Silent X Shadow Step

Silent steps...

After gathering and compiling all the information on [Rhythm Echo], a glimmer flashed across Baishi's face.

In the original story, [Rhythm Echo] was a top-tier assassination footwork technique passed down in the Zoldyck Family. It used changes in speed and tempo to create afterimages that confused enemies.

Those techniques contained many fundamental assassination skills. Combining them with his knowledge of the original story, he easily compiled and distilled a silent footwork technique called [Shadow Step].

Much as [Snake Awakens] relied on the arms, his control over his leg muscles gradually became second nature as he continued to expend and adjust his Nen Aura.

At the same time.

On the floor, Killua had surrounded Netero with numerous afterimages, subtly and silently blending into each one.

The moment he found a blind spot in Netero's vision, the afterimages all moved at once. As though every one of them had become the real Killua, they swarmed toward Netero.

Most of the afterimages, however, were meant to confuse Netero's vision. The real Killua moved silently into the blind spot, then pounced without a sound at the ball on Netero's fingertip.

Swish, swish, swish-

Hey!

To use [Rhythm Echo] so skillfully at such a young age... The old man of the Zoldyck Family is quite lucky.

Just as Killua's fingertips were about to touch the ball, Netero sensed the faint currents of air stirred up by his attack. Like a mischievous old child, he easily slipped past Killua's ambush within that tiny space.

Damn it!

Did he see through me?!

Knowing that his opponent was the strongest in the world was enough to make Killua take him seriously. So after the failed ambush, he wasn't discouraged. Instead, he moved silently and once again blended into the afterimages.

But this time, having realized that Netero seemed very familiar with [Rhythm Echo], Killua stopped trying to ambush him silently and pushed his speed to the limit.

In an instant, afterimage after afterimage lunged from every direction to snatch the ball, some fast, others coming from tricky angles!

Push, stick, turn, flick, slap...

Even against a serious Killua, Netero maintained the manner of a mischievous old child, dodging every attack in moves that looked perilous but were actually exceptionally nimble.

Most astonishing of all, Netero still easily kept control of the situation without using one arm or one leg, moving just a fraction faster than Killua.

[Rhythm Echo - Flying Flowers]!

A trace of impatience rose in Killua's heart, and his gaze gradually turned cold. During the final chase, he used [Rhythm Echo]'s transformations to their limit. In an instant, all the afterimages enveloped Netero like flying blossoms and falling leaves.

Although his target remained the ball, his real body swiftly dropped low and, with lightning speed, swept a whip kick at Netero's right leg, the one he had been standing on all along.

Oh?

The perceptive Netero merely widened his eyes; his emotions did not change in the slightest.

The next instant.

Their shinbones collided with a bang!

Thud-

The sound was deep and forceful, like metal striking metal.

Hiss-

Killua sucked in a sharp breath. As though he had kicked steel of extreme hardness, he abruptly jumped back, clutching his aching left leg, and glared at Netero through gritted teeth.

"Hey! Old man! Did you cheat using [Nen]?!"

"Oh ho, you know about [Nen] at such a young age? Has your family changed its traditions?"

Spinning the ball on his fingertip, Netero blinked and stared at Killua curiously for a while. Then he spread his hands and shook his head. "I've lived for over a hundred years. Isn't it perfectly normal for my bones to be this hard?"

"But you... That was a vicious kick. If it had been an ordinary person... you might have broken their leg outright!"

Hmph!

Killua curled his lip at that.

If Netero really had been an ordinary person, why would he have bothered putting in so much effort?

But then he recalled Baishi mentioning that Nen Aura could strengthen the body over time. Combined with Netero's astonishing age, it was indeed possible he hadn't cheated.

Even so, Killua instinctively looked at Baishi for confirmation.

In response.

Baishi, who had temporarily focused his Nen in his eyes, shook his head slightly. To observe someone else's Nen Aura, [Gyo] was naturally the best choice.

However, he only remembered that the [Gyo] mentioned in the original story involved concentrating a large amount of Nen Aura in the eyes. He didn't know the exact details, but it was enough for him to use it temporarily.

At the moment their legs collided, he was certain he hadn't detected the slightest fluctuation of Nen Aura in Netero's leg.

Netero hadn't even used the most basic [Ten]. His Aura Nodes had remained closed in [Zetsu] the entire time.

Tsk!

After confirming that his opponent hadn't cheated, Killua, still clutching his lower leg and making a pained face, subtly signaled Gon and Baishi to attack together.

As a member of the Zoldyck Family who had grown up enduring all kinds of torture as training, how could he possibly care about such a little pain? Once he'd confirmed that his leg bone wasn't broken, he had already decided to pretend to be weak.

Hee-

The moment Gon received Killua's signal, he pressed his lips into a smile. Poised to strike, he sprang forward like a released spring with a whoosh. Working in perfect sync with Killua, they attacked high and low, crossing paths as they went for their target.

Oh ho ho ho~

Very impressive explosive power...

Having caught every little movement between the two, Netero narrowed his aged eyes slightly. As Gon shot into close range with a swish, he easily dodged their joint ambush with movements that looked perilous but were nimble.

However, just then.

Without a sound, Baishi appeared inconspicuously to one side, in Netero's blind spot.

Tap~

Silent steps!

Rather than pursuing [Rhythm Echo]'s afterimage effect, Baishi had distilled [Shadow Step] from it. In fact, he had silently made his move at the same time Gon rushed forward.

However, because of his height, he couldn't use the other two to conceal himself. He could only use the opening created by their joint attack to silently change position.

That should do it!

Having calculated Netero's approximate reaction time up to that point, Baishi remained calm. His left hand held the wheel, while his right had long been poised to strike with the technique of [Snake Awakens].

When Netero noticed him, the five fingers of his right arm, quick as a whip, struck the ball on Netero's fingertip with a whoosh, moving at the speed of a nerve reflex.

Whoa!

The sudden turn of events brought a look of pleasant surprise to the slightly bored Netero. But the ball had been knocked away at high speed by Baishi, and he naturally wasn't going to let the game end so easily.

Just as he was about to bend his supporting leg and launch himself after it-

Smack! Baishi, who had anticipated this, unhesitatingly pressed his knee against the back of Netero's knee. With a grin, he swiftly wrapped his arms around Netero from behind, as though trying to restrain him.

"Quick-"

"Nice work!"

"That was awesome, Baishi!!"

The praise rang out together. Seeing the ball knocked away at high speed, the two turned and raced after it, beaming. Their speed was astonishing.

As Baishi wrapped his arms around Netero and called out, he had already begun rapidly analyzing Netero's information. To avoid being noticed, he instantly withdrew the wheel into his consciousness. At once, all the talisman buffs disappeared.

[Analysis]!