Chapter 142: The Changes of Three Individuals
While the Phantom Troupe plotted against the Field family, the Hunter Exam was nearing its conclusion.
After more than ten days of trials, nine candidates had reached the final stage.
Though the content and format of the tests had been adjusted multiple times, these nine consistently stood out among the twelve, showcasing extraordinary skill. Unless the exam's rules were drastically altered or eliminations were deliberately staged, they were destined to prevail.
The nine were: the four main characters, Illumi, Hisoka, Hanzo, Bodoro, and Pokkle.
Haze wasn't at all surprised that Tonpa had been eliminated.
In the final round, as expected, Hisoka faced Kurapika first ... followed by Hanzo versus Gon.
Based purely on match ratios, Killua would face Illumi. The white-haired boy still had no idea that the disfigured man with Nen rivets in his head was actually his older brother.
Perhaps it was fate… In the original story, after Illumi "taught Killua a lesson," Killua returned home, prompting Gon and the others to go after him ... strengthening their bond in the process.
Haze could have changed that outcome, but he saw no need. This incident didn't concern him directly.
After leaving the Zoldyck family, the tension between Killua and Illumi had only worsened due to Alluka… This encounter would likely deepen that rift even more.
It's worth noting that Chairman Netero attended the event personally, having been contacted earlier.
Inside the arena, Haze and the other examiners stepped aside. Once the referee explained the rules, the matches began.
The first was Hisoka versus Kurapika ... and unsurprisingly, Hisoka won.
Unlike the original story, Hisoka didn't whisper anything to Kurapika after the fight.
Kurapika had already been "enlightened" by Haze, and Hisoka saw no need to intervene further.
The second match was Hanzo versus Gon.
As soon as the referee gave the signal to begin, both fighters moved simultaneously.
Gon focused intensely, took a deep breath ... and his aura shifted completely.
His body's mobility skyrocketed. He dodged Hanzo's blows with astonishing agility and precision, even using his fishing rod mid-air to strike at Hanzo's vital points.
His speed and reflexes were remarkable for someone his age.
Standing beside Haze, Netero chuckled and said, "Heh… that looks familiar. You taught him that, didn't you?"
"Just a little," Haze replied calmly.
Gon's physical power had increased across the board. Even learning just the most basic breathing technique amplified his senses in battle.
Hanzo's movements were sharp, clean, and efficient ... each strike deliberate and precise. The whistle of his fists and kicks could be heard even outside the ring.
Yet Gon's eyes darted, his ears twitched… his heightened senses seemed to anticipate Hanzo's attacks.
For a time, they exchanged blows evenly, deadlocked in a fierce rhythm.
In the original story, Hanzo nearly crushed Gon; the gap in their abilities was undeniable.
This time, though, Gon was still outmatched in raw strength.
Minutes later, fatigue began to overwhelm him. His movements slowed, and his body grew heavy. After one last dodge, a numbness spread through his limbs. Without even needing another hit, he collapsed to his knees, coughing violently and struggling to breathe.
Hanzo didn't hesitate. He kicked Gon hard in the abdomen, making him spit out saliva and slump to the ground, pupils dilated.
He then stepped on Gon's hand, pressing it down.
"Admit defeat. You're strong, but not enough. That state you entered just now took too much out of you. With your current skill, you can't sustain it. I was simply waiting for you to burn out."
Haze raised an eyebrow. Hanzo's insight impressed him ... he was indeed an elite ninja trained since childhood by a covert organization.
Haze already knew what was coming, but he watched it unfold anyway.
Gon refused to yield, attacking with renewed fury, his will unbreakable.
That moment defined how everyone saw him ...
especially Killua, who had only just met him.
In the end, Gon won by passing out.
Due to the severity of his injuries, he was immediately taken for treatment.
During this time, Hanzo exchanged a few words with Killua before leaving the arena.
Soon after, the next match began: Illumi versus Killua.
As Killua entered the arena with his usual cocky grin, Haze smiled slightly.
"Killua!" he called.
"What?" Killua snapped, eyeing Haze warily.
"That guy's strong. You might lose."
"Huh?" Killua rolled his eyes. "Don't underestimate me. I'm not the same kid I was years ago. And don't act like you care. Someday, I'll pay you back for everything ... you'll see!"
Haze smirked. "You'll be surprised," he said meaningfully.
"Stop trying to mess with me," Killua grumbled, pouting. "I'm not a kid!"
Then the disfigured man known as Jitaraku stepped forward ... Illumi in disguise.
He had clearly heard everything.
"Killua versus Jitaraku ... begin!" the referee shouted.
Killua glared coldly at his opponent, preparing to strike ... but before he could move ...
The man spoke.
"Killua…"
Killua froze. He recognized that voice instantly.
"It seems you still haven't realized…"
Before their stunned eyes, Jitaraku began pulling sharp objects from his head. His face twisted grotesquely, dark hair sprouting as his disguise melted away.
The spectators gasped in horror ... examiners included.
"Big brother…"
When Killua saw Illumi's true face, it felt like falling into an icy void. His mouth went dry.
" Haze already reminded you," Illumi said flatly. "But you really aren't that perceptive."
He lifted his hand and gave a casual wave.
"Oh."
His tone was exactly the same as when they spoke at home.
Killua stiffly turned to Haze, who simply shrugged ... as if to say, I warned you.
"I heard you stabbed Mother and Milluki before running away. Is that true?"
"Yeah."
Everyone could see how nervous Killua was. He looked at Illumi like a mouse staring at a cat.
Illumi rarely returned home due to constant missions, so he wasn't aware of everything that had happened.
"Mother cried for a long time…"
Leorio suddenly blurted out,
"Of course she did! She was stabbed by her own son! I knew there was something off about Killua ... she was right!"
But Illumi continued calmly,
"She cried because she was happy. She said you've grown up and become independent. She's proud of you."
The entire arena fell silent.
What kind of twisted family is this…?
Under Illumi's pressure, Killua eventually admitted defeat ... he couldn't bring himself to fight his brother to the death.
He was drenched in sweat, trembling uncontrollably, paralyzed by fear.
Manipulated by Illumi's needles, his mental state shifted, turning dark and unstable.
No matter what Leorio or Kurapika said, he couldn't hear them.
Moments later, in a fit of rage, Killua killed Bodoro ...
was immediately disqualified ... and vanished from the venue.
The sudden twist left everyone stunned.
Everyone except Haze.
He remained calm, quietly observing.
He wanted to see how Gon would change in this final trial ... and whether Killua had truly matured or overcome the trauma surrounding Alluka.
It seemed Gon had changed…
But Killua hadn't.
Illumi's obsession with his brother was truly extraordinary.
"I'm leaving," Haze said with a faint smile, ignoring the looks around him.
He shoved his hands into his pockets and walked out the door.
Before leaving, he glanced at Kurapika, silently signaling him to find him after earning his Hunter License.
It wasn't just the black-haired and white-haired boys who had changed ...
there was also… a blond one.
(End of Chapter)