Hunter X Hunter - Reviewers Rage

Author note: Last chapter before the mass release

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July 11, 1999

Togiri blinked awake in the sterile brightness of the training room, muscles aching from his brief coma after Hisoka's Avatar had nearly claimed his life again in the Training Simulator.

He leaned against the cold, metallic wall, his mind racing.

"I need a plan..." His voice was hoarse, barely breaking the silence.

The room was empty, save for the hum of the ventilation system. Togiri's gaze drifted to the ceiling, seeking answers from the stillness.

Two ideas simmered in his mind, both capable of granting him immense Existence Points and Shop Points—critical resources for survival.

"The tournament…" he muttered, the words stronger this time.

This had been his secret plan for months, born from the realization that fame could translate into power.

He envisioned a world tournament, luring the strongest fighters, criminals, and Nen users with a prize of 100 billion Jenny.

But the real reward would be the Existence Points flooding in from the fame and attention.

"There'll be two tournaments," he whispered, eyes narrowing. "One for the regular martial artist, and one for Nen users."

The first tournament would attract ordinary fighters, unaware of Nen but eager for wealth.

The second would draw the world's deadliest: seasoned assassins and desperate warriors willing to risk everything for power.

Togiri planned to participate in both—once as himself and again as his alter ego Blue Demon, maximizing fame and collecting Shop Points through inevitable deaths.

His Phantom Society would enforce order, but he knew chaos was a given.

The consequences loomed large. The tournament could endanger his family, friends, and allies, making the Phantom Society's operations more perilous. But he couldn't stop; he was too far in.

Then there was his second, more dangerous plan: the Chimera Ants.

A grimace crossed his face at the thought of farming them, feeding humans to the Queen for a sustainable influx of Shop Points.

It was horrific, but a necessary evil. The risk was enormous; a single Royal Guard's birth could mean his death.

"Can I even handle that?" he wondered aloud, staring at his reflection in the polished floor.

"Hundreds of Chimera Ants are a nightmare… If I mess up, I won't survive to see Fang again after he completed his training in the mountains."

Seven, the AI in his mind, chimed in. @You have about nine months until Neferpitou is born. You need to grow stronger. Launch the tournament when Kurapika and the Phantom Troupe clash in YorkNew city@

Togiri's eyes widened. "When's that?" He fished a notebook from his inventory.

@The first week of September. After that, you can start the tournament without interference from the Troupe or Gon and Killua.@

"September tenth… Greed Island." He scribbled the dates, closing the notebook with a snap. The timeline was tight but achievable.

A heavy sigh escaped him. "Rika's set up the infrastructure. The Hunter Association's been bribed. I need to grow stronger, fast."

Frustration boiled within him. "Aura-condensation pills are inefficient. I have 130,000 Aura Units—more than Morel—but can barely use a third!" He punched his leg, the sting grounding him.

"And my Nen is still so unrefined. I need to refine my Phantom Pages more."

When he created the tenth page in his Phantom Book, he discovered he could speed up the process by forming the torn pieces first and then fusing them with the book—30 percent faster speed in creating a page.

It was progress, but not enough.

"I wish Fang was here," Togiri muttered, rubbing his temple. "We'd have this all planned out by now. He could protect our family…"

But there was no time for hesitation.While he could overpower many seasoned fighters, he knew his true talent was subpar compared to the Chimera Ants and Nen masters he would soon face.

He reflected on his family's safety and the promises he'd made. Zashagi, the blind swordsman, and Kikyo, the kunoichi, were potential allies.

If he could feed them Nen awakening pills, they'd be valuable assets. Zashagi had bested him with a wooden stick; with a real sword, he could handle many novice fighters.

Kikyo managed to pierce his body with needles while using En and observing her with full concentration.

Togiri let out a deep sigh. "Since when did my life get so complicated?" he mused, memories started flashing through his mind.

Images of the last five years flashed through his mind. The first time he ate food out of a trash can, the first time when he was beat up because he ate food out of a trash can.

"From eating out of trash cans to becoming the owner of a billion Jenny company", he felt the weight of responsibility crushing him.

"Do you remember the first time I met Fang?" he asked Seven. @I remember everything,@ Seven replied, annoyance creeping into his tone.

Togiri rolled his eyes, recalling their first encounter when he created him and the Reviewer System—Seven had also insulted him and spoke rudely just like now.

But the happy memories surfaced too: holding Lilia in his arms after she was born, she calling him Togi for the first time, helping Fang on his first date when they were eight.

"Mom bought him a suit, and he waited for hours until he realized he'd been stood up." Seven chuckled. @Remember what you did?@

Togiri narrowed his eyes. "Yeah, I went to his school and planted dog sh*t in her desk. The whole school called her 'Poophead.'"

Seven chuckled @That was messed upamd childish for a twenty two year-old to do@

"Whatever," Togiri shrugged. He only cared about two things: strength and his family.

The memories he received had twisted him, but protecting loved ones was his driving force.

"In all the memories I saw of me and my loved ones getting killed on this world, I never saw a grown version of Fang. Maybe this cycle and me are completly different than before, because of the Reviewer System"

Maybe creating the Reviewer System had altered his life path, but now wasn't the time for nostalgia. He had a tournament to start and preparations to make.

"I'll call Rika to begin the tournament setup. In the next two months, the Blue Demon will make appearances across the cities, and I'll smuggle Zashagi and Kikyo out of prison."

Zashagi's situation was simple—he had avenged his family against bandits and was imprisoned because he killed the nephew of a rich man with powerful connections.

Kikyo's was murky; she sought revenge against an assassin clan, but details were scarce.

Rika could bribe the prison director, or Kaizen and Squad One could break them out. But first, he needed to secure his parents.

If Illumi weren't connected to Hisoka, he would have hired the Zoldycks for protection, but the first and second squads should suffice until the tournament began.

Togiri stood up and stretched, he called Rika and set the plan in motion. The video of Togiri announcing the tournament would hit the world in three days.

Togiri stepped out of his training room, the cool night air washing over him, carrying the scent of distant rain.

As he walked down the street, the glow of streetlights flickered like fireflies, illuminating the path ahead.

He spotted Rika approaching, her silhouette striking against the dimly lit backdrop.

She wore a fitted black blazer that accentuated her figure, paired with a sleek skirt that hugged her curves, exuding confidence.

The youthful vibrancy of her appearance—thanks to the beauty pill—seemed almost ethereal, as if time had reversed itself for her.

"Rika! You look ten years younger! What's your secret?" he called out, a playful grin tugging at his lips.

She rolled her eyes but couldn't suppress a smile. "Oh, just a little something I picked up. You should try it—you might actually look your age!" Her laughter was light, a melodic sound that momentarily dispelled the tension lingering in the air.

"Ha! Am I too young or to old? I'll take that as a compliment," he retorted, though the humor in his voice barely masked the undercurrent of stress he felt.

He couldn't shake the feeling that danger lurked in the shadows. Just as the moment of camaraderie settled between them, it was shattered.

A flash of silver cut through the air, and time seemed to stretch impossibly. Before either of them could react, three daggers whistled toward them, their tips gleaming menacingly in the light.

"Get down!" Togiri shouted, instinct kicking in as two daggers struck him squarely in the chest, their points protruding grotesquely through his back.

The third embedded itself in Rika's shoulder, the tip visible beneath the fabric of her blazer.

"Arghhhh. Shit!" Togiri gasped, the pain sharp but fleeting. With a swift motion, he yanked the daggers from his chest, feeling the slight burn of healing wash over him as he used Existence Points to mend the damage.

In a moment the holes in his body closed, adrenaline, anger and bloodlust kicked in, but he had other things to deal with.

"Are you okay?" he asked urgently, his eyes scanning her face.

Rika's complexion had drained of color, her lips pressed tightly together as her gaze shifted between the dagger in her shoulder and him.

"I'm...fine," she managed, though her voice trembled, a clear crack in her bravado. He could see her breathing quickening, the adrenaline flooding her system.

"Hold on!" He quickly extended his En, scanning the surroundings of the daek street for any lurking threats.

Without a moment's hesitation, he scooped Rika into his arms, moving swiftly toward a nearby alley.

Her body felt light yet tense against him, and he could sense the rapid thumping of her heart against his chest.

"Stay down!" he instructed, urgency pouring from him as he ducked into the alley, shielding her from view.

The moment they were concealed, he pulled the dagger from her shoulder with a sharp tug.

She gasped, her eyes squeezing shut, the pain evident on her face. "Sorry!" he said, gritting his teeth as he tossed the dagger aside.

Blood seeped from the wound, staining the pristine fabric of her blazer a deep crimson.

His heart raced—not just from the encounter, but from the thought of losing her.

"I've got to heal you," he murmured, quickly accessing the Shop. He purchased a healing pill for 500 Shop Points and turned back to her, his fingers brushing her cheek as he gently tilted her head back to feed it to her.

The pill instantly took effect and the gushing wound slightly closed and the blood flowing out slowed too.

Rika's eyes flickered to his, a mixture of fear and gratitude shimmering in their depths.

"Just... be careful," she whispered, her voice shaky, but there was a flicker of determination in her gaze, a quiet strength he admired.

Togiri nodded, swallowing hard as he felt the weight of the situation pressing down on him. "I'll take care of this," he assured her, his voice firm.

With one last glance to make sure she was stable, he leaped onto the roof of the building beside them.

As he soared into the night, his heart pounded—not just from the physical exertion but from the reality of the threat they faced.

He could feel the adrenaline coursing through him, sharpening his senses as he scanned the rooftops for any sign of the assassins.

The cold air whipped past him, heightening his awareness of every sound, every flicker of movement.

He spotted them in the distance, three dark figures sprinting across the rooftops, their movements synchronized like a well-rehearsed dance.

Togiri's determination surged, the thought of Rika's pale face fueling his pursuit.

"Not getting away that easily!" he growled, focusing his energy, legs propelling him forward as he closed the distance.

With every leap, he could feel the stakes rising. If he failed, the consequences could be dire—not just for him, but for Rika and his family. He wouldn't let that happen.

As he neared the first assassin, he felt the rush of wind against his face, his muscles coiling with power.

He would catch them, and he would make them pay for what they had done. The thrill of the chase mingled with a fierce resolve.

This was about more than just survival; it was about protecting those he cared for.

His Ken flared as he sprinted after them, his aura and body pushing its absolute limits, every muscle in his frame coiled and tense.

The gap between him and the three assassins closed rapidly.

One of the assassins glanced back, eyes widening beneath their hood as they saw Togiri closing in.

Without hesitation, they threw a flurry of daggers over their shoulder, the blades whistling through the air, aimed with deadly precision.

Togiri barely flinched. His Ken surged, deflecting the daggers with ease.

The metal clinked harmlessly against his aura, falling to the rooftop tiles below with muted thuds.

His jaw clenched, irritation rising at their futile attempt to slow him down.

In an explosive burst of speed, he lunged forward, grabbing one of the assassins by the arm before they could react.

With a swift, powerful motion, Togiri slammed them into the roof beneath them, the force cracking the tiles and sending a tremor through the building.

The assassin's breath left them in a wheeze, their limbs going limp as they struggled to remain conscious.

The second assassin hesitated for a moment, a flash of fear crossing their eyes—a momentary lapse that sealed their fate.

Togiri's foot shot out with brutal precision, catching him square in the chest.

The impact sent them flying backward, crashing into the side of a nearby wall with a sickening thud. He slumped to the ground, winded and dazed.

The third assassin turned sharply to face him, eyes cold beneath their hood. There was no fear there, only the calculated resolve of someone who knew they weren't getting out alive.

In a desperate move, they drew two short blades and charged Togiri with lethal intent.

Togiri dodged the first slash, his body weaving effortlessly out of the assassin's path.

He grabbed the assassin by the wrist on their second strike, twisting sharply and disarming them.

With a swift movement, he slammed his knee into their gut, sending them flying onto a nearby rooftop.

They hit the ground hard, groaning as they struggled to push themselves back up. But before they could react, Togiri was on them, his hand tightening around their throat.

"Who sent you?" His voice was low, cold.

The assassin said nothing. Their eyes glared at him, defiant even in defeat.

Togiri noticed the slight twitch of their jaw a second too late.

"Don't!" he shouted, but the assassin had already bit down on the capsule hidden in underneath their tooth.

Their body convulsed, a thin stream of foam bubbling from their lips.

The poison worked quickly, their muscles stiffening, their breathing shallow.

Togiri released grip on his throat, standing over the body as the life drained from their eyes. His fists clenched in frustration.

The two other assassins, barely conscious, seemed to sense their fate.

Togiri turned to them just in time to see both biting down on their own capsules.

Their bodies convulsed as the poison spread through their veins, their limbs jerking violently for a moment before going still.

"Fucking bastards!" He cursed under his breath, his eyes narrowed as he saw the three lifeless bodies.

'They'd rather die than be captured. Whoever sent them wanted no loose ends.'

"Professionals. Trained killers. This wasn't a random attack—this was a message. They daggers were too accurate to only hit non vitals areas on my chest and Rika's shoulder. But from who?"

He quickly knelt by the nearest assassin, patting down their clothing for anything that might give him a clue.

Nothing.

They had been meticulous, leaving no identifying marks, no clues, no evidence beyond their faces.

Togiri committed their features to memory, making a note to search the Hunter Website later.

The Hunter Website or Hunter Tavern was created by the Hunter Association. It could be used to get Information for a price or a messaging board between fellow Hunters.

He knew there were databases for bounty hunters and assassins, a tool he could use to track them back to their employer.

With a grim expression, he put the bodies into his inventory and erasing all traces of them from the scene.

The only thing left was the cracked tiles on the roof, a dented wall and a few splatters of blood—nothing that would lead back to him.

"Fifty points," Togiri muttered. His shop points increased slightly, the notification flashing briefly in his vision.

These assassins were worth more than your average martial artist, but fifty points was still paltry for a skilled fighter.

Martial artists rarely earned him more than twenty or thirty points, but these killers were a cut above—trained, deadly, and clearly willing to die for their mission.

Togiri's thoughts shifted back to Rika. He couldn't afford to waste any more time here.

With the assassins dead, there was nothing more to gain, and Rika's condition was his priority now.

With a swift leap, Togiri launched himself from the rooftop, landing in the alleyway where he had left her.

Rika was still slumped against the wall, her body trembling slightly, her face pale and slick with sweat.

The dagger had pierced through her blazer, the tip of the blade poking out from the back of her shoulder, the fabric soaked with blood.

Togiri pulled out the dagger and fed her a healing pill from the system, but she was still in critical condition.

Her breath was shallow and uneven, her fingers clutching at the wound as if trying to slow the flow.

Her lips were pale, trembling slightly, and her eyes were half-closed, clouded with pain.

Togiri knelt beside her, his expression softening for a moment. "I'm here," he murmured, his voice low as he gently put his hand on her gushing wound.

Her skin was cold to the touch, and her breaths came in shallow bursts.

"The wound is deep—the tip of the blade has torn through your muscle and flesh." Blood soaked her blazer, running down her arm in thick rivulets.

Togiri wasted no time. He bought another healing pill, a small orb that glowed faintly in the dim light.

He pressed it gently to Rika's lips, urging her to swallow. She complied weakly, her trembling hand reaching up to touch his as she took the pill.

The effects were instant and after a few moments, the bleeding began to stop and the wound slowly closed.

Her breathing steadied, and some of the color returned to her face, though the wound remained far from fully healed.

Togiri watched her closely, his eyes narrowing in thought. The pill was helping, but it wasn't enough. The wound had been too deep for just two pills to work its magic.

"Are you okay?," he said softly, brushing a stray lock of hair from her face. Rika's eyes fluttered open slightly, her gaze meeting his, filled with pain but also trust.

"..Yeah" Rika answered with effort. 'I don't know if she will explode if I give her more pills.'

Togiri exchanged bought two more pills and fed her one, waited and fed her the other.

Rika's pale face slowly regained its color, her wide, surprised eyes locking onto Togiri.

She took in a sharp breath, the shock of nearly dying still fresh on her face.

"Let me see the wound," Togiri said softly, his hand already reaching to undress her blood-soaked blazer.

The fabric peeled away stiffly, but when he moved to unbutton her shirt, stained with dark blood, her hand shot up, stopping him.

"L-Let me do it myself!" Rika stammered, her cheeks flushing red with embarrassment. Her eyes darted away from his, clearly flustered by the situation.

Togiri froze, realizing too late the awkwardness of his actions. "…Sure," he mumbled, his face reddening as well, oblivious to how personal he'd been.

He quickly took a step back, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly.

Rika's gaze flickered toward him, noticing the redness creeping up his face. For a second, her embarrassment turned to a flustered laugh, and she quickly stood, moving away from Togiri to check the wound herself.

@Haha, you may have a 25-year-old mind, but your body's still 13! You don't stand a chance@ Seven's voice echoed in his head, laced with amusement.

'Yeah, yeah, at least I have a body,' Togiri shot back mentally, his face still heated.

@Have fun going to puberty twice, bastard@ Seven mummered. 'What did you say?!' @Nothing, Sir! Let me get back to my novel I was reading@

Rika, meanwhile, tentatively pulled back her shirt just enough to check her shoulder.

Her fingers grazed the spot where the dagger had pierced her, but to her astonishment, all that remained was smooth, unblemished skin. Her eyes widened in disbelief.

"Togiri!" She turned toward him, her voice trembling with excitement.

"W-Wait, what—" Before he could react, she closed the distance between them in an instant, standing inches away from him.

She was slightly taller than him, and her presence felt overwhelming. Her chest nearly brushed against him as she leaned in.

'I'm only thirteen!' Togiri's mind screamed, his back instinctively hitting a nearby pole as he tried to step away.

@Maybe after 25 years, you'll finally gain some experience, eh?@ Seven teased.

Rika's face was serious, her intense gaze locking onto his. "It healed! My wound… it's completely gone! Not even a scar!"

Togiri blinked, releasing the breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding.

Relief washed over him, and for a brief moment, the tension in the air seemed to break.

Rika, however, was far from done. Her excitement bubbled over, her mind racing with possibilities.

"Togiri, do you realize what we have here? We could sell this pill—no, we'd make billions—no, trillions!" Her eyes sparkled with ambition as she grabbed his sleeve, practically shaking him with excitement.

But Togiri's expression darkened, and he placed a firm hand on her shoulder. "No. We can never sell this pill," he said quietly, his tone leaving no room for argument.

"You can't tell anyone about it. Not the Phantom Society, not Kaizen, not even my parents or Fang."

Rika's enthusiasm dimmed, her face falling as she considered the implications of what he was saying.

For a moment, disappointment flickered across her features, but then the reality of the situation hit her.

The consequences of something like that entering the world—the chaos it could cause—were staggering.

Togiri interrupted her thoughts with a gentle question. "Are you okay? You almost died, Rika. Do you want me to bring you home?Should I call Kaizen to protect you tonight?"

Rika's body trembled slightly at the reminder of how close she'd come to death.

Her earlier excitement had masked her fear, but now the weight of what had happened crashed over her like a wave.

Her hands shook, and her eyes welled up with tears she hadn't realized she was holding back.

"Yes… yes, please," she whispered, her voice small and vulnerable.

Without hesitation, Togiri stepped forward and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her into a gentle hug.

He patted her back, awkward but comforting in his way.

@Look at that. A young boy comforting a grown woman. Quite the sight,@ Seven quipped.

'Shut it,' Togiri shot back, ignoring the heat in his face as he held Rika a moment longer.

They stood there for a few seconds, the tension and fear of the moment slowly fading.

Finally, Rika pulled back, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand, smearing what remained of her makeup.

She let out a small, shaky laugh. "Alright. I'm better now. Sorry."

"No need to apologize," Togiri said, his voice soft but steady. "Come on. Let's get you home."

As they walked through the quiet streets, Togiri shared stories from his days in the Heaven's Arena, recounting his near-death experiences and battles to lighten the mood.

He watched as Rika slowly relaxed, her shoulders loosening as the conversation distracted her from the horror of what had just happened.

After a moment of silence, Togiri's tone grew more serious. "Rika, do you know why I created the Phantom Society in the first place?"

Rika looked at him curiously. Togiri rarely talked about anything personal. Most of their conversations were strictly about business or trivial matters. This was new.

"In this world, there are all kinds of power," Togiri continued, his voice calm but filled with determination.

"Nen is just the surface, a small piece of something much bigger. Magical beasts, animals unknown to humans and places not even possible to fathom exist.

Unless you're strong enough to face the entire world on your own, you need more than just physical power. You need influence."

He looked up at the sky, his hand outstretched as if trying to grasp the stars.

"The Phantom Society isn't just a business that generates money or produces weapons and trains assassins. It's my connection to the world.

Where strength alone can't reach, where money and weapons fall short… the Phantom Society will succeed"

Rika walked beside him, listening intently, her eyes widening as she absorbed the weight of his words. She'd known he was ambitious, but this… this was something else.

"This company, this organization, this name… it's going to reach every corner of the world. It's going to make impossible things possible and turn fantasy into reality."

Rika stared at the young boy beside her, her admiration for him deepening with every word.

His dreams, his ambitions—they were bigger than anything she'd ever imagined.

She clenched her fist, her own determination rising. "I'll help you achieve it, Togiri. Whatever it takes."

Togiri smiled, a rare, genuine expression of warmth. "I hope so. After all, who else gets personally walked home by their boss?"

Rika laughed, the sound light and genuine. She playfully put her hand around his arm "Yeah, no one else but me."

They walked the rest of the way in silence, both lost in their thoughts. Togiri's mind was on the future—the next steps, the dangers ahead.

Rika, on the other hand, was still processing everything that had happened. But one thing was certain: she was ready to stand by his side, no matter what.

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