"Killua, how long did it take you to get the entry pass for the 200th floor of Heaven's Arena back then?"
"About two years," Killua said, pausing momentarily. "But I was only six years old when I started; I finally reached the 200th floor at eight. If I go now, it won't take nearly that long. Gon, you're strong too—you probably won't need much time."
Gon nodded, eyes shining with excitement.
"So it's true that everything beyond the 200th floor is a completely different level of opponent?"
"That's what my father told me."
"And Ron is a Floor Master at Heaven's Arena?"
"Yeah," Killua confirmed. "When I was there, Cousin Ron wasn't a Floor Master yet. But from what I've heard, he's never lost a single official match—except for a few times when he forfeited."
Gon glanced back at Ron, wanting to ask him about it, but Ron's eyes were closed, so Gon held back and didn't interrupt.
"Killua, do you think Ponzu seems different from before?"
"Different how?"
Killua looked over at Ponzu.
"She seems…stronger," Gon explained. "During the Hunter Exam, she felt like a regular candidate. But now I get a vibe from her that's kind of like Ron and the others."
Killua frowned. "Her aura is definitely a lot stronger, and there's something else about her now. Probably Ron gave her special training after she joined his team."
Ponzu had indeed changed drastically. First, she wasn't a Nen user before, but now she was—even if only at D-rank, that was well beyond any normal person. She'd mastered the four basic techniques plus Gyo, opening her aura nodes and unleashing everything she'd built up. Compared to typical newcomers at Heaven's Arena, Ponzu's foundations and guidance were far superior. She also seemed more gifted overall.
The second change was a subtle shift in her demeanor. Before, while not exactly a kid, she'd carried a certain youthful cuteness. Now, though still charming, there was a hint of newfound maturity. A girl growing into a young woman, with just a trace of deeper poise.
A single bee buzzed past and landed on Ponzu's pendant before vanishing inside. It slipped into the small inner space of that Nen tool. Moments later, Ponzu's expression shifted.
"Captain…" She gently nudged Ron's shoulder.
"Something's wrong," Ponzu said quietly.
Ron opened his eyes.
"What is it?"
"My bees spotted some suspicious people heading our way."
"Are they Nen users?"
"No."
"Not even Nen users?"
Ron turned his gaze ever so slightly, quickly picking out the six people Ponzu meant.
"All six of them…no aura at all. Just normal folks, and not particularly strong going by their physiques"
Ron watched them for a moment more.
"They're not actually coming for us. They're after Killua."
"Killua?" Ponzu echoed, reflexively glancing in his direction.
"Captain…"
"No need to say anything," Ron murmured. "For Killua, this might be just the right challenge. We'll make sure he's safe, but honestly, these people aren't strong enough to be a real threat to him."
Ponzu looked taken aback. She understood the logic, but it felt odd. Whenever she sensed danger to a friend, her instinct was to remove that threat immediately, no matter how small. Ron, on the other hand, viewed it as a valuable test for Killua.
"Well, it's a bit strange," Ponzu thought, "but I suppose there's nothing really wrong with it."
They were traveling from Kukuroo Mountain to Heaven's Arena, a considerable distance. Night soon fell, darkness surrounding the airship lit by faint cabin lights. Everything grew quieter. Then, at some point, a group of figures began moving toward Killua and Gon's seats—one approaching from the front, one from behind.
Killua appeared to be asleep, slumped back with his eyes closed, but in truth, he'd sensed them right away. He was only pretending to doze, waiting for their move.
Shing!
The attackers lunged with blades, swift enough that a regular person would never dodge in time. But Killua wasn't a regular person. The moment they closed in, he reacted. He ducked low, evading one attacker's stab, seized the other attacker's wrist, then brought his free hand down in a knifehand strike at the first man's chest.
Squelch!
A quick thrust—he pierced straight through, ripping out the man's heart.
Bang!
A soft popping sound came from the lifeless body before it dropped. The second attacker had no time to respond before Killua struck again.
Slash!
His nails skimmed across the man's throat, leaving a thin crimson line. Blood sprayed out as the second attacker collapsed. Killua even managed to twist his body to avoid the spattering gore, deflecting it onto the aisle instead.
Warm droplets splashed onto some of the nearby passengers, jolting them awake.
"What's happening?"
Click—someone flicked on a light, and the corridor was suddenly illuminated, revealing two dead bodies on the floor, blood staining the clothes of several bystanders.
"Th-they're dead!" a voice shouted.
Panic seized the airship cabin.
"Help! Somebody!"
Killua sat calmly in his seat, face blank, as if this had nothing to do with him at all.
From one corner of the cabin, a lone figure watched intently.