"This result is not going to change."
Menchi stubbornly declared. No matter how much Buhara tried to persuade her, she remained firm.
This was self-destructive.
Yamcha glanced at Menchi. Everyone present was here for the Hunter License, and her willful behavior was essentially crushing their hopes. How did she expect them to react?
Some of the examinees were even stronger than the examiners, and a few of them had terrible tempers.
Yamcha had already noticed that both Hisoka and Gittarackur were getting restless.
If these two lost control here,
probably no one besides himself would make it out alive.
Just as tensions between the examinees and the examiners were about to erupt into violence, Yamcha suddenly looked up. He vaguely sensed a powerful presence approaching. Thanks to training with Korin for a few months, he hadn't mastered "Ki," but he could still sense it to some extent.
A presence so immense, so tangible, it sent shivers down his spine.
As expected of one of the pillars of the Hunter Association.
Even while suppressing his power, he was still this strong.
A figure descended from the sky, landing with a slight tremor.
An old man with white hair and beard, his hair tied into a small bun at the back of his head, appeared before the crowd.
One of the strongest human forces on the surface in the Hunter world.
The Chairman of the Hunter Association—Netero.
With Chairman Netero intervening, Menchi, the examiner for the second stage of the exam, changed the test from sushi-making to boiling eggs.
Of course, the eggs weren't ordinary. They were the eggs of spider birds, creatures that nested on sheer cliffs tens of kilometers high.
These eggs were said to be the most delicious in the world.
And to be fair, they really were amazing.
Naturally, Yamcha took the opportunity to pocket quite a few spider bird eggs.
In total, 40 people passed the second stage of the exam.
The location for the third stage was far from the plains where the second stage had taken place, requiring a zeppelin ride to reach.
The examinees who had passed boarded the zeppelin one after another.
Zeppelins were a signature mode of transportation in the Hunter world.
For some reason, even though the technology level of this world was similar to modern times, airplanes didn't exist, just like in the Dragon Ball world.
To be fair, zeppelins weren't as fast as airplanes, but they were large and spacious, equipped with all sorts of facilities—restaurants, lounges, even entertainment rooms.
"We will arrive at our next destination at 8 AM tomorrow. Until I contact you, feel free to move about as you please."
A small, green, pea-headed creature was addressing the group.
This was Beans from the Hunter Association.
A strange mimetic humanoid, or perhaps a magical beast, he was a unique species in the Hunter world.
Currently, he served as Chairman Netero's secretary.
"What do you think of this year's examinees?"
As the examinees rested throughout the zeppelin, the examiners from the first two stages gathered in a private room for discussion. The one speaking was Satotz, who, despite having no mouth, took a sip of coffee.
"This year's newcomers are quite outstanding," Buhara said while eating, his table already piled with empty plates like a small mountain.
"But we don't know how many of them will actually pass."
Satotz added, "A high standard doesn't necessarily mean a high pass rate."
The Hunter Exam wasn't a strictly regulated test; it was relatively loose in structure. Technically, as long as an examiner approved, anyone—whether human or not—could pass.
Take Menchi as an example—if Netero hadn't stepped in, she really would have failed everyone.
"Have any examinees stood out to you as particularly exceptional?"
Menchi leaned back casually on the sofa. "I think Number 294 is pretty good. Even though he's bald."
Number 294, Hanzo, a self-proclaimed ninja, was the only examinee who actually made sushi. Though Menchi deemed it unqualified.
Satotz took another sip of coffee. "I'd pick Number 99. He's got potential."
Number 99—Killua, the deuteragonist.
"I don't like that kid. He's arrogant and reckless."
Menchi voiced her impression of Killua, then glanced at Buhara, who was eating yet another plate of pork knuckles. "What about you, big guy?"
Buhara swallowed and said, "He's not a newcomer, but he left a strong impression on me."
"You mean Number 44."
Menchi nodded in agreement. "That guy's killing intent was completely unconcealed. The reason I reacted so strongly was because of him—he was deliberately provoking us into conflict."
"He's extremely dangerous."
All three examiners agreed on their evaluation of Number 44—Hisoka.
His presence was simply too intense.
Besides, he had participated in last year's Hunter Exam and had even injured an examiner.
That was why this year's examiners were all One-Star Hunters. Otherwise, even regular Pro Hunters would have sufficed.
"Apart from them… Did you notice any other promising newcomers?"
Satotz set down his coffee, his expression becoming serious.
"Candidate Number 1—Yamcha."
His words caught the attention of the other two examiners.
Buhara was the first to respond. "Number 1? Isn't he Menchi's friend?"
"I told you, we just know each other!"
Menchi puffed up her cheeks in frustration. But seeing the expectant looks from her fellow examiners, she continued, "Even though I don't like that guy, I have to admit—he's extremely capable."
"In fact, he might even be more talented than Number 44."
"I have a gut feeling—if only one person could pass this exam, it would be him."
"You might remember that the Association posted a strange mission some time ago—seeking a sparring partner, with the requirement that they not be a Star Hunter."
"The reward was 20 million Jenny per sparring session. And if they managed to defeat him, they'd earn 200 million."
"A lot of Association Hunters took on that mission. And the one who issued it… was Yamcha."
Satotz and Buhara thought for a moment and recalled that odd mission.
Technically, Pro Hunters weren't official members of the Hunter Association due to their sheer numbers. Meanwhile, Official Hunters were considered regular members, while Star Hunters were the true backbone—the most valuable assets of the Association.
Because of this restriction, the mission didn't attract too much attention at the time.
"184—A total of 184 Hunters accepted the mission."
"And in just three months, Yamcha consecutively defeated 138 Pro Hunters and 46 Official Hunters."
"That does sound impressive."
Satotz and Buhara nodded in agreement. Defeating Pro Hunters proved he was exceptional, and defeating Official Hunters proved he was truly strong.
But if that were all, he'd only be on the same level as Hisoka.
"Of course, that's not all…"
(To be continued.)