Auren stares at Netero, truly frustrated that he's been underestimated to such a degree.
I'll show you what happens if you underestimate your enemies. My Hatsus are incredibly diverse; he won't be able to deal with what's coming now.
Hiding in Mist!
A thick surge of fog bursts outward from Auren, quickly covering the entire battlefield all the way to the treeline. Not a single gap remains—the vision of the battlefield is completely obscured.
I have one shot to catch him off guard. This is why I've been training like hell. I am certain I can kill almost anyone. Even Netero will not see it coming.
Water Clone!
He rapidly expends a large amount of Aura and creates a clone of himself, then immediately switches to Zetsu.
My fog isn't just basic fog. It blocks more than sight—it makes reading Aura extremely difficult. Even Netero won't realize I created a clone. He can try to use En, but the mist interferes with that, too. Also, I have a feeling that doing something like that wouldn't be fun for him. No, he will use basic attacks and martial arts to deal with me.
This is my only chance to pierce him with Eternity.
I will succeed. More importantly, the clone is resistant to the fog. Since I'll be using Zetsu, I need to give it orders now—and wait. It won't be perfect as the clone will barely be threatening, but it only needs to buy me one moment. One moment is all I need, a single chance.
Without hesitation, Auren commands the clone to slowly advance and strike Netero the instant it spots him.
As the clone begins moving forward, Auren shifts his own position, darting around the perimeter to approach from the side, before finally attacking Netero from the back.
Using Zetsu, his fog now functions almost like his own En—allowing him to sense both the clone and Netero, who remains still, completely motionless since the mist first appeared.
The special ability of my fog should allow me to approach him without getting noticed. He's not making a move... he is not taking me seriously... I hope he keeps it up. I just need one good hit.
Both Auren and his clone steadily close the distance to Netero, careful not to give him too much time to adjust to the atmosphere.
Just as they begin to get into a position that allows them to strike, Netero's Aura suddenly spikes. Auren's senses—sharpened by Zetsu—react instantly, warning him of the danger.
What is he doing? Is he using his Hatsu? Or is he simply—
Before he can finish the thought, Auren senses something strange, a vague movement, and then, the area in front of Netero completely vanishes from his perception.
The fog... It's gone!
The connection to his clone tells him everything he needs to know.
Netero has thrown another punch—this one fueled by far more Aura. The force of it is enough to punch away the fog itself, clearing a massive portion of the battlefield.
This is insane! It's Aura! How can he just punch it away like that?!
"There you are," Netero says, grinning. "How bold—approaching me from the front?"
Auren wastes no time. He sends the command for the clone to rush in, no longer holding back.
I need to do it now before he realizes that I'm using a clone!
"Going in? Let's see what you have planned!" Netero shouts, his excitement building as the clone charges forward, a mirrored version of Eternity aimed directly at him.
It's all or nothing. I can't hesitate. I need to close in, too. The moment he strikes, he'll realize the truth—that gives me just a fraction of a second to act. I need to stop Zetsu, use Ren, shift my Aura instantly, and go all in... with a Ko attack! If I can land a good hit, it's over. If I can pierce Eternity through his body, even Netero will fall. All his Aura will get drained, and he won't be able to fight back without any Aura. It's risky, but without such a risk, I don't even stand a tiny chance against him. I'll just have to risk it.
Both Auren and his clone rush forward. Auren utilizes Shadow Steps, minimizing any sound, working in combination with Zetsu, which erases his presence and Aura as he approaches from the back.
As the clone closes the last few meters, Netero's expression becomes serious. He throws another punch—again faster than sound—blasting a hole straight through the clone's chest. The force of the impact creates a loud echo that halls through the air.
At the same time, Auren does his best to match the timing of the clone, with just the slightest of delay. Then, with unwavering confidence and courage, he unleashes his full Aura, focusing it entirely on Eternity as he stabs it forward, aiming for Netero's back.
To Auren's absolute horror, Netero suddenly turns his body around, causing Eternity to miss its intended target as Auren desperately drives it forward.
Instead of piercing his back, the blade stabs into his right forearm.
Auren grits his teeth as the tip slowly sinks in, trying hard to pierce through it.
However, it comes to a halt instantly after only going five centimeters (around 2 inches) deep.
Still, he does not stop. Throwing his full weight into it, Auren presses harder, pushing the sword forward as he notices its draining effect kicking in. A massive amount of Aura pours into the blade with astonishing speed, at a level he couldn't even begin to imagine before.
The amount of power flowing into Eternity feels limitless. In less than a second, the blade has drained as much as it did from a full minute's worth of contact with the amateur Nen-users back in Glam Gas Land.
I need more time! If I can keep this up somehow...!
His clone—heavily damaged, leaking Aura from the hole in its chest, its form now slowly collapsing—stumbles forward. Auren commands it to swing its sword in a last desperate attack.
Netero smiles, amused.
With his left hand, he casually crushes the clone's weapon and arms in one strike.
Now, little more than a dense clump of Aura vaguely shaped like Auren, the clone makes one last attempt. It wraps itself around Netero's body, trying to drown him.
For a second, it looks like it might work.
Netero briefly flares up his Aura, the Aura strong enough to push and pulverize the unstable clone, completely annihilating it, causing the Aura to disperse before disappearing into the now foggy night.
He's gotten rid of my clone... but he still hasn't removed Eternity!
With Eternity absorbing more Aura, Auren feels the blade piercing just a tiny bit deeper into Netero's arm, the stolen Aura strengthening it.
"What a curious blade," Netero says. "You are capable of draining my Aura? That is quite unsettling. I'm afraid I can't allow you to continue."
Shit! Water bullets.
With his target directly in front of him, Auren shoots more water bullets. Netero counters by simply blowing Aura against them, redirecting them effortlessly—some shooting past Auren's own face—one even grazing his left cheek, slicing it open, causing blood to start to trickle down.
Netero then raises his left arm, taking on a fighting pose—Eternity still stuck in his right forearm.
I won't let him hit me like that, and I am not letting go as well.
Auren transforms his left hand into a claw as he slashes at Netero, using Limitless Waters to enhance the reach and lethality of his claw.
As Auren's claw reaches Netero's chest, he tries to pierce his stomach, only for his hand to clash against his chest, unable to penetrate it, merely scratching his skin off.
I... I can't damage him?! He is holding me back just using Aura?! No... I felt a tiny impact... but I barely drew blood...
Before Auren can come up with another plan, he feels Netero punching at him with his left hand, barely able to comprehend the movement.
Using all his focus, he reacts, using all of his focus and effort, trying to twist his body sideways to dodge the punch—only to get hit in his left shoulder.
As he's thrown back, he feels his organs and bones cry out in pain, like a shockwave coursing through his body, this time unable to regain his balance and thus unable to land properly.
As he crashes into the ground, he continues to slide backwards, the remaining Fog getting further pushed away.
"That hurt... fuck," Auren curses, spitting out a mouthful of blood.
However... Eternity is still stuck in Netero's arm, continuing to drain Aura, now glowing in a mysterious, powerful green glow, focused on the gem embedded on its hilt.
Netero then calmly pulls Eternity out of his arm, holding it in his hand.
"What a dangerous weapon," he calmly notes, as he lifts the blade into the air, towards the moonlight, curiously inspecting it.
Despite the pain, Auren smiles at this gesture, as he immediately senses that Eternity is still draining Aura from the wound—and also simply from the fact that Netero is making direct contact by holding the blade.
"My Aura is still getting drained. That is quite troublesome," he says, before throwing it into the air, far enough that it instantly disappears from view.
Auren immediately reacts and focuses on his chest. The true Eternity, which remains in the Flower Tattoo on his chest, quickly reforms in just two seconds, appearing in Auren's hand again—its blade still containing almost all the Aura stolen from Netero.
Immediately, with seemingly unwavering confidence, he points it forward towards Netero, continuing to drain more Aura.
Netero now, for the first time, looks visibly bothered.
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