"Shuriken · Heavy Firepower · Fireball!"
One shuriken after another transformed into blazing fireballs, raining down from above.
The Hunter examiner threw all three of his knives toward the ceiling at once. Two of them spun rapidly, forming a defensive barrier above him to block the fireballs.
Although each fireball carried terrifying force, the examiner's rotating blades were enough to intercept everything around him.
The falling fireballs were continuously knocked away by the two spinning knives. Meanwhile, the remaining blade spun upward, shooting straight toward Hyuga Arin.
Just as the blade was about to strike him, Hyuga Arin's figure vanished instantly, allowing the knife to follow its momentum and stab directly into the ceiling.
The ceiling shattered on the spot.
Hyuga Arin reappeared at the examiner's side. The examiner's pupils contracted—only now did he notice that a shuriken had appeared at his feet.
At this moment, none of his three knives were in his hands.
"It's over."
The bronze blade appeared in Hyuga Arin's hand, flames blazing along its edge as he slashed toward the examiner.
"It won't end like this!!" the examiner roared. Nen burst violently from his body. Even without knives, he still had his fists—he drove a punch straight toward the blade.
With Nen reinforcement, a fist could rival a weapon.
Shhk!
The blade cut cleanly across the examiner's waist, splitting his body into upper and lower halves.
In that instant, Hyuga Arin had suddenly lowered his stance. The punch swept past his head, while his blade severed the examiner at the waist.
"Im… possible…"
The examiner stared in disbelief. He had come here to take revenge on Hisoka—how could he die at the hands of some unknown nobody?
The "unknown nobody," Hyuga Arin, sheathed his blade and flexed his slightly numb hand.
"Breaking through Nen really is troublesome."
As the examiner fully died, an experience notification flashed before his eyes.
[Experience +2544]
"Not bad experience. Just harder to kill than an average chūnin," Hyuga Arin muttered, then looked at the item the examiner dropped.
It was a scroll.
[Skill: Fire Release · Great Dragon Fire Technique]
"The Hunter Association's hunters actually drop ninTechnique from the Naruto world?"
Hyuga Arin immediately chose to learn it.
[Fire Release · Great Dragon Fire Technique (Lv1) | EXP (0/500) | Trait: None]
"What an experience sink," Hyuga Arin clicked his tongue inwardly. More importantly, it was Fire Release—something he absolutely needed to max out sooner or later.
Killing a Hunter examiner like this had already given him a huge boost. He couldn't help but feel tempted to kill a couple more.
Rumble—
At that moment, the massive door slowly opened.
Hyuga Arin turned and walked toward the exit.
After passing through the long tunnel, an open wilderness came into view.
"Looks like I'm the first one out."
He glanced back at Trick Tower. For now, he was the only one there. He found a large rock and sat down.
Before long, Hisoka and Illumi emerged as well.
"Looks like the three of us are the first batch out," Hyuga Arin said. A faint trace of battle fervor still lingered on his face. A Hunter examiner that Hisoka could one-shot had given him over two thousand experience—he was really curious how much experience Hisoka himself would drop.
Hisoka licked his lips. "Perfect. I was getting bored anyway. How about we play a fun little game?"
Hyuga Arin immediately reined in his emotions.
Comparing their strengths—someone Hisoka could kill instantly had forced him into a bitter fight.
Picking a fight with Hisoka now?
That wasn't bravery. That was suicide.
Still… why did Hisoka's words always sound so easy to misunderstand?!
"Forget it. I don't have the energy to fight right now," Hyuga Arin said, turning his head away.
Hisoka's smile widened. From his perspective, Hyuga Arin had just gone through a fierce battle and was barely able to suppress his combative instincts.
Ever since encountering Hyuga Arin, Hisoka had sensed it—
Beneath that calm exterior was a strong hunter's desire.
It felt like meeting a kindred spirit… yet also different in some indescribable way.
Soon, more and more people emerged from Trick Tower, signaling that the third round of the exam was coming to an end.
Gon and the others once again burst out of the tower at the very last moment.
"So even without Tonpa, it still turns out like this?" Hyuga Arin couldn't help but complain inwardly.
Nearby, Hisoka stared at Gon with a burning gaze. "How about it, my little apple? You're still unripe now, but someday you'll grow into something truly delicious."
Hyuga Arin asked with interest, "What if I kill him ahead of time?"
A chilling killing intent erupted instantly, drawing many people's gazes.
Hisoka's smile twisted.
"I'd kill you—right here, right now."
Hyuga Arin waved his hand casually. "Relax, I'm joking. No need to get so worked up."
Hisoka's killing intent vanished in an instant, as if it had never existed. He smiled again. "Don't joke like that—it really hurts my feelings."
Hyuga Arin curled his lips.
Looking at Killua and Gon, he reflected that in the Hunter x Hunter world, these two protagonists naturally came with built-in bodyguards.
Killua had his brother Illumi.
Gon had Hisoka.
The difference was in approach—Illumi wanted to keep Killua away from all danger, while Hisoka allowed Gon to grow freely, even actively helping him.
At that moment, a man wearing sunglasses with a mohawk hairstyle stepped forward.
"Examinees, congratulations on successfully escaping Trick Tower. I am Lippe, a bounty hunter and warden. The third test is now complete, and you are about to enter the fourth round."
Lippe pointed toward an island in the distance.
"That is Zevir Island."
"Now, please cooperate."
He snapped his fingers, and someone pushed out a small cart.
On the cart sat a box.
"Next, everyone will draw lots."
The examinees began discussing among themselves. Someone asked, "What's the point of drawing lots?"
With a smile, Lippe replied, "Hunters and prey. Inside this box are twenty-four number plates. In other words, every number here corresponds to one of you."
"Now, please begin drawing."
Hisoka was the first to step forward and draw a number. The others followed one by one.
As everyone picked up their numbers, Hyuga Arin memorized every single one.
He remembered this round clearly—it was all about hunting designated number plates.
Knowing everyone's number was the key.
Finally, Hyuga Arin stepped up and drew the last remaining plate.
A thin layer of paper covered it—but that meant nothing to his Byakugan.
He glanced at Leorio standing nearby.
"Looks like I'm still going to clash with the protagonist group," Hyuga Arin thought helplessly.
At Lippe's command, everyone peeled off the covering paper.
"That is your prey," Lippe announced.
According to the rules, each person's own number plate was worth three points, their target's plate was worth another three points, and any other plate was worth one point.
To pass, each examinee needed a total of six points.
"Everyone, we will now head to the island to begin the fourth round of the exam."
"Let us depart."
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