Leonard follows the group as they make their way to a larger wooden house nestled among the trees. The path is rough, winding through the dense forest, and he takes in his surroundings with keen eyes.
As they approach the house, Leonard's mind is a whirlwind of thoughts.
The team's dynamics, their abilities, and the nature of their situation on Black Island weigh heavily on him.
He notices the subtle interactions between the team members—how some avoid eye contact, how others seem more relaxed, and how a few maintain a guarded demeanor.
"In the end, I am not sure why all of them are here."
"Why, Kakin would want them to be here." Leonard asked himself.
Alie, walking beside him, glances over.
"So, what do you think about the team?"
Leonard takes a moment to gather his thoughts.
He hasn't been with them long enough to form a solid opinion, and he knows it would be unwise to comment without understanding their dynamics and abilities better.
Also, he knows from experience that, as a person who joined the latest, commenting about friends of Alie may not seem good to others.
Even if his comments are good-natured.
"Honestly, I shouldn't make any comments right now. I don't know much about them yet." Leonard said.
Alie nods, seemingly satisfied with his answer. "Fair enough. It takes time to get to know people, especially in a place like this. Just keep your eyes and ears open. Trust will be earned, not given."
They reach the large wooden house, which looks more stable than the shack Leonard first woke up in. It's a two-story structure with a wide porch and several windows, some of which are covered with makeshift curtains. The front door creaks as they open it, revealing a large, open space inside with a few basic furnishings and a central fireplace.
"Welcome to our home," Alie says, gesturing for Leonard to enter. "Make yourself comfortable. We'll discuss our plans and your role in the group soon."
As Leonard steps inside, he feels the weight of the team's expectations and the gravity of their situation.
Alie shows Leonard a small but functional room in the wooden house. The space is simple, with a bed, a wooden table, and a few basic belongings. She leaves him with a bowl of vegetable soup and a jug of water.
"Three hours from now, we'll gather to discuss our plans," Alie says before heading out. "Thanks for the soup," Leonard replies, and she nods before leaving him to his thoughts.
Leonard sits down at the table and starts eating the soup. It's basic but nourishing, and he savors the warmth as it provides much-needed comfort. Once he finishes, he sets the bowl aside and turns his attention to the task at hand: mastering the basics of Nen.
He begins with Ten, focusing on the technique that involves creating a protective shield of aura around his body. He feels the warmth of the aura as he concentrates, visualizing it enveloping him like a cocoon. Due to his large reserves of aura and the knowledge that's been coming to him since his awakening, he finds he can generate Ten with relative ease.
Next, he practices Zetsu, the technique of closing off his aura to conceal his presence.
He experiments with reducing his aura flow, feeling the shift in energy as he goes from a state of openness to one of subtlety. It's a delicate balance, but again, his previous knowledge and aura reserves make it manageable.
"It is easier than I thought." Leonard comments and smiles.
As Leonard continues to practice, he notices his progress accelerating. The basics of Nen—Ten and Zetsu—start feeling natural to him. The combination of his strong aura and the intuitive understanding he's gained makes learning these techniques swift and efficient.
"Maybe I do have a great talent."
When the time comes, Leonard feels confident.
As Leonard prepares for the meeting with the group, he reflects on his Nen abilities and the path he wants to take. In his mind, he considers the implications of his first ability and how it might shape his future.
"If my first ability is in the Enhancer category, that's not a bad thing," he thinks.
"Enhancers are known for their strength and direct combat capabilities. It makes sense—I need something that will let me protect myself effectively, especially in this hostile environment. Having a solid combat ability will give me the time I need to master Nen more thoroughly and develop more complex abilities down the line."
He considers the advantages of starting with enhancer ability.
Leonard feels a sense of determination. "Once I've got a strong base, I can start working on more specialized abilities—things that are more in line with my personal strengths and goals. But for now, an enhancer ability will provide the direct combat capability I need to survive and protect myself."
With this in mind, Leonard heads to the meeting.