Early the next morning, the eight candidates who had passed the Hunter Exam arrived at a room resembling a lecture hall, following the given instructions.
Of course, before the meeting began, Gon and Illumi had a brief conflict.
However, the matter was eventually quelled.
Then Netero and Beans walked solemnly to the podium.
The examiners from the previous stages of the Hunter Exam stood quietly to the side.
Seeing that everyone had arrived, Beans stepped forward.
"Then the explanation session will begin."
Beans took out a Hunter's License and displayed it to everyone.
"The card I'm handing out to you is the Hunter's License."
"With this card… about 90% of countries that are normally off-limits will open their doors."
"And 75% of restricted areas will allow entry."
"Furthermore, 95% of public facilities can be used free of charge."
"Bank financing is equivalent to the quota of a top-tier company."
"If you sell it, you'll never have to worry about food or clothing for the rest of your life."
"With this, you can live a life of luxury."
"Also, everyone must be careful not to lose it or have it stolen."
"It will not be reissued."
"According to our statistics, one in five people lose their Hunter's License in some form within a year."
"The first trial for you as professional Hunters is to keep your cards safe."
"The rest is up to you. Overcome all obstacles, believe in yourselves, and move toward your respective dreams."
After Beans finished his explanation, everyone present truly understood the immense value of a Hunter's License.
Then Netero looked at the candidates and delivered his final remarks.
"Therefore, I hereby declare the eight people here to be rookie Hunters."
After saying that, Netero left with Beans and several examiners.
Only the eight candidates remained inside to talk.
However, Ryusei had no intention of communicating much with the others.
He was more interested in learning Nen abilities from Menchi.
The hotel, operated by the Hunter Association, perfectly embodied the architectural principle of the Hunter world: big.
Ryusei walked and walked until he eventually got lost.
Fortunately, there were staff members at the hotel.
After asking for directions, Ryusei returned to the place where the meeting had just taken place.
Then, as he turned a corner, Ryusei ran into Gon and Illumi.
This greatly annoyed Ryusei.
"Gittarackur!" Gon called out to Illumi, who was about to leave, his expression deadly serious.
He then demanded: "Tell me where Killua is!"
Illumi looked at Gon in silence for a moment before speaking.
"Are you really planning to bring him back? I advise you to give up. Killua has already gone home. Once that happens, He will naturally forget about you"
"Then I won't need to kill you. That's why I didn't take action before. But now… it seems you don't want to give up."
"Who would give up!"
"Killua is my friend, and I will definitely bring him back."
Gon's expression was deadly serious.
He absolutely had to bring Killua back.
After all, Killua hadn't left of his own will.
Illumi gave Gon a piercing look.
Then his gaze shifted to Leorio and Kurapika behind Gon, as well as Ryusei, who was watching from the side.
"Are the three of you the same?"
Upon hearing Illumi's question, Gon turned to look.
Only then did he notice Leorio and Kurapika standing firmly behind him.
Ryusei wasn't very close, but he also seemed ready to lend support.
"Of course." Leorio declared with conviction.
Kurapika beside him nodded firmly.
"Uh...I was just passing by."
Ryusei muttered under his breath, "I was just passing by."
Even so, his entire attention was fixed on Illumi, prepared to leave the Hunter x Hunter world at any moment.
"Fine. I know I can't stop you anyway. Killua should have already gone home."
Illumi said casually.
In truth, even if he hadn't spoken, simply logging into the Hunter website with a license would make it easy to find information about the Zoldyck family.
"Go home?" Gon looked at Illumi with a puzzled expression.
"Kukuroo Mountain. Our family lives at the top of that mountain."
"Kukuroo Mountain?" Leorio was confused.
He had never heard of such a place before.
"Okay, thank you." Gon looked at Illumi with a serious expression and replied.
Then they turned around and left.
Leorio and Kurapika naturally followed quickly.
Ryusei also followed the three of them out.
He had no intention of staying behind to face Illumi.
And if they followed Gon and the others, they would likely run into Examiner Satsuki.
They could ask Menchi about her whereabouts later.
...
"Is this a good idea? The assassin has revealed his hiding place."
Hisoka suddenly emerged from behind a pillar, gazing at Illumi with great interest.
"It's fine. There was never any intention to hide it anyway."
"It's quite famous locally." Illumi waved his hand dismissively.
"They'll find out when they get there."
"We live in a completely different world from them." Hopefully, Kukuroo Mountain would make Gon and the others understand the difference between themselves and Killua.
That way, Killua wouldn't be bothered anymore.
At that moment, Hisoka's eyes shifted to Illumi's slightly swollen right arm.
Sensing Hisoka's gaze, Illumi calmly raised his arm and said:
"Hm… this… it's already broken." It had happened during a previous conflict with Gon.
Gon had snapped Illumi's arm in two with a single hand.
"What an interesting boy."
"Now I understand why you were observing him." Illumi spoke with a hint of admiration.
A genius who couldn't even use Nen yet— but who had the strength to snap his arm barehanded.
That kind of potential was extraordinary.
"Exactly!" Hisoka smirked, clearly smug. He had high hopes for Gon.
Of course, he also had expectations for Leorio, Kurapika, and Ryusei—especially Ryusei.
Illumi couldn't help but release a murderous aura.
Gon's tremendous potential made him feel that Gon was dangerous.
If Gon were allowed to grow up…
Perhaps he really could bring Killua out of Kukuroo Mountain.
To avoid this situation from escalating, Illumi suddenly felt a strong urge to finish off Gon right there.
However, at that moment, a murderous aura emanated from beside him.
Illumi turned his head and saw Hisoka staring at him with a deadly look.
"Gon is my prey."
"If you make a move against him, I won't let it go." Hisoka warned Illumi in a low, chilling voice.
He was determined to savor these high-quality little apples.
Before they ripened, they could not be picked by anyone else.
Not even Illumi.
Illumi suppressed his murderous aura.
"I know."
"Although we've only known each other for a short time, I already understand your style."
Since he couldn't kill Gon, Illumi prepared to leave.
But before departing, there was one more thing that concerned him.
"By the way, Hisoka, what are you going to do next?"
Upon hearing this, Hisoka revealed a sinister smile.
"Wait quietly…"
"Wait until the sweet fruit ripens…"