HxH : Pokemon Master-Chapter 81: Sonata of Darkness

Sally swung her racket fiercely, her golden hair shimmering faintly under the lights, creating a beautiful scene. But most people weren't paying attention to Sally beauty because something astonishing was happening on the court!

Sally right hand kept swinging the racket as if she was trying to set it on fire, and then one tennis ball after another appeared out of thin air. In just a moment, the entire arena was filled with tennis balls of various colors!

Some were straight shots, heading straight for Akira body. But most of the balls were aimed elsewhere. Miraculously, after bouncing and colliding, they would still head towards Akira. The different colored tennis balls now resembled a large net, ready to trap Akira completely.

Balls were flying in from almost every angle, creating a spectacular scene. For a moment, many spectators held their breath, staring in awe at the countless balls in flight. To onlookers, this seemed like an absolutely unavoidable move!

Some balls were glowing with flames, others were covered in frost, as if the air around them was freezing. There were also balls wrapped in threads of lightning, with faint crackling sounds emanating from them. And all of these were just feints!

The real killing move was the Shadow Balls hidden within the shadows of the tennis balls!

Due to the high energy consumption of Shadow Balls, Sally couldn't use too many at once.

Among the countless tennis balls in the air, there were five Shadow Balls! One followed the shadow of a straight shot, while the other four flew at even more bizarre and tricky angles after bouncing!

In an instant, the entire arena was filled with tennis balls.

Sally eyes were fixed on Akira, not wanting to miss a single move!

If Akira teleported again, she was confident she could control the Shadow Balls to change direction and head towards where Akira had teleported! As long as Akira remained on the arena, no matter where he teleported, she was confident she could handle it. Even if it was behind her!

As a seasoned fighter, Sally would never make such a rookie mistake. Something like covering the entire arena with attacks but leaving her own back exposed? She would never do that. freewēbnoveℓ.com

Thanks to Shark tragic death, Sally had put aside any previous underestimation. Facing Akira, she had to treat him as an opponent of equal or even greater strength! After a brief probe, Sally launched a fierce attack, hiding the real killing move within it!

"Beautiful move! Bonus points!" Bisky looked slightly excited, in her eyes, Sally performance was flawless. She was much better than the last guy who had recklessly wasted Aura.

Sally successfully integrated her Aura Ability with her tennis skills. Powerful tennis balls combined with seasoned striking techniques made the already threatening attacks even harder to defend against!

Bisky also noticed that Sally had tampered with some of those tennis balls. A faint fluctuation of Aura could be detected in the shadows of a few of the tennis balls. Although the Aura was extremely weak, Bisky sharp eyes still managed to discern it.

She didn't notice it at first glance, but after a few more looks, she confirmed it. This showed that Sally Shadow Ball was indeed impressive, especially its ability to conceal Aura. Even a seasoned veteran like Bisky couldn't see through it at first glance.

Bisky speculated that this deliberately hidden killing move was either a devastatingly powerful finishing technique, or, upon being hit, it would carry some kind of effect, just like the other tennis balls.

The effects of Aura Abilities are incredibly diverse. In Bisky view, the best way to deal with an attack with unknown effects is to avoid it!

But... The entire arena was almost covered with tennis balls, and the only apparent gap was—behind Sally!

Could this be the only way to break through?

Bisky frowned, glancing at the composed Akira. She didn't think it was a mistake on Sally part. It seemed more like a carefully laid trap. From Sally earlier probing shots, it was clear that Akira possessed a teleportation-like ability.

So, would she really make such a careless mistake as leaving a gap behind her on this small court? As her thoughts raced, the more Bisky analyzed, the more she appreciated Sally.

Although Sally own strength wasn't particularly high, her application of Aura Ability was very precise. This was undoubtedly a plus in Bisky eyes. Bisky never deducted points simply because someone's strength was lacking.

In her view, how well someone could utilize their current strength? That was where she should score and evaluate.

Seeing that a few tennis balls were about to hit Akira, Sally began scanning the court, her eyes slightly tense. Especially paying attention to her own back. Sally believed that Akira was most likely to teleport behind her.

"Come on! Where will you dodge to?!" Sally gaze kept shifting, breathing heavily, shouting frantically in her heart. The intense offensive had also drained a significant amount of her Aura. She could only manage such an offensive two or three more times at most.

The sky full of various tennis balls accounted for part of it, and the five Shadow Balls also consumed a lot. The short-term massive consumption caused beads of sweat to fall from her delicate face, like a broken kite. Her originally fair cheeks now looked as if she had run a marathon, tinged with a hint of peach.

The consumption was indeed high, but Sally believed it was necessary. She couldn't afford to be complacent when facing Akira. Now, as soon as Akira teleported, she was confident she could control the Shadow Ball to hit him!

"Make your move, Akira!" Sally lips curled slightly, about to form a smile, but before she could. It was as if she saw something unbelievable, her face froze, staring blankly at Akira.

"What is this?!" Bisky immediately sat up straight, looking at Akira in surprise.

A green barrier surrounded Akira, blocking every tennis ball that was about to hit him, "keeping them at bay."

Still the ultimate defensive technique—Protect!

The one who cast Protect was the Gengar hiding in Akira shadow!

Gengar usually hides in Akira shadow, allowing it to instantly cast Protect in any situation. It will definitely protect Akira! And it's not just Gengar—every Pokémon inside Akira body can do the same.

The "heavenly net" that Sally had confidently laid out was effortlessly neutralized by Akira single "Protect."

Watching as tennis balls struck the immovable barrier without causing even the slightest damage, Sally knew she couldn't win!

"Is it some kind of defensive ability? It seems to be quite effective." Bisky observed the barrier, which remained unscathed despite countless tennis ball attacks, and couldn't help but marvel in her heart.

While everyone was wondering where Akira would teleport to avoid the attacks, he instead revealed his godly defensive ability! Bisky had to admit that this method was indeed the optimal solution at the moment.

"I've taken so many hits, it's only fair that I return the favor, right? Otherwise, people might say I lack manners~" As the protective barrier slowly dissipated, Akira flashed a playful smile and muttered softly.

In that instant, Sally pupils contracted, and she immediately decided to shout "I surrender," but she was too slow...

A series of bizarre attacks flew toward her from Akira.

There were clusters of eerie black flames—Will-O-Wisp!

There were streaks of lightning accompanied by thunder—Thunderbolt!

There were gusts of bone-chilling cold wind—Icy Wind!

Each perfectly corresponded to the three effects of Sally tennis balls.

You wanted to inflict negative statuses on me? Well, now it's your turn to experience them! This is called "returning the favor!"

"Boom! Boom..."

A moment later, Sally collapsed stiffly to the ground, her body marked with various traces. There were burn marks from the Will-O-Wisp, residual electric currents from the Thunderbolt, and frost from the Icy Wind.

She lay there, occasionally twitching, but at least it was clear she was still breathing. Unlike a certain "confident" shark that had been split in two.

The referee immediately declared Akira the winner and instructed the staff to quickly carry Sally away for treatment. She wouldn't die, but she'd need at least a few months to recover.

After witnessing Sally spectacular and fierce assault, most of the audience felt a pang of tension. Just when it seemed that this so-called "legend" was about to fall under the tennis racket of the "Tennis Queen," no one could have anticipated how quickly the tide of battle would turn.

Countless tennis balls were blocked by a mysteriously appearing protective shield, and then the floor master, Sally, collapsed straight to the ground. While people minds were still stuck on "What will Akira do?" Sally had already fallen, unable to rise.

After a brief moment of silence, the stands erupted with even more intense cheers.

Looking around, everyone was fervently shouting Akira title—Legend!

Of course, there were still some who had bet on Sally to win, sitting in their seats with dazed expressions, as if mourning a great loss. They stood in stark contrast to the excited, laughing crowd.

After two consecutive victories against floor masters, Akira reputation soared, seemingly unstoppable. It also made people marvel that Akira truly deserved the title of "Legend"!

After confirming his victory, Akira left the arena and headed toward the passage he had come from. To his surprise, there was an unwelcome figure waiting there.

"Yo! A complete victory, huh~" Hisoka leaned against the wall, the dim light making his eerie makeup even more terrifying. Seeing that horrifying smile, Akira remained expressionless and walked past Hisoka with ease.

He really didn't want to deal with someone like Hisoka.

Seeing that Akira had no intention of engaging with him, Hisoka wasn't surprised. If Akira suddenly changed his attitude and responded warmly, that would have been the real shock.

"How about giving me your contact info? I might need your help later." Hisoka alluring eyes fixed on Akira back as he spoke in a tone that was hard to decipher.

Akira footsteps came to an abrupt halt in the quiet passage, a look of surprise flashing across his face.

Hisoka said he might need his help later?

After a moment of thought, Akira suddenly remembered a certain movie from Hunter × Hunter. If it was really about that... Maybe it wasn't entirely out of the question?

Seeing Akira stop, Hisoka knew things were probably settled!

.....

After a long while, the passage was left with only Hisoka standing there, Akira long gone.

"Sigh... the Dark Sonata, huh..."

"This is going to keep me busy..." Hisoka lips twitched slightly, his eyelids drooping as he spoke with a hint of resignation.

Meanwhile, Akira, who was no longer there, chuckled to himself, recalling their conversation.

'You, Hisoka, want my help? Sure. But you're not expecting me to work for free, are you?'

'I, Akira, don't need money. You can keep it.'

So the condition Akira gave Hisoka was—information about the Dark Sonata!

For someone like Akira, who "doesn't need money," cash is the most useless thing. He wanted to get his hands on a Dark Sonata to see if Gengar could absorb the death energy from it! And if it could, how much experience would it gain?

How much strength would it increase?

That's what Akira wanted to know.

Since absorbing death energy is the same regardless, Akira didn't specify which movement of the Dark Sonata he wanted—as long as it was real. To Akira, Hisoka was just a tool to help him find the Dark Sonata.

By the time the Pokémon is hatched, the Dark Sonata will be in hand.

It's a win-win! He wins twice.

At the same time, considering the time factor, if it's too short, Hisoka won't be able to get it, and if it's too long, Akira can't wait. So, a one-year time limit was set, as long as Hisoka informed him within the next year. Akira believed that Hisoka wouldn't do something as suicidal as using him and then running away.

Hisoka himself was well aware of this, which is why he felt a bit of pressure. After all, even just information related to the Dark Sonata wasn't easy to come by. He still wanted to harvest fruits for a few more years and couldn't afford to die at Akira hands.

A few days later, during the days when Akira challenged the floor master and caused a huge uproar, a spiky-haired kid and his silver-haired friend also arrived here.

As in the original storyline, the two met Zushi and their "Nen instructor—Wing."

"Look, Gon, it's Akira." Killua, sipping juice, patted Gon shoulder and gestured toward the TV nearby. Gon obediently turned his head and saw the screen showing Akira "displaying his might" as he defeated Sally.

"Really! Akira has come to Heaven's Arena too!" Listening to their excited conversation, Wing, who was beside them, asked in disbelief.

"You actually know the legendary Akira?"

Gon was stunned for a moment, then confidently replied.

"Yeah, Akira is a friend we met during the Hunter Exam."

After Wing explanation, Gon and Killua finally realized that Akira had been here for several days already. And he had already accomplished one feat after another!

People had crowned him with the title of "Legend"!

Later, just before reaching the 200th floor, Gon and Killua successfully opened their aura nodes under Wing guidance. They mastered the first of the four major principles of Nen—"Ten."

"Gon!"

"Yeah, let's go!"

When they arrived at the 200th floor, what greeted their eyes was none other than the "Fruit Farmer" Hisoka!

Gon and Killua stood on one side of the hallway, while Hisoka was on the other. Ordinary people would only feel an unusually chilling coldness in the hallway. Only Nen users know—the entire area was now filled with Hisoka malicious aura!

Bracing against the storm-like malevolent aura, Gon and Killua maintained their "Ten" state. They let their aura flow smoothly like blood, which helped them successfully approach Hisoka.

Seeing this, Hisoka was extremely satisfied and praised them a few words before walking away with his signature cat-like stride. It was clear he was in a good mood. Because of Illumi, Killua wasn't quite his fruit yet, but Gon was different.

The fruit farmer was delighted... and excited to see his fruit growing stronger!

After passing Hisoka test, Gon and Killua couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief, but this was only their first step into the world of Nen. The road ahead was still long~

Impatient, Gon immediately dragged Killua to the counter to register for a match. Completely ignoring Wing advice, tossing his words to the wind. Gon was eager to experience how much the fighting style would change after the 200th floor.

"Hey, see those two kids?"

"Hehehe... this time, I definitely won't misjudge!" The trio of losers slowly emerged from the corner, their gaze toward Gon and Killua extremely eerie. It was as if they were looking at a fish already on the chopping board, ready to be slaughtered.

At the same time, Killua also sensed the malevolent aura from the three and startled, quickly pulled Gon aside to dissuade him. It was still too early for the two of them to fight those people!

They possessed abilities that the two of them had yet to master!

Killua words were very fair and rational. However, he had a stubborn partner who insisted on hitting the wall head-on.

"Ahem!" Akira walked over from the other side of the passage and frowned upon seeing a large crowd gathered around the counter.

"Hey! It's that guy!"

"What are you standing around for? Run!!"

The previously arrogant trio of losers, who had been acting high and mighty in front of Gon and Killua, were instantly startled by Akira cough.

Their souls nearly flew out of their bodies!

Afraid of disturbing this big shot, they quickly ran away.

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