Restriction

Sivir's instincts had not been wrong.

As an Enhancer, she was clearly faster than Cheadle.

Yet no matter how she attacked, she could not so much as touch a corner of Cheadle's clothing.

And that was with Ken attacking alongside her.

What exactly was going on?

Sivir naturally knew it might have something to do with Cheadle's ability, but she could not understand the principle behind it.

Ken, however, had noticed it.

It was not enhanced vision, as one might expect from an Enhancer.

Rather, it was a conceptual enhancement of her powers of observation.

No, that was not quite right.

Even if one's observation skills were enhanced, they could only see things on the surface...

To make people instinctively wonder, Could she see the future? required insight that transcended conventional limits.

That was right.

Insight mixed with analytical and judgmental ability.

But having reached that conclusion, Ken became even more curious about something else.

That was—

While Cheadle avoided their attacks, she had clearly had many chances to counterattack, yet she had not taken any of them.

When Ken raised that question, he had naturally not expected Cheadle to answer. He merely wanted to convey information to his companions.

Yet, to his surprise... Cheadle responded.

"Caution is my answer."

Cheadle wore a calm expression. As she spoke, she raised her right hand in its white glove, palm upward, in a gesture resembling an invitation.

It was a gesture she unconsciously made whenever she was "lecturing" someone.

"Because of caution?"

Ken narrowed his eyes. He swiftly glanced at Cole, who was standing by, then quickly glanced at Genbul, who was "drawing the lottery."

"Ah, I see."

Feigning realization, he smiled. "I don't mind indulging your desire to 'stall for time.' On that premise, I have a question."

As he spoke,

this man, whose offensive style was especially suited to an Enhancer, actually took the initiative to close his Aura Nodes and enter a state of Zetsu.

Without aura protecting him, a single gunshot could end his life.

Ken's completely unexpected action did not change Cheadle's expression in the slightest, but—

it could not be said that it had no effect at all.

The fingers holding Cheadle's Medical Ledger twitched imperceptibly.

For an instant...

she wanted to dispel her ability and strike Ken a fatal blow.

Given the current situation, as someone whose Nen Ability was not combat-oriented, it would be difficult for her to defeat four Nen users in such circumstances.

But if she could eliminate one opponent, she would have a chance to break the deadlock.

Ken seemed not to notice Cheadle's minute movement. Maintaining his elegant smile, he said, "Of course, this question I want to raise does not require your answer."

"..."

Cheadle remained silent.

She was indeed stalling for time, while her opponent's words and actions seemed to be deliberately accommodating her.

Sivir was silent as well.

Trusting her companion, she suppressed the urge to continue attacking while Cheadle made no move.

But as an Enhancer, she was enduring it with considerable difficulty.

"Cautious Dog of the Zodiac, under normal circumstances, seeing an enemy with an unknown ability standing by the sidelines, staying alert and proceeding carefully is a perfectly normal response. But don't forget that my other companion is already 'using his ability.'"

Ken held his longsword level before him and assumed an attacking stance, speaking seriously.

"The conjured Slot Machine and my companion's constant lottery drawing—anyone with half a brain can tell that it's a 'preparation-type' ability. In Nen combat, it's like an hourglass counting down. Yet you have no intention of interfering with it, so..."

Abundant aura returned to Ken's body.

As he spoke, he opened his Aura Nodes and once again covered his entire body in aura.

"It's not that you won't act—it's that you can't. So, returning to my original question, why don't you counterattack? No, it's not that you won't counterattack. You can't counterattack. That is your ability's Restriction!"

Before his words had even faded, Ken stomped down.

Boom!

The ground split apart.

Wrapped in aura from head to toe, Ken shot toward Cheadle like a streak of light.

Except for two Enhancers fighting one-on-one in an arena, clashes between Nen users were often more like battles of information.

Having heard Ken's analysis, Sivir had also obtained a crucial piece of information.

This Zodiac, slippery as a loach, seemed to have a Restriction similar to "being unable to attack."

Sivir trusted Ken's judgment. She immediately erupted with a powerful aura and attacked Cheadle from the other side.

This time,

she left herself no room to retreat.

The direct attacks of two experts once again put pressure on Cheadle.

"Hmm, basically correct. Is this man really an Enhancer...?"

Cheadle stared intently at Ken and Sivir as they charged toward her.

When she conjured the Medical Ledger, it granted her abilities that surpassed the ordinary, and insight was one of them.

Her original intention in seeking this ability had been to resolve all kinds of "difficult and complicated cases" more smoothly and efficiently, while also greatly reducing the chances of "misdiagnosis."

Given that original intention—

the Restriction of this ability was "Benevolent Healer."

Because a doctor of noble character and compassionate heart would never harm another person.

Although Ken had seen through her ability's Restriction, Cheadle was not affected by it.

The reason was naturally—

a Restriction could only exist while the ability was active.

Cheadle mobilized her aura and effortlessly evaded Ken's attack. At the same time, she responded according to the flow of Sivir's aura and her extremely subtle habitual movements.

Dodge, and dodge again—

Ken's blade, along with Sivir's fists and Wheel Blade, still could not touch Cheadle despite their storm-like assault.

However,

because Sivir had placed all her focus on attacking, Cheadle's evasions looked even more perilous than before.

By comparison, Ken had not thrown everything into his offense.

Ultimately...

being unable to attack was not the same as being unable to counterattack.

What Sivir had understood contained a slight error.

And that slight error exposed a weakness she had not shown before as she attacked without restraint.

"An opening."

At that instant, Cheadle's pupils contracted and expanded like a camera shutter as she smoothly dispelled the Medical Ledger.

As the ability was canceled, the Benevolent Healer Restriction naturally vanished as well, and it also freed up one of her hands.

Ryu!

Cheadle swiftly mobilized her aura, using her freed hand to knock Ken's attack off course. She then rapidly shifted her aura to her right hand and landed a precise punch on Sivir's opening.

Boom!

Sivir let out a muffled groan and was sent flying backward.

Ken's expression shifted slightly. Just as he wanted to pursue the opening, Cheadle had already conjured the Medical Ledger again.

"As expected of a Zodiac..."

Outside the battle zone,

Genbul, who was "drawing the lottery," and Cole, who appeared not to be doing anything, sighed at the same time as Ken.

"Cole, aren't you done 'preparing' yet?"

Genbul turned his gaze toward Cole.

"It has already 'sprouted.'"

Cole replied.