HunterxHunter: Reborn With Crazy Potential

After Lippo finishes explaining the details about the fourth exam, we all step aboard the big steamboat, its sleek body decorated with the unmistakable Hunter Association logo. The boat creaks under the weight of all of us boarding, and I can already sense the tension in the air, even before we set sail. There's an uneasy stillness among the other contestants, and I can tell that everyone's nervous other than a few monsters, despite the calm water surrounding us. Everyone knows that the real test is just beginning.

I take a moment to observe the ship, the other contestants, and especially the woman standing at the front of the deck. Her presence is impossible to ignore. Yellow eyes that seem to cut right through you, short red hair that looks like it's been styled in a way that's meant to appear messy with oversized headphones that you can't see through the hair. She wears a white shirt under a yellow sweater, baggy red pants, and pink shoes. Both her sweater and her headphones sport the Hunter Association logo.

She introduces herself as Khara. She wastes no time in getting to the point saying. "It will take boat two hours to reach Zevil Island. All 26 contestants will receive an unconditional invitation to next year's exams, meaning that even if you fail don't feel too bad, you can try again next year."

Then she adds something that catches my attention We're free to do whatever we want during the boat ride. No rules, no restrictions. That's two whole hours of freedom. And I'm not about to let it go to waste.

I immediately set my sights on the Amori brothers. I approach them with the casual confidence I always carry, though I can see them stiffen as I near. At first, they act like they couldn't care less about my presence, brushing me off with cold stares, but I'm not one to be easily dismissed. I ask why they tried to bully Nicholas in the first stage of the exams, leaning in a bit closer, not giving them an escape to focus on. The tension between us builds, and it doesn't take long for one of them to crack.

"Tonpa paid us," Amori mutters, looking over his shoulder like he's worried someone might overhear. His voice drops lower. "He told us to take Nicholas out and get him out of the way early for a few bucks. We felt like it would be easy so we agreed."

"Thanks," I say, giving a small nod of appreciation. Then, in one swift motion, I reach for their badges one, two, and three, and swipe them from under their noses. I do the move so fast and smooth that they don't even register I took them.

As I walk past Hanzo, I make sure to flash the "197" badge. I know he's watching. And sure enough, the moment his eyes land on the badge, they narrow, a sharp glint appearing in them. His gaze locks onto mine with a cold intensity.

He's sizing me up. He's already thinking about how to get the badge off of me. I keep walking, my mind racing as I scan the rest of the deck for Gon and Killua. I find them sitting together, talking quietly, heads bent close. I slide up next to them, my presence almost unnoticed at first. Soon we start, sharing the numbers we need to collect. Killua just shows his when I toss the "199" badge onto Killua's lap, and a flash of surprise appears on his face.

"Lucas," he says, his voice sharp with curiosity. He looks up at me, eyebrows raised. "How did you know I needed number 199?"

Before I can offer some slick explanation, Gon jumps in, his brow furrowed with concern. "Wait, Lucas," he says, his tone unsure. "Isn't it against the rules to take badges before we even get to the island?"

I can't help but chuckle at Gon's earnestness. "Well, Gon," I say with a smirk, leaning back casually. "Khara didn't say we couldn't take badges. In fact, she said we could do whatever we wanted during the boat ride." I glance at Killua, who's still eyeing me with a mix of suspicion and respect. "As for you, Killua, I didn't know you needed 199. But when I grabbed my badge from Imori, I took the badges from both his brothers as well. Your prey was Umori."

Killua's expression shifts there's a flicker of respect, a silent acknowledgment that he's impressed, even if he doesn't show it outright. Gon, on the other hand, still looks uneasy, his brow furrowed with doubt.

"But "What if we get in trouble?" Gon protests, looking between me and Killua.

I shrug, unfazed. "Gon, relax. We're on a boat, not the exam grounds. I think we're good. Besides, if anyone tries to call us out, we'll just play dumb. No one said we couldn't take badges early."

Gon sighs, resigning to the logic of it all, even if he's not fully convinced he says. "I guess so."

I stretch out my arms, exaggerated for effect, as I let out a massive yawn. "Anyway, you two are good to go. You've got your targets." I glance toward the horizon, my mind already shifting into a different gear. "I think I'm feeling worn out after controlling Nicholas's body. I'll rest up when we get to the island. Catch you guys later."

Killua doesn't bat an eye. "Suit yourself."

As the boat ride continues, I let my mind wander. I start thinking about Nicholas his potential, and the skills he could bring to the table. The kid's smart. Damn smart. I start running through scenarios in my head. If he makes it through the final phase of the exam, he could become an even more valuable asset to the family. His intellect alone sets him apart from the rest. I start picturing the kinds of Hatsu he could develop. Something that lets him instantly process information, and access any public knowledge without needing to look it up. Then I imagine him with an ability like Dog Man's from the Succession War arc scanning people, assessing their strengths, weaknesses, and nen affinities with a glance.

Nicholas could be a recruiter, a strategist someone who works behind the scenes, never needing to fight up close. His mind could be a valuable weapon. If he's willing to push his limits, he could even learn Conjuration. It would take him time, sure, but if he can master it he can make his own technology.

By the time Zevil Island comes into view, I've got a hundred plans running through my mind. It's all about seeing how it plays out now.

Khara's voice breaks through my thoughts, very abruptly. "We've arrived at Zevil Island. Disembark in the order you cleared the third phase. You'll be called out every two minutes. Stay on the island for one full week. Collect all six points. Then return here. Got it? Good. Begin."

As Khara speaks, I activate my En at full range to sense where everyone is going after they leave the ship. As soon as Khara finishes the explanation, Hisoka steps off the ship, and Khara starts the two-minute timer.

Finally, after a good 35 minutes at least it's my turn, I wave at Gon and Killua. "Catch you later."

As I step off the boat, I feel for Hanzo's presence. I catch him trying to stay just out of sight, tailing me quietly. He's good, but not good enough. I can sense him, like a shadow at the edge of my vision. He's trying to stay hidden, but I already know where he is and I have a plan so the advantage is mine.