his left arm."

Rayleigh asked, "TVs can show Nen? I thought Nen was supposed to be hidden from the public."

Wing replied, "The video of this fight cannot be purchased outside Heaven's Arena. And only those from the Tower and in the local area can purchase the Fight on Pay-Per-View. And most importantly, this TV is very expensive. It was actually built using Inscriptions, so Nen can be seen from the videos it shows."

Killua stated, "But I can't see anything!"

Gon added, "Me neither."

Wing nodded, "Yes, Hisoka is using a technique to make his aura imperceptible. It's a high-level application of Zetsu called In, which means Hide. Thanks to this In, even if the opponent is very strong, he won't feel or see Hisoka's aura."

Rayleigh interjected, "Is that what Kastro used to make his Doppelganger invisible?"

Wing nodded, "Yes, though Kastro could also make it appear and disappear when he wanted, so the addition of In was superfluous."

Wing continued, "The technique to see through your opponent's In is called Gy, which means Focus. Using Gy requires focusing your aura while using Ren on your eyes to enhance the countless tiny micropyles within, granting you the ability to see even hidden Nen. This will be the first exercise for you three. You are tasked with learning Ren and Gy, then seeing if you are capable of seeing through Hisoka's In."

Zushi asked, "Three? What about me?"

Wing answered, "You should already be able to use Gy. Come here and show us your Ren." Updated from novelb(i)n.c(o)m

Zushi released a strong breath to acknowledge his teacher's order and stood before the TV while taking a strong stance. He then used Ren.

This was the first time Rayleigh got a visual look at someone's Ren. White Knight covered himself in wax and Springheeled Jack moved too fast to see, so those didn't count.

With the micropyles in his own eyes opened, Rayleigh could clearly see the aura being ejected from Zushi's aura nodes. Unlike his expectations, though, it didn't disperse into the air. Around the outer edges of his strong, bursting aura was a calmer aura that held the explosive aura around Zushi without dispersing. It was basically Ten, which meant that Ren required bursting out the aura over the body while holding Ten at the same time on the fringes.

Normal Ten increased defense, but not offense. This Ren technique clearly had offensive properties as well.

What was more impressive, was that this Ren was far stronger than what Rayleigh felt back when he fought Zushi on the 50th floor. Rayleigh said, "You've gotten a lot stronger in the last few months."

Zushi was unable to respond, as holding Ren appeared to be very taxing for him.

Wing stated, "Now concentrate your aura into your eyes."

Zushi grunted, "Right," and the explosive aura was slowly concentrated to Zushi's upper body, while the aura being released by the lower body was halted. The concentration continued to Zushi's head and eventually, aura was fully concentrated onto Zushi's eyes.

Wing tapped on the TV and said, "Do you see the aura coming from Hisoka?"

Gritting his teeth, Zushi held his concentration with all his might while answering, "Yes!"

Wing added, "How many lines do you see?"

Zushi's eyes moved around the screen and answered, "Thirteen, I think."

Wing replied, "Almost, but you're close."

Zushi then released the tension in his body and started hyperventilating. Rayleigh could see how such a technique would be difficult to use in conjunction with the use of a Doppelganger.

Wing smiled, "You're making great progress, Zushi."

After getting a few breaths, Zushi replied, "I really did see it! Thank you, teacher."

They would all be meeting back up at Wing's house the next day anyway, so it didn't really matter.

As they were using Gon's room, both Rayleigh and Killua left with Zushi when the practice ended and walked Zushi to the elevator.

Once the door closed and Zushi was on his way out, Rayleigh asked, "Do you want to take point, or should I?"

Killua looked surprised, but only for a moment. He sensed some bad intentions directed at Zushi, so he intended to follow him and make sure he got home safely.

Killua answered, "I'm trying to cut back on killing, so how about you take the lead, Mr. Pacifist."

Rayleigh nodded, and they both entered the adjacent elevator.

*Author's Rant on Ren*

I hate Ren. The author is inconsistent on how it works and how it is trained. In the beginning of the Greed Island Arc, neither Gon nor Killua can hold Ren for 2 consecutive minutes. Then they train for two months, and they can hold it for 30 mins. And after Kite gets Chimera Ant'd, Biscuit returns and trains them for a month and then they can perform Ren for 3 hours. The author does not know how Ren works. In the Anime and Manga they literally skip 80% of the explanation for how to use it just so people can't point out the inconsistencies. Every single other technique is explained in detail except for Ren! I had to make up the theory that matched the 20% the author gave, and I am happy with what I came up with because it matches just about everything.

What I hate more about Ren is how 100% of fanfics that use Nen have their MCs figure Ren out without a teacher. If you could just figure Ren out, why didn't Gon figure it out in his match against Guido? He figured out Zetsu without being taught, but he couldn't figure out Ren. Ten is considered an ability. The ability to open your Aura Nodes but keep your aura from dissipating. Ren is a complex Technique that requires more than one specific visualization to perform and an understanding of the theory. You might be able to figure out how to accumulate aura in your body after a while, and then figure out how to expel it, but not without days of trial and error!

Yes, I know I just said that the author never explained how Ren works and I am mad that fanfic authors also skip how it works. Ranting doesn't have to make sense.

*Rant over. For those who didn't stop reading at the rant, here's the rest of the Chapter.*

Killua's assassin training allowed him to move unnoticed by most, and Rayleigh could combine his normal Zetsu with Force Stealth to suppress his presence, making him as unnoticeable as Killua.

As the pair suspected, Zushi was being followed by those with less than good intentions.

The fighter from the 200th floor, the man with a single arm, approached Zushi from behind.

Those capable of seeing aura would witness a ghost-like arm of aura emerging from the man's side. The hand expanded until it was larger than Zushi, and in an instant, it stretched forward and grabbed him.

Rayleigh watched this from afar, not feeling any killing intent from the man.

Once the hand restrained him, Zushi was unable to move, talk, or even breathe. A few seconds later, he fell unconscious.

The peg-legged Guido then approached, along with the one in the wheelchair. Wheelchair boy took one of Zushi's shoes and passed it to Guido.

It wasn't difficult to figure out what was going on.

Before they could pick up Zushi, Rayleigh appeared and said, "Don't touch him."

Killua then approached from the opposite side.

Rayleigh got a read on their emotions and surface thoughts. He had a few options. He could shut them down, go along with them, or have some fun.

He couldn't shut them down, they had not hurt him or anyone else yet. And it certainly was not in his nature to just go along with bullies. That meant there was only one option remaining.

Rayleigh said, "You guys just want a win right? You're in luck. Neither Killua nor I have any interest in becoming a floor master. So let's make a deal."

The one missing an arm asked, "Oh? What kind of deal?"

Rayleigh answered, "Killua and I will sign up for a match with each of you and let you win. In exchange, you don't do this kind of thing again, and you leave Gon out of it."

The one in the wheelchair asked, "Why leave him out? What if we want more than two wins?"

Rayleigh answered, "Gon is already in big trouble with our Teacher for fighting Guido. There is also someone he has to fight on the 200th floor, so another loss to Guido and a loss to both of you would deny him that fight." You were kicked off the 200th floor once you lost four matches, after all.

Killua added, "Though if you just want a normal fight with Gon, that's fine too, but you need to wait until our Teacher gives the go-ahead, which is at the end of the month."

The guy with a single arm answered, "If you both are willing to be our opponents, we will agree to this deal."

The wheelchair guy added, "Wait. It's not that we don't trust you, but let's register right now."

Killua and Rayleigh exchanged glances and nodded. Killua replied, "That's fine, but in exchange, I don't want to do this kind of thing again."

Killua put Zushi on his back, and they returned to Heaven's Arena together to register for some matches.

Rayleigh signed up for a match with the one-armed guy to happen the following day. Apparently, his name was Sadoso. Rayleigh then signed up for a match with Guido a few weeks later and with the Wheelchair guy a few weeks after that. His name was Riehlvelt.

Killua's matches were about the same, but his match with Sadoso was after Rayleigh's. Killua's next match would then be with Riehlvelt second and Guido last.

Once everything was signed, Killua and Ray took the still-unconscious Zushi back down the elevator to return him to his house.

On the way back, Killua complained, "It's really annoying to not be able to kill people. Got any words of wisdom, Mr. Pacifist?"

Rayleigh nodded, "The paths we take in life are filled with trials. If we choose to overcome these trials rather than avoid them, we can become stronger. Of course, sometimes you don't get to avoid them and must choose between different trials. Killing them all is a trial, but not killing them is another trial. Which one will make you stronger by overcoming, only you can decide."

Killua frowned, "Okay, now you're just talking like an old geezer."

Rayleigh shrugged and replied back, "I have never watched a single cartoon, played with a normal toy, or had a birthday party lots of people were invited to. I'm not an old man, but I'm not a kid either. I suspect the same is true with you and Gon. It's why hanging out with you is so awesome."

Killua actually blushed a bit at that before turning away to hide his smile.

Trying to change the subject, Killua pointed out, "I'm surprised you offered to give each of those guys what they wanted."

Rayleigh smiled, "Is that what it looked like? I said we would both lose to them if they left Gon alone."

Killua frowned and asked, "You expect them to try this with Gon?"

Rayleigh nodded and replied, "Gon is probably signing papers for various matches right now. That's why they took Zushi's shoe."

Killua looked to the side and noticed for the first time that Zushi was, in fact, missing a shoe. He could guess that those jerks would use it as a message and a threat toward Gon. A shoe instead of a severed finger in a box.

Killua then guessed, "So you never had any intention of losing on purpose. You knew they would break their promise."

"That's right."

Killua asked, "But what if they try to take Zushi the next time and force you to give up?"

"Wing won't let there be a next time. If we didn't take this matter into our own hands, he would have. Remember how he felt when he showed us his, 'I am going to kill you,' impression? You think someone like that is really a pushover?"

Killua certainly remembered that and shook his head.

They knocked on Wing's door and Rayleigh explained what happened after he answered.

When Rayleigh explained how Sadoso squeezed Zushi unconscious, Wing let slip a moment of killing intent that made Killua understand that those idiots were really getting saved by Rayleigh.

Wing calmed down and took Zushi inside before returning to the door and thanking the pair for taking care of this matter.

Wing asked Rayleigh, "Are you confident in fighting Sadoso?"

Rayleigh nodded, "Yeah. Other than Telekinesis, I have a few other things I can do with my abilities that I've never had a chance to try out on someone. Now that I have a willing test subject, it would be incredibly rude to refuse his voluntary assistance."

Rayleigh was told in the Tavern to keep his Force abilities to a minimum until he got his Hunter's License. What he used when sparring with Netero was just the tip of the iceberg. After all, Rayleigh hadn't memorized the entire Temple of Force Skills for nothing.

Killua was surprised at this side of Rayleigh, but Wing just nodded with approval. Wing was actually quite vindictive when it came to others laying their hands on his students.

The pair returned to their rooms in Heaven's Arena and Rayleigh got out the Journals. There were two reasons Rayleigh had confidence in understanding them. First, he knew over forty different languages, taught to him through Impartation by Master Viz. No matter how Divine Script was formatted, it would probably have similarities with some of them. But more importantly, these journals were handwritten. Rayleigh didn't need to understand a single word. By using Psychometry on each page, he could directly read the memories and intentions of the one who wrote it.

Of course, he had a match tomorrow, which meant he needed to practice Ren. Thankfully, his split minds had developed to the point he could use one to practice Ren and the other to read the Journals using Psychometry. And that was how Rayleigh spent his night.

*Author's Note*

I know no one likes mid-story author notes, that was just a prank to keep you on your toes and probably won't happen again.