Despite all her internal grumbling, Biscuit followed along.
Aoki Hiroshi led her deep into the forest outside the city.
Eventually, they stopped among the trees.
"Elemental-type Transformation abilities... They're actually pretty rare," Biscuit commented, hands clasped behind her back.
"Most Transformation users just alter the texture or properties of Nen—like hardness or elasticity. Only a handful can actually convert their Nen into elements."
"Electricity-based transformations? You and that Zoldyck kid, Killua, are the only ones I've heard of in the past hundred years."
She paused, thinking.
"Yep, it's just you two."
"There was someone over a century ago, but we only have a name. No detailed records survived."
"Too bad the Zoldyck family doesn't sell their techniques."
She sighed.
If they had access to Killua's notes or training methods, Hiroshi might've had a shortcut to mastering his electric Nen.
But alas—no such luck.
"So brace yourself, Aoki," Biscuit said, shaking her head."Normally, mastering a Transformation ability takes years."
"Even for a genius like you, we're talking months, at least."
"Fully refining it? Three to five years—minimum. And that's being optimistic."
She rambled on... and got no reply.
Confused, she looked at Aoki—only to find him lost in thought, staring off into the woods.
"Hey!"
"Quit spacing out! I'm actually trying to teach you something here!"
"HEY! AOKI HIROSHI!"
But Hiroshi didn't seem to hear her at all.
Biscuit's expression soured. She crossed her arms and stepped aside.
"Fine. Let's see how far you get without a proper mentor."
Electricity... I've got plenty of good blueprints to mimic.
Aoki Hiroshi shut out all distractions, turning inward.
Mental images began flickering across his consciousness—
Hatake Kakashi...Fourth Raikage – A...Fifth Raikage – Darui...
Each had crafted refined, deadly electrical techniques.
All he had to do was replicate them.
He let go of thought—his eyes dimmed.
He unlocked his First-Stage Gene Lock.
At once, his Nen surged—stronger, more precise, and far more obedient.
"Huh?"
Even Biscuit's expression shifted.
Suddenly, Aoki Hiroshi felt... dangerous.
Cold. Violent. Predatory.
The air around him was tense and oppressive—like a beast had taken his place.
"What the hell…?"
Her instincts screamed at her to run. Her body tensed in alarm.
But—how?
She was an elite hunter, a seasoned pro ranked just below the world's top five Nen users. How could someone like him be triggering her survival instincts?
Ridiculous...
ZZZTT!
The sharp hiss of electric current broke the silence.
White-blue sparks danced across Hiroshi's body.
They grew denser, brighter—until it was like a river of lightning was pouring down his frame.
A curtain of electricity cloaked his form, roaring with energy.
"What in the world—?!"
Biscuit's eyes flew wide.
CHIRRRP! CHIRRRP!!
That violent, avian screech echoed again.
From Hiroshi's palm, a sphere of blinding plasma condensed—white-hot, trembling with noise.
SWOOSH!
His figure vanished.
The next moment, he appeared fifty meters away, palm outstretched.
The plasma surged forward—piercing a massive stone like a lightning-forged spear.
BOOM!!
The rock exploded on impact.
Charred fragments rained down, trailing faint smoke.
"High temperature... extreme speed... penetration…"
"He's using lightning to supercharge his body—then weaponizing the discharge for impact!"
Biscuit was speechless.
This wasn't just Transformation. There were traces of Enhancement and Manipulation layered in too.
He was already blending systems!
"Aoki, you—"
She started to speak—
ZZZTT!!
But Hiroshi wasn't done.
He raised his palm and swept it sideways.
ZRAKK!
A razor-thin beam of electricity burst forth.
It sliced through several trees, leaving perfectly round holes burned into their trunks. The scorched wood smoked where the beam had passed.
"That's... Emission!"
Biscuit could barely believe it.
He kept going.
Chidori Blade.Chidori Spear.Chidori Senbon.Chidori Stream —a radial burst of current flaring from his entire body.
Each technique refined, precise—and totally improvised.
Biscuit was left stunned and silent.
"Is he even human...?"
"I think I finally understand how Kite felt," she muttered.
To witness someone awaken Nen on the spot...
To see them master all four basic techniques and advanced ones immediately...
It had to be surreal.
Kite's report had been dramatic—but if Biscuit were writing it now, hers would be too.
"Biscuit. Cookie-chan," Hiroshi called, stepping toward her, clearly exhausted.
His aura faded—the Gene Lock deactivated.
"Alright, alright," Biscuit muttered, summoning her Hatsu.
Her Nen beast—Cookie-chan—appeared.
Hiroshi lay down without hesitation and let it begin the massage.
Soft hands danced across his body, pressing every knot, soothing every muscle.
He closed his eyes in bliss.
Soon, he drifted off into a deep sleep.
Thirty minutes later...
Hiroshi stirred awake, blinking in surprise.
"...The backlash from the Gene Lock... it's gone!"
His eyes lit up.
He had expected partial relief—maybe reduced strain—but not this.
The backlash was completely gone.
I can go even further now...
His heart pounded with excitement.
"Don't get too cocky," Biscuit chimed, pouring cold water on his joy.
"The human body has limits."
"You can only use Cookie-chan three times a day—any more and your muscles will break down."
Aoki nodded, but didn't look disappointed.
That was already more than enough.
It wasn't true divine restoration—but it was close.