The Gazelle Step—
Moro, of course, didn't know the name of this footwork.
Because this footwork was indeed learned by secretly observing the woman with the long ponytail.
However, it wasn't that he deliberately tried to learn it secretly.
Rather, after eighteen matches, among all the opponents he faced, only the woman with the long ponytail had used footwork.
So, strictly speaking, this was the only technique he could learn by observing and thinking on the arena.
This footwork uses the toes for propulsion, allowing for light and agile movements when advancing and retreating.
And by planting his heel to turn, he could change direction as swiftly as a gazelle.
Learning the technique of generating force was not difficult; the challenge lay in the explosive power from stillness to movement.
But this problem could be solved with the enhancement of Nen.
This was also the fundamental reason why Moro, despite having only recently learned it by observation, could use it even better than the woman with the long ponytail.
"Quite confident, aren't you?"
Retreating to the central area of the arena, Moro raised a finger and lightly touched his slightly red and swollen cheek, his gaze calmly fixed on Tagore, who stood at the edge of the ring.
After a few exchanges, he had already discerned Tagore's Nen ability.
It was an ability that imbued Nen with impact properties, essentially enhancing the penetrative power against Nen defenses, building upon the foundation of 'Gyo'.
And because Transmutation-type Nen users are not skilled at outwardly projecting Nen, the ability could only be effectively utilized through close-quarters combat.
More critically, if fists and elbows could serve as activation points for the ability, then other parts of the body likely could too.
This was a purely combat-oriented ability, perfectly suited to Tagore's needs.
The reason Moro believed Tagore was overly confident was that Tagore had absolutely no need to use his ability right at the start of their encounter.
One must know that most Nen abilities possess, more or less, the tactical value of a "first strike advantage."
His "Deceptive Flying Star" was like this, and so was Tagore's Transmutation-type ability.
If it were him using Tagore's Transmutation-type ability...
He would initiate a normal offensive with jabs, creating as many defensive weak points in the opponent as possible during the fight, and then use this ability to deliver a maximum impact strike.
Given the "first strike advantage" tactical value of the ability, there was a high probability of ending the fight instantly.
But Tagore immediately used his ability right from the start, completely wasting its tactical value.
From this, it could be seen that Tagore's confidence was bordering on blind.
However, in a stage like the Heavens Arena, where people display their prowess, fighters naturally cannot hide their abilities in order to win, and eventually, they are bound to use their Nen abilities in front of others.
But Moro was constrained by the condition that "enemies could strike at any time," so he did not intend to use his Nen ability in the arena unless absolutely necessary.
Tagore, you should be grateful for this...
Moro thought silently to himself.
If he didn't care about his Nen ability being exposed, then after knowing Tagore's Nen ability, he would have all the conditions to set up a decisive killing tactic, thereby making Tagore pay for his blind confidence.
However, there were no "ifs."
Moro calmly watched Tagore's next move, and as his thoughts churned, he had the idea of using Tagore to hone his footwork.
Tagore, unaware of Moro's thoughts, was driven by an extremely strong desire to attack, making him fearlessly charge at Moro again.
Accompanied by piercing, sharp whistling sounds, a flurry of shadowy fists, each concealing a lethal move, enveloped Moro.
Moro's concentration reached its peak at this moment; while continuously dodging the jabs, he could only keep retreating.
In just a moment.
Tagore had thrown hundreds of punches.
Because of the attacks that suddenly extended during the rapid offensive, Moro, despite focusing on defense, was inevitably hit a few times.
Fortunately, his focus was entirely on defense, and the footwork provided a timely force-dissipating effect, so his physical condition was not affected by those few punches.
One minute, two minutes...
As time passed, Tagore threw hundreds of punches consecutively; although he occasionally managed to hit Moro, he couldn't inflict critical damage.
"I can see clearly..."
Amidst the extremely high-intensity dodging, Moro gradually adapted to Tagore's punching style, and with his increasingly smooth and natural footwork, it was no longer as perilous as in the beginning.
This high-intensity offense and defense had continued until now; no matter how Tagore adjusted the extension angle of his Nen, he could no longer hit Moro.
Tagore noticed this, and his initial arrogance was gone, replaced by irritation.
"Are you just going to keep dodging... you stinking rat!"
His irritable emotions made Tagore's punching speed increase, but it also disorganized his technique.
Moro ignored Tagore's words.
He didn't know how to describe how he felt at that moment.
Every time he dodged a punch from Tagore, every time he watched from the corner of his eye as the extended Nen only brushed past him...
He would long for Tagore to throw the next punch even faster.
And he would dodge, like a wheel drifting at its limit, hugging the edge of a curve.
Perhaps he felt a sense of accomplishment from it, or perhaps it was simply pure pleasure.
This experience made him revel in it.
And even though he was clearly in the midst of such a furious, storm-like offensive, he still had the presence of mind to think.
It was as if, in this brief interval, he had gained an extra pair of eyes, offering an observer's perspective.
When the lights from the ceiling shone down on the stage, he seemed to be able to clearly see the dust particles swirling in the airflow.
And what Tagore's Nen flow revealed—
Impatience, anger.
He's getting anxious.
Moro thought to himself.
The fight in the arena was intense, and the audience seats were equally fervent.
Especially Tagore's supporters, who, believing Tagore had been pressing Moro the entire time, were so excited their faces were flushed and veins popped out.
However, those unfamiliar with Nen abilities couldn't discern the underlying dynamics of those few short minutes in the arena.
"Moro the Thinker..."
Among the audience, some Nen users showed expressions of surprise, softly murmuring Moro's name.
As Moro and Tagore fought their way up to the higher floors, the strength they displayed naturally caught the attention of the 200th-floor fighters.
Thus, many 200th-floor fighters came to watch this match live.
As Nen users, what they saw was different from the average audience.
"He... is getting stronger, rapidly getting stronger during the fight...!"
With his gaze fixed on Moro, one 200th-floor fighter was dumbfounded.
Had he not witnessed it with his own eyes, he simply wouldn't have believed that someone could display such rapid improvement within a few minutes of combat.
This was, in fact, also the sentiment of most 200th-floor fighters who had come to watch.
They could see the transformation in Moro's footwork, from being slightly unfamiliar to being skillfully employed.
They could also see Moro's terrifying adaptability, rapidly adjusting during high-intensity offense and defense.
This was the first time they saw another side of Moro after he "abandoned his meditative posture," a truly terrifying other side...
"Tagore is finished."
A Nen user who had achieved nine victories on the 200th floor stood up and left.
When a blade is no longer sharp, when a forcefully thrown punch can no longer harm anyone...
Then defeat is inevitable.
And the fierce battle on the arena indeed lost its suspense.
Tagore had lost his sharpest claws and fangs; Moro, waiting for his opponent to tire, only needed to find one opportunity to instantly knock Tagore to the ground, leaving him unable to get up.
As Tagore fell—
The shouts from the audience seats instantly ceased, everyone displaying expressions of disbelief.
Tagore was clearly in the lead...
Why was he suddenly knocked down by a single blow from Moro?!
In a certain seat in the audience, the handsome man who had been continuously observing Moro suddenly stood up.
"It definitely exists... a mysterious power beyond my comprehension..."
The handsome man looked towards the arena, his eyes revealing a longing.
(End of this chapter)
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