Based on the "blink" of an eye when the punch connected with Hisoka's face earlier, the aura output concentrated on the fist was higher than the aura output Hisoka had distributed around the point of impact on his face.
So under normal circumstances, this punch had a high probability of directly ending the fight.
Even if it didn't, it could have severely injured Hisoka.
However...
The current Hisoka could distribute aura throughout his body while simultaneously turning his body into a rubber-like substance.
And rubber inherently has shock-absorbing properties, theoretically capable of dissipating the impact force of blunt strikes.
In other words, as long as Hisoka made his body rubber-like, he could be immune to most blunt damage such as punches or impacts.
Additionally, one of Hisoka's most remarkable traits is his exceptionally fast ability activation speed.
So it was indeed possible for him to neutralize most of the damage from that punch using that ability characteristic.
Thinking this, Morrow raised his palm and fired one Nen bullet after another directly into the dust cloud.
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh...
Continuous Nen bullets disappeared into the dust cloud.
The next instant, explosions followed one after another.
Morrow seemed unconcerned about potential aura consumption, maintaining this carpet bombing for half a minute before finally stopping.
When the dust from the explosions cleared, what appeared before everyone was a scene of ruins.
The specially made thick high wall had been blasted open with a huge gap, and Hisoka was nowhere to be seen.
Boom.
Amid the ruins, something suddenly exploded.
As rubble flew everywhere, Hisoka covered in dust emerged from the ruins, looking extremely disheveled but seemingly without serious injuries. Only his clothes were torn in multiple places, faintly revealing the color of blood.
Morrow's gaze quickly scanned Hisoka's face, where there was only swelling and bruising.
Clearly, this guy had indeed rubberized his face at the critical moment, otherwise the injuries couldn't be so light.
If the Poultry Scarlet Knife was still in hand, that calculated strike earlier would probably have put Hisoka down directly.
But reality has no ifs.
The course of battle often depends on subtle differences; any detail can change the final outcome.
It seems difficult to take down Hisoka with just fists, unless my attack speed can surpass his ability activation speed.
Morrow watched Hisoka but didn't immediately organize another attack, allowing Hisoka to descend from the devastated ruins.
Hisoka paid no attention to his numerous minor injuries, crossing the rubble-filled ruins to re-enter the arena.
Their lightning-fast exchange, though involving their full aura output, had actually only lasted one minute.
Using suspended Nen bullets as leverage points... truly astonishing.
Hisoka flicked his fingers, producing several playing cards, his gaze sharp as lightning as he stared at Morrow's face and asked: "So, was that counterattack entirely within your 'calculations'?"
Morrow's expression remained calm as he lightly countered: "Why, is it important?"
Hisoka narrowed his eyes, chuckling lowly twice, his voice suppressed and dangerous: "Not important."
He paused, then continued:
"But what I want to know more is, when are you planning to use that ability?"
"..."
Morrow remained calm, naturally understanding that Hisoka was referring to "Starlight Convergence."
Seeing Morrow unmoved, Hisoka slightly reined in his smile and enunciated each word deliberately: "Or perhaps... you think I'm not worthy of you using that ability?"
"Understood."
Morrow nodded, his tone even as he said: "Then I'll satisfy you, using the method of 'head-on confrontation'..."
"Mmm~ That's exactly what I wanted."
Hisoka's golden pupils trembled uncontrollably, his voice beginning to quiver along with them: "As reciprocation, I'll make you truly feel... the changes I've made for you over this past year."
Before the words faded, Hisoka held three playing cards between each hand, with pink gelatinous aura coiling around his arms like translucent sleeves.
Morrow glanced at Hisoka's preparatory stance before attacking.
From the beginning until now, this duel revealed that Hisoka's tactical system differed from before.
He no longer used "Bungee Gum" to orchestrate tactical assaults.
He had even abandoned the practice of attaching Nen to targets while launching attacks.
Although creating sufficient distance immediately could snap Bungee Gum, still...
The disadvantages posed by the open terrain shouldn't be the reason Hisoka discarded this approach.
Morrow knew.
This battle maniac who had restrained himself for so long clearly wanted to win through direct confrontation.
As these thoughts flashed through his mind, the aura output around Morrow's body suddenly shattered into a sky full of starlight.
「Starlight Convergence」
Stars swirled and permeated the air.
Hisoka abruptly lunged forward, his arms stretching unnaturally like rubber before transforming into two sharp whip-like shadows that wove an impenetrable offensive net before him.
The playing cards held between his fingers became blade-like entities, adding sharp edges to this storm-like assault.
This was the confidence Hisoka possessed to crush Morrow's Starlight Convergence head-on.
The overlapping afterimages of his attacks seemingly sealed off all possible dodging space available to a human.
Witnessing Hisoka's confidence at this moment, Morrow inexplicably recalled the figure of Youpi from the three Chimera Ant guards.
Comparing current Hisoka to Youpi, their attack styles resembled each other but had differences.
Youpi's whip strikes excelled in ferocity but lacked flexibility and agility.
Hisoka compensated for lesser ferocity with elastic and flexible arms that could further expand his attack coverage.
The playing cards between his fingers made up for any deficiency in lethal force.
With this inhuman offensive approach, he rapidly closed in on Morrow.
This was head-on confrontation.
To retreat would mean another form of defeat.
Avoid his brilliance?
Without hesitation, Morrow advanced forward, meeting Hisoka's seemingly unavoidable attacks.
「Biological Mutation」
Just before his body contacted Hisoka's sharp whip-like shadows, Morrow utilized the ability he'd learned from mimicking the Kiriko, altering bodily form, through precise feedback from the starlight points within an extremely short timeframe.
With a human body, it would indeed be difficult to navigate through such an assault from Hisoka.
But Morrow could forcibly create an evasion path through the transformative ability of biological reconstruction.
Since this was head-on confrontation, then it would be head-on confrontation.
Morrow, with his body twisted and contorted, slipped through Hisoka's assault.
The cost of such a high attack frequency was that Starlight Convergence could fulfill its conditions in an instant.
Thus, a golden chain materialized out of thin air, firmly binding Hisoka.
Hisoka reacted, a rare flicker of astonishment flashing in his eyes, completely unprepared for Morrow's ability to twist his body into an inhuman state...
As Morrow bypassed Hisoka, the ability's conditions were met. He immediately withdrew the starlight scattered around him and condensed a Deceptive Shooting Star in his palm.
"Is this the change you've made in a year?"
Morrow, with his back turned to Hisoka who was bound by the golden chain, tossed the Deceptive Shooting Star as he spoke.
"In the end, you're still the same... learning nothing, stubbornly choosing a battlefield that hinders your ability's effectiveness."
As his words faded, the Shooting Star froze mid-air, poised like a crossbow bolt ready to fire.
Hisoka's pupils contracted sharply. Though his body was bound by the golden chain, it didn't impede his ability's usage.
Before the Shooting Star could strike, he instantly transformed his hands into spring-like forms and launched the playing cards from his fingertips toward Morrow's back.
The amount of aura contained within that Shooting Star was substantial, meaning Morrow had diverted a portion of his aura output from his own offense and defense.
So, as long as he poured more aura into the playing cards, there was still a chance to turn the tide, or even injure Morrow.
Hisoka's plan was ideal, but reality was harsh.
Morrow's Astral Step had already cooled down; how could he give Hisoka an opportunity to succeed?
Just as Hisoka launched the playing cards, Morrow's figure vanished.
The six playing cards that shot through the air struck nothing.
Simultaneously.
The golden chain shattered.
Hisoka regained his freedom, but the suspended Deceptive Shooting Star, now with doubled power, shot straight toward him.
As long as I can block it...!
In this situation, Hisoka had little energy left to guard against Morrow, who had teleported to an unknown location. He hastily erected a defensive barrier at top speed.
The empowered Shooting Star arrived in an instant, crashing into Hisoka's body.
The energy contained within erupted violently, triggering a fierce explosion almost immediately.
Despite setting up a solid Nen defense, Hisoka was blasted away without any resistance.
He had barely managed to block it.
But, Morrow, who had teleported away using Astral Step, was already waiting along Hisoka's trajectory as he flew backward.
This time, let's see if your rubberization is faster, or my fist is quicker.
Morrow's arm muscles bulged. As Hisoka flew toward him, he threw a powerful punch, striking precisely in the center of Hisoka's face.
Thud!
Crack!
The fist nearly embedded itself into Hisoka's face.
His nose, the first point of impact, suffered a comminuted fracture.
From this, Morrow confirmed that Hisoka hadn't had time to rubberize his face this time, taking the full brunt of the punch.
As the sound of the fracture faded, Hisoka, reeling from the heavy blow, had his entire face twisted beyond recognition, his body flipping through the air like a ragged sack.
As his consciousness blurred, in the seemingly slowed flow of time, he faintly heard Morrow's calm, emotionless voice.
"This is the outcome of your choice to 'confront me head-on', it only hastens the end of this battle."
"..."
Hisoka lost consciousness.
Before darkness swallowed his awareness, what crossed his mind was actually, I'm sorry I couldn't give you more pleasure.
Thud.
Hisoka's body hit the ground, rolling several times before coming to a stop.
Having already lost consciousness, he could be described as severely injured and in a miserable state.
Coincidentally...
Hisoka landed not far from Gon and Hanzo.
Having snapped out of his shock, Gon almost instinctively controlled his fishing rod to hook the number tag from Hisoka's chest.
But none of the other examinees, including Hanzo, noticed this scene.
They were all looking at Morrow in the arena with eyes as if staring at a monster.
Too terrifying...
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Bonus chapter @600power stones