21 Chapter 21: Netero X Ball X Game (2)

Inside a spacious room that is probably used for training, Shinji, Gon, and Killua stood in front of Netero.

Wearing a black tank top, Standing on his right leg, and holding the ball in his left hand, Netero said.

"Now, I'll go over the rules of the game."

"If you can take this ball from me before the ship reaches its destination, you win."

"You're free to attack me however you'd like, I won't touch you."

He smiled playfully at the three of them, with all these restrictions, they must think it will be easy to take the ball from him, right?

"Huh? That's too easy! You can't call that a game."Sure enough, the innocent Gon was tricked.

"Why not give it a try first," Netero said, while skillfully turning the ball on his fingertips.

"We just need to take the ball?" Killua suddenly asked.

"Right." Netero nodded his head.

"Then I'll go first."

"Go ahead." Netero stood in his place closing his eyes.

Seeing this scene, Killua's eyes become cold.

'He's looking down on me.'

Killua stepped forward, he wants to teach this old man an unforgivable lesson for looking down at him.

Shinji was silent the whole time, he wants to analyze Netero's movement pattern so as to make a plan that will allow them to get the ball.

Killua starts walking slowly around Netero in a weird rhythm, then something that shocked the three of Netero, Gon, and Shinji appeared.

It turns out that every time Killua took a step he will leave afterimages behind him, and like this Netero was surronded by countless 'Killua's'.

Shinji's eyes opened wide trying to analyze every movement killua did, he wants to steal this skill!

"I see lots of Killua!" Gon screamed in surprise.

'This is an assassination technique, Rhythm echo…the practitioner uses a certain rhythm to create after images in order to confuse the enemy.'

Netero looked at Killua's movement and immediately recognized it.

'But I'm more surprised that he mastered it at such a young age, as expected of the son of the Zoldyck family.'

He looked at Killua and nodded with approval to the later astonishing talent, he already knows the identity of Killua the moment he appeared in the hunter exam, the grandson of his old friend's talent didn't disappoint him, he is sure if Killua's given enough time then he will definitely reach his height.

Killua countless afterimages encircled Netero, Shinji and Gon already lost track of the position of the real body of Killua.

Suddenly, Behind Netero, Killua appeared like a ghost. His hand almost touched the ball!

But Netero just took a light steep and avoided Killua's hand.

Killua continued chasing Netero, using his hands and legs to kick Netero but the latter was just like an agile monkey, even if he was using only one leg, Killua didn't even touch his clothes.

Shinji observed intensely the movement of Netero and didn't even dare to blink, he wants to memorize them so as to counter them.

Killua whenever he thought he almost going to touch the ball Neterto will always find a way to avoid him at the last moment.

Looking at the wonderful movement of Netero which showcase his terrifying level of body skills, both Gon and Shinji on the side opened their mouth wide.

"Whoa!!! Netero-san is amazing!" Gon exclaimed, the way Netero dodged killua's attacks was visually appealing to the eye.

'Damn, he kept dodging like a monkey, is he really an old man!' Killua starts doubting life, his dignified Zoldyck family's future heir can't even take a ball from an old man!

"What? That's it?" Netero in order to motivate Killua mocked him.

"in that case…" Killua flew toward Netero at an incredible speed, just when he was near him, he changed his target, and instead, he sent a powerful kick toward Netero's right leg.

"I'll stop his movement!"

*BANG*

The sound of the kick was so powerful that even Shinji felt as if he was the one kicked.

'It must hurt a lot!' Shinji looked at Killua who was proudly smiling and couldn't help but to mourn for him.

The smile on killua's face suddenly froze, it was only now he feels the pain in his leg.

"Ow, it hurts!" Killua held his left leg and tears uncontrollably fell from his eyes.

'He didn't hold his strength at all, if I were an ordinary person then my leg would have been shattered for sure.'

Netero, the target of the kick stood in his place like a stable mountain without showing any expression on his face.

"Damn, his legs are hard as iron!' Killua looked at Netero and finally understood that this old man in front of him isn't ordinary at all.

"Killua! Tag! Tag! It's my turn"

Gon took his turn, while killua dragged his injured leg to rest on the wall.

"Well done, Killua!" Shinji gave killua some encouragement as he saw the latter's depressed face.

" I underestimated that geezer." Killua smiled bitterly, whenever he recalled that he wanted to teach Netero an unforgivable lesson he wants to laugh at his stupidity.

"Netero-sensei is the strongest man recognized by all the powerhouses in the world, even if he becomes old his strength probably didn't drop the slightest, I'm afraid if we didn't come up with a plan then we won't get the ball from him even if we chased him for years!"

"A plan? You're right, we must think of a way to let him lose the ball, immobilize him, only if these two conditions are met we can have the opportunity to steal the ball!" Killua's brain turned fast and immediately thought of the most suitable strategy to get the ball from Netero's hand.

"But how can we separate him from the ball and how to immobilize him this is the question!" Killua racked his brain but they doesn't seem to have the means to achieve this result.

" Not bad, Killua!" Shinji beside him smiled mysteriously.

" did you think of any way?" Killua looked at the smiling Shinji and asked.

"Right, come here I will tell you my plan. " Shinji quickly whispered in Killua's ear his plan.

"Although the chance of this happening is low, we have no choice but to gamble he will do as you said." Killua nodded his head after hearing Shinji's plan

"it's better than nothing." Shinji thinks they have nothing to lose, so why not try?

Shinji looked at Gon who was warming up and remembered something.

'What will This kid try? He appears to be a very honest boy.' Netero observed Gon with interest, he is wondering how the latter intend to steal the ball from him.

"Okay!" Gon slapped his face to make himself more awake.

"Gon, wait a moment!" Suddenly Shinji called Gon.

"Huh? Brother Shinji?" Gon turned his head and stared at Shinji with a question mark on his face.

"Come here I have something to tell you quickly." Shinji waved at him mentioning to get closer.

Gon walked and stood near Shinji, then Shinji whispered something to him.

"Do you understand Gon?" Shinji asked Gon to make sure he understood his words.

"Thank you brother Shinji and Don't worry, I will follow your advice." Gon smiled innocently but then he asked curiously: "but how did you know what I was about to do?"

"It's just a hunch, nothing more." Shinji casually replied.

"Are you sure the old man will fall to this trick?" Killua stood near Shinji, the plan Shinji told them, if it succeeds then they may get the ball, but he isn't sure that Netero will get fooled easily like how Shinji told them.

"Just watch and be ready." Said Shinji with a confident smile.

Killua didn't continue questioning him as he starts to prepare himself in case what Shinji said happened.

"Okey, then I will start now." Gon stood in front of Netero.

'Hmm… what did he tell him?' Netero looked at them and was wondering what Shinji told Gon.

But he didn't have time to guess as Gon already made his move.

Gon rushed explosively like a bullet in a straight line toward Netero.

'This speed is not bad, but he'd need at least ten years before attacking me head-on.'

Netero stood in his place calmly the ball was placed on his head without showing any kind of shaking or trembling, which shows again how sophisticated this old man's control over his body.

'He is just a child after all.' Netero didn't take seriously the predictable attack of Gon, so he stood in his place, hands crossed on his chest, but soon he will regret his carelessness.

'Huh! From above!' Netero's smile suddenly froze.

When the distance that separated Gon and Netero was no more than one meter, Gon suddenly jumped intending to attack from the above.

With the advice of Shinji, Gon avoided jumping too high and hitting his head on the ceiling.

Netero didn't react for a while, he never thought that the simple-looking Gon would be so cunning.

But too late, Gon seized the moment Netero was surprised and landed an Axe kick on his head.

But this is Netero after all, even if he was caught off guard, his years of experience allowed him to instinctively make the most suitable decision in instant.

He thought of all the possible countermeasures quickly.

He can defend using his left hand, but if he does so, there is a high chance that the ball may fly away from the shock of the attack.

he can use his right leg to jump back, which will allow him to avoid the kick of Gon and at the same time retain the ball.

Or he can choose to move to either the left or right side.

But Netero felt that these options are boring, he wants excitement and to feel some sort of danger and tension, only like this he will get some little bit of the long-lost thrill he sought after.

He grinned and then sent the ball using his head behind him, hitting the wall. Then he made a back flip avoiding the kick of Gon and stretched his hand intending to catch the bounced ball.

He intentionally made this move which is to give Gon another Chance to seize the ball.

'Now show me what you will do, kid!'

"Killua!" Suddenly, Shinji and killua appeared on both sides of the room.

Killua rushed with all his strength toward the ball, while Gon and Shinji who transformed into his Hybrid leopard form blocked the Netero from both front and Back.

'What! The three of them…it must be the plan of this bra!' Netero immediately realized this should be what Shinji told Gon and Killua a few moments ago.

Now Killua is rushing toward the ball, Gon who should be attacking him is hugging his legs according to what Shinji told him, preventing Netero from moving, and Shinji who didn't know why he become a magical beast all of sudden stood in front of him like a wall preventing him from interfering with Killua.

'I underestimated them…but I won't lose!' Netero becomes even more excited, his brain turned faster, time as if it starts slowing down in his eyes, and everything around him becomes clear. what he should do now is to prevent killua from Getting the ball, but he needs first to get rid of Gon, then bypass Shinji.

'Sorry Shinji-kun, but I need you to move aside!' Netero looked at Shinji with sympathy, what he is about to do will probably hurt Shinji a little bit, although he will control his strength to not cause any serious damage to the latter, some pain is unavoidable. this is the only way he can if he doesn't want to lose.

'Huh?' Shinji felt the weird look in Netero's eyes and suddenly had a bad premonition, something bad will happen to him!

But he didn't move, he stood like an immovable fortress, ready to receive the attack of Netero.

All of these seem to take a long time to describe but not even a second had passed in the real world.

Netero using only his right leg, with a powerful jump, rushed toward the ball. Dragging with him Gon who refused to let go of his legs.

"brat! If you don't want to feel pain, then move aside!" while rushing he gave the last warning to Shinji.

"in your dream! Bring it on!" with a roar, Shinji crossed his arms ready to receive the impact.

*BOOM*

As if he was hit by a train, Shinji was sent flying backward by the impact he received from Netero, then he coincidently bumped into Killua, who appeared behind him, almost catching the ball.

*Bang*

Both Shinji and Killua slammed into the wall heavily, fortunately, the walls were covered in soft cushions that absorbed the impact, or else they will break at least some bones.

Then Netero used his left hand to catch the flying ball quickly.

Netero successfully demonstrated how to hit three birds with one stone.

"When do you intend to let go of the old man's leg?" Netero looked at Gon playfully, anyone can see the proud expression on his face, the tactic of the three of Shinji, Gon, and Killua really put a little bit of pressure on him, but fortunately he managed to overcome it.

"Shinji, Killua, are you alright?" Gon let Go of Netero's leg then he went to check his friends.

"I'm fine, Shinji was the one to bear most of the impact. old man didn't you say you won't land a finger on us! You broke the rules, so hurry and admit defeat!" Killua angrily pointed at Netero, but in fact, he is smiling from inside.

'Since he broke the rules he himself set, then we should win, ha ha ha.'

*cough**cough*

Shinji stood up with difficulty, blood coming from his mouth, he held his chest tightly, pain is written on his face.

"*cough* Netero *cough* sensei…since you broke the rules*cough*… we can be considered winning *cough* this game." Shinji seems to finish this sentence with difficulty, he can't stop coughing.

"Brother Shinji stop talking, you must see a doctor quickly." Gon looked worriedly at Shinji.

"Netero-san, look what you did to brother Shinji."

Netero remained indifferent, he spun the ball on his fingertip and said ignorantly.

"I broke the rules? When?"

"DON'T PRETEND TO BE STUPID, OLD MAN! IF YOU DON'T ADMIT YOUR DEFEAT THEN WE WON'T CONTINUE THIS BULLSHIT!" Killua didn't hold back his anger and screamed loudly, veins can be seen bulging from his forehead almost exploding, which shows how much angry he is.

"What made you think I broke the rules?" Netero asked calmly.

"Because you deliberately hit Shinji! Look at him, blood coming from his mouth, I'm sure you must have caused some internal injuries to him, which will definitely affect his performance in the next phases, so as compensation you must give him the Hunter license!" Killa controlled his temper and tried to reason with Netero.

"Huh! I hit him?" Netero showed a disbelieving expression on his face, just like someone got wrongly accused for something he didn't do.

"Bastard stop acting innocent." Killua almost can't control the impulse to 'kill' this old man.

"I just bumped at him when I was rushing toward the ball, that's all. Moreover, I also told him to move aside, but he didn't listen, so he is the one blamed for his recklessness."

"Which means, I didn't deliberately hit him at all, so I didn't break any rules as you said."

"YOU!…" Killua was speechless, it's clear that Netero really injured Shinji, but his words were also reasonable, which means they didn't seem to have any solid evidence that Netero deliberately hit Shinji!

'Huh, you are one hundred years away from qualifying to play tricks with this old man!' Netero smiled in his heart, he already discovered the anomaly and plan of the two Shinji and Killua.

"Shinji-Kun, your acting skills are a thousand miles away from being able to deceive this old man!"

'What!' Killua and Shinji looked at each other with Shock.

"What are you saying Netero-san? I don't understand at all!" Gon was confused by Netero's words.

"Netero *cough* sensei *cough*, I don't *cough* understand *cough**cough* what are you *cough*saying!" after he finished this sentence Shinji coughed hard and blood come from his mouth. He already removed the transformation because of this 'serious' injury.

"I didn't expect that the chairman of the famous Hunter association will be such a shameless old man like you, I'm really disappointed." KIllua with his sharp mouth seized this opportunity to mock Netero.

"I know clearly how much strength that bump has, also with the protection from cushions on the wall, at most you should only feel some pain, but now you're coughing blood and holding your chest as if you broke your bones is very suspicious."

" Because *cough* I have *cough* a very fragile*cough* Body!*cough**cough*" Shinji defended himself.

"Really, then how about this, I will call this airship medical team to check your body, if what you said is correct and you turned out to be injured by my accidental bump then I will make the three of you Hunters immediately. but if you lied, then I will let you lose the qualification to participate in the following phases, thereby losing the hunter exam!"

Netero looked at them with a cunning smile.

Killua and Shinji glanced at each other, the same thought appeared in their mind: 'this damned old fox!"

While Gon innocently nodded his head: "I think what Netero-san said is reasonable, let's call a doctor quickly!"

" Well, I should call the team now." Netero Turned around intending to call the medical team.

Shinji and Killua looked at each other, then unwillingly nodded their heads as if they reached some kind of agreement.

"Wait!"

"Netero *cough*sensei…I seem to feel better now!" said Shinji while smiling bitterly.

"Old man I think what you said is reasonable, but we won't continue this pointless game with you, Shinji, Gon let go, even if we chased the old man for a year we won't get the ball from him." Killua tried hard to sound serious but he can't hide the embarrassment on his face, he wants to hide away as quickly as possible. he also decided to give up, since he discovered the gap between them and Netero.

"But Killua, brother Shinji is seriously injured he needs to see a doctor right now." Gon looked at them with confusion, why did brother Shinji all of sudden say he is alright? Why killua suddenly give up, Didn't he say that Netero-san broke the rules? Shouldn't they let the medical team come to check Shinji and then they will naturally win? All kinds of questions appeared in his mind, he didn't even know where to start.

"KIllua, please." Shinji didn't have the mood to explain anything so he left this mission to killua.

"Gon, come here." Killua nodded his head, then he whispered something to Gon.

All doubts of Gon were solved.

"Netero-san, I'm sorry I wronged you, please forgive me!" Gon bowed slightly toward Netero expressing his apologies for wronging Netero. he already know the ins and outs of everything.

he himself was tricked by the plan of Shinji and Killua.

The name of that plan was: touching the porcelain!

In short, Shinji intended to trick Netero into having no choice but to hit him if he wants to get the ball.

In order to do so, they must let Netero lose the ball first, and Shinji must also stand in front of him to block him, then using Killua to create tension on Netero, and Gon to hinder Netero's movement so he will have no choice other than to use his hands.

But unexpectedly, the sonic-punch Shinji was waiting to receive didn't come, instead, Netero rushed toward the ball and by the way sent him flying toward Killua all in a way that it seemed he didn't do it deliberately, which destroyed their plan.

So Shinji ruthlessly bit his tongue hard to create the effect of coughing blood, but Netero's last move of calling the medical team and threatening them to lose the qualification for the next phases was like a K.O.

So he had no choice but to say he got better.

Shinji had the urge to cry, if he knew this plan will fall then he wouldn't bit his tongue that hard.

Whenever he remembered his acting of coughing, Shinji had the urge to run away and hide from Netero.

'Damn it I lost face in front of Netero-sensei!"

"You give up this quick? How about the three of you coming together? Your chance to get the ball will become even higher!" Netero who heard Killua giving up, starts tempting them, finally things start getting interesting, he won't let them easily go, or how else he will pass this boring night?

Shinji's eyes become firm, he didn't do his best, how he can give up easily like this?

"Killua, Gon, I have another plan, I'm sure we will definitely succeed this time!"