"After you were sent to the medical room…"
Satotz explained the whole situation in detail.
For Gon, Satotz, and the other examinees, the story played out differently.
Satotz had once received help from Ging Freecss and felt deeply grateful—even if that help had only come from afar, like admiring an idol. He had never actually met Ging in person. He'd only heard stories about him.
So, any connection between Satotz and Ging could only be described as one-sided.
Even so, Satotz knew he couldn't help Ging much, so the least he could do was look after Gon in his stead. If Illumi really had targeted Gon, Satotz would've stepped in without hesitation.
Gon's eyes widened.
"Gittarackur's real name is Illumi? Killua's older brother?"
"Kaizen is part of the Zoldyck family too? Killua's cousin?"
"Bodoro was the only one eliminated?"
"Why won't Illumi let Killua make friends? Isn't that his own choice? Killua and I are friends already!"
"Where is Killua now?"
Satotz replied calmly, "He's gone back to Kukuroo Mountain, to the Zoldyck estate."
"What about Illumi?"
"He went back."
...
Gon stayed quiet for a moment.
"Where is everyone else?"
"They're in the main hall."
The room resembled a small auditorium: a podium up front, rows of tiered seats stretching upward. It could hold hundreds of people, but right now, only a dozen or so filled the space.
These were the examinees who had passed the Hunter Exam—and the proctors who had judged them.
Boom!
A heavy knock echoed through the hall.
The door opened, and Gon stepped inside.
Everyone turned to look.
Even though Satotz had told him Killua had already left, Gon still couldn't help scanning the room for his friend. When he didn't spot him, his shoulders slumped.
His eyes eventually settled on Kaizen.
After a moment's hesitation, Gon walked over and sat beside him.
"Kaizen… Killua—he's okay, right?"
"No idea," Kaizen answered flatly. It was the same response he'd given Kurapika and Leorio yesterday.
Gon frowned. "Then why doesn't this Illumi want Killua to have friends? That should be Killua's decision, shouldn't it? He and I are friends."
"Kaizen… what do you think about all this? Can you tell me?"
Kaizen turned and looked at him. "Before I answer… Gon, what does the word 'friend' mean to you?"
"Huh?" Gon blinked, caught off guard.
Kaizen continued, "Killua was willing to go against his family just to be your friend. And I can tell you care about him, too. So tell me, Gon—what does being a friend really mean to you?"
Gon fell silent, thinking.
"A friend is… well, someone you enjoy being with. You can talk for hours without getting bored. You share interests. And if they ever need help, you'd do everything you can for them."
"You trust them completely."
Kaizen nodded.
"And what if Killua, for some reason, had to cut ties with you? What if he ended your friendship?"
Gon's pupils shrank. "No… Killua wouldn't do that."
"I'm speaking hypothetically."
"Then I'd go find him and ask why. And if his reason doesn't make sense to me, I'd refuse to accept it. Even if it did make sense… he'd still be my friend in my heart."
Kaizen asked one more question.
"And what if you had a reason to stop being Killua's friend?"
"I wouldn't."
Kaizen gave an example.
"Say you had to choose between keeping your Hunter License… or staying Killua's friend. What then?"
Gon's brows knit. That was too difficult a question—at least for the Gon of now.
...
Kaizen smirked.
"Relax, I'm just messing with you. No need to answer that."
"Listen, Gon. What I can tell you is this: First, Illumi isn't trying to hurt Killua. He believe he is doing what's best for him."
"But people think differently. Whether their version of 'good for him' is actually good... that depends on your perspective."
"Second, Killua's already headed back to the Zoldyck estate. The location's online—you can find it easily."
"As for you and Killua… that's between the two of you. I won't interfere."
"That's all I've got."
...
The examiners began stepping forward—Menchi, Buhara, and the others—sharing their knowledge and advice with the newly certified Hunters.
Afterward, the examinees were invited to speak one by one, to talk about their goals and what kind of Hunters they hoped to become.
Of course, not everything spoken was necessarily true.
Some were probably lying, and others knew it. But the Hunter Exam had opened up channels between them—a network of connections that wouldn't disappear so easily.
Still, this was the Hunter Exam.
At its core, it had always been a competition.
That didn't mean real friendships couldn't form—but for many, what they gained here was more opportunity than camaraderie.
...
"Then, allow me to make the official announcement."
Netero stood at the podium.
"The eight of you here—as well as Killua and IGittarackur—have all passed. You're now official Hunters."
"Please take care of your licenses and your personal information."
The entire process stretched on for over half a day.
But for Kaizen, it wasn't a waste.
His Observer's Will progress meter ticked up from 79% to 82%.
One by one, the examiners took their leave.
The Hunter Association's staff remained behind to clean up the estate, handling repairs and final arrangements. After all, the manor wasn't their property—it had just been rented for the exam.
...
"Kaizen," Netero approached him quietly. "Remember that request I mentioned to you before?"
Kaizen nodded.
"Of all the candidates… is there one you'd prefer to mentor?"
Kaizen paused. "Honestly, it doesn't really matter to me. I might be more available in the future, though."
"Got it. I'll have the examinee reach out to you when the time comes."
"Sure."
...
Three figures approached Kaizen.
He looked up and saw Gon among them.
"So… have you made your decision?"
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