"The fourth stage of the Hunter Exam has officially ended."
"A total of nine candidates have passed."
"Candidate #1, Yamcha; Candidate #44, Hisoka; Candidate #99, Killua; Candidate #53, Pokkle; Candidate #294, Hanzo; Candidate #301, Gittarackur; Candidate #403, Leorio; Candidate #404, Kurapika; Candidate #405, Gon."
"All other candidates may board the association's airship and leave. Any examinee who hears this announcement and is still alive, please proceed to the port for departure."
The bean-faced announcer broadcasted the message.
"Oh ho ho ho! I didn't expect that out of the nine successful candidates, seven would be newcomers." Chairman Netero stroked his beard repeatedly, looking quite pleased upon hearing that nine people had advanced to the final stage.
"Not bad, not bad at all. This batch of rookies is quite outstanding, exceptionally talented."
"To think that in the last exam, not a single candidate passed."
Seated around him on sofas were the examiners from the first four stages.
"Is this kind of situation common?" Buhara asked as he stuffed more food into his mouth.
"Hmm… Generally speaking, when there are no successful candidates for two or three consecutive years, exceptional young talents tend to emerge in large numbers—just like now."
"This is the fourth time I've seen it since becoming Chairman."
Menchi was surprised by Netero's words. "Chairman… How old are you this year?"
"It's said that he passed a hundred years old decades ago."
Like Master Roshi from the Dragon Ball world, Netero's age was measured in centuries.
"Speaking of which, what's the final exam going to be?" Satotz asked as he speared a piece of steak with his fork. Before he finished speaking, the steak had already disappeared from his fork.
"I plan to hold a rather unique competition."
The examiners all looked at Chairman Netero seriously, waiting for him to continue.
After a long silence, just as the impatient Menchi was about to speak up, Netero finally opened his mouth.
"Actually, I haven't decided yet. Ho ho ho!"
Sure enough, no one could predict Netero's thoughts.
After pondering for a while, Netero finally shared his decision with the other examiners.
"So, the final exam is… an interview?"
The examiners were dumbfounded when they heard Netero's idea.
Netero waved a finger in front of them. "No, no, no. I just want to ask them a few questions before the final test begins."
"That's it?" The examiners spoke in unison, looking at Netero in disbelief.
After spending the past few days with him, they had learned one thing.
Others might not do something like this, but as the number one "Unexpected Hunter" of the Hunter Association, the mischievous old man Netero absolutely would make an interview the final stage of the Hunter Exam.
"That's it. Now, go inform the candidates to come to me for their interviews in order."
"Yes, sir."
Even if the final exam was really just an interview, they had no choice but to comply.
Because he was the Chairman.
At least, within the Hunter Association, he was the highest authority.
"Candidate #1, please proceed to the reception room. Candidate #1, please proceed to the reception room!"
The first interviewee was Yamcha, the most outstanding performer across all the tests so far.
The interview took place in a Japanese-style tatami room aboard the airship. Chairman Netero sat cross-legged in the center of the room, with a massive calligraphy scroll behind him displaying a single character: '心' (Heart/Mind).
The character was bold and fluid, with strokes that seemed both simple and profound, embodying a martial philosophy.
If one could grasp its meaning, their martial arts journey would undoubtedly advance significantly.
"What's the matter? Do you like this calligraphy?"
Noticing Yamcha staring at the character behind him in silence, Netero spoke up.
The character was written by Netero himself on the day he reached the pinnacle of his martial arts. That day, he achieved enlightenment and developed an extraordinary technique.
And this '心' character was more than just a simple word—it symbolized Netero's martial arts school, the Shingen-Ryu (Heart Source Style).
It embodied his lifelong martial philosophy, though only those with significant martial arts training could truly appreciate it.
Even powerful individuals like Hisoka or Illumi wouldn't gain any insights from looking at it. To them, it was just some messy calligraphy.
"I like it."
Yamcha didn't bother hiding his appreciation. He believed that, given Netero's abilities, the Chairman could at least see through his surface-level concealments.
Otherwise, Netero wouldn't have dragged him to be a referee on the airship that day.
Netero wasn't that idle.
"If you like it, then it's yours."
With a grand gesture, Netero offered the scroll to him. Yamcha immediately thanked him, but Netero waved it off, signaling that it was no big deal.
For Netero, this scroll was no longer of use. Since someone could appreciate it, why not put it to good use?
"With your level of martial arts skill at such a young age, it's truly impressive. I'd love to know who trained you."
"Oh dear, my eyesight must be getting worse with age—I can't even recognize it. I'm getting old, so old."
If you could recognize it, that would be the real miracle.
"Bang, Flowing Rock Crushing Fist."
Yamcha didn't bother hiding it. After all, even if he said it, no one here would know who Bang was.
Unless someone could break through dimensions like him and visit the One Punch Man world. Even then, it wouldn't necessarily be his version of that world.
Netero stroked his beard and thought for a long time, but couldn't recall anything about Flowing Rock Crushing Fist.
As for Bang—he had never heard of him.
Perhaps he was some hidden master?
"In two years, when you come of age, your power will surge even further. The world will belong to the young generation like you."
"Chairman, I still have five years until adulthood."
Yamcha corrected him seriously.
"Ho ho ho." Netero simply shook his head and didn't reply.
Seeing Netero's unconvinced expression, Yamcha knew the old man didn't believe he was only 13. He shrugged and didn't bother explaining further.
"Enough chit-chat."
After some idle talk, Netero finally got down to business.
"First question—why do you want to become a Hunter?"
"To become stronger."
Becoming a Hunter, learning Nen, growing stronger—no flaws in that logic.
"I see." Netero nodded and continued, "Among the other eight candidates, who do you most want to fight?"
"Candidate #53, Pokkle."
"And why?"
"Because he's the weakest."
Yamcha answered with complete honesty.
"..."
Well, he wasn't wrong, but… why did it sound so cowardly? Shouldn't a warrior yearn to fight the strongest opponent?
(End of chapter)