Chapter 138: The Answer
Of course, some were still standing.
But fewer than ten remained.
Among the main characters, Leorio looked the most miserable his limbs trembled as he struggled to stay upright, palms pressed against the ground.
Kurapika's hand, still gripping his weapon, was completely stiff. He seemed to have lost control of his own body.
At least… he was still standing.
Killua, however, was doing relatively better.
The white-haired boy, like an angry feline, glared at Haze his face filled with a chilling, murderous intent.
Yet the closer Killua stepped toward Haze, the heavier that killing intent became slicing through his skin like invisible blades.
Under Haze's mental pressure, Killua forced himself forward.
The years of grueling Zoldyck family training were finally paying off.
One step… two steps…
Slowly, Killua began to feel his body react his brain ached, a stabbing pain shot through his skull, nausea rose in his throat, and his stomach churned violently.
"I'll kill you…"
After ten meters, a mocking laugh suddenly echoed in his ears. Killua flinched, instantly leaping back.
When he landed, he looked up and saw Haze's smirking face.
Grinding his teeth in frustration, Killua cursed silently. He had been so close to crossing the line only to end up even farther away.
Haze was clearly toying with him.
"Kurapika! Leorio!"
At that moment, Gon who had been trembling violently moments ago steadied himself, took a deep breath, and turned toward his two friends, reaching out both hands.
Kurapika and Leorio instantly understood. They pushed themselves up and moved forward, each grabbing one of Gon's hands.
Seeing this, Haze couldn't help but feel a sense of pride.
Sometimes, an individual's strength even their willpower has limits.
But external forces can awaken new strength within a person: camaraderie, unity, and the will to endure together.
The support of friends.
Such changes often occur only in moments of true despair or near-death crisis.
And only a few ever experience that transformation.
"Killua!" Gon called out again.
Killua hesitated for a moment then took a step forward and grabbed Gon's hand.
But just then, while everyone else struggled in agony, two figures casually walked past the finish line one after another, stopping beside Haze.
It was Hisoka and Illumi.
Hisoka flicked a playing card between his fingers, glancing sideways at Haze.
"When did this happen?" he asked calmly.
He meant when did Haze meet Gon and the others?
"A long time ago," Haze replied quietly. "You must've noticed it too, right? Those two kids have incredible potential. When it comes to talent, there's really no comparison."
Because of Haze's overwhelming killing intent, everyone else's senses were distorted they couldn't hear the quiet conversation between him and Hisoka.
"He's mine," Hisoka declared flatly.
"Don't worry," Haze chuckled softly. "I'm not into that sort of thing."
"Did you teach him something?" Hisoka pressed, his tone slightly amused. "I sensed a familiar touch in that kid his physical control, his explosive strength, his aura… It all reminded me of you."
Haze raised an eyebrow.
He hadn't been around for the first phase of the exam, so he had no idea how much Gon had improved.
The breathing technique he'd taught was the simplest static breathing. It could enhance physical performance a little, but nothing extraordinary.
To Haze, the Gon standing before him was still far too weak to be impressive.
But to Hisoka, he was a dazzling gem a discovery worth savoring.
And now that Haze had praised Gon's potential so highly, Hisoka's excitement only deepened.
"As I said," Haze murmured, "I only added a finishing touch. He already had the foundation the talent for controlling his breath and honing his body."
Hisoka smiled faintly. "If you say so."
"You two pass," Haze said lazily, too disinterested to waste more time.
After that, Hisoka and Illumi joined Hanzo and Tonpa, who had already crossed.
Time passed slowly. Gon, Killua, Kurapika, and Leorio advanced together, supporting one another with each heavy step.
Killua could've easily gone ahead on his own but one look at Gon's determined eyes stopped him.
He was deeply moved.
Their teamwork and friendship inspired other examinees to follow their example, helping one another forward.
But most of them only imitated the surface without understanding the true essence.
Gon's group advanced because of their bond, not convenience.
"Hurry up… time's almost up," Haze yawned.
Gon, Kurapika, and Leorio were drenched in sweat, gasping for air yet their eyes burned with determination.
Finally, after forty long minutes, the four of them leapt across the finish line together.
The crushing pressure vanished instantly.
Except for Killua, who remained standing, the others collapsed to the ground, completely drained.
"As expected of Mr. Haze… you're so strong!" Gon exclaimed, wiping sweat from his forehead and smiling up at him.
Haze's trial had been aimed primarily at the main four once they passed, he deliberately suppressed his killing intent, allowing the remaining candidates to finish as well.
Even so, far fewer passed than in the original second phase only twelve examinees in total.
Aside from the four protagonists, there were Hisoka's four allies Bodoro, the snake-charmer Scarface, Greta, and Pokkle.
The rest, including the Amori brothers, Pons, Somi and his monkey, Anida, and the sniper Skull (who'd shot Illumi earlier), were eliminated.
The results would soon reach the next examiners and the upcoming rounds would be adjusted accordingly.
"Congratulations to the twelve who passed this round," Haze announced. "Rest for now. A spacecraft will arrive shortly to take you to the next stage."
Then he turned to Kurapika.
"The book… is on the ship."
Kurapika said nothing, his eyes lowering.
Gon and the others sat beneath a nearby tree, whispering among themselves.
Leorio, the oldest, kept glancing suspiciously toward Haze while muttering to the others.
Even though they spoke in low tones, Haze didn't need to listen he already knew what they were discussing.
They were talking about him.
After all, three of the four had met Haze before only Leorio hadn't.
Gon openly recounted his experience with Haze, leaving nothing out.
To him, Haze was a genuinely good person.
Killua's conclusion, however, was blunt: Gon was way too trusting.
With Killua's additions, Haze sounded like a full-fledged villain.
Leorio was left speechless.
"Gon."
A while later, Haze beckoned him over.
Gon jogged up curiously.
"I met your father," Haze said. "I have his contact information. Want it?"
"You met him?" Gon's eyes widened. Then, after a moment, he shook his head politely.
"Thank you for your kindness, but… I don't want to contact Ging like that. I want to find him on my own with my own strength. Besides… calling him out of nowhere feels awkward. I wouldn't even know what to say."
He scratched his head and smiled sheepishly.
"You're right," Haze nodded. "Mitsu said the same thing. Honestly, after meeting him, my impression of Ging was… terrible."
He wasn't joking Ging Freecss had seen straight through every one of his tactics and tricks.
As an opponent, he was downright irritating.
Not that Haze minded complaining about it.
"Uh…" Gon looked a bit embarrassed, unsure how to respond.
"But… he's really strong," Haze added, his tone shifting.
"Hm… I get it now!" Gon nodded brightly.
"You get it?" Haze chuckled.
"After you left Whale Island," Gon said, "I met someone named Kite. He's also a Hunter he told me about Ging."
"You met Kite?" Haze's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Yeah," Gon replied. "Didn't he ever mention me?"
"No."
By that time, Haze had already completed Netero's mission and become quite well-known surely Kite would have heard of him.
And if Kite had gone to Whale Island, he must have known about Haze's visit.
Which meant Ging probably knew too knew that Haze had met Gon long ago.
"Heh…" Haze chuckled to himself at the thought.
"I want to become a Hunter because I think the job is full of wonder and excitement," Gon said earnestly. "Not just because of my dad but because people like you are Hunters too. That makes me want it even more. I'm not taking this exam for Ging… I want to be a Hunter for myself."
Haze smiled, reaching out to ruffle Gon's hair.
"Let me ask you something," Gon said after a pause, suddenly serious.
"What is it?"
"Who's stronger you or Ging?"
"…"
"Why do you want to know?" Haze asked, genuinely surprised.
"Because… I want to surpass you!" Gon said firmly.
"That might take a long time," Haze replied honestly. "It's hard to compare me and Ging right now. But in my heart…" he grinned "I'm the strongest."
"Always believe in yourself."
As those words sank in, Gon's dark eyes lit up.
In that instant, he felt something indescribable something vast and powerful emanating from Haze.
(End of Chapter)