Ron opened the manga detail page.
"Baki?"
Nina leaned in a little.
"That's right," Ron replied. "This manga mainly focuses on martial arts. Some of the character's moves, techniques, and battle experiences are actually quite close to reality. You can study them, even use some directly."
Ron shifted his seat and pulled over another chair. Nina sat down beside him.
Ron opened the first chapter and handed her the mouse.
As a Nen user, Nina read quickly. At this point, Ron hadn't uploaded too many chapters, so it wasn't long before Nina caught up to the latest update. She looked a little unsatisfied, eager for more.
"How is it?" Ron asked.
"It's really good," Nina replied. "The techniques and strategies the characters use during fights could definitely be applied in Heaven's Arena. I'm surprised an ordinary person could portray fighters at this level of detail. Is the author secretly a martial artist?"
Ron shook his head. "No idea."
Nina suddenly looked a bit nostalgic. "Do you remember when we first met at Heaven's Arena?"
"I remember. Why?"
"I was just thinking... time really flies. In the blink of an eye, so much has changed. Back then, we were just kids. Now we've grown up. Even White Bear is getting old. If he hadn't opened his aura nodes, his body probably wouldn't be holding up anymore."
Ron nodded. "Time does pass quickly. Before we knew it, so much has changed. But we've both moved forward in good ways. That's what matters."
"Back then, I was just another floor 200 fighter," Ron continued. "Now I'm a Floor Master. And you—Nina—you can now control your own destiny."
The topic brought to mind Kyler, a permanent scar in Nina's heart. If Kyler had been a stranger, she would have simply hated him. But he was her father.
"I was lucky to meet you," Nina said softly. "If not, I might still be that monster, or I might already be dead. You changed my fate. I really don't know how I can ever repay you."
Ron smiled. "Just get stronger. Your ability is powerful. In the right situation, even someone at my level can be affected by it."
That was certain. One-on-one, Nina couldn't defeat an A-rank Nen user. But if two evenly matched A-rank users fought and one was affected by Nina's power, the other would have the opportunity to strike a fatal blow.
No ordinary C-rank Nen user could offer that kind of advantage.
"I'll keep working hard. I'll reach B-rank soon."
Shizuku and Misty had both recently advanced to B-rank. Nina had started learning Nen even earlier than they had, so she felt a strong drive not to fall behind.
"Keep at it," Ron said, patting her shoulder.
After dinner, night fell. Ron lay in bed, reading for a while before preparing to lock up and sleep.
Click.
The doorknob turned.
A figure slipped quietly inside.
"Captain... it's me."
It was Ponzu's voice.
Ron raised an eyebrow slightly.
Blushing, Ponzu walked over to Ron's side.
After a period of heavy breathing, both of them calmed down.
"Captain," Ponzu asked softly, "how can I get stronger faster?"
She lay curled slightly at his side.
During the Saherta incident, Ponzu had contributed little in combat—though to be fair, she'd only recently begun learning Nen at the time. But since arriving at Heaven's Arena and completing the desert mission, she'd grown frustrated with her slow progress and wanted to improve more quickly.
"Train seriously. Getting stronger isn't something that happens overnight. Take your time. No need to rush."
Ron rubbed her head gently.
"Mm."
Ron pulled her a little closer.
Ponzu felt the warmth and blushed.
Then Ron rolled over, and their bodies pressed together.
The next morning, Ponzu woke early, put on her sleepwear, and returned to her own room.
In truth, Ron did have a method to greatly accelerate the growth of Ponzu and the others.
Within the Sumass space, there was a Trial Grounds. By now, enough resources had accumulated to allow people to enter the trials. If they succeeded, they would gain new abilities.
But Ron wasn't ready for them to take that step.
A Nen user's Hatsu was only one part of their strength. The fundamentals mattered even more.
Ideally, they would master their basics before entering the Trial Grounds. Otherwise, obtaining an ability too early could easily lead them down the wrong path.
Ron didn't want his team members getting their priorities backward.
That evening, Ron emerged from the training room and returned to his bedroom.
But as he opened the door, he froze.
Someone was lying in his bed.
It wasn't Ponzu.
Long white hair spilled over the pillow. The figure lay curled beneath the blanket, only a small head exposed.
"Misty?"
"Big brother," Misty opened her eyes.
"What are you doing here?" Ron asked.
Misty answered matter-of-factly, "I'm fulfilling my duties as your tool."
"Tool?"
"That's right. Didn't you buy me to be your Tool? You said so yourself back then. You used to say I was too young, but now I've grown up. And you've grown up too."
Misty continued seriously, "Last night, I saw Ponzu come into your room. Since she was with you yesterday, it's my turn tonight. Tomorrow night will be Nina's. The night after that, Shizuku's. Then Sally's. And finally, Ruco's."
Ron didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
What struck him most was Mist's completely serious expression. The stark contrast between her solemn tone and the outrageous things she was saying made it even harder not to laugh.
"Mist, do you even know what a wife's duties are?"
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