Tsezguerra studied Gon and Killua with a measured look.
"You realize this is a Hunter-level game, don't you?"
"Of course," Gon replied quickly. "We're both licensed Hunters. If you don't believe us, we can show you our licenses."
Tsezguerra's brow twitched slightly.
"That does meet our basic screening requirements. But even so, I can't immediately grant you access to the game. Tomorrow, there will be a test. You can come then."
He gave them an address.
Gon and Killua exchanged glances before Gon stepped forward to accept it.
Tsezguerra turned toward a tall building and began to walk inside. Just before disappearing through the doors, he looked back at them.
"At this age, already nen users—and Hunters. Truly remarkable. I wonder what level of strength they really have."
Killua grinned. "Gon, looks like we're set. Once we pass tomorrow's test, we'll finally be able to enter Greed Island."
"Yeah!" Gon's eyes shone with excitement. Neither seemed worried about passing the test.
..................
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.
Meanwhile, Franklin had returned to Meteor City.
Almost all the Phantom Troupe members were present—everyone except Hisoka. In the center stood a massive pillar, and bound to it was Omokage. His body bore the marks of brutal torture—again and again, far beyond a single session. His spirit seemed broken, his eyes dull with numbness.
Omokage's luck had been abysmal. He'd encountered the Troupe precisely when they were in need of an outlet, and his actions had given them the perfect excuse. Stealing Uvogin and the others corpses might have been tolerated if he had left it at that. But instead, he'd overreached—targeting Machi's group as well.
"Nobunaga, that's enough."
Chrollo looked toward Nobunaga, who was preparing to continue the torture. "No matter what, Omokage was once one of us. End it here. Give him a swift death."
Nobunaga raised his long blade, positioning the tip over Omokage's heart.
"Puchi!"
The blade pierced through, then withdrew. Blood sprayed like a fountain. Omokage convulsed once, then went still.
"Franklin, how are things on the Chain User's side?" Chrollo asked.
"His name is Kurapika," Franklin replied, "the survivor of the Kurta clan."
"The clan with the scarlet eyes?"
"That's right."
Chrollo fell silent for a moment. "I didn't expect any of them to still be alive. What kind of agreement did you make?"
"When I arrived, Hooker was already safe. I struck a deal with Kurapika," Franklin explained. "I gave him the names of the Elders who directed that massacre. In exchange, he promised not to seek revenge on the Phantom Troupe."
Bonolenov turned to Franklin. "Can that guy be trusted?"
"I don't know." Franklin's eyes flicked briefly toward him, voice calm but heavy.
Nobunaga glanced at Chrollo. "Boss, so we're just letting the Chain User go?"
"For now," Chrollo said quietly. "What we did to the Kurta clan is no different from what the Underworld Mafia did to Meteor City. As long as Kurapika doesn't come after us again, we'll treat him as though he doesn't exist. But if he does… don't hesitate. Kill him immediately."
He paused, then continued, "The matter in Yorknew is over. Now, something more important: replenishing our ranks. We need four new members. Any recommendations?"
The Troupe members looked at one another, silently considering. But none could think of suitable candidates right away. Recruitment had never been something they cared much about—except for Shizuku, who tended to think about such things.
But the one Shalnark had once suggested—Ron—was completely out of the question.
And the two youths Phinks had mentioned before, Gon and Killua, were equally impossible to bring in.
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....
Meanwhile:
The two would be recruiters were undergoing their test in Yorknew.
Two loud signals echoed, marking its conclusion.
Tsezguerra's expression shifted as he looked at Gon and Killua.
"Well, old man? How did they do?"
"They passed. Go on through," came the reply.
Watching their departing figures, Tsezguerra couldn't hide his astonishment.
"At their age… to already possess this kind of strength. What was I doing at that age? I didn't even know nen existed yet. People truly can't be compared."
"But to have such ability so young, with such solid fundamentals—they can't possibly be from ordinary backgrounds. I wonder what kind of lineage they come from."
Unbeknownst to them, another figure was watching.
She looked like a petite, doll-like girl—but in truth, she was an extremely muscular, powerful woman.
Biscuit Krueger.
A senior Hunter Association member. Well over fifty years old. A master of Shingen-ryu. Wing's teacher. A top-class A-rank nen user.
"Two promising brats," she murmured. "Ging's son, and an heir of the Zoldyck family. It's been a long time since I've seen talent like this. I'm looking forward to it. Even Wing admitted he couldn't handle teaching them."
She knew her disciple well. Wing wasn't weak—already an A-rank Nen user—and in terms of instruction, he excelled, being one of the best in the Association.
Meanwhile, Gon and Killua sat down, chatting excitedly about finally entering Greed Island.
Bisky withdrew her gaze, but in the hall, many eyes remained on the two boys.
Among everyone who had passed the test, Gon and Killua were by far the youngest.
.................
........
.
At the same time, in Heaven's Arena, a special match was underway.
On one side, a young boy. On the other, a black-haired girl.
The audience was packed. Wing looked from his disciple, Zushi, to the girl across from him.
"Angel? She's a nen user too?"
Nearby, Ruco, Sally, Ponzu, and Shizuku sat together, watching the match intently.
The announcer's voice boomed, introducing the fighters.
Ever since Ron's appearance, Heaven's Arena had loved playing up the "child prodigy" angle. But few ever lived up to the hype. And none had reached the heights Ron had achieved.