"So this is my aura..." Machi mumbled while looking at her arms releasing her spirit energy.
Ron clapped his hands, interrupting her thoughts. "Okay, do what I explained to you before. Control your energy and surround your body with it, then maintain it."
Machi closed her eyes and felt her aura, like drops of flowing water on a leaf. She contained it with ease.
Watching her, Ron felt nothing but admiration. 'As expected, her talent is no less than Gon's and Killua's.'
After a few minutes, Machi opened her eyes as her aura darted around her body. Seeing it form something like thin, transparent clothing, she exclaimed in amazement.
"Brother, I did it!"
Ron smiled unknowingly and ruffled her hair. "I know... You are very talented." He didn't hold back his praise, which was true. Without the system, Ron's talent was probably low; according to Hisoka's rating, it was a ten, or perhaps even lower.
"Heh..." Hearing her brother's flattery, Machi rubbed her nose, feeling smug.
'Good thing the system provides knowledge when it comes to Nen training, so I won't have to look for a mentor, since I can guide her well,' Ron muttered inwardly.
"Next, we will spend the entire two weeks training. Once it's done, we will leave Meteor City and head to Heaven's Arena," he said.
"Okay!" Machi pecked her head like a small chick, obediently.
Two weeks passed, and Machi made unbelievable progress in mastering the major principles.
"It's time to leave..."
Looking at the pile of garbage he had gathered to create a small house just big enough to shelter two people, Ron felt a little at a loss.
"We endured hardships for several years, eating nothing but junk food. I even saved lots of scavenged supplies just to give her a good birthday party."
Ron lightly raised his fist and clenched it tightly. "I swear, we won't be eating that shit again..." With a look of determination, he turned back and left.
Behind him was a girl following. She was wearing a short, fitted black kimono with a paper crane design reaching down to her thighs. Her legs were covered by high socks, and on her left waist rested a white katana.
This was a marionette conjured by Ron, based on Silent Majority, with the facial features of Kalluto. A realistic marionette, he often called his Marionette.
Not far away from their former house, a bulky man was hiding behind scraps, observing his movements. Ever since the Phantom Troupe was established and the kidnapping incident occurred, they had become inactive in Meteor City.
Ron knew the reason. They were training for years and would eventually show up later. Because of this, many people took advantage of their absence to establish a foothold, and this bulky man was no exception.
He turned on the walkie-talkie on his waist and contacted his boss, who responded immediately.
"What is it?"
A very feminine voice asked.
"Rize, this is Jack from the east area..."
"...Oh? Jack, what do you need?"
"It's about Ron..."
"Yeah? What about him?" she asked.
"I'm observing him now. He just left his house," Jack said.
"...I see... How was it? Was he alone, or did he bring anything with him?" she asked.
"He was alone," Jack replied while observing Ron for a moment before hiding again. "As for baggage, he didn't even bring anything with him."
"...I see..."
"What do you think I should do, Rize?" Jack asked.
"Back then, I received reports of him scavenging all around but always coming back with only a few items.
At first, I didn't think much of it, but during trading, the number of items didn't match the amount of things he brought back.
So, I've been suspecting that he awakened Nen and probably has a spatial ability."
Jack remained quiet, letting Rize continue.
"You know, it's rare for people here to awaken Nen, especially those who possess spatial abilities..."
Rize was vague, but Jack understood her intent.
"Got it, boss. I'm going to intercept him and bring him back to you," Jack declared.
"Okay~ I'm counting on you!" she said before cutting off the connection.
"Bringing someone back? My standing should become higher with this. Heh!" Jack muttered out loud. He was already feeling victorious, unaware that Ron was standing right behind him.
He peeked his head out and gasped. "He's gone!? Where did he go?"
Jack began to panic. This was supposed to be his path to promotion. It couldn't fail.
"I'm right behind you," Ron said.
Jack jolted like a cat and instinctively tried to turn, which he managed, but his vision remained fixed on the spot where Ron had disappeared before he lifelessly fell onto a pile of garbage.
Ron picked up the walkie-talkie and tried connecting to Rize.
"...Oh, you're quite efficient, as expected of you, Jack."
"No, Rize. I'm not Jack."
"Not Jack? Who is this, Ron!?" she exclaimed.
"Ding! Ding! Correct! Since you guessed it right, I have a prize for you..." Ron replied.
Without waiting for her response, he activated a spatial gate and bombarded Rize's hideout.
On the other side was a long purple-haired girl holding a walkie-talkie tightly. She was about to retort but noticed a small hole on her desk slowly growing bigger.
"What is this!?"
As a Nen user herself, Rize sensed something was wrong and used her aura to protect herself, but it was a second too late.
"Damn!"
Those were her last words before a loud boom shattered the entire building.
Hearing the explosion, Ron nodded in satisfaction. "Just a little gift before departing." Muttering those words, he officially left Meteor City.