"Chairman, can you use this airship to transport the examinees to Split Mountain?"
"Split Mountain?"
Netero's eyes lit up slightly, a flicker of recognition passing through his otherwise calm expression.
"Sure."
Before long, the airship descended, and the candidates began boarding one by one.
...
Hisoka strolled up to Illumi, a mischievous grin on his face.
"Illumi, your cousin isn't easy to deal with."
"And?"
Illumi barely spared him a glance.
"No need to be so cold." Hisoka chuckled. "My match with Kaizen was something he agreed to himself. I paid in liquid ore, and all I got was a ten-minute fight that ended abruptly."
"No matter how you look at it, he got the better deal, don't you think?"
"He only summoned two nen beasts."
"And they were fairly standard ones."
"Kaizen probably didn't even use any of his more unique summons."
Hisoka licked his lips, his eyes gleaming with excitement.
"Tell me, Illumi, how many nen beasts do you think Kaizen has? What kind of abilities do they have?"
Illumi shook his head. "No idea."
That was mostly true. When it came to Kaizen's abilities, Illumi only knew bits and pieces, information gathered from the Zoldyck family's butlers. He'd heard that Kaizen could create explosions, but that power hadn't shown itself in his fight against Hisoka.
So at the very least, Illumi was certain Kaizen was holding back.
And as for those two nen beasts, Altan and Chitong…
They weren't ordinary, that much was obvious.
"Fascinating." Hisoka's grin widened.
"So, what's your rating for Kaizen now?"
"Ninety-four points," Hisoka answered. "I can't gauge his full strength, but even if I win, it would be a pyrrhic victory. I'd have to pay a steep price."
"It's even possible I'd lose."
"Right now, my interest in Kaizen is second only to you."
"That said, what I'm most looking forward to is my fight with Chrollo."
"Killing him will bring me immense pleasure."
Hisoka turned to Illumi, his tone lighthearted.
"Illumi, once Chrollo is dead, you'll be a perfect 100 in my book."
Illumi said nothing, gazing off into the distance.
"And what about Chairman Netero?" he asked after a moment.
Hisoka fell silent.
"I have no intention of making a move on that old man."
"At first glance, his entire body is covered in openings. But in truth, those flaws don't exist."
"It's an illusion."
"That man gives me the distinct feeling that if I ever seriously tried to kill him… I'd be the one to die first."
Illumi regarded him with an unreadable expression.
"I'd actually love to see you try."
...
In a conference room aboard the airship, Netero, Menchi, and Buhara sat facing one another.
"The exam has been decided," Netero said. "How do you feel about being examiners this time?"
Buhara hesitated. "I feel like we were lacking… not quite prepared enough."
Menchi was more direct. "I was too impulsive. When the candidates ridiculed and belittled Gourmet Hunters, I let my emotions get the better of me."
"And because of that, I ended up in a passive position."
"Cooking is my expertise, but it's also my weakness."
"More than anything, I didn't expect the candidates to be so ridiculously strong."
Netero sipped his tea, a faint smile playing on his lips.
"Didn't you review the candidate list beforehand?"
Menchi looked embarrassed. "Not carefully enough."
"Hisoka and Kaizen's strength is well beyond that of normal candidates. They're both stronger than Buhara and me. If they decide to act, there's no way we can control the situation."
Netero raised an eyebrow. "You've taken notice of Kaizen?"
Menchi nodded. "Earlier, when the candidates were dealing with the boar, Kaizen and Hisoka fought. We heard the commotion and looked over. Their aura alone was overwhelming."
"Kaizen is truly exceptional."
Netero mused, "Well, considering the old man who trained him personally, that's hardly surprising."
Menchi and Buhara exchanged puzzled glances. For a moment, they were stunned.
Netero was ancient. So how old must someone be for him to call them an "old man"?
And if that person had personally trained Kaizen…
That meant they were still alive.
Just how long had they lived? How terrifying must they be?
"It's not shocking that Kaizen is so strong," Netero continued. "After all, he is a Zoldyck."
"A Zoldyck?" Menchi and Buhara repeated in unison.
"That's right."
Netero chuckled. "Kaizen, Illumi, Killua… I didn't expect three Zoldycks to be taking the Hunter Exam at the same time. How amusing. Oh, and you're all aware that Gittarackur is also a Zoldyck, right?"
"Tell me about them."
Just then, there was a knock at the door.
"Come in."
Satotz entered the room, bowing slightly. "Chairman."
"Perfect timing." Netero gestured for him to sit. "Join us. I'd like to hear about the most promising candidates this year."
Menchi took a moment to think. "In terms of strength, Hisoka, Kaizen, and Gittarackur are all exceptional."
"They're already far above us examiners."
"As for talent, Gon Freecss, Killua, and Kurapika stand out."
"And then there's Pokkle and Hanzo."
Satotz added another name. "Leorio is quite impressive too. His raw power is remarkable."
"There are other candidates with unique abilities as well."
"Tonpa, for instance, who has taken the exam countless times."
"Bourbon, who can control snakes."
"And Ponzu, who commands bees."
...
Meanwhile, on the deck of the airship, Gon, Kurapika, Leorio, and Killua approached Kaizen.
Kaizen leaned against the railing, letting the high-altitude wind brush against him.
"Thanks for the medicine, Kaizen. I'm feeling much better now." Leorio handed the vial back to him.
"Don't mention it."
"Kaizen, what do you think the next exam will be like?" Gon asked, eyes gleaming with anticipation.
"No idea," Kaizen admitted. "But it definitely won't be another cooking challenge."
He studied Gon for a moment.
There was something oddly fascinating about him. Gon hadn't seemed the least bit frustrated during the cooking test, yet now he was brimming with excitement for whatever lay ahead.
Kaizen couldn't help but wonder—
What kind of person was Gon Freecss?
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