Chapter 24: Shopping X Shocking
The next morning after Sinbad's victory, he and company went shopping for clothes to add to his collection since Hanzo sliced the purple coat. Inside of a clothing store, they strolled down the long isles of shirts, jackets, and coats holstered up by hangers. Sinbad meticulously analyzed each piece of clothing to see if they were to match with his elegance and lavish style.
Pokkle pulled something off the metal racks and revealed a long sleeved shirt from the opposite side of Sinbad. "How about this?"
Looking at the shirt, the front of it was purple yet the back was colored white and at the center of the front was a circle half in purple and the other half white. Sinbad could sense the indecision coming from the creator of not being able to pick a single color. "Nah, doesn't fit with my style."
Pokkle sighed. "You've been saying that for the past four recommendations."
"Maybe that's a sign," Sinbad rebutted, slightly pulling out an all black coat. He gave a glance for three seconds and then decided against it, moving onto the next article of clothing. "You have terrible taste."
Pokkle groaned, turning away to look at a different racket of clothes.
Killua laughed, holding his own selection of shirts. "Just give up trying to please him. He barely knows his own style."
"Yes, I do," said Sinbad, turning away to face the opposite aisle at another long rack of clothes.
"I am a Hunter," Pokkle announced. "I will dress like one."
Sinbad and Killua stopped to share a knowing glance, each retraining themselves from laughing.
"Okay, okay," replied Killua.
Sinbad strolled down the aisle of hanging shirts, jackets, coats, and suits but decided that none of the articles of clothing could match with his own royal and lavish sense of style. A piece of clothing should speak to oneself and demand itself to be worn by the user. None of the clothes itched at his soul to be worn.
He threw up his hands, forfeiting. "Forget it, I'm not buying anything."
"But, you need to replace your coat?" Pokkle asked, not wanting to give up the search so soon.
"What are you talking about?" Sinbad asked in genuine shock. "I have three others of the same color and design. Only someone who doesn't cherish their appearance would only buy one piece of attire that they liked."
"Are you serious?!" Pokkle shouted, dropping the yellow buttoned shirt. "Then, why are we here?"
"I agree with him," said Killua, using his thumb to point behind him in Pokkle's direction.
Sinbad's gaze bounced from the two of them. "What you guys don't like to shop? Is it so shameless of me to want to expand my wardrobe?"
Pokkle stomped toward the exit of the clothing store. "Spare me with the theatrics, I thought this was important."
"This is very important!" Sinbad shouted at Pokkle's back. Then his attention snapped onto Killua to plead his case. "You understand right, Killua?"
Killua glanced down at the pile of clothes hanging on his arm. "I guess I do a little bit, but if you already had spares, then this is pointless."
Oh, go right ahead and attack me when I'm down while you do the same as I. We went shopping two weeks ago, I know you have clothes to spare," replied Sinbad, tossing up his hands.
"Maybe you should be less picky," Killua flashed a taunting smile and sticking out his tongue. Before Sinbad could reply, he dashed toward the store clerk to purchase his clothes, entering the long line of people waiting to get their orders ringed up. "Wait for me!"
Sinbad waved a hand, acknowledging the boy's wish. With nothing to do, his eyes scanned the store. People standing in front of mirrors, inspecting themselves and other customers going down the aisles in search of something that catches their eyes.
Down in the far corner there was a stand filled with glasses and hats, an interesting character stood by the stand. They wore a hat and scarf that covered the color of their hair, the person's eyes were covered by dark shades but Sinbad immediately noticed that this person's attention was on him.
He greeted them with a friendly smile and then focused on their presence with his En, the corners of his mouth stretched further as he recognized this person.
The hidden person's identity was blown and they desperately wanted to avoid confrontation, this person dashed toward the exit to leave but Sinbad moved much quicker, stopping in front of her. She tried to step around him but he continued to block the path.
It was none other than Machi, a member of the Phantom Troupe with the spider number three tattoo on her body.
"Does your name still reside in the warmth of your beating heart?" Sinbad leaned forward, whispering to Machi.
She ripped off her glasses and scarf now that her disguise was blown, however she truly didn't mean to run into him here. This morning, Machi wanted to do some shopping and relax by going to a nearby cafe and sipping on a nice refreshing beverage but instead to her horror, she ran into Sinbad and company at this random clothing store.
"What are you even saying?" Machi asked back, the tone of her voice pitched with embarrassment. Feeling a bit stupid for even adorning the disguise and also wondering how she was discovered so quickly.
"I remember respectively asking of you to not tell anyone else your name before I got the honor of doing so," Sinbad explained matter of factly. "Have you kept our little arrangement?"
"No," Machi rolled hers. "I happen to tell my name to everyone I come across except for you."
Sinbad thought, bringing a hand to touch his chin. "That makes me special then."
"Absolutley not," replied Machi, her eyes glared daggers into Sinbad's golden irises.
"Really? I beg to differ," Sinbad retorted, leaning even closer toward Machi. "Then, why are you adopting such a silly disguise and spying on me?"
Machi's face flushed pink of embarrassment from his words and the decreasing space between the two of them. "I am not spying on you. This is all just a misunderstanding."
"But, you were also hiding with a hat as you watched my fight yesterday," Sinbad said in a taunting voice. He cupped his hands, placing them onto his heart as he walked in a circle away from the door. With flair and drama, he spun. "It seems I have a beautiful secret admirer."
"I am not stalking you!" Machi pouted, stepping away from the door and walking toward the spinning Sinbad. "Fine, I was intrigued by Hisoka's importance placed onto you so I wanted to witness what you had to offer as a fighter."
"And?" Sinbad asked as he stopped spinning to face her.
"You are strong and I don't say that often," Machi answered, honestly. She hated the way his eyes seemed to smile by hearing her response so she got down to the crux of the matter. "Anyways, today I wanted to go shopping and then I ran into you and was so shocked that I decided to hide and now that I say it out loud I don't even know why I hid. This is all just a coincidence."
"Or…" Sinbad said, dragging out the syllables. "Is it Destiny?"
This response left Machi a bit defenseless, not being able to offer a rebuttal but she knew she didn't like the thought of destiny. The idea of some strange force paving the way of her own path without her having anything to say about it, she wanted absolute control of her own future.
To offer a response, Machi scrunched her nose and shook her head. Sinbad gently smiled because he already knew the answer.
Desperate to change the topic, Machi's analytical mind shifted to the fight between Sinbad and Hanzo. "Could you make a second rule within the King's Court?"
Sinbad crossed his arms. "Not telling you."
Machi took a step closer to him. "You think I would run and tell Hisoka?"
"Maybe," Sinbad responded, shrugging his shoulders. "I'm not too worried about him knowing, some things aren't meant to be shared. More importantly, I enjoy relishing in the fact that you don't know it and it bothers you."
Machi's eyes widened. "I could care less and you shouldn't underestimate that clown."
"Oh really?"
Machi closed her eyes and nodded.
"How about a little deal between you and I?" Sinbad asked, lifting his pinky finger.
Machi stared at Sinbad's finger as she couldn't contain the corner of lips from twitching. Her eyes rolled up to stare directly at him. "What is it?"
"Once I take down the clown, you will grant me the honor of knowing your name," revealed Sinbad.
Machi chuckled. "Learning my name is equivalent to defeating Hisoka?"
"No," Sinbad took a step closer, taking hold of Machi's hand. His intense glare captured Machi's attention. "Killing a creepy clown is nothing."
"Shouldn't you be wearing your crown before making any Vows?" Machi's fingers stabbed into Sinbad's ribs in a playful manner.
Sinbad eyes widened. "Oh so you figured that out?"
She nodded.
"When a man wishes to capture the heart of a woman, force is never an option," stated Sinbad.
Machi pulled the collar of her shirt over her mouth and nose to conceal the goofy smile on her face. She didn't respond but put out her own left pinky finger and without hesitation, Sinbad hooked his left pinky with hers, solidifying their agreement.
"I hope we continue to bump into each other like this, my cute little stalker," said Sinbad, bringing an end to their conversation. He noticed that Killua finally finished purchasing his clothes and headed toward the exit. Without waiting for a response, Sinbad stepped around her and walked toward the exit.
"I'm not stalking you!" Machi shouted.
"So you do wish to see me again!" Sinbad yelled back as he spun on his heels and then waved. "That warms my heart!"
Machi's heart pounded as she watched Sinbad leave, pulling the scarf on her head to hide her face.
…
Killua–with his eyes closed–stood in the living room of his private suite on the 200th Floor, meditating as he concentrated on his Nen flowing. The viscous shifting aura coats a thick membrane around the boy, a technique he learned from Wing to help him grow accustomed to Nen and applying Ten as quickly as possible. Unbeknownst to the kid, this would also help him apply the more advanced techniques for the future.
He shifted the concentrated aura from the top of his head, slowly pushing it down into his shoulders and down into his chest. Focusing and feeling the strength and comfort of the extra layer of Nen coating his body, he visioned a flowing serene river to aid in the exercise.
Deep calming breaths left his body to keep the nerves at bay as he awaited for his first match on the 200th Floor, typically Killua had nothing to worry about because of his self confidence within himself but here at this level and the introduction of Nen, he couldn't afford to be arrogant.
As a standard training exercise, Killua imagined himself as Hanzo's, Adam's, and even Gilgamesh's opponents and if he were to be honest with himself, the likelihood of him claiming victory were slim. Of course, he now understood about Nen Restrictions and Conditions, the Smoke Bomb that only blinded Sinbad but still, he wished to be a fighter that could also find victory when it seemed impossible.
To prepare for the fight, he remembered the order of operations. First, think defensively and don't come into contact with anything.
But, before Killua could continue his breakdown, Pokkle barged into the room. He ran over to Killua, waving around a paper receipt.
"Look! Killua!" He got into the boy's personal space, shoving the piece of paper in his face. "I reached the 200th Floor!"
After being scared to death, Killua recovered and kicked Pokkle in the stomach. "You scared the crap out of me!"
Lurching over and grabbing at his stomach, Pokkle could only utter a single word. "Nen."
Noticing that Killua kicked him with his body covered in Nen, he rested a comforting hand on his back. "See, this should be a listen to not try and scare people."
"I…wasn't," huffed Pokkle.
Killua helped him stand straight, holding him up by the shoulders. "Congrats took you long enough, and now you can fight with your bow."
Pokkle gave Killua a smug look. "I don't plan on using my bow."
"A Nen Ability?" Killua asked, a hint of doubt in his voice.
"I have the basic idea down," replied Pokkle.
Killua released his grip on Pokkle, causing him to fall back onto the ground. "Good for you."
'Why haven't I thought of anything yet,' thought Killua, who still didn't have an initial idea for his own ability.
Then, Sinbad entered the room, he ignored Pokkle's embarrassing state as he walked up to Killua.
"You ready?" Sinbad asked.
Killua smiled. "Of course."
Their hands clapped then it transitioned into a quick handshake.
Twenty minutes later, Killua ascended the stairs to the fighting arena drowned in flashing lights and loud applause. He stepped onto the cement square tiled floor and across the arena was his opponent, a blue haired man sitting in an electric wheelchair. Riehlvelt lost his legs due to Ryugen's abuse toward those who haven't learned Nen yet.
"Tonight we have a seasoned fighter on the 200th Floor, Riehlvelt, currently with a strong record of five wins and two losses!" Cocco shouted in the announcer's booth. The crowd cheered and roared. "His opponent is a newcomer to the 200th Floor but lately the newbies have been spectacular. Can Killua keep up the trend of upsets?!"
The referee of the match joined them on the tile floor and explained the rules, then earned the confirmation of the two fighters to get the match started.
Sinbad, Pokkle, Zushi, and Wing sat together in the audience to cheer on Killua.
"Will he be alright?" Zushi asked, more so speaking out loud to himself.
Sinbad glanced down to his right, looking at Zushi. "Don't worry, I doubt the other guy would be tough."
"Why are you so sure?" Pokkle asked, nudging Sinbad with his elbow.
Sinbad paused to make it seem as if he were thinking. "A hunch."
"Could you please explain your hunch?" Wing asked, keeping his attention forward as the referee raised his hand to start the match.
"Pokkle, doesn't the eligibility of becoming a Floor Master sound familar?" Sinbad asked. After receiving a negative answer from him, Sinbad went on to explain to the rest of them. "The goal of the 200th Floor is to achieve ten wins before accumulating four losses and we are given the opportunity to sign up our matches and decide who fight."
"Uh huh," acknowledged Pokkle. Zushi nodded along.
The fight started as Sinbad continued his explanation. "And recently, the Heavens Arena finally earned a new Floor Master, Gilgamesh who easily won with zero difficulty and launched unstoppable and unperceived swords. Do you see where I am hinting at?"
"It's a matchup of confidence," Pokkle answered, pumping his fists. "Those willing to challenge the ridiculously powerful Gilgamesh must have seen and believed to be strong enough, these fighters must have been on the stronger side of Nen Users on the 200th Floor."
'That is why it took Gilgamesh two whole months to achieve something that should only take two weeks,' Sinbad thought.
They stopped talking to watch as Killua was the first to rush into combat, blitzing and then jumping to land behind the sitting down Riehlvelt but the laughing and mocking man activated his Nen Ability, boosting Nen from the rockets built into the chair. He shot underneath Killua's legs and feet, drifting to a stop in Killua's previous position.
Wing nodded. "I see, but that doesn't account for the remaining 166 other fighters."
"Sure," Sinbad replied. "But, this guy, four days after Gilgamesh becomes unavailable, signs up to fight one of the newcomers on the 200th Floor."
"He wants to guarantee himself a win by trying to fight a weaker and less experienced opponent in Killua," understood Zushi.
After these words were uttered, Riehlvelt unleashed two black whips and activated his second ability, "Song of Defense!"
The two whips blurred, moving at rapid speeds as they jumped and lashed out at everything in front of Riehlvelt. A defensive and offensive measure to rack up points in this arena.
"There it is! Riehlvelt impenetrable defense that transitions into offense!" Cocco roared. The crowd screamed at the reveal.
'This ability is so lame,' Sinbad, Pokkle, Zushi, and Killua thought simultaneously.
Unbothered, Killua folded his arms behind his head and approached the moving twin whips.
"What!" Cocco shouted in surprise. "Killua is approaching without any fear of the whips!"
Riehlvelt laughed chaotically. "Go ahead and get yourself killed!"
Killua didn't stop as he entered the range of the whips, effortlessly he tracked the rapid moving whips and caught them. Once stopped, he sighed. "So lame, I got so worked up over nothing."
"Guess again!" Riehlvelt shouted as he pressed a red button on each whip's handle. "Thunder Snake!"
Once activated, the tip of each whip morphed into the shape of a serpents head, automatically it reared its opened jaws and bite down on Killua's shoulders.
"Wha–" Before Killua could question the attack, voltages of electricity coursed through his body, electrocuting him.
"There it is!" Cocco shouted with excitement. "Riehlvelt's signature lighting snakes! Unfortunately after taking that many voltages, this must be the end for Killua!"
A black smoke billowed from Killua's body as strands of his hair charred.
"Look at all that smoke!" Cocco pointed out. "Surely this is the end of the fight! Killua must be…be smiling!"
Killua forced a smile through the pain but through his training as a Zoldyck assassin, he had suffered harsher voltages. Even though he was accustomed to this level of lightning, doesn't mean it didn't hurt.
"That hurts, asshole," Killua cursed through clenched teeth.
"But, how?" Riehlvelt whined, clicking the buttons again, activating the electricity.
With his hands still holding onto the whips and getting electrocuted, Killua yanked on the twin snakes, pulling Riehlvelt out of the chair. As Riehlvelt sailed in the air being pulled straight toward him–while being electrocuted–Killua clenched his right fist and landed a deafening blow into the man's jaw.
The impact of Killua's hardened fist crushed the bones of Riehlvelt jaw and cheek. The cherry on top was Killua's fist connecting with Riehlvelt transferred the voltage, shocking the man as well.