As Auren, Neffi, and Vanessa walk toward their airship, they briefly stop just before reaching the stairs that lead to the roof. A person appears before them.
Auren takes a closer look and recognizes Machi, who's standing in their way, arms crossed, her expression unreadable.
"Machi," Auren says calmly.
"Is it true?" she asks, her voice sharp. "You're leaving?"
"Yes, I am," Auren replies evenly. "Since Chrollo doesn't need my help right now, I have no real reason to stick around. You also seem strangely distant. Did something happen? If you need help, you just have to say the word. I can stay, if you need me."
"..."
Machi doesn't respond. She simply looks at him in silence, her eyes empty.
"It doesn't matter. It's not something that concerns you. But before you go—know that I'm grateful that you saved the girls. I owe you..." she says, then abruptly turns and walks away. Halfway through, she spins back around and tosses a small card at Auren. He catches it easily. It has her number on it.
"I'll text you my number later... You can rely on other people you know?" Auren notes.
"If you call me for something worthless, you'll regret it," she mutters before disappearing down the corridor, completely ignoring his offer of help.
"What's her deal?!" Vanessa blurts out, baffled.
Neffi's face grows somber. "I... I can tell she's in pain. Something's definitely bothering her."
"I agree," Auren says, his tone quiet but resolute. "Still, it doesn't concern us. Don't forget—she's a member of the Troupe. She's killed dozens, maybe hundreds, and a lot of them were innocent. As much as I want to be optimistic... I'm not about to go out of my way to help someone who rejects me outright. Forcefully intervening in her life might lead to worse results. I have extended a hand—now it's up to her whether she grabs it or continues to fall. It's a waste of time and effort to annoy her. If I were alone, I might've tried, but I've got more important things to focus on—as well as responsibilities that come first."
"Harsh," Vanessa says, shrugging, "but fair. I think I agree with you. Let's head up then, I want to take a shower, this place smells."
"I can't disagree with her this time," Neffi says, grinning.
Neither can I....
The group ascends the staircase to the roof, and as the foul, heavy air of Meteor City hits them once more, Auren pauses for a moment, casting a final glance at the trash-filled landscape.
Without another word, the trio boards the airship.
"Jolt," Auren says as he steps into the cockpit and sees his pilot already in position. "Are we ready for takeoff?"
"Yes, boss," Jolt responds instantly.
"Then get us the hell out of here. Next stop... Yorknew!" Auren declares, his voice firm.
As the ship lifts off, rising steadily into the sky, Auren stares down at the sprawling wasteland below. He feels a strange sensation, like something is being left behind.
But after a few minutes, he exhales deeply, clearing his mind.
I did leave something behind. A lot of baggage, a lot of trouble. Good riddance. From here on out, it's all about the future—mine, and that of the people I care about. It might be for the best to forget this place. The only thing I'll take with me is a faint, yet sturdy connection. The Elder was right about one thing: I won't be able to cut off my connection with this place that easily.
A few hours pass. Eventually, everyone gathers in the ship's main room—the one where meals and meetings usually take place.
"So, Auren, what's the plan?" Goreinu asks, his arms crossed. "You definitely caught us off guard. I figured you'd stay in Meteor City a while longer. I was even excited to watch more of your insane spars. You could earn a lot of money by recording your fights and selling them."
"I've done what I needed to do," Auren replies. "And honestly? I've got no desire to linger there any longer. I've also done enough spars for now."
He glances around the room before continuing.
"The plan's pretty simple. We're making a short stop in Yorknew. Don't expect a long stay—there's still a lot of business waiting for us in Yorknew, further down the line, but right now, I'm focusing on two things. First, I have a large shipment of items to collect. Second, I need to finalize a deal with the people Pariston hired on my behalf. After I see what kind of work they've done, I'll decide if we continue."
He looks around, briefly glancing at the others. "I need some assistance, so I'd like to ask a few of you to support me. On the other hand, Neffi wants to visit her company, and if I'm not mistaken, pick something up as well, right?"
"Yes," Neffi replies. "As most of you know, I own a company that produces high-tech clothing made from advanced Nanofibres. Some of you are even wearing a few of my products, and I haven't heard any complaints so far. In fact, they've been a complete non-issue, which tells me that you enjoy wearing them, which is great. Luckily, we haven't faced many situations where they really needed to shine, but they're incredibly resistant to all kinds of damage. Since then, Auren and I have invested quite a bit more money into the development of more products, common, standard clothes, we plan on mass producing, but also unique expensive custom gear."
Looking proud, she continues, "So, just like him, I need to pick up a few things. Maybe you could help me? Vanessa? Also, Konrad—you had a few suggestions on how I should handle and control the business side of things... I'm arranging a meeting with the directors in exactly two days, on the day of our arrival in Yorknew. Think you could help me out with that as well?"
Konrad nods. "I'm glad you're maturing, little Neffi. I'm genuinely impressed. Let's talk it over. We have two days, enough to come up with a strategy."
He then hesitates before continuing, "I just wish a certain someone would take a lesson from you," he adds, glaring pointedly at his sister, who looks immediately offended.
"Oh, I'm far too busy for that," Vanessa responds coolly. "I'm focused on developing my Hatsu, and once I've come up with one, I'm using it to crack open a pair of nuts belonging to a certain smug someone." Her voice turns ice cold as she glares directly into Konrad's soul.
"What kind of nuts?" Ella asks innocently, clearly not following the conversation.
Killi quickly grabs her hand. "Ignore that, Ella. You don't need to know."
"Yeah, enjoy your youth while you can," Jean chimes in with a grin. "How about me and my nerdy half take you kids shopping? Mio and Kai can come along too, of course!"
"Can I go?" Ella asks Auren with wide, hopeful eyes.
Auren thinks for a moment, then sighs. "Fine... Eren, can you go with them?"
"Of course," Eren replies. "I wouldn't want to burden anyone else with my siblings."
"I wanted a girls-only shopping trip," Jean complains, pouting. "Although... Eren does look a little like one. With the right makeup and clothes... yes, I think I could work with him! I think I'm getting excited! Let's get him a full makeover."
"Stop humiliating and toying with Eren," Auren cuts in flatly. "Just drag him along and ignore him if you want—he's not exactly the loudest in the room anyway."
"Thank you..." Eren says, looking relieved.
"Looks like it's just you and me, Goreinu," Auren says with a shrug.
"Heh, I'll bring along Black and White Goreinu as backup," Goreinu jokes.
I expected a little more help... well, whatever.
"Jolt, Marsha, can I count on you two to stay on the airship?" Auren asks, turning to his pilot and his wife.
"No problem," Jolt replies casually.
"With that... everyone has their task," Auren says, nodding. "Rest until we arrive. I'll be doing the same. I'm in dire need of some meditation. I need time to reflect on the spars I had earlier."
"It's always about training with you," Konrad mutters, shaking his head.
"You should be more concerned about your own training, little brother," Vanessa replies with a sinister smirk that sends a chill down his spine.
Heh, she isn't wrong.
Just like he said, Auren spends the following days working on his Nen—mostly using Zetsu, accompanied by focused Aura control exercises.
I've learned a lot during my spars.
If it comes down to just my raw physical strength and Aura output, and reserves, I'm clearly not there yet. I'm close, but not quite on the level of the few true Nen experts who are focusing solely on combat, such as the key members of the Troupe.
However, once I include my full arsenal—my Hatsus and Eternity—I can at least stand toe-to-toe with the Troupe's main combatants. I might still lose to someone like Phinks or Feitan, but I genuinely think I have a chance against them, as well as Uvogin and Nobunaga. When it comes to the support members—Shizuku, Shalnark, and Pakunoda—it wouldn't even be much of a fight. They stand no chance.
I'm actually quite satisfied with where I stand. I've come a long way in a relatively short period of time, and I really can't expect more. Give me a few more years and I'll get there, I'm sure of it.
I've built up a well-rounded and diverse set of Hatsus, I'm skilled at quite a few styles of combat, and I don't think I have any obvious weaknesses left.
I've even overcome my lack of experience, thanks to the countless spars and the life-or-death fights I had back in Glam Gas Land and in Swardani City.
What I need to do now is focus on myself. I need to increase my physical training, raise my Maximum Aura output along my Aura capacity, as well as continue to train the Basic Nen Techniques, Advanced Nen techniques, my affinities, and finally my Hatsus.
I can feel it. I'm making steady progress. If I keep this up... I'll finally gain the freedom I've always wanted. I'm close.
Now... the rat gave me the number for the people handling my custom weapon orders. Time to send them a message and arrange a meeting.
Two days later, with Jolt intentionally reducing speed so they wouldn't arrive in the middle of the night, the airship finally reaches Yorknew. They land smoothly in the early morning, share a quick breakfast together, and then split into four teams, just as planned.
Auren, together with Goreinu, heads off to collect and inspect the shipment of specialized weapons, armor, and equipment.
Neffi, accompanied by Vanessa and Konrad, makes her way to her own clothing company.
Jean, Joanne, and the kids, escorted by Eren, go on a shopping trip, buying not only clothes but also a set of supplies they'll require for their daily lives.
Meanwhile, Jolt and his wife, Marsha, remain aboard the ship. Jolt plans to personally oversee a full inspection of the airship while also handling the purchase of spare parts and replenishing supplies.
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