Escape × Agreement

In a dark, deep passage with seemingly no end.

Cheadle explained the basics of [Nen] to Dio.

Then she extended an invitation to him:

"Dio, that ability of yours called [Ripple] is extremely valuable. To be honest, I hope you'll become a Hunter and join my team!"

Cheadle laid out her intentions openly, looking Dio straight in the eyes as though to prove her sincerity.

Sincerity from someone powerful was especially moving.

Under that gaze, Dio couldn't bring himself to brush her off. Instead, he solemnly said he would try to become a Hunter, but he wasn't willing to join any team.

For Dio, who had far too many secrets, joining a team was the worst possible option.

Cheadle wasn't particularly surprised to hear that. After all, this wasn't the first time Dio had turned her down.

This kid was so hard to recruit.

"But if you want to use my ability, Ms. Cheadle, I won't refuse."

Dio shifted gears, leaving the door open. He could tell Cheadle seemed to need his ability for something.

If that was all she wanted, he was quite willing to help her. The benefits would clearly outweigh the drawbacks.

Hearing that, Cheadle realized her student had already picked up on a few clues. She stopped hiding it and said plainly:

"There is something I'd like your help with, but I won't ask you to do it for nothing."

"In six hours, my ability will force your Nen Ability to awaken. But you probably don't have a suitable Nen teacher, do you?"

As she spoke, she held up two fingers in a V sign and smiled with easy confidence:

"I passed the Hunter Exam at fifteen, and I've been studying Nen for nine years now. I suppose you could call me a genius. Teaching a beginner like you should be well within my abilities."

Dio hadn't expected the normally composed Cheadle to have such a lively side. He froze for a moment, then felt some of the tension ease.

Was she trying to lighten the mood?

Dio, who had been rather serious, relaxed a little. But he didn't immediately agree to the deal. Instead, he asked:

"Can I first find out what you need me to do?"

Cheadle had expected that question, but the matter was so confidential that she couldn't reveal it until they began:

"I can't tell you, but I can promise it won't harm you. You're free not to trust me. I won't force you to agree."

Dio fell silent for a moment. It wasn't that he feared Cheadle would retaliate if he refused. Her sense of morality wouldn't allow her to do something like that.

It was simply that accepting a task without knowing the details required a great deal of consideration.

He suspected Cheadle might be using the "door-in-the-face effect" to steer him toward agreeing. But when he recalled her clear, resolute eyes looking directly into his, he dismissed that suspicion.

That sort of street-punk trick seemed more like something Ging would pull. Cheadle probably wasn't that crafty.

There was another option: agree now and back out later. But anyone with a brain would know that was pretty much the worst choice.

Seeing his hesitation, Cheadle didn't hurry him. She simply moved ahead in silence to lead the way.

They continued like that without a word for two hours.

"We're almost at the exit."

After the long trek, Cheadle had already dismissed [Dr. Yorkshire]. At this distance, they no longer needed her ability's protection.

She turned, her long hair sweeping softly behind her, and fixed her emerald eyes on Dio, who was still wearing his white sterile suit.

"Dio, have you made up your mind?"

Looking focused and serious, Dio met Cheadle's eyes and said:

"I agree, Ms. Cheadle!"

He had actually made up his mind some time ago, but the atmosphere had been a little heavy, and he hadn't known how to bring it up.

Cheadle inwardly breathed a small sigh of relief. With Dio's ability helping her, the chances of a successful operation on [that person] would be much higher...

Several hours later.

An inconspicuous cave entrance lay in a seaside cliff on the second ring of Hundred-Ring Island.

Dio and Cheadle pushed aside the vines blocking the entrance. Sunlight, unseen for so long, streamed inside, lending even the cold cave mouth a little warmth.

Finally out. Dio let out a long breath. Sunlight was wonderful.

Just then, the sharp-eyed Cheadle seemed to spot something. She pointed at a tiny black dot in the distance and said:

"That should be the Hunter Association's ship, here to pick us up."

As she spoke, she took out her phone and checked the time. There were still three hours until the contract ended.

Once the contract ended, her ability's restrictions would force her into [Zetsu] for twelve hours. By then, though, they should have reached the Hunter Association. With Chairman Netero there, she wouldn't need to worry too much about danger.

With that in mind, she turned to Dio and said:

"Come back to the Hunter Association with me. Once I release my ability, the fatigue you've accumulated will hit you all at once as my aura disappears. To be safe, you should spend the night resting at the Hunter Association."

Dio didn't refuse. Instead, he asked curiously:

"Ms. Cheadle, you said earlier that once you release your ability, I'll automatically gain the ability to control Nen. How exactly does that work?"

Cheadle gave Dio a brief explanation, then said:

"Your body has already grown accustomed to my aura. When the contract ends, it'll automatically activate [Ten] through muscle memory, so you don't need to worry about your life energy leaking away."

That reassured Dio considerably.

The two then boarded the Hunter Association's ship and made their way back to Loi City.