A total of twenty examinees advanced to the final test.
This result was unprecedented in the history of the Hunter Exam.
The person responsible for this record was the youngest Single-Star Blacklist Hunter in the history of the Hunter Association.
Chairman Netero had no objections to this outcome.
He knew that Kurapika had carried out his duties as an examiner while fully aware of the review committee's operational guidelines, acting in accordance with the situation.
The approach of "eliminating only one person" was originally something he had planned to implement during the final test.
Unexpectedly, Kurapika had beaten him to it.
Just this alone showed that their thinking aligned perfectly.
Therefore, from both the process and the result of the test, Netero was quite satisfied.
In his view, this test not only successfully selected a group of competent examinees but also allowed him to clearly see the limitless potential and bright future within Kurapika.
So, Now that the dust had settled,
What Netero needed to consider was whether to proceed with his original plan of "eliminating only one person" in the final test.
If so, this year's exam would unprecedentedly welcome nineteen new members.
Hmm, this is rather troublesome indeed.
Netero stroked his hook-shaped beard, his eyelids slightly lowered as he fell into deep thought.
Although he had already decided on a reform plan, such matters should be handled step by step.
If they moved too quickly... Well, it didn't seem that important after all.
Netero soon stopped worrying about potential upheavals this might cause in the review committee and instead focused on how to design the final test.
After the fourth phase concluded, it was nearly mealtime.
Under Beans' organization, the examinees headed to the dining hall.
Soon, a lavish spread of dishes was served before them.
As they ate, they discussed the final test.
"The last phase must be combat, right?"
"Definitely."
There was little doubt about their predictions for the final test.
While eating, the examinees occasionally glanced at Morrow and Hisoka.
If the final test were truly combat, these were the two opponents they least wanted to face.
One was the mysterious expert who cleared Trick Tower in just six minutes; the other was a pervert who radiated danger from every pore.
—--
Meanwhile, in the tea room,
Netero held the list of examinee numbers. Having confirmed that the theme would be combat, he pondered how to arrange the matchups.
Let me first "ask" for the examinees' opinions.
Rather than making a rash decision, Netero decided to "consult" the examinees' views.
Thus, half an hour later,
The airship's broadcast system sounded with Beans' announcement:
"Attention all examinees: Chairman Netero will now conduct interviews. When you hear your number, please proceed to the first reception room on the second floor."
The voice echoed throughout every corner of the airship.
"Interviews!?"
Most examinees were momentarily stunned upon hearing the broadcast.
The next moment, Beans' voice sounded again: "Examinee number 502, please report to the reception room. Repeating, examinee number 502..."
Hearing the number, the examinees resting freely in the spacious hall couldn't help but turn their eyes toward Morrow. Clearly, the order of the interviews was determined by the ranking from the previous test.
Under the gaze of many, Morrow slowly stood up and walked toward the door.
Still an interview, huh? In that case... the final test will probably be the same as in the original, right?
Morrow speculated inwardly.
A moment later.
He arrived at the reception room.
The room was in a typical Japanese style, with tatami mats raised slightly above the floor, cushions, and a low table.
Netero sat on a cushion at the far end, his hands tucked into his sleeves. As Morrow entered, he said, "Take a seat."
Morrow nodded slightly, removed his shoes, stepped onto the tatami, and sat cross-legged in front of Netero.
Netero studied Morrow's face for a moment and said slowly, "Don't you want to ask anything? Like whether this interview is the final test?"
"Since it's an interview, I can only be the one 'answering,' right?"
Morrow remained calm.
Netero chuckled, "Well, that's true... Alright, let's not waste time and get straight to the point. I'll ask a few questions as a reference for the final test. First, which examinee do you respect the most?"
"Number 474 (Kalluto)."
Morrow answered quickly.
Netero raised an eyebrow in surprise and asked, "What's the reason?"
Morrow replied candidly, "Actually, my answer has nothing to do with the test performance. I've known Number 474 for a long time. If you insist on a reason, it's that I admire his resilience, which far exceeds his age. If it were me at seven or eight years old, I'd probably still be playing in the mud."
"I see."
Netero nodded slightly, pulled his right hand out of his sleeve, and raised two fingers. "Second question: If the final test requires teamwork, who would you most want to cooperate with and who would you least want to cooperate with?"
"I'd most want to cooperate with Number 474 (Kalluto), and least want to cooperate with Number 444 (Hisoka)."
Morrow answered just as quickly.
Netero pressed further, "What's the reason?"
"As I said earlier, I'm familiar with Number 474. As for Number 444..."
Morrow merely imagined cooperating with Hisoka and couldn't help but sigh softly. "He's a pervert. In other situations, it might be fine, but no normal person would want to team up with a pervert in the final test, right?"
"Understood, understood."
Netero picked up a notebook from the table and said seriously, "No more questions. You may leave."
"Alright."
Morrow stood up and left.
Although the interview questions were different from the original, he had chosen to answer truthfully.
As for whether Netero might deliberately use his "reference opinions" in reverse, Morrow wasn't worried at all.
If the final test really involved teamwork, then considering strength and compatibility, there was no way he'd be paired with Hisoka.
As soon as Morrow stepped out of the reception room, the airship's broadcast echoed throughout the area once again.
"Please, examinee Number 473 (Gon), come to the reception room..."
—--
A moment later.
Gon arrived in the reception room.
Netero invited Gon to sit and, holding his notebook, asked, "Among the examinees, who do you think is the strongest?"
Gon: "Number 502 (Morrow)."
Netero: "What's the reason?"
Gon: "Because he's just really strong."
"Hmm..."
Netero hooked a finger on his forehead and asked, "Next question: if the final test requires teamwork, who would you most and least want to cooperate with?"
Gon thought for a moment and replied, "I'd most want to work with No. 475 (Killua), and least want to work with No. 444 (Hisoka)."
"What are your reasons?"
Netero pressed further.
Gon said, "Working with Killua would be fun, I think. The reason I don't want to work with Hisoka is... I find him... really, really creepy."
"Understood, no further questions. You may leave."
Netero dismissed Gon.
The interviews continued.
—--
Next was Leorio.
"The strongest examinee is No. 502 (Morrow), right? Thanks to him, I was able to advance so smoothly. I'd most want to work with No. 502 (Morrow), I feel like teaming up with him would guarantee passing the test. I least want to work with No. 444 (Hisoka); there's something very off about him."
Leorio answered with sincerity.
—--
"The strongest person? No. 502 (Morrow), I guess. I don't know how to explain it, but he just gives off a reassuring vibe. The person I'd most want to work with is definitely No. 502. The person I'd least want to work with is absolutely, without a doubt, Hisoka!!!"
When Ponzu mentioned Morrow, her eyes sparkled with admiration, but when she mentioned Hisoka, she couldn't help but shudder twice.
—--
"No. 444 (Hisoka), I suppose. I can't beat him. The person I'd most want to work with is No. 474 (Kalluto). No particular reason, as an older brother, it's natural to look after your younger sister. The person I'd least want to work with is No. 444; he's dangerous."
Killua's demeanor was casual as he answered, but when he mentioned Hisoka, a shadow seemed to flicker deep in his eyes.
—--
"Of course, No. 502 (Morrow) is the strongest. The people I'd most want to work with are No. 502 (Morrow) and No. 475 (Killua). The rest don't matter."
Kalluto's tone left no room for doubt.
—--
"Originally, I thought No. 444 (Hisoka) was the most troublesome. His bloodlust has always been intense, I even felt pressured just making eye contact with him. It seemed like there was no chance of beating him. Sigh, just thinking about it feels pretty hopeless. But then..."
When it was Hanzo's turn, he rambled on:
"Later, I started to think No. 502 (Morrow) might be even stronger. There's an indescribable, mysterious aura about him that makes me feel he's extraordinary. Hmm... I don't know how to describe that feeling, it's just– hey, I haven't finished yet!"
Hanzo was ushered out of the reception room.
—--
"No. 502 (Morrow) is the strongest, I think. He seems very clever. The person I'd most want to work with is still No. 502 (Morrow), because he's a Nen user. Although No. 444 (Hisoka) is also a Nen user, he's very abnormal. I don't want to work with him."
Barbara answered from the heart.
—--
After Barbara left the reception room, Netero didn't immediately call in the next examinee. Instead, he kept writing in his notebook.
"Almost every examinee thinks No. 502 is the most outstanding, so they all want to cooperate with him. Conversely... the person they least want to work with is No. 444, for surprisingly consistent reasons."
Netero set down his pen, a thoughtful look in his eyes.
According to the ranking order for interviews, the next person would be No. 12, Hisoka. After considering the reasons given by the previous eleven examinees, Netero decided to postpone Hisoka's interview to the last.
Thus, in the waiting hall, Hisoka, who should have been preparing for his interview, heard another candidate number announced over the broadcast.
Though he found it strange, Hisoka didn't dwell on it and continued stacking his playing cards.
Candidate numbers 197, 198, 199, 53...
The examinees went to the interview room one after another.
Their answers were largely similar.
At least regarding the question of who they least wanted to cooperate with, their reasons for choosing Hisoka were almost unanimously "perverted" and "dangerous"...
By the time Netero saw Bodoro off from the interview room, only Hisoka remained to be interviewed.
And that notebook of Netero's was already filled to the brim with notes.
"Please candidate number 444 to the interview room..."
Beans' voice came through the broadcast.
—--
In the airship's main hall.
Most of the examinees who had finished their interviews were gathered here.
Hearing the broadcast announcement, they all simultaneously turned their gaze toward Hisoka, who was sitting in the corner stacking his cards.
"Oh? Finally my turn?"
Hisoka muttered to himself as he stood up. Under everyone's watchful eyes, he leisurely walked out of the hall and headed to the interview room on the second floor.
Soon, he arrived at the interview room and, without waiting for Netero's invitation, directly sat down on the cushion.
Netero looked at this candidate number 444 who had been unanimously rejected by all other examinees and asked: "Among all the examinees, who do you think is the strongest?"
"Me."
Hisoka's answer came almost simultaneously with the question, without the slightest hesitation.
Netero asked expressionlessly: "And your reason?"
"You can consider me a narcissist."
As a Transmuter Nen user most skilled at lying, Hisoka chose to be honest this time.
Narcissism was indeed the main reason.
But more importantly, in the world of Nen combat, those who walk alone must always firmly believe they are the strongest.
This obsessive confidence might be a death warrant for mediocre people, but for monsters or geniuses, it's an important gear on the path to becoming stronger.
"Young people should be confident."
Netero nodded and continued: "Second question, if the final test requires teamwork, who would you most want to cooperate with and who would you least want to cooperate with?"
"I'm not interested in cooperation."
Hisoka's eyes at this moment were like hooks, firmly fixed on Netero as he said: "But if I have to name someone I least want to cooperate with... it's number 502 (Morrow)."
"And your reason?"
Netero looked at Hisoka with interest.
Hisoka gradually emitted a tangible fighting spirit, narrowing his eyes slightly as he said: "Because I'd rather fight him to the death."
"Oh, I see."
The corner of Netero's mouth lifted slightly, this was the first time he had shown a smile throughout the entire interview process.
Because the moment he heard Hisoka's answer, he had completely confirmed the match pairings for the final test.
"No more questions. You may leave."
Netero saw Hisoka out, then immediately picked up his pen and quickly wrote down the pairing arrangements.
—--
Two days later.
The airship slowly descended onto a mountain peak shrouded in clouds and mist.
The top of this mountain was incredibly flat, as if the peak had been sliced off by a heaven-shaking sword, forming a vast natural platform.
On this masterfully crafted flat summit, over a dozen dojo structures were arranged in an orderly yet varied layout.
This place was a sacred martial arts ground personally created by a master of Shingen-ryu.
Currently, Netero had borrowed it to serve as the venue for the final test.
At the center of the building complex stood a large open-air training ground enclosed by walls on all sides, with an area equivalent to one and a half football fields.
In the middle of the training ground.
Netero faced the group of examinees.
Behind him was a notice board covered with a white cloth.
"Hoh hoh."
Netero said calmly, "The final test will be conducted in the form of team duels."
Upon hearing this, none of the present examinees were surprised.
After all, the interviews from a few days ago had essentially revealed the topic of the final test in advance.
Now, they were only concerned about the team formations.
"For the team assignments, please refer to the notice board."
As he spoke, Netero lifted the white cloth covering the notice board.
With the cloth removed, everyone present immediately saw the team assignments and duel arrangements on the board.
But before they could examine them carefully, their attention was instantly drawn to the topmost team information.
It was actually a two-person team composed of Morrow and Hisoka!
"Ah!?"
All the examinees, as well as the observing proctors, were completely stunned.
Putting Morrow and Hisoka in the same team, how could anyone possibly fight against that?!
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Bonus chapter@400power stones