Facing the intense gaze of the perverted fruit farmer, Hisoka, Ryusei's only recourse was to speed up his pace. He knew he was currently no match for the powerful and erratic Hisoka, so maintaining distance was the safest strategy.
As he boarded the airship, Ryusei didn't realize that Menchi and Netero were also looking at him with curiosity. What Hisoka could deduce—the sudden disappearance of dozens of Spider Eagle eggs—they naturally could as well. Even several candidates were beginning to eye Ryusei with suspicion.
Ryusei was aware that his actions were conspicuous. However, to obtain the sheer quantity of Dream Eggs needed for his culinary goals, he decided the risk was necessary. He had been willing to expose his use of a storage space, which was effectively an ability far beyond normal physical limits.
At worst, he could just return to the world of Food Wars, he mused.
Of course, if possible, Ryusei still desperately wanted to secure a Hunter's License. Doing so would grant him access to the ability to use Nen, which was essential if he ever wanted to return to the Hunter x Hunter world in the future. He would hunt for ingredients even rarer and more valuable than the Spider Eagle eggs. Therefore, unless absolutely forced, Ryusei did not want to leave the exam now.
After everyone had boarded the airship, the remaining 43 candidates were summoned by Netero to the airship's main hall.
"I would like to introduce myself again to the 43 candidates present here," Netero announced solemnly, looking over the multitude of examinees. "I am Netero, the representative of the Hunter Association for this Hunter Exam."
"I'm Beans, the personal secretary of the President," a bean-faced man followed up, "but you can call me Mr. Beans or Maamen."
Netero then adopted a more relaxed, conversational tone. "Originally, I would only show up during the final exam," he confessed. "But once you're there in person like you are now, it's hard not to like this indescribable feeling of tension." He chuckled. "Since I'm already here, let me accompany you all! Hahaha…"
Netero looked genuinely expectant. He truly hoped that someone among them could pass the Hunter Exam and grow into a formidable, independent Hunter. And, in true Netero fashion, he secretly hoped that some future Hunter might even pose a fatal threat to him down the line.
Mr. Beans, familiar with Netero's tendency to wander off on philosophical tangents, stepped in to deliver the critical information.
"The scheduled arrival time at the next destination is 8 o'clock tomorrow morning," Mr. Beans announced. "We have prepared food in the cafeteria and rooms for all of you, so everyone can take a rest. Before we contact you, you can use your time as you like."
After the announcement, Mr. Beans and Netero departed. The remaining candidates looked at each other, the tension easing as they prepared to disperse and rest. Gon and Killua ran off immediately.
Ryusei was also preparing to leave when Kurapika suddenly walked up to him, making him pause.
"What's the matter?" Ryusei asked calmly, hiding the slight curiosity he felt.
"I'd like you to make some more barbecue," Kurapika said seriously. Though he was not a sore loser, he remained genuinely curious about why Ryusei was the only candidate to pass Menchi's initial test. He had planned to ask Menchi for a skewer, but Ryusei's unexpected confrontation with Todo had distracted him. By the time he remembered, Menchi had eaten the rest, and Netero had arrived.
"It's really curious. What kind of dish was it that the picky female examiner gave a passing grade to?" Leorio joined the conversation. He was still smarting over Menchi rejecting his food without even tasting it, and he had heard from Gon and Killua that Ryusei's barbecue was exceptional. He also wanted to try it.
Ryusei considered the request. He wasn't planning on forging deep friendships with Kurapika and Leorio, but he was a chef, and a chef couldn't truly refuse interested customers.
"In that case, come with me to the restaurant! I'm also going to cook some more food," Ryusei agreed.
"No problem." Kurapika nodded. Although he was exhausted, taking a small break to satisfy his intellectual curiosity about the food was acceptable. Leorio, equally exhausted, chose to follow his companions.
As Ryusei and the other two were about to leave the hall, Kurapika suddenly brought up a pressing concern.
"There is one thing I care about very much," Kurapika said, his face etched with worry.
Leorio looked confused. "Hmm? What is it?"
"How many exams are left?" Kurapika asked helplessly. They had passed the first two exams with great difficulty, and he was worried about the sheer number of challenges remaining.
"Yeah, no one told us," Leorio scratched his head, realizing this was an important, unstated piece of information.
Not far away, Tonpa, the notorious "Rookie Crusher," overheard Kurapika's question. A devious idea immediately sparked in his mind, and he walked over.
"Generally speaking, there are five or six exams," Tonpa said, feigning kindness to earn their trust and plant a seed of doubt.
Leorio quickly calculated. "So, there are still three or four exams left!" He suddenly felt weak. He had struggled immensely just to pass the first two; the thought of three or four more was daunting. Could he really pass?
"Next, we must conserve our energy," Kurapika said with a serious look, resolved to maximize this rest period.
"I can help you make some food that will help you recover your strength later," Ryusei offered calmly. Preparing dishes tailored to a diner's physical state was essential culinary knowledge.
"Thank you very much," Kurapika sincerely thanked him for the kindness.
Tonpa seized the opportunity to execute his plan. "I advise you to be careful," he said with a serious face, leaning in conspiratorially.
"Hmm?" Leorio and Kurapika looked at Tonpa in confusion, not understanding the abrupt warning.
Ryusei, however, understood Tonpa's true intentions perfectly but chose to let the drama unfold, knowing it wouldn't affect him.
"Because the person in charge just said 'reach the next destination.' Perhaps, the interior of this airship is the venue for the third exam," Tonpa fabricated, his voice dropping to a theatrical whisper. "So contact hours are not limited to 8 a.m. They might spring a test on us at any moment!"
Tonpa was, of course, entirely making things up. The Hunter Exam would never give candidates false information like the arrival time being 8 a.m. and then suddenly launch an internal test. But his goal was to sow suspicion and exhaustion, preventing the rookies from resting effectively.