"All I can say is, taking Hisoka's number tag wasn't easy at all.
"That guy…"
"When we met up, I noticed something was off about you."
Gon paused for a moment, then quickly smiled.
"I'm fine."
Since there were many people around, Gon didn't offer more details—perhaps he didn't want to worry anyone.
Leorio patted Gon on the shoulder.
"I managed to get this far largely because of your help, Gon. No matter what happens, I'll always support you.
If not for you, I might've been eliminated back at Dore Port."
Kurapika once more glanced in Hisoka's direction before turning toward Gon.
"And what about you, Killua?"
Gon looked at Killua.
Killua shrugged.
"My targets were the Mori Brothers. After defeating them, I got my target's number tag. But then, someone attacked me."
"Who?"
"Hanzo."
Killua's expression stiffened as he glanced over in Hanzo's direction.
"Hanzo? Why would he do that?"
"No clue."
Killua shook his head. He remembered Hanzo mentioning something about a contract, but Killua couldn't imagine who might hire Hanzo for that. Besides, Hanzo had beaten him yet didn't kill him or take his tag. That struck Killua as very odd.
"So who won?"
"He did."
"That Hanzo guy is that strong? Stronger than you?"
"Very strong. If any of you face him next, be careful."
Leorio was taken aback. He already knew Killua's background—someone from the world's top assassin family who had casually killed Johness. Among the group here, only Ron was stronger. But Ron was on a whole different level. Gon, Kurapika, and Leorio certainly couldn't beat Killua at the moment.
"Killua, is Hanzo more powerful than Ron?"
"No."
Kurapika said, "So it looks like Leorio and I had the easiest time on Zevil Island. We ran into Tonpa and his teammate. After we defeated them, I got the tag I needed."
"And Leorio happened to run into someone descending the mountain while on his way. That person's tag was exactly what Leorio was looking for."
Leorio scratched his head.
"I just got lucky. That guy was in terrible shape."
Ron's expression grew slightly peculiar. Judging by Kurapika and Leorio's account, that individual was likely Bourbon, who had fought Ponzu and ended up at a disadvantage, then fled downhill temporarily.
"No wonder Bourbon looked the way he did at the time."
Killua turned to Ron.
"What about you?"
"My target was that sniper. There's not much to say. After I got the tag, I just wandered around the island for a few days. When the call came to gather, I went to the port."
"The sniper—was that Ruco?"
"Yes."
"That one looked like trouble, able to attack from extreme range. If it had been my target, it wouldn't have been so easy."
Gon nodded.
"A few days ago, I saw Pokkle take action against his target, hiding far away and using a bow and arrow. The arrows were coated in poison. One shot was all it took.
"Long-range attacks really do have the advantage. I managed to get Hisoka's tag by staying at a distance and using my fishing rod."
Everyone's gaze shifted immediately to Gon.
.......
...
.
Meanwhile, in the meeting room, Netero showed his proposed competition format to the other examiners.
"Chairman, are you serious?"
Menchi, having read the details, looked stunned.
"Absolutely."
"But that means ten candidates would become Hunters, and only one would be eliminated?"
"There's nothing we can do. There are so many excellent newcomers; losing any of them would be a blow to the Hunter Association. Don't you think all of them are worthy of the Hunter License?"
Lippo nodded.
"That's true, but Chairman, won't this final exam seem a bit… frivolous?"
Netero gave a small smile.
"Don't worry. Once we add this rule, it won't be frivolous at all."
"They have to make their opponent admit defeat, without killing them?"
Menchi froze.
"Chairman, you're testing their skills in interrogation and torture, aren't you? But what if one of them is too stubborn to ever surrender?"
Menchi couldn't help picturing Gon. She couldn't imagine him willingly conceding.
"That would be their own concern," Netero replied with a shrug. "I've set the rules. If they can't figure out the key to them, they're out of luck.
"Besides, with eleven people in the final exam, ten can pass. What more can you ask for?"
Satotz thought for a moment.
"Adding that rule certainly keeps it from looking frivolous. They'll have to focus on the intricacies of human nature."
Anything that delves into human nature brings countless possibilities to consider. Compared to that, the number of participants becomes less of an issue.
When the airship landed, staff led the candidates into something resembling a dojo.
It was an indoor space, wide and spacious.
Eleven people stood in a row.
Netero appeared before them.
"First, let me congratulate all of you for making it to the final phase of the exam. I hope each of you passes this final stage as well.
Well then, without further ado, I'll announce the rules."
An assistant wheeled over something like a mobile display stand covered by a white cloth.
"I'll need you eleven to compete in a one-on-one elimination bracket."
With that, Netero lifted the cloth, revealing a tournament-style bracket.
One side showed six slots, the other five.
The sight left the examinees momentarily stunned.
"So it's one match after another?"
"And you keep getting eliminated until only the final winner becomes a Hunter?"
"Eleven people, but only one license?"
"That's way too harsh even for a hunter exam"
Some of the candidates despaired.
They might not fully grasp Ron or Illumi's abilities, but they all knew Hisoka was an insurmountable wall.
"This is crazy.
"So this is what it takes to be a Hunter?"
Leorio's face had gone pale. He felt his chances were zero, given how many were stronger than he was.