"No need."
"Okay."
Before long, Leorio returned with so herbs and imdiately began treating the middle-aged man’s injuries.
anwhile, Gon and Kurapika were still in pursuit...
At the sa ti, so of the candidates had already arrived at the examination site.
Tonpa, a veteran of multiple Hunter Exams, had also made his way there. Though not particularly strong on the surface, he was well-versed in the exam process and enjoyed ssing with newcors, taking pleasure in their struggles.
Among the candidates were the three Amori brothers—relatively strong compared to the average participant. There was also Hanzo, a skilled ninja; Bourbon, an elderly man who handled snakes; Ponzu, a girl who controlled bees; and Snipe, a sharpshooter. A few more stood out, including an explosive expert referred to as "Ant Rations" and, of course, Hisoka, as well as Illumi in disguise under the alias Gittarackur.
...
Boom!
Just as Leorio finished tending to the man’s wounds, the middle-aged figure suddenly began to change. In an instant, a large, ferocious Kiriko erged in his place.
Leorio flinched. "What the hell?!"
"Congratulations. You’ve passed this test," the Kiriko said, baring its sharp teeth in what could be interpreted as a smile—but in its true form, the expression only made it look more nacing.
Leorio instinctively took a step back. "What do you an?"
He turned to Kaizen for clarification.
"Everything just now was an illusion," the Kiriko explained. "This was part of the exam, and I am one of the proctors. Your actions t the requirents to pass."
"Seriously?"
"Of course."
"Because I found the herbs and treated you?"
"Exactly."
"What about Kaizen?"
The Kiriko hesitated for a mont, almost slipping up. "Kaizen... figured out the truth from the start."
Leorio still seed skeptical and looked toward Kaizen, who simply nodded in confirmation.
The Kiriko, being part of Kaizen’s extended network, had no intention of contradicting him. And truthfully, Kaizen had indeed known all along.
Seeing Kaizen’s nod, Leorio finally relaxed, letting out a breath of relief.
"So that’s how it is. Alright, what’s next?"
The Kiriko responded, "We wait for your companions. If they pass as well, we’ll take all of you to the official examination site. Those who fail will have to turn back."
Not long after, a sharp cry echoed in the distance. The Kiriko turned toward the sound, then nodded in satisfaction.
"That ans your other two companions have passed as well."
A massive Kiriko appeared overhead, its wings beating as it hovered in the air.
The Kiriko on the ground lowered its voice and spoke directly to Kaizen.
"Kaizen-sama, I will transport you now. Please hold on."
Without hesitation, Kaizen leaped up and grabbed onto the Kiriko’s leg. Seeing this, Leorio quickly followed suit, and the airborne Kiriko caught him by the shoulders.
On the other side, Gon and Kurapika ascended as well, each held by another Kiriko. As the Kiriko flapped their wings, lifting them higher, the wind rushed past their faces.
Gon’s eyes sparkled with excitent, purely thrilled by the sensation of flying. Kurapika, on the other hand, felt a different kind of excitent—one step closer to becoming a Hunter.
Leorio, however, looked tense. He was acutely aware of the height they were reaching, and the thought of falling was far from reassuring.
"Man, if this thing drops , there won’t even be enough left to recognize ."
Kaizen, anwhile, was completely unfazed. Having experienced flight during battles alongside Wendy in the Fiora Kingdom, he had long since grown accustod to the sensation. Additionally, Altan had often carried him in low-altitude flights before.
As the wind howled around them, Leorio shivered from the cold.
Finally, a city ca into view beneath them.
The flying Kiriko descended, landing gracefully at their destination before departing as quickly as they ca.
...
One of the Kiriko transford back into its human guise—a middle-aged man.
"Follow ," he instructed.
Leading them through the bustling streets, he took them to a seemingly ordinary restaurant. However, beyond the main dining area, a hidden corridor led them deeper inside, until they reached an elevator.
"This elevator will take you to the official Hunter Exam venue," the man said. "Ti is limited, so I won’t be accompanying you further. Good luck."
With that, he turned and left.
Kaizen stepped into the elevator first, followed by Gon, Kurapika, and Leorio.
...
anwhile, atop a high vantage point, four ferocious Kiriko observed the departing candidates.
"The quality of this year’s applicants seems promising."
"That kid, Gon—he actually managed to tell us apart. Not many can do that. Interesting."
"Kurapika’s judgnt is sharp."
"Leorio has the potential to be a great doctor."
"But Kaizen-sama... I can’t gauge his strength at all. Just how powerful has he beco?"
Another Kiriko spoke up. "Speaking of notable candidates, Illumi-sama and Killua-sama are also taking the exam this year."
"And that Gon... his full na is Gon Freecss, right? Could he be related to that Freecss?"
"You an Ging Freecss? The legendary Hunter?"
"It’s a strong possibility. If he really is Ging’s son, then his talent and abilities would make perfect sense."
...
Suddenly, the elevator jolted, plunging downward at a rapid speed.
Leorio lost his balance, while Kurapika tensed, his expression darkening.
The sharp screech of tal grinding against tal echoed through the shaft.
Finally, the elevator ca to a halt, the doors sliding open.
The four stepped out into a vast underground space.
Hundreds of candidates had already gathered there, their gazes shifting toward the newcors as they arrived.
"Fresh at?"
"They don’t look like much."
"Just more cannon fodder."
Most of the examinees were unfamiliar with Gon, Kurapika, and Leorio. However, so recognized Kaizen.
One of them—Killua—felt his breath hitch the mont he spotted him.
"Kaizen...?"
His pupils contracted as mories of the Heavens Arena flashed through his mind.
When Killua had first arrived at Heavens Arena, Kaizen was already dominating the 200th floor as a formidable contender. Now, they would cross paths once again...
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