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Chapter 404
🕑 Added 2025-03-02 16:03:01 +0000 UTCChapter 404
“Second, if you don’t want to be controlled by Cousin Illumi, it’s actually very simple. All you need to do is become stronger than Cousin Illumi.
Your natural talent is not inferior to his.
If you work hard enough, I believe that day won’t be far off.”
Ron continued, “I’m not sure what your training was like before, but at least you breezed through this Hunter Exam.
That’s why I commissioned Hanzo to give you a tougher challenge.
At your age, you must gain something from every endeavor. You should do less of what has no purpose.”
Killua hesitated.
“Ron, Cousin, may I ask—how far am I, in terms of strength, from you and from Big Brother? Between you and Big Brother, who is stronger?”
“You need not worry about that. When your strength reaches that level, you’ll naturally know.”
Ron said, “For now, focus on the upcoming battle. When it’s over, return to the Zoldyck Estate.”
“Understood.”
Killua fell silent. He felt grateful toward Ron.
After Illumi dropped his disguise and spoke those words, Killua was completely at a loss as to what to do.
His entire spirit was on the verge of collapse. It was Ron who calmed Killua down. As Illumi departed, Killua’s condition improved considerably.
And Killua would always remember Ron’s words:
A killer can have friends too.
Ron is a member of the Zoldyck Family—so why can’t you have a friend?
All your life, you’ve been terrified of Illumi, never daring to defy his orders.
But now, Killua finds that he might have other choices.
Yet Ron isn’t deliberately trying to go against Illumi’s methods in teaching you. What Ron does is in line with what Silva intended, under Silva’s directive.
“Begin!”
The examiner’s voice rang out.
The battle between Leorio and Bodoro began.
Their fight was arguably the most intense of the final test.
Leorio wasn’t very strong, and Bodoro wasn’t strong either—plus, Bodoro had been injured in his fight with Elita.
For a moment, they fought evenly.
Because they were evenly matched, the battle appeared extremely fierce.
Hanzo, without a change in expression, walked over to Killua’s side.
“Killua.”
“Hanzo?”
“There are a few things I must say, and I can’t keep them to myself. I hope you won’t mind.”
“What do you mean?”
“Do you remember what I told you before?”
Hanzo said, “I said it after I knocked you down.”
Killua nodded.
“Based on strength, among all the people here we can be divided into three tiers:
The first tier is Ron, Illumi, and Hisoka.
The second is us—me, you, and Elita.”
Regarding Elita, Hanzo had made an incorrect judgment.
“Then come those like Gon, Kurapika, Leorio, Bodoro, and Pokkle.”
“The gap in strength between you and me is actually not that great. But you’re always avoiding something. That is something I find utterly perplexing.
I really do not like you.”
“Your personality and Gon’s are unlike anything I’ve seen before; some of Gon’s actions are inexplicable and utterly bizarre, yet I cannot bring myself to dislike him.
But your previous behavior made me detest you.”
“However, now I understand—the fault lies not with you, but with your big brother, Illumi.
I must apologize to you.
As an outsider, I shouldn’t have said so much. This is your family’s own affair.
But I couldn’t help speaking out.
Don’t feel that because he is your big brother, you must obey him in everything. You must figure out what it is you truly want.
Everyone should live for themselves, not for others. Once you decide what you want, set that as your goal and then strive with all your might to achieve it.
That’s all I have to say.”
Hanzo finished speaking and returned to his previous position.
Finally, the battle between Bodoro and Leorio entered its final stage.
Age had become the deciding factor.
Leorio struck Bodoro hard, knocking him to the ground. But Leorio himself was battered and bleeding.
Both suffered severe injuries.
“You are more suited to be a Hunter than I am. I lose.” Bodoro acknowledged this, though unwillingly.
But Bodoro realized that he was already old, with no potential for further growth.
Leorio, however, was still young and full of limitless possibilities, he didnt want to take this opportunity away from him, he had to admit that his time had passed.
When you’re outmatched, there’s no need to stubbornly refuse to concede.
There’s no point in using underhanded tactics to force Leorio to lose his chance.
What’s the use of holding onto a Hunter’s position if you can’t win?
“The winner is Leorio.”
Next, the final match was scheduled between Bodoro and Killua.
But Bodoro refused.
In Bodoro’s current state, he could no longer continue fighting.
Moreover, Killua’s potential far exceeded Leorio’s. What had happened earlier made Bodoro feel sympathy for Killua, and he couldn’t bring himself to use ruthless tactics against him.
“I hereby declare the final test of the Hunter Exam officially over.”
“Passers are as follows:
Ron, Kurapika, Hisoka, Pokkle, Leorio, Killua, Gon, Elita, Illumi, and Hanzo.”
“The one eliminated is Bodoro.”
“Eliminated, please leave.”
“Passers, please proceed to the banquet hall; the Association has prepared dinner for you.”
A huge banquet hall.
At its center was a round table.
Netero and the others took their seats.
“Ding-a-ling!”
A bell rang, and the side door opened as several maids in maid uniforms delivered trays laden with dishes.
The feast was sumptuous.
However, three chairs remained empty: those for Illumi, Killua, and Gon.
After their respective battles, Illumi and Killua had left immediately.
As for Gon, he was still in the medical room.
Gon’s injuries were quite severe; once he entered the medical room, he fell into a coma and had not yet regained consciousness.
“Congratulations to all of you on successfully passing the Hunter Exam.”
“From today on, each of you is an official Hunter.”
Ron glanced at the crystal ball before him.
“Progress: 79%.”
“The Hunter Exam isn’t over yet.”
“I recall that tomorrow there will be some sort of briefing.” Perhaps they’ll also provide some progress regarding personal traits. Then, Chairman Netero will commission me with a tass for the new Hunters who passed, I am to teach them Nen.”
“I don’t know who will be assigned to me though.”
So far, Netero hasn’t mentioned the names of the new Hunters for which Ron will be responsible for. But he knew he could exclude Gon and Killua,
and also excluding Illumi, Hisoka, and Elita, the remaining ones are Kurapika, Leorio, Pokkle, and Hanzo.
After the banquet ended, Ron went to the rest area.
The Hunter Association had arranged rooms for all the examinees who passed.
