The driver floored it, broke through the wall of flashes, and sped off…
Gotoh handed over a neatly prepared dossier. Roy read closely: the Provincial General Hospital's Dr. Bennett seemed legit—studied abroad in the Mimbo Republic, then did over ten years of pulmonary specialization after returning; recently promoted to chief physician, focused on TB and respiratory disease with deep experience.
And Gotoh indeed hadn't picked wrong.
They drove to the hospital; Roy met Bennett…
After hearing Tanjuro's case, Dr. Bennett quickly proposed a regimen: a four-drug combo—isoniazid + rifampin + pyrazinamide + ethambutol—in proper combination, dosing, regularity, and duration. Cure prospects were very good.
"He also said the best thing is to bring the patient in and tailor treatment…"
"Should we set a return visit?" Gotoh asked cautiously as they left the hospital for the airport, organizing Bennett's plan.
Roy leaned back and closed his eyes—he knew exactly what the doctor wanted: to see who the patient was.
But this touched both Tanjuro and the Door of Cognition—no way he'd reveal anything. Still…
Bennett's words sparked an idea:
If he couldn't "reverse-conjure" medicine into that world—what about the opposite? Could he conjure a person out from his cognitive world?
If yes… not only could Tanjuro's illness be solved—Urokodaki, and any powerful allies he met later, could be brought into the Hunter world as his right and left hands.
Which leaves one core question:
Can a living person withstand being conjured? And is there any precedent?
A problem worth deep thought.
He brooded a while, then simply told Gotoh, "We'll see."
One bite at a time, one step at a time. Until the four basics were rock-solid, planning too far ahead only bred anxiety.
Vroom— The car surged. Ten minutes later they reached the airport.
Gotoh opened the door; Roy stepped out, then gestured for Gotoh to use Zetsu—draw the natural aura bleed back in and pass as ordinary.
Crowds mean many eyes; learning to pass is required for a professional assassin.
Both dressed down: Roy in track jacket and pants, sneakers, "hiking stick" in hand—the picture of a kid off on a trek. Gotoh simpler still—ball cap, plaid shirt, jeans, flat shoes, hauling two suitcases: a college kid taking his kid brother on a trip with saved-up wages.
Their auras tucked away, they split up—one to pick up tickets, one to save seats.
Beside Roy sat a mother and child; she was teaching the boy his characters. She gave Roy a small smile; he nodded back and saved Gotoh a seat.
Tickets retrieved, they waited quietly to board; bags checked in.
Airports here are much like his previous life—food stalls, snacks, local goods, duty free—bustling and bright.
Bang—
A firecracker pop drew attention.
A candy shop's opening-day promotion. The "bang" came from a staffer in a plush suit firing confetti.
As ribbon rained, the girl lost all interest in studying and begged to go. Her mom relented and, passing Roy, apologized and asked him to watch a plastic bag on the chair—books, a water bottle, snacks—nothing valuable.
He didn't mind. As he watched them go his eyes slid to the promo staff: one wore a clown suit—tear-and-star face paint, red nose, pointed cap, curled clown shoes. Roy's gaze hardened.
"Young master—something's off." Gotoh had noticed too. "That guy's samples—the candies—all have aura on them."
You can coat objects with aura via Ten…
Once the object leaves the hand it's no longer Ten—it's Ten's advanced form—
Shu.
Shu: using Ten to wrap aura on an object you touch, enhancing its properties.
This man was a mature Nen user with a developed Hatsu. Combine that with the clown getup…
Roy and Gotoh exchanged a glance and thought of the same name—the terrorist "Clown" who'd slaughtered innocents in Mimbo.
What's he doing in Padokea?
Gotoh's hand slid toward his pocket—coins ready—Roy's slight shake halted him.
Gotoh looked over; Roy flicked his chin toward the lobby doors…
A black sedan pulled up. Tall figures filtered in dressed as travelers, but their eyes kept cutting to the "clown."
"Hunter Association?"
"Don't know…"
They switched to lip-reading:
"Not our business—don't poke it. Find a chance to hit the restroom and rebook—catch the next airship."
No need to tangle. Grandfather Zeno's trip might be a waste…
A mobile terrorist slipping out of Mimbo—security there is looser than an old granny's belt.
"Should we tell Master Zeno?"
He'd only just left on Zibo Nian—he couldn't have gotten far…
"Text him," Roy said after a beat.
"Yes." Gotoh rose and left.
Boarding was still forty minutes out—time enough to change tickets.
Roy stayed put, eyes lidded, acting at ease—when the mother and girl returned—with a surprise:
"Onii-san, have some candy."
~~~
Patreon(.)com/Bleam
— Currently You can Read 50 Chapters Ahead of Others!