chapter 5

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15 February 1997

I meditate by taking deep breaths. My aura radiates from my body and creates an En field. The rustling of the plants around me is particularly soothing and relaxing. My aura comes into contact with the plants in a special way and helps me to establish a deeper connection with nature. Even a few birds land on me.

All this peaceful moment is interrupted by the disturbing sound of an alarm. I slowly open my eyes as the birds above me scare away. 

It was time for my fight today. My last fight on the 190th floor. If I won this fight, I would move up to the 200th floor. Looking at the greenhouse around me, I couldn't help but feel a little proud. I had spent the last few months building this greenhouse. Almost all the money from my fights had been spent here. It covers an area of about 20 square kilometres. Not only does it have artificial rivers running through it, but I had also tried to grow all the plant species I could find here. My goal was simple: to create a place where I could hybridise and crossbreed the plants best suited to my plant manipulation skills. My only failure in these few months was not being able to establish a dojo. There were very strict requirements for establishing a dojo in Heavens City. One had to be a fighter at least on the 200th floor of the heavens arena. Even then it couldn't be a full dojo. They could have a maximum of 30 students. A very low number considering that some dojos in Heavens City had hundreds or thousands of students. To establish a real dojo, you had to become a floor master. I know in the anime the heavens arena didn't seem that powerful, but in this world it wasn't. Heavens city and heavens arena had enough military power to maintain their status as autonomous entities. The source of this military power was the dojos and floor masters. The 200th floor of the Heavens arena was a very complex place. However, it could generally be divided into two groups. The first group were the rookie killers and the second group were the true elites. Rookie killers are parasites who are often crippled by 'rookie baptism' and target rookies or weak fighters to fight in easier fights, thus producing more rookie killers. This created a vicious circle, constantly lowering the average of the fighters.

There were also people who knew nen even before they came to the heavens arena and students of dojos in the city of heavens. 

About 12 of the 21 floor masters are masters of these dojos. The rest are loners or lucky rookies who rose from scratch. For example, Hisoka and Chrollo and Zushi. The following order can be used to describe their powers. From high to low S-A-B-C-D-E-F. Isaac Netero and the 5 strongest nen users he recognised were at least S level fighters. These 12 floor masters were B+ to A+ respectively. The tower master is somewhere between the top of the A class and S level. Class F is for non-nen users, while rookie killers are usually between E and D. 

So how do I know all this? Shortly after Heavens came to the arena, a few nen users found me. They told me about some rules and general information that I had to follow. Like below the 200th floor, it's forbidden to use nen. They also gave me the classification system. Although I was the one who guessed the powers of Netero and others and placed them in the appropriate places, so maybe they may be wrong. I only know that this categorisation is universal. The rest was information I obtained through my espionage skills.

Today was my last fight before the 200th floor. Better yet, it was against Sadaso. I hope she doesn't let me down.

...............…

'Ladies and gentlemen, we're back with another fight in the heavens arena. Two super rookies have been unstoppable since the day they entered the arena. On one side is the green monster Sadaso and on the other is the silver-haired red-eyed demon Tobirama. The winner will rise to the 200th floor. The loser will fall to the 180th floor.'

At this time, Sadaso and I were facing each other in the arena.

Sadaso looked cheerful and happy.

I was the one who started the conversation.

'We're finally facing each other. As we agreed.'

'To be honest, I've been looking forward to this moment.'

Meanwhile, the referee looked at us and spoke. 'Do you know each other?'

 I answered.

'We met by a series of coincidences in the same airship on the way here and agreed to fight if possible.'

The referee nodded his head as if to indicate that he understood and then said, 'Then get into fighting position. It is time.'

I took a more relaxed attitude as Sadaso took his guard and on the referee's signal the fight began. I would like to say that this was a legendary fight, but unfortunately it was not. Even in Zetsu form, my physical strength far exceeded that of ordinary people, and with the influence of fighting experience and training methods from Senju Tobirama, people who did not use Nen had no chance against me. After 10 minutes, Sadaso was lying unconscious on the ground. At least this fight proved one thing to me. Sadaso was skilled and had a loyal heart. It was worth saving him.

...............…

With a small whistle, I watch the lift climb the floors. On the one hand, I listen to the man next to me talking about the advantages of the 200th floor.

'I know the advantages of the 200th floor, I just have a few questions.'

This surprises the attendant for a moment, but he quickly recovers himself.

'Sure, how can I help you.'

'I heard that once I reach the 200th floor, I will be allowed to set up my own martial arts dojo. When can I start the process.'

'In order to set up a martial arts dojo, you must survive the first fight.'

'Is that a requirement? Or is it a requirement for this?' While asking the question, I formed a ball with my aura. I already knew that the attendant could use Nen because of the skin around him.

The attendant's eyes widened for a moment. Until now, I had camouflaged my aura like normal people, so he didn't know I could use Nen.

'You meet all the requirements now. You can apply at any time. The process is usually completed within a day.'

I indicated my approval with a small nod.

Just then, a bell sounded in the lift announcing that we had reached the 200th floor. After camouflaging my aura as a normal person again, I stepped out of the lift. Why am I doing this? Because I am going on an open fishing trip and I need to be an attractive bait.

I can feel a few people watching us from the shadows, but no one approaches me yet.

A minute later I was checked in on the 200th floor.

The receptionist gave me the key to my new apartment after all the procedures. Even though I'll never use it, I didn't want to refuse. Who knows, it might come in handy one day.

 Another thing that is not mentioned in the anime is that even though we don't get paid for winning above the 200th floor, we share the ticket and betting income from our own fights.

'I'd like to sign up for a fight.'

'Are you sure, sir? You can wait three months if you want.'

'Thanks for the warning. I still want to fight next week at the latest.'

'Then I can help you if you want.'

When I turn round at the sound of a voice coming from behind me, I see a one-armed man in his 30s with a red beard and hair holding a long staff.

'What do you mean?'

'Simple. For fights above the 200th floor, if two fighters agree, they can register and fight at the same time.'

'You want to fight me.'

'It's more like helping you. There are people on this floor who specifically target new rookies and are after an easy fight. I can help you get used to the matches above the 200th floor.'

I speak with a big smile as if I am very happy for such help.

 'Why not, how does the process work.'

'It's not difficult. We just need to register at the same time. Not just next week. It has to be at least a month later.'

'Why is there such a requirement?'

'It's more of an unwritten rule among the participants than a rule of the heavens arena. As you know, after the 200th floor we start to receive a share of ticket and betting revenues. This time is necessary for adequate publicity.'

'I see. Very well, then. I guess I was a little impatient with the excitement.'

Poor bastard won't even know what hit him.