chapter 13

Author's Note: Nothing really important, lol, but I just wanted to say that I feel a strong sense of personal satisfaction when I finish writing a chapter and everything seems in order.

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"Whoooouuuu!" I yelled instinctively to facilitate the fusion and temporarily become a hybrid.

The very moment I stopped yelling, I immediately rushed at old Kunieda while mentally preparing to trigger Soru in hopes of catching him off guard when he lowers his defense.

"Not a bad idea to suddenly attack me after your transformation, it would have caught any novice fighter or too self-assured off guard but..." old Kunieda couldn't finish his words.

The reason? I suddenly increased my speed during my attack thanks to Soru.

I was hoping to surprise him during his speech but I think I underestimated this old man.

When my claws were about to reach old Kunieda's throat, I was pushed back by another claw swipe at my chest.

Of course, it wasn't an injury that could affect my fighting abilities but the problem is that I didn't feel the presence of my new enemy.

"Are you alright, old man? Young Aoi would be extremely sad if you died here," said a grave voice resonating next to old Kunieda.

"I'm fine, fortunately I summoned you on time," he replied to the grave voice resonating beside him.

I get up from the rubble that was once a wall and noticed the state of my top clothing, completely ruined and bloodied by my own blood.

"How? That's the question I can read on your face," said old Kunieda.

"Even if I tell you, you wouldn't understand," expressed old Kunieda, shaking his head from right to left as if grieving my ignorance.

The filth must have used his Hatsu and since I'm hearing a voice that seems to be from a creature, he must be a Specialist type similar to Chrollo or a Materialization type similar to Shizuku.

"I see you're giving it your all so I'll do the same," and here I was able to spend a few weeks without needing to use this guy's abilities...

"Future demon," I say, taking off my top and rushing straight at old Kunieda.

Although I can't see the being that attacked me, I can feel his murderous intent and it's the same case with old Kunieda who initially attacked me without murderous intent.

It seems he's taking me seriously, a thought that couldn't help but please me.

Ittôsai Kunieda's POV

How long has it been?

Huh?

How long ago was it?

That I, Ittôsai Kunieda, the last patriarch of the Kunieda clan, was able to enjoy the thrill of a deathmatch.

I was raised in a clan of warriors who serve only one lord known as Money.

We did all sorts of work whether it was murder, protection, or delivery of important documents.

As long as the money was there our clan would do it, but unfortunately we offended the wrong people.

I lost everything.

My sons, my daughters-in-law, they've all become memories of the past.

As if that wasn't enough, I weakened day after day because of an injury caused by my sons' murderer. I'm sure I can no longer protect my little Aoi.

To prevent the worst from happening, the complete destruction of the Kunieda lineage, I had an idea.

Find a son-in-law strong enough so my little Aoi would be safe, but unfortunately she didn't take well to my plan.

So I brought her here to the Heaven's Arena under the pretense of training her so she could have enough strength to avenge her father and mother.

But I know very well that no woman, no matter her talent, can reach the true pinnacle of martial arts.

(Author's note: Yes, the old geezer is a bit misogynistic, lol).

I have no hope that Aoi will be able to avenge her father and mother against those monsters who took everything from us.

So I was waiting for someone able to defeat her in the Arena to take as a disciple and possibly son-in-law, but unfortunately up to the 200th floor no one could face Aoi.

And as if misfortune never comes alone, I recently discovered an individual put a price on Aoi's head. I don't know who it is since it was done anonymously but he put up a large sum of money.

To keep Aoi safe and muddy the trail, I created a ton of false information thanks to connections in the black market so everyone thinks Aoi is staying at this hotel I bought and not the Heaven's Arena.

A few months have passed and here I am fighting a child much younger than Aoi with monstrous talent.

If it's him, it's possible. He has the necessary talent to be my disciple and carry on my lineage, but first I have to make him understand who's the strongest here.

"Show me what you're capable of, Zoldyck boy," I say, blocking his clawed strike with my katana and signaling Koharu, my most loyal companion born from my Nen.

"Let me show you you're not the only one with an ace up your sleeve."

"Ankokubutō!" I yell with all my might despite my injury worsening from the excessive use of my Nen.

Author's Note: I hope this chapter shed some light on the old man's motivation (misogynistic) and also that I introduced this old character because I don't want my story to just be HxH with my protagonist added 💀 (I hate those kinds of stories).

And I want to inform you this is the shortest chapter I've ever posted, the reason being that writing more would have decreased the quality of the scene.