Chapter 17: Do you like acting?

At the same time, in another room.

Two people were watching all of Oboro's matches on video.

A blonde girl in a puffy skirt sat at the head of the bed, swinging her feet... she looked somewhat unsatisfied.

Biscuit held her cheeks with both hands, speaking like a young girl immersed in fascination, "Great! I didn't expect such an excellent prospect would appear in Heaven's Arena... If this valuable rough stone can be properly polished, it could become an extraordinarily gorgeous gem."

After her exclamation, she looked at her student Wing standing beside her and asked with a smile, "What did you observe?"

Wing pushed up his glasses and shook his head. "He finished the matches too quickly. He defeated his opponents right after the referee started the match... That kind of explosive speed and power... is simply terrifying. The rest..."

"Well... you're right. His fights rely purely on overwhelming physical strength... There's no refined technique at all." Biscuit nodded, using the remote to rewind the screen before pausing. "Look here, his attacks utilize the explosive power of his lower body for instantaneous acceleration to close in on his opponents... Now look at his hands... Do you notice anything unusual?"

"It seems... the skin on his palms is rougher? More developed?" Wing observed carefully before responding tentatively.

"Simply put, this man's body exists on an entirely different level from other fighters. They might as well be different species... Moreover, he must have mastered some form of martial arts focusing on palm strikes. Though he wears clothes, judging from his movements, his musculature is exceptionally dense and powerful... He likely has training in defensive body hardening techniques as well. It's unfortunate that since his arrival, no one has managed to force him to reveal his true capabilities." When it came to physical enhancement, Biscuit was an expert.

She could spot such details instantly.

"Additionally... he's fought numerous matches, yet his method of victory remains unchanged... Using the same technique once or twice is one thing, but to succeed with it repeatedly... Aren't the other fighters cautious? No... Everyone wants to win, and none of them are fools. In his matches above the 100th floor, you can see his opponents were on guard... Yet they still fell for it. Why?"

Biscuit looked at her apprentice expectantly.

"The physical disparity is like an ordinary person facing a bullet. Even if they see it coming, their bodies simply can't react fast enough to avoid it."

Wing considered before answering.

But Biscuit wagged her finger and said, "That's only part of it... You haven't noticed the crucial element."

"Crucial element?"

Wing was puzzled.

Biscuit adjusted the playback again.

On the screen, Oboro's figure left an afterimage, creating a blur of movement.

Biscuit stepped forward, pointing at the blurred shadow, and asked, "Tell me... within this few centimeter long afterimage, where is his actual position?"

"Following normal logic, he should be at the front..."

Wing muttered.

"Look more carefully."

Biscuit made no move to explain further.

After a while, cold sweat broke out on Wing's forehead as his eyes narrowed.

He couldn't tell...

When his master deliberately or unconsciously blocked Oboro's shadow with her finger... he felt as if there was only empty space in the ring.

The afterimage seemed nonexistent.

His senses provided... no feedback whatsoever.

"Now you understand... This Oboro is a master at concealing and manipulating his aura. His body is like a deadly bullet, but what's more lethal is that you can't even perceive this bullet..." Biscuit's jewel colored eyes regarded Oboro in the footage with slight bewilderment, "He reminds me of someone, very familiar..."

"Who?"

Wing asked.

"Chairman Netero."

"He doesn't just conceal his aura, the truly remarkable aspect is how he transforms it... You see, a person's aura is connected to their physical condition, mental state, life force, and more. Concealment can be achieved through training, but... complete transformation requires exploration, observation, understanding, and sensation... experiencing the energy of all living things and grasping the essence of life itself."

"Even you can't do this, Master?"

Wing was astonished.

Biscuit shook her head: "I could probably manage it, but it would take an absurdly long time... To reach this level, one's mind must be exceptionally pure and devoted to pursuing perfection! Of course, Oboro's level is far below Chairman Netero's, but achieving even this glimpse of understanding at his age is already incredible!"

Wing swallowed hard, his heart racing.

As an inheritor of Shingen ryu, he clearly understood the weight of his master's words.

Though Oboro stood leagues behind Chairman Netero, the mere fact that Biscuit mentioned them in the same breath spoke volumes.

"Oh, and I should mention... this person must be a Nen user... To have such mastery over aura, one must possess an extremely thorough understanding and familiarity with Nen. Basic Nen techniques must be child's play for him." After turning off the TV, Biscuit clapped her hands and laughed.

"You seem excited about the prospect of me getting taught a lesson..."

Wing smiled wryly.

"Well, I wouldn't put it that way... I just saw a handsome boy with potential and couldn't help getting a bit excited."

Biscuit affected a shy expression, her eyes twinkling, "Well... your chances of winning are indeed quite low. First, your physical capabilities are far inferior to his. Second, beyond his aura concealment and transformation, his sensory abilities must be extraordinary! In other words, you won't be able to hide your movements from him. Still, facing him will benefit your growth. Just prepare well... Don't stress too much, you can always forfeit if needed..."

"..."

Wing was speechless.

After saying this, Biscuit hopped up and skipped toward the door.

"Where are you going?"

Wing asked.

"Such an interesting person... naturally, I have to meet him..."

Biscuit closed the door behind her without looking back.

Wing remained alone, releasing a soft sigh.

Then, he turned the TV back on...

...

*Knock knock knock.*

Oboro had just finished showering.

Someone was knocking at the door. Wearing a white bathrobe, he peered outside... it wasn't an arena staff member.

Besides, it was already late.

An unusual aura... very powerful...

Oboro approached and opened the door, his expression neutral.

In the doorway stood a shy girl with rosy cheeks. She appeared to be twelve or thirteen years old... cute and endearing, with large pink eyes that blinked innocently.

"..."

Oboro's interest was piqued.

They recognized each other instantly.

Biscuit!

That ancient woman masquerading as a young girl.

Thinking of his upcoming match with Wing, Oboro allowed a faint smile.

"Who are you looking for?"

Oboro asked, despite knowing the answer.

"Hello, big brother... My name is Biscuit, and I'm your fan... Sorry... I know it's late... I... really like you..." Biscuit acted like a lovesick girl, fidgeting with her fingers as she spoke, her innocent eyes sparkling, trying to charm Oboro with her cutesy demeanor.

"Oh... would you like an autograph?"

Oboro played along.

Though Biscuit's disguise was skillful, her eyes kept darting to Oboro's exposed form... When she glimpsed the defined muscles beneath his bathrobe, she secretly wiped away a bit of drool.

"I like you so much... I really, really like you... Big brother, will you be my boyfriend?"

The next instant, Oboro's entire body tensed. Biscuit suddenly lunged forward, wrapping her arms around him and burying her face against his abdomen, nuzzling against him repeatedly.

"..."

Surreal.

Biscuit then lifted her cute face, gazing up at Oboro with large, dewy eyes, awaiting his response.

Her expression suggested she might burst into tears at any moment if rejected.

Seeing Oboro's silence, Biscuit's voice grew slightly choked: "Actually... I'm dying soon... I have a terminal illness, and the doctors say I don't have long... Before I die, I want to fulfill my final wish, which is to be with the person I love... Big brother, will you grant my wish?"

Internally amused, Oboro nodded warmly, "Alright, no problem... Thank you for your affection. It's my honor to be your boyfriend!"

"Waaah... I'm so happy!"

Biscuit pretended to be deeply moved, though few tears actually appeared.

"His profile lists him as 18 years old. Indeed... easy to deceive!"

The thought flashed through Biscuit's mind.

Naturally, she held no genuine romantic interest in Oboro, but this young man intrigued her greatly, prompting her to investigate him more thoroughly.

What was Oboro's background?

Who was his master?

These questions... she wanted answers.

"Would you like to come in and chat?"

Oboro smiled, extending the invitation.

"May I?"

"Mm."

"Wonderful..."

Biscuit entered Oboro's suite, immediately scanning every corner for potentially valuable clues.

*Click.*

Suddenly, Biscuit heard the door being locked, and her heart skipped a beat.

While closing the door was normal, locking it... something felt off.

She turned to find Oboro had removed his bathrobe, wearing only shorts, his expression cold.

"Ah!"

Biscuit screamed, staying in character by covering her eyes with both hands, exclaiming in panic: "Big brother... what... what are you doing?"

Could this Oboro be a predator?!

"No need to be so formal... we're boyfriend and girlfriend now, so why not undress? Or... shall I help you?" Oboro approached calmly, forcefully grabbing one of Biscuit's arms.

He seemed to transform into a different person entirely.

"Ah! Big brother... You're hurting me, please let go..."

Biscuit maintained her act while secretly preparing to strike.

Mentally, she was already marking Oboro as despicable... terrible impression!

She had initially viewed him as a promising rough stone, approaching him with interest, but now... Biscuit had lost all interest.

No matter how great the potential, such character flaws rendered it worthless.

"Drop the act. Aren't you tired? I'm exhausted just watching..."

Biscuit suddenly heard a calm voice.

"This is the contestants' residential area. At this late hour, a young girl shows up claiming to be my fan, without parental supervision... Don't you find that rather implausible?"

"Moreover, I invited you inside and you entered without hesitation... That's not how a girl your apparent age would behave."

"Please... put more effort into your performance..."

As Oboro spoke, he increased the pressure on Biscuit's wrist.

The fair skin of Biscuit's wrist began to deform slightly.

*Bang!*

Suddenly, they seemed to collide before instantly separating.

Biscuit easily leaped backward, landing three meters away.

Oboro raised his arm, examining the bruised and swollen flesh of his forearm with narrowed eyes.

This old woman's peculiar strength... was extraordinary!

He had already activated his body hardening technique defensively, yet the struck areas still sustained damage.

His entire arm felt numb and sore.

Moreover, this blow was delivered while Biscuit maintained her girlish appearance, without reverting to her muscular true form.

No Nen techniques were used, purely physical combat.

Meanwhile, Biscuit reset her dislocated wrist.

"You're different from what I imagined... I thought you were good natured, but you're actually quite cruel... Not even gentle with girls." Biscuit pouted complainingly.

She realized Oboro wasn't a predator, he had deliberately been testing her.

He had seen through her deception from the start...

Simultaneously, she was quite surprised... She hadn't held back with that punch, intending to teach this scoundrel a lesson.

Unexpectedly, the damage inflicted was far less than anticipated.

"Girls?"

Oboro lowered his arm and stared at Biscuit: "Given your apparent age, even with training from birth and exceptional talent, it would be impossible to develop such physical strength... Judging by that punch, it would take decades of training to reach that level."

"So... may I assume your true age far exceeds your appearance?"

"Is it your Nen ability that maintains this form?"

Biscuit's expression suddenly changed, her pupils contracting to pinpoints.

She hadn't revealed anything... Yet from just one exchange, one confrontation, Oboro had analyzed all this?

What kind of frightening insight was this?

A chill ran down Biscuit's spine... She realized with shock that the man before her wasn't merely unusual, he was terrifying.

She needed to be careful!

Observing Biscuit's changing expression, Oboro remained perfectly composed.

The old woman naturally had no idea of his background...

"Never mind you. Even if Netero himself came, I could still see through his disguise..."