Intense Training and Battle Preparations

Shachmono Tocino and Ivlenkov.

The former is a rare professional hunter, while the latter comes from a military background, with a tall build that inspires a strong sense of security.

Both of these individuals are familiar faces.

The former was sent out to assess Kurapika during his application to join the Nostrade family and is an Enhancer with the ability known as "The Eleven Under the Eaves."

This specific ability involves creating eleven combatants based on a model of black-clad balloons using Nen. Eight wield swords, while three use guns. They can only be given simple commands, such as "attack the nearest enemy." The control range is only a few meters, and the method of manipulation is quite limited. Most of the time, they are used for defense, but their strength isn't very impressive.

At the auction venue in Yorknew City, they were easily penetrated by Franklin's Nen bullets, and the user was killed with a shot to the head.

Ivlenkov initially had no presence.

He, Shachmono Tocino, and Feitan entered the underground auction hall to participate in the auction. Later, the venue was attacked by the Phantom Troupe. Following Shachmono Tocino's order to report to Dalzollene, Ivlenkov and Feitan managed to escape. However, they were shot in the head and killed by Shizuku's "Bludgeon Fish" ability as they fled the hall.

Ah, more and more familiar faces are appearing.

This indicates that the start of the main storyline is drawing nearer!

The weather in December is gradually getting colder, transitioning into winter.

However, at the Nostrade family's newly purchased mansion, the climate is pleasant year-round, cool in the summer and warm in the winter.

Looking at the blooming flowers and fluttering butterflies on the lawn, one might mistakenly believe it was spring.

This is because Neon wanted to see bright flowers even in winter.

Light Nostrade naturally fulfilled this small wish of hers.

He spared no expense, purchasing peculiar items from some professional hunters to ensure that the mansion remained like spring all year round.

Besides the lawn, Light Nostrade also understood the importance of having a spacious training room inside this newly acquired mansion.

He provided a space where the bodyguards could train, spar, and release their energy.

At this moment, the sounds of combat filled the training room as usual.

Thud.

Within the spacious training area, a figure was thrown to the ground in a rather embarrassing manner.

Fortunately, the ground was made of a special, smooth, and flat wooden material with high durability.

Otherwise, breaking the floor could easily result in secondary injuries.

"Impressive, as always, Captain!"

From the corner, leaning against the wall, stood Shachmono Tocino, with his golden curly hair resembling a monkey's appearance.

He swallowed nervously as he watched the scene unfold in front of him.

"In the past, it used to take quite some time, but now it only takes ten moves to defeat Kastro, doesn't it?"

"Indeed."

Next to him, Ivlenkov, who had a standard military posture with a tall and upright figure, nodded solemnly.

"Not only has the time and number of moves reduced significantly, but I can also feel that the captain's reactions and experience during combat are constantly improving."

After joining the bodyguard team, both of them naturally followed Light Nostrade's orders.

They served under Moarik's command and obeyed his arrangements.

During this time, Dalzollene had tried to recruit the two.

However, there was no alternative; on the one hand, Shachmono Tocino and Ivlenkov followed their employer, Light Nostrade's, orders.

If the employer instructed them to obey someone's arrangements, they did just that.

On the other hand, after watching Moarik's duel with Kastro, they became deeply impressed and convinced of his strength.

Naturally, they sided with Moarik and his group.

"Perhaps even if Kastro, along with the fifteen of us, were to team up, we would not be a match for the captain."

"Fifteen?"

Shachmono Tocino was stunned. "Where did you get fifteen people?"

He looked at Kastro, who had fallen on the ground, then glanced at Squala, who was silently feeding his dogs without saying a word.

"Even if you add the two of us, that's only four people."

"Don't you have your Nen ability?"

Ivlenkov, without looking directly at him, responded in a deep voice, "Your eleven black-clad figures could also be counted."

"After all, you are a professional hunter, trained in the orthodox teachings of the Shingen-Ryu style. Your black-clad figures, developed through manipulation, should be able to pose some trouble for the captain, right?"

Shachmono Tocino: "..."

Is that even the same thing?!

There is still a distinction between different types of Nen users!

"You don't need to consider my ability at all!"

Shachmono Tocino shook his head vigorously. "Instead of having expectations for me, you might as well place your hopes on Squala's dogs."

"Huh?!"

Squala, who had been quietly trying to reduce his presence, raised his head upon hearing this.

His eyes met Shachmono Tocino's, and then both quickly looked away again.

Both were struggling with their Nen abilities, and they didn't want to make things difficult for each other.

"Phew... as expected, still lacking a bit..."

In the training area, Kastro, who had fallen to the ground, panted heavily as he recalled the previous battle.

"No, it's not just a little..."

During the half-year training with Moarik, he had developed a good habit of reviewing the battles.

"Perhaps, I'm lacking in many areas."

He identified several weaknesses in his fighting style. "The gap is widening..."

Kastro looked up at Moarik, who had walked over to him.

"You are getting stronger and stronger."