The sky darkened over Ashwood after a long, bustling day. One by one, the town’s businesses shuttered for the evening, their owners hurrying back to homes and loved ones. In a quiet MARTIAL CLUB on the edge of town, the air hummed with the aftermath of an intense training session.

Ezra clapped his hands, a grin breaking across his face as he watched one of his students finish a sparring match with a decisive move. "That was a solid takedown, kiddo," he praised warmly, giving the student an encouraging nod. He turned to Vigil, his fellow instructor, with a mischievous glint in his eye. "Yo, Vigil, that’s a hundred grand you owe me. Don’t forget."

Vigil’s eyes narrowed at the mention of the bet, and he grumbled his reply, “Fine,” with barely contained annoyance.

Ezra chuckled, undeterred. "Make it two hundred, and I’ll tell you exactly how he beat your kid," he offered shamelessly, crossing his arms.

Vigil responded with a snort, dismissing the comment, though he was fully aware of what had tipped the scales in Ezra’s favor. Their students were evenly matched in age and experience, but their styles of training couldn’t have been more different. Vigil’s strict, disciplined approach clashed with Ezra’s dynamic, almost fatherly style, and tonight, it was Ezra’s methods that won out.

"Alright, boys!" called out Martin, one of the vice captains, his hands resting in the pockets of his worn jacket. “That’s a wrap for today. You’re free to head out.”

As the students began to pack up and file out, Martin’s relaxed posture belied the buzz of anticipation in his eyes. Tonight was special; something awaited him and his fellow vice-captains, something each of them had been looking forward to in their own way.

When the last student had left, the three instructors lingered, leaning against the walls, chatting in low voices as they waited for their boss to appear. Ezra, eyes glancing toward the iron door, spoke first. “So, Vigil, how’s your Nen training going?”

Vigil gave a small shrug. "It’s coming along," he replied, voice steady and calm, as was his usual manner.

Ezra didn’t mind the short response; he was used to Vigil’s quiet nature. He grinned and shared his own progress without hesitation. “I think I’ve got all the basics down. But I barely get the time to dive into the advanced techniques, you know."

"Ezra looked at Martin, his eyes narrowing with a mix of curiosity and doubt. "What about you, Martin? How's your progress?"

Ezra felt a knot tighten in his stomach. He had a sinking feeling that Martin had advanced the furthest among them. Martin was always the one who flew under the radar until he didn’t—like a hidden contender who suddenly overtakes everyone.

Martin gave a quiet chuckle, the kind that hinted at secrets he wasn't about to just tell. "It's better if I show you."

Without another word, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a small coin, letting it rest in his hand for a moment. Then, with a flick of his wrist, he launched it straight into the air.

The coin shot upward with a sudden burst of speed—Zoom!—and punched right through the ceiling, leaving it embedded in the wood above.

Cade’s voice broke through their stunned silence. "So, you've mastered 'Shu,' Martin. Not bad. You guys have been making some real progress." The comment jolted them, and they turned to see Cade standing right there among them. They hadn’t even sensed his approach.

Their expressions shifted from awe at the coin to a chill crawling down their spines. Cade seemed to appear out of thin air, almost like an apparition.

Snap! Cade clicked his fingers, pulling them back to the present. "Come back to earth, boys."

It was no wonder they hadn’t noticed him; Cade’s mastery over Zetsu—the art of concealing one’s aura—was second to none. Only now, standing close to them, did they feel the shift in the air. They all straightened, attempting to look composed under his gaze.

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"I've been observing your progress," Cade said, his tone calm but carrying an edge of authority. "And while it’s nothing extraordinary, you've been diligent. So, I’m going to reward you with the knowledge of the most advanced Nen technique in existence. It’s the pinnacle of this world’s supernatural powers."

Ezra’s heart started to race. Was this it? The secret Cade had been hiding in his own training? The thought sent a ripple of anticipation through him, and he saw the same excitement mirrored in the eyes of the other two.

"It's better if I show you," Cade continued. His gaze shifted to his open hand, and in a heartbeat, something appeared there—a cube. It was larger than a typical Rubik’s cube, about three-by-three, with an unusual design. Instead of colors, each square bore an intricate engraving, all pieces forming parts of a coiled serpent.

"Take a closer look." With a gentle toss, Cade threw the cube toward Ezra, who fumbled but managed to catch it.

The three of them huddled around Ezra, their eyes fixed on the strange cube in his hands. The cube was unlike any they’d seen before—unsolved, with each small square engraved with part of a snake, as though pieces of a living creature had been captured within it.

“What is this thing, boss? It looks so real,” Vigil asked, his usually calm demeanor cracked with surprise. His gaze stayed locked on the intricate carvings, studying every detail.

Cade’s eyes glinted with pride as he explained, “This, boys, is called a Hatsu. In simple terms, it’s the manifestation of an ability you desire most. Every Nen user, myself included, aims to develop a unique Hatsu.”

He gestured to Vigil. “Try to solve it.”

Vigil took the cube from Ezra, his hands moving quickly. In less than ten seconds, the cube’s segments aligned, revealing the full pattern—a snake coiled tightly across the small squares. Then, as if the puzzle had sparked to life, the cube expanded, stretching and bulging until it burst. In its place was a one-foot-long black snake, its scales glossy and reflecting light in eerie patterns. The snake’s dark, unblinking eyes settled on Vigil, locking him in place. He felt his body seize, and his breath caught as if the creature held him captive in its gaze.

The spell broke only when Cade stepped forward, extending his hand to the snake. The creature turned toward Cade, slithering up his arm and coiling comfortably around it. Vigil shuddered, sweat trickling down his face as he caught his breath.

“Wh-what was that?” he managed, still shaken.

Before Cade could answer, Martin cut in, his voice tinged with admiration. “It was fear. I know that feeling well. This is…beautiful.”

Ezra, on the other hand, was fixated on the snake’s paralyzing power. “What else can it do, boss?”

Cade, scratching the snake’s head, grinned. “It has one other trick, but we’ll save that for another time. Right now, it’s your turn. We’re going to discover your Nen type.”

He looked at each of them in turn, a spark of excitement in his eyes. “Are you ready?”

“Osu!” they shouted in unison, brimming with anticipation.

The snake, still coiled around Cade, settled on his head as if it were part of him. Cade looked around and nodded. “First, let’s start with a Water Divination test to discover your Nen types. Bring me a glass of water and a few leaves.”

Once they’d gathered the materials, Cade placed a leaf on the water’s surface in the glass and turned to Martin. “You go first, Martin. Place your hand on the glass and pour your Nen into it.”

Martin did as instructed, concentrating on the glass. For a moment, nothing happened—then, slowly, the water began to rise, spilling over the edges and splashing onto the ground.

“You’re an Enhancer, Martin. This means you’re a well-rounded fighter, able to strengthen your body, organs, and even weapons. It also means you’ll have a boosted immune system and a recovery rate that’s hard to beat.”

Martin’s grin stretched wider with each word, his pride radiating.

“Now, let’s see what Ezra’s got,” Cade continued.

Ezra placed his hand on the glass, and the result was identical. He looked at Cade, already knowing the answer.

“There’s no need for an explanation, is there?” Cade smiled as Ezra stepped aside, nodding.

Next, Vigil took his turn, but this time the water remained still, showing no change. Vigil’s face fell, and his voice wavered. “Does this mean…I don’t have a Nen type?”

“Try tasting it,” Cade suggested.

Vigil picked up the glass and took a cautious sip, only to spit it out immediately. “It’s so sour!”

Cade chuckled, and the others couldn’t resist taking their own sips, each reacting with the same grimace. Cade nodded. “You’re a Transmuter, Vigil. This means you can alter your aura’s properties, making it act like rubber, metal, string, or anything else you can imagine.”

Relieved, Vigil let out a breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding, glad to finally know his type.

Martin turned to Cade, a question in his eyes. “What about you, boss? What’s your Nen type?”

With a knowing smile, Cade stepped forward. He placed his hand over the glass, and gradually, black particles appeared, settling at the bottom of the water.

“See those impurities? I’m a Conjurer. This type allows me to bring objects to life—objects I’m familiar with—and give them specific properties.”

The three of them nodded, understanding now not just the nature of their own nen but the power Cade commanded. The energy in the room shifted, each of them eager to begin the journey toward developing their own Hatsu.