With this idea in mind, Franklin set out to find a new companion.
Bonolenov Ndongo had no objections; wrapped in bandages and normally silent, he joined Franklin to search for a new partner.
Machi continued her money-making business.
The Heavens Arena had become lively recently with a magician whose card skills were exquisite.
Often, opponents didn't even have time to react before losing limbs.
This suited Machi's business perfectly.
Her market was a blue ocean, with a bright future.
Moreover…
"Inflation has been quite severe lately..."
Machi analyzed the current situation and financial news, thinking, "I'll need to raise prices a bit."
She was the only one running the business of suturing severed limbs.
She could even reattach severed arm nerves.
Charging thirty to fifty million was completely reasonable.
"This is all thanks to that magician. If he hadn't frequently cut limbs, I wouldn't have such good business..."
Machi mentally gave a little thanks to the alluring male magician, apparently called… Hisoka?
According to the original timeline, Hisoka would meet the spirited Kastro, who is climbing the 200 floors this year, and then teach him a lesson on the spot.
Upon seeing his talent, his gardener nature would help Kastro complete a baptism.
And he would be kind enough not to leave him disabled, leading to their rematch and competition over two years later.
But now, Kastro had become Luke's subordinate.
A minor official under the Vice-Chairman.
Even as a mere errand boy, after this period of experience, Kastro's strength was incomparable to what it had been in the original time.
Originally, relying on his own blind practice, he had gone down the wrong path, developing incorrect Nen abilities.
Yet, he already had the power to potentially cut off Hisoka's hands, a formidable achievement.
Not to mention, during this period, Kastro had received the most professional guidance and training.
It allowed his strength to improve at an extraordinarily rapid pace.
Compared to the previous Kastro, who only knew a bit of basic fighting, he was completely incomparable.
One could even say he had become a completely different person, like night and day.
Because of this, when Luke saw Kastro's remarkable progress, he assigned him a rather challenging task…
Whale Island, deep in the dense forest.
"Raise your arms higher, don't make any unnecessary movements!!"
Amidst the entangled, towering trees, a voice rang out.
"You'll just waste your energy and let your body rust even further if you continue like this!!"
Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the forest canopy, falling on the ground below.
Kastro stood on a rock, arms crossed, watching Gon in the training area, adjusting his body posture as best as he could.
"Your body could clearly be more flexible, your movements more skillful, smoother."
Kastro frowned at the series of movements Gon was performing: "But there are still many unnecessary and redundant motions here."
"When you wander around this mountain or go on your own adventures outside, that's fine."
"But if you're facing an opponent, as Chairman Luke would say, a small mistake can lead to huge consequences."
"If the enemy catches even a slight hesitation or lack of coordination in your movements, and your extra motions drain too much energy, it could become the final straw that breaks the camel's back. Then you're done for."
"Your bad habits like these must be corrected!!"
Even here, in the remote forest of this island, Kastro addressed Luke with the respectful term chairman, not Vice-Chairman.
It was clear that after years by Luke's side in the Hunter Association, he had developed a bureaucratic posture of respect.
"Yes!! I will work hard!!"
Gon opened his large, earnest eyes wide and responded loudly to Kastro.
To Gon, this Kastro, sent by Luke specifically to instruct him, was also a very formidable figure.
Not to mention other aspects, even these small combat techniques had significantly improved his skills.
Gon also noticed that his physical exertion had decreased considerably due to these adjustments.
Some of his movements had become smoother, and their connections more precise.
"If you can eliminate all unnecessary movements and energy wastage, achieving the absolute efficiency of no waste, then your training can be considered perfect..."
Kastro's expression was serious, showing the demeanor of a seasoned master: "However, reaching such a level is extremely difficult for ordinary people. Even I am still on this path of pursuit..."
Kastro was honest, not exaggerating his own level.
Gon was astonished: "Even you, Mr. Kastro, haven't reached this level?!"
"I've only been training under Chairman Luke for two or three years, it's still not long..."
Kastro shook his head: "There's still a long way for me to reach such a level. So what I will do now is teach you how to walk this path. As for how far you can go, that depends entirely on yourself."
Gon listened carefully, realizing that Kastro was giving him everything he had.
Although all of this was under Luke's instructions, for Gon, it was still extremely precious.
At least, they were exchanging sincerity for sincerity.
"Is there anyone who has reached this level?"
Gon asked curiously, like a little child.
"As far as I know..."
Kastro thought for a moment:
"The Hunter Association Chairman, Isaac Netero, should have reached this level long ago. As for Vice-Chairman Luke, I'm not sure, but since he proposed this concept to me, I assume he is close as well."
"When first entering this level, one can control all their energy without leakage. Walk on snow without leaving footprints, disturb no dust; breathe as quietly as a hibernating animal; even the heartbeat can be completely absorbed by your own ears..."
"Practitioners can even walk through corridors full of bells without making a sound..."
Of course, this was after learning Nen.
Kastro added this internally.
Clearly, at Gon's current age of only ten, it was not yet time for him to know about Nen.
"When your training reaches a higher level, you will begin to perceive the flow of energy in all things. At that time, you won't just be able to see the contraction signals of an opponent's muscles; even the rhythm of water transport within plants in the natural environment can be easily perceived. When facing beasts, they will instinctively abandon hostility..."
Here, Kastro paused and looked at the edge of the training ground, where the large foxbear, quietly waiting for Gon to finish, was resting.