Ging's Invitation, Tsubone's Return
The bigger the waves, the more expensive the fish.
Conversely, the more expensive the fish, the bigger the storms behind it!
Chimera Ant evolve through devouring, with no upper limit. They first eat fish, then humans, and then Nen user... The higher the level of "food" they can capture, the greater the potential and strength of the offspring produced by the "Queen Ant."
In other words... compared to professional gourmet hunters like Menchibhara from the Hunter Association, the ants are the real gourmet hunters!
"Gurgle, gurgle..." The food cart made a pleasant, soft sound as it rolled over the stone floor.
Noon had passed. Tsubone had coaxed Amane Canary to sleep, then went around to the kitchen and brought in lunch. Roy sat at his desk, heavily circled the word "Chimera Ant" with his pen, pondered for a while, then casually conjured a flame and burned the paper to ashes.
"Young Master, the master ordered half a steamed fish to be sent."
"Just put it there."
The firelight faded... The Sun-Earring Boy pushed back his chair, stood up, walked to the dining table, and began to eat.
The freshly steamed fish was the very one Zeno had caught in the pool. It hadn't been killed by the shockwave from his clash with Silva, but it had died on the dinner table. Whether that was lucky or unlucky was hard to say... Roy took the chopsticks from Tsubone, peeled off a piece of fish, and put it in his mouth. He tasted it; it was tender and fresh, without the fishy smell typical of sea fish. Clearly, the kitchen had put in effort. Satisfied, he nodded and said, "Return the message to that Hunter named Kite. Tell him... I already know."
"Let me know as soon as he makes any progress,"
The Sun-Earring Boy quickly finished the fish, leaving only the tailbone lying forlornly on the plate, and said, "I don't mind going down the mountain for a walk to clear my head."
"Yes," Tsubone replied respectfully, paying particular attention to "Kite," thinking to himself... It seems the Young Master is quite interested in that biological control team. He then served Roy a bowl of rice and said, "Young Master, besides Kite, just now, that 'Kin' you mentioned last time also called."
"Explain,"
Tsubone's expression was strange. "He said, if you have some free time recently, I'd like you to try out one of my latest the Game."
Roy raised an eyebrow. Considering the timing— with Gon born one after another—it wasn't surprising that Greed Island was completed around this time... However, he didn't have the time to play those son-trap the Game with Jin. If there was anything in Greed Island that could attract him, it was only those strange and unusual [cards]!
For example, [Companion], [A Plot of Beach], [The Breath of Archangel], [The Ruler's Blessing], etc., can enhance his understanding of "Nen Ability, whether overtly or covertly, so they are somewhat useful.
Roy shoveled a mouthful of rice into his mouth with a piece of braised pork, and without even thinking, refused.
Tsubone raised an eyebrow and said strangely, "Young Master, that Jin said he knew you would refuse, so he asked you again if you have any plans to travel in the near future."
What?
The old butler, with two ponytails, said cautiously, "He said it's fine if you don't play the Game, but considering we once broke into a prison together, he'd like you to come somewhere with him."
"Where?" Roy paused, his chopsticks still in his hand, sensing something. A casual glance revealed Tsubone's solemn expression as he slowly uttered four words... "Dark Continent!"
"He wants to invite the Young Master to come with him to find his wife!"
"You're not allowed to go..." A voice Youyou drifted through the thick wall.
In that instant, it was as if one could see that overwhelming fist again, Reiatsu...
Roy spread his hands, glancing out of the corner of his eye towards the dimly lit room, and said gently, "You heard everything."
Tsubone bowed deeply to the east, then straightened up and said in a deep voice, "I will refuse him now."
Roy nodded, recalling the aloof face he had seen in Jin Xin's heart. Indeed... only a woman from that place could hold a wanderer's heart!
"Is her name Vivian...?" The Sun-Earring Boy picked up his chopsticks again, silently picked up a piece of braised pork and put it in his mouth. After a while, he said softly, "Also, go prepare a pot of chrysanthemums. Grandpa's death anniversary is coming soon, and I don't want him to say I'm inconsiderate."
Mentioning Jager, Tsubone seemed momentarily dazed, recalling those glorious years as if they were still vivid in his mind. He silently lowered his head and said, "Yes."
"I will specifically instruct the gardener to include the Young Master's name in the notes."
"No need for that." Roy waved his hand. "It's enough that Grandpa Jager knows. Whether it's me, Illumi, Milluki, or Killua... it doesn't matter..."
"That's different," Tsubone, placing his right hand on his chest and bowing solemnly. "Young Master is Young Master, and Young Master Illumi is Young Master Illumi. I will give the order to prepare a bowl for them as well."
[Hint: "Power of Faith" +7... Detection shows that "Believer" Tsubone has been accepted and is awaiting official Officialization...]
Roy put down his chopsticks, glanced at the old butler, who was as tall as a gorilla Tsubone. In terms of physique, he was in no way inferior to Silva, and even comparable to Biscuit in his true form. His only shortcoming was talent... Roy used Nen Thread instead of swords, subtly sending a Nen Qi to tap the old butler's left and right shoulders. He then raised his hand, and... summoned a "Whirlwind" to gently help her up...
"You've put your heart into this," the Sun-Earring Boy said with a gentle smile, his beautiful silver hair Zoldyck down his back, the ends shimmering with golden light. "I think Grandpa Jager will be very happy to see you healthy and active at home when he comes back."
Tsubone sniffed, tears welling up in her old eyes, which she quickly concealed by adjusting her glasses. Taking advantage of a moment when she looked down, she pulled out a tissue and handed it to Roy, saying, "Young Master, wipe your mouth."
Roy gave a noncommittal hum, slowly took the tissues, and quietly watched her clean up the messy table, pushing the cart towards the door. Suddenly, he called out to her, "Tsubone, you've seen Gotoh's current state, haven't you?"
The old butler's tall figure suddenly paused, and with his back to Roy, he silently nodded.
Then, the Sun-Earring Boy smiled at her and waved, saying, "If he can do it, so can you."
Tsubone's body trembled, and he said in a muffled voice, "Young Master, please rest assured, although I am old, I am not dead yet, and I can still move!"
Regardless of seniority, just in terms of ability, the old butler didn't think he was any less capable than the former Gotoh... Turning around, he knelt on one knee and bowed solemnly to Roy again, then pushed the food cart and disappeared from Roy's sight with great ambition...
Just then, a soft laugh drifted from the Youyou lit room, like something out of a dream.
"Heh heh, Maha, the kid's skill at winning people over isn't necessarily worse than yours back then..."
Amidst the rising Nen Qi, Betty Zoldyck's slender waist was gently grasped by Maha Yingying, who pulled her into her embrace.
The old man continued rocking in his rocking chair, chuckling, "Don't you even look at him? Whose son is he?"
Suddenly, Betty rolled her Byakugan at her.
"Hehehe..." Maha didn't care at all, reaching out to pat Betty Zoldyck's butt, and a coquettish and happy breath immediately filled the small room.
"Ding~" One o'clock in the afternoon, "Ding~" Two o'clock in the afternoon... In this pleasant afternoon, accompanied by the continuous chiming of the wooden clock in the corner... About half a day passed, and after Roy had eaten lunch and dinner, his Nen Qi, which had been depleted in the battle with Silva, was quickly replenished and restored to full strength...
The person followed to the window, and by the moonlight, watched the willow tree in the garden stretch its branches, swaying and rustling in the wind. Turning around, they strolled to the window and summoned the Three-Legged Golden Crow...
"This time, don't sleep so soundly," the Sun-Earring Boy grabbed the golden tuft of hair on the Three-Legged Golden Crow's head and rubbed it hard... He earned Byakugan from the Little Gold crow and protested, "I didn't, don't slander me!"
Roy was taken aback, looking at it in surprise and saying, "You can talk?"
Little Gold shook his head, shoving Roy's large hand away, and puffed out his chest proudly, saying, "Is it strange? Anyone can talk. It's just a matter of taking a nap."
Really...? Is it really that easy?
How come he didn't know that other people's Nen Beast could talk?
Animals like Biscuit's "Cookie-chan," Razor's "Fourteen Devils," and even Jin's "Feicha's Parrot" are far from reaching the level of intelligence Little Gold. Even though... [Nen Beast] themselves are products of [Nen user] Conjuration based on [Mental Reflection]...
Roy chuckled and glared at Little Gold, then subtly revealed its interface: [Nen Beast: Three-Legged Golden Crow]
[Status: Larva (10000/1000000) → (20000/million)]
[Position: S+]
[Manifested Aura: B-(40,000/million) → B-(70,000/million)]
[Potential Aura:?]
[Racial Talent: Sun Chasing (to be activated)... Solar Flame Control: 1v4 (70,000/100,000) → LV4 (78,000/100,000)... Chariot Driving: lv1 (37/100) → LV1 (88/100) (Note: Activated)]
[Language: Mainland Chinese activated (Current proficiency: Proficient)]
[Evaluation: A growth-type Nen Beast with Infinite potential]
[The Four Major Principles]: [Entanglement], [Absolute], [Refinement], and [Send] have all been [Mastered] by the host.
[Advanced Application Techniques]: [Zhou][Jian][Ying][Liu][Yuan] All [Beginner Level]
[Rating: B]
[Note: Based on Chimera Ant, your Nen Beast "Three-Legged Golden Crow" has already reached the level of an elite Chimera Ant Squadron Leader.]
Roy focused on the [Language] section and gradually realized... It wasn't that the Three-Legged Golden Crow couldn't speak, but rather that it was limited by its "growth" and thus restricted... The Sun-Earring Boy raised his hand and gently patted the Little Gold crow's head, saying softly, "Sorry... I've wronged you."
"Gah~" Little Gold tilted its head back, raised its beak, and rubbed it against Roy's palm, saying, "I'm not wronged, Little Gold isn't wronged!"
"Master, you can sleep now. I'll keep watch for you this night..."
Having said that, it flapped its wings and flew to Roy's pillow, retracted its claws, and began to squat like a serious hen. Seeing this, Roy chuckled and said, "No need to be so serious."
With Arima at home, Roy didn't believe anyone could hurt him, but, "That old geezer and that brat, are we really not going to keep an eye on them?" Little Gold tilted his head and glared at Roy.
With a thought, Netero and Illumi's faces were instantly displayed through the [Soul Corridor]...
Roy's face darkened, and he said seriously, "You're right, we absolutely cannot let those two in."
Little Gold Jin nodded solemnly, spread his right wing, and gave Roy a measured salute. "Leave it to me."
Roy nodded, stepped into the shower, took a quick shower, and then, using the [True Meaning of Scorching Heat], dried off the remaining water on his body. He then lay down on the bed, placed his hands on his lower abdomen, and slowly closed his eyes.
Night fell, a mountain breeze swept through, dispelling a trace of the midsummer heat, and soon, a faint "snoring" sound drifted out...
The Sun-Earring Boy emptied his mind, his consciousness sinking into a deep reverie. As always, he entered his own Cognitive World through the [Gate of Cognition], and the familiar Dream Passage came into view once again.
A vibrant, Dream Passage glowed with a faint light, and from the other side, he could faintly hear the ebb and flow of the tide, the sound of waves crashing against the shore— the Sea of Cognition beckoning him.
Roy, his silver hair flowing down his back, didn't rush in. Instead, he stopped at the entrance of the passage, looking at the two swirling Uzumaki Clan on either side. His gaze, deep and unfathomable, pierced through them... and he saw Wenisha and Old Kohler. "Sorry to keep you waiting. The meeting will be at four o'clock tomorrow morning, before Daybreak..."
Willpower, imbued with Nen Qi, drifted lightly into the Uzumaki Clan with Roy's thought. Then, the Uzumaki Clan trembled, and to the naked eye... within the Uzumaki Clan, the Snake-Person and the Kobold's eyes suddenly flickered, and they excitedly bowed, exclaiming, "Praise the sun!"
Two streams of "Power of Faith" slowly emanated from the two and landed on Roy. [Hint: Your Believer has received your response. Overwhelmed with emotion, his piety grows even stronger. "Power of Faith" +3 +3]
"There are more?"
With 6 points of Power of Faith in his pocket, Roy paused slightly, glancing down at the two Thread of Causality he had established across Wenisha and Old Kohler. His gaze shifted, and he suddenly understood... It was almost the same principle as with Little Gold: as the bond between himself and his Believer deepened, the more Power of Faith they could provide. Of course... the responsibility he needed to shoulder also grew considerably...
Risk and reward go hand in hand; the Law of Equivalent Exchange is indeed true.
Thoughts drifted, Roy slowly withdrew his gaze from the Uzumaki Clan, stepping out and entering the Dream Passage. With another glance, he followed the light to the Sea of Cognition, and without hesitation, strode straight past the [Gate of Demon Slayer], pausing briefly before the [Gate of the Dark Continent], etched with intricate patterns. He then turned and pushed open the [Gate of Hokage] behind him, stepping inside...
Nii-san... Nii-san...
"Wake up, Brother Shisui is here..."
A faint, indistinct call echoed in my ears. The door opened, and a familiar feeling of falling washed over me.
When Roy temporarily left the real world and opened his eyes again, he was back in his home in Konoha, his head nestled in the arms of a tiny Itachi.