Akira found a corner and sat down on the ground. Judging by the numbers, there weren't that many examinees present yet.
"Yo, you're number 88, right?"
A slightly chubby man walked up to him with a friendly smile.
"I'm Tonpa—number 16 this time. Nice to meet you."
Akira tilted his head and looked at the man in front of him.
He remembered this guy.
In the Hunter x Hunter storyline, there was indeed someone like this—Tonpa, the so-called Rookie Crusher.
…And this guy had set his sights on him?
Wasn't this basically hanging himself?
Seeing that Akira didn't respond at all, Tonpa's smile stiffened slightly. He quickly changed tactics.
"You look like a first-timer. I've been through the Hunter Exam quite a few times. If there's anything you don't understand, you can ask me."
"Oh."
Akira nodded.
Then, in the next instant, his figure vanished from where he sat.
One hand clamped onto Tonpa's face, and Akira smashed him straight into the ground.
Boom!!
A dull explosion echoed through the hall.
[EXP +15]
"So little experience."
Akira looked down at the unconscious Tonpa with open disdain.
This kind of trash didn't even drop anything worthwhile.
The commotion immediately drew attention.
"Hahaha, Tonpa finally kicked an iron plate."
"He's out already this time."
"That guy's not simple…"
Some people laughed at Tonpa's misfortune, others looked at Akira with wary eyes.
A man with clown makeup stretched out his tongue, licking his lips as a twisted smile spread across his face.
Akira ignored everyone and calmly returned to his corner, sitting down again.
As his gaze swept the room, many people who had been watching him quickly turned away.
Only Hisoka continued to stare at him with clear interest.
Akira hesitated for a moment, then looked away.
At his current level, he wasn't Hisoka's opponent.
That man—even if placed on the Naruto server—would still be around jōnin level. While his abilities lacked variety compared to ninjutsu, his sheer combat talent meant that even many jōnin wouldn't necessarily beat him.
And more importantly, Akira had no idea what kind of drops the Hunter server had. His preparations were all focused on the Naruto world.
As time passed, he spotted a boy in green clothing entering the hall, followed by two others—one in traditional ethnic attire, the other in a suit.
That group…
Gon, Kurapika, Leorio—the original protagonist trio.
"So it really drops me right at the beginning of the main storyline?"
Akira only glanced at them once, but Gon suddenly turned his head, as if sensing something, and flashed him a bright smile.
"Tch… sharp."
Akira looked away.
Gon's perception was ridiculous. In the Naruto world, he'd easily qualify as a sensory-type ninja.
Then Akira scanned the crowd again.
White hair.
There he was.
Killua Zoldyck—the genius assassin from a legendary family.
The main cast was complete.
Knowing these people existed was extremely useful for Akira. At the very least, it meant he knew what the exam stages would be. Even if he could brute-force his way through, knowing the future always saved trouble.
Beep—beep—beep!
A sharp siren rang out from above.
Everyone looked up as a man with a curled mustache slowly descended from the ceiling.
"Registration for the Hunter Exam is now officially closed."
As he landed, people made space for him.
"From this moment on, the Hunter Exam begins."
The atmosphere instantly grew tense. Akira rose to his feet.
"Please follow me."
The man began walking forward, explaining how dangerous and cruel the Hunter Exam was. Unfortunately, no one really cared about the warnings.
"If you still wish to participate, then come with me."
"Four hundred and five examinees this year, correct?"
He continued walking.
At first, it looked like a normal pace—but gradually, it became faster and faster. Those behind him were forced into a jog just to keep up.
Poor Tonpa didn't even get the chance to wake up before being eliminated.
"So the test already started?" Akira followed leisurely near the back of the group.
He wasn't interested in standing out right now.
As his gaze swept over the stragglers at the rear, hesitation flashed in his eyes.
These people were clearly going to be eliminated anyway. Should he help them… or maybe harvest them?
As that thought crossed his mind, shuriken had already appeared in his hand.
"Ho~ You can't just pick apples whenever you feel like it~"
A strange, drawn-out voice sounded beside him.
Akira turned his head—and saw Hisoka, who had somehow appeared at his side without a sound.
No warning at all.
Zetsu?
And… had he noticed Akira's intent?
Akira smiled.
"You really are starving, aren't you? Anything looks edible to you, Hisoka."
The people lagging behind were barely stronger than ordinary humans. Aside from a little experience, they offered nothing of value.
Hisoka smiled wider, utterly unhinged.
"Compared to rotten apples… I'm far more interested in you~"
A playing card appeared between his fingers.
Akira's eyes narrowed. He immediately activated the Byakugan, seeing the strange energy wrapped around the card.
So that's Nen.
Why did this lunatic lock onto him?
Hisoka flicked his wrist, sending the card flying.
Akira responded instantly, snapping his arm forward as several shuriken flew out, colliding with the card midair.
The sharp clash rang out, drawing the attention of the bald examiner—Satotz. He glanced back and saw the fallen playing card on the ground.
"…A ninja?"
A ninja… in the Hunter Exam?
Behind the group, Hisoka stared at Akira with growing fascination.
There was no Nen on those shuriken—yet the force behind them far exceeded that of an ordinary human. At the same time, a blue energy flowed faintly around Akira's body.
It resembled Nen… but wasn't Nen.
A completely different system?
Hisoka's smile stretched even wider.
"What exactly are you trying to do?" Akira asked coldly, staying alert.
Through the Byakugan, he could clearly see the aura of Nen enveloping Hisoka.
"Just a little test~" Hisoka winked.
For now, he lost interest and sped ahead.
Akira squinted, noticing that many people had been drawn by the clash.
Satotz.
And Illumi—Killua's brother, his body bristling with needles.
"…I've attracted trouble."
Based on Akira's judgment, his current strength in the Hunter world put him roughly on par with experienced Hunters.
He wasn't anywhere near top-tier yet.
After a long, exhausting tunnel run, many examinees dropped out, unable to keep up.
Eventually, the group came to a halt.
Beyond the tunnel lay a vast swamp shrouded in thick mist.
"Welcome to Dathomir—also known as the Swamp of Deception."
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