After running for a while, we arrived at a clearing with a massive building. Other applicants were already there. We made it in time.
"Great! Looks like we made it."
"So it seems."
"Now then. This Biska Forest Park serves as the Second Phase venue. My duties as an examiner end here, but I think I'll stick around to observe for a bit. I'm curious to see how far the ones who survived my test can go."
Tonpa-san apparently plans to watch over the exam even after the First Phase has concluded. Is he surprisingly caring, or what?
"Ugh... ow, ow, ow... Huh? Why am I...?"
Ah, Leorio woke up! Thank goodness. I was wondering what I'd do if the Second Phase started while he was still unconscious.
"Are you alright, Leorio-san?"
"Huh? Wait, you're... Why am I being carried on a girl's back?! Ow, ow, my face hurts...?"
Ah~ Let's put Leorio down first before explaining what happened.
The Debt of Gratitude
"I see. So that's how I got this bruise."
"I'm truly sorry..."
"Ah, don't worry about it! You were trying to help me, weren't you?"
"That may be true, but..."
"In the end, you saved my neck. You even carried me all the way here. After that juice earlier, I'm the one who owes you a debt of gratitude. Thanks."
...To worry about me even after I injured him... Leorio really is a wonderful person... Sniff. Someone like him definitely deserves to become a Hunter.
"M-My name is Aisha. Um, Leorio-san! Let's definitely pass the Hunter Exam together!"
"O-Oh! Aisha, got it. Let's both do our best!"
"Yes!"
What great people I've met. They might become my very first real friends since reincarnating. Gon is a great kid, Killua is a bit cheeky, and Kurapika-san is a loyal companion. The Hunter Exam really is a wonderful place to meet people. I'm so glad I took this exam.
The Start of the Second Phase
For a while now, sounds resembling the roaring of a wild beast have been echoing from inside the building. What on earth is that noise? The Second Phase is supposed to start at noon today... which is any minute now.
Ah, the gates opened... Out stepped a colossal mountain of a man and an exhibitionist beauty with an eccentric hairstyle... Could that roar have been that man's stomach growling? Unbelievable.
So the Second Phase is a culinary test. I lived on my own for quite a long time in my past life, so I can handle basic cooking. But complex gourmet cuisine is out of the question. Traditional multi-course kaiseki or high-end restaurant fare is completely beyond me. The best I can do is ordinary home cooking.
"My menu is whole roasted pig!! It's my favorite food!"
...That's not complex at all, is it? Wait, while roasting a whole pig sounds simple in theory, making it genuinely delicious is actually pretty tough, isn't it?
"Any breed of pig living in this forest park is fine. With that, the Second Phase begins!!"
Well, whatever. Let's go catch a pig first and figure out the rest later.
Hunting and Roasting
Piggy, piggy~ Where are you~?
Ah, found one... That's a pig... right? It looks easily over three meters tall, though...
Whatever, a pig is a pig. The moment it charged, I sidestepped right before impact. As it barreled past, I delivered a single strike to its flank—pig knocked out cold. Captured effortlessly. You're just a pig in the end. If you're bitter about it, learn how to fly and come back for a rematch.
Now all that's left is roasting it... I don't know the secrets to roasting an exquisite whole pig, but who cares? The other applicants probably don't know either. I'll just roast it normally.
"Aahh, that hit the spot! I'm completely stuffed!"
...He devoured 70 whole roasted pigs?! Thank goodness. It seems I haven't reached the realm of what people call a 'glutton' after all... That is a true glutton...! Gourmet Hunters are terrifying!
Or maybe it's a Nen ability? An ability that expands stomach capacity just to eat massive quantities of food. Haha, that might not even be wrong. Nen abilities aren't made solely for combat, after all.
The Challenge of Sushi
"For the second half of the Second Phase, my menu is... sushi!!"
Sushi, huh. A dish originating from Japon. As a former Japanese person, it's deeply familiar to me, but in this world, Japon is treated as a remote island nation, so sushi hasn't spread globally at all. ...Even though it's so delicious.
"Fufun. You all look quite troubled. Well, can't blame you. It's ethnic cuisine from a tiny island nation, after all."
Did you just subtly insult Japon? That's my second homeland and the resting place of my revered master, Ryuzen! If you're picking a fight, I'll gladly take you on!
"And when I say sushi, I will only accept Nigirizushi!! With that, start!! The exam ends the moment I'm full!! You can make as many as you want in the meantime!!"
Doesn't this test give an overwhelming advantage to anyone who knows about sushi? What is this exam actually testing? What should I do? Will I pass just by making it, or will I fail if it doesn't taste good?
...Whatever. I'll make it. Passing is fine, failing is fine. I'll just go with the flow.
Oh, right! I might as well explain sushi to Leorio and the others. Nobody said sharing information is against the rules.
"(Leorio-san, Kurapika-san, please come over here.)"
"Huh? Aisha? What's up?"
"(Keep your voice down. I know what sushi is.)"
"WHAAA?! Seriously, mmph mmph—!"
"(Shut up, you idiot-rio! What if the other applicants hear us!)"
"(S-Sorry... wait, who are you calling idiot-rio, you bastard!)"
"(You're both quite skilled at shouting in whispers. Anyway, I'll explain sushi to you, so wait outside. I'll go call Gon and Killua as well.)"
『(Got it.)』
Let's grab Gon and Killua and get outside quickly. Lingering here feels like suffocating under Hisoka's bloodlust.
Explaining the Unfamiliar
"Nobody's around here."
"Is it true you know what sushi is, lady?"
"It's Aisha, not 'lady.' Keep being cheeky and I won't tell you."
Killua really is a brat. I should make him drink the dirt under Gon's fingernails.
"Listen closely. Sushi is..."
—Young girl explaining—
"...And that's the gist of it. Do you understand?"
"I see. I've read about it in literature before, and Aisha's explanation matches it perfectly."
"Alright! We're definitely passing the Second Phase now!"
I'd say the chances of things going that smoothly are pretty low, though.
"Making sushi taste delicious is nearly impossible for amateurs. I've eaten it many times, but this will be my first time actually making it. Just knowing what it is doesn't guarantee you'll pass, okay?"
"Even so, knowing what it is makes a huge difference! Thank you, Aisha, for telling us!"
Ah, what a dazzling smile. You're very welcome! That smile makes it all worth it.
"Well, I guess I'll thank you too."
This brat seriously needs some discipline.
The Culinary Disaster
Now that I've gathered ingredients, let's try making it.
Hm? Why is it getting so noisy?
"It's just an easy dish where you press rice into a bite-sized rectangle and slap wasabi and a slice of fish on top!! No matter who makes it, there can't be much difference in taste, can there?!"
...Thank you so much, Mr. Ninja, for explaining the exact recipe at the top of your lungs for every applicant to hear. Thanks to you, all my sneaky efforts went straight down the drain... Ah, look, everyone ran outside to catch fish.
"Don't screw with me, you bastard! They say mastering sushi takes ten years of training!! No matter how well amateurs copy the shape, the taste is as different as heaven and earth, you moron!!"
If you knew that, don't judge them on taste! How many applicants do you think have ten years of sushi training?! None, obviously!
"Alright, next challenger, step right up!!"
"I'm next!"
"Aah, yours looks the part too. Jeez, thanks to that bald guy, the recipe got leaked to everyone!! In that case, I'll just have to judge strictly on taste!"
I'm surprised that wasn't your plan from the start! Good luck, Leorio!
"Disqualified! Way too much vinegar! It's completely inedible!"
"Wait, what?!"
I knew it... Amateurs can't satisfy someone who knows first-class cuisine...
"Disqualified! You're pressing too slowly! If the fish warms up in your hands, you can't make good sushi. Redo!"
"What the hell?! How was I supposed to know that?!"
I just learned that too, Killua. Don't glare at me, it's not my fault.
"The rice shape is terrible! Form it into a proper Jigami or at least a Funazoko shape!!"
And I got shot down too. What on earth is a 'Jigami shape'? Is that even edible?
"The cut is wrong... The shape is wrong... The fish is..."
"Sorry!! I'm completely full!"
Second Phase Part Two: Menchi's Menu—Zero Passers!!
The Intervention
No, this was completely impossible. You can't demand that level from amateurs.
Whoa! Hisoka's killing intent swelled dramatically. It feels like he could attack Menchi at any second... Menchi seems to sense it too, looking sharp and tense. A hair-trigger standoff.
Ah, a man claiming to be a Bounty Hunter lunged at Menchi with a punch. Picking a fight with Menchi right now? Does he have a death wish? I thought about stopping him, but Buhara stepped in and swatted him away. He took a heavy blow, but walking away with just that is a blessing.
"A Bounty Hunter? Don't make me laugh! Knocked out cold by a single strike from a mere Gourmet Hunter!"
Setting aside the gap between Nen users and non-Nen users, that applicant was completely outclassed in raw physical ability. If he wants to become a Blacklist Hunter, he should take this as a lesson and train seriously.
"Martial arts are something you pick up naturally as a Hunter whether you like it or not! What I want to see is the courage to challenge the unknown!!"
...You shifted the criteria to taste halfway through, though. Well, maybe the ninja is to blame for that.
『Even so, isn't failing every single applicant a bit too harsh?』
Th-That voice, could it be?!
In the sky above, an airship bearing the Hunter Association emblem hovered. From that airship, an elderly man leaped straight down! Everyone around gasped in shock at how someone could survive a fall from that height, but I was shocked for an entirely different reason.
Ooh! Netero! Isn't that Netero?! My former rival and greatest friend!!
Great to see you in good health. Looking at your aura, it flows even more serenely and gracefully than the last time I saw you... You really took my parting words to heart: 'Do not neglect your training.' I'm so happy.
I want to express this joy to Netero right this second. But if I said, "I'm Ryusho," there's no way he'd believe me...
The Revised Phase
While I was wrestling with my inner thoughts, the Second Phase was replaced with a new test.
We boarded the airship and headed to a mountain. The task: make boiled eggs. The difficulty dropped off a cliff! That's Netero for you. Good job, Netero!
We arrived at the mountain, greeted by a deep chasm. Split Mountain (Mount Mafutatsu)... True to its name, the mountain was split clean in two. Retrieve the eggs of Spider Eagles nesting in the ravine and boil them to pass.
"Phew, what a relief."
"This is what I've been waiting for."
"Way faster and easier to understand than running or ethnic cuisine."
"Indeed. We should be able to pass this."
If they had done this from the beginning, it would have been so much smoother... Ah, but then I wouldn't have met Netero. Great job, Menchi!
And with that, we passed the Second Phase! The Spider Eagle boiled eggs were absolutely delicious.
Second Phase Part Two (Menchi's Revised Menu): 43 Passers
Exploring the Airship
After the Second Phase, we boarded the airship once again. We're traveling to the next venue aboard this ship.
Beans informed us that we're scheduled to arrive around 8:00 AM tomorrow. Until then, it's free time. What should I do? Gon and Killua look like they're going to explore the ship.
I'm not particularly tired, so I might as well sightsee around the airship too. This is my third time on an airship, but the second time was just the quick hop to Mount Mafutatsu, and the first time was when I was a baby dropped into Meteor City.
This is my first time riding one properly. I'll take a look around... It'll help me stay away from Hisoka, too.
"Well, since I'm free, I think I'll go explore the airship."
"You too...? Between Gon, Killua, and you, you guys have endless energy..."
"Indeed... I would prefer to rest. It has been an extraordinarily long day..."
"I just wanna crash and sleep like a log... Besides, aren't you a bit old for 'exploring'...?"
"...I'm 13."
『Eh?』
"...I knew that would be your reaction..."
Ever since leaving Meteor City, because of my rapid growth, not a single person has ever guessed my actual age correctly...
...Well, I suppose growing fast is better than being stunted?
Whoa~ The night view is gorgeous! What a spectacular sight. You don't get to see scenery like this very often. Airships only brought back bad memories for me, but this makes for a wonderful one. Maybe one day I should get my own private airship and travel the world?
...That sounds amazing. How much does an airship cost? Would my current savings cover it?
Hm? Is that... Gon, Killua, and Netero? Where are the three of them going? I sense something interesting is about to happen. Let's follow them!
"Gon, Killua, Netero... Chairman."
I almost called him Netero casually. In my current identity, I have zero prior acquaintance with him... A bit sad.
"Oh, Aisha! What's up?"
"You again? What do you want? We're busy right now."
"Hmph... (Those are huge...)"
It feels like Netero's gaze just locked onto my chest...
"No, I saw the three of you walking and wondered if something fu—if something was going on."
"Ho-ho-ho. Nothing much, I was just thinking of playing a little game. Would you like to join, young lady? If you beat me, I'll grant you a Hunter License on the spot."
What?! If we beat Netero, we get an instant Hunter License?!
Fighting him would be tough, but in a game, depending on the rules, my odds are plenty high... If I win, I won't have to take the rest of the exam, which means I can get away from the pervert immediately!
"I'm in!"
"Ho-ho, excellent. Follow me, you three."
The Ball Game
We arrived at a spacious hall. Netero produced a ball from somewhere. Are we using that ball for the game?
"If you can take this ball from me before the ship reaches its destination, you win. You may attack however you please! As for me, I won't lay a finger on you."
Just take the ball? That's simple! My past-life techniques have integrated well into this body, but taking Netero in a real fight would still be rough. Just grabbing a ball, though, is well within reach.
In fact, let's start by relying purely on raw physical ability without martial arts techniques. Netero isn't going all out, so this is a great chance to test how far my current physical specs can carry me.
"All we have to do is take it, right? I'll go first."
"Whenever you're ready."
Killua looks annoyed. Naturally—the condition sounds like he's looking down on us.
Wait, that footwork of Killua's! Is that... the Kazama-ryu secret footwork, Willow Leaf Sway (柳葉揺らし)?! ...No, it's slightly different. But to master movement like that at his age?!
Even accounting for extraordinary talent and training, possessing such skill so young is terrifying... I only mastered Willow Leaf Sway in my sixties. Incredible...
Still, it doesn't work on Netero. Killua hasn't completely erased the intent right before transitioning from footwork to attack. Immense talent, but lacking experience. If beating Netero were that easy, I wouldn't have struggled so hard in my past life.
Even so, Killua might reach heights beyond Netero one day if he keeps polishing that talent.
Killua tagged out with Gon. How will Gon approach this?
"Here I go!!"
He charged straight in... That's a bit too—ah, he jumped... and slammed his head right into the ceiling!
"OUUUUUCH!!"
"I know you've got crazy jumping power, but adjust your height, Gon!!"
"Exactly! Just when the Chairman let his guard down!"
Netero was completely caught off-guard just now. We might have actually grabbed the ball... Speaking of which, Netero is totally underestimating us. Getting momentarily tricked by a simple feint like that, and not even using his right hand or left leg.
"My turn next. Chairman, please take care of me."
"Ho-ho-ho. Anytime you like."
Alright. Let's see how far my physical ability can push Netero!
"Hah!"
Full sprint! Eyes locked solely on the ball! Even when dodged, I relentlessly pursue the ball! No feints, pure straightforward pressure!
However...
"Mmm. You're quite nimble, young lady. But movements that simple won't do."
As expected, it doesn't work on Netero. My pure physical ability is still below his. Damn it, should I use aura?
The Triple Assault
Eventually, the three of us coordinated an attack, but still couldn't snatch the ball.
Oh, Gon landed a kick right on Netero's chin! Using his shoe to extend his kicking range—brilliant! Killua followed up instantly. Now's our chance!
"Now!!"
"Not quite!"
Killua reached for the ball, but Netero kicked it away. But our assault isn't over!
"Take this!"
"Whoa!"
I drove a kick into Netero while he was off-balance, knocking him away from the ball!
"Now, Gon!"
"GOT ITTTTT!!"
Yes! We got it!
"Hmph."
Hey! Aura surged around Netero's leg!
In a flash of acceleration, Netero blew past Gon and Killua, snatching the ball back... Using Nen against kids, how petty!
"A consolation prize, let's call it."
He's always been a sore loser. Using Nen in a casual game against amateurs, really now?
Killua gave up. He noticed Netero barely used his right hand and left leg.
"Let's go, Gon."
"Ah, I want to try a bit longer."
"I'll keep going too."
...He didn't invite me to go with him... I'm not lonely at all!
After Killua left, the ball game resumed. Though Gon's goal shifted to making Netero use his right hand. ...Even so, he kept sneaking attempts at the ball.
"Aren't you going for the ball, young lady?"
"I'm taking a short break. Since Gon's goal has changed, I'll watch to see if he can achieve it while resting. Do your best, Gon!"
"Yeah!"
Such energy. Big sister is taking a breather. I'm a bit tired... Ugh, drenched in sweat. That feels gross. Maybe I should take a shower?
"Excuse me, Chairman."
"Hm? What is it?"
"I've worked up a sweat, so I'd like to take a shower and change clothes. Would that be alright?"
"Hyoh?!"
"WIDE OPEN!"
Ah, Netero let his guard down for an instant! Gon lunged for the ball, but fell just an inch short. Why did Netero freeze up? Because I suddenly spoke?
"Close one, close one. Really now, was that intentional?"
"Pardon?"
"(Is she an airhead? What magnificent cleavage...) Go ahead, but come back soon."
"Thank you very much!"
Great! I might get sweaty again later, but staying sticky is unpleasant. Bringing spare clothes was definitely the right move.
Return to the Match
Phew, refreshing! Now then, how is Gon holding up?
"Sorry to keep you waiting. Gon, how's it going?"
"..."
...No response. Tremendous focus. He didn't even notice me speaking; his eyes are glued entirely to Netero. This boy possesses frightening talent too. Killua has the technical edge right now, but Gon's raw potential matches him blow for blow. As they grow, both will easily surpass where I was in my past life.
...I'm a little envious.
Three hours after I returned, Gon finally forced Netero to use his right hand. Having achieved his goal, Gon collapsed right onto the floor, fast asleep. Congratulations, Gon. Sleep well.
"Now then, care to have another go, young lady?"
"Of course. The real match starts now."
"Ho-ho! That sounds promising."
Alright, time to play to win.
I casually walked right up in front of Netero. As expected, he won't make a move until I initiate.
Heh, overconfidence will be your downfall! Here I go, Netero!
Kazama-ryu Secret Footwork: Willow Leaf Sway!
"!?"
Caught off-guard by the sudden Willow Leaf Sway, Netero creates an opening. Instantly, I slip into his blind spot behind him! Netero reacts immediately, but it's too late! You didn't neglect your training, but your arrogance was your undoing, Netero!
I seize his turning arm and execute Ju! Netero spins half a rotation through the air! Aiming straight for his exposed flank, I prepare to drive home a Penetration Palm! Don't worry, Netero, I'll hold back enough so you only stay in bed for three days! (Completely forgetting the ball).
TAKE THIS!!
...In that moment, I lost my head. Clashing with Netero after so long ignited my old warrior's blood. Without realizing it, I threw a massive surge of battle aura at him. And because of that...
◆
"Now then, care to have another go, young lady?"
"Of course. The real match starts now."
"Ho-ho! That sounds promising."
Mmm. This girl refuses to yield. Her movements are nimble, but she lacks experience. With proper training, she could blossom into something extraordinary. This year's batch of rookies is truly a bumper crop.
She casually walked right up in front of me. Does she have a plan? She hasn't used feints so far. What is she thinking?
"!?"
Th-This is! Rhythm Echo?! No! This is the Kazama-ryu's Willow Leaf Sway!!
The secret footwork favored by my late friend Ryusho! And this young girl is using it?! An ultimate technique Ryusho himself said he only mastered past the age of sixty!
B-Bad! She took my back! The ball... Gwah! She used Ju! Well, if she can use Willow Leaf Sway, using Kazama-ryu techniques is natural. But at this rate, she'll take the ball! What should I do? I never imagined she'd actually take it—wait, hold on!
Why is she attacking me?! What about the ball?! And that strike... isn't that Ryusho's signature move, the Penetration Palm?!
A technique designed for internal destruction rather than external impact! The last time I took that, I couldn't eat solid food for three days! Is she going after my balls (life) instead of the ball?!
Ngh! She isn't releasing aura, but I can feel it! The blazing battle spirit radiating from this girl!! This is unmistakably Ryusho's...!
[100-Type Guanyin Bodhisattva] !!!!!
Aftermath of the Clash
I DID IT AGAIN! I instinctively used the Guanyin Bodhisattva!!
N-No, feeling that battle spirit brought back all those memories of fighting Ryusho... and I just reacted... The young lady slammed into the airship wall... not moving a muscle... Did I kill her?!
Prrrr... prrrr...
! The phone...
"Y-Yes, it is I... N-No, that impact earlier... there was a slight mishap on my end. ...Yes, all is well. No issues with flight? ...Good. A small favor: could you fly exceptionally slowly? ...Yes, arriving late is perfectly fine. I leave it to you."
Phew, that handles that for now.
...Now then, what do I do?
"ARE YOU TRYING TO KILL ME, YOU CRAZY OLD GEEZER?!"
"GUBAAAAH?!"
GAAAAH?! A sudden impact slammed into my back! What the—?!
"What kind of monster does that to a sweet, defenseless applicant?! I thought I was dead for a second!!"
"Y-You're alive?!"
Ooh, she survived! Come to think of it, the aura enveloping her body never vanished. In my panic, I completely overlooked it!
Well, wonderful, wonderful—wait, why is this girl alive?!
Taking that blow, no normal human—no matter how well-trained—could walk away intact. Even an ordinary Nen user shouldn't have survived that strike!
"Young lady, how did you withstand that?"
"How did I? Well, of course... That's a corporate secret!"
What corporation?!
There is no mistake. This girl is a Nen user. The aura flowing from her body has zero turbulence. That is an impossible phenomenon for a non-Nen user. Even without training, an untrained person's aura fluctuates unconsciously. She has none of that. She is deliberately controlling her aura!
Which means she shielded herself from that strike using some form of Nen...
"Young lady, you can use it, can't you?"
"My, whatever do you mean?"
Still playing dumb, are we?
"No, really, that excuse won't—"
"Ow, ow, ow! Ugh, my whole body is battered... I won't be able to handle the next phase at this rate, so I'm going to rest! Good day!"
Whoa! She ran off!
Even if I wanted to chase her, I was the one who injured her. After being told that, I can hardly chase her down to interrogate her...
Still... that level of Kazama-ryu martial arts... A Nen defense capable of withstanding the Guanyin Bodhisattva...
She is like Ryusho reincarnated. And that technique, the Penetration Palm, is one of the Kazama-ryu's most lethal arts—Ryusho should have only passed it down to his top disciple, Linna...
Did Linna teach her? I'll have to check with Linna later.
...Wait, reincarnation? Where have I heard that before?
...Ah, right. Since I laid hands on her, by the rules, I lost the game by foul...
Well, what I used wasn't my hand, it was Nen, and she didn't seem to notice, so I'll just keep quiet about that.
◆
I ended up fleeing from Netero. Did he realize I'm a Nen user?
Still, my consciousness blanked out for a split second... If my reflexive defense had been a fraction of a second slower, I would have died! That damn Netero! Who uses the 100-Type Guanyin Bodhisattva in a casual game?!
...Well, I did try to hit him with a Penetration Palm... Let's just call that youthful indiscretion, yep.
Mmm, it hurts, but no broken bones... If my Ken defense combined with limp-body impact absorption hadn't made it in time, it wouldn't have ended with just bruises.
Curse you, Netero! One day, I'll pay you back for this pain tenfold!
◆
[AN]
This version of Netero is slightly stronger than the original.