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116 HxH: Tombbound Power
🕑 Added 2024-10-11 20:27:52 +0000 UTCThe partner news buzzed through the airship. The special airship, meant for the Hunter's exam, appeared on the horizon.
Its arrival marked a transition—those eliminated would depart, while those who passed would be taken to the location of the final phase. Two types of transportation—by sea and by sky—seemed symbolic of something deeper.
With just ten examinees left, many felt a strange mix of relaxation and excitement.
"The last time I was on a airship like this, we were crammed together like sardines. I didn't expect we'd have so much room now," Leorio mused, looking around the spacious room.
After enduring so much, this moment felt like a dream to him. The journey alone, he thought, could fill a novel.
"I wonder what they'll test us on for the last round. I'm getting nervous just thinking about it." Leorio couldn't sit still as he paced around, speaking his thoughts aloud.
All ten of them had gotten to know each other through shared struggles. Their teamwork back on Warship Island forged bonds, but they all knew the next challenge would be different.
Hanzo, who had taken the lead, naturally stepped up again, gathering everyone in a circle. Hisoka, however, remained in the corner, casually playing with a stack of cards. No one, including Hanzo, dared approach him.
Gittarackur, too, declined Hanzo's invitation.
Ronnel, more curious than anxious, sat among the group, observing the scene with interest.
"We're all rookies to the Hunter exam. No point guessing blindly. We should ask someone with experience, right?" Hanzo suggested, his tone decisive as he gestured toward Pokkle.
Everyone turned their gaze to Pokkle, knowing he had taken the exam before.
Under the pressure of their collective stares, Pokkle squirmed. "It's no use asking me. Three years ago, I was eliminated during the fourth phase. This is my first time making it to the final test."
He nervously waved his hands, unwilling to admit he'd been knocked out in the first round the previous year, preferring to highlight his best achievement.
"So, in the end, you're not much help," Hanzo sighed, clearly disappointed.
Pokkle shot him a sideways glare. "And who asked you to care?"
He hadn't forgotten how Hanzo had mocked him during the sushi test.
Turning the conversation, Gon looked at Ronnel. "What do you think, Ronnel? You must have made it to the final phase last year with your strength, right?"
"Wait, he's not a rookie?" Hanzo exclaimed, startled.
The fact that someone as skilled as Ronnel hadn't passed last year rattled everyone. Was the final phase really that hard?
Leorio and Killua, now fully focused, exchanged concerned looks. Even Kurapika sat up straight, intrigued.
"There was a... complication last year. Some examinees attacked the examiners," Ronnel explained, causing everyone to glance toward Hisoka instinctively.
By now, they had pieced together the gist of last year's fiasco, and Hisoka was at the heart of it.
"It happened during the third phase. The Hunter Association had to send in a professional to handle the situation. Afterward, all phases were suspended, and we were pushed straight to the final phase."
Everyone listened with bated breath, including Pokkle and Bodoro, who leaned in with wide eyes. They, too, had been eliminated early last year and hadn't heard the full story.
"The phase test was simple. The examiner, who was also the one who resolved the incident, stood still and told us that anyone who could touch him, even just graze his clothes, would pass."
"That's it?" Hanzo and Pokkle exclaimed, exchanging looks of disbelief.
But then, realization hit them.
"No way it was that easy. There had to be a catch, right? Some condition or hidden challenge," Hanzo reasoned.
Gon's eyes lit up with a flicker of recognition. He turned to Killua, who had the same deadpan expression.
"Isn't this exactly like when we played dodgeball with Netero? Touch the ball—or in this case, his clothes—and you win. But it's not as easy as it sounds."
"Right," Kurapika agreed, his voice measured. "The final phase might look simple, but in practice, it's anything but."
He turned toward Bodoro, hoping for more insight. "What about you, Bodoro? Any experience with the final phase?"
Leorio, too, chimed in. "Mr. Bodoro, you must have some insight from past exams?"
Hanzo, eyes gleaming with hope, stared at him expectantly.
Bodoro remained calm. "I didn't make it to the final phase either. I was eliminated in the first phase last year."
The group's collective shock was palpable.
"Then why are you acting so relaxed?" they all silently complained.
"But," Bodoro continued with confidence, "I can take a guess at what the final phase might be."
Despite the disbelief etched on their faces, they leaned in to hear his analysis.
And so, Bodoro began to break down the phase, from the long-distance marathon to the just-concluded Zevil Island hunting trial...
