We Belong in Two Different Worlds [Hunter x Hunter]

[Chapter 3]: Strength Training and Nen

"Hey, Kiku, come with me" Chrollo called out her. She doesn't know what he wants, but followed anyway.

"Remember when I said you were number 12? Let's tattoo that onto your body. Where do you want it?" He asked

Kiku thought about it and decided she wanted it on her lower left rib. She lifted up her shirt slightly and pointed to that area. 

Chrollo hovered his hand over it and something warm with a little pain and sizzle latched onto her skin. After he removed his hand, there was a spider with a number 12 in the middle of it.

"Welcome to the troupe" He cheered. "Now, go find Nobunaga to help you begin training"

Kiku looked around searching for the samurai, but couldn't feel his presence. She looked all over until Franklin decided to help the poor child and pointed to the corner that she thought she already searched. Nobunaga was meditating with his sword in front of him. There was this energy around him that she could feel, but couldn't pin point what it was. Kiku wasn't sure if she should disturb his meditation or not, but attempted anyway.

"Nobu-chan, Chrollo told me to find you so you can help me get stronger." In an instant, there was this dark energy that overwhelmed the room and Kiku lost strength in her knees. She shivered and was unable to talk or move.

"Kid, what did you just call me? From now on, you must call me sensei" he spoke with venom through his teeth. Nobunaga was a prideful man and couldn't stand this little girl being cutesy with him.

"Yes, sensei" She squeaked.

"Well kid, you look like you could break into two pieces with a small push. Before we begin training with Nen, find Uvo to strengthen your body" He ordered

"Sensei, what's nen?" She asked

"Not important right now, first go to Uvo, and until you can lift him up, don't come find me to train"

At least Uvo wouldn't be as uptight as Nobu-chan Kiku thought

Kiku walked to Uvo, only to find him sleeping. She poked at him and he swatted her hand away. She tried again and then time he grabbed her thin wrists and threw her to the other side hitting the wall. The sound of the slam was able to wake Uvo from his slumber.

"Oops, runt, what are you doing here?" He asked

"Nobu-chan asked for you to teach me strength and endurance training." She quietly explained. Uvo was trying to suppress his laugher from the way Kiku said Nobu-chan.

"I thought you'd never ask. Let's begin right away. 50 pushups right here right now." He pointed at the concrete floor. Kiku got in position, but her skeleton arms were already shaking. She did one, then two, then three. By ten, she broke out in exhaustion and sweat. This wasn't something she was able to do as this was the first time she ever even exercised. She continued though, because she wanted to get stronger.

To get stronger...

That thought lingered in her mind and she pushed through the 50 pushups. At 50, her arms collapsed and kept shaking.

"That took way too long runt, do 50 more sit-ups and run around the building 10 times. Come find me when you're done." He instructed and left the room with a wave. 

Kiku stared at the ground while her arm was still shaking. She started doing the situps; it wasn't as bad, and made her way outside. Running around the building 10 times; that was basically a 5k run.

It took a whooping 45 minutes. Too slow, way too slow. she thought. 

Kiku walked back to Uvo to inform him that she finished.

"Runt, that'll be all today. You look like you're going to break into little pieces. Tomorrow we'll resume and it will be 5 times more than today." Uvo snickered

Kiku's legs were still shaking and almost unable to support her weight. But with her current state and rate of improvement, she knew she wouldn't be able strong quickly. Although still in pain, she continued to do the basic sit-up and pushup motion until she passed out from exhaustion. Machi walked into the training room to see a sleeping Kiku. She smiled and then picked her up and headed to her room.

"Silly girl, you're over doing it" She whispered to Kiku, and left her to sleep on her bed.

This rigorous training period lasted a month, each day harder than the day before with more equipment. By the end of the month, Kiku was able to lift up Uvo who weight more than 150kg. No one in the troupe thought she would be able to do it after just a month since she was still just a little girl.

Nobunaga looked at her and nodded.

"Since you have the bottom line strength needed right now, I'll teach you the basics of nen. Come over here." He instructed with a wave of a hand. They were outside behind the building and Nobunaga got out a rusty wine cup and filled it water. Then, picked a leaf off of the nearest tree. He placed the leaf on top of the water and told Kiku to place her hand around the cup. Ice cubes began to form.

"Hm, well you're a conjurer. That makes it slightly easier. Say, kid, what do you want for a weapon?" He asked

Kiku thought about it. Something small so her frame would be able to handle it with ease.

"How about a fan?" Nobunaga suggested. It was small and a deadly weapon if used with martial arts. Kiku nodded 

"A fan it is then. Here," Nobunaga pulled out a fan from no where, "Study this and memorize until you can make one from your nen."

Kiku spent hours each day observing the fan; in 10 days time, she was able to conjure one. Nobunaga was skillful in martial arts and guide her through the processes of using a weapon for defense and offense along with the training of agility.

She completed her nen training in three months. During the three months, she received help from Machi, Uvo, Nobunaga, Franklin and even Feitan who taught her how to torture her opponents. Pakunoda helped Kiku with basic knowledge and academic studies while Chrollo observed her in her improvements, but he was usually out of the hideout.

A year went by like a breath of air and the Phantom Troupe decided it was time to leave Meteor City and go into the mainlands to search for treasure.