Chapter 73 – Chairman Netero (Part 1)
Osren and the others stood near the very back.
By the time they stepped outside, all they caught was the fading silhouette of Menchi—
a blur that vanished in the blink of an eye.
"Not bad at all," Killua murmured.
He crouched beside the deep footprint Menchi left behind.
With his current ability, replicating that level of explosive power was still out of reach.
As for her disappearing body technique…
it was honestly quite impressive.
"The examiner is incredible! Her strength is amazing!"
Gon stared wide-eyed at the footprint, marveling as if he had discovered treasure.
Osren couldn't help but sigh internally.
Gon's focus was always in places no normal person would look.
But that was also what made him stand out.
"Yeah… she's terrifying," Leorio muttered.
His neck suddenly felt cold.
He silently thanked every angel that he hadn't tried to show off earlier.
Sure, he knew he couldn't beat an examiner—
but only now did he understand just how laughably outmatched he was.
Good thing he'd listened to Osren.
Otherwise, he might have ended up on the dinner menu.
And he absolutely did not want to know what "turning a person into a dish" meant.
If Osren said he shouldn't know, then he really shouldn't know.
"She's strong," Kurapika added calmly.
Seeing Menchi's skill only firmed his resolve—
becoming a Hunter was a necessary step on the path to his revenge.
Though Menchi had left, the examinees did not relax.
Many quietly gathered near familiar faces, forming small clusters.
The Hunter Exam was still ongoing,
and while Tonpa only targeted rookies,
there were other examinees who would attack anyone—
rookie or veteran—if given an opening.
Of course… not everyone was so cautious.
There were always those with overflowing confidence,
who believed the world ranked
Heaven first, Earth second, and themselves third.
"Tch. What a show-off."
Todo crossed his arms with a snort.
He had no idea what Menchi planned to do with that one hour,
but he wasn't impressed.
Still, since the examiner had announced a wait time,
and since elimination wasn't yet absolute,
he decided to stay.
There was no way he would accept the earlier verdict anyway.
"What garbage…"
His mood worsened the more he thought about it.
The only person who passed was a random kid he'd never even noticed before.
Knowing that he'd failed while a child succeeded made something twist in his chest.
Todo glared daggers at Osren,
as if trying to burn a hole through him.
But with the massive Buhara standing nearby like a mountain statue,
Todo didn't dare go any further.
So all he could do…
was glare.
"What's that guy's problem?"
Killua, always sensitive to hostile gazes, turned toward Todo immediately.
"Nothing important," Osren replied calmly.
He had noticed Todo's attitude from the start,
but he had no intention of wasting energy on small fry.
Still—
some people only grow bolder when ignored.
A light lesson later might be necessary,
so Todo wouldn't get himself killed in the outside world.
"He's probably upset that you're the only one who passed,"
Kurapika said with a thoughtful frown.
"Want me to go punch him?"
Leorio cracked his knuckles, fully prepared.
To him, Osren was a good friend—
and no one looked at his friend like that without consequences.
"Calm down. His turn will come," Osren said lightly.
"For now, stay quiet. Things are going to change soon."
Although Osren hadn't explained what exactly would happen next,
Gon and the others immediately understood his meaning.
Passing the exam came first—
everything else could be settled later.
With Osren's group calmed,
the real commotion began elsewhere—
specifically around Chairman Netero.
One scene ended, another began.
The show was far from over.
---
Netero's Airship — Meanwhile
"What should we do, Chairman?
It looks like they've shut off their communications devices over there…"
The peanut-shaped secretary clutched the phone anxiously.
"That girl's personality has always been fierce," Netero replied.
Balancing on one leg while sipping fruit juice with the other,
he looked completely at ease.
"If her pride is involved,
she won't change her mind unless she's truly convinced."
"But her reason for failing them is far too subjective.
The test is supposed to measure observation and attention
through a cooking challenge,"
the secretary said, his round face creased with worry.
His assessment of the exam lined up perfectly
with what Osren had predicted earlier.
"Well, too late to complain now. Hahahaha!"
Netero set the juice cup down—using his foot, of course.
"There are plenty of stubborn weirdos among Hunters.
Put them in charge of judging,
and you can't expect them to hand out passes lightly.
"Besides, the committee usually respects the examiners' decisions.
Remember the year we had zero passing candidates?
But this time…
the problem is clearly with Menchi, not the examinees."
He slowly walked toward the rooftop where the airship waited.
If the fault did not lie with the candidates,
the committee would not sit back and ignore it.
The secretary opened the door to the rooftop and followed behind.
A strong gust of wind battered them,
but neither paid it any mind
as they calmly boarded the aircraft.
With a deep rumble,
the airship ascended and turned toward Biskean Forest Park.
Osren's predicted turning point
was finally on its way.
---
Inside the Forest — Menchi's Hunt
Swish—swish—swish.
Having accepted Todo's reckless challenge,
Menchi was secretly delighted.
Not only could she demonstrate a Gourmet Hunter's strength,
but she could also secure a top-tier ingredient at the same time.
Two birds with one stone.
She darted between the trees at extreme speed,
searching for her prey—
the Hornbear.
Soon, she found fresh tracks in a meadow.
Her eyes brightened.
The hunt was almost over.
A moment later—
crash rustle rustle
A massive bear with two bull-like horns
emerged from the bushes.
"Got you," Menchi whispered, drawing her twin blades,
her posture shifting instantly into attack mode.
---
Back at the Exam Site
tick… tick… tick…
The large clock continued its steady march.
One hour was almost up.
Then—
whoosh
A faint slicing sound cut through the air.
Osren glanced up.
The second hand had just aligned perfectly at twelve.
Right on time.
"Wasn't it supposed to be one hour?
Why isn't she back yet?"
Todo complained loudly again,
as if he were being paid to provoke people.
No one surpassed him in the art of self-destruction.
"She's here," Osren said calmly.
"Yeah… I heard something too." Gon perked up.
"Sorry to keep you waiting."
Menchi appeared, brushing wind-tossed hair aside
as she lifted her arm in greeting.
Todo immediately pounced.
"So much for your big 'farewell gift.'
You come back empty-handed?"
His tone dripped with mockery.
"Hmph!"
Menchi snorted.
"Look closely."
She reached into her chest pocket
and pulled out a glass vial,
holding it up for everyone to see.