One week later, as the group gathered in the courtyard, the atmosphere was light, yet there was an air of anticipation.
Leonard had grown closer to everyone in the group, especially Kade, whose calm and composed nature made him easy to connect with.
The training had been intense, but Leonard felt stronger and more confident in both his abilities and his relationships with his teammates.
Kade stood across from Leonard, his hands resting at his sides, a warm smile on his face.
"Leonard," he began, "you've come a long way. I think it's time I show you my ability."
Leonard nodded, a grin spreading across his face.
The thought of finally seeing Kade's Hatsu—the ability he had been so secretive about—filled him with excitement.
Over the past week, they had trained together daily, and Kade's subtle hints about his power had only made Leonard more curious.
Kade took a deep breath, closing his eyes for a moment, as if centering himself. Slowly, the air around him began to hum with energy.
Leonard could feel the shift in aura, the flow of Nen intensifying. Suddenly, a towering figure materialized behind Kade.
It was a Nen beast, in the form of a massive, walking tree. Its body was made up of countless branches, each one flowing with vibrant green energy.
The beast radiated life, and Leonard could feel the immense power it carried.
"This," Kade said softly, his eyes still closed, "is my Nen ability."
He opened his eyes and whispered the name of the ability, his voice steady and filled with purpose. "Green Spirit, Lord Branchias."
Leonard's eyes widened as he observed the creature.
The aura surrounding the Nen beast was unlike anything he had seen before—calm yet immensely powerful.
The branches of the tree swayed slightly as if they were alive, filled with an energy that seemed to breathe along with Kade.
"What does it do?" Leonard asked.
"Let me tell you.." Kade said and started talking like narrator from the Chimera Ant Arc.
Kade's Nen ability, Green Spirit, Lord Branchias, had three distinct applications, each reflecting his connection to nature and his strategic approach to both offense and defense.
As Leonard listened, Kade explained each one in detail:
Sprout - Enhancement - Emission
From the mighty branches of Lord Branchias, a small Nen sprout shoots out into the ground. Over the course of thirty seconds, the sprout slowly grows, embedding itself deep into the earth. Once fully matured, it grants a significant enhancement to anyone Kade considers a friend, boosting their physical abilities and Nen output. This enhancement could turn the tide in a prolonged battle, especially when surrounded by allies.
"It's not immediate," Kade explained, "but when it blooms, it gives my comrades a serious boost. If it hits an enemy directly it damages them and like getting hit by a punny emitter attack."
Decay Spirits - Enhancement - Emission
In this application, a glowing ball of Nen manifests from one of Lord Branchias' branches. The ball hovers in the air, targeting both friends and foes. When it connects with a target, it has dual effects—if the target is considered an ally, it heals minor injuries and replenishes a bit of their aura. However, if the target is an enemy, the Decay Spirit can inflict damage, but only if their Nen defense is weak enough to be breached.
"It's not the strongest ability," Kade admitted with a thoughtful look, "because I'm a conjurer." It relies on emissions mostly, so the range is pretty small, but the healing and damage are okay, and that's not my forte. Still, in the right situation, it can turn things around."
Branch Pull - Conjuration - Emission
The most direct offensive application of Lord Branchias. When Kade commands, the tree-like beast launches its branches at a selected target. If the target is within range, the branches swiftly wrap around them, pulling them toward Lord Branchias. Once caught, the target is immobilized and cannot move. However, they also cannot be harmed while in the tree's grasp.
"It's more of a restraint tool," Kade said. "If I can catch someone, it gives us time to plan our next move. But while they're in the tree's grip, we can't hurt them. It's a stalling tactic."
-
Leonard nodded as Kade finished his explanation.
He could see how each ability had its strengths and weaknesses, reflecting Kade's defensive, strategic nature.
Though not purely combat-oriented, Kade's powers were vital in supporting his team and managing the battlefield.
Kade added.
"My ability is something else, and my combat power and experience of fighting are different."
As Kade was about to talk, Alia spoke.
"Leonard, you should not consider the ability of a nen user to be a defining factor of the fighting capability of the said individual."
"You would die."
Leonard nodded and smiled at Alie, and he turned back to Kade.
"You've thought this through, Kade. You are focusing on control."
Kade returned the smile.
"That's the idea. We all have our roles to play."
Leonard took a deep breath and then touched his chin and started thinking. "An ability like this cannot be used and created with a great deal of mastery over nen, and without limitations, Kade essentially conjures a nen beast that has three different abilities on its own."
Kade smirks.
"It seems like you think about what kind of conditions and other problems I have with my ability."
Leonard smiles.
"So, you can see it with ease."
Kade nods and then looks at the others and then starts talking.
"There's a catch," he began.
"I can't just summon Lord Branchias whenever I want. Each time I use the ability, I'm bound by a condition. I need to plant fifty saplings before I can use Branchias again. They can be placed in the earth or in pots, but until I plant them, I can't summon him."
Leonard raised an eyebrow, intrigued by the unique condition. "Fifty saplings?" he repeated.
Kade nodded.
"Yeah, it's part of the restriction that helps balance the power. It keeps me connected to nature, but it's also a bit of a chore," he added with a light chuckle.
"After Lord Branchias is summoned, it stays active for three hours. Once that's up, it vanishes. I can't undo it early either—so if I summon Branchias, he's sticking around whether I want him to or not."
Leonard thought about the implications. "And everyone can see him?"
"That's right," Kade confirmed.
"Every Nen user can see Branchias, and even ordinary people with sharp enough perception can feel his presence. It's not something I can hide, so once he's out, I have to be ready for the consequences."
Leonard nodded, understanding the gravity of Kade's ability. It was powerful, but it came with a cost—both in the form of effort and the risk of exposure.
Kade then added another detail.
"There's more. Lord Branchias doesn't work well in extreme environments. In high temperatures or icy, freezing conditions, all of my abilities are weakened by about thirty percent. So, too hot or too cold, and I'm not at my best."
Leonard frowned, realizing the limitations.
"So you're strongest in moderate climates, where nature can thrive."
"Exactly," Kade replied.
"If we're in a desert or a tundra, my powers won't be as effective. It's something I have to account for in battle."
He paused, looking at Leonard. "But it's a trade-off I'm willing to accept. My abilities give me the power to support my friends and control the battlefield, but I have to stay connected to nature to use them properly."
Leonard admired Kade's thoughtfulness and discipline.
"Thanks for sharing all of this, Kade," Leonard said. "It gives me a lot to think about."
Kade smiled.
"No problem. We're all in this together, and you've got your own abilities to figure out too."