We finally arrived at the location for the final phase of the exam. The place looked... like a mosque? We landed and walked inside.
Max (thought):Wait... isn't a mosque used for praying? Why are we here? Don't tell me the final exam is praying to God or something.
Netero: "Well, gentlemen. Did you get plenty of rest? This building is a hotel owned by the Hunter Exam Selection Committee. It's yours until the battles are over. For the final phase, we'll be holding a one-on-one tournament."
Max (thought):Oh, thank God. So this is just a hotel designed like a mosque... Still feels weird to hold a tournament in a place like this, but whatever.
One of the staff members brought out a large board covered by a cloth. Netero stepped forward and pulled it off, revealing the tournament bracket. Some of the participants gasped, and even I was a little shocked—meanwhile, Hisoka grinned with excitement.
Leorio: "So only the last person standing passes?"
Max (thought):Wait… only one person can become a Hunter? Nah, that's gotta be a trick.
Netero: "No. One win is all you need to pass."
Max (thought):Knew it.
Gon: "One win?"
Leorio: "Then, in this tournament…"
Netero: "The winners are removed from competition, while the losers continue climbing the bracket. In other words, the person who finishes at the top—the one who loses the most—will not pass. Understand now?"
Hanzo: "So you're saying… only one person will fail."
Netero: "Exactly. And here is the bracket."
Netero revealed the matchups. My eyes widened, and even Hisoka's smile grew even wider.
Match 1: Gon vs. Hanzo
Match 2: Max vs. Hisoka
Match 3: [Match 1 Loser] vs. Pokkle
Match 4: [Match 2 Loser] vs. Kurapika
Match 5: [Match 3 Loser] vs. Killua
Match 6: [Match 4 Loser] vs. Bodoro
Match 7: [Match 5 Loser] vs. Gittarackur
Match 8: [Match 6 Loser] vs. Leorio
Match 9: [Match 7 Loser] vs. [Match 8 Loser]
Netero: "Impressive, right? Everyone gets at least two chances to win."
Max (thought):Are you kidding me right now? I already said the least person I wanted to fight was Hisoka.
I glanced at Netero. He smirked.
Max (thought):Stupid old man...
Then I turned to Hisoka. He was smiling, eyes locked onto me.
Hisoka: "Oh my, looks like we're up next. Let's do our best, okay?"
Max (thought):Like hell I will. Fine, I wanted to settle this anyway. He's clearly going to keep targeting me even if I surrender. I need to make him stop—but how?
I glanced at the board.
Max (thought):After Gon vs. Hanzo, it's my match. Poor Gon... he's gonna get cooked. Hanzo's the fourth strongest here. First is me, of course. Second and third? Hisoka and Needle Guy. If I had to name the weakest... sorry, Pokkle.
As I was deep in thought, planning how to deal with Hisoka, Pokkle suddenly spoke up—
Pokkle: "But some people—like #294, #405, #406, and #44—get five chances."
Bodoro: "Why didn't you just use a balanced bracket?"
Netero: "Ah, a question I'm sure is on everyone's mind. This bracket was assembled based on your performances throughout the entire exam. Those who performed better received more chances."
Killua looked slightly shocked and stepped forward.
Killua: "That doesn't sound fair."
Netero turned toward him.
Killua: "Can you explain how you scored our performances?"
There was a brief pause. Netero smirked.
Netero: "No."
Killua (irritated): "Why not?"
Netero: "Your scores are classified. I can't share everything. But I can explain the evaluation criteria. We assessed each applicant based on three major factors: physical strength, mental strength, and overall impression.
"For physical strength, we looked at agility, flexibility, endurance, and perception. For mental strength, we considered resilience, adaptability, judgment, and creativity. But those are just reference points. All of you made it this far, so you've proven your strength already.
"What we value most is your overall impression. This includes intangible factors we can't measure directly—your potential as a Hunter, your instincts, and your character. We also considered the opinions of your fellow applicants. That's the process we used."
Killua (thought):Based on performance, I should be ranked higher… Do they really think Gon has more potential than me?
Max glanced over and noticed Killua looking down.
Max (thought):Why's he taking this so personally? I thought he didn't care about rankings... Oh well.
Netero: "Now, onto the rules of the battles. Weapons are allowed. No cheating. If your opponent admits defeat, you win. However—if you kill your opponent, you'll be immediately disqualified. Everyone else will pass, and the exam will end. Understood?"
Max: "Yes, sir!"
Max gave a sharp salute. Gon looked at him and copied the gesture, while Leorio and the others sighed.
Announcer: "We will now begin the Final Phase of the Hunter Exam. The first match: Hanzo versus Gon."
Max: "Mr. Chairman."
Netero: "Yes?"
Max: "May I step out for a bit to train and think up a strategy? I don't think I'll watch this match—I have a feeling it's gonna take a while."
Netero: "Certainly. You can train in one of the side rooms. A staff member will come get you when the match is over."
Leorio: "Wait, Max—you're not gonna watch Gon fight?"
Max: "Do you think I have the luxury? Look who I'm up against."
Max (thought):I want to surrender, but Hisoka won't let me go. He'll keep targeting me no matter what. I have to make him stop—I need a plan that ends this once and for all.
Leorio glanced nervously at Hisoka, who simply waved with a smile.
Leorio: "But—"
Gon: "It's fine, Leorio. Let Max go. You know we can't stop him once he's decided."
Max: "Yup. He gets it. Good luck out there, Gon."
Max gave a casual wave and left the tournament room, heading to the training area.
While Gon's match played out as in the original story, Max was busy training. He didn't watch the fight. Instead, he focused on mentally preparing and pushing his body to its limits with intense physical training while wearing his Nen-enhanced weights. Despite feeling exhausted, he refused to stop, working through fatigue and formulating a plan against Hisoka.
Eventually, a staff member entered the room.
Staff: "The match is over. You're up next."
Max wiped the sweat from his forehead. His eyes burned with determination. He stood up, panting lightly, but ready.
Max (thought):I'm tired... but I've got a strategy. I can win—even like this.
He entered the tournament room. Leorio and Kurapika looked at him, shocked.
Leorio: "You trained until you looked like that?! Are you crazy?"
Killua: "What the hell were you doing to get that exhausted?"
Max: "Just my usual physical training."
Hisoka's smile faded slightly as he saw Max's condition—until he looked into Max's eyes and saw that the confidence hadn't left.
Max: "I'm ready to fight. Let's get this over with."
Hisoka: "Hoh... interesting. Even now, you've still got that fire in your eyes."
His smile returned.
Announcer: "Next match: Hisoka versus Max!"