"I object! Moritonio actually took in that boy of unknown origin!"
"Hisoka is different from Hazeand Abaki. At least those two are sowhat useful to the troupe and obedient… But Hisoka though he's always smiling sothing about him just rubs the wrong way!"
"Belize, don't be like that. You know, I used to be a thief disguised as a cobbler back in the day. And you, didn't you also live holess for a while and even sleep in a public restroom?"
In a dimly lit room, the circus leader sat on a sofa, discussing matters with one of his key perforrs.
The man nad Belize was plump, with a ridiculous haircut and garish clothing that perfectly suited the circus aesthetic.
"That was a Haze ti ago. Besides… we've received an invitation from Royal Gram! This is huge for us! We could beco overnight stars, famous across the entire Ubian continent! The guests include not only the mayor but also many nobles. They're very strict when it cos to evaluating perforrs! What if… because of that Hisoka kid, they revoke the invitation?"
Belize snorted in frustration.
"The Royal Gram show is in two months. Worrying about it now seems a little unnecessary," the captain said, folding his hands to calm him down.
The fat man was about to argue further when Moritonio's gaze shifted to two figures erging from the upstairs corridor.
It was Hazeand Hisoka.
The two young n stood side by side one expressionless, the other smiling faintly. It was clear they'd overheard the conversation.
"You're not exactly subtle… talking like that," Hazesaid dryly, hands in his pockets.
"It can't be helped. These people are just too hostile toward ," Hisoka replied with a mocking smile.
"You should probably reflect on your own behavior first," Hazeshot back bluntly.
"I envy you, you know. Everyone's so kind to you," Hisoka said, studying Haze's profile with unreadable eyes.
"Behind you…"
Before Belize could continue, the captain coughed lightly in warning.
Belize froze, turned around, and finally noticed the two boys watching.
Hisoka locked eyes with him, crouched down, leaned against the railing, waved his hand cheerfully, and said, "Your performance just now was amazing!"
"Hmph!"
Belize clearly didn't appreciate the complint. He spat on the floor and stord off.
"Oh dear, did I upset him?" Hisoka murmured, not to Belize, but toward the captain with playful eyes.
"Hisoka," Moritonio suddenly asked, "do you know any magic tricks?"
Haze's heart tightened.
As a Nen user, the captain's perception was razor sharp. Even though Hisoka hid it well, he had been quietly observing everyone's techniques since joining. His behavior hinted at a depth beyond re curiosity.
This constant alertness it was born of a particular kind of upbringing.
That, among other things, was what intrigued Moritonio about him.
Despite his lean fra, Hisoka possessed remarkable flexibility, reflexes, and strength. The fact that he didn't flaunt them didn't an the captain hadn't noticed.
And Hisoka wasn't the only one.
Haze's transformation had also been astonishing.
Still, from the mont Moritonio t Hisoka, he'd had a gut feeling an intuition only a Nen user would understand that this boy wasn't ordinary.
Haze's developnt, anwhile, had only accelerated after their arrival in Gramgarans.
The captain didn't know who was teaching Haze, or why he had changed so suddenly. But at least for now, the boy didn't seem intent on leaving the troupe.
Perhaps because they lived together, the two teenagers seed relatively close during the week.
When Hisoka was shunned by everyone else, Hazewas the only one willing to interact with him.
In response to Moritonio's question, Hisoka raised his hand and from the shadow of his sleeve appeared a deck of cards.
With a flick of his fingers, the cards spun into motion, dazzling the room with color and precision.
"Really now?"
With a sharp whistle, Hisoka stopped, held five cards between his fingers, and snap! they vanished instantly.
"…"
Moritonio was silent, clearly impressed.
"Incredible… You're more skilled than I am. Who taught you that?"
"My mother," Hisoka said smoothly, "she's got very nimble fingers."
Hazestayed calm, but he could sll the lie behind that easy smile.
"Very well," Moritonio said. "Keep practicing."
"Of course."
Just then, Abaki approached, glancing at Hazeand Hisoka before turning to the captain.
"Captain."
"Let's go," Neo said, rising and leaving with the girl.
Seeing this, Hazeimdiately understood the captain was taking Abaki to practice telekinesis.
"Looks like you'll be performing soon. Congratulations," Hazesaid flatly, averting his gaze as he walked away.
Hisoka didn't answer. He simply pulled a Two of Spades from his deck, pressed it to his lips, and let out a low, eerie laugh that echoed in the empty hall.
Most of the Moritonio Circus mbers were drawn to the captain including Abaki.
However, the girl's introverted nature ant she rarely interacted with either Hazeor Hisoka.
During this period, Hazehad not stopped refining his body.
In addition to strengthening his physique, he had begun learning traditional Chinese martial arts.
Every day left him utterly exhausted; he barely managed a few hours of sleep.
Between training, rehearsing, and performing, the pace was brutal.
But Hazeknew he had to endure it.
If he couldn't withstand even this much, how could he ever hope to beco soone truly powerful?
Perhaps because of that exhaustion, his smiles beca rarer, and his deanor grew colder.
The one good thing was that Hisoka had stopped following him.
He had trailed Hazefor a few days, then lost interest and vanished.
That suited Hazejust fine.
Hisoka's absence was… a relief.
It wasn't Haze before Hisoka's chance to perform finally arrived.
One of the troupe mbers made a mistake during a show and twisted his ankle.
The captain personally nad Hisoka as the replacent.
The injured perforr glared at Hisoka with open hatred.
"It's just a minor sprain! I'll recover in a few days!" he protested, but the captain's tone made it clear Hisoka was taking his place.
"Idiot!" the man spat, throwing his hat to the ground. Cursing, he was led away by his peers.
As a result, the troupe's resentnt toward Hisoka only deepened.
Hisoka, however, remained perfectly calm.
His debut performance was smooth, elegant, and captivating the applause he received was even louder than that of the man he replaced.
"Captain… could Hisoka be connected to the mafia? After all, we did find him bleeding on the street,"
"If Belize's guess is right…"
The next day, in a quiet room, Moritonio sat with a tall glass in hand, sipping his wine slowly.
Before him, Abaki stood drenched in sweat, fists clenched as she practiced basic telekinesis.
Her ntal focus wavered.
"Abaki… calm down. Your energy is a ss," the captain cautioned gently.
Clearly, the girl was anxious about the upcoming Royal Gram performance.
This opportunity ant everything to the troupe.
For so, it was fa and money.
But for Abaki, it was sothing deeper she feared anything that might endanger the circus itself.
She was deeply grateful to the captain, who had taken her in and even taught her how to read.
She didn't hate Hisoka… but she feared he might bring disaster.
The circus was their ho, and she couldn't bear to see it fall apart.
"I can't just abandon soone who has nowhere to go," Neo said kindly.
"Abaki… you and Hisoka are the sa age. Try to get aHaze with him."
"His magic… is astonishing," Neo added after a pause.
"…"
Abaki froze.
It was rare to hear the captain personally praise anyone.
Even among the bravest senior mbers, he had never spoken such words.
"Get aHaze with him…?"
The image of Hisoka's smiling face flashed through her mind.
(End of Chapter)
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