"Alright, now let's begin verifying the number tags starting with those who have already returned!" The guide, who was also the examiner's assistant, smiled and took out a notebook to register everyone...
"First, Examinee No. 406, Takeru. Next, Examinee No. 407, Umaru. No. 44, Hisoka..."
"Looks like the current seven examinees are qualified, right?" Looking around, the guide said curiously. Just then, Gon and the others' exhausted figures emerged from the forest.
"Oh! Now three more examinees have timely reached the starting point!" Seeing this, the guide was shocked. The number of qualifiers this time was really not small...
Takeru looked at the people who had passed. Aside from Pokkle being missing, it was just himself and Umaru added, while the others remained unchanged...
After Gon arrived, he greeted Killua, then nodded to Takeru and Umaru, before finally looking at Hisoka with a serious expression.
Takeru noticed their exchanged looks. Clearly, many things likely still happened between them similar to the original work...
"The above 10 examinees are the qualifiers for the fourth phase!" After quickly registering, the guide swiftly relayed the results back to the Chairman...
"Haha! Eight out of ten are rookies. What a great harvest!" Looking at the list sent back, Netero chuckled.
"Has something like this happened before?" Buhara asked curiously between bites of food.
"Hmm, there's usually a precursor. Typically, for about ten consecutive years, no rookies manage to qualify. Then, promising young people gather like bamboo shoots after rain. This is the fourth time since I became Chairman," Netero explained with a laugh.
"By the way, what exactly will the final test examine?" Satotz suddenly asked curiously.
"Yes, we still don't know the content!" Buhara also curiously chimed in.
"Regarding that, I want them to have a special duel. For now, I'd like to talk with those ten personally."
...
"Attention, all examinees. Next, the Chairman wishes to have a personal interview with each of you. When your number is called, please proceed to the reception room on the second floor for a personal interview with the Chairman. First, Examinee No. 406, Mr. Takeru, please come for your interview."
Hearing the broadcast from the airship, Takeru, who was chatting with Gon and the others, headed towards the reception room.
"Please have a seat first." Seeing Takeru enter, Netero politely said.
Hearing Netero, Takeru sat down.
"I'd like to ask you a few questions for reference for the test. First, why do you want to become a Hunter?" Netero asked directly.
"Because being a Hunter allows for convenient action. Also, I have reasons why I must obtain a Hunter License." Hearing Netero's question, Takeru replied with a smile.
"Reasons you must obtain it?" Netero became even more curious.
"That's right. But I can't say. You can just assume it's for action convenience." Takeru continued. There was no need to lie, as the perceptive Netero could easily see through it.
"Give me an example."
"For instance, free use of 95% of public facilities in various countries, along with various other rights," Takeru stated calmly.
"I see. Next question. Among the other nine examinees, who are you most concerned about?"
"Examinee No. 407, Umaru."
"Next question. Who are you least willing to fight right now?"
"Also No. 407."
"I understand. Thank you for your time." Netero nodded thoughtfully and let Takeru leave...
He then summoned Umaru. Umaru, based on the mission world introduction, mentioned the benefits of being a Hunter. The Chairman then had her choose who she was most concerned about and least willing to fight. She also directly chose Takeru...
Next were Hisoka, Killua, Bodoro, and the others...
After the interviews, Netero quickly drew up a special tournament diagram. Satotz and the others were shocked when they saw it.
Time quickly moved to the next day. Takeru and the others were summoned again.
"Everyone, did you rest well last night? This is a hotel operated by the Examination Committee. You may use it freely until all matches are over. Now, regarding the final test: we will have you nine seated here compete in one-on-one elimination matches!" Netero had someone bring out a special panel...
Upon opening it, Takeru and the others saw all the matchup pairings. Though the participants weren't clear yet, it seemed like only one person could achieve final victory...
"Not exactly. You only need to achieve one victory to qualify!" Facing everyone's confusion, Netero explained seriously.
"Just one win?" Everyone was stunned...
"The person who wins will advance and qualify directly. The loser will move up the chart, until the last person. In other words, the highest position on this chart signifies disqualification. Is that clear to everyone?" Netero pointed seriously at the highest position.
"Simply put, ultimately, only one person will fail, right?" Hanzo said, understanding.
"Correct. And this is your tournament bracket." Netero tore off a covering cloth, and everyone could finally see the fight opponents...
Takeru quickly scanned it and saw he had five fight opportunities, while Umaru only had three. Clearly, in Netero's mind, Umaru's score wasn't very high, but not the lowest either.
Like Leorio, who only had two opportunities...
Takeru's first opponent was Kurapika. Looking at Kurapika, Takeru showed a thoughtful expression.
Kurapika, looking at Takeru, frowned deeply.
Some then questioned why people like Hanzo, Gon, Takeru, and Kurapika had as many as five opportunities...
Netero directly explained: this arrangement was based on everyone's performance and response methods during the previous phases.
Simply put, the more outstanding one performed in the earlier phases, the more opportunities they were given.
Hearing this, Killua frowned immediately. According to Netero's arrangement, Killua's performance only earned him three opportunities, which was difficult for his arrogant nature to accept.
He couldn't compare to Takeru or Hisoka, but even being inferior to his close friend Gon was unacceptable. He asked about the scoring.
But Netero said the scoring was top-secret, but it was primarily composed of three items: physical ability, mental ability, and, additionally, impression value.
Physical and mental ability could be considered qualified based on passing the first four phases, so the most important was impression value...
"The match rules are also very simple and clear. Weapons are allowed. No rules. You just need to make your opponent surrender. However, if you cause your opponent's death during the match, you will be immediately disqualified. The remaining person will unconditionally pass the test, and the examination will end immediately!" After announcing this, Netero said no more.
"Now let the final test begin! First match: Hanzo vs. Gon!"
Hanzo started by chatting with the referee, reconfirming that the only winning condition was getting the opponent to personally surrender. Even if they were knocked unconscious, there was no countdown, no time limit. If the opponent never surrendered, he couldn't win...
"Begin!"
As the referee announced the start, Gon immediately exploded into action, trying to create distance from Hanzo. But Hanzo exploded as well, easily catching up.
"You're probably very confident in your speed. I admit that." Hanzo first praised him, then suddenly landed a heavy blow on Gon's back, instantly making him feel like he'd been electrocuted, his consciousness thrown into chaos...
Seeing what looked like an instant victory, everyone was shocked, realizing the huge gap in strength between Gon and Hanzo… they weren't on the same level at all...
Killua, seeing Gon get hit like that, felt helpless and held even more resentment towards Hanzo...