Chapter 173: Chapter One

Before my eyes is an endless expanse of clouds. Very white. It looks fragrant and fluffy, flowing slowly beneath your feet.

I continue to gaze at the sea of clouds reflecting the sunlight, my eyes squinting against the glare. An occasional breeze gently caresses my black hair, and a rare strong wind blows through my long hair at the back.

"Hmm.

I came a bit early. But the scenery is great, so waiting doesn't bother me at all.

I wait impatiently for my dear friend to come visit me, while enjoying a wonderful landscape that would be impossible if I were standing on solid ground.

Looking far into the distance, under the roots of an extremely tall tree, there is a town that could be called tiny.

Considering the size of the town, many people can be seen on the streets where steam rises here and there. A black-haired boy with spiky hair walks alone, looking around curiously.

A woman's voice repeats the same content over and over from a loudspeaker set up on the main street.

"—This tree, named the World Tree, is the largest tree in the world, standing tall and peerless—"

"—The top is above the cloud layer, 1,784m from the ground—"

"—Human-made structures have not yet been able to surpass this tree—"

"—Climbing this tree is not prohibited, but a climbing fee is required, and a letter of commitment must be signed—"

"—You can go up to 500m via elevator or stairs, but from there on you will be risking your life—"

About 3,000 people take the challenge every year, but 94% fail to reach 1,000m and turn back halfway.

"—The remaining 4% pay a high rescue fee to call for help, and the remaining 1% fall to their deaths—"

"—In other words, the strong ones who can safely reach the top and then descend—"

"—Total only thirty people a year—"

The boy hurries upstairs and quickly climbs to the 500m point.

Inside the small building, there is a door to move forward. Many things are written on a piece of paper posted on the door. In summary, "From here on, this is a dangerous and Forbidden Area. Those who wish to climb the tree must obtain permission at the reception desk."

"Mister! I want to climb the tree."

The sleepy-eyed man sitting at the reception desk turns his face toward the boy calling him,

"Huh? This kid wants to climb the tree?

No, from now on there is no one under 18."

Huh? says the boy, tilting his head. The friend I was supposed to wait for here is under 18.

"I need some kind of special qualification or License... hmm?"

Hearing the next sentence, the boy immediately feels around, takes a card out of his pocket, and shows it to him.

The man who saw it opens his half-closed eyes, taken aback.

"Eh!? A Professional Hunter!? At that age!?"

"... No, I am sorry. Please proceed."

After saying this, the man seems to remember something and hands over a piece of paper.

"Ah, just in case, please sign this document."

"In this so-called climbing, it doesn't matter if you die."

Perhaps the profession of Hunter exists everywhere in the world. In short, the Hunter's card is a point of view. Primitive livelihoods are lived, so it is quite rare to be without one.

Anyone can make a living by hunting, but of course, there are times when one is hunted. A savage and dangerous profession—generally, people around cannot tell.

But the "Hunters" of this world transcend the general connotation. I could even say it is the job I have dreamed of.

What is your goal? What is the purpose of your goal? It is all very diverse.

What do you want to buy? What are you looking for? What are you chasing? What do you want to hit?

In this world, people who do these things are collectively called "Hunters." They only need to give themselves a name. Then you can become a self-proclaimed Hunter.

However, only "Professional Hunter" is special. Only a few people obtain professional qualifications. For the number of people seeking the title, the number of people who obtain it is too small.

In this world, many people, including amateurs and professionals, make a living as "Hunters."

And this boy's Hunter License, which only a few Hunters can possess, is truly proof of the chosen ones.

Up to the 500m point, I climbed the stairs inside the anti-fall wall. Because the fence is high, the view is not very good.

The other side of the tightly closed door is also connected to the outside world. However, there is no anti-fall fence in front of you. No stairs, no elevator.

Beyond the floor that I feel sorry for, there is only the sky. From above 500m, you can see a very beautiful view. However, unfortunately, it is cloudy. The sky is dark, which is a bit disappointing.

On the left is the tree trunk. The trunk of the World Tree stretches straight toward the sky.

No matter how many people want to climb the tree, the bark is pitch black and full of cracks.

The wind blows with a roaring sound. The wind blowing along the tree trunk ruffles the boy's spiky hair.

The man at the reception desk walks out of the door and shouts to the boy who is looking down at the scenery.

"Let me give you some Suggestion."

"Do not use the wedges and scaffolding left behind by previous customers."

The boy turns around and makes a strange face.

"Those who are able to climb are usually unarmed."

"The person at the very top right now is the same."

Upon hearing this, the boy shows a triumphant expression.

"I understand, thank you!!"

A thing resembling a Switch hangs around the boy's neck, tied with a string.

"Well, if you feel bad, press it quickly."

"Our rescue team is excellent. Stick for about 10 minutes—"

Before the man's words were finished, the boy suddenly disappeared.

"Ah!?"

Thinking he had fallen, a person rushed out to look down.

"Hey!?"

"Hello."

A man looked up at the voice coming from far above his head.

"!?"

I didn't know for a moment. Somehow, I could see the boy, who had become much smaller, climbing up the tree trunk.

──He had already reached such a place!

The surprised man looked up, and the boy's figure disappeared in the blink of an eye.

"... The children these days are truly amazing."

A boy climbing up the vertical bark with a few leads.

Looking down, one would regret that it was a cloudy day.

Looking up, the World Tree trunk, which I could not see the end of, was still growing.

The Wind blew through the branches and leaves, and the boy kept climbing upward as if listening to the voice of the tree.

"──..."

I heard something from the boy's ears. I stopped moving and waited for a while, but I didn't hear any sound for a stretch.

I continued to climb the tree and moved forward for a while; this time, I definitely heard a sound.

"Help..."

Looking up toward where the sound came from, I saw a large leaf growing on the tree trunk. You could see a silhouette behind the leaf.

I hurriedly climbed up and found a young man lying on the leaf. It looked like he was injured.

"Are you okay!?

... What happened? Did you call for rescue?"

"Ah... Switch...

Lower..."

Apparently, he had been climbing halfway until he fell and got stuck by the leaves; he was fine, but because he was injured, he couldn't get down, and he had lost his Switch, so he couldn't call for help.

The boy pressed the button Switch without hesitation. Click sound.

If this person climbed onto the leaf, he might slip due to the Heavy weight, so he could only hold tightly onto the bark of the tree and wait for rescue.

"Sorry... Help..."

"You don't have to force yourself to speak.

Help will be here in a while, so Stick with it."

I really wanted to keep moving forward, but I didn't know if help would really come. If the rescue didn't come, the boy would have to wait here, because he had to consider getting down with him.

After waiting for about 10 minutes, a vehicle with rotating propellers flew over from below.

The boy came down gently and pointed at the leaf from below. The rescue team immediately sensed the intention, slowly moved away from the bark, and carefully approached the large leaf.

After witnessing the man's quick rescue, the climb began rapidly. The agreed-upon time had long passed—we had to hurry.

The view suddenly became white. It looked like you were in the clouds.

It was sticky, and it looked like it was about to slip. Relying only on the touch of my Fingers against the tree, I continued to climb up with force.

My vision had cleared. As we picked up the pace, the tree trunk became thinner, and the summit, crossing the deep blue sky, drew closer.

A little more...

──? The top is strange.

The boy wondered. For some reason, the tip of the tree was shaped like a bowl.

When I got close to it, it was very bumpy. It looked like some kind of nest made of branches and leaves, very sturdy. Carefully climbing outside the nest...

Placing both hands on the edge and looking into the nest.

"?"

Somehow, many large, white, and round things were lying around. Eggs?

Beyond the five rolling giant eggs, I could see slender legs.

There were some clothes that seemed easy to put on—the figure of a girl, with long jet-black hair fluttering in the Wind, her hands tucked into the pockets of her tracksuit.

She had a bright smile on her face, calling the boy's name.

"I've been waiting for you, Gon."

"Aisha...!"

Standing on the edge of the nest, where there was a place to put one's feet, the boy and the girl talked while keeping their distance.

"How many minutes did it take from the 500m point to here?"

"Hmm... about 20 minutes."

"Hmm. You took a long time."

Gon blocked the sound.

The young girl smiled bitterly at the boy who frowned preemptively.

"... It's okay, Gon. Even if you make excuses now."

Aisha smiled gently at the even more troubled boy.

"Even if this is your first time, you could reach there in about five minutes. It's cloudy, and the view isn't very good either.

Perhaps that was your intention, so your date was late, right?"

Gon responded to the girl's smile with a bitter smile.

"... Aisha, once you say that, you know everything, don't you?"

"Is this correct?"

Gon waited beside the injured person on the way, and he was unable to move until the rescue arrived, so they were late.

"... I noticed it from here too, but Gon climbed very close, so I thought I should hand it to you. Thank you for your good work."

"That's not fair, already."

After saying that, Gon showed a smile, and Aisha happily pulled both hands out of her pockets and spread them open.

"How is this sea of clouds? Don't you think the scenery is nice?"

"Yes, that's right."

The top of the World Tree is surrounded by a sea of clouds, presenting a truly spectacular sight. Without taking an airship, one generally cannot see this kind of scenery. Unless you climb the mountain, it is impossible to see it with the naked eye.

The two looked at the group of eggs lined up in a row. The aura that could be felt in both cases was quite strong. The pulsation was fast, and I thought it would hatch within a few days.

Gon shared a cream Goo that Aisha took out of her pocket, and the two sat cross-legged, murmuring to themselves.

"Aisha."

"Hm?"

Hearing Gon's question, the young girl raised her head from the bread.

"Why did you call me here?"

"Hm?

Well, I wanted to show you this view, but..."

Seeing Gon's suspicious gaze, Aisha stuck out her Tongue to lick the cream from the corner of her mouth.

"Usopion.

Actually, this is my first time climbing too."

A girl put her hand on her forehead and looked around, saying: "Yes."

Aisha ate the rest of the bread, chewing while facing the sullen Gon who couldn't dodge in time.

"Well, Goo.

Just joking. Sorry.

... Really. I only asked Gon to come to talk about important things."

The boy had a serious expression. The young girl, who seemed somewhat at ease,

"Remember?

About my true identity, I told you before."

Gon showed a complicated expression.

"Yes...

Aisha was Kazama Ryusho in her past life, and she was born with those memories."

"That is correct.

I was reborn into this world with the memories and power of my past life.

... At the cost of my mother's life."

The young girl gazed into the distance. The boy, who was looking at her profile, was enticed and turned his gaze in the same direction.

"Did you call me here just to talk about this?

Is there something you haven't said yet?"

"Yes...

Of course, what I said at the time was all true.

... But I didn't dare to tell you the truth, so I could only say it simply.

That is why I thought I would talk to you once."

After telling Gon and the others about her true identity, Aisha told her parents the truth. Take some time to learn more. Actually, I originally intended to take it to the grave, but I ended up talking nonsense.

Of course, I absolutely had no intention of telling you this nonsense. However, I regret that I should have told Gon and the others the details.

But I didn't have the courage to talk about it in front of everyone. That is why I only asked Gon, who seemed the easiest to talk to, to come to the World Tree, where there is absolutely no one around, and no one will eavesdrop. I will definitely tell everyone later.... I will say it, but it is a matter of time. The reason I chose the World Tree was just for sightseeing.

This boy gave me the most understanding. This intuition made her open her mouth.

"What I want to say is about Kazama Ryusho of my past life."

"... Aisha.

You said you have memories, but does that mean you can perfectly remember everything?"

Hearing Gon's question, Aisha showed a puzzled expression.

"It's a bit different. In my past life, I spent one hundred and thirty years.

For a long time, most of the time was spent on Training. Even in my past life, I could only remember bits and pieces of my childhood, let alone the trivialities of daily life.

It's the same. Even if I remember, well, that's about it."

Now I have to learn a lot of new things, which is difficult. Even in the memories of my past life, I have to remember them over and over again, so as not to forget only the important things. About martial arts.

"Aisha..."

The young girl closed her eyes and shook her head at the boy with a worried look.

"Of course I understand.

The past is the past, and the present is the present. How many times have these words saved me?

But it is.

The reason I became who I am today is because Kazama Ryusho has existed for a long time.

Otherwise, I would have lived a completely different life than I do now."

Yes. Everyone will tell you.

A past life is a past life. Aisha is Aisha.

I wish I could live in the present.

I certainly think so, and I intend to do so.

──But.

"But... I was indeed reborn with the memories and power of living as Kazama Ryusho. That fact will not disappear, nor do I intend to erase it.

Even if someone told me that my Nen Ability could erase the memories of my past life, I would likely say no."

Yes. Even if someone told me I could Extinguish this hateful, yet eternal, ominous aura.

A young girl who cast her rather intense gaze toward the white clouds.

As far as Aisha is concerned, the problem lies in the fact that her gender in her past life and her current life are different.

Because she was born a woman with the memories of a man and was raised as a woman, her gender consciousness became inconsistent. She has a distinctly feminine body.

────There is a term called Gender Identity Disorder.

Simply put, it is a phenomenon where the "gender of the body" and the "gender of the consciousness" are reversed and do not match, causing a sense of discomfort. Consistently, making the "gender of the body" closer to the "gender of the consciousness" is a state of behavior.

However, in Aisha's case, the situation is different.

She was born a woman and treated as a woman, despite having memories of living entirely as a man. Within one personality, there exists both a self trying to return to being a man and a self trying to become a woman. It even affects his bodily functions.

But the girl no longer considers correcting this situation.

Live as you are. The past is the past, and the present is the present. I have begun to think there is no need to discard either one.

The memories are gradually fading. If I leave her alone, Aisha's consciousness will become a woman's consciousness.

... Well, although I am distressed, I thought I would admit the fact that my past life was Ryusho Kazama, gender aside.

"So, even if they are just my friends, I want them to know about my past life.

... To avoid misunderstandings, due to unavoidable circumstances, a few others know the details of my past life. Well, you might have already noticed.

Leina has practiced the Kazama Style together with me since my past life.

Netero, the master of Shingen-ryu, was the only worthy opponent in his life.

Along with Netero, Biscuit has a relationship that transcends the school as a master of Shingen-ryu.

After that, my father and mother."

"... Hearing you say that, I really thought Aisha was someone from above the clouds."

Gon looked at the white clouds flowing by with sadness. The girl pretended to be medicine,

"Don't worry, it's all about my past life.

I am me. Are you just Aisha?"

"That's right, but...

Isn't Aisha very amazing as Aisha?"

"Not applicable.

You make me feel ticklish saying that, but there is no need to hide things between friends."

"I know."

Aisha also nodded at the boy who nodded.

"Now, I want to talk to you.

This will be a bit long, but do you mind?"

"Yeah. I want to hear it too."

Hearing you say that, I am truly relieved.

While imagining the boy's reaction after hearing the story, the girl began to talk about the life she dedicated to Training.

In fact, I did not intend to tell anyone that I was sent to this world from another world. Even if they are irreplaceable parents.

You wouldn't believe me. The future of this world, I learned a lot of knowledge in my original world as a "manga." Things obtained from being swept away from another world—and so on.

This world is just a reality to me. Breathing, joy, crying, laughing, sadness, fighting...

After going through long hardships and tribulations, I can now say from the bottom of my heart that I am happy. You cannot deny it yourself.

If he said this world was a "manga," it would be an insult to the entire world, including himself.

In the end, we really don't know. Now I don't even want to return to my original world. If there were other reincarnators or drifters like me, I could meet them, and the story might be different, but I have never discovered them.

Anyway, if I were to talk about my past life, it should be when I awakened my Nen Ability.

"──Once upon a time, in order to obtain a Nen Ability, I started Meditation.

I meditated every day without interruption, and after about six years, I awakened my Nen."

"Eh!? Six years!?"

No wonder Gon is surprised. If I remember correctly, Gon, Killua, Kurapika, and Leorio awakened much faster, or had considerable talent.

One week of Meditation.

An amazing genius, awakening their own Nen Ability in such a short time, it's simply jealousy. Even Kurapika was surprised that I spent so much time awakening my Nen Ability.

"... What happened?"

I dared to answer. A strong Wind blew, and my black hair fluttered.

After the Wind blew,

"Because...

Aisha, right?

... Ryusho = Kazama of the past life..."

Phew. Exhaling,

"Do you think I am a very talented person?"

……Quite the opposite.

I do not possess a mind or body as great as yours."

"And then..."

"This is one way of doing things.

In every battle, I had no choice but to accumulate more Training than others to make up for my own inadequacies.

……He was by no means the gifted Martial Arts god that people say he was.

I am just an ordinary person..."

I will not tell you how I used my Nen Ability to force myself to keep working hard. Because he forcibly became a person who loved Training, he left behind many regrets at the end of his life. It was a farce...

Looking at Gon, the boy shuddered.

"Amazing..."

Even if you say such things, I am not happy at all. Far from being profitable, what awaited him in the end was a great retaliation that would plunge his life into trouble. If he had not reincarnated, he would have left behind heinous memories of the dead.

……Hmm?

I feel like I am stuck right now...

It is frustrating, but I don't feel like I will get out. I don't want to keep you waiting too long, so stop thinking and keep going.

"……As I just said, I spent a long time on the Cultivation of my power... my Martial Arts.

Fortunately, I encountered the Kazama Style, a school I could still learn from even when I was incapable of anything.

When I close my eyes, I can still see the teacher of my life, the founder of Wind-Style Aikido, Kazama Ryuzen.

That's right... it was all because of that encounter. I never thought about throwing away the past of Ryusho.

Throwing away the Kazama Style is unthinkable.

"I will never forget what Aisa taught me about Aisa."

"……"

Gon knew immediately what I was thinking. I am glad... I am glad I told him.

If I said I was coming back, I am sure I would cry.

I tightly closed my moist eyes to deceive him and continue the story.

"……After my beloved teacher passed away.

After leaving the Kazama Style Dojo, I embarked on a journey to spread my mentor's teachings to the rest of the world.

I worked hard to raise funds for the construction of the dojo, and that was when I met Riina.

With her cooperation, I established a new Kazama Style Dojo and dedicated myself to the development of the Kazama Style. ……Of course, I never missed a Training session.

That was the time. Why would Netero appear in my dojo?"

Gon blinked. He was startled by the name Netero that suddenly appeared.

It was truly like falling and bouncing. He appeared suddenly and almost took my life.

Ah, it makes me sick to think about it. Interrupting the dojo, while playing, suddenly being hit by the Guanyin Bodhisattva. I really wanted to kill that old man...

"It seems that... Netero was testing his strength everywhere, calling himself a Destroyer.

When we first met, we were both in our old age. So we...

Well, we fought to a draw."

"Really?"

……Let's put it this way. Now it is said that Ryusho and Netero are two great men. The fact that the one who finally won escaped, and the Kazama Style became on par with the Shingen-ryu, seems to have completely changed his impression. In fact, I have to say that Netero was superior in terms of win rate and combat content, but that was a long time ago. Damn it...

"After that, I decided that Netero was my worthy opponent, and I exchanged fists with him countless times.

Riina also started competing with Biscuit, whom Netero brought along, and we worked hard together for a long time.

Every day I devoted myself earnestly to Training, discarding anything outside of Training as useless.

Even so...

Mastering the method of Martial Arts halfway through, I realized that my life would run out."

Gon listened to me with a serious face. Ugh, my heart hurts. It's not entirely true...

Telling the truth is nothing more than the greatest shame of my previous life, so I had to embellish it a lot. Forgive me, Gon...

Before I continue

"So Aisa... no.

Did Ryusho decide to reincarnate?"

"Hmm, you are right...

I could not bear the regret that my life ended without achieving my life goal."

Yes. This is not a lie. Yes. My life goals have been varied!

"That is amazing... Ryusho.

You have no children and no family, do you?"

"……Hmm, you are right.

If I had any spare energy, I would spend all of it on Training."

I answered expressionlessly, but sweat was already seeping down my back.

Gon is amazing; I grazed the core without knowing it. Wow! What a terrifying child!

I desperately controlled the sweat about to break out on my face and began to end my conversation.

"Moreover, while successfully reincarnating, I left behind the memories of my previous life, residing in my mother's body with a powerful force that surpassed the Qi of my previous life's Cultivation.

Therefore...

Mom was exposed to my massive aura, which forced her to awaken her Nen Ability."

Suppressing that aura, I am simply no match for them...

Mother grew weak and died.

I was safely removed from my late mother's womb when I was a child."

The youth's expression grew a few shades graver, as if it had sunk.

Really...

The child does not know his mother.

Mito of Whale Island is his foster parent. Gon was brought from somewhere by his father, Jin...

After this, it is no longer a matter of my past life. From this point on, even Gon knows. I do not even want to talk about life after being abandoned by my father.

For a time, our bodies were exposed to a strong Wind. Just looking at the clouds from above.

It soon turned into a breeze.

After a long silence, I ended my talk.

"That is the entirety of my past life.

Gon... I am sorry.

Thank you. Please listen to me until the end."

Gon looked at me with sad eyes.

"Aisha, why are you apologizing?"

I wanted to turn my face away. I am sorry for making such a sad expression.

I am sure I look sad too. I do not want to look in a mirror right now.

"Yes, why?

... Oh my god, you cannot mislead me.

Gon. I am sorry for reminding you of unpleasant things.

But let me say it again.

Thank you for listening to the end of my past life's story, Kazama Ryusho."

Gon frowned.

While rubbing his eyes with his sleeves, he began to groan, "Uh..."

I am sorry... Gon.

You told me I could keep Aisha.

It is too Heavy, I cannot handle it, I taught myself the past.

Mm... thank you.

Even if you reject me, I will always treat you as my best friend...

A strong Wind blew again, and Shizuku, who was separated from me and my best friend, was scattered into the sea of clouds.