HxH: Noah’s Heart

Since starting his training with Tsubone, Noah had to endure tremendous pressure every day.

Because Noah excelled in Nen training, Tsubone didn't criticize him much in that regard.

Instead, she focused on combat training, and every day, Noah's routine included both Nen practice and practical combat training with Tsubone.

The locations for their practical battles varied, covering almost the entire Kukuroo Mountain Range. Of course, they naturally avoided the Zoldyck Family's estate.

Sometimes, Tsubone wouldn't even warn Noah. If she felt like it, she would strike without warning.

Not only during the day, but even when Noah was sleeping at night, Tsubone might appear in his room without any warning and launch a surprise attack.

It could be said that Noah lived on the razor's edge between life and death at almost every moment. If he wasn't careful, he could easily die at Tsubone's hands.

But the rewards from this high-risk training were also tremendous.

In less than a month, Noah's strength had made a qualitative leap. Noah's talent and aptitude were truly exceptional, and even Tsubone couldn't help but admire him for it.

"Hah!"

On this day, in the forest near the butler's quarters, two figures clashed rapidly.

Noah's face showed a hint of seriousness as he launched his most fierce attack against Tsubone.

After a month of training, Noah was now qualified to spar with Tsubone, though this was still under the condition that she didn't use her full strength.

She skillfully blocked every punch and kick that Noah threw, and her eyes held a hint of approval.

Tsubone had witnessed Noah's progress throughout the month, and it wasn't just his talent and aptitude that impressed her.

Noah's determination and passion for becoming stronger were what truly caught her attention.

The training over the past month was aptly described as hellish.

Most people undergoing such training would become physically and mentally exhausted or even numb. But Noah was different; he was like a resilient spring.

The greater the pressure on him, the stronger his counterforce.

Tsubone truly admired such individuals.

"However, you're still far from enough."

After easily blocking Noah's roundhouse kick, Tsubone identified a flaw in Noah's attack and lightly laughed. With a single palm, she sent Noah flying.

Noah's body spun in the air before landing firmly on the ground.

"Remember to observe your opponent's movements. No matter how skilled they are, they will have their own attack rhythm and habits. If you can grasp that rhythm and those habits, you can find your opponent's weaknesses. But you also need to diversify your combat styles and avoid letting others catch your own fighting rhythm. You still have too many vulnerabilities." Tsubone didn't hold back in her guidance to the appreciative Noah.

"Yes, Teacher Tsubone."

Hearing Tsubone's words, Noah replied seriously.

Over this period of time, his address to Tsubone had changed to "teacher." In terms of seniority, it seemed he was now on par with Gatoh.

Being taught by someone and figuring things out on your own were entirely different levels.

Under Tsubone's guidance, Noah felt he was making rapid progress. If he relied solely on his own exploration, he wouldn't have reached this level.

So, regardless of Tsubone's reasons for teaching him, Noah was deeply grateful and sincerely addressed her as "teacher."

"Now, let's start with Nen training. Your advantage lies in having a solid foundation in Nen, so don't neglect it. Use your time wisely to develop your abilities," Tsubone said before her figure flashed and disappeared.

"Big Brother Noah, how did you open your pores?" After Tsubone left, a girl ran up with a cheerful smile and stood in front of Noah.

Looking at this cheerful girl with a smiling face, Noah couldn't help but smile.

"Amane, my method of opening pores is not correct. You should follow Teacher Tsubone's instructions and take it step by step."

Noah's eyes fell upon the girl before him named Amane.

She was the granddaughter of Tsubone, aged ten this year, and had reached the age to begin practicing Nen. This was the stage for slowly training to open the pores.

Hearing Noah's response, Amane, with her adorable pout, said, "According to Grandma's method, I don't know how long it will take to awaken."

Over the past month, Amane had been watching Noah and her grandmother's training almost every day, so she had developed a great yearning for Nen abilities.

"Haha, but this method is the most solid, as Teacher Tsubone said, the foundation is crucial. If you use the same method as me and your foundation isn't strong, there'll be nowhere for you to cry." Noah chuckled.

"But I think Noah is good at it. Even Grandma praised your solid foundation," Amane immediately retorted.

"Well, that's natural because Noah is a genius."

"Ugh." Amane dragged out a long sound, her hands behind her back, deliberately showing a disdainful expression on her face, looking extremely cute.

"Noah, you have a thick skin, how can you call yourself a genius?"

"Hahaha."

…

At night, after a day of training, Noah returned to his room, took a refreshing shower, and then lay on his bed.

"Time to develop my abilities, huh?"

Noah raised his hand, gazing at his palm, murmuring to himself.

During this period, Noah had also thought a lot about the abilities he wanted to develop. In fact, once he had a rough idea in his mind, he had already decided on his ability. The current issue was the effectiveness of that ability.

"It needs to truly affect anyone, so it seems that the only methods are restrictions and vows."

Restrictions and vows were common techniques used by Nen users to enhance the power of their abilities during their development.

The idea behind restrictions and vows was to establish certain rules, make a solemn oath in one's heart, and adhere to them. The stronger the rules, the greater the enhancement in the ability's power.

Similar to the original Kurapika, his Judgment Chain, after locking onto an enemy, could forcibly put them in a state of Zetsu.

Once a Nen user entered a state of Zetsu, they were almost indistinguishable from ordinary people. This demonstrated the immense power of this ability.

However, no matter how strong it was, this ability could only be used on members of the Phantom Troupe.

If used on anyone else, Kurapika would die instantly; this was the rule he had set for himself.

Likewise, there was the ability of Kuroro Lucifer, the leader of the Phantom Troupe, with his Skill Hunter. It also required certain conditions to be met to steal someone's ability.

In Noah's envisioned ability, restrictions, and vows were also crucial components.