Chapter 34: Requesting to Use Your Conscience

He had expected to kick a tree and snap it, but he never imagined he would be cut down by a branch so thin that a child couldn't rely on it for swordsmanship; Hanzo let out a miserable shriek and collapsed to the ground.

However, as expected, he was not yet mature enough to fall to the ground clumsily.

While enduring the intense itching on his shoulder, he collapsed to the ground, severing the branch that Sora had brandished like a sword.

Looking at the branch that had been cut off without any effort, I was convinced that there was nothing unusual about the branch itself, but at the same time, this certainty only aroused more suspicion.

How on earth did you cut down a tree with such a smooth cross-section, making me believe that if this were just a branch, the chainsaw placed next to me wouldn't have cut it so cleanly? Doubts swirled in Hanzo's mind, but he scolded himself; he could not be distracted by such things.

It was not just Sora who was attacking me.

Hanzo threw the Kunai he had cut from the branch toward Killua, who was attacking with lethal claws.

Because they were the two more prominent individuals, after observing them for a while during other exams, I felt I had grown fond of them. Perhaps because he was worried about whether he was being attacked, he avoided the thrown object. Sora also did not rush in, instead prioritizing the pursuit of the attacked Killua rather than pursuing Hanzo.

"Killua!"

Shouting his comrade's name, he walked in front of him to protect him and kept a certain distance from him.

Perhaps dissatisfied with being protected, Killua clicked his tongue.

I was asked to keep some distance, but at most only about 3m.

Although outside the range of distance, it was only to the extent that the distance would be closed immediately the moment the two revealed a momentary opening.

If the abnormally reactive Sora was in charge of defense and Killua came out to attack, I would definitely lose; Hanzo was finally safe, but I did not know how to escape from these two. Something.

"I mean, if you think about who it is, that is the war criminal of the second exam."

"Killua, be careful. He looks like just a bald guy, but if he is a real Ninja, if he is just a Ninja nerd who worships him, he will be troublesome. He probably hides weapons all over his body, will emit smoke, has a Double, and can create a toad big enough for people to ride on, and those frogs will spit Fire. Fire."

"I can do it!!"

Judging by his name, I thought he might be from the same town as me, but his image of a Ninja for foreigners (the second half is strange), and the serious Suggestion he gave me in a rare boyish era—fittingly, Killua said, "Seriously!?" I was surprised, as if that was what was said, so Hanzo denied it before he could be misunderstood.

"Damn! You have no guts! Apologize to classmate Fuma!!"

"Why choose Fuma instead of Iga or Koga!? Are you familiar with Ninjas!?"

However, it was unexpectedly returned.

Killua glanced at the exchange and said.

"Are you still half-asleep?"

"I'm not sleeping half-asleep! Rather, I'm in a bad mood because my sleep was disturbed!"

It seemed that because he had slept too much, he was particularly sleepy, and the tension was strange again.

"... Go to sleep."

"Oh, hey! Killua!?"

Was he startled by Sora, thinking he could be alone, or did he just want to show his good side?

Of course, he was neither kind-hearted nor stupid enough to silently pull away, so Hanzo retreated while keeping his distance, dispersing the caltrops to prevent Killua from approaching.

However, although he did not believe the second half of Sora's words, he seemed to be relatively obedient regarding the first half.

Perhaps he had been vigilant from the beginning; he stopped the direct thrust and approached slowly with strange, swaying steps.

As he approached, Killua's figure became blurred, turning into double and triple, and before long, several Killuas caught up to Hanzo.

Four limbs. For an Assassin, showing afterimages to the enemy by adjusting walking speed is a basic skill, but Hanzo broke into a cold sweat at the child who vividly did this while avoiding stepping on the caltrops. Shuriken flowed.

Several Killuas hit by the Shuriken flickered like heat haze and disappeared.

I don't know the real situation, so I don't attack blindly. I know that even if I attack this kid head-on, he can easily dodge it, so I blindly pretend to attack and run away, then deliberately create an opening.

Create a gap behind yourself and lure them in.

I don't know if he was caught by Hanzo's intention or if he did it knowingly, but Killua, who had pushed his footsteps, traces, and bloodlust to the limit, swung his sharp claws behind him and wrapped them around his arm. Hanzo put his blade on Killua's shoulder without looking back.

... I had intended to.

"Killua!"

The caltrops and the afterimages of Killua's four limbs scattered by Hanzo made me feel that I could not grasp the battle between the two, just watching from behind, but that was not the case.

Sora waited for an opportunity.

Killua and Hanzo both changed their expressions as they noticed the thrown object at the same time as calling out Killua's name.

Several beautiful red Stones were thrown at me, reflecting the sunlight through the trees. Killua and Hanzo both knew that what she did to disperse the smoke in the Smoke Bomb was more than just a gem.

"Explosion!!"

"You're kidding!!"

Sora shouted the detonation word, and the two jumped away at the same time. I kept my distance from the red Stone thrown at me, but a second after Sora's words passed, the Stone rolled on the ground without any change.

Before you question it, the answer comes back.

"Pah! Killua must absolutely not interfere!!"

Sora, who shouted this, had already arrived in front of Hanzo.

Sora threw a colored glass ball instead of a gem. It was an imitation.

Sora's Magic effect and the Spell to unlock it were extremely simple, so unless it was your first time seeing it, you would be careful when taking out a gem, and if you were a powerful person, you would have to run away; there was a short time interval between Sora's Spell and the gem's Explosion. I could take enough action.

This was the purpose of the bluff.

If the opponent would immediately discover what you were doing, that was the trap to use; Sora was polite and firmly opposed to imitation. Because it contained Magic Aura, even Nen users could not judge whether this was a bluff unless they had the ability to immediately judge whether what was thrown at them was a real gem.

Moreover, even without special effects like a gem-like Explosion, it had Aura, so once it hit, even a person with Nen Ability would feel very painful if they were unprepared.

Sora pulled away from Killua, dragging him from Hanzo's pace to his own.

However, Hanzo had not yet lived a lukewarm lifestyle that would make him panic.

This time, he pulled out the small Sword on his toe and leaped up.

My goal was not aimed at a specific part of the body, such as the limbs, so it would be fine if the opponent could avoid it and keep their distance.

I kicked it with that thought in mind, but I could not imagine Sora's madness; she continued to dream of countless deaths, continuing to run even after being burned.

"Ah!?"

Sora dodged Hanzo's kick. He did not create distance, but instead closed the distance to catch Hanzo, extending both arms; Hanzo kicked up his left leg, turned, Sora turned, and his left arm stretched and twisted. Leaning backward, Hanzo's kick only passed through Sora's jumpsuit.

Hanzo's thoughts did not anticipate this, but were interrupted for a moment by the perfect synchronization of breathing, as if he were meeting and undergoing Cultivation with himself.

This woman did not let go of that momentary daydream.

The extended arm grabbed Hanzo's right arm, pulling him down.

"Sticky substance!"

Hanzo let out a groan, thrown to the ground with greater force than he had anticipated, and Sora pinned him down tensely as usual.

"Hahahaha! Did you see that, avoiding the small chest!"

"……You, don't you feel sad saying that yourself?"

"Not at all!!"

In the end, Killua looked frustrated and sulky at Sora using him, but he sympathized with Sora's sad declaration. He received a clear and quick answer.

During that exchange, perhaps he concluded that thinking about Sora being too sleepy and too nervous was stupid. I helped him hold his legs.

Even with Killua pinning his legs, Hanzo resisted recklessly.

Considering the opponent's weight, even a mount has a chance of resistance and reversal, but that is a one-on-one situation.

If it were 2-on-1, I could see that I would become a one-sided octopus, so there is no way I can bear my mount regardless. Conversely, if I don't stop Sora and make her a hostage, there is no way to leave this place.

However, no matter how much Hanzo has undergone Training, he is just an ordinary human who does not know Nen, and Sora, who is also an Enhancer, possesses strength that would usually have the advantage, so the odds of winning are slim.

His right arm was grabbed and held down, and he struggled to escape from Sora's right arm, while Sora's right arm was trying to grab his left arm, and he struggled to move it away.

Hanzo completely forgot what he had done and what Sora had done.

Sora herself forgot what Hanzo had done and what she had done. Or rather, Sora, filled with the madness of "I don't want to die" and "I must protect Killua," was actually sleepy, her thinking ability had declined, and she didn't care.

Both of them completely forgot that Sora could use a knife to dodge Hanzo's toes.

……I couldn't even cut a fine line into Sora's thin skin, but I didn't even notice that the jumpsuit was clean, and the clothes I wore inside were cut before I forgot. The collar was pulled hard.

Shock! First, there was a sound, and Hanzo's left hand fell to the ground as if smashing the ground with a backfist.

I was holding a piece of cloth in my hand.

Killua was unable to move.

Even behind Sora, I could tell what had happened from the sound and the thing Hanzo broke, so I didn't know what to do and froze.

First 0.1 seconds.

No one could respond.

Not only Killua behind them, but even Hanzo who did the deed, and Sora who did the deed, could not understand what had happened, what was in front of them, or what kind of situation they were in now, looking completely bewildered.

0.2 seconds.

Hanzo widened his eyes, completely confused.

Sexual techniques and honey traps are the main content of Spy activities, and although he was trained not to be misled, Hanzo is a healthy 18-year-old. As expected, it is impossible to wither to the point where even pure accidental luck can be ignored.

Another 0.3 seconds.

"――――！？～～～～～～～～！？！！！！！！"

"Gulp!!"

Not just her face, but her ears, neck, shoulders, and collarbone turned bright red; Sora covered her chest with her left hand, held Hanzo's hand, let out a silent scream, and punched Hanzo in the pit.

Hanzo's greatest luck was that his fist was not "Hard" or "Ken," because he was so embarrassed and confused.

Seeing this, Killua's freezing thawed, and Killua temporarily took off his T-shirt and handed it to Sora.

Killua does not believe what Kurapika said about "Sora's reverse Harassment being self-defense, a result of her being an airhead, and her actually being straightforward, clean, and innocent regarding sex," but now I can accept it honestly. Or rather, I have no choice but to do so.

"I want to go home~. I can't go to my wife~~"

"Yes."

When I saw Sora crying while clinging to my back wearing my own T-shirt, I couldn't help but understand.

Hanzo saw my breasts, and I cried like a child, but to make the just-half-asleep Killua shut up, I decided to take my breasts away; I wanted to ask what buried my face inside, but I was embarrassed, and if I pointed it out now, I might die of pain, so I decided to forget the question.

"Uh…… not that much, but not that much…… but…… but……"

"……No, I know what you mean."

Hey bald head. What is going on with this situation?

Giving up on trying to soothe Sora, who was crying and couldn't even talk about it, Killua turned his attention to Hanzo, who had been kneeling on his knees for a while.

Hanzo knelt on the ground, muttering: "……I'm not bald, so you shouldn't say anything to me, you bastard." It made a loud sound.

"I can't hear you. What did you say, Erogappa?"

If it was an accident, well, I guess it couldn't be helped, right? There was no other intent, if this was purely an accident. But, even if it was an accident, if you are a gentleman, the first thing you should do after understanding the situation is to look away, right? Your eyes are cool……"

"Sorry! Seriously, sorry! Sorry!!"

Interrupting Killua, Hanzo turned into an apology machine again.

Hanzo could have escaped when Sora lost her will to fight, and Killua was too full to calm the crying Sora down. Just as I was about to do that, Killua cursed me like a child, saying: "Don't run, you pervert Erogappa!!"

However, unexpectedly, even though Sora was crying, Sora denied Killua's remarks in front of Hanzo's nonsense.

As for Sora, I am not a follower of Hanzo, just based on her twisted values regarding sex, thinking "Even sexual activity is no big deal, so I am embarrassed. Seeing my breasts." Instead, I am just making excuses for myself.

But, "Killua, no! It's okay…… it's okay…… just…… accident…… accident…… accident…… uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu" for the sake of Hanzo's Conscience.

The clothes being torn was purely an accident, but the one who saw the cancer later was Hanzo. It is impossible for Hanzo, with his human instinctual perverted heart, to be cruel enough to be abandoned, and not even apologize to the person who was chased and crying.

Hanzo is still young, and he is confident that he can do whatever is necessary for his mission, no matter how cruel or brutal, but if he can choose the means, he still prefers to choose the cleanest method.

But in this situation, no matter how much Hanzo apologized, it was almost meaningless, just a waste of time.

As expected, the rational part of the ninja appealed to Hanzo, and time was about to be missed.

If you can only say "Sorry, I'll go now" and leave, it has already been a long time.

It is not just a matter of Conscience; it completely bought off Killua's resentment. Considering this, I decided that if I do not suppress the anger and dissatisfaction of the two of them, the three people Together with me are very likely to become enemies in other exams.

Sure enough, the five of them joined forces to take revenge on him; it was truly a pity. Hanzo felt it was a pity, yet he still handed him a Plate.

"……I'm sorry. Please forgive me. Please forgive me."

Although Killua had a dissatisfied look on his face, he still cast his gaze toward the Plate, his eyes widening.

"198? What, you picked it up."

"I didn't pick it up! Originally, if you hadn't thrown it away, I wouldn't have hunted the other two!!"

"Hmm?"

Seeing a familiar number, Killua said casually. Hanzo stopped his kneeling posture and burst into loud laughter.

Naturally, when Killua made a sound of dissatisfaction because he did not understand the meaning, Hanzo began to talk about his troubles without even being asked.

Although there was a chance to catch the target and get the Plate, Killua accidentally threw the Plate away while chasing, so he went out of his way to steal a Plate from one of the three brothers. For three days, Killua's face was pale, which was directly proportional to his impassioned speech about jumping around the island to find more points.

"I don't know what to do about the Plate I got with my own ability. It's your fault because you made a mistake. Isn't this resentment?"

"Shut up! I know that!!"

"……You know."

Sora jumped out from behind Killua. Killua looked at the frustrated Hanzo with a pitiful expression.

Killua and Hanzo saw that her eyes were still red and her tears had stopped, and only then did they breathe a sigh of relief. She showed him a Plate.

"Is this your target?"

After showing the number 197 Plate, the two rolled their eyes and said the same thing at the same time.

"You picked it up!?"

Knowing that Sora had picked it up, the first thing Hanzo thought of was to give him a Plate that would only earn 1 point, so he negotiated to Exchange the Plate. But from his perspective, I knew that the negotiation would not be accepted, so I swallowed the feeling of vomiting blood.

"Yes."

"Huh?"

As soon as Hanzo finished speaking, it was presented.

"You still have a one-point Plate, right? Then exchange these two for this one."

"Are you stupid!?"

Killua was terrified by Sora's words and actions and patted Sora's head. Hanzo just stared at it with his mouth open.

"Why did you go out of your way to give this erogappa Ninja a Plate! If this guy not only gets 1 point, but you also strip his Plate to make him fail!"

I mean, why are you showing such kindness to this guy!? What made you burst into tears just now!?"

"What on earth is this? Killua."

After hitting Sora's head and grabbing Killua's shoulder, Sora said with a smile:

"This Ninja and I were just wrestling for the Plate. Nothing else. Nothing at all. It's fine."

Although the appearance of the flower looked so beautiful while smiling, and her expression was perfect, her eyes were not smiling at all. She looked like Kurapika, who had declared war on herself during the third exam, even though there shouldn't have been a drop of blood on her face, Killua thought.

Because she had been crying and crying, Sora concluded that the previous trouble had never happened.

"... Oh, I understand..."

Despite the similar facial expressions, Kurapika's charming smile and non-smiling eyes made Killua agree.

Sora reminded Hanzo that he also liked it, and he shook his head violently.

Perhaps wanting to push away what had not happened, Sora handed the number 197 Plate to Hanzo again and explained.

Why did I give this to Hanzo without asking?

"Well, yes, this is an Exchange... I only have one request."

Hanzo also did not expect to receive it unconditionally, and he smiled bitterly and refused to accept it, as if saying: "As expected."

"……As expected, I didn't ask anything, and I can't say yes." He answered honestly and sincerely.

Sora was amused by that kind of sincerity.

Unlike before, this time her smiling eyes were soft and squinted.

"You misunderstood. Unless you listen to my request, I won't say I won't give it to you. It doesn't matter if you exchange this for your two Plates. What I am asking for is more than that. It is an extra charge."

Did I tell you? Please. It's just that I will use your Conscience and Conscience to make a request arbitrarily and unilaterally. Whether it can be realized depends on yourself."

Hearing Sora's words, not only Hanzo, but even Killua stood there looking puzzled, not understanding what she was talking about.

Taking advantage of the two of them being squeezed Together, Sora deepened her smile and stated her "request."

"This child... if anything happens to Killua, Gon, Kurapika, or Leorio, please help me."

She hoped she could wrap her arms around Killua's neck, stand by her side, and show off to Hanzo.

＊＊＊

"Huh?"

"Ah!?"

Words with the same tone were uttered at the same time.

Hanzo was purely questioning and suspicious, but Killua was not just questioning; there was also embarrassment, humiliation, frustration, and a feeling that was slightly different, a bit complex, with a little bit of joy.

"What are you talking about?"

"Well, I have thought a lot about Kurapika and Gon, but I am keenly aware that I have my own limits."

When Killua, who had been stiff for a moment after being suddenly hugged, pulled Sora away to ask, Sora calmly pulled away and looked in the direction of the day after tomorrow to answer.

"I want to be your strength and help you, but I often don't understand the pride of boys. I am a fickle person who is not used to this, so I don't want to hurt you, but I don't want to hurt you."

That is why I am asking this person who is not very old. I don't know, but he seems to respect a man's self-esteem."

As if organizing her own thoughts, Sora smiled while looking in the direction of the day after tomorrow.

Seeing that smile, Killua made a complex expression again.

This time, it wasn't without doubt, but the percentage of stimulation was high. It was a face that deeply regretted still being a child.

"... I don't need you, not just this bald guy, I also need your help!"

"Yes."

If Killua denied Sora's wish while stepping on the ground, Sora would stand up, stroke his head, and confirm his denial.

Respecting the boy's feeling of not wanting to rely on Sora, wanting to do everything himself, wanting to be strong, and insisting that Sora was still selfish and self-reproachful, Killua bit his lip in even greater frustration.

Of course, Killua would not give up his position to protect himself, nor would he likely yield it to the other three people whose names were just mentioned.

Killua realized that even if he became very strong, he would always be her "object of protection."

Seeing this exchange, Hanzo thought, "That is hurting the other person's self-esteem," but it was impolite to interfere, so he said nothing.

A woman wouldn't understand, but no matter how much she stands up for herself, if she ends up being protected instead of protecting, it would be meaningless. This is even more true if it is someone to whom you give any form of love.

And I know that pointing this out in front of him would deal such a great blow to his self-esteem that it would be better to commit seppuku. Out of sympathy, he remained silent and said something else instead.

"... You, what do you mean by that 'please'?"

"What do you mean? Just as I said, if it's the same gender, there are just some nuances that only the same gender can understand."

"It's not over there."

Hanzo grabbed his still-itching shoulder and asked with an annoyed expression and voice.

"Setting aside the exchange conditions for the Plate, what is the point of saying it unilaterally?"

"Didn't I tell you? I am using your Conscience."

It was answered immediately.

Hanzo and Killua did not hesitate; they were looking elsewhere in a sullen mood, and while speaking, they were laughing happily, both dumbfounded.

"Because even if I let you risk your life to protect me and help me, you usually wouldn't like it, right? Even if you have a trusting relationship with someone, it is not uncommon for them to show their true nature in real life. Abandoning you at the last minute. I don't need that."

That is why I don't set any specific conditions for it. Even if I help you, I won't ask you for a 'request' as an Equivalent Exchange.... If I did that, I would be bound by my own Conscience.

I will say it over and over again, but this is my one-sided 'request.' If even God cannot judge you, if your Conscience harbors guilt toward me, I will put forward this 'request' as punishment for that sin."

Hanzo didn't know how to react and gave a faint, bitter smile: "You are a kind person, just a bit of a jerk."

In other words, Hanzo, this woman, should have run away, but she knelt down to apologize and gave her a Plate worth one point, yet she herself took advantage of it.

If one adds "conditions" as a "transaction," as long as those conditions are met, Hanzo could abandon the other party, as long as he "helped" the person who said "help me" to Sora. At least it is an excuse for guilt.

So this woman dared not say what the conditions were. I said to ignore it.

Knowing that Hanzo was here because he couldn't truly ignore it, he couldn't Escape.

Her good temper was real, and she never mentioned herself, but this woman was by no means a saint. However, I realized that I was just clearly distinguishing between "others" and "important opponents," and because of that dryness, I temporarily forgot that I was a Ninja.

However, this impression of frankness, which didn't even count as sarcasm, was meaningless to a woman who, in a sense, made a "request" worse than a threat.

"Haha, so that's how it is."

He laughed out loud and answered immediately, while Killua did not answer right away.

When Hanzo glanced sympathetically at the boy with slightly red ears, Killua glared at him silently, perhaps noticing the name of that gaze and the emotions contained within it.

In Hanzo's view, he was a kid without charm.

But in Sora's view, this cuteness was insufficient.

To a degree he wasn't aware of, Hanzo could not be divided like a Ninja, nor did he have the intention to kill himself as a human.

This is not the lifestyle I chose, but because I have persistence and pride, I want to choose a lifestyle I like within the range I can choose, a path I won't regret.

I don't want to be a Lobo that just lives and follows someone's orders.

Unknowingly, he also couldn't let go of his original wish.

"... Understood."

So Hanzo's answer was decided from the beginning.

"Well, you really are just saying this yourself, so I don't know what to do.

By the way, are you really waiting for me? I am dry and rational. Well, for example, if that kid gets lost, I will do my best to show him the way without your 'request,' but if he asks me to kill him, I will kill him without hesitation."

Killua was angered by his remarks; he treated him like a child, not as necessary.

"Oh, yes. I agree with Killua, but the story won't progress, so don't think about it."

"Shut up!"

Killua, who was stopped by Sora, clicked his tongue but quietly closed his mouth. Hanzo wanted to criticize Sora's argument, but unlike Killua, if he opposed this woman, it would be better to be a Heavy Snake. He stubbornly remained silent.

"Well, I don't even think of it as insurance, so it's fine. Or rather, if you receive such a request, I think it will become a thorn that causes a gap for you."

"... Seriously, the gap between the opponents you want to protect and the opponents you don't want to protect is too terrifying."

After Hanzo accepted Sora's argument lightly, he pulled back toward Sora, and Sora said another rude thing.

"That's right. So you shouldn't make me your enemy."

Sora smiled and handed the number 197 Plate to Hanzo.

Just as Hanzo was about to take out the other Plate he was holding to swap for that Plate...

"One."

"Hmm?"

"...!?"

Hanzo raised his voice first, Sora tilted her head curiously, and then Killua realized what Hanzo had noticed and froze with a blushing face.

Killua's reaction and Hanzo's gaze... Sora noticed and understood that she was wearing Killua's T-shirt on her chest.

Killua's white V-neck T-shirt was slightly loose because it was layered over a black turtleneck shirt.

But, of course, it couldn't be as baggy as Killua's. Its size was almost just right, partly because it was worn over the Sweatpants.

If you wear a T-shirt of this size, the jumpsuit and the clothes you are wearing are torn, and you will naturally stand out.

Realizing this, Killua panicked, not knowing whether to look away with a blushing face or punch Hanzo, and Hanzo's eyes widened again...

Which gentleman it is, is clear at a glance.

Sora withdrew his right hand, which he had been about to hand the Plate to Hanzo with, and covered his chest with that hand; Hanzo finally came back to his senses.

Of course, it was too late to play the gentleman now.

"Ninja."

Sora said.

It was impossible to tell if they were male or female, a rare, truly feminine smiling face, a flower-like countenance... however, there was no smile in those clear, azure eyes as they raised their left hand.

"As expected, I give you this in front of the Plate."

Naturally, Hanzo had no right to refuse to accept it.

＊＊＊

On the day of the time limit, when we gathered at the bay where the Venue was located, Hanzo quietly drew the attention of the other Examinees and the judge Hunters.

The flush on his cheeks had disappeared, but two days later, there was still a distinct blue-black bruise on his palm; it would be cruel not to notice it.

The man's Handprint was small, with thin, long Fingers.

"... Sora. What happened between you and number 294?"

"I don't know! It's nothing! It's nothing!!"

Sora stubbornly answered Kurapika's question, while Killua remained silent, looking in the direction of the day after tomorrow.

The development of the battle with Hanzo was so obvious, so I wondered how I could fail to live up to the readers' expectations; as a result, I felt sorry for Sora.

Anyway, Kurapika arrived.

Next time I will write an interlude, and the Fourth Exam will be over.