Toshiro Part 3

Toshiro remained quiet, contemplating silently.

He was deep in thought, and finally took in a deep breath.

"I know… I know it's naive and unrealistic, but I don't have anyone that can help me. The only one I knew was Master, and everyone else I had seen as a small, poor orphan is dead.

"I don't have any choice but to do it myself and make sure it doesn't turn out to be for naught."

Toshiro's eyes flickered to me, emotions rapidly changing in his eyes, going from thoughtful to hopeful to disappointed to hopeless then back to thoughtful again.

I nodded.

"Maybe. Still stupid, but I understand you didn't think you had any choice. But you could have done something smart, like slowly gathering people or hiring people.

"Or making strong acquaintances that would help you in exchange for favors."

I stopped talking, letting the silence linger as Toshiro contemplated the meaning behind my last words.

"Do you mean… someone like you would help me for favors in return?"

Toshiro asked hesitantly, unsure if he misinterpreted my words.

"Yes. I would help you depending on how much you were willing to give me in return. Doing this would be going against orders and will lose my credibility, since I was only supposed to assassinate a man.

"How much are you willing to sacrifice for your master and family?

"Your possessions? Talent? Knowledge? Your loyalty? Your…life?"

I ask, staring at him intensely, making sure he understood what I wanted.

Toshiro swallowed and stayed quiet.

I didn't break the silence, letting the tension rise.

I knew he understood what my offer meant - I would help him get his perfect revenge, and he would devote his life and talents to me.

"I… anything. If you can promise me I will have complete and total revenge, I'll give you my life. I'll be loyal to you and dedicate my talents and nen to you."

Toshiro said loudly and forcefully, as if forcing himself to say it before he changed his mind.

"…I'd rather do this and get my revenge than try on my own and die in the process without achieving revenge."

Toshiro added, muttering under his breath to himself.

My poker face still intact, I quickly replied.

"Then, yes. I guarantee it. I can ruin Haisha in less than a week."

Toshiro's mouth dropped open, shocked.

"However…" I continued, "I need a way to guarantee you won't go back on your word after the revenge is complete. A nen contract. Do you know how to make one?"

Toshiro hesitated, then answered. "Yes…I do."

Nodding, I replied.

"Good. Swear to obey me, be loyal to me for eternity, devote yourself, your knowledge, talents, and nen to me, and stay mine for eternity. There's no going back on your word.

"In exchange, I'll promise you'll get your revenge, and it will be sweeter than anything you've ever tasted.

"And I'll have you know, I never break my promises."

I finish, looking at him with a trustworthy gaze.

I really had never broken a promise, but I also almost never made any promises. I lied all the time, but when I made a promise, which was rare, I followed through with it.

It's best to get him to do this quickly, before he backs out or changes his mind.

With the strict nen conditions, he should also be able to get some useful added nen abilities and have more possibilities for hatsus.

"Al…alright."

Toshiro replied, waveringly but decided.

He seemed to have recognized my sincere and honest promise.

"Sorry, but…may I know your name? It'll make it easier for me when making the conditions." Toshiro asked nervously, glancing at me.

"Mizuki. You don't need my last name, I presume?"

I reply, arching my brow.

"No, thanks, that's enough." Toshiro answered, nodding to himself.

He took a deep breath and slowly let it out.

He closed his eyes and, as I knew from experience, started focusing on his core and his pores. He let his nen come out and envelop him, and let it continue to slowly leak out.

Focused, he concentrated on communicating his conditions to his nen.

Although I knew what he was communicating, he started saying it out loud, anyway, as if to reassure me he was doing what I told him to.

"I swear to obey Mizuki, be loyal to her for eternity, devote myself, my knowledge, talents, and nen to Mizuki, and stay hers for eternity. I will not betray her, and I will devote my nen, my life, my soul, my mind, my body, and anything else she wants.

"In exchange…"

Toshiro paused, thinking, then continued.

"Um, in exchange, my nen will increase to a monstrous amount and my nen will be much more useful to Mizuki. I also will have more control over it."

As the nen fulfilled his request, I contemplated his contract.

Did he even know what he was getting himself into?

Was his revenge really so important? He probably doubted me, but he also doubted his own abilities, underestimating them severely.

Well, that's his problem. He'll be living for a long time, and will stay useful for as long as I need him.

My first true subordinate, I thought, smirking slightly.

I glanced back up, and was slightly shocked at the amount of nen coming out of him.

He devoted and sacrificed so much, I was expecting great rewards, but it seems Toshiro would be more useful than I had anticipated.

His nen was overwhelming and overflowing, peacefully surrounding him and becoming one with him.

It was powerful, and I could see the amazing potential.

He could follow me for a few years, maybe a decade, and I'll train him.

After that, he can improve on his own.

Now, all that's left is to follow through with my promise.

Easy.

No one would be able to tell, but I was very excited. Seems like this assassination mission was very much worth it.

"Good job, Toshiro."

I said when Toshiro finally opened his eyes.

"Now, it's my turn. You can just sit back and relax."

I say with an unreadable tone, my face expressionless on the outside.

A/N:

Hope it wasn't too bad… I didn't really proof-read it, so if you see any mistakes, don't hesitate to correct me!

And thank you so much for being so patient!

I'm trying to have more time to write, and it's kind of working, luckily.

No pressure on me, though, I started this as a fun hobby and I've recently decided to be a little more relaxed with this.

Thank you to my loyal readers, and sorry for the long wait!