Chapter 32: Creation of the Third Hatsu

Kai feels a wave of joy and satisfaction wash over him as he achieves the pinnacle of his Dragon Fist and Dragon Eye hatsu, the crowning jewels of his Transmutation and Specialization nen. He has sharpened his skills to the finest edge, forging formidable and flexible abilities that mirror his character and capacity.

Kai had made his dragon fist into a more versatile hatsu as he uses it continuesly over the years.

He can shape his aura into a dragon's head that can bite or roar at his opponents.

He can extend his aura into a dragon's tail that can whip, coil, or constrict his enemies.

He can wrap his aura around his fist like a dragon's claw that can slash, pierce, or tear his foes.

He can project his aura into a dragon's wing that can fly, shield, or blast his adversaries.

He also feels a deep wisdom into the essence of nen, the enigmatic energy that courses through all living things. He grasps his own nen type, Transmutation, which enables him to alter the shape and qualities of his aura.

He also grasps his secondary nen type, Specialization, which empowers him to craft unique and rare abilities that transcend the normal rules of nen.

He also grasps the other nen types, Enhancement, Emission, Manipulation and Conjuration, and how they connect to each other in terms of affinity and compatibility.

He resolves to forge a new hatsu, influenced by the scale, the ancient emblem of balance and justice. He resolves to use Conjuration to manifest a scale-like gadget on his body, which can gauge and amplify his attributes. He resolves to use Specialization to modify his nen type according to his emotions and situations, which can alter the color and shape of his scale. He resolves to name his new hatsu Dragon Scale, as a tribute to the Zal dragon's scales that are metallic and reflect different colors.

He unleashes his Dragon Scale hatsu, transforming his aura into the form of a dragon's scale that can cover his body or any part of it. The scale grants him various abilities depending on its color and pattern.

He experiments with different types of scales, such as:

Red scales that boost his strength and speed, making him a fierce and fast fighter.

Blue scales that boost his defense and durability, making him a tough and resilient warrior.

Green scales that boost his healing and regeneration, making him a quick and efficient healer.

Yellow scales that boost his perception and intuition, making him a sharp and smart observer.

Purple scales that boost his stealth and deception, making him a sneaky and cunning infiltrator.

Black scales that boost his power and aggression, making him a dark and dangerous predator.

White scales that boost his purity and harmony, making him a light and peaceful protector.

Rainbow scales that combine the effects of all the other scales, making him a balanced and versatile master.

He also experiments with different patterns of scales, such as:

Stripes that increase the intensity of the scale's effect, making it more powerful but less stable.

Spots that decrease the intensity of the scale's effect, making it less powerful but more stable.

Swirls that mix the effects of two or more scales, creating new combinations of abilities.

Stars that amplify the effects of one scale, creating a special ability related to that scale.

Hearts that link the effects of two or more scales, creating a synergy between them.

Flowers that spread the effects of one scale to others, creating an aura field around him.

He tests out his Dragon Scale hatsu in various situations and scenarios, using it to adapt and overcome any challenge or danger he faces. He is confident in his new hatsu, knowing that it is the result of his hard work and creativity. He is ready to face any adventure with his Dragon Scale hatsu. He felt a surge of satisfaction as he completed his third hatsu in the hotel room, a feat that few hunters could achieve.

He activated his second hatsu, the dragon eye, which enhanced his mental capacity and speed. He also wore the Zal ring, a rare artifact that boosted his nen power and intelligence. With these tools, he was able to create copies of the books he had acquired from the Lost City of Zal, a mysterious and ancient civilization hidden in the depths of the jungle.

The books were a treasure trove of knowledge on various subjects, such as weaponry, industry, nen, botany and technology. He had 25 volumes for weaponry, 35 for industry, 20 for nen, 50 for botany and 35 for technology. He skimmed through the pages, summarizing the main points and storing them in one large blank book for each subject. The blank books were enchanted with nen to contain the vast amount of information he had gathered.

Kai then gently tucked the original books in a special suitcase, where he stored his other priceless items from his adventures. He had a dream of building a private museum someday, where he could showcase his amazing collection and share his discoveries with the world. He imagined the awe and wonder of the visitors as they beheld the relics and secrets of the Lost City of Zal.

Kai then examined the paintings and statues to learn more about their culture and art and to detect any traces of nen among them. He used his dragon eye and the Zal ring to scan the artworks for any signs of aura or hidden messages. Out of 75 paintings and 45 statues, only a few of them had traces of nen and half of them were created by important people or artists according to Zal Dragon, his guide and companion in the Lost City. He wondered what secrets and stories these artworks held.

Zal Dragon then pointed out some of the most important artworks that were made by important people and explained their meanings.

Zal Dragon: Do you see this painting, Kai? It was made by the last queen of Zal before the city was destroyed.

Kai: She looks beautiful. Who is she holding a blue flower?

Zal Dragon: That flower is called the Zal flower. It is a rare and sacred plant that only grows in this city. It symbolizes hope and peace, two things that the queen cherished and wished for her people.

Kai: She must have been a great ruler.

Zal Dragon: She was. She was kind and wise, and she loved her people as her own children. She was also a powerful nen user, and she used her abilities to heal the sick, protect the weak, and promote harmony. She was beloved by everyone in Zal, and they called her the White Queen.

Zal Dragon: And this statue, Kai, it was made by the greatest warrior of Zal who defended the city from many enemies.

Kai: He looks impressive. What is he holding a sword for?

Zal Dragon: That sword is called the Zal sword. It is a legendary weapon that was forged by the first king of Zal and passed down to his descendants. It represents courage and justice, two things that the warrior valued and fought for.

Kai: He must have been a brave fighter.

Zal Dragon: He was. He was strong and skilled, and he led the army of Zal in many battles and wars. He was also a master of nen, and he used his abilities to enhance his swordsmanship, strike fear into his enemies, and inspire his allies. He was respected by everyone in Zal, and they called him the Golden Warrior.

Zal Dragon: And this painting, Kai, it was made by the most brilliant inventor of Zal who designed many machines and devices.

Kai: He looks smart. What is that tower in the center of the city?

Zal Dragon: That tower is called the Zal tower. It is a huge laboratory where the inventor conducted his experiments and inventions. He was responsible for advancing the technology and industry of Zal, and he created many wonders and marvels.

Kai: He must have been a genius.

Zal Dragon: He was. He was creative and curious, and he explored the mysteries of science and nen. He was also a secretive person, and he had a secret project that he never revealed to anyone. Some people believed that his project was related to the destruction of the city, but no one knows for sure what it was. He was admired by everyone in Zal, and they called him the Silver Inventor.

Zal Dragon: And this statue, Kai, it was made by the first king of Zal who founded the city and united the tribes.

Kai: He looks noble. What is that dragon with six wings and four horns?

Zal Dragon: That dragon is called the Zal dragon. It is the symbol of the royal family and the guardian of the city. The king had a special bond with the dragon, and they shared their nen and their minds.

Kai: He must have been a great leader.

Zal Dragon: He was. He was wise and generous, and he brought peace and prosperity to his people. He was also a master of nen, and he taught his people how to use it for various purposes, such as healing, farming, and fighting. He was loved by everyone in Zal, and they called him the Dragon King.

Kai: "but why is your name the same as the dragon?"

Zal Dragon: He was the one who created me, using his nen and his dragon's essence. He named me after the dragon, and he gave me a part of his soul. He was like a father to me, and I was like a son to him.

Zal Dragon: And this painting, Kai, it was made by the most famous artist of Zal who created many works of art and entertainment.

Kai: He looks colorful. Who are those people wearing colorful clothes and masks?

Zal Dragon: Those people are called the Zal performers. They were a group of artists who staged plays, dances, and music for the enjoyment of the public. They were very popular and influential, and they attracted many fans and followers.

Kai: They must have been fun to watch.

Zal Dragon: They were. They were talented and creative, and they entertained the people with their humor and charm. They were also cunning and clever, and they had a hidden agenda behind their art. They used it to spread their ideas and opinions about the society and politics of Zal, and they challenged the authority and the status quo. They were feared by some and admired by others in Zal, and they called themselves the Rainbow Rebels.

Kai listened with interest and curiosity to what Zal told him. He was fascinated by the stories and the history of the artworks and the people who made them.

He carefully selected the important paintings and statues that Zal pointed out and put them in a special container that was lined with nen and cushioned with soft material to protect them from any external damage.

He then handed over the fakes to the shopkeeper, who was unaware of their true value but only knows that it must be from the Lost City of Zal.

But as he was about to pick up one of the statues to put it in the pile of fakes, Zal dragon stopped him and said:

Zal Dragon: Wait, Kai, don't touch that statue. It may look like an imitation, but it is actually a real statue that has a hidden mechanism to reveal its true appearance.

Kai: Really? How do you know?

Zal Dragon: I can sense a faint trace of nen in it. It is a clever trick to fool the eyes of the unwary. Let me show you.

Zal Dragon then pressed a small button on the base of the statue, and the statue suddenly changed its shape and color. It transformed from a plain-looking figure of a man into a stunning sculpture of a woman with wings and jewels. Kai gasped in awe and admiration.

Zal Dragon: No way… I can't believe it… This is… This is the statue of the Zal angel!

Kai: The Zal angel? Who is that?

Zal Dragon: She was the most revered and mysterious figure in the history of Zal. She was said to be a messenger of the gods, who came to Zal to bring blessings and miracles. She was also the lover of the first king, and the mother of the royal bloodline. She disappeared one day, leaving behind only this statue as a gift and a reminder of her love.

Kai: Wow… That's incredible… How come this statue was hidden like this?

Zal Dragon: I don't know… Maybe someone wanted to protect it from being stolen or destroyed. Or maybe someone wanted to keep it for themselves. Either way, this is a priceless and sacred treasure. We must take it with us, Kai. It belongs in our museum.

Kai: Okay, Zal, let's take it. But how are we going to carry it? It looks heavy and fragile.

Zal Dragon: Don't worry, Kai. I have a solution. I can use my nen to shrink it and make it lighter. Then we can put it in the container with the other artworks.

Kai: Really? You can do that?

Zal Dragon: Of course. I learned this technique from the inventor. He taught me how to manipulate space and matter with nen. It's very useful for transporting things.

Kai: That's amazing, Zal. You're so smart and talented.

Zal Dragon: Thank you, Kai. You're very kind and brave. Now, let me do it.

Zal Dragon then focused his nen on the statue, and it gradually shrank in size and weight. He then carefully picked it up and placed it in the container with the other artworks. He then closed the container and locked it with his nen.

Zal Dragon: There. It's done. Now we have the statue of the Zal angel with us.

Kai: Great job, Zal. I'm so happy we found it.

Zal Dragon: Me too, Kai. Me too.

They then resumed their task of separating the important and the fake artworks. Zal Dragon used his keen senses and his nen to detect any traces of aura or hidden features in the paintings and statues. Kai followed his guidance and his intuition to pick the ones that looked valuable and authentic. They worked together efficiently and diligently, sorting out the artworks into two piles: one for the real and one for the imitation.

The next day, Kai went to the shop where he had rented the jeep and the equipment for his expedition. He carried a large bag with the fake paintings and statues that he and Zal Dragon had separated from the real ones. He greeted the shopkeeper, who was a middle-aged man with a friendly smile and a keen eye for business.

Kai: Hello, sir. I'm here to return the jeep and the equipment I rented from you yesterday.

Shopkeeper: Oh, hello, young man. How was your trip? Did you find anything interesting?

Kai: It was amazing, sir. I found some incredible things in the jungle. Here, take a look at these artworks. They are from the Lost City of Zal.

Shopkeeper: The Lost City of Zal? What's that?

Kai: The Lost City of Zal is a hidden and ancient civilization that existed in the depths of the jungle. It was a place of wonder and mystery, where the people had advanced technology and nen abilities. It was destroyed long ago, and no one knows why.

Shopkeeper: Wow, that sounds fascinating. How did you find it?

Kai: I used information that I have gathered from different sources to go there.

Shopkeeper: That's incredible, young man. You have had quite an adventure.

Kai: I have, sir. And I want to share it with you. These artworks are from the Lost City of Zal, but they are not the real ones. They are copies that I made with my nen ability. I want to give them to you as a gift, for your kindness and generosity.

Shopkeeper: A gift? For me? But these are priceless treasures, young man. I can't accept them.

Kai: Please, sir, take them. They are not as valuable as you think. The real ones are much more beautiful and authentic. I have them in a special container, where I will keep them safe and secure. I plan to build a private museum someday, where I can display them and share them with the world.

Shopkeeper: Well, if you insist, young man. Thank you very much for your gift. You are very generous and brave.

Kai: You're welcome, sir. Thank you for your service and support.

Shopkeeper: You're welcome, young man. And good luck with your museum. I hope to see it someday.

Kai: Thank you, sir. I hope so too. Goodbye for now.

Shopkeeper: Goodbye, young man. And take care of yourself.

Kai: Oh, and one more thing, sir. Please don't tell anyone that these artworks are fake. They are still very valuable and rare, and they could attract unwanted attention or trouble.

Shopkeeper: Don't worry, young man. I won't tell anyone. I will keep them as a secret and a treasure. I might sell some of them to some collectors or tourists, or I might keep some of them as a display for my business. They will surely make my shop more attractive and interesting.

Kai: Thank you, sir. I appreciate your discretion and your honesty.

Shopkeeper: You're welcome, young man. And thank you again for your gift. You have made me very happy and rich.

Kai returned to the hotel, where he had booked a room for the night. He packed his belongings, which included his clothes, his equipment, and his special container with the real artworks from the Lost City of Zal. He also checked on his new companion, Zal Dragon, who was resting in his backpack.

Zal Dragon was a metal and wire nen beast, who looked like a miniature dragon with glowing eyes and scales. He had used the power of the Zal crystal, a rare and sacred artifact that Kai had found in the city, to transform himself into a smaller and sleeker version of himself. He had gained some new features, such as wings that could fly, claws that could cut, and a voice that could speak. He could also communicate telepathically with Kai. He was very friendly and loyal to Kai, who had saved him from the ruins of the city and befriended him.

Kai smiled at Zal Dragon, who smiled back at him. They had formed a strong bond during their adventure, and they were looking forward to more adventures together. But for now, they decided to take a break from their travels and return to the Zoldyck Mansion, where Kai lived with his family. Kai was eager to show them his discoveries and introduce them to his friend Zal Dragon.