Chapter 72 – Todo the Reckless
"Then, Menchi-neechan, why don't you just say the word?
If you agree to redo the test, won't everything be fine?"
Gon's eyes sparkled brightly, completely unfazed by Menchi's harsh tone.
In his mind, this was the perfect solution.
"I said no, so it's no.
The Hunter Exam for this year is already over."
Menchi raised her voice, not even pretending to consider Gon's hopeful suggestion.
"You can all go home now.
Hurry up and get out of my sight."
Menchi planted one foot on the table and pointed at the examinees arrogantly, commanding them to leave.
Todo had originally believed the kid might persuade her.
But seeing Menchi's unwavering refusal and eagerness to drive them out,
he realized the kid was useless—and it was time for him to step in personally.
"BANG!"
Todo's fist smashed half the cooking counter into rubble, the impact echoing like thunder.
"I REFUSE to accept this!"
Todo roared, clenching his fists so tightly they trembled.
"Don't expect me to bow my head, say 'yes ma'am,' and walk away!"
"Oh?
So it's not just the little boy who throws tantrums."
Menchi pointed at Gon, but her tone was edged with annoyance.
For Gon—since he was with Osren and still a kid—she held back.
But an adult throwing a fit?
That was a different matter entirely.
A predatory glint flashed in Menchi's eyes, like a beast craving an outlet.
"What did you say?" Todo snapped.
"I already told you—come back next year and do better."
Menchi forced down the killing intent rising in her chest.
As an examiner, she couldn't just turn an examinee into food.
Leaning back on the sofa, she tried soothing her irritation.
But Todo completely misunderstood her restraint as weakness.
"I'm DONE being toyed with!
I'm not trying to become a Gourmet Hunter—I want to be a REAL Hunter!
A bounty hunter!
And now some foodie gets to decide whether I pass or fail?
I refuse to accept a result like that!"
Todo couldn't hear a word she said anymore.
His mind had tunneled completely into indignation.
"A… foodie?"
Menchi's half-closed eyes opened fully, locking onto Todo.
"That's right!
Someone who just eats yummy things dares call themselves a Hunter?
Give me a break."
Todo waved dismissively, completely oblivious to the murderous aura radiating from her.
"Who the hell is that idiot?"
Leorio felt the danger immediately—even he could tell Menchi was about to explode.
"That's examinee number 255.
Occupation: professional wrestler—Todo."
Kurapika recalled Todo's earlier introduction from Tonpa.
Though looking at Todo's current behavior, he didn't seem remotely as clever as Tonpa claimed.
"When someone sticks their head out…
that's when you stop sticking yours out too."
Osren murmured, calming his teammates.
Gon had gone ahead—he was young, and Osren's reputation would probably shield him.
But if all of them rushed out, it would become open rebellion.
"And we definitely can't beat a Hunter."
Leorio added quietly.
Above all else, he was painfully aware—
he wasn't strong enough to fight one.
Kurapika and Killua both nodded.
Compared to Leorio and Gon, the two were far more rational.
They could already sense a turning point approaching—
so for now, their best move was to quietly observe.
"I refuse to acknowledge someone like you as a Hunter—
much less as an examiner!"
Todo was practically speedrunning his own death flag.
If hatred could fill a gauge, his would be overflowing.
And just to make things worse, he dragged all the other examinees into his declaration.
But the examinees weren't fools.
Openly insulting an examiner?
That was a shortcut to suicide.
Thud. Thud. Thud.
Buhara stepped forward in a single stride, planting himself in front of Todo.
Clearly, even he couldn't tolerate an insult toward Gourmet Hunters.
"Wait, Buhara. Don't get involved,"
Menchi said coldly, hands still hidden behind her back.
Osren, however, had already caught the faint glint of metal she was hiding.
"How can I not get involved?"
Buhara frowned.
"If I deal with him, at worst he loses a limb or two.
If you make a move—he'll end up as a dish."
"D-dish?"
Leorio blinked.
How could a person become food?
Ah, Leorio…
So terribly naïve.
"You really don't need to know that," Osren said calmly.
"I'd love to see how a person gets turned into a dish,"
Killua mused with curiosity.
Killing people was normal for him.
Turning them into cuisine? That was new.
"Menchi-san," Osren stepped forward.
"If someone doubts a Gourmet Hunter's strength,
then just show him.
If you turn him into a meal, he won't be alive long enough to see it."
Osren didn't want anyone actually cooked,
but he agreed Todo deserved a harsh lesson.
Menchi's killing aura had been boiling over,
but Osren's words reminded her of another option.
Her expression shifted, and she withdrew her blades back into their sheaths.
"I hate explaining things to amateurs.
Fine, then—Examinee 255."
Her eyes cut to Todo like twin knives.
"I'll show you exactly what a Gourmet Hunter is.
Watch carefully.
All of you—
consider this my farewell gift."
She stepped back, straightened her posture,
and finally accepted Osren's suggestion.
"Give me one hour.
Wait here."
"One… hour?"
Todo was thoroughly confused.
Just minutes ago he was teetering on the edge of the underworld,
and now she was talking in riddles.
Ignoring him completely,
Menchi strode out the large gate.
Outside, she stretched her body lazily,
her slim waist arching as she loosened her muscles.
"Fuu—"
She exhaled long and slow,
purging all irritation from her system.
Then—
Her heel struck the earth.
A deep crack spread from her footprint.
And her silhouette vanished into the sky.
Leaving behind nothing but a crater.
"W–what? She vanished!"
"She's that fast!?"
The examinees who followed her outside stared in shock.
"The more unpredictable this gets…
the more I have to watch."
Satotz muttered to himself.
As a professional spectator,
he had already climbed onto a tree branch before anyone noticed.
Hidden among the leaves, he had a perfect vantage point.
And with Menchi disappearing in an instant,
Satotz's instinct was screaming—
This show is going to be good.
Very, VERY good.
He nestled deeper into the foliage,
determined not to reveal himself—
because a true spectator never disrupts the drama.