HxH: Apex Predator

As the referee's command rang out, both sides transitioned into combat mode.

In Ryker's Sharingan-enhanced vision, he could clearly see his opponent wrapping his cane with Nen

—a technique known as Enveloping (Shu), an advanced application of Nen.

This technique allowed the user to coat their weapon with their aura to achieve special effects.

At the same time, the opponent focused their Nen into their eyes, utilizing Gyo.

Seeing this, Ryker immediately realized that this opponent was entirely different from the weaklings he had faced before.

This fighter was leagues above even Jack, the gang member he recently defeated. It was clear he was a battle-hardened veteran with considerable experience.

Ryker instantly put away any trace of underestimation and widened the distance between them.

Judging by his opponent's stance, it was highly likely he intended to engage in close-quarters combat using his weapon. Ryker had no intention of giving him that chance.

Even though the opponent had lost an arm, which put him at a natural disadvantage in hand-to-hand combat, Ryker decided to play it safe by testing from a distance.

Ryker swiftly launched Nen Bullets after creating some distance, deliberately avoiding the use of 'In' to conceal their presence. He reasoned that, at his current level, even if he employed 'In', his opponent would likely see through it.

Ryker recalled from the anime adaptation that after the fight between Hisoka and Kastro, Wing had shown a recording of the battle to Zushi and the main protagonists.

Even with his aura focused into his eyes using Gyo, Zushi could only partially perceive Hisoka's 'Bungee Gum'.

This demonstrated that merely using Gyo wasn't enough to detect concealed Nen techniques; the power levels had to be somewhat comparable.

Back in the arena, Ryker's probing attack missed as his opponent, Swain, dodged with agile footwork while strategizing how to close the distance.

Despite using a cane, Swain's movements weren't slow. In fact, as a fully developed adult, his speed slightly outpaced six-year-old Ryker, who had yet to reach his physical prime.

Ryker analyzed his opponent's actions carefully.

"From the current situation, it seems his first move is to close in for melee combat. But with only one arm, his physical combat abilities must be weaker than when he had both."

"If he's still adamant about engaging in close combat, there are two possibilities: he's either a close-combat-oriented Enhancer, or his ability requires proximity to activate.

'If it's the latter, a Manipulator would likely need physical contact with their medium or aura to control me."

"Manipulation based solely on aura contact would require severe restrictions, and given that he's not even a floor master in Heaven's Arena, this is unlikely.

As for Conjurers, if he materializes objects to attack, I'd likely have time to react."

"And if he uses In to conceal his conjured tools, it would be useless against my Sharingan. So far, I haven't seen him conjure anything.

That leaves three possibilities: Specialist, Enhancer, or Transmuter. Based on his current offensive intent, I need to avoid his cane attacks at all costs rather than relying on Ken or Ko to block them."

Suddenly, the dynamic in the ring shifted. Swain's figure blurred as he advanced rapidly, entering the range of his cane attack.

Without hesitation, Swain swung his cane with full force, launching a fierce offensive.

Ryker, though startled, remained calm. Relying on his agility, he dodged the attacks with ghost-like movements, avoiding the cane strikes.

Meanwhile, Swain's thoughts raced.

'I underestimated this kid's combat skills. He's surprisingly nimble, but it's still within manageable limits.'

'He's cautious, avoiding my left side instead of targeting my missing arm.'

'I need to pressure him into finding a breakthrough, then lure him into attacking my left side, where I'll feign an opening and finish him off with my ultimate move, Crimson Claw.'

Having decided, Swain intensified his attacks, swinging his cane with full force.

Ryker felt the pressure mount. Despite his intense training, his young body was still not fully developed, making it harder to sustain such a defense. His focus was entirely on dodging, leaving no room to counterattack.

The spectators supporting Swain erupted in cheers.

"Go, Swain! Keep it up! Take down that brat!"

"You're doing great, Swain! I've got 100,000 Jenny riding on you—don't let me down!"

In the audience, Illumi and Tsubone watched the battle intently.

"It seems Ryker is in trouble. This opponent isn't someone he can easily defeat."

"Why doesn't Ryker target his left side? Isn't that an obvious weakness?"

"Who knows? Perhaps Ryker has his own strategy."

As the battle intensified, Ryker was being pushed into a corner. Most of the spectators believed it was only a matter of time before he lost.

Swain sneered. "Let's see how long you can hold out, kid. Come on, attack my left side already."

'So far, his attacks focus on his cane. Besides coating it with Shu initially, he hasn't increased the aura around it. Is he planning to end this with brute force, or is he hiding his trump card?'

'And his left side... Instead of protecting it as a weakness, he's occasionally exposing it. For an experienced fighter, such mistakes seem deliberate. Could it be a trap?'

Determined to test his theory, Ryker changed his strategy, firing Nen Bullets toward Swain's left side.

Swain felt a surge of joy, 'Finally, he's taking the bait. Now to lure him into an all-out attack and end this with my hidden move.'

To ensure success, Swain decided to activate his trump card, 'Crimson Claw'. He used Transmutation to form a crimson talon at his severed arm, concealing it with In.

However, Ryker's Sharingan caught the faint aura emanating from Sivein's left arm. He saw the hidden Nen forming a claw and moving stealthily toward his blind spot.

'So that's his plan... Let's see how this plays out.'