Registered Disciple

Do you know this person?

In the heated arena, Oboro and Hisoka sat side by side in the stands.

Hisoka glanced at a Nen user fighting on the stage and chuckled softly.

Such a duel between ordinary Nen user wouldn't interest Oboro... He would occasionally come to take a look and pick out some unripe fruits, and there must be a reason why Oboro would come.

If it were a match between Gon and Killua, that would be somewhat understandable.

"I know him... I owe him a lot when I first came to the Heavens Arena." Oboro nodded slightly.

He really didn't expect to see Charles again, bald Charles.

He was the martial artist who ran errands for him when he embezzled money at the Fills Family's casino... Later, when he went out to train, he was captured by the Fills Family and used to threaten him.

He was eventually rescued by Oboro and taken to the hospital.

We haven't been in contact since.

"She actually... became Nen user." Oboro was somewhat surprised.

But it was also expected.

Back in the Heavens Arena, although Charles wasn't taken as a disciple, he was taught some body-strengthening techniques. Charles had a very persistent pursuit of martial arts. In order to show his skills in the Heavens Arena, he even visited many martial arts schools. Moreover, after experiencing being kidnapped by the Fills Family and going through many dangerous situations... it was perfectly normal for him to come into contact with Nen and become a Nen user.

It took almost eight years in total...

However, after eight years, he's still stuck on the 200th floor of the Heavens Arena, which shows that his aptitude is indeed rather average.

His behavior is the norm for most people.

"Oh!!! Charles! Our Charles has knocked down his opponent and scored another point!!" With the announcer's scream, the cheers from the audience reached their peak, Charles seemed to be very popular.

"Many viewers may not know that Charles has been competing in the Heavens Arena for many years, but he has always been on a relatively low level... During that time, he would leave and return every one to two years, and each time he returned to the Heavens Arena, his strength would become even greater! Five years ago, Charles began to climb the ranks at an astonishing speed, and in half a year, he reached the 200th floor. Although he was eliminated countless times due to the rules and had to go through long waiting periods before he could start over again and again... our Charles never gave up. His perseverance and persistence have earned him a lot of popularity!"

"He is a pure Martial Arts Fighter and has become a role model for many younger generations."

During breaks in the competition on stage, the host provided additional information about the contestants.

Another referee remarked, "The person who had a profound influence on Charles was a fighter from many years ago, who was also a leader of our Heavens Arena. His name was Oboro. The appearance of this man caused our Heavens Arena to change the rules for ascending to the next level, which caused quite a stir in the early years. However, because Oboro never returned to the Heavens Arena and did not participate in the regular fighting tournament between leaders, he was disqualified... However, Charles has stated in several interviews that he is Oboro's disciple and has great respect and admiration for him. His biggest dream is to become a leader of our Heavens Arena, just like Oboro."

Hisoka rested his chin on his palm and glanced sideways at Oboro.

It seems unexpected that there was such a story between Oboro and Charles.

"I didn't accept him as my disciple..."

Long chuckled softly.

"After your match with Gon, you'll have enough points, right?" Long changed the subject.

He was referring to the qualification to challenge the original poster.

"No, we're still one point short..."

Hisoka responded.

Long was startled, then suddenly realized.

In the original story, Hisoka and Kastro's fight took place two months prior, but at that time, Hisoka had narrowly escaped death due to the Black Tide Incident and was still seriously injured... He did not appear at the Heavens Arena as originally planned, and his contact with Gon and Killua was also postponed, which triggered some chain reactions... In other words, Kastro was still alive.

"No wonder his agreed-upon battle with Gon was also postponed."

Long thought to himself.

"Aren't you going to stay and take a look?"

"Hisoka asked."

Do you need to look?

Long asked a question in return.

"Hehehe..."

Hisoka smiled.

Hisoka's fight with Gon was simply to experience the deliciousness of the Devil Fruit and to feel Gon's extraordinary potential and talent.

"Congratulations to Charles for winning!"

After a while, the host excitedly shouted that the competition was over.

Charles pulled the defeated fighter up from the ground, displaying a true fighter's spirit.

Compared to many years ago, Charles now appears much more composed and less impetuous than he was in his youth... He has experienced some ups and downs, and his inner self has naturally matured.

Long slowly got up and left with some audience members.

Hisoka followed him.

A moment later, Oboro arrived at the exit of the contestants a step ahead and saw Charles, who had grown a beard and had a towel over his head, stepping into the corridor with his head down and walking slowly towards her.

"I'm just one point short. Maybe I should let him make up for it before I fight Gon... I'm quite interested in him." Hisoka leaned against the wall in the corridor and murmured to himself.

He was referring to Charles.

Long gave him a cold look. "You can try."

"I was just kidding."

Sensing Oboro's murderous intent, Hisoka smiled.

A moment later, Charles passed by the two. He sensed Oboro and Hisoka's presence, but did not look at them closely.

All he wants to do now is go back to his room and rest.

"That..."

Suddenly, Oboro spoke up, "Would you mind signing your autograph for me?"

As he spoke, he took out a small notebook and a pen.

Charles skillfully took the paper and wrote his name on it.

This scene is familiar. Back then, on that bus, Charles, who was sitting next to Oboro, gave him an autographed card... and then, fate began to turn.

Back then, Charles dreamed of becoming a superstar at Heavens Arena, and now he has.

But it seems... he wasn't enjoying and happy as he had hoped.

"Thank you for your support... I will..."

Charles gave a forced smile, then looked up at the fan.

Upon seeing Long, the bald man froze instantly.

I rubbed my eyes, unable to believe it.

"Master...?" Charles murmured, his mind blank.

"Haven't seen you for a long time."

Long nodded and smiled.

This was the first time he had directly responded to the title of "Master Charles".

This also caused Hisoka's eyes to flash, and he glanced at the unassuming Charles a few more times.

How could someone like this be accepted as a disciple by Long?

Although it's registered...

He wasn't like Gon or even Kurapika; he was just an ordinary guy...

This suggests that something must have happened between the two that he is unaware of.

Hisoka was amused.

"Ahhhhh..."

Then, Charles came to his senses, rushed forward and hugged Oboro, bursting into tears.

She cried so hard it was heartbreaking... Even Long never expected it to turn out like this...

He came to watch Charles's game and to see him, simply because Charles was captured and nearly beaten to death by the Fills Family years ago, which was also due to his involvement. He didn't expect Charles to be so excited when they met again.

Now in his thirties and with a robust physique, Charles was embraced by a 200-pound man and broke down in tears, unable to contain his emotions. The scene...

"Okay, calm down."

Long coughed and patted the bald man on the back to comfort him.

After a few minutes, Charles finally calmed down.

Hisoka greeted Oboro and then turned and left.

"He... is... Hisoka?"

Charles stared at Hisoka's retreating figure, and asked in surprise.

"Um."

"Master, do you know him? This person is dangerous..."

Charles's expression was grave.

"It's okay, he and I are just ordinary friends."

Hisoka thought to himself, "Hisoka is indeed not well-liked wherever he goes."

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Charles invited Oboro to his room.

The bald man vividly recounted his experiences and growth over the past few years to Long. He was Enhancement Nen user with an ability called 'The Power of Faith'... This ability wasn't practical in combat, but rather developed through constantly honing one's will and mindset. Every day, he would strive towards 'a clear goal,' setting and completing tasks for himself to improve his condition and gradually accumulate power...

Charles's Nen is well-developed, which suits his personality, but... it's rather average.

However, since it has already been developed, it's not appropriate for Oboro to interfere further.

If the two had met sooner, Oboro could have helped him develop a better Nen ...

Now, it's too late.

Since they've met again by chance, Oboro plans to give Charles some pointers on his training during his time at the Heavens Arena.

"Huh??!!!"

The next day, Long led Charles to meet with Wing and the others.

When he heard that the bald, muscular man with a full beard was actually a disciple of Oboro.

Everyone, including Wing, was stunned.

Killua pointed at Charles and asked Oboro for confirmation, "Are you serious?"

"Certainly."

Long nodded.

"Too...too...too strange..." Killua didn't know what to say. Charles's image was too incongruous with Oboro.

Furthermore, Gon and Killua have already fought against Nen user on the 200th floor.

Although the two kids weren't particularly strong yet, they were already aware that among the Nen user in the Heavens Arena, very few were truly powerful. In other words, Charles's level was questionable... How could someone like Oboro, standing at the pinnacle of Nen user,... accept such a mediocre person as a disciple?

"I'm so envious! To be able to become Mr. Oboro's apprentice, Uncle Charles must be really amazing." As Gon introduced himself, he extended his hand to Charles.

"I'm nowhere near as good as my master..."

Charles looked at Gon in a friendly manner and shook hands with him. "I know you, and Killua too. Your match was very exciting."

Killua secretly stepped forward and whispered to Charles, "Hey, bald guy... do you know who Oboro is, and what his identity is?"

Charles laughed and didn't answer.

"Killua, you're here again..."

Gon was speechless.

Long was chatting with Wing.

Wing had never left the Heavens Arena all these years. He knew more or less about what happened back then, and he was also aware of the relationship between Charles and Long. It was he who told Long about Charles's situation in the Heavens Arena. However, he never expected that Long would actually take Charles as his disciple.

It's important to understand that, whether in the martial arts world or among Nen user, once a master-disciple relationship is established, it's a formal matter and not a game.

Wing thought that Oboro would find some geniuses, even if they couldn't compare to Gon and Killua, they would definitely be people with outstanding talent to train... Unexpectedly, it turned out to be someone like Charles.

It was very different from what I had expected.

Charles is over thirty years old, and there's not much upper limit to his potential, let alone any.

Why do ordinary people prefer to take on young disciples?

When he first followed Biscuit, he was very young. It was because of the training he received from a young age that his potential was raised and his upper limit was maximized. If it weren't for Biscuit, Wing felt that his current strength would be at least halved.

Oboro is like picking up a piece of junk. It's not that Charles is bad, but that the gap between the latter and Oboro is too huge.

Not to mention the Heavens Arena, even within the Fills Family, Wing believed that Nen user like Charles were plentiful and easy to find.

He didn't see anything admirable about the bald man either.

In two words: mediocre.

Aside from... Charles has a good personality, is a kind-hearted person, simple and honest, and possesses the spirit of a martial artist? Wing has also watched Charles's ring matches and knows what level the former is at.

"This world has never lacked geniuses... What's the point of guiding someone who already has outstanding talent to a certain level?" Long saw through Wing's thoughts and smiled slightly. "Don't you think it's more challenging and meaningful to train someone who is considered by the outside world to have no future and has already been subjectively rejected to a certain level, to break through their own limitations and shatter everyone's perceptions?"

"..."

Wing was speechless.

So that's what Oboro was thinking...

"Of course, I don't have time to teach him too much, so I just took him on as a nominal student." Oboro glanced at Charles, who was playing with Gon and the other two, and said softly.

"I have no doubt about your abilities, but his foundation is already set. Even if he improves further, his future is still predictable."

Wing exhaled a breath of stale air and gave his opinion.

Anyway, taking on apprentices is Long's own business, as long as he's happy... Wing is just expressing his own thoughts.

"I was originally just going to stay for a few days to see you all... but now I might have to stay for another week."

Long stared at Wing with a half-smile, "What level do you think... I can train him to?"

"This..."

Wing hesitated for a moment.

"He's been stuck on the 200th floor for a long time. Every time he's eliminated, he has to wait almost two years before re-registering to compete. I've been keeping an eye on him... With his abilities, he might barely become a decent Nen user, and it will take him a considerable amount of time to accumulate experience. However, with you here, he might be able to challenge the floor master..."

"So, you think his limit is the landlord?" Long said.

"The level of the host varies from one session to another. If he wants to become the host, he also needs to rely on luck."

"One-Star Hunter. In one week, I can make him qualified to become One-Star Hunter in the future."

"Oboro said."

"One star?"

Wing's pupils contracted, his expression one of disbelief.

"The human body is finite, but the mind is infinite... This is the gift of the human race, and it is also closely related to thought. You should understand this."

"That being said, not everyone can do it."

"The time was too short. If he could be guided for six months or a year, his future achievements would be even greater."

"..."

Wing was deeply shaken when he heard Long say these words so casually.

He looked at Charles ... Could someone like that truly regain the spark of life? (Longer chapter, adding to yesterday's)