Chapter 4: Airship X Assassin
Sinbad and Killua anxiously watched their respective eggs boil in separate large pots. Neither of them had ever bothered to pick up the skills required to cook so when Menchi told them to sit and wait, they started to lose their minds.
"Should I spin my egg around?" Killua asked, leaning over to take a look at Sinbad's cooking egg.
Sinbad kept his complete attention on his egg and missed Killua's question. Killua tapped on Sinbad's shoulder.
"Hey. Hey, why is yours spinning so much and mine isn't," Killua asked, taking a quick glance at his own egg. He crouched and checked the flame underneath Sinbad's pot. A flickering roaring flame. Killua's face twisted in a sinister smile. "I think the fire is too hot."
"Huh?" Sinbad asked, not paying attention to the implications. He focused his whole being on his spinning egg.
Killua got up, threw his hands behind his head, and walked away. "I would hate it if your egg was overcooked."
'Overcooked? Is that a thing?'
Growing up as a soon to be King of the most powerful kingdom in the world, Sinbad has only eaten the finest quality of meals. He didn't think it was possible for food to be undercooked or potentially overcooked. So, naturally, he freaked out.
"What do you mean, overcooked?" Sinbad crouched down and looked at the rising flame. He felt the warmth hit his sensitive skin. Sinbad looked back at Killua and then down to the flame underneath his pot. "Why is your flame more relaxed? Is my egg going to die?"
Killua whistled as if nothing was amiss. 'That's what you get for ignoring me.'
Sinbad crawled over to Killua's flame and began blowing into the fire. He slightly managed to fan the flames, causing the flame to grow.
Killua noticed his egg started to spin faster. "Hey! What do you think you're doing?!"
Sinbad laughed. "Nothing, I'm just catching my breath."
"Well go somewhere else," Killua jumped onto Sinbad's back, grappling him on the rocks and rolling them closer to Sinbad's pot. Killua let go and crawled closer, he began to heavily blow air onto Sinbad's fire.
Noticing this, Sinbad rushed back to Killua's station and blew harder on his fire.
Menchie walked over in between them, checking her pocket watch. "What are you two idiots doing? The eggs are done cooking already."
Sinbad and Killua straightened up and rushed to their boiling eggs. With Menchi's help, they put out the fire and carefully pulled the steaming eggs out of the boiling water. She taught the two boys how to gently knock on the hardened shell and break the protective layer.
Killua smiled and tried to hit the large egg out of Sinbad's hands but he evaded the sneaky attempt.
"Boys, pay attention," Menchi grabbed their focus. "These eggs are famous around the world and enjoy knowing you hunted this delicacy, known as Dream Eggs."
Sinbad and Killua gave each other a quick glance and then they took massive bites. The boys couldn't describe the immaculate blend of the delicate softness of the white part and the rich creamy sensation of the yellow egg yolk. At the same time, both boys understood another thing as they chewed. This was the freedom of a Hunter, the overflowing sense of fulfillment of completing a Hunt.
Killua felt the suffocating shackles around his neck loosen a bit as he felt the joys of being a Hunter.
And Sinbad couldn't wait till he could make his mark on the world and see everything this new world had to offer him.
After the initial wave of ecstasy wore off from the Dream Egg, Sinbad and Killua joined the ranks of the other applicants as they waited for their eggs to boil. So naturally, they taunted the others by eating the delicious food in front of them.
Sinbad's eyes wandered as he noticed a big man wearing a black shirt and a messy pony tail,
Todo the wrestler. His hands were empty.
Sinbad slipped past the burning pots and approached the man while chewing his food. He stood in front of the man till he was acknowledged.
"What? Came here to gloat," said Todo, shame revealed itself in his tone.
"Nah," Sinbad replied while chewing. "Like I said, 'Better to know your limits and admit defeat than make a fool of yourself.'"
"Whatever," replied Todo, looking at the ground.
Sinbad rested a hand on the man's hulking shoulder. "To be alive is another day to win the fight."
"What fight?" Todo asked, growing in frustration.
"Does it matter?" Sinbad smiled, handing the man the rest of his Dream Egg. "That's something you have to figure out yourself."
He stared at the white and golden rich egg and then took it in his own hands. "This is just some stupid egg anyways."
"Maybe."
Todo took a bite and slowly began chewing. Tears streamed down the man's puffy cheeks. "It's delicious."
Sinbad nodded, reaching out with an exposed hand. "My name is Sinbad."
"Todo," The wrestler returned the gesture and they shook hands.
After ten minutes of enjoying their Dream Eggs, the second phase official came to an end with only 42 applicants remaining. They boarded the airship along with the previous Examiners and left Split Mountain.
"I would like to formally introduce myself as the Chairman of the Hunter Association, Isaac Netero," He said as a small green person came to stand by the old man's side. "We are flying to the next phase of the Hunter Exam and will arrive by sunrise, so please relax and wait till then."
As the crowd began to disperse, Killa tapped on Sinbad's shoulder. "Let's go explore the ship."
"Okay!" Sinbad agreed and they took off running.
…
In a room on the third floor of the airship, the three examiners ate at a table. Twenty finished plates were stacked up in front of the big Buhura, Menchi was currently finishing her third plate, and Satotz wiped his mouth with a napkin and sipped on some red wine.
Menchi threw up her fork and knife. "This is an interesting group of participants this year."
Buhura burped. "We all know who has caught your eye, number eleven."
"That purple haired brat," pouted Menchi.
"He has definitely caught my eye as well," Satotz interjected, while cleaning up his area. "He has this aura about him, I'm sure you all felt it too."
Buhura nodded. "I haven't fallen for him like Menchi–"
"I will kill you," Menchi interrupted, threatening the man with her knife.
"But I get this strange feeling of serenity when I'm near him and I'm gravitated by his words and presence," continued Buhara.
"Yes," Satotz agreed. "It's exactly that."
Menchi folded her arms and relaxed in her chair. "Unlike number forty four, my hair stands up every time he looks at me."
"Did you feel his bloodlust during that big guy's outburst? He was going to kill that guy," replied Buhura as another plate of food arrived in front of him. A big smile flashed on his face as he picked up the plate and slid the contents down his mouth.
"I got the same impression from him as well. This is his second time taking the exam and he failed last year because he attacked an Examiner," Satotz commented, finishing the last sips of his wine. "He is definitely one of the strongest of the examinees."
Menchi shuddered. "That clown face freak."
…
In a dark room surrounded by sleeping examinees, Hisoka quietly stacked playing cards into a pyramid. Carefully, he placed the last two cards of the deck to complete the tip and with practiced ease, he succeeded. He spent his leisure time with the cards to keep his mind accompanied and distracted from his sinister thoughts.
'I must be patient," Hisoka thought to himself. 'I nearly attacked the Chairman but it's not time for that yet, my preparations for Chrollo are near complete.'
He liked his lips as his hand stabbed through the pyramid of playing cards. 'In the meantime, I can play with him, number eleven.'
…
Sinbad and Killua chewed on stolen pieces of meat as they sat in front of a large window, staring out into the night sky. Sinbad finished the piece of chicken to the bone.
"So…uh. Where are you from?" Sinbad asked Killua. "What do your parents do?"
"Kukuuro Mountain and they are assassins," Killua answered, gnawing on his bone. "I am a Zoldyck."
Sinbad gave a blank expression. "Assassins?"
"The best in the world. If you need someone killed, hit my dad up," Killua answered without a hint of emotion. Sinbad's expression remained. "You've never heard of the famous Zoldyck family?"
"As I mentioned before, I come from a very isolated nation and I wasn't allowed information of the outside world or even see a map for that matter," Sinbad laughed. It was all a part of the Contest of Kings rules, the Kings weren't allowed to know anything of the outside world to prevent any advantages and to start from essentially nothing. Money, knowledge, and even Nen were purposefully withheld from the twins. A true King can't rely on inheritance but must be built by their own hands and sacrifices. "I was told a few things once I was allowed to leave my country though."
"Interesting," Killua said, putting down his bone as he lost interest. "What country?"
"Magi Kingdom," answered Sinbad.
"What?!" Killua shot to his feet. "I don't believe you."
"Why would I lie?" Sinbad asked.
Killua paused in thought. "No, it's starting to make sense."
"What is?"
"Your strength, speed, and skill," Killua replied, sitting back down. "My father forbade us from taking any jobs that had anything to do with that Kingdom because it was impossible."
"Impossible?" Sinbad inquired. "Nobody is impossible to kill."
Killua shook his head. "That was the first time I've ever seen him show fear and the only time a catastrophe happened in Zoldyck history. It was the day my father became an only child. He lost three siblings to a man from the Magi Kingdom."
'I wonder if that was father or uncle?' Sinbad thought in amazement.
"I don't really care for them," Killua mumbled. Then he started to throw his hands around. "My family is so annoying. 'Kil, you can become the best assassin.' 'Kil, you are wasting your potential.' I don't care about any of that, I just want a life of my own, y'know?"
"Definently," Sinbad answered with a half truth. "So, what happened next?"
"It started a big fight so I slashed my mother across her face, stabbed my brother, and then ran away. I bet they want to kill me now," Killua replied with a mischievous smile on his face. "But once I become a Hunter, I can hunt them and cash them in for serious cash."
Sinbad laughed. "I wouldn't mind helping."
Killua got into a fighting stance. "Us against a family of assassins. We totally win that."
They both laughed together and stopped once they noticed Gon approaching them.
"Win what?" Gon asked.
Killua wiped a tear from his eye. He pointed at Sinbad with his thumb. "Us killing my family."
"Are they bad people?" Gon asked, taking a seat next to Killua.
Killua thought for a moment. "Well, they kill people for money."
Sinbad ignored their conversation as he sensed a lurking presence behind him.
Chairman Isaac Netero planned to scare the boys but he was discovered by the purple haired boy. He decided to come out and reveal himself. "What are you boys doing?"
"Nothing," Sinbad quickly replied. Killua and Gon ended their conversation. "Are you bored, old man?"
"I was looking for some company to help pass the time," Chairman Netero responded. "Care to play a little game?"
Gon and Killua replied at the same time. "Yes!"
The boys followed Chairman Netero around the airship till they entered an isolated twenty by twenty blue room. The walls of the room were covered in a padded blue cushion. Chairman Netero left them there for about five minutes and returned with a yellow and black ball. He stripped down from his oversized clothing into a black tank top and gray sweats.
Chairman Netero bounced the ball and then spun it on one finger. "The game is easy to understand, steal the ball from me and you all will win. The airship will land in about nine hours, so that is how long you have. Feel free to team up and attack at once, I will only defend."
"Can Sinbad use his sword?" Gon asked, innocently.
"Sure." Chairman Netero answered while picking his nose.
"What do we win if we get the ball?" Killua asked.
"Whoever grabs the ball, I will officially make a Hunter," answered Chairman Netero, plainly.
Gon's excitement grew as he got ready to charge straight for the ball.
"Shall we begin?" Killua asked.
"Go ahead," answered Chairman Netero as his gaze fell onto Sinbad.
"I will go first then," said Killua, stepping in front of the group. 'He is underestimating us.'
Sinbad studied Killua's movements as his appearance blurred and shifted into multiple clones of himself. In a fast rhythm, Killua and his blurry clones surrounded the unfazed Netero.
"Woah, there are a bunch of Killua's!" Gon said in surprise.
"It's an assassin technique called Rhythm Echo," said Chairman Netero.
Killua smacked his lips and as the real him charged from behind Chairman Netero, his hand lunged for the ball which spun on the old man's fingertip.
Chairman Netero dodged by tilting his body but Killua didn't stop there. Kicking in another gear, Killua blitzed after the ball with his hands, elbows, knees, and feet. However, the Chairman expertly maneuvered the ball out of reach, by spinning, rotating the ball behind his back and then catching it with the same hand, and only using one leg to move.
Killua stopped to quickly catch his breath and reassess the situation. 'Nimble old fart.'
"Is that all?" Chairman Netero taunted, hitting the ball with the tip of his nose. "I'm a little disappointed."
Angered, Killua dashed forward and slid, he pulled back his right leg and aimed for the man's exposed leg. With immense strength, he kicked Chairman Netero's shin but the power of the man's leg was close to steel. In pain, Killua leapt to his feet and hobbled away.
"Tag me in," Gon said to the injured Killua. They high fived and Gon rushed straight for the old man.
Sinbad analyzed Gon and Chairman Netero's movements. The Chairman easily evaded all of Gon's attempts and even feints. Sinbad quickly deduced that they still needed another five years before they could ever think of taking the ball from the old man.
'Well, that's if I used conventional means to get the ball.' Sinbad thought as he stretched, keeping his sword in his sheathed.
"That's enough!" Killua shouted, throwing up his hands in defeat. "We will never get the ball. I give up."
"So soon?" Chairman Netero instigated. "He still hasn't used his sword yet."
"Gah!" Killua began walking toward the only door in the room. "Not gonna matter, you haven't been using your right hand or left leg. It's pointless."
"Sure," Gon said, trying to get Killua to reason. "But, we can still try."
"Nah, I'm done." Killua left the room and then stormed down the halls. He bumped into two unknown participants of the Hunter Exam.
"Hey, watch where you're going," one of them said, latching onto Killua's shoulder.
In an instant, Killua cut the two random's heads off. He exhaled, feeling relieved.
Looking at the fresh blood on his sharpened fingertips, Killua thought. 'If I didn't stop playing, I would have killed the old man for that ball.'
Back inside the room, Sinbad and Gon teamed together to steal the ball.
Desperate to knock the ball out of Chairman Netero's hands, Gon charged in head first which Netero used his left hand to leap over the boy. Gon crashed head first into the wall and slumped to the floor.
With a lazy finger floating in the air, Gon said, "I made you use your other hand."
In slight stupor, Chairman Netero glanced down at the ball in his right hand. Then, Gon fell asleep.Sinbad attacked Chairman Netero's blindspot, forcing him to retreat further from the sleeping Gon.
Sinbad unsheathed his sword, the sliver blade reflected the overhead lights.
"Ho ho ho," Chairman Netero laughed, still displaying unfazed confidence. "You're finally going to take this seriously."
"Yes." Sinbad said without any emotion or hesitation. He walked over to the sleeping Gon, grabbed the boy's black hair exposing his neck, and rested the lethal edge of his sword against Gon's neck. "Give me the ball or I'll kill the boy."