HxH: I Will Be Supreme

On his way back to Heaven's Arena, a playful expression crossed Oboro's face.

The streets and crowds before him suddenly became distorted and blurred in his vision.

Someone was following him, carelessly releasing their aura accompanied by bloodlust, attempting to pressure him.

This person was deliberately making their presence known... a challenge.

"Heh."

He countered with his own aura, smiled softly, and turned into a remote, dark alley.

Reaching a dead end, he slowly turned to face a gorgeous woman in high heels who had been trailing him.

"You are indeed a Nen user..." The woman examined Oboro with unveiled interest, speaking casually, "I thought so... ordinary fighters, no matter how refined their techniques, can't defeat opponents within ten seconds every single time."

"Something you'd like to ask?" Oboro kept his hands in his pockets, maintaining his composure, "I'm happy to offer guidance."

"Quite arrogant... However, as a newcomer who just reached the 200th floor, you seem unaware of your situation. The fighters above the 200th floor aren't the weaklings you faced before... Once you step into that ring, death is a very real possibility... You read the regulations when registering, didn't you?" The woman raised her hand to stroke her fiery red hair, deliberately provocative.

Her slit dress, reminiscent of a cheongsam, revealed long, elegant legs.

"I've heard plenty of threats like that... Are you here to warn me, or hoping for a preview before our match?"

Indeed, the woman before him was Oboro's next scheduled opponent.

"I want you to withdraw."

The woman's expression turned cold.

"And if I refuse..."

Oboro rolled his neck casually.

"Then I'll have to kill you here..." the woman declared, spreading her hands.

Aura flowed from her palms, and as she moved, more than ten tiny doll like figures dropped to the ground.

"Conjuration..."

He narrowed his eyes.

He had already gathered information about the woman. Her name was Jinsha, currently holding a record of 4 wins and 3 losses.

The rules above Heaven's Arena's 200th floor were different.

They operated on a 'combat application system.'

Each Nen user had a 90 day preparation period, they must participate in a match within that timeframe or face elimination. Achieving ten victories earned the right to challenge a Floor Master. Conversely, four losses meant disqualification.

If the woman wanted to maintain her position on the 200th floor, she had to defeat Oboro. With three losses already, she stood on dangerous ground.

The cluster of dolls on the ground began moving toward Oboro like puppets.

Nen abilities could manifest in strange and varied ways... For now, Oboro couldn't determine the exact nature of these toys.

"You have ten seconds... answer me, my patience grows thin!"

The woman blew Oboro a kiss, her words seductive yet lethal, "If a handsome young man like you died here, I'd be devastated... Besides, you've just reached the 200th floor, plenty of opportunities await... Skip this fight, consider it... a valuable lesson."

"You're that confident in your victory?"

He couldn't help but laugh.

In the next instant, he transformed into a dark blur, lunging forward.

His hand shot from his pocket straight toward the woman's face.

*Swish!*

However, as his attack neared her face, a sharp glint of metal flashed, forcing him to alter his trajectory and retreat.

After regaining his footing, he saw a doll wielding miniature scissors, floating down from above... repeatedly clicking its weapon.

Oboro raised his arm, noting a clean cut through his cuff. Had he reacted any slower... his wrist would have been struck.

"Ahahahaha!"

Seeing Oboro's momentary confusion, the woman doubled over laughing, "You're still too green, thinking you could catch me off guard? I've studied your matches... You're strong, your physical abilities are impressive, but against my Nen ability, those advantages mean nothing! No matter how explosive your power, how terrifying your strength, how blinding your speed... You'll never touch me!"

With a subtle gesture of her fingers, she commanded, "My children, help mother eliminate him!"

The dolls accelerated... stumbling toward Oboro.

"Though their movements appear sluggish... they intercepted me instantly... Moreover, with my speed and aura control, this woman shouldn't have been able to track me... The dolls react autonomously, automated defenders..."

His mind raced.

He smiled.

Nen abilities truly were fascinating and profound...

*Whoosh whoosh whoosh...*

Before Oboro could launch another attack, the dolls suddenly shot upward, their speed completely belying their awkward walking postures.

Their impacts left cratered holes in the alley walls.

Each doll had unique features and weaponry... suggesting different roles and functions.

He began weaving through the storm of afterimages.

His aura perception made it difficult for these conjured toys to harm him... However, their sheer number combined with the alley's confined space left Oboro somewhat frustrated.

Several times he attempted to break through the dolls' siege to subdue the woman directly, failing each attempt.

Once... he managed to close within a meter of her, his fist nearly feeling the warmth of her aura, only to be intercepted at the crucial moment by a doll brandishing a comb.

Though he knocked the doll away with a punch, the woman had recovered her composure, face pale with fright.

After retreating, Oboro found himself once again surrounded by the mechanical toys, letting out a measured breath.

The dolls' speed and attacks intensified...

Eventually, Oboro could no longer completely evade, his suit beginning to show cuts.

But there was no blood... This diverged from the woman's expectations.

Only his clothing sustained damage.

"Even Nen enhanced attacks can't inflict real harm?"

The woman began to panic, struggling to maintain her confidence.

As long as a target remained trapped by her dolls, eventually... they would exhaust themselves.

Moreover, even when struck or damaged, her dolls recovered quickly.

This was precisely why she had developed this ability.

"Give up... You can't win. Accept defeat gracefully. I'll grant you a quick death to minimize your suffering." The woman's words attempted to crack Oboro's psychological defenses.

Her words seemed effective, the figure that had been engaging the dolls suddenly halted.

"Finally... reached your limit?!"

The woman's delight spilled into her voice.

But... her smile froze instantly.

Horror dawned.

It was like witnessing a supernatural phenomenon.

Oboro stood calmly as the dolls struck with their weapons, their attacks forming black lines as they targeted vital points across his body chest, forehead, skull, even groin...

He simply stood... allowing the dolls to assault him.

Their weapons created a constant metallic clanging, like striking solid steel.

Not a single hair nor thread of clothing showed damage.

Completely unlike his earlier panicked evasion and torn garments.

"How... how is this possible?!"

The woman's mind reeled.

She couldn't comprehend.

Her dolls... had dominated the entire fight, nearly cornering him!

Why had her Nen suddenly lost all effect?

"You seem to misunderstand... I was merely playing along. You didn't actually believe you could kill me, did you?" Oboro met her gaze with a smile: "To be frank, I simply wanted to gauge your capabilities... To understand your ability thoroughly."

"Your Nen ability... isn't bad."

Oboro spoke as if lecturing: "When developing Nen abilities, everyone adapts them to their characteristics and preferences... For instance, you lack physical combat ability, can't engage in close quarters, and your basic aura control is mediocre. So... you know your limitations well. These dolls were conjured primarily for protection... Therefore, ensuring your safety is their absolute directive. They can counter any attack against you without fail. This is automatic and absolute! No matter the speed or power of the attack, their defense or counter is guaranteed... However, this 'perfect defense' comes with significant costs..."

"First, their offensive and defensive capabilities have strict limits. Once an attack's power exceeds their threshold, your ability becomes useless."

"Second, each doll serves a specific role and function. They form a coordinated team that operates autonomously... In other words, while this saves you from direct combat, it also stunts your personal growth. The ability is too rigid... It has numerous weaknesses. Clearly, you didn't consider these when developing it. You simply sought the path of least resistance."

"Perhaps you're simply too weak... unable to develop this ability to its full potential or perfect it."

"Moreover, you lack fundamental understanding of Nen's nature. The concept is sound, but it's merely one approach to Nen application. There are many advanced Nen techniques... none of which you've properly studied."

As Oboro spoke, he walked leisurely toward the woman.

A doll with scissors flew at him, its blade appearing to pierce his eye socket.

Looking closely, one could see the scissors... held at bay by concentrated aura around his eyes.

"See... this is one of many Nen techniques. Not simply wrapping aura around the body, it's far more sophisticated than mere 'enhancement.'" Oboro gestured to his eyes, speaking warmly.

The woman's pupils contracted as she stumbled backward...

She couldn't process Oboro's words, her extremities growing numb with fear.

"I can think of at least ten ways to counter your ability... this is merely the simplest." After speaking, Oboro removed his suit jacket, infusing it with his aura.

Like a net, it enveloped all ten dolls.

The fabric instantly hardened, trapping the toys within.

"Observe."

Oboro lifted the squirming bundle, grinning at the woman, "Better to control conjured 'weapons' directly, too easy to neutralize otherwise... You chose the worst approach. Sometimes... simpler is better. Losing your weapons can be fatal."

"Of course, you could try conjuring more... but... that takes time. Even a second's delay can mean death."

"AHHHHH!"

The woman finally broke, screaming as she fled in panic.

This fear was primal... instinctive terror from her very soul!

She had never encountered such a situation fighting another Nen user... In mere minutes... he had completely dissected her ability.

It revealed an unfathomable gulf between their levels!

She... would die here!

Beyond the alley... lay busy streets and sunlight... her only hope!

If she reached the crowd, perhaps... perhaps... he would spare her before witnesses.

Even Nen users hesitated to kill in broad daylight before crowds.

Besides, Oboro was now a celebrity...

The woman ran desperately.

Suddenly, a burning palm touched her cheek from behind, fingers applying pressure to cover half her face.

"Shh..."

The man leaned close, whispering in her ear: "Don't run... I haven't finished... I'm teaching you valuable lessons..."

"Mmph... mmph..."

Between his fingers, the woman's eyes filled with terror as tears flowed.

But her mouth remained covered.

"Don't cry... Don't fear, I won't harm you... Besides, you initiated this by threatening to kill me..."

In the alley's shadow, Oboro stood behind the woman, his voice gentle and soothing.

His tone remained calm, but his fingers steadily increased pressure on her face.

The woman's facial bones began to deform, her expression twisted in agony, yet... she couldn't call for help from the outside world.

She raised her arms, mere meters from the street, fingers reaching desperately for sunlight and passing figures... praying someone would notice.

But in this moment, those few short meters might as well be miles.

Despair... suffocating despair!

"Let's... have a proper discussion."

Behind the woman, half his face visible, he smiled and pulled her back into darkness.