Chapter 15: Heaven's Arena, Part 5

-Few hours before Enma's fight-

-Enma's room-

Since the last week, Enma started training Shu.

Shu was an advanced application of Ten that allowed a Nen user to enshroud an object with their aura, and to use that object as an extension of their own body.

He went for this specific technique as he was a sword user.

In fact, one could use Shu to extend their Ten around a weapon, which would strengthen and protect it.

'Sadly, I'll never be able to rival an enhancer of the same level of skill when it comes down to close range fight.

I need a gimmick…

Hehe, that is what the Merchant exist for!

Oh! Would you look at that, it's been a week already…'

Swoosh!

"Oh glorious Master! Your humble servant awaits your rightful commands."

"Enough with the pleasantries. Show me the items."

"Right away."

'What will it be this time? A training pass? No.. I bet it's someone's Hatsu! Maybe a devil fruit? Someone's fighting skills? Come on! Let me see.'

First

[Mrs Doubtfire's used panties.

Price:

-Don't change your underwear.

Time limit:

-1 week.]

'Oh God..'

Second

[Mr Wing's glasses.

Price:

-Perform Shu on a piece of paper and use it to cut a cucumber.

Time limit:

-None.]

'Surely the last one will be good.'

Third

[Woody (But this time it's only a toy).

Price:

-Sing "You've got friend in me" out loud.

Time limit:

-None.]

'…'

"Merchant…"

"Master?"

"Why are the items so bad this time?"

The merchant started to shake in anger.

"What do you mean? My goods are always top quality!"

"Yeah, yeah. But this time the quality is not as good."

"You can't always get a '6' when you throw a dice! The items are random!"

"Right! But that also means that is not likely to get a '1' three times in a row. Merchant, are you mad at me? Did I do something to upset you?"

"Nonsense! Choose an item!"

"Fine! Give me the glasses…"

...

Just like that, a month went by since Enma's fight against Sadaso.

Hisoka's fight against Kastro happened like scheduled, and it was spectacular.

Both of them were really strong and fearsome fighters.

In the end, the better Nen user won, and his name was Hisoka.

It had to be said that despite his strength, Kastro was not a very smart Nen user.

He had 2 techniques.

'Clone' and 'Tiger Bites fist'.

The first being a combination of Conjuration and Manipulation and the latter being a pure enhancement martial art that he developed on his own.

Everyone who knew something about fighting, could tell that his martial arts were really impressive and, had he stuck to it, he would have definitely become a powerful master enhancer.

It was really a shame that he used all of his training time to develop a technique that was too far in affinity from his natural Nen type, which was enhancement.

This resulted in a total waste of time.

The clone technique was indeed impressive, but imperfect.

For example, the fact that the doppelganger was a perfect replica of the original, but lacked finer details, such as blood on the clothes, showing injuries etc… or the fact that the ability itself overloaded the brain because of its complexity, which, in turn, left the user not able to perform simpler tasks.

Overall it was a flashy but too complicated technique that he could only use with an efficiency of 60% and only with all his focus and concentration.

That in itself spelled like disaster and it sadly took the man to his demise.

Hisoka, on the other hand, was a monster of versatility with his abilities, 'Bungee gum' and 'Texture surprise'.

The abilities weren't the most powerful, but he used them so well…

Hisoka's skill to rouse his opponent emotion, coupled with the magician's talent of deception, where enough to completely play with poor Kastro's mind.

The fight opened Enma' eyes regarding his own standing in the power level scale.

'I'm still very weak when compared to pros like them.

I'm a very good martial artist now, but I definitely don't have as good experience in using Nen in a fight. I would surely lose against Hisoka.

Kastro? Knowing how his Hatsu ability works would help, that is for sure, but at the end of the day he has a better mastery over Nen than me as well.

I feel like every time I improve, there is someone that gives me a reality check.

I could live a more relaxed life, improving at my own pace.

However, doing that, I wouldn't be able to accomplish much when it comes to canon events like the Phantom troupe going rampant in Yorknew city, Greed Island, chimera ants or the succession arc, Dark continent etc…

If I want to have an active role in the story, I need to become strong enough rather fast.

What will it be?

An average life once again?

I know what I'll choose this time. So…

What is it that I'm lacking compared to someone like these pros?

Hatsu abilities and Nen training, that is the short answer.'

...

After his fight against Sadaso, Enma's luck in regards to the Merchant's items wasn't that good.

Of the 4 items he ended up choosing, only 2 had tasks that were possible, or worth it, to complete.

[Mamoru Takamura's boxing proficiency.

Price:

-Throw 10 000 punches.

Time limit:

-1 day.]

[Himura Kenshin's sword.

Price:

-Swing your sword 10 000 times.

Time limit:

-1 day.]

The other 2 items were sent to the stall.

[Hisoka's sleight of hand proficiency.

Price:

-Beat Hisoka in a fight.

Time limit:

-None]

[1 scarlet eye of a Kurta clan's member (It's only an eyeball)

Price:

-Kill a member of the Phantom troupe.

Time limit:

-None.]

To complete the first 2 tedious items' tasks, he needed few tries.

In the end, they didn't increase his fighting power that much, given the fact that he could already be considered a master of martial arts, and Kenshin's sword had a blunt edge, which he completely forgot.

'Did I really miss a chance to not choose Sadaso's Hatsu that time? Since then, not even one supernatural ability came out among the items.

In fact, now that I think about it, the majority of the abilities or skills that appeared since the start were related to the physical body.

It's certainly a good pick the first time around, but keep going at it will not improve my fighting power much in the long run.'

…

Enma decided to not fix any matches in that period, and preferred to train Nen all day long.

After Hisoka match, he realized that his cockiness could bring him to his grave.

He would rather wait a bit more time to raise his combat power.

Enma was basically bidding his time in the hope of getting something good out of his Hatsu.

Thankfully, he didn't have to wait long.

…

"Finally! Merchant, you have outdone yourself this time!"

"Hehe, Your praises warm my heart."

[Bleach Item Roulette Pass.

When used during the Booth of Wanders reset, It will set 'Bleach' as the world from which the 3 items will be randomly selected.

It is guaranteed, between the 3 items, a supernatural ability, a physical ability and an object.

Price:

-Become a floor master at Heaven's arena.

-Perform all the advanced Nen techniques once.

-Defeat a Nen user with a single strike.

-Forego the chance to redeem an item for 3 months.

Time limit:

-3 months.]

'Jackpot! This item is my ticket to greatness! It needs a careful planning, and a lot of work.

Bleach is full of incredible powers.

I also remember a rather fearsome object…

This time the tasks are really difficult, as expected.

Advanced Nen techniques? That would be Gyo, En, In, Shu, Ko, Ken, Ryu.

I can already perform 2 of them, and I was going to learn the others anyway, so it shouldn't be a problem.

To become a floor master I will need 9 other wins and to challenge and beat another floor master. That will be difficult.

Beat a Nen user with a single strike? I need a match against Gido or the other one, what was his name?

The last task is the worst one. Forgoing 3 months of picks at the booth… Is it really worth it for a single special ability?

I'll do this, I'll keep an eye on what actually came out every Monday and decide what to do based on that.

It would be really funny if I do all of this for 3 shitty items…'

…

-Omake- (filler scene)

Killua opened the door in front of him and entered the room.

"Hey Enma! Congr…"

He stopped mid sentence an stared at Enma's face.

The 2 looked at each other for a few moments, before Killua asked.

"Are those Wing's glasses that you are wearing?"

"Cough! Cough! No! Obviously not! Why would I have his glasses?"

"Sure…"

"Why are you here? Ever heard of knocking?"

"I've watched your fight. You gave that worm a nice beating. Well done!"

"Thank you kid. Do you need something else?"

Enma sat on the sofa.

"Actually I was wondering.."

"Oh? Do tell."

Enma adjusted the glasses with is middle finger in a fashionable way.

Killua's mouth twitched.

"…I was saying. Hisoka's going to fight in a month. Want to come with me to see the match? Gon's been prohibited by Wing.."

Enma removed the glasses and started chewing on one of the stems, seemingly in thoughts.

"Mmm…"

A vein popped in Killua's forehead.

'This piece of shit is doing it on purpose!'

Enma took the stem out of his mouth and was now using it to twirl the glasses around.

"Let's see.."

Killua was almost exploding with annoyance.

"Ok!"

"Good, I'm going now."

In a flesh he was gone.