The ship slowly docked at the shore. Law and Illumi paid it no mind.
"The fourth test is now officially over. Please return to the starting point as soon as possible."
The amplified voice from the ship's loudspeaker spread across the entire island.
On the ground, Geretta's body twitched. He sat up abruptly, then slumped back down weakly. His field of vision happened to include Law, who was sitting on the ground.
"What happened?"
Geretta was shocked and suspicious, feeling only extreme weakness, hunger, and thirst. Suddenly, he heard the voice from the ship's loudspeaker.
"From now on, you have one hour to return to the starting point. Any examinee who fails to return by then will be considered disqualified. Please be advised."
"Also, once you reach the starting point, transferring tags is not allowed. If discovered, you will immediately lose your qualification. Please be advised."
Geretta was stunned. He subconsciously reached to touch the back of his neck, which felt normal. In that instant, he knew he was out. Eliminated without even understanding what had happened.
More than anger, more than regret, it was mostly unwillingness.
Law glanced at Geretta, who was experiencing complex emotions, 'Compared to being beheaded by Hisoka in the original work, at least he was still alive now, even if eliminated.'
'Because I am here, the established fate has been changed.'
Law reached up and adjusted his headscarf, thinking to himself: 'Then, I must also prevent the birth of the Chimera Ant King. Even if that might be the 'nourishment' I need, some things can be done, and some things cannot.'
'This is what it means to be human.'
Across the island, examinees who heard the ship's announcement emerged from their hiding spots and headed towards the starting point.
The third person to arrive at the starting point was Tonpa, followed by Hanzo, Xiaoyu... Within half an hour, all examinees who had gathered six points returned to the starting point one after another.
Law, Illumi, Tonpa, Hanzo, Xiaoyu, Pokkle, Ponzu, Gon, Kurapika, Leorio, Killua, and Bodoro… a total of twelve people returned to the starting point.
'Twelve,' Law thought silently.
Tonpa came to Law's side, seeming to want to say something but hesitating. Finally, he looked at the excited Gon and swallowed his words.
During this time, he had painstakingly acted out a play with Gon, going so far as to let him win to an extent that even scared himself.
He initially considered telling Law about it but felt it might seem like he was boasting, so he let it go.
Gon was still immersed in a sense of full achievement, having managed to take the tag from the formidable Tonpa.
Then, he saw that Kurapika and Leorio had also passed, and he excitedly went over to them. However, he noticed that Leorio and Kurapika's faces showed no joy at passing the test.
At that moment, Killua also quietly approached.
"What's wrong with you guys?" Gon asked, puzzled.
Kurapika forced a smile at Gon. His lips parted slightly, but he found he couldn't explain.
"Haha, I didn't get six points," Leorio said with a carefree laugh.
The joy on Gon's face slowly solidified. Killua showed no particular reaction, after all, if you couldn't pass, you could only blame your own lack of strength.
Killua, thinking this way, was completely unaware that the hunter Leorio faced was his own brother, Illumi.
Even if it were him, he would have had to hand over the tag obediently.
Kurapika looked at Leorio, bit his lip, and ultimately remained silent.
This had been decided beforehand. Moreover, the broadcast clearly stated that transferring tags at the starting point was not allowed, eliminating the possibility of last-minute deals between examinees.
The two of them had only obtained four tags during this test, and none of them were Leorio's target tag. This meant the outcome was either both being eliminated, or Kurapika gathering six points and passing the test.
In Leorio's view, since he had absolutely no chance left, he might as well go with the flow and give the opportunity to Kurapika.
He felt frustrated, but there was nothing he could do about it.
Leorio appeared very carefree on the surface, not caring at all, but inwardly, his heart was bleeding.
He was already considering how to get a large sum for tuition fees. It seemed even selling a kidney or blood wouldn't be enough.
And even that was still miles away from his ultimate goal.
'This damn world. Without money, you can't buy anything.'
Law overheard their conversation and realized that Leorio actually hadn't gathered six points. That meant out of the thirteen people present, only eleven were qualified.
This could only be blamed on Leorio and Kurapika's bad luck. One passively drew the joker card, the other actively drew it.
'An examinee who should have been eliminated in this phase wasn't.'
'An examinee who should have passed this phase was eliminated.'
'Examinees who shouldn't have appeared in the Hunter Exam not only came but also passed.'
Law's gaze quickly swept over Ponzu, Leorio, and Xiaoyu.
Regarding Leorio's failure, Law could only offer his slight apologies. He vaguely knew that Leorio participated in the Hunter Exam to get free tuition to attend a famous medical university.
For now, the thing Law lacked the least was money. Helping Leorio out later wouldn't be a bad idea.
An hour passed, and an airship approached.
The ship's arrival was to take away the disqualified examinees, while the airship's arrival was to take the qualified examinees to the final test location.
Two types of transportation: one by sea, the other by air. It seemed to be a metaphor for something.
Leorio waved goodbye to Gon and the others, watching as the airship flew into the blue sky, eventually becoming a black dot in his vision.
He stood there for a long time, finally letting out a deep sigh, and walked onto the ship's deck.
Drip.
Drip.
A few drops of water suddenly appeared on the deck.
Leorio wiped the corner of his eye, slung his suitcase over his shoulder, and muttered to himself, "Leorio, when did you become so sentimental? If you didn't pass, you didn't pass. I refuse to believe I can't get the money. At worst, I'll try again next year."
…
On the airship, as the Hunter Exam neared its conclusion, all the examiners and Netero were having a meal together in a room.
"Out of eleven people, eight are newcomers. Not bad, not bad," Netero said with a chuckle.
Buhara's mouth was full of food. He asked, mumbling, "Is this situation common?"
"Not common. Probably only once in the past ten years or so," Netero said.
Satotz said, "Whether the newcomers can truly stand out depends on the final test."
Menchi didn't participate in the conversation. Propping her chin on her hand, her thoughts had already drifted to a certain someone on the airship.
Buhara asked curiously, "So, what is the test question for the final phase?"
As soon as he finished speaking, all the examiners except Menchi looked at Netero.
Facing their gazes, Netero said seriously, "I plan to hold a unique tournament. But before that, I need to have a chat with them first."
The examiners were baffled, completely unaware of what Netero was thinking.
An hour later, an announcement echoed throughout the airship.
"Attention. Examinees, when you hear your number, please come to the first reception room on the second floor. I repeat..."
"First, please, examinee number 405, come to the reception room."
Hearing the announcement, the examinees all perked up.
"Am I the first?"
Law thought and went directly to the reception room.
It was a quiet room with a simple, traditional decor. Netero was sitting on the tatami.
Law walked in and sat directly opposite Netero.
Netero looked at Law, his eyelids drooping, and said, "I'll get straight to the point. Which examinee would you most like to compete against?"