Our Unforgettable Adventure
By: BlazingCourage
Hunter x Hunter © Yoshihiro Togashi
Hunter x Hunter 2011 Anime Rewritten Version
Episode 2: "Test x Of x Tests"
.:Dolle Harbour, December 30th:.
The clock showed two o'clock as the ship Gon and his friends aboard on arrived at Dolle Harbour, the nearest location to Zaban City—this year Hunter Exam site.
"Yosh! Let's go guys!" Fang announced as he opened the side door and pointed at the sky, gesturing the superhero style.
Leorio and Kurapika sweatdropped as they thought, "Is our eyes that a bit error or Fang who was really stupid?"
As Fang get down from the ship after took his backpack, followed by Leorio and Kurapika, the blue haired boy didn't watch his steps so...
"ITTAI!"
...he tripped on his feets and ended up fell down in such an unelite position—his face hit the ground first.
"HAHAHA~! Next time, watch your steps!" Leorio laughing hard as he walked pass Fang.
Kurapika sighed and held out an arm. "Next time, watch your steps," she said to Fang before turned at Leorio. "And, Leorio, you shouldn't laughing at him."
The brunette rolled his eyes. "Whatever. "
"By the way, where's the exam site?" Kurapika asked.
Leorio took a paper from his pocket and read it, "It's said that the exam site was on Zaban City."
"Zaban City?" Fang questioned, scratched his head.
"Maybe we could get some information from the map," Kurapika suggested. "Let's go." She walked away, followed closely by Leorio and Fang.
"Oi, Gon! Let's go now!" Fang shouted, looking back at Gon.
The black haired boy looked back at him. "I'll catch up later!" he replied.
"Gah! Okay, we're going to see the city map!" Hands in pocket, Fang followed Leorio and Kurapika.
While the three looking at the map, Gon quickly approached the captain and have some talk.
"Thank you for your help captain!" Gon said cheerfully.
Captain smiled. "Ah, that's nothing. It's my duty as the examiner," he replied. "I'll give you some advice, boy."
"Advice?"
"Yeah. Did you see a cedar tree on top of that hill?" Captain pointed at a hill behind a city, and Gon nodded. "Go over there and you'll arrived at Zaban quickly."
"The cedar tree on top of the hill, okay! Thanks!" Gon thanked and quickly chasing after his friends. Just before he disappeared from the sight, he looked back and shouted, "Take care captain!"
Glancing up at the sky, Captain smiled, Don't worry, Ging. Your son have a great potention. I believe he will become a great Hunter like you...
Unknown by Gon nor the captain, there's a guy who hide behind a crate when the captain giving Gon an advice. The guy smirked as he start following Gon carefully...
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"Guys, did you got anything?!" Gon asked as he approached his friends who looking at the map.
Fang sighed as he replied, "Nope. Just the Zaban City location. Ne Leorio, did the paper give some additional info?" he turned at the brunette.
"No, this just telling the exam site," Leorio handed the blue haired boy a brochure. "Luckily, there's a bus that will going to Zaban soon."
"But, the captain give me an advice!" Gon spoke up, raised his hand.
"What advice?" Kurapika asked.
The black haired boy pointed at the hill the captain showed to him. "He told me to go to the cedar tree on that hill," he explained. "He said that we'll arrived at Zaban quickly."
Leorio raised an eyebrow. "Did you sure about that? Look at this map," he pointing at their location, then Zaban City and the hill. "The Zaban City is over here, and the hill was at the opposite direction."
"Yeah. Are you didn't wrong?" Kurapika added, crossed her arms.
Gon shook his head. "No, I believe that he's right! I'll follow his advice!" he turned back, and start walking to the city below the hill.
"Oi, Gon! Come back here! Geez, such a naïve kid," Leorio groaned. "He could easily believe in someone that he even didn't knows!"
"Looks like interesting!" Fang grinned, and quickly chased after Gon. "See ya later guys! And, don't keep arguing like a married couple!"
"You damned brat! Wanna get pounded?!" The brunette roared angrily. "Whatever! I even don't care about you!"
"I'm sticking with them," Kurapika said, start walking leaving Leorio behind.
"NANIII?! You too, Kurapika?!" Leorio shouted in disbelief. "Hey, come back! The bus to Zaban will leaving soon!" he shouted again, but unfortunately the blonde didn't hear him.
Leorio huffed and quickly pick up his briefcase, walking to the bus station. "Fine! I'll go by myself!" he muttered angrily. "Just see who is the first one that arrived at Zaban!"
Leorio keep muttering when he heard a chuckle voice from a back street behind. He quickly stopped and listening carefully a conservation between two peoples—that he identificate as another Hunter Exam candidats.
"The rookies can easily fooled huh," a man said, chuckling.
"Yeah, there's no bussess that went to Zaban. Such a very tricky but traditional trick to fool the rookies," the second man added.
Leorio's jaw's dropped, NANI?! WHAT THE HELL?!
Leorio turned and run as fast as flash, chasing after his three friends that already leaving him behind alone.
"GUUUYS! WAIT FOR MEEEEE!"
Kurapika who walked behind Gon and Fang looked back over her shoulder as she heard Leorio's shouting. She vsaw Leorio running very fast towards them while jumping and waving at them—signaling them to stop. Gon and Fang who also heard Leorio's shouting, also looked back.
"LEORIO?!"
"Chotto matte..." Leorio panted as he put his hands on knees, catching the breath.
"I thought you were taking the bus?" Kurapika teased him, smirking slightly.
"Are you missed the bus?" Gon added.
"Yeah, I missed the bus. And, also I think our team wasn't complete without me!" Leorio lied.
"Sou ka? I also think that our team wasn't complete without Leorio!" Gon said innocently, resulting Fang gaping and Kurapika bulging.
After Gon and Kurapika already walked on their front, Fang turned at Leorio who walking beside him. "Well, your lie are really easily can readed, Leorio," he told the older teen who his eyes widened in shock. "Daijoubu, I won't tell them. Man, Gon can easily fooled with a simple lie." With a grin, he leave Leorio who look at him in disbelief.
"W-What?!"
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"I already said that our team wasn't complete without me."
Leorio keep saying those words when Kurapika told Gon that he was totally lying. Gon just asked 'Really?' or 'Did you?' with such an innocent face plus confused. Fang almost hit Gon in the head if Kurapika didn't hold him back.
"We're almost arrived!" Gon declared as the group of four entered to a small city that was on the hill leg. "I'm sure after we passed this city, we'll arrived at that cedar tree!"
The small city is just like a ghost city, where there's many abadoned buildings and trashes everywhere. Only crows voices could be heard in the city, and the best part was; there was no civilization, the place was empty.
"Man, this place give me creeps," Leorio muttered under his breath as he glanced around the city. "I hope we can go from this place quickly."
Fang suddenly stop walking, make his three friends also stopped. The boy with a scar on his cheek sharpen his hearings. Hearing a low vibration from nowhere making he narrowed his eyes.
"Be careful guys. Something's coming in pack," Fang warned, listening carefully while scanning each buildings. He then pointed at a house with large door that was not far from them. "It's come from there."
The three being alerted with Fang's warning. The boy's ultimate hearing couldn't be understimated and it was always right. They took out their weapons, preparing from each attacks that could strikes without warning anytime.
Loud voices could be heard from the house Fang pointed on. Feeling something bad will happen, the group of four already on fighting stance, while watching carefully.
Several 'beings' masked in white and coloured cloaks suddenly come out from the house, blocking their way. Some giggled deviously, while others murmured, "Toki, toki, toki…" From the crowd, an ancient woman approached; two rotten teeth poking out from the sides of her mouth, and her silky, long, white hair tied in a ponytail, reaching the floor.
"This is the time..."
"Huh?"
"Exciting..."
"Exciting...?"
"This is the time for the... EXCITING QUIZ OF TWO ANSWER!" the old lady suddenly screamed, resulting the group of four sweatdropped.
The old lady continued, "I have been waiting... for more interesting people like you, to stumble across this city. Year after year, I encountered witless people who cared nothing else but to become a hunter for easy money... and now... this is going to be fun."
"But, what is the 'Exciting Quiz Of Two Answer'?" Leorio questioned.
"I bet it was exciting!" Gon exclaimed. Leorio look at the twelve-year-old boy with a 'What-the-heck?' look.
"The rules are simple," the woman explained. "I will ask you a question, and you must answer with either One or Two. Invalid answers are not acceptable. Time limit is five seconds."
"Ah, great. I wouldn't pass this part," Fang muttered while sighing. Although he's pretty skilled in fighting, but with his intelligent that was under normal level, he sure that he can't pass this test.
A chuckling voice heard from behind. Gon looked back and see a man from the port that following them.
"Who's this guy?" Leorio wondered.
"This man keep following us from the port," Gon and Fang answered together.
"Se-seriously?!" Leorio exclaimed.
"If you didn't want to go first, I'll take the quiz first!" the guy stepped forward confidently.
"Just let him. If he go first, we'll know what type of questions she asks," Kurapika suggested.
Seeing the man's ready, the old lady started, "Here's your question. A group of bandits have captured your mother and your girlfriend. You can only save one of them. One, your mother; or Two, your girlfriend?"
What?! There's no universal answers to this question! If we want to get it correct, we might have to guess what she wants to hear, unless... is this also the part of the test? Kurapika's intelligence started thinking the best answer for the question.
"Five... four... three..."
Fang had other thought, I think someone ever asked me similar question like this! I forget what's the answer! Damn, think Fang! Think!
"Two... one... time's up! What's your answer?"
"I choose my mother of course," the guy answered confidently.
"Hmm... why you choose that?" the old lady asked, curious.
"Because my mother was an irreplaceable person for me, but I can another girlfriend," the guy explained.
"You may go..." the old lady announced, and the bunch of masked women retreated. The guy smirked as he passed the old lady. After he go, the masked womans resumed blocking the ways.
"Now... your turn," the old lady turned to face the four. "A group of villains have captured your son and daughter. You can only save one of them. One, your son; or Two, your daughter. Which one do you choose?"
Leorio could not hold onto his anger any longer and bursted, "What kind of question is that?! There's not RIGHT or WRONG answer! How could we ANSWER if there's no any RIGHT answer?!"
"Leorio!" Kurapika calmed him down.
That cat-eyed girl must be realizing it, the woman thought. "ENOUGH! You're not allowed to communicate with your friends anymore or you'll get disqualified!"
Kurapika glance at Leorio, Come on Leorio, this just a simple trick she used on! She then turned at Gon and Fang who thinking hard, Come on Gon... Fang...
"Five... four... three..."
Kurapika remained silent. Gon and Fang still thinking. Leorio gritted his teeth, fist clenched hard. He took his pocketknife from his pocket.
"Two... one... time's up! And, your answer is...?"
All was quiet.
"WHAT DO YOU EXPECT US TO ANSWER?! THERE'S NO RIGHT OR WRONG ANSWER TO THIS DUMB QUESTION AND YOU STILL WANT US TO ANSWER IT! I SHOULD CUT YOUR SELFISH SOUL AND BRING THEM TO THE HUNTER ASSOCIATION!"
Unable to hold his outrage, Leorio charging at the old woman with the pocketknife in his hand. He raised it, ready to hit the calm woman when suddenly Kurapika blocked his attack with her tanto, resulting a clash between tanto blades and knife with clang! voice.
"WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING, PIKA?!" Leorio shouted, glaring madly at the blonde. "LET ME GIVE A LESSON TO THAT FUCKING BASTARD!"
"WE ALREADY PASS LE-O-RI-O!" Kurapika shouted back. "Did you want to RUIN it?!"
"Wha?" Leorio was dumbfounded. "Pass? What is the answer?"
"Silence..." Kurapika explained. "...is the answer, because there is no other solution to this question. You, yourself had also said that there is no right or wrong answer. You cannot answer One, nor can you answer Two, thus to get out of this is to remain silent. Silence is a valid option since the woman remained 'silent' for a hidden 'third' option. Get it?"
"You're right." The old lady opened the door of a building nearby. "This the real path. Walk for three hours and you'll find a house under the cedar tree. There's couple—the navigatorswho lived on there."
"YATTAAA! We did it!" Fang cheered. "Thanks to Kurapika, we could pass!"
Leorio finally came to realise that his actions were wrong. He smiled apologetically to the woman and bowed. "I'm very sorry... I should learn to control my emotions and learn to respect others. I hope you will forgive me..."
"There is nothing to forgive," the untroubled woman interrupted.
"I still couldn't get it!"
They turned at Gon who sunked at the ground with confused face. A second later they burst into laugther as Leorio announced, "What are you doing Gon? We already pass!"
"I know it. But... I don't know which one I must choose..." Gon said. "...if one day, that will be happen."
You're right young boy, that's why I held this quiz, the old lady gazed at the sky. You must prepared to face the worst possible scenarios. Because harsh reality strikes without warning...
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"Just walk for three hours and you'll find a house under the tree huh?!" Leorio complained. "We already walking for almost four hours and we still didn't find any house! Any where we saw there's just a tree, tree, and tree!"
You said the 'tree' too much... Kurapika sweatdropped. She already tired hearing the elder always complaining the same thing for every five minutes.
"Guys! Look, over there!" Gon suddenly exclaimed, pointed forward at a cedar tree with a house under it. "That's the tree! Let's go!" They raced to the cedar tree, and quickly approached the house under the tree.
"This house looks deserted," Kurapika commented. With the wooden house is already old, it's really deserted. Plus, the sign with 'Warning! Mythical Beast ahead!' writing giving creepy atmosphere.
"Should we come in?" Leorio suggested. He already try knocking the door but there's no answer from inside. The others just nodded, since they didn't know what they must do.
"Fine." Leorio opened the door as he greeted, "Sumimasen! Anybody home?"
Suddenly, a loud voice heard from second floor. The group of four immeditialy dashed to second floor. They surprised at what they seen. A yellow bat-like creature with yellow fur and long ears, stood near the window with a woman in it's arm. While there's a man lying on the floor with his body full of blood.
"Hoho~ looks like we've some visitors," the creature said.
"Kiriko!" Kurapika and Fang exclaimed.
"Kiriko?" Gon questioned, slowly took his fishing rod.
"A mythical beast that can transform into human," Kurapika explained, crossed her tanto blades.
"And, they also could talk in human languages," Fang added.
"We must save that woman!" Gon exclaimed.
"And the man on the floor need the medical actions quickly," Leorio spoke up.
The Kiriko suddenly jumped out trough the window, still with the woman in it's arm. Without thinking, Fang immediately jumped out, following the Kiriko, leaving Gon and Kurapika who glanced outside and Leorio that kneeling beside the man and opened his briefcase that have medical kit inside.
"MATTE!" Fang's shouting could be heard loud from the house. After hearing his friend's shouting, Gon quickly jumped out with his weapon—his trusty fishing rod—in his hands.
"Please... save my wife..." the man muttered.
"Leorio! Take care of him while we'll chase the Kiriko!" Kurapika commanded before jumped out.
Leorio took a cloth nearby as he replied, "Yosh! Leave it to me!"
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"Stop right there!" Gon shouted, looking up at the tree. The Kiriko that he, Fang, and Kurapika chased try to escape with the woman by jumping from a branch to another. But, with Gon's super eyesight, it still couldn't run away.
"Gon, let's go!" Fang commanded, within a second he already jumped to a nearby branch. Gon nodded, following him by jumping to a branch very fast too.
Kurapika watch the two boys' movement in awe, Gon with his super eyesight and Fang with his quick movement. They still young but really amazing, she thought and smiled, I can't lose with them!
"Hey, let her go!" Gon exclaimed as he ready to throw his fishing bait towards the Kiriko.
Kiriko turned at the twelve year old boy and smirked. "Heh, just try to catch me if you can," it said.
Gon surprised when hearing the Kiriko could talk. He lost his focus rand he fell down after he failed to jumping to nearby branch.
"Gon!" Kurapika slowed down her pace, so Gon could keep up with her. Fang also choose to jump down to help Gon, which he sucessfully landed on ground although he jumped down from a very high tree.
The black haired boy quickly stood up and run again, keep up with his two friends. "Wow, you're right! The Kiriko really could talk!" he exclaimed in amazement.
"Okay, forget the fact. Right now we must think a way to catch the Kiriko," Fang intterupted.
Kurapika snapped her fingers after realizing a thing. "I know! We could do this!"
"What's the plan?" Gon questioned.
Kurapika then told the two boys her plan with a simple and quick explanation. "Okay, so you understand?"
"Alright, here we go!" Gon jumped up and hold on a branch. He swinging for several times before release his grip and start jumping from branch to branch. When he close to the Kiriko, he start his part by shouting, "Hey Kiriko! You know, you're very ugly like the Master of the Swamp at Whale Island!"
The Kiriko turned back and glaring at Gon who grinned and pocked his tongue out. "What did you said?!" it growled angrily.
Fang suddenly appeared in front of the mythical beast like a flash when the Kiriko turned it's head to see forward. He kicked the Kiriko's head really hard, resulting the Kiriko release it's grip from the unconscious woman, holding it's head and yelped in pain.
"Kurapika! Now!" Gon and Fang shouted together. Just right before the woman hit the ground, Kurapika already appeared and catch her sucessfully.
"Now the Kiriko!" Gon said, then turned at Kurapika. "Kurapika, take care of her!"
The blonde haired teen nodded and replied, "Okay! You guys should be quick!"
After the two boys disappeared behind the trees, Kurapika layed the woman on the ground and panting slightly, tired after running with her full speed. Running with all force really drain my stamina, she wiped the sweats from her forehead. Her thought's broken by the woman's muttering.
"Are you okay?" Kurapika asked, helped the woman sit up.
The woman nodded, when suddenly her eyes widened. "How about my husband?! Is he okay?!" she snapped.
"Don't worry, my friends were helping him," Kurapika calmed her down. But then her grey eyes widened as she saw a tattoo on the woman's left wrist.
"Kurapika!" A familiar voice called behind them. The Kuruta girl looked back over her shoulder, and see Leorio approaching her and the woman.
"Leorio, how's the man?" Kurapika asked in low tone, didn't looking at the brunette. "Wasn't I told you to take care of him? Why you come here?"
Leorio scratched his neck. "Well, he's fine and I already give him a sedative, right now he's asleep at the house. And, I worried about you guys. By the way, where's Gon and—" His words stopped when suddenly a tanto blade hit his face without warning, making he fell backwards.
"You're not the Leorio I know," Kurapika started. "The real Leorio is a reliable person [1], and I know he'll stayed to take care of that man even when he's worried about us, because he took the responsibility to heal him, Kiriko..."
The 'fake' Leorio chuckled, before slowly transformed into the mythical beast Kiriko. "How did you know that I wasn't him?!" it growled, before escaping into the forest.
Kurapika then turned at the woman. "Now tell me, who are you?" she asked.
The woman just give the blonde haired teen a myterious smile...
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Meanwhile, Gon and Fang...
"Damn, we lost the Kiriko's track!" Fang groaned. He and Gon now sat in a branch of giant tree, resting their feets that tired after keep jumping non-stop with full force.
Gon sighed. "Man, we lost it when we almost captured the Kiriko," he murmured.
"Gon, I think we can find the Kiriko more faster if we split up," Fang suggested, stood up and gazing up at the glittering stars. "Alright, I'll go here while you go there."
The black haired boy nodded. "Okay. But, where we'll meet if we didn't find the Kiriko?" he asked.
"At the house we saw," the blue haired boy pointed at the cedar tree, before whistling loudly. And, some bats were flying towards him.
"Whoa, how did you do that? You can call the bats to you!" Gon exclaimed in awe, while the blue haired boy just smiled without reply.
"Okay guys, find that Kiriko!" Fang ordered and the bats fly into different direction, like understand his commands. "Yosh, we'll now split up! Good luck, Gon!" He jumped down from the tree, and dashing to the woods just right after landed.
Gon jumped down from the tree and start his searching alone. Yes, alone.
The twelve-year-old boy keep walking while his eyes keep move from left to right then back to left, searching for the Kiriko. Suddenly, a rustling sound from a bush made him alerted. Gon took his fishing rod, and slowly approached bush. Just when Gon was about to see what's behind the bush, a big creature jumped out from the bush, making Gon almost fell back in surprise.
"Kiriko!" Gon exclaimed, shook his head rapidly to leave his surprise and start running with full force. "Hey, wait!"
The tag start again. Gon keep running while swinging his fishing rod but unfortunately he didn't hit the Kiriko that have a quick reflexes to avoid his fishing rod.
"See you kid!" the Kiriko smirked as it jumped into a bushes, with Gon also jumped into the bushes.
"Huaaa!" Gon screamed as he realized that the bushes he jump into was leading him into a very high cliff. As he start fell down—pulled by the gravity, he turned his body to head up, before pulling his arm back and throwing his fishing rod. His fishing rod rightly stucked into a trunk near the cliff. And, didn't want to waste his time, the twelve-year-old boy quickly climbed up the cliff.
Where did it go? Gon lost the track of the mythical beast again after reached the top of the cliff. But, when he was about to leave, a big shadow suddenly appeared behind him.
"I thought you already die, kid." It was the Kiriko that already preparing it's claws to kill the unfocus Gon. "Well, you're pretty fast, but you're not as fast as me! Any final words, kid?"
Gon didn't listening the Kiriko, he even didn't run when the mythical beast ready to kill him. Just right when the claws is only an inch from his forehead, he turned at the Kiriko and asked, "Wait, who are you?"
The Kiriko stopped, and raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"
"You're not the Kiriko I chased," the twelve-year-old kid replied.
"How did you know I wasn't the first one?" Kiriko asked, pulling back it arms.
"Huh? Well, you are a bit smaller and your voices were higher," Gon pointed out, resulting the Kiriko burst into laughter. Confused, Gon asked; "Hey, did I say something funny?"
The Kiriko didn't reply, but then it called, "Hey, dear! Come out!"
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"We are actually the navigators family." The first Kiriko smiled as it introduced the navigators family. So, the point was; the first Kiriko is the husband, the second is the wife, and the couple were actually their childs and acting like they're a real married couple.
"It's a been so long since there's a person that can know our differences," the first Kiriko commented, while the second nodded.
"Hey, did you know the different between this Kirikos?" Leorio whispered to Kurapika.
"Not exactly," the blonde replied and crossed her arms.
"Gomen, gomen. We just do our jobs," the second Kiriko said. "Every years, the Hunter Exam location is always changing. And, we, the navigators, was hired by the Hunter Association to bring the exam applicants to the location. But, before we did that, we must test each applicants, is they are worthy to take the Hunter Exam. That's was one of the test for you."
"We already got the result for the test. And now, we'll annouced the result."
The four felt silent.
"First, Kurapika-dono," the woman said. "You are the first one that realized that we're actually just a fake married couple. Like you said, in this region, this tattoo were showing that a woman hasn't married yet. I give you a pass from your wide knowledge."
"Nice, Kurapika!" Gon smiled at Kurapika.
"Then, Leorio-san." The man that Leorio helped was the next one giving the result. "Your medical actions were more faster than a doctor. And, even you didn't realized that we just acting, you keep encouraging me that your friends will save my wife. Your kindness made you worthy to take the Hunter Exam."
Leorio sighed in relief as he sunked down at the ground. "It's gyood that I pass."
"Fang-kun." The blue haired boy turned at the second Kiriko. "You've a good teamwork with your friends, and with your impressive speed and reflexes that even faster than us give you a plus point to become a great Hunter. Lastly, the promt; 'A good Hunter was liked by animals' was very fit with you. You also passed."
"Great! Thanks," Fang smiled.
"Lastly, Gon-kun." The first Kiriko smiled at the young boy. "Although you still young, you've a very impressive moves and reflexs, like you can keep jumping for a long time and save yourself from falling. Lastly, you're the first one to know our differences after a very long time. A super human like you were worthy to take the Hunter Exam."
"Yeah, we pass!" Gon exclaimed, and fist-bump with his three friends.
The Kirikos develop their wings as they told the four to hold on their knees. "Alright! Now, we'll take you straight to the exam site, Zaban City!"
"Wow, wasn't that incredible that four of us passed!" Gon exclaimed as they start flying in the night sky. Fang nodded with a wide smile.
"Don't be happy. The real Hunter Exam will start soon," Kurapika intterupted.
"Hey, this is a progress. Progress. I think we could do some little celebration," Leorio spoke up, grinning.
"That's a very stupid idea, Leorio," the Kuruta stated.
Leorio glaring madly at the blonde. "What did you say?! Wanna get pounded?!" He kicked the air, making the Kiriko that hold him almost lost it balance.
The Kiriko glaring at Leorio as it growled angrily, "Hey, stay calm! We didn't have any responsibility to burried your grave!"
"Hahaha~"
With that, Gon and his friends enjoyed the trip and the little 'fight' between Leorio and Kurapika in the night sky.
.:Zaban City, December 31st:.
The next morning, Gon and his three friends finally arrived at the Zaban City, this year Hunter Exam location. Zaban is a big city with many tourist visited the city. Right now, the group of four, lead by the navigator, heading to the location.
"Zaban City! This place didn't change huh," Fang commented as he glanced around with a wide grin. "Even that tall buildings still same! Really bring back memories!" he pointed at a tall buildings behind.
"What?! You ever come here before?!" Leorio asked. "Then, why you don't tell us the way to here?!"
"Oops, I forget," Fang replied, grinning sheepishly.
"As the navigators, we have responsibility to escorted the worthy exam applicants to the exam site," the navigator man explained as they passed a market. "Each year, the location of the exam always changed, and the navigators only that know the location. So, that's mean it was almost impossible to reach the location without the navigators." He grinned after say those words, making Leorio twitching his eyebrows and Kurapika sighed.
While the navigator explaining about the Hunter Exam with Leorio and Kurapika listening or maybe not, Gon looking at each store with awe while Fang accompanying him and explaining some items he know.
"I see, you never been to a large city huh?" Fang asked.
"Yeah, from young I only spend my life's on Whale Island," Gon replied. "Ne Fang, when—"
"Hey, you two! What're young doing?!" Their talk intterupted by Leorio's shouting. They turned at Leorio which waiting for them with Kurapika and the navigator. "Hurry up!"
"Hai'!"
They keep walking until they passed the market and stopped near the tall building that Fang mentioned.
"I'm sure that was the location," the navigator said as he looked down at the paper he hold and pointed forward.
The group of four looked at the direction the man pointed on, and then amazed when saw where he pointed on. The tall building that Fang mentioned, was the exam site.
Whoa, so the exam held over here huh? Fang stared the building in awe.
So, this is what draws... Leorio thought.
Hunter applicants from across the world... Kurapika took a deep breath.
Gon clenched his fists, getting excited. My first shot in Hunter Exam. I wonder, did Dad felt like this when he take the Hunter Exam...?
"Hey guys!" Their thought broken by the navigator calling. They approached the navigator that stood in front of a building beside the tall one. "Over here. This the exam site."
They look at the building and stared in disbelief at the building. A small restaurant that have a big dango picture for logo.
"What?! Don't be kidding, all Hunter applicants from all over the globe gathered in here, a small, old looking dango restaurant?!" Leorio yelled in disbelief.
"That was excatly right."
"HUH?!"
"Nobody expect that the exam was held over here... right?" With a small grin across his face, the navigator said.
"Good point..." All muttered with a sweatdrop.
All entered the restaurant and an old man, the chef—also the owner of the restaurant—greeted them.
"Is the back room avaible?" the navigator asked to the point.
"The back room? What did you want?" the old man asked back.
"We're going to have steak combo that can make you see the light. Make it four," the navigator said while holding up his hands that showing 'four' digits.
"Combo for four huh? How did you want it cooked?" With a serious face, the chef asked.
"Grilled it slowly over a small flame till cooked please."
"Got it. Get yourself into the back room."
The group move on to the back room, which it was a small room with a round table with three chairs inside. There's no any window but there's a big door behind it.
"Alright, wait here," the navigator ordered.
Leorio turned at him. "Wait, where's the other applicants?"
"I can't wait for the steak combo!" Gon said innocently, which made all sweatdropped.
"Gon, that's actually the password," Kurapika explained to the black haired boy who pouted disappointedly.
"One in every ten thousand," the navigator said. "That's the number of applicants who make it this far. You have done extremely well for first-timers. Well, good luck!"
"Arigatou." Gon held out an hand to shake hands.
The navigator smiled as he took Gon's hand and muttered, "I hope that, I can help you next year." He then closed the door behind them and they felt the room shudder and starts to descend.
"I see, this room is actually an elevator," Kurapika murmured, looking up at a small monitor that read 'B-6'.
"Ck, that bastard think we'll meet again next year because we'll failed!" Leorio huffed as he took a seat, remaining Fang who stood leaning against the wall.
"Once every three years. That is the frequency with which a rookie passes the exam," Kurapika told the group with some trepidation in her voice.
"Huh? The chances of us passing is that low?" Gon asked.
"Some examiners cannot endure the exam's physical and mental strain. It is also the usual for veterans to target rookies at the first chance they get," Kurapika replied.
"So, everybody will do anything to become a hunter huh?" Fang stated.
"You bet it right, my friend! Do you want to know why?! Because Hunters make the most money in this world!" Leorio shouted with as much force as he could.
"Wrong!" Kurapika yelled in the same intensity as Leorio. "Peoples become the Hunters to join the most noble profession!"
"Shut up, goody-goody!" Leorio shouted in front of the blonde face.
"You selfish money maniac!" Kurapika shot back, also in front of the brunette's face.
"Hey Gon! Listen up!" Leorio slammed the table, bringing the confused boy's attention. "Many Hunter become the rich peoples! And, every single years there's more than 50 Hunter who was at the list most 100 richest peoples in the world! Its more than half!"
Kurapika turned the glass table, making Leorio turned back to his seat. "There are some Hunter that hunts for the treasure and wild gain, but they main target was protect them! True Hunters will work tiressly to do that!"
"How's scruel of that!" Leorio shouted again and slammed the table. "Once you a Hunter, you have free access to all country you want visit! And the facilities are not charge! How's that benefit huh?!"
"Hunters has many difficult and big responsibilitys!" Kurapika turned the glass again and raised her fingers. "Including the most dangerous works like captured most dangerous criminals and even handing bad Hunters!"
"For the money! That's why people become the Hunter!" Leorio exclaimed.
"No! That's wrong! To have the most noble profession in this world! Treats the true Hunter's pride!" Kurapika yelled.
Fang sweatdropped when watching the two teen glaring furiously each other, while Gon glance at him with a 'Please-call-the-security' look.
"So, this is the thing called KDRT [2] like people said," Fang muttered.
"SHUT UP JERK!" Leorio and Kurapika yelled and glaring at the fourteen-year-old boy, making him gulped and shut his mouth. They then turned at the confused Gon and shouted together, "Hey Gon! Who did you agree with?! What kind of Hunter that you'll be?!"
Gon gulped and looked up nervously at his older friends. "Well, if you guys put it that, I guess I—"
Ting!
The black haired boy stopped when they heard the elevator's bell rang, signaling that they're arrived at the 100th floor of underground.
"I think we're arrived," Kurapika said.
"We'll finish it later," Leorio added, which Gon sighed in relief and Fang's sweatdrop faded.
As they stepped outside from the elevator, they could see the other applicants on the tunnel.
"Strange atmosphere down here," Leorio muttered under his breath, trying to appear nonchalant and not worried.
"This is clearly different from the Hunter applicants we saw from the port and from the city," Kurapika added, whispered to her friends. "Each is a master on htheir own right."
"Um, excuse me," Gon called out, while the other applicants just glance at him slightly before turned back. "This place are really have tense situation."
"Hello, please take your number," said a guy in a suit with a green bean for his head. He handed the badge number #402 to Fang, #403 to Leorio, #404 to Kurapika and #405 to Gon. "Please put your number badge on your chest and make sure you didn't lose that until the exam over. Thank you."
"Looks like we're the last one that arrived," Fang murmured as he put the badge on his chest. He then glanced up at the digital clock on the tunnel that showing 12:00. "Man, we must waiting for 12 hours [3]."
"I haven't seen you guys here before." An unknown voice coming from top of them. The party of four looked up and found a guy sitting there with a number #16 on his chest. "Yo!" he greeted.
"You can tell we are new?" Gon curiously asked.
The guy nodded as he jumped down and replied, "More or less. This is my thirty fifth attempt,"
"You've tried for thirty fifth times?!" All exclaimed in surprise.
"Yeah, and you can call me the exam veteran," the guy said proudly.
"Well, he didn't seems like," Leorio whispered to Kurapika.
"Exactly."
"Oh, by the way the name's Tonpa," the guy introduced himself with a smile, reached out his hand for a handshake.
"Hey, I am Gon," Gon said while reaching the offered hand for a handshake and turned at his friend. "And, this is my friend. This is Fang, Kurapika and Leorio." He pointed at them as he mentioned their names.
"Ne Tonpa-san, are there others here who took the exams before that we should be cautious about?" Fang asked.
"Well, Fang, I have the most experience here, but there are a few others," Tonpa replied as he pointed at a big guy over there. "For example, there's him, number #255, Todo the wrestler. He is unmatched in strengthed and he's smarter than he looks."
"On the other side, we have #103, Bourbon, the snake charmer. He tends to hold grudges so you don't want to end up on his bad side," Tonpa continued while pointing out who is who to his four avid listeners.
"And then, #191 Bodoro the kungfu master. He's getting old, but there still isn't a better martial artist around. Then, over there you have three brothers, Amori, Imori and Umori. They perform consistently well thanks to their teamwork," Tonpa said and pointing at a man that sat on the corner, holding a weapon. "And number #384, Gerreta, the huntsman. He specializes in killing all manner of creatures by blow dart and club."
"There still many guys that experiented in this exam," Tonpa finished.
"So, there's many guys we must careful on," Kurapika pointed out.
"Ne, how about—"
"AAAKH!" Suddenly, a screaming voice heard from the middle of the crowd, bringing all attention. Gon's group also approached the crowd.
They saw a guy who was wearing a cape and an armor worn by ancient Greeks during battle. The person's arm started disappearing in a flutter of red petals that seems like crystallized blood. The man was reduced to a crying mess after that.
"Well, well, this very wonderful. The arms can turned into a beautiful red petals." A red haired man that wearing a clothes with cards patterns said with a sadistic smirk. "From this you learned that you must apologized when you're bumping into someone."
"Man, that pyshicopath back again. Number #44, Hisoka the Magician," Tonpa muttered in a fearful voice. "He almost passed the test last year. If he didn't brutally injured the examiners he didn't like," he continued.
"And that crazy guy back this year?!" Leorio cutted in with a surprised tone. Gon and Kurapika stared in fear while Fang gritted his teeth when he and those Hisoka guy's eyes met. The red haired man smirked while Fang glaring at him. And, without anybody knows, he quickly sneaked out and leaving his friends behind.
"Of course. Every year the association changing the exam contains and the examiners," the veteran replied. "Even the devil can passed the exam if it was okay for the examiners. Anyway, there's nobody who liked him and I suggest you to keep far from him or you'll ended up like that poor guy."
"Oh! I almost forgot!" Tonpa exclaimed and took out a can of juice from his bag. "Let's have a toss for our friendship!" he said, trying to changing the topic
"Whoa, thanks man. You can know that I was thirsty now!" Leorio grinned as he took the can from Tonpa. The two followed Leorio and they have a toss.
Gon's eyes narrowed as he took a sip from the juice and he quickly spit it out. "Tonpa-san, I think this juices must be expired," he stated with a sheepish smile. "The taste was so funny."
"WHAT?!" Leorio exclaimed as he spit out his juices. "That almost!"
"Expired?!" Tonpa asked and he bowed. "I'm sorry for that! I didn't know that the juices was expired!"
Gon slightly shook his head. "That's okay. By the way, are your stomach okay, Tonpa-san?" he asked.
"Oh, well... my stomach was okay," Tonpa replied as he turned back. "Okay, see you guys around..."
Kurapika spill out her juice when she suddenly realizing someone missing. "Wait, where's Fang?!"
Leorio looked around and realized those kid wasn't here too. "Don't say he get lost!" he was about to search for the kid when suddenly a hand tapped his shoulder. The brunette looked back and saw Fang who was tapped his shoulder. "Fang! Where did you go?! You made us panic!"
Fang grinned sheepishly. "Sorry, I just having a talk with someone."
"Next time, tell us if you want to leaving," Kurapika told him. "Don't let us get panic."
"Okay, okay. Now, what we'll do while waiting for 12 hours?"
.
.
.
An alarm echoed in the whole room as the digital clock on the tunnel showing 24:00, gaining everyone's attention and if the alarm did not get their attention, the raising wall did. Behind the wall, stood a man in a black suit, holding an alarm in his hand.
"The entry period for the Hunter applicants has ended. The Hunter exam will now begin!" the guy spoke up.
Excitement and tension rose inside the tunnel at what the guy in the suit said.
"A final caution," he continued. "If you are short on luck or ability, you could very well end up seriously injured or the most serious, dead. For those who accept the risks, please follow me. Otherwise, please exit via the elevator behind you."
Nobody went out.
"All right. With this, the 404 applicants will participate in the Hunter Exam!" the guy declared. After that, he turned back and started walking with the applicants followed him behind.
After a few minutes of walking, the pace suddenly increased forcing the applicant to jog to keep up with the man.
"Whoa, what's going on?" Leorio questioned.
"It seems that the man increased the pace," Kurapika replied.
"How rude of me. I forgot to introduce myself," the leading man spoke. "My name's Satotz, the examiner of the first phase. Now, I'll lead you to the Second Phase location."
"Second phase?" A bald guy, the ninja—named Hanzo—questioned. "How about the first one?"
"The First Phase on of the exam already begin," Satotz replied calmly. "You must follow me, as this is the exam's First Phase. I cannot tell you where or when you arrive. All you need to do is to follow me."
"I see how it is," Kurapika stated.
"This is a really weird test," Gon piped up.
"Geez, so we must running huh?" Fang muttered.
"So, this is an endurance test for me!" Leorio who was pumped up said. "Fine then! Keep running and I'll be right behind you!"
Kurapika narrowed her eyes as her smart brains start thinking. That's right, tis is an endurance test. But, we have to also take point of the mental stress of not knowing when this exam will end or how far we will run. He's also testing our mental fortitude.
And, so with that, the 287th Hunter Exam finally started. One candidats is disqualified just right before the exam started, leaving the number of the Hunter Exam applicants into 404.
To be Continued...
Next time, on "Our Unforgettable Adventure!"
"My name's Killua."
"I am Gon!"
"I swear that I'll become a Hunter and captured Genei Ryodan, to avenge my clan!"
"Sorry, I didn't want to cause a problem. But, my life is for the money!"
"If you want a fight, then fight me!"
"Congratulations, you've pass."
Episode 3: "Hope x And x Ambition"
Note:
[1]: Well, I just inspired from Jyou Kido, the DigiDestined of Reliability (dub) from Digimon Adventure, my favorite anime :D Also, I got those idea from Digimon Adventure 02 dub episode 5 title "Old Reliable"
[2]: Okay, maybe if you guys are understand Indonesian, you might be understand. For you who didn't know, KDRT is short for Kekerasan Dalam Rumah Tangga in Indonesian. Well, I don't know the english so you must translate it! :P
[3]: From the info I got about Hunter Exam, the entry period for applicants is closed at December 31st and the exam is started at January 1st. So, actually the first phase started right on 24:00.
A/N: I'm back! First thing first, I'm sorry for a very long update from I planned, January 27th! I've many homeworks and the test week started. I must study hard cause I wasn't smart enough!
Ah, and thanks for the reviews!
Zack Kamiya: Yeah, and thanks for your ideas for my new fanfic!
Dragon Knight: Well, aku pikir akan me-rewrite DA The Next karena banyak yang kurang suka dengan plot yang terlalu mirip Digimon Adventure. Sabar ya!
Okay, so... see you on next chapter!
