As the commotion stirred up by Lin Yan and his two companions gradually subsided, the crowd began turning its attention back to the other rings.
Yet in the shadows of a secluded spectator section on the second floor, two pairs of eyes had never looked away.
"Master, they've left."
Zushi, a short boy dressed in a white training uniform with determination in his eyes, spoke softly.
Beside him sat a man wearing glasses and a somewhat rumpled white shirt, looking like an ordinary office worker.
The man did not respond. He merely adjusted his glasses, the arena lights reflecting off the lenses and concealing his expression.
He was Wing, an orthodox successor to Shingen-ryu martial arts.
"Zushi, tell me what you saw again."
Wing's voice was gentle, but carried an uncompromising precision.
"Yes, Master."
Zushi immediately sat up straight and began recounting his observations.
"The first boy, the one with black hair, is called Gon. His strength was incredible-pure explosive power, without anything else mixed in. He should be an Enhancer, but his Ten was extremely unstable, almost nonexistent."
"The second one, with silver hair, is called Killua."
At that name, Zushi's brow instinctively furrowed, as though he had recalled some unpleasant sensation.
"His speed was extraordinary, and his footwork was strange. He must have undergone some kind of special training. And..."
Zushi paused, then said hesitantly, "Master, although I didn't see aura flowing around him, the instant he attacked, I felt a prickling on my skin, like needles stabbing me."
"Was that... some kind of aggressive Ten?"
"No, Zushi. You misread it."
Wing shook his head gently, his tone growing more serious.
"That wasn't Ten. It was pure killing intent."
"Killing intent?" Zushi's pupils contracted slightly.
"That's right. That boy hasn't opened his Aura Nodes yet. He doesn't know