Hunter X Hunter - Reviewers Rage

36 Chapter

Suspenful Calm x The Final x Act x Approaches

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At the edge of the island, a small, scattered crowd gathered, their eyes fixed on a boat approaching from the horizon.

The tension in the air was palpable, as if the very island itself held its breath in anticipation.

A woman, who had earlier introduced herself as Khara, walked across the plank connecting the boat to the shore, her footsteps deliberate and measured.

The sounds of the island—the distant roar of a bear, the rustling of animals fleeing in panic—echoed ominously through the dense forest behind them. It was as if the island's wildlife sensed something unnatural, something dangerous.

The crowd's attention snapped towards the forest as an invisible shockwave rippled through the air, a pressure so intense it was almost tangible.

The sensation washed over them like a wave, causing several of the applicants to instinctively brace themselves for battle. All except for two: Hisoka and the announcer, who stood unnervingly calm amid the rising tension.

Khara, who was not a fighter, felt her legs begin to wobble, her breathing shallow as if the very air had grown heavier, thinner. But as quickly as the pressure had come, it dissipated, leaving a sense of unease in its wake.

With a microphone clipped to her head, Khara composed herself and addressed the group, holding a clipboard in one hand. "We will now check the tags of everyone here!" she announced, her voice steady despite the lingering tension.

One by one, the applicants raised their ID tags, each proving they had collected the necessary six points.

Some held onto their own and their target's IDs, while others had gathered three random tags to meet the requirement. Among them, Hisoka stood out, holding up six different ID tags, a clear indication that he had likely taken them by lethal force.

"#44 Hisoka-san, #99 Killua-san, #301 Gittarackur-san, #191 Bodoro-san, #294 Hanzo-san. So, five applicants passed? Oh?"

Out of the dense forest emerged Gon, Leorio, and Kurapika. Leorio's chest was bandaged, and he appeared exhausted, while Gon and Kurapika looked relatively unscathed.

Killua's face brightened at the sight of his friend. "Gon!" he said to himself, a smile tugging at his lips.

Khara made a note on her clipboard. "Ah, three more arrive at the last second."

Gon exchanged a brief, happy glance with Killua before his eyes shifted, narrowing as they locked onto Hisoka—the man who had punched him square in the face and tried to steal his ID tag, but gave up his on a whim.

"And now for the last few members... #404 Kurapika-san, #403 Leorio-san, and #405 Gon-san," Khara announced, her pen poised over the clipboard. "These eight applicants have passed the Fou—"

"STOP!" a voice bellowed from the forest, cutting through the air like a knife.

All eyes turned towards the source as Togiri and Fang slowly emerged from the shadows.

Every step Togiri took left deep imprints in the soil, his movements heavy with the weight of his training gear.

Both he and Fang wore clothes that weighed over 100 kg, their bodies straining under the additional load of their backpacks and Togiri had Seven increase his clothes by an additional 25 kg which made the total weight he was carrying all the time without backpack 150 kg (330 pounds).

Togiri's mind raced as he surveyed the remaining applicants. 'Seems like Pokkle, the one I first stole the ID from, didn't make it. Not that he did much besides shoot arrows and give Pitou information about Nen later on by dying'

His gaze lingered on the others—Illumi, disguised as Gittarackur; Bodoro, the martial artist who would soon meet his end at Killua's hands; and finally, Hisoka.

Togiri's eyes narrowed, a flash of killing intent slipping through his usually composed demeanor.

Hisoka, sensing the sudden shift, momentarily lost his composure, not because of him, but the boy standing next to him.

For the first time, fear flickered across his face as he recognized the boy he thought he had killed, now standing before him alive and well.

Illumi, on the other hand, simply smiled with his deformed head, his dark eyes glinting with amusement.

Fang placed a firm hand on Togiri's shoulder, grounding him. His gaze remained locked on Hisoka, his eyes cold and unreadable.

@Master, wake up! If you don't stop him, he'll attack Hisoka right now! You guys don't stand a chance with Illumi next to him.@

The voice jolted Togiri out of his trance. He suppressed the killing intent that had begun to seep out and slapped Fang on the back, forcing a smile. "Come. We'll do it like we talked about."

Khara, visibly shaken but trying to maintain her composure, continued to mark the list. "#107 Fang-san and #277 Togiri-san also passed." Togiri held up two ID tags, while Fang displayed six.

Togiri, his usual mysterious self, kept his dark thoughts hidden, but Fang was visibly different. His expression was hard, his eyes filled with a quiet fury that made the others hesitant to approach him—everyone except Gon, who eyed him curiously.

As the group boarded the airship, a voice echoed through the halls. It was Beans, the examiner.

"I have an announcement for all applicants. The chairman wishes to interview the remaining candidates. When your number is called, please come to the first reception room on the second floor. We will start with #44 Hisoka."

One by one, the applicants were summoned for their interviews with Chairman Netero. Togiri was second to last.

Togiri entered the room and immediately bowed deeply. "Shishō/Master," he greeted, though Netero gave no acknowledgment.

Togiri sat cross-legged on the floor, facing Netero across a small table with two cups of tea. The interview began, the questions rapid and to the point.

"Why do you want to be a hunter?" Netero asked, his voice flat and emotionless.

Togiri's answer was succinct. "Access to information."

"Which of the other nine applicants are you keeping an eye on?"

"Hisoka," Togiri replied without hesitation. "He's a wildcard."

"And which of the other nine applicants do you want to fight the least?"

"Gittarackur," Togiri said, his tone measured. "I know the Zoldycks keep grudges."

Netero's expression didn't change, even though Togiri had revealed he knew Gittarackur's true identity.

"Alright. You can leave," Netero said, his voice cold. For most the interview was at least a few minutes long, but not even a full minute passed since Togiri entered the room and was asked to leave again.

Togiri clenched his fists as he stood up, then he abruptly sat down again, bowing low, his forehead touching the floor. (Kowtowed/dogeza)

"Master, please! You need to help Fang. You need to prevent him from killing Hisoka. It would be ideal if he could study and grow under your guidance for a few years."

Netero didn't respond, his eyes still focused on the notes he had taken during the interviews.

*...*

The silence stretched on, broken only by the occasional sound of Netero flipping through the pages.

@This geezer doesn't have a heart,@ Seven muttered, frustration evident in his tone.

"Please, Shishō! Save Fang!" Togiri's voice trembled as he lifted his head slightly, then slammed it down onto the floor with a loud thud. Netero remained unmoved.

'If I had a cheat skill to read his heart or thoughts, I would talk my ass off and promise him something he wants.' Togiri thought desperately, and then a new idea sparked in his mind.

"I won't see Fang—for five years! Even my- I mean his family! Please take him under you!"

The room remained deathly silent, the only sound was Togiri's labored breathing. He lifted his head once more and, with a determined resolve, slammed it down again. This time, a small splatter of blood stained the floor.

Netero continued to ignore him, the minutes ticking by with agonizing slowness. Just as Togiri was about to give up, Netero finally spoke, his voice calm and calculated. "Sure. I will train him, but once you break your promise, our deal is over."

Togiri lifted his head, relief washing over him. "You won't regret it," he said, though inwardly, he thought, 'This old man hates me. I can just feel it.'

@You're an idiot for humiliating yourself like that.@ Seven chided, but Togiri almost chuckled.

'If I can gain benefits, I'd even sell my soul. There are only a few principles I have left, but one day they'll disappear too. Until that day, I'll try my best to protect them.'

Togiri bowed once more, cleaned up the blood on the floor, and quickly left the room, not wanting to risk displeasing Netero any further.

Finally, Fang was called as the last candidate. His demeanor was drastically different, his usual calm shattered as he sat before Netero. The same questions were asked, but his answers were unsettling.

"Why do you want to be a hunter?" Netero asked, holding his pen ready to write.

Fang stared blankly at his hands, the seconds dragging into minutes. "I… don't know anymore," he finally admitted, his voice hollow.

Netero jotted down the answer without a hint of surprise. "Which of the other nine applicants are you keeping an eye on?"

Fang's fists clenched, his knuckles white. "Hisoka," he answered in a low, trembling tone.

Netero continued to write, his expression unreadable. "Which of the other nine applicants do you want to fight the least?"

At this, Fang's body tensed, his Nen flaring wildly. His aura, usually calm, controlled anddisciplined, became erratic, Ken breaking out in a chaotic surge that even tipped over Netero's cup of tea.

"Hisoka!" Fang's voice shook with barely restrained rage. His face turning ugly, bitter and hatefull.

"Togiri told me the last phase probably doesn't involve any killing, so I'll get disqualified and need to take the Hunter Exam again next year."

Netero released his own Ken, a sudden force of power that immediately brought Fang to his senses. The sudden weight of Netero's aura was overwhelming, forcing Fang's rage to a halt. Netero leaned forward, placing a hand on Fang's shoulder, his gaze intense.

"Listen, Fang…" Netero spoke in a low and calm tone, but whatever he said next caused Fang to tremble, his eyes filling with tears.

It was clear that Netero's words had struck something deep within Fang, breaking through the darkness that had consumed him.