"No doubt—he's the rival I've chosen."
It was rare for his master to give such an evaluation. Yun Gu spoke with grave expression: "I knew from the first time I saw him—he's incredibly strong..."
Eighty-one consecutive wins—an Arena legend.
"There's another one too. Illumi. Also formidable," Yun Gu recalled the empty-eyed youth. He looked two years younger than Yun Gu, had won eighty straight, and had recently killed a conjurer-type Nen user who ambushed him.
"His methods are brutal though. Loves killing."
"They're brothers."
"Huh?" Yun Gu looked at Biscuit in surprise, then smiled in realization. "No wonder they look alike... the Zoldyck family really is terrifying."
"If you know that, why are you still trying to challenge him?" Biscuit stopped walking and looked at him seriously. "You're not guaranteed to win against little Roy right now..."
Little Roy?
'She really does think highly of that guy...' Yun Gu replied firmly, "Why wouldn't I challenge him?"
Let him be strong, like the wind brushing a mountain ridge.
He smiled at Biscuit. "Act from the heart—that's what you always taught me, right?"
"Hehe... that's more like a Shingen-ryu kid." Biscuit rose on her toes and ruffled his hair. "Beat that Morris guy first, then issue the challenge."
"You've got ninety days of silence before then. I'll personally train you. Make sure we show the Zoldycks something they won't forget."
"Thank you, Master."
"Idiot. You're my student. Thank me again and I'll pound you."
She raised a little fist. Yun Gu flinched instantly.
"Yes, Master."
...
"Young Master, that girl's no joke."
After seeing Yun Gu and Biscuit off, Wutong served Roy dinner. He was still unsettled by how Biscuit had nullified his Ren with just one hand.
Roy chewed his pizza slowly, then snorted, "She's not some 'girl'."
"In fact, if you add our ages together, we still wouldn't be as old as her."
In the original story, Biscuit had already been 57 when she showed up in Yorknew to seek the gem "Blue Planet." Rewind thirteen years—she'd still be at least 44. "Middle-aged lady" was putting it mildly.
"...?"
Wutong was stunned. He trusted the young master's word—he wouldn't lie—so this could only mean Biscuit's disguise was flawless.
"Could she be Transmutation?"
Altering one's physique at will—aside from some rare Specialist types—was mainly the realm of Transmuters.
"Quit standing there. Eat." Roy didn't elaborate. He handed over a slice of pizza.
But in his heart, he knew. That old hag wasn't just any Transmuter.
If he had to give her a label—
He'd call her a "battle-class nanny."
Biscuit was a brawler. Her Hatsu was "Magical Beautician: Cookie-chan," which granted advanced massage and recovery techniques. She could eliminate fatigue and purge negative states—an ideal support role.
In the future, during Gon and Killua's Chimera Ant training, she had assisted Gon directly—easing exhaustion, massively boosting his training efficiency.
"Mmm..." Wutong nibbled at the pizza. "Makes sense now..."
"With her backing him, no wonder Yun Gu's so persistent. I bet after this match, he'll challenge you next."
"That's ninety days away."
The 200th floor was the threshold. Above it were Nen users. Below it, amateurs.
By Arena rules, Nen users must rest ninety days after each battle before issuing new challenges.
Roy sipped milk casually. Ninety days from now, even he didn't know what he'd become...
If Yun Gu wanted to test himself, so be it.
After dinner, Roy showered and collapsed onto the bed.
Too much had happened today. A hijacking. Biscuit's "ambush." The agony of physical upgrades. He was mentally and physically drained. The day felt longer than a year. He quickly slipped into sleep.
Wutong kept watch on the sofa beside him, occasionally adjusting the blanket. Seeing him sleep so soundly, he smiled gently.
Splash—waves rolled over the sand, parting into a rainbow-colored path. Roy entered the familiar Sea of Awareness again. He rolled up his pants and stood in the shallows for a while, cleared away stray thoughts, then reached out and pushed open the Demon Slayer door.
The first thing he saw was Makomo's beautiful eyes. She seemed to enjoy watching him sleep. As usual, she curled up beside him. When she noticed his eyes opening, she whispered to Sabito, who leaned on a pillar, "Hey, I think Reiichiro can really see me."
'You're practically crawling into his arms. Unless he's blind, of course he looked in your direction.' Sabito muttered dryly. He was helping Urokodaki prepare vegetables in the kitchen.
In the Taisho era, winter vegetables meant daikon and cabbage.
Roy had eaten too much meat lately. Urokodaki, worried about his nutrition, made pickled radish to balance his diet—fiber and vitamins included.
"You're awake. The porridge is almost done."
Simmering on the stove was porridge with a bit of smoked meat. The aroma drifted out, making Makomo sniff involuntarily.
Amused, Roy stayed nestled under the blanket a bit longer. He turned to look out the window. A vast snowfield. Quiet, empty, tranquil. It made the sky feel vast and clear.
How nice.
If he could live in seclusion here, reading and growing vegetables, raising a cat and a dog to stave off loneliness—it wouldn't be such a bad life.
The thought of retirement surfaced, but he shook it off.
Zoldyck obligations aside—he was still young. There were things to do, sights to see, responsibilities to bear, and a wide world to explore. It wasn't time to rest.
Just like Tanjiro's father had once told him—he belonged to the world, not to one mountain or one scene.
Gurgle...
The porridge was ready. Urokodaki brought out a dish of sliced pickled radish.
Roy ate his breakfast, insisted on washing the dishes, then stepped out once more into the snow, bamboo sword in hand.
Daily "Ten Thousand Swings" activated.
Crunch... crunch...
He trudged through snowdrifts. Behind him, Urokodaki watched in silence. A cold wind erased the footprints, then carried a crow down from the sky—
Delivering a letter.
Sender: Giyu Tomioka.