HunterxHunter: Reborn With Crazy Potential

Walking back to our original spots, Hanzo has concluded the 'business' portion of the 'examinations' and is now entertaining the newest recruits. Meanwhile, I'm left with the grim task of literally burying what remains of our 'now since past memories.'

By the end of the day, four of the 27 remaining tribesmen return to the camp and two others die while trying to escape their predicaments. That leaves hope for 21 more members to join our ever-growing group of refugees. With time on our hands and a camp growing quieter by the hour, Hanzo and I decide to begin training our newest recruits in the basics of Ten.

I call the children to gather before me. It takes several minutes for them to assemble, their faces painted with a mix of fear and hatred. Their eyes bore into me, defiant yet silent. The scene is heavy with tension. They've seen what I'm capable of; they know better than to defy me outright.

"Listen closely," I command, my voice slicing through the quiet like steel. "I didn't bring you here to waste away. You're alive because I chose to spare you. I see something special in all of you and I wish to hone it to the best of my capabilities as a teacher."

A murmur of weak affirmations rises from the group. Some nod, others merely bow their heads, their fear outweighing their words.

"Good," I continue, pacing before them with deliberate steps. "Earlier, I awakened the aura inside you. That power will keep you strong if you learn to control it. If you don't, it will drain you dry, leaving you nothing but a husk. So pay attention," a tiny white lie to get them to be more eager to learn won't hurt.

I extend my hand, summoning a steady flow of aura. The energy radiates faintly, flickering like a soft white flame. Several children recoil instinctively at the sight of it, shrinking back as if the glow might consume them.

"This," I state sharply, "is Ten. Ten is the most basic form of control over your aura. You will learn it quickly, or you will be left behind by your fellow children and you will have to spend more time learning the next lesson while still mastering this one. Remember these lessons will help you in life."

Pausing, I allow my words to sink in. "Here's how you begin. Close your eyes. Breathe deeply. Feel the energy inside you. Right now, it's leaking out slowly, but steadily. Picture it pulling back into you, wrapping around your body like a second skin. Keep it close. Hold it steady."

The children's expressions range from confusion to terror. Some hesitate, their mistrust palpable, while others grudgingly close their eyes and attempt to follow my instructions.

The first attempts are feeble. A boy near the front clenches his fists, his aura sputtering to life for a mere heartbeat before vanishing. He glances up at me, his eyes betraying his unease. I meet his gaze with a good-hearted warm one of my own.

"Pretty good you catch on quick," I say in an eccentric tone while saturating the air with my aura infusing it with a warm happy feeling. The child calms down and I start looking around for any other children to help. Looking around I notice the rest of the children's eyes soften a little their fear dissipating slowly.

Walking up to another child this one a little boy a little bit smaller I say, "Good job but you need to focus a little bit more and concentrate," In the same light-hearted tone I used earlier.

The little boy tries again but this time using what I have taught him. His aura stabilizes, still weak but far more steady. I nod slightly a grin stretching across my face, "Better. Now keep it steady."

Encouraged by his success the rest of the group begins to push themselves. Eventually one by one learning the basics of manifesting their aura. One girl, trembling violently, fails repeatedly to summon her aura. Tears streak down her face as she stammers, "I'm so tired but I don't want to be left behind."

"Take a break and then try again. You can do it you just need to calm down and focus," I reply, my tone joyful and warm yet still firm. After a small break I kneel beside her and grab her wrist, my grip firm but not harsh. "You can do this. Feel it. Focus."

Her breathing steadies under my touch. Slowly, almost painfully, her aura begins to emerge, faint but present. "Good," I say, releasing her wrist and straightening up. "Now try to keep it steady."

By nightfall, a small handful of the children manage to hold their Ten consistently for over 5 minutes. One boy stands out among them, his aura stronger and more stable than the rest. I approach him, meeting his defiant gaze. He doesn't flinch, though I can sense the fear buried beneath his hardened exterior.

"You did well," I acknowledge curtly. "But don't let it go to your head."

The boy's jaw tightens, but he nods. I move on, addressing the group as a whole. "Good job everybody. Even if you didn't get a full 5 minutes you all got the basics of it and that's good enough for today. Enjoy a nice rest."

Just as I'm about to dismiss them, movement catches my eye. Figures emerge from the distance, their silhouettes barely visible in the dim twilight. I extend my En, confirming their identities; four more of my people have returned.

They approach the camp, their expressions grim. Two of them are injured but alive. Hanzo steps forward, nodding to them and motioning for them to settle in around a bonfire we made.

"How many of us are left out there?" one of the men asks, his voice steady but tinged with a quiet sadness.

"Seventeen," I reply, though my patience is thinning. "But I know them, they'll come."

"This is his fault you know," I hear one man mutter to another.

"Yeah, I know but his power is terrifying if we hadn't joined him who knows what he would have done to us," The other responds solemnly.

Finally, they sigh, the weight of our situation evident in everyone's posture. Together, we stand in silence, watching as the camp settles into uneasy rest I plan on what to do with the two gossipers over there.