Fanfics Hub
patreon
041 (Vol 2) HxH: Tombbound Power
🕑 Added 2025-02-11 06:02:00 +0000 UTC"Hohohoho, I suppose I'm getting old. My focus isn't what it used to be. Got caught up in old memories and let my guard down. What a careless mistake."
Netero's laugh was as cheerful as ever, as if being restrained didn't bother him in the slightest.
"Really? If you're feeling your age, old man, maybe you should sit this one out and watch~"
Ronnel cracked his knuckles, the crisp sound echoing through the space.
"I'll take care of the trash here."
In other words, Netero was weakened, but he wasn't completely helpless. If it only took one person to defeat him, he would've died countless times before.
The official reasoning was that his mind was disturbed by past events, leading to a lapse in judgment...
Well, whatever you say, old man~
"Then I'll leave it to you."
Netero simply smiled after saying this, offering no further comment.
"So, you're the so-called champion? Even Netero has high hopes for you?"
Jed, who had been listening to their exchange, finally spoke.
He eyed Ronnel up and down. Aside from the black trench coat, nothing about him stood out.
But Netero's faith in him was enough to pique his curiosity.
"It seems you're not just Netero's favorite. Others are pinning their hopes on you too."
Jed pressed a finger to his ear, listening to updates from Shura over the communicator. A chuckle escaped him.
"Just like Netero back in the day, huh? Idolized by others, treated like their last hope."
With that, Jed turned to Netero, still suspended in the air.
"I'll make sure you stay conscious the entire time—so you can watch as your so-called hope crumbles. I'll show you how the Hunter Association steps closer to the abyss."
Netero remained silent but looked at Ronnel, confidence gleaming in his eyes.
"Jed, don't underestimate today's generation. They're just as formidable as we were."
Ronnel responded with a smirk.
"A savior? Not interested. I just want to find a worthy opponent~"
He flexed his fingers, locking eyes with Jed, a faint grin playing on his lips.
"And you seem like just the right challenge."
The sheer arrogance of that statement!
But for the audience trapped in Heavens Arena, it was oddly reassuring. Their hope surged.
Not that Ronnel cared. He wasn't boasting—he was stating a fact. Not many people could recognize that, though.
"Damn, that guy's full of himself."
Somewhere in a desert, Ging sat on the ground, staring at his phone screen.
"But to be fair, I've never actually seen him go all out."
If even Ging had never seen Ronnel's full strength, then nobody else had either.
On the 251st floor, Chrollo sat alone, watching the battle unfold on a flickering TV screen, his expression unreadable.
Next door, Machi watched with mild disinterest, but something about Ronnel nagged at her intuition.
"He might be the key to this whole mess."
"Just good enough?"
Jed spread his hands slightly, his eyes darkening with resentment.
"Then let's see if you have the strength to back up those words!"
Whoosh!
In an instant, two thick black-and-blue aura whips extended from Jed's hands, dark flames flickering along their length as they lashed toward Ronnel with near-imperceptible speed!
Boom!
The impact made Gon and Killua, who had retreated to a safe distance, feel the tower floor tremble beneath their feet.
"That's some serious power… It really is the polar opposite of aura."
Ronnel's hands flared with intense energy, intercepting the whips with ease.
A grin stretched across his face as he licked his lips in excitement.
Finally, an opponent I can go all out against!
"Oh?"
Jed was surprised. This was not the outcome he had expected.
His plan had been to systematically break the world's so-called hope, dragging him into despair step by step. Even though he hadn't used his full power yet, he was certain this attack should have at least injured his opponent.
Instead, Ronnel had blocked it effortlessly.
"It seems you do have some skill after all."
Seeing the power surging from Ronnel's hands, Jed's grin faltered slightly. For the first time, he acknowledged that this so-called champion wasn't just another weakling parading around with an undeserved title.
"This might actually be interesting~"
His smile returned, this time with genuine intrigue.
Since his resurrection, he had returned to peak condition but had yet to find an opponent worthy of his full strength.
Even now, hunting down Netero had been a disappointment—he had been bound before he could even fight properly.
And those so-called Floor Masters? Not even worth warming up on.
But now… Ronnel might finally give him the challenge he craved.
Jed let his hands fall to his sides, and the flame whips dissolved into thin air.
In that moment, his expression shifted, his aura intensifying.
"Are you getting serious?"
Netero, still hanging in place, was the first to sense the shift.
"This is going to be a good one."
His eyes sparkled with anticipation. In this moment, he wasn't a captive—he was a martial artist, eager to witness a battle between two formidable fighters.
"So you're done holding back? Then I won't either!"
Ronnel smirked, sensing the atmosphere shift.
In the next second, overwhelming aura and seething resentment exploded into the sky!!
