Netero had already had deep dealings with players—and might even have taken one as a disciple before—so it wasn't that the old man was unwilling to accept Xiang Nan; it was simply that Xiang Nan's identity was a bit "sensitive."
Netero was a wily old fox—he left no loose ends.
Although Xiang Nan now had little to do with the Republic of Padokea's military, Netero had to consider: What if that isn't really true?
Better to be overly cautious.
"If Netero is a dead end, I'll have to aim at someone else… say, Beyond Netero or one of the Twelve Zodiacs," Xiang Nan mused as he left the room, stroking his chin.
As Association Chairman, Netero had to worry about Xiang Nan's background, but other story characters wouldn't.
Good thing he'd collected so many gemstones while traveling the world—they might come in handy now.
But when it came to the Zodiacs…
Some Zodiac members, honestly, weren't all that strong.
Judging by Hisoka's "scoring," several of them didn't even reach ninety points, and their Nen abilities were mostly support‑type rather than combat-oriented.
Hisoka had given Illumi a 95. Xiang Nan had no idea what score he himself would get.
Overall, the Zodiacs' average level was about the same as his—some stronger, some weaker.
The strongest was certainly Ging Freecss, but Ging was elusive and far from responsible; just look at Kite—Ging was the definition of hands‑off.
Next would be Botobai Gigante of Dragon, whose reputation and strength in the Association were second only to the chairman's, and who was a triple‑star Terrorist Hunter—clearly a real fighter.
As for the rest, people like Pariston were definitely not in Xiang Nan's plans.
If all else failed, he could only hope that, after becoming a Hunter, immersion in the Association—sparring with top‑tier Hunters—would spark new insights and speed up his training.
"Actually… there's another option," Xiang Nan suddenly thought.
Someone in the Association whom players tend to overlook, whom many never even consider.
Yet in earlier years this person had accompanied both Netero and Zigg Zoldyck in an expedition to the Dark Continent: Linne Oddebour, the two‑star Gourmet Hunter.
Don't be fooled by the mere two stars; anyone qualified to venture to the Dark Continent alongside Netero and Zigg couldn't be weak. Add to that his age—second only to the chairman's—and the breadth of his Nen experience; if Xiang Nan could gain Linne's guidance, it would be an enormous stroke of luck.
"Hmm?"
Xiang Nan snapped back to the present to find three heads poking out from a hallway corner—Hanzo, Pokkle, and Leorio.
"How did it go? Was that the final test? What's the content?"
Pushed forward by the other two, Pokkle asked timidly.
They clearly thought the chairman's interview was the last exam.
"No, the final test hasn't started yet; that was just a chat with the chairman," Xiang Nan replied.
Just then Hisoka, next in line for Netero's interview, walked past and entered the room.
Xiang Nan continued down the corridor.
…
A few days later the group reached the final‑exam site, stepping into the lobby of the hotel the Association had rented.
At last the ten candidates learned the format of the ultimate test: one‑on‑one duels.
It wasn't a single‑elimination; you only needed one victory to pass.
Lose, and you dropped into a losers' bracket and kept fighting—again and again if necessary.
Fail to win a single match and you'd obviously never become a Hunter.
In other words, the test wasn't especially hard. Given the bracket structure, everyone would get two or three chances. Out of ten people, at least eight should advance—a generous 80 % pass rate.
Netero clearly wasn't out to torment them.
Still, constant losses would drag you into a marathon of matches, draining stamina and focus—so everyone's top priority was to win the very first bout and avoid the losers' bracket.
Lose the opener and you might meet a winner in the next round. A winner had already secured a license and could concede, dragging you up with them—but human nature is fickle; you couldn't count on that.
Xiang Nan checked the board and saw his first opponent:
#44 Hisoka.
(In the manga, Hisoka's first appearance here had been against Kurapika.)
"My match with Hisoka… and Killua versus Illumi. Heh."
Xiang Nan glanced at the smiling Netero presiding over the brackets.
That old fox… Pairing two Zoldycks head‑to‑head, and matching Xiang Nan with Hisoka—clearly deliberate, though not malicious, simply a test.
For Killua, fighting Illumi was a personal trial: could the kid break free of his brother's control? Succeed, and his will, spirit, and future growth would be transformed.
For Xiang Nan and Hisoka, this was also a rematch—challenge for them both. Netero must have sensed the "connection" between them. Who knows what Hisoka had said during his interview?
Besides Menchi and the other examiners, eight suit‑clad pro Hunters would referee—minor characters with names Xiang Nan couldn't recall.
Seeing the match‑ups, everyone reacted differently.
Xiang Nan stayed calm; Hisoka wore a playful grin.
They were scheduled first.
"Showtime already…"
"Those two? Who'll win?"
Murmurs spread as the pair stepped into the arena.
"Hey, Gon—watch closely and see this guy's real level," Killua whispered while the fighters took their places. "Whether it's that 'uncle' or Hisoka, both give me the creeps. Put it this way: the blood on their hands… you can't imagine."
Gon stared at Xiang Nan, then at Hisoka.
Back in phase‑four Gon had won Hisoka's badge, but Hisoka had given it to him—like charity.
That, plus being shadowed by others during the hunt, had shaken Gon badly; he'd even cried on the ship.
He now grasped how terrifying Hisoka was.
Xiang Nan, though – from their first meeting on Whale Island Gon had sensed something "different," but not the visceral danger Hisoka exuded. Xiang Nan seemed approachable enough. Strong, yes—but could he beat Hisoka? Gon wasn't sure.
Even examiners like Satotz and Menchi tensed for the opening bout.
Netero smiled benignly, eyes gleaming with interest.
Dressed in a sleek black coat, Xiang Nan stood hands‑in‑pockets at center ring, facing the smiling Hisoka.
"How nice… they arranged for the two of us to play together," Hisoka said, voice dripping with mischief.
"Enough chatter. Let's start," Xiang Nan answered coolly.
This was merely a licensing test, not a life‑and‑death stage. Neither of them would show true trump cards here; at most it was a friendly sparring warmup. Hisoka was smart enough to know Netero's intent.
Tension coiled in the air like a drawn bowstring. Hisoka unleashed a murderous aura—everyone felt the chill.
Then—
"Hmm… I forfeit!"
With a cackle, Hisoka clapped once and sauntered off the stage.
He had played them all.
Candidates and even a few examiners gaped. Hisoka had voluntarily surrendered?
Netero's smile never changed, but his gaze on Xiang Nan held a flash of insight, as though a suspicion had been confirmed.
"Number 176 wins!" the referee shouted once he recovered.
Xiang Nan left the arena unruffled. He understood Hisoka well: as a Transmuter, Hisoka loved pranks and mind games. Whether he fought or bowed out—either was "normal" for him.
One win secured the Hunter License. Joining the Association—goal achieved.
~~~
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