It was a night of howling wind and torrential rain.
"Where am I?"
Dio came to and found himself in what looked like a public restroom.
He discovered that he was hanging upside down, unable to move.
The air was cold and still.
He found that he could neither speak nor change his expression.
What happened?
Dio suddenly noticed his Stand, [The World], floating quietly before him. He tried to command [The World] to untie him.
But [The World] did not move.
"Hee-hee-hee-"
Suddenly, a red-haired clown walked in through the door, laughing strangely, one hand on his hip and something unidentifiable in the other.
When Dio saw the clown's face, his heart lurched.
Hisoka? Why is he here?
A cruel smile spread across Hisoka's face, and he suddenly lunged right up to Dio.
Only then did Dio see what he was carrying-Cheadle's severed head!
"Is this your companion? She tried so desperately to save you..."
Dio's pupils contracted. Strength surged from somewhere, and he struggled desperately, trying to make some room.
At last, he pulled one arm free through that tiny gap. Then, with every last scrap of strength, he threw a lightning-fast punch!
"Owww!!"
A cry of pain startled Dio awake. His eyes flew open, and he took a closer look-
An unidentified green creature in a suit was rolling around on the floor. Beside him, a white-haired old man was smiling, stroking his beard, and saying something to him.
"You disturbed his beauty sleep and got punched for it."
Chairman Netero wore an I-warned-you expression. It took Beans quite a while to stop rolling around before he protested.
"You were the one who said, 'That boy's obviously having a nightmare,' and told me to wake him up!"
Chairman Netero picked at his ear, looking as though he could not hear a word. Then, as if he had just discovered something new and interesting, he looked at Dio.
"Oh, you're awake. Your name is Dio, isn't it? I'm Netero, and this fellow beside me is Beans."
Beans hurriedly got up and gave a polite bow.
Having just witnessed the chairman's little comedy routine, Dio more or less understood what had happened. He immediately stood up too, bowing with a touch of embarrassment.
"Hello, Mr. Chairman. Sorry, Mr. Beans. I tend to hit people in my sleep."
As he spoke, Dio sneaked a glance at Netero.
Catching him looking, Netero playfully flashed him a peace sign.
So this is Isaac Netero. Just like the original described, his aura is frighteningly calm.
Wait, aura?
Dio suddenly realized that he could now see aura on his own, something he had previously only been able to do while borrowing Cheadle's ability.
"Can you see my aura?"
"Ah, yes..."
Dio answered hesitantly. He could already feel the aura flowing around him, held firmly against his body with [Ten], almost by instinct.
So this is [Ten]. It feels pretty much like keeping Ripple active to protect my whole body.
Then what about [Ren]?
Dio tried loosening his restraint on the aura surrounding him, then focused on making the aura flowing within his body pour out faster.
Bang!
Dio felt his aura boil violently, like cold water splashing into hot oil. Is this [Ren]?
"You figured out [Ren] on your own already? You've got quite a talent..."
Chairman Netero stroked his beard as he watched Dio's aura suddenly erupt, then turned to Beans.
"Beans, go fetch the things for Water Divination."
Dio heard Netero's instructions too. Having read the original, he naturally knew what Netero intended to do.
[Water Divination] was a method of identifying the nature of one's Nen Ability.
After mastering the basic Four Major Principles-[Ten], [Zetsu], [Ren], and [Hatsu]-Nen users fell into six categories according to the properties of their Nen Abilities.
Water Divination was one of the most commonly used methods for determining a Nen user's category.
First, a glass of water with a leaf floating on top had to be prepared. The user then activated [Ren] with their hands on either side of the glass, a process that effectively infused their Nen into the water.
For Enhancement, the amount of water increased; for Emission, the water changed color; for Transmutation, its taste changed; for Manipulation, the leaf moved; for Conjuration, crystals appeared in the glass.
Any change outside those five, or the occurrence of multiple effects, was classified as Specialization.
Beans quickly prepared a glass of water with a tea leaf floating on top.
"Give it a try, boy. You should know what to do."
Netero addressed Dio.
Dio nodded with a quiet hum.
He solemnly placed his hands on either side of the glass.
[Ren]!
As Dio activated [Ren], the water in the glass abruptly changed from crystal clear to a dazzling gold!
What's this?
"Emission, eh? A very fine affinity."
Netero offered his praise.
As one of the upper three categories, Emission was indeed an excellent Nen affinity. Its defining feature was that Nen Aura did not diminish after leaving the body. Of the five categories apart from Specialization, it was also the most suitable for developing Nen beasts. Another less frequently mentioned feature of Emission was that spatial abilities often required its Nen Aura.
Notable Emitters in the original included the volleyball guy Razor, medical-school newcomer Leorio, the mighty Goreinu, Knov with his full head of hair, and the biggest name of all-the Ant King, [Meruem].
Only now did becoming a Nen user truly feel real to Dio.
His plan to learn Nen had never even gotten off the ground. No grueling training, no risk from forcibly opening his aura nodes-he had simply slept and painlessly become a Nen user.
Next, I need to keep practicing the basic Four Major Principles until I can develop a Nen Ability of my own.
Dio began working out his schedule. He did not know when Cheadle's commission would begin, but until then, he could get her guidance for free.
Creak-
The lounge door was suddenly pushed open, drawing everyone's attention.
Under the three men's gazes, Cheadle walked in carrying a
cake as naturally as could be, only to freeze at Chairman Netero's exaggerated, knowing looks.
Huh? What happened? Why did Dio wake up so soon? Why is the chairman here? What's that look supposed to mean?
"Ahem, I just remembered that Ging wanted to see me about something. I'll leave you to it, then."
Before he had even finished speaking, Netero pushed off the floor a few times and left the lounge faster than Dio could follow, dragging the grinning Beans along with him.
Cheadle: ? Hasn't Ging been missing for almost a year?
Then she caught sight of the food in her hands and suddenly realized. The chairman doesn't think I came here specifically to look after Dio, does he?
But I brought this to eat myself while waiting for Dio to wake up!!
Cheadle, who had always prided herself on her composure and dignity, instantly felt her hackles rise.
"Uh, Teacher Cheadle?"
Seeing Cheadle frozen in place, Dio could not help calling out to her.
Dio's voice snapped Cheadle out of her daze, and she hurriedly asked,
"Why was that old man... ahem, Chairman Netero here?"
Dio recounted everything that had just happened, and only then did Cheadle calm down.
Yet even after she had calmed down, the chairman's strange look kept circling through her mind. For a moment, she had no idea what to say next.
Meanwhile, the sight of Cheadle reminded Dio of his nightmare, leaving him equally at a loss for words.
And so the lounge settled into a bafflingly awkward silence.
Before you continue