York New City: Part 1 Start Up

At the end of the six months, my hair had grown to reach my hips, and my clothes were ragged. It was hard to tell if they had shrunk or if I had grown taller, but whatever the case, I had reached the end of my training—or so I thought. Satotz decided it was time for a final test. He arranged a mock battle scenario where I had to use all the techniques I had learned.

The test involved using Ten to maintain my aura, Zetsu to hide it, Ren to enhance it, and Hatsu to project it through my Nen ability. The test wasn't challenging; I managed to use my Nen effectively. I used my Hatsu to create orbs of Nen utilizing Emission, and then used Manipulation to create different shapes. The next thing I did was circulate my aura seamlessly through the basics of Nen: Ren, Ten, Zetsu, Gyo, Ko, Shu, and En. By the end of the test, Satotz was satisfied with my progress.

"Well done, Yuuma. You've shown great potential and determination. Remember, Nen is a lifelong journey. Keep practicing and refining your abilities. With this completed, you can now be considered a true hunter. I wish you the best of luck."

"Thank you, master. I will."

With my Nen training complete, I felt more prepared than ever. I was to meet up with Nicolas at the airship port after our training. I was the first to arrive; I received my ticket and waited by the window, looking out at the sunrise for Nicolas to arrive.

After a while, I was approached by someone from behind. I could feel his approach but sensed no killing intent, so I allowed him to reach me. The person soon tapped on my shoulder and said, "Excuse me, are you Yuuma, perhaps?"

I turned to see who the figure was. I was met with a slim man with slicked-back black hair. He wore a white dress shirt with a red bow tie, black dress pants, shoes, and black sunglasses. He looked like a fashion model. He was as tall as I was, about 5'3", if I had to guess.

I answered, "Yeah, I'm Yuuma, but who's asking? I don't think I know you."

"What? Have you forgotten me, boss? It's me, Nicolas," he said shockingly.

"What?" I said in surprise. "No way you're Nicolas. You look completely different."

"What? I do? I mean, I know I lost some weight and all, but I look the same as always."

"Hell no, you don't. You better check a mirror—you look like a model. I mean, I'm not trying to say you were ugly before, but you look nothing like you did before."

"Um, boss, I know you're trying to make a point, but you're hurting my feelings."

At that moment, an attractive woman walked up during our conversation.

"Excuse me, handsome, can I get your info?" she said, smiling.

I was a little caught off guard by her forward approach but was about to oblige her request when she interrupted.

"Um, I'm sorry, I haven't bought a phone yet, so if you give me your info, I will contact you," I started to say.

"I'm not talking to you, you unkempt barbarian. I'm talking to this handsome model," said the woman.

My heart was crushed; I couldn't believe what I was hearing. Nicolas obliged the woman with his contact information. She soon walked away to other women in the distance who were giggling.

Nicolas turned to me only to find me lost in a daze, muttering "barbarian" over and over again.

"Boss, are you okay?"

"Am I okay? Did you not hear that babe call me an ugly barbarian?"

"Boss, I don't think she used the word 'ugly.'"

"No, that's definitely what she meant. I should bash her face in, right?" I said, fuming with anger.

"Boss, I think you need to calm down. Your clothes are really tattered, and your hair is very wild, so she wasn't wrong."

I sighed, realizing he was right. "Yeah, I guess you're right. I did just finish a grueling six-month training session in the wilderness."

"Exactly, boss. Let's just get to our destination, at York new City to start our journey as Blacklist Hunters. We can buy clothes there."

I nodded, feeling a bit more composed. "Alright, let's do that. And Nicolas... thanks for being a good friend."

"Always, boss. Let's get going."

With that, we headed off to get cleaned up, ready for the next chapter of our journey as Hunters.

So, Nicholas and I decided to head to York new City to explore the world of Blacklist Hunters. But before arriving there, I took a moment to reflect on the journey so far.

The Hunter Exam had been a transformative experience, pushing me to my limits and teaching me valuable lessons about strength, perseverance, and camaraderie. With my new skills and knowledge, I was ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.

I couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement for the future. The world was vast, and there were many adventures yet to come. With my Hunter license in hand and my Nen abilities at my disposal, I was ready to take on this world.

Upon landing, we were greeted by the vibrant energy of York new City. The streets were crowded with people from all walks of life, and the towering skyscrapers loomed above, casting long shadows over the bustling marketplace below. The air was filled with the sounds of commerce and the chatter of countless conversations.

"Nicolas, welcome to York new City," I said, taking in the sights and sounds around us.

"It's incredible," Nicolas replied, his eyes wide with wonder. "So much to explore, so many opportunities."

"Yeah, but before we do that, let's get some new clothes."

Nicolas quickly looked up the best clothing store in all of York new City. We caught a taxi to our destination, passing many sights of the city. One of the buildings we passed was Heavens Arena. It was as big as I expected, and many people were exiting and entering. I wanted to visit it right now, but our funds were quite low after our ride on the airship. We needed to find some work, and going in this ragged attire was not something I wanted to do.

The taxi stopped. "Okay, customers, this is your stop." We paid the taxi driver and entered the clothing store called Beauty's Transformation Store.

As we entered, we were greeted by a store clerk. "Hello, customers. I am Gusto, the manager of this establishment. What may I help you with today?"

"Hello, Gusto," I said. "I'm here to buy some clothes. Can you hook me up with something stylish and practical?"

"Sir, clothes alone won't be enough. Since this is your first visit, we will give you a haircut for free. And you as well," he said, nodding to Nicolas. "We will transform you into proper, good-looking gentlemen."

Yuuma and Nicolas underwent a long and transformative experience. But when they emerged, they looked far better than when they came in.

Nicolas was outfitted in a sleek red and black attire. He wore a tailored black suit jacket with red accents along the seams and lapels, over a dark red dress shirt. His black trousers were reinforced with hidden metal linings to help with defense against sharp weapons and bullets. The ensemble was completed with polished black dress shoes and a red tie, giving him a sophisticated yet combat-ready appearance.

Yuuma's new outfit complemented his dark green hair perfectly. He wore an orange and white attire that combined style with practicality. His white dress shirt had subtle orange patterns on the cuffs and collar, and his tailored orange vest was lined with metal for added protection. His trousers matched the vest, with hidden metal linings to defend against attacks. To complete the look, he wore white combat boots with orange accents, ready for both fashion and function.

Looking at our reflections in the store mirror, I couldn't help but feel a surge of confidence. "These look amazing, Gusto. Thank you."

"It's our pleasure," Gusto replied with a satisfied smile. "You two are now ready to take on Yorknew City in style."

With our new outfits, we left the store feeling more prepared for whatever the city had in store for us. It was time to find work and start our journey as Blacklist Hunters.

We made our way to the hidden hub for Blacklist Hunters, following the directions Nicolas had gathered during his training. The hub was located in an unassuming building, blending seamlessly with the surrounding architecture. Inside, we found a network of rooms and corridors filled with Hunters discussing their latest missions and exchanging information.

Nicolas led the way, his confidence evident in every step. "This is it, Yuuma. The starting point for our careers as Hunters."

We approached the main desk, where a seasoned Hunter greeted us. "Welcome to the Blacklist Hunter hub. How can I assist you?"

Nicolas stepped forward, showing his Hunter license. "We're here to register and get information on assignments."

The Hunter nodded and handed us a stack of documents. "Fill these out, and we'll get you set up. There's also a briefing later today for new assignments. I suggest you attend."

As we completed the registration process, I couldn't help but feel a sense of accomplishment. The month of training had prepared us well, but I knew that the true tests were yet to come. Yorknew City was a place where anything could happen, and we had to be ready for whatever challenges lay ahead.

Later that evening, we attended the briefing session. The room was filled with Hunters of all ranks, each one looking for their next big opportunity. The head of the hub, a grizzled veteran named Marcus, stood at the front of the room, addressing the crowd.

"Welcome, everyone," Marcus began. "We have several high-priority targets that need to be dealt with. Each of you will be assigned a target based on your skills and experience. Remember, the Blacklist Hunter's job is not just about capturing criminals; it's about understanding their motives and gathering information that can prevent future crimes."

He proceeded to call out names and assignments. When he reached our names, he gave us a stern look. "Yuuma Ikeda and Nicolas Foster. You're assigned to track down and apprehend a dangerous smuggler operating in the northern district. His name is Kreed Silva, and he's known for his ruthlessness and cunning. Be cautious and gather as much information as you can before making your move."

We accepted the assignment, ready to prove ourselves. As we left the briefing room, I turned to Nicolas. "This is it, Nicolas. Our first real mission. Are you ready?"

Nicolas grinned; his eyes gleaming with determination. "With you by my side, boss, I'm ready for anything."

Together, we set out into the night, ready to face the challenges that awaited us in York new City. Our journey as Hunters had truly begun, and there was no turning back.