Disclaimer: I do not own any rights to the Hunter x Hunter franchise in any way. I do own the rights to my original plot as well as the original characters that I have made.
Please, no negativity in the comments, but constructive criticism is allowed.
Now, please enjoy the new chapter~
Notes
'...' - thoughts
"..." - speaking
[ ] - narration
Sakurako's POV
After we entered the airship again, we were brought to a large room with a view of the outside surroundings. Chairman Netero and Bean-san stood in front of us.
"Allow me to introduce myself to the forty-three remaining applicants," Chairman Netero began, "I'm Netero, Chairman of this year's Hunter Exam Selection Committee."
"I am his secretary, Bean," Bean-san stated.
"Originally I was going to make my appearance during the exam's final phase, but as I'm already here... I'm loving this tension in the air! So I think I'll stick around the rest of the trip."
"We are scheduled to arrive at our destination at 8 am tomorrow morning," Bean began stating, "You will find dinner waiting in the dining hall. You are also welcome to rest. In other words, you are allowed to do anything you please until contacted."
"Okay, Gon, Sakurako! Let's go explore the ship!" Killua shouted.
"Yeah!" Gon agreed.
They looked at me and I didn't know if I should go as I was getting sleepily.
"Hm.. sure," I said while nodding.
They smiled and ran towards the doors while grabbing my hands. We ran down the hall and we stopped in front of the kitchen doors.
"Sakurako-chan, wait here for us," Gon said.
"Yeah, we will be back with food," Killua stated.
They didn't wait for my response as they headed inside the kitchen area. About 10 minutes later, I hear banging in there. I am worried they got in trouble.
"Hey there, kids!" A man screamed, "Stay out of the kitchen! Go eat in the dining hall!"
The man threw Gon and Killua out and slammed the door. They had turkey legs in their hands. They get up and walk over to me.
Killua holds out a turkey leg and said, "Here, this is for you."
I grabbed it out of his hand and said, "Arigato Killua."
We walked down the hall. Killua turned his head and looked at the view.
"Huh? Wow, awesome!" Killua exclaimed, "Come here and look Sakurako, Gon!"
"Hmm? What is it?" Gon replied walking over.
I walked over silently on Killua's right.
"Whoa!"Gon exclaimed, "It's like the ground is covered in jewels!"
"Yeah!"
"It's really pretty!" I said quietly in awe.
'Cute' the two boys thought while blushing.
We continued to look at the beautiful view as we ate out food in silence.
"Hey, I was wondering... Where are your mom and dad Killua?"
"Hmm... They are alive. Probably." Killua replied.
"What do they do?"
"They're assassins,"
"Huh? Both of them?" Gon replied innocently.
"That's interesting," I replied while looking at the view still.
As a response, Killua burst out laughing.
"That's your first reaction! You guys really are a riot!"
"Huh?" Gon said confused.
"You're the first two people who've ever responded seriously,"
"Well, you're telling the truth, right?" Gon replied.
"You wouldn't lie about that," I stated quietly.
"What makes you think that?"
"It's just a hunch," Gon said.
"I believe you wouldn't lie so easily about a serious thing like that," I replied.
"That's weird..." Killua began, "People only like me if they can't ever tell whether I'm serious. I'm from a family of assassins. So all of them are assassins. And my family has really high hopes for me... "
We remained silent.
"Who wants to have their life planned out for them?" Killua, "When I told them I wanted to decide my own future, they all snapped! My mother had tears, streaming down her face, as she told that I had the potential to be a top assassin!"
Gon laughs good-naturedly as I just sighed.
"Horrible parents, right?" Killua continues, "It's natural their kid would go bad. We ended up fighting. So I stabbed my mother in the face and my brother in the side and ran away from home. I'm sure they're out for blood now. But if they find me, I'll send them packing."
Gon laughed sheepishly while I shook my head while sighing.
"When I become a Hunter, I'll start by capturing my family. I'm sure they're worth some hefty bounties," Killua stated dreamily.
I sighed as I turned my attention to the view once again.
"What about you Kou-chan? Where are your parents?"
My expression became blank as I stared outside.
"My parents are dead, " I began, "I have lived by myself since I was 4 years old."
"Eh, really?"
"Yes, I was once apart of the Kimura Clan, a hidden clan in Meteor City, which is where I am from," I replied.
"My mom is from Meteor City," Killua stated.
"Really? I wonder if she knows about the Kimura Clan..." I said, "Anyways, the Kimura Clan was massacred by the Phantom Troupe after I had just turned four. I was able to escape from being killed and became an orphan. Afterward, I wandered the streets alone in York New City until I discovered a deck of tarot cards on the ground one day."
"Tarot cards? What are those?" Gon asked.
"They are cards that used in divination to see the future and represent aspects like health, wealth, and much more," I replied.
"Huh?"
"I self-taught myself how to use these cards from a book I read in a library," I stated.
"Wow, you are smart Kou-chan!"
"I began using these cards to tell fortunes and they were so accurate, people began to seek me out in order for me to tell their future such as for their business or wealth," I stated, "I developed an ability to read the cards so precisely, they came true every single time I did a divination."
"Wow!"
"That's cool!"
"One day, I heard about the Hunter Exam while reading someone's future. So I decided to join so that I could explore the world as well as search for ruins and lost languages that I can learn from," I finished.
"That's a cool goal Kou-chan!"
'You are an interesting girl Sakurako...' Killua thought.
"Arigato Gon," I replied.
Suddenly a wave of bloodlust came from behind us from the left. The presence left as quickly as it came.
"Something wrong?"
"Ah, Netero-san... Did you see anyone coming from that side?" Gon asked while pointing to the other end of the hallway.
"No,"
'It was probably Netero who had that intense bloodlust for a split second...' I thought to myself.
"You're pretty fast for an old man,"
"That little trick?" Netero-san replied, "I barely moved."
"What do you want?" Killua began questioning, "You don't have to do anything until the last phase right?"
"No need to be so unkind," Netero replied, "I got bored, and was looking for some companions."
"By the way, I meant to ask the three of you..." Netero began, "Any thoughts on your first attempt at the Hunter Examination?"
"Uh-huh! It's fun!" Gon began, "And there haven't been any of the written exams I was dreading."
"I expected things to be a bit more interesting at the very least, I have had little to no problems completing the tasks so far," I replied.
"I'm disappointed... I expected the exam to be far more difficult," Killua stated, "I am assuming that the next phase will be more entertaining?"
"Well, now... I wouldn't know about that,"
"Let's go, Gon, Sakurako!" Killua yelled while walking away from Netero-san.
"Now, hold on, " Netero-san began, "Would you care to okay a game with me?"
This makes Killua pause.
"A game?"
'Netero-san is rather bored isn't he...' I thought to myself.
"If you're able to defeat me, I shall let you be Hunters!"
"Really? I'll play!"
"How about it, eh?"
Killua agrees after that and I follow Netero-san with Gon and Killua beside me.
"Now, I'll go over the rules of the game," Netero-san began, "If you can take this ball from me before the airship arrives at its destination, you win. I believe that we are scheduled for an 8 AM arrival? Well, that still gives you nine hours. You're free to attack me however you'd like. I won't touch you."
"Huh? That's too easy. You can't call that a game."
"Why not give it a try first?"
"We just have to take the ball?"
"Yes,"
"Then, I'll go first,"
"Go ahead,"
Killua proceeded to walk around the room in an outer ring. It began to create an after-image around the room as he continued to walk slowly.
'Hm... the assassination technique, Rhythm Echo. He seems to have already mastered it though... His parents must really want him as their heir...' I thought to myself.
Killua began his offensive attack on Netero-san, but Netero-san, though old, was nimble and quick. Killua paused for a few seconds, probably frustrated with how this was going.
"What? That's it?"
Killua rushed towards him and kicked him in the lower leg.
'This is going to turn out badly...'
Killua gets up hopping around on his leg in pain.
"Ow!"
'And I was right... Netero-san is not an ordinary old man... if he can cause Killua pain like that.' I thought to myself.
"Killua! Tag! Tag! It's my turn!" Gon stated.
The two tagged and Gon was now the one playing. Killua came and sat next to me on the floor as we watched Gon's attempt to take the ball.
"Nice try Killua," I said quietly.
"It wasn't good enough," Killua said.
Gon runs off fast towards Netero-san until he went above him.
'He is going too fast... He is going to crash'
Gon's head hit the ceiling and he fell down.
"Ow!"
"Idiot! We know you can jump really high! Control your strength!" Killua shouted, "For a moment, the old man relaxed his guard!"
"I messed up," Gon stated.
This continued to occur for a while. With Gon and Killua taking turns. Netero-san never once giving them an opportunity to take the ball.
"You boys aren't getting anywhere," Netero-san stated, "Why not try attacking simultaneously?"
"Why, you..."
"Okay... I'll get you this time!"
With that Gon and Killua tried to attack together to get the ball.
"Here they come!"
Netero-san was even able to get Gon and Killua to run into each other.
Gon turned around and attacked once again. He was able to hit by taking off his shoe to increase his range.
Killua then kicked Netero-san in the back.
"A chance!"
Netero block Killua from getting the ball.
Gon kicks the ball further away from Netero-san.
"You and your little tricks!"
"Mine!" the two shouted.
I watched as Netero-san increased his speed and overpower the two boys while catching the ball. Killua stands up frustrated.
"Forget it... I lose!" Killua shouted.
"Why? We still have time," Gon questioned.
"Jeez. You really have no clue, do you?" Killua asked.
"The old has barely used his right hand and left leg," Killua began, "But we're still powerless against him. We could chase him around for a year, and never take that ball from him."
"Oh, you figured it out?" Netero-san began, "And here, I thought I'd fooled you."
"So that's what he was doing," Gon replied.
Killua laughs before saying, "You really know how to piss me off, old man. Let's go Gon, Kou!"
"Oh, I'm gonna play for a little while longer,"
"Huh? Didn't you hear what I said! You won't be able to get the ball from him!"
"Yeah! I don't care about the ball," Gon began, "We've only used up half of the time limit. I am going to make Netero-san use his right hand before the time runs out."
"I see," Killua began, "Yeah, I got it. Good luck. I'm getting some sleep."
Killua leaves the room and I stand up.
"Gon, I'll be leaving as well as. I wish to rest up a bit," I stated as I walked to the door.
"Okay Kou-chan!" Gon replied.
"Good luck," I whispered as I left the room.
I walked back to the rooms we passed when we were exploring. As I turned the corner, I saw two bodies lying dead on the ground with Killua walking away.
"Killua!" I yelled as I ran up to him.
He stops and turns around.
"What? Are you here to yell at me for killing them or something?"
I stopped in front of him before saying, "No, I wanted to make sure you were okay. I know you were really frustrated with Netero-san back there. Besides a couple of bodies won't scare me away easily. I'm your friend."
He stared at me for a couple of seconds before turning around and began walking again.
"Come on, let's get back so we can sleep," Killua said.
"Okay!" I said as I caught up to him.
'Thank you... Sakurako,' Killua thought to himself with the tiniest smile on his face.
~TIMESKIP~ ~TIMESKIP~ ~TIMESKIP~ ~TIMESKIP~ ~TIMESKIP~
DAWN BREAKS 7:03
"I apologize for the long wait. The airship will soon arrive at its destination," a voice said.
Sakurako's POV
I awoke to see that everyone was slowly getting up, probably headed to get ready for when the airship lands. I look around me and see Killua awake next to me with Kurapika and Leorio slowly waking up.
'Where's Gon?' I thought to myself.
I shrugged my shoulders as I am sure he fell asleep in that room we were in.
I get up with my bag and head to the bathroom. I complete my daily routine and head out to the dining hall.
"Kou-chan!"
"Kou over here!"
I look in the direction I am called and see my group of friends sitting at a table with food. I head over there and sit down between Killua and Gon.
"Good morning everyone," I said.
"Morning," Leorio replied,
"Good morning!" Gon exclaimed.
"Morning Kou," Killua whispered.
"Good morning Sakurako," Kurapika said.
I began getting a few things on my plate before eating.
"You should hurry and eat Sakurako, we'll be arriving shortly," Kurapika stated.
"Okay," I whispered as I continued eating.
I finished by the time we landed and we headed out. We appeared to be on top of a tall structure made of stone.
"Everyone, the exam's Third Phase will begin here, at the top of Trick Tower," Bean-san stated.
"Trick Tower?" a contestant asked.
"To pass this phase, you must reach the tower's base alive. The time limit is seventy-two hours. With that, we will now begin the Third Phase. I will pray for your success."
I looked at Gon and Killua with slight disbelief.
"Best of luck to everyone!"
Gon, Killua and I headed over to the edge of the top to look down.
"Are we supposed to climb down?" Leorio asked nervously.
"That would be suicide," Kurapika replied.
"Maybe for a normal person," a contestant said from behind.
We looked behind and saw an ordinary man.
'This is going to turn out bad...' I thought to myself.
"But a top-class rock climber can handle this, no problem," the man said as he climbed down fast.
"Wow..." Killua exclaimed.
"He's going down pretty fast," Gon said.
"This isn't good," I whispered while looking at the man.
The flapping of wings could be heard. I watched as bird-like creatures came out of nowhere. They grabbed the man and flew off.
'That poor man, #86 is gone,' I thought to myself while looking at the bird-like craetures flying away probably to look for more unfortunate souls.
"G-Guess we can't climb down the side..." Leorio stated
"Yeah," Kurapika replied.
We wandered around, splitting up into two groups with Kurapika and Leorio going one direction, while Killua, Gon, and I went another.
I noticed a weird tile on the ground and looked closer at it. I kneeled in front of it. I pushed my hand down on the tile and it moved.
"Gon, Killua come here," I shouted while looking at them.
They came over to me.
"What did you find Saku?" Killua said.
"Saku?" I asked, "Anyways, look at this."
I demonstrated to them how the stone tile moved when I pressed my hand on it.
"Wow, you found the way into Trick Tower!" Kilua said.
"Good job, Kou-chan!" Gon said.
"Thanks, but look at that man over there," I said while pointing at a man squatting low on one of the hidden doors probably.
I point my finger at the man and they turned their heads to see the man fall down below as the hidden door flipped him inside the building. Gon and Killua ran over and looked at the door. They tried to open it, but it wouldn't budge. They came back over to me as I turned my attention to what I was trying to say before.
"There are multiple doors surrounding us right now," I stated while looking around, "To be exact, there is six total."
"Eh? Really?" Gon asked.
"What should we do then?" Killua asked.
"I think we should just each pick a door, otherwise we will get nowhere," I stated, "Let's call Kurapika and Leorio over here to tell them what we found."
"I agree with that plan," Killua said.
"So do I Kou-chan," Gon stated, "Kurapika! Leorio!"
"What is it Gon?" Kurapika asked as they walked over.
"Look, Kou-chan found a hidden door," Gon said.
Gon demonstrates the hidden door by pushing the stone tile down with his hand.
"So we can descend by flipping the stones,"
"Alright! Good job Kou! Let's head on down!" Leorio said while grabbing my shoulder.
"But I'm confused," I replied.
"About what?" Leorio asked.
"There are hidden doors here, there, over there, over there, and there, as well," I said while pointing at the hidden doors.
"That many?" Leorio asked.
"Six hidden doors in the same area," Kurapika said, "That sounds suspicious to me. Some could be traps."
"And it looks as though each door can only be used once..." Killua said.
"Seriously?" Leorio asked.
"We tried opening a door someone else used, but it wouldn't budge," Killua replied.
"Judging by the door's size, only one can fit at a time," Kurapika said.
"In others word," Killua began, "Only one person can use each door. We'll have to split up. Gon, Saku and I decided that we're each going to choose a door."
"No hard feelings if one of us springs a trap!" Gon said, "What are you guys gonna do?"
"I can live with that," Leorio began, "Luck is part of the game..."
"I have no objection," Kurapika replied, "Then that settles it."
With that everyone chooses a door to stand in front of. I stood in between Gon and Killua.
"Let's go, on the count of three," Leorio said.
"I guess this is goodbye for now," Gon replied.
"We'll meet up again, at the tower's base,"
"Let's go..." Killua started," One!"
"Two!" Gon yelled.
"Three!" I said.
We all jumped on top of the hidden door and we were send down inside of the Tower. I landed gracefully and saw everyone still together.
'Hm so they led to the same room then...' I thought to myself.
"Huh? What?"
"Well, that was quite a brief farewell..."
"I see..." Leorio began, "So all the doors led to the same room..."
I noticed a platform with instructions written on the wall. I walk over to it with Gon and Killua following behind me.
"The six of you must follow the will of the majority to reach the goal," Gon spoke as he read.
"Six of us?" Leorio asked.
"Look..." Gon said as he picked something up, "There are six stopwatches."
We each grab one until one is left on the display platform.
"There's an O and an X button," Killua stated.
"Could it be that we won't be able to leave this room until another person drops in?" Kurapika questioned.
"That is correct!" a voice echoed in the room.
"Who's that?"
"My name is Lippo," the voice began, "I am the prison warden here, as well as the Third Phase examiner."
"Prison warden?" Kurapika questioned.
"Multiple routes through this tower have been prepared," Lippo continued, "You have chosen the path of majority rule. Cooperation will be key if you wish to clear this phase of the exam. One person's selfish behavior can derail an entire group. And you can't start until you have six members. Best of luck, lady, and gentlemen!"
"We can't move on until someone else arrives?" Leorio questioned, "What do we do?"
"We have to wait, I guess..." Kurapika replied.
"We have no other choice," I replied while sighing.
2 hours passed without anyone falling into the hidden door. Leorio became increasingly frustrated. Killua played with Gon's fishing pole while Gon rode Killua's skateboard. I laid my back against the wall, meditating quietly.
Leorio screams in frustration before saying, "Oh, come on! It's been two hours... What if the others all took different routes? Only a fool still be at the top of the tower!"
"Calm down, Leorio," Kurapika replied, "Complaining won't help."
Killua yawns slowly in the background.
"But..." Leorio begins to rant, "What if no one shows up before we reach our time limit?"
As he is ranting, a tapping sound can be heard up above which Gon, Killua and I noticed.
"I can't just sit here and...
"Quiet!" Kurapika said.
"Huh?" Leorio shouted angrily.
I walk up to him and he looks at me.
"Look up Leorio," I said quietly.
"That sound..." Kurapika said.
The tapping sound continued until the person fell through the hidden door. It turned out to be none other than Tonpa, the old man.
"Good grief..." Tonpa-san said.
"Tonpa-san," Gon said.
"Oh," Killua replied bored.
"It's the old man," Leorio said dejectedly.
Tonpa puts on the stopwatch after learning about what this was.
"Alright!" Tonpa-san said.
"I see," Kurapika began, "So the door appears when once six people arrive and put on the stopwatches."
"At this door, select O to open, X not to open," Gon said.
"Forcing us to use majority rule already?" Leorio stated, "The answer should be obvious..."
We all pressed on our stopwatches.
5 O 1 X appears on the door.
"What? Who pushed the X button?" Leorio questioned.
"Sorry, that was me," Tonpasaid, "I pressed the wrong button by mistake."
"Stop screwing around, old man! Are you blind?" Leorio questioned Tonpa as he grabbed him by the shirt.
"Like I said, it was an accident," Tonpa replied.
"How can you accidentally press the wrong button?!" Leorio screams in his face.
"It doesn't matter," Gon began, "The door opened."
"No, it does matter!" Leorio said, "This guy deliberately pressed the wrong button..."
"Let's go," Kurapika said, "We don't have time to bicker."
"That's right," Killua agreed, "Even if he keeps pressing the wrong one, the rest of us just need to press the right one."
"I agree, as well, we must hurry if we wish to pass this phase," I said as I followed Kurapika, Gon, and Killua out the door.
"Another question so soon?" Leorio asked as we immediately had another question.
"Which way do you want to go?" Gon said, "O for right. X for left."
"Right? Or left..." Leorio said.
We pressed the buttons on our stopwatches once again.
O 4 X 2 showed on the screen.
"Wh-Why would you choose to go right?" Leorio questioned, "Normally, you should go left..."
"That's true," Kurapika began, "Studies have indicated that people who are lost or stuck at forks unconsciously tend to go left."
"I've heard that before, too," Killua replied.
"Wait! The numbers don't add up! Which did you press?" Leorio asked.
"Right,"
"Right,"
"Right," I said quietly while walking after Killua and Kurapika.
"Y-You guys..." Leorio said grumpily.
Killua, Kurapika, and I led the walk onward as Leorio, Gon, and Tonpa walked behind us. After walking a while, we arrived at a platform, where there was a fighting arena in the middle.
"W-What is this place?" Leorio questioned nervously.
"Look over there," Killua said.
'Well this is a prison, if there weren't any prisoners there would be no need for a prison warden.' I thought to myself.
"The applicants have arrived," one of the prisoners said, "Remove the shackles."
We watched the shackles come off one of the prisoners.
"Jeez..." the shackle free prisoner said as they rubbed their wrists.
They removed their cloak to show their face of a tan-skinned man with scars on the top of his bald head.
"I'm finally free," the unknown prisoner said.
"Allow me to explain, lady and gentlemen," Lippo's voice said, "Before you are some of Trick Tower's prisoners."
"Prisoners?" Kurapika questioned.
"The Hunter Exam Committee has also officially hired them as examiners," Lippo continued, "You will be fighting against the six of them. The fights will be one-on-one. Each person may only fight once. You are free to use any method that you like. There will be no draws. A win is declared when the opponent admits defeat."
"You may pick your order," the male prisoner said, "It's majority rule. So secure four wins, and you may pass. The rules are simple."
"Tsk... Majority rule again?" Leorio said angrily.
"Well, I prefer straightforward rules," Killua stated.
"As do I," I replied quietly.
"However, the actual fights will not be so simple," Lippo said, "The prisoners' sentences will be reduced by one year, for every hour they delay the applicants here. In other words, their goal is also to buy time."
"I understand..." Kurapika said, "And we must reach the goal within seventy-two hours. So time will be critical during these fights. "
"Okay, I'm up first," the male prisoner said, "Choose your combatant!"
"What should we do?" Killua asked, "He said that we can fight with any method. So that means anything goes."
"We don't know what they'll try to pull..." Leorio said.
"There's too much at stake without knowing what they have up their sleeves," Kurapika began, "Given that, I shall..."
"No, I'll go!" Tonpa said as he stepped forward.
"Tonpa-san?"
"I'll act as a guinea pig, so we can discover what they're up to," Tonpa said, "Consider this an apology for earlier."
"Hey, are you serious?" Leorio asked.
"Sure. Plus, you guys don't actually trust me, right? Do you really want me to be the tiebreaker when the score is 3-2?" Tonpa replied.
"You have a point..." Leorio said.
"Then it's settled," Tonpa stated.
"Tonpa, you're..."
With that Tonpa and the prisoner walked out to the fighting arena.
"Th-That was a surprise," Leorio said, "I didn't expect Tonpa to volunteer."
"He called himself a guinea pig," Kurapika stated.
"Will Tonpa-san be okay?"
"That man will be our weakest link..." I whispered.
"Now, let us determine the method of combat," the prisoner said, "I propose a death match."
"Deathmatch?" Gon said in disbelief.
"They fight until one dies?" Leorio asked nervously.
"No... Don't let him provoke you!" Kurapika whispered.
"Well..." the prisoner said
"Very well... I accept!" Tonpa responded.
"Huh?" Everyone said in surprise except me.
"Seriously?" Leorio exclaimed.
"I commend you for your bravery!" the male prisoner said.
Tonpa and the prisoner got into fighting positions, the tension began to riseas we wait to see what would occur.
"Let the fight begin!" the male prisoner said.
"I give up!" Tonpa shouted.
'Knew this would happen... Tonpa is a rookie crusher...' I thought to myself while sighing.
"What did you just say?"
"You win if I admit defeat right?" Tonpa asked, "I give up. I lose"
He is such a coward...
The male prisoner laughs before saying, "All right... I win this round."
A ding sound was heard and the score of the prisoners turned to a 1.
"If we win two more rounds, you lose," the male prisoner said, "You won't be able to move advance or go back. You'll be stuck here until the seventy-two hours are up. Should that come to pass, our sentences will be reduced by seventy-two years."
The two participants walk back to each side. I cared not for what happens to Tonpa.
"Man, what a disgrace..." Tonpa said fake sheepishly.
This made Leorio extremely angry as he grabbed him by his front collar exclaimed how Tonpa was trash and confirmed his suspicions about him. Tonpa goes on to explain how he is not trying to, obviously, not pass the Hunter Exams, but for the thrill to crush rookies. I don't honestly care, he can't really stop us if we still get our points, but Leorio is pissed and was about to punch Tonpa.
"Stop Leorio!" Kurapika shouted.
"But..."
"They want us to waste time, fighting amongst ourselves," Kurapika stated.
"However, if their goal is to buy time," Killua began, "Then the old man made the correct choice."
"Huh?" Everyone said in surprised to his statement except me.
"That guy is probably a former soldier or mercenary. If you had fought him, he would have started by crushing your throat. So you couldn't surrender."
"Killua is correct," I stated, "you would have experienced excruciating pain for many hours as he tortured you until the seventy-two hours were over."
Tonpa turned green at our words.
"Nevertheless, we still need to win four rounds and advance," Kurapika said.
"Who is going next?"
"Me! I'll go!" Gon said.
"Are you sure?" Leorio asked.
"Yeah," Gon replied
"The next opponent doesn't look too strong," Killua stated.
"But you still shouldn't let down your guard," Leorio replied, "He is still a criminal."
"Uh-huh, I know," Gon said.
Gon took off his bag and placed it on the floor. He began heading into the fighting arena.
The male prisoner and Gon decided to do a battle based on lucky. The challenge will be a game with candles to see which would candle went out first to declare the winner. Of course, the prisoner gave Gon an oil-soaked candle, but Gon outsmarted him.
"If the fire is stronger, then a little breeze won't extinguish it," Gon said while placing his candle on the ground. Gon ran fast at the prisoner and blew out his candle.
"I win!" Gon said while giving the peace symbol.
With that, the score is now 1-1.
"Good job, Gon! Now we have a win!" Leorio shouted, "This will be a piece of cake with Kurapika and me here!"
Leorio is underestimating our abilities?" I whispered.
"Probably, but he doesn't know what you or I can actually do," Killua replied.
"Hm... We will just rub it in his face when we win our rounds," I stated.
Kurapika decided to go next against the tall prisoner. The tall prisoner took off his robe to reveal a rather grotesque appearance with what looks like implants to make them look somewhat 'scary', but it wasn't really working.
They set the rules to where Kurapika couldn' use his weapons in battle as the prisoners aren't allowed to carry weapons even if they are an examiner. Kurapika doesn't really need to rely on them in the first place, but he still put them to the side.
The prisoner then jumped into the air and attacked, punching the ground as Kurapika evaded his punch.
"You don't need to worry," Gon said
"Huh?" Killua said in surprise.
"Why not?" Leorio asked.
"Because when I look at him, I don't get chills," Gon replied.
"What does that mean?" Leorio asked
"It means Leorio that this man is probably just using scare tactics to make Kurapika submit," I stated, "Not likely to happen though because Kurapika sees through this man's tactics."
After that, the man proceeded to scare Kurapika further by showcasing a spider on his back and saying he was a part of the Phantom Troupe.
"Baka," I said loudly.
I watched as Kurapika grabbed the prisoner by his face lifting him up before punching him into the ground.
"Considering that a warning," Kurapika said, "First, a real Phantom Troupe tattoo has the member's number on the spider. Second, they don't bother counting how many they've killed. Third, never mention the Troupe again. If you do, I'll kill you."
"Wow..." Tonpa said scared.
"Kurapika..." Leorio said worriedly and sad.
"Well, saw that coming from a mile away," Killua said.
"Yeah," Gon said worriedly.
"Hm..." I hummed.
Kurapika walks back to us while collecting his things.
"Are you okay Kurapika?" Leorio asked.
"Yes, I am not injured," Kurapika replied.
"Also, is it safe for us to be near you?" Leorio asked.
"From the moment I saw him, I knew he was weak," kUrapika explained, "And mentally, I knew that tattoo was a fake. But as soon as I saw that spider, everything in my sight turned red..."
"Well, I can't really blame you," Leorio said.
"Actually, to tell the truth..." Kurapika said.
"Hmm?"
"Even when I see a real spider, my personality changes, and I enter a frenzy," Kurapika replied.
"You should have told us sooner..." Leorio said.
"But this means that the rage in me remains as strong as ever. I suppose I should be happy," Kurapika stated while laying down against the wall of the brick path behind us.
"We should keep Kurapika away from spiders," Gon said.
"Agreed," I said while sighing.
"Definitely," Leorio replied.
Leorio decides to go next.
'His opponent was obviously a woman, I bet Leorio is going to be a pervert...' I thought to myself as I observed the situation.
The prisoner stated that the match wasn't over and Kurapika decided that things needed to be decided by the prisoner as he was done fighting him. Leorio wanted to deal with it now, but no one agreed with him.
Several hours passed and the man still hasn't moved.
Leorio and the female prisoner decided their match by doing a bet where they wagered time, with each having 50 hours total. The first bet was that he wasn't dead or not. With Leorio gaining 10 hours. The next bet consisted of whether or not the male prisoner was truly unconscious. Leorio's plan to do so was to throw his body over. The prisoner obviously chose to not die and Leorio gained us the point from Kurapika's fight. Leorio eventually lost due to a rock-paper-scissors match.
"So 50 hours lost?" I said, "We'll be fine."
The 2nd to the last prisoner came out.
"Guess I'm off," Killua said.
"What? Killua!"
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Damn it! I really needed to win my round..."
"Gon... Saku... This guy is totally pissing me off!" Killua shouted.
"Now, now," Gon said.
"Killua, remember we can rub it in his face later," I replied.
"You're right..." Killua said, "Don't give up before we even know what the contest is. Well, if it's something like mental math, I'm surrendering."
"Right! Depending on the opponent we still have a chance!" Leorio exclaimed.
A man with bulging muscles came out breaking a piece of the wall off.
"That man..."
"You know that guy?"
"We should take the loss," Leorio stated, "Killua! Don't fight him!"
"Why not?"
Leorio explained how this man was Johness the Dissector. A mass murderer that's known to kill every one of his victims with his bare hands.
"You don't have to face that psychotic killer... There's always next year!" Leorio exclaimed.
Killua walked to the middle platform.
"Hey, Killua... Killua!" Leorio yelled, "Damn it, was he even listening to me?!"
"We should let him go," Kurapika said, "He could have a plan."
"Killua will be fine," I said loudly.
Killua and Johness were face-to-face now.
"How are we settling this contest?"
"Contest?" Johness asked, "I believe you're confused. This is going to be a one-sided massacre. I have no interest in the exam or any offer of amnesty. I just want to hear you scream."
"Really? Okay. Then the loser is the one who dies," Killua replied nonchalantly.
"Yeah, that's right," Johness said, "I'll tear your body apart."
It was over in that split second of Johness monologuing. Within Killua's hand was Johness's heart.
"Wh--What? I'm so cold,"
Killua showed his heart.
"That's mine," Johness said, "G-Give it back."
Now, the score is 3-2.
"Okay. That's three wins, two losses,' Killua said, "We only need one more to pass, right?"
"Yeah..."
Killua came back after that and I got ready to head out to meet my opponent. I took off my bag and placed it next to the wall.
"Who is he?"
"That's right. You guys don't know," Gon said.
"Huh? Don't know what?" Leorio said.
"Killua comes from an elite family of assassins,"
"Eh? A-An elite family of assassins?" Leorio repeated.
"I'm back!"
Leorio flinched back.
"What?"
"Uh... Well, good job!" Leorio said nervously.
"It's my turn," I said as I walked forward.
"Eh? Wait Sakurako!" Leorio shouted.
"What is it?" I said while sighing.
"Just be careful," Leorio stated.
"Yeah, yeah. I got it," I replied.
I walked to the platform as another opponent stepped out. They appeared to be a tall male prisoner from their stature.
"So how are we deciding this?"
"Deathmatch, little girl," the male prisoner said.
"Hm... Okay, the loser is the one to die," I said.
"Yes, that's correct," the male prisoner said, "I have missed the screams of children."
'Hmm... so a pedophile and a murderer...' I thought to myself.
Regular POV
Everyone watched as Sakurako vanished into thin air.
"Where did she go?" Leorio exclaimed in astonishment.
Suddenly the prisoner's head fell off.
Sakurako reappeared a second later hold out a sword.
"It's done," Sakurako said while placing her sword back inside the sheath.
The score was now 4-2.
Sakurako's POV
"There are fours wins, 2 losses, we passed, right?" I said.
"Yeah... you win," the male prisoner responded.
I walked back slowly from the platform.
"I'm back," I said as I walked past them and grabbed my bag.
"Good job Kou-chan!" Gon said.
A rumbling sound could be heard.
"Across the bridge, you'll find a small room," Lippo said, "You must spend the fifty hours you gambled away there."
"Well, let's go,"
"Yeah!"
"R-Right..."
We walked in silence into the room. The room contained a couple of seating areas, a coffee table, a refrigerator, a bookcase full of books, and a tv.
"Killua," Kurapika said.
"Huh?" Killua asked.
"Can you tell me how that technique works?"
"Technique?"
"The one you used to instantly remove his heart."
"Oh, that wasn't even a technique," Killua stated, "I just ripped it out."
"Ripped it out?"
"But to make it easier," Killua continue, "I manipulated my body a bit."
Killua proceeded to showcase this by contracting his muscles and his nails lengthened as well as sharpened like knives.
"Y-Your nails..."
"Wow," Gon said.
"Mass murderers are still only amateurs," Killua stated, "I used to be a professional. But my old man would've done better. When he removes a heart, you won't see a drop of blood."
"How reassuring," Leorio said.
"Well then," Killua began, "We have more than two whole days."
We stared at the time on the wall which read: 49:55
"What should we do Killua, Kou?" Gon asked.
"First, we should search the room for any kind of entertainment," Killua said.
"Yeah!" Gon agreed.
"I agree, I rather have something to do to keep me from killing one of you for irritating me too much," I replied with a smile.
'That's not something you say nonchalantly' the males in the room thought while sweatdropping.
"Man, you kids don't have a care in the world," Leorio whispered.
Kurapika, Leorio, and Kurapika relaxed in the seating areas as Gon, Killua, and I searched the room for entertainment.
~A FEW HOURS LATER~
I watched as Killua tried to teach Gon how to skateboard.
I overheard Tonpa, Leorio, and Kurapika's discussion about the time being spent here and how it would affect our chances of passing the exams depending on the remaining trials we have to face. Tonpa trying to guilt trip Leorio
"Tonpa," I said in a threatening tone.
Everyone froze looking over at me.
"Are you trying to say that you aren't going to take the blame for your surrender earlier? Or are you just trying to put most of the blame on Leorio?"
"N-No, I just meant that he needed to a-acknowledge his own mistakes," Tonpa replied nervously.
"Oh, that's good. Leorio, he is right in acknowledging your mistakes, but don't dwell on them. You must learn from them instead," I said as I looked at Leorio.
"Ye-Yeah, I got it, Kou," Leorio replied.
'Note to self, don't piss Sakurako off...' everyone besides the girl thought to themselves.
After that, Gon managed to almost kill Tonpa with Killua's skateboard which is remarkable, yet concerning. Leorio scolded Gon for his use of the skateboard in this tiny space.
The day carried on until everyone became tired and headed off to bed. That is except for Killua and I. I laid between Killua and Gon as we both laid awake.
The time read: 40:03
"Can't sleep you two?" a voice asked.
I looked over and see Kurapika awake.
"I am no that sleepily yet," I replied.
"It's not that," Killua said, "I can go two or three days without sleep..."
"Ten hours have passed, huh?"
"There aren't any windows, so it's hard to tell," Killua said, "But it's probably morning."
"Most likely," Kurapika replied.
Killua and Gon started a game of pillow throwing until Leorio tells to be quiet. Tonpa places his foot near Leorio's face. Leorio got angry and got up, now fully awake.
A few more hours passed with Leorio falling back asleep, Gon and Killua on the couch with Gon teaching Killua about fishing, Kurapika reading a book, and Tonpa grotesquely clipping his toenails.
I was seating on the ground performing meditation. My cards were on the floor, in front of me, face down.
'The power that I hold within, has more potential that needs to be unlocked... I shouldn't push myself though...' I thought as I raised my right hand over.
I picked up three cards and placed them on my lap and then opened my eyes.
I collected the rest of the deck and then focused on the three in my hand.
'The Hanged Man...'
'Wheel of Fortune...'
'The Moon...'
"Sakurako could you explain what you are doing?" Kurapika called out to me.
"A divination—otherwise known as fortune-telling," I replied.
"How do you know how to do such a thing?"
"I am self-taught from a book in a library."
"And these divinations come true?"
"Every time."
"Ko-chan?"
"Yes, Gon?"
"What do these three cards mean?"
"Okay, listen carefully to what I am going to explain to you," I began, "This deck of cards I hold are the Major Arcana meaning they are powerful cards. The three before me represent the future. Follow me so far?"
Every one of them nodded their heads and so I continued with my explanation.
"These three cards are The Hanged Man, The Wheel of Fortune, and The Moon," I stated.
"First, The Hanged Man is a representation of surrendering, so someone will be facing an obstacle they will not be able to overcome at some point in the future."
"Secondly, The Wheel of Fortune is the representations of obstacles and cycles meaning we, as a collective group, we will be in for many obstacles in the future that will have to face on our own and as a group."
"And finally, The Moon is a representation of mysteries and the subconscious. Meaning that we have to fight against the subconscious in order to win against our individual obstacles and that mysterious situations will occur for us in the future."
"Any questions?"
"Kou, how do you know if this will really come true?" Leorio asked.
"Because... I am never wrong about my divinations," I replied fully serious.
They look at one another and nod their heads.
The day passed on with Killua hooking Gon's fishing rod onto Leorio's pant leg. Tonpa being a quiet observant annoying man as usual. And Kurapika reading every book on the bookcase.
The night came and went as everyone continued trying to entertain themselves. The hours dwindled down slowly as we did mundane tasks as distractions.
Soon it was down to the final hour and I decided to prepare by checking my bag over for my supplies. That was able to keep me busy until the last final minute. The timer buzzed and the door unlocked.
Gon rushed out and we followed him. We ended up back the way we were and continued going running into all sorts of traps. We soon ended up with reaching a door and selecting to open it or not. It ended up with 5 O and 1 X, leading to Leorio and Tonpa are fighting as Killua and I decided to go on ahead.
"Hey Gon," Killua called out as he walked back to the previous room as I decided to look around the room.
"We are getting close to the goal."
"What? Really?"
Everyone else walked into the room and behind me as I read the tablet with the instructions.
"Let's see..." Killua began, "This will be the last decision made by majority rule. Are you ready? Choose O or X. That's it."
O 5 X 1
"Bastard..." Leorio grumbled while looking at Tonpa.
"Stop! We have no time to argue about this!"
"Please select a path," a voice began, "There are two choices. One path allows six to pass but is long and difficult. The other path allows only four but is sort and easy."
"Incidentally the long and difficult path requires a minimum of forty-five hours. The short and easy path leads to the goal in approximately three minutes. Press O for the long and difficult path. Press X for the short and easy path," The voice continued,
"If the short and easy path is selected, two people must be secured to the wall with handcuffs, before the door will open. The two chained members will be unable to move until the time limit expires."
I already know what I am going to do and that is to follow Gon's lead. He has proven me wrong yet about his intuition so I shall trust him to solve this as I know I don't wish to fight anyone here.
I walk and sit on one of the walls and close my eyes listening to the group bicker for a bit before Gon speaks up.
"Listen, I have an idea, press O!" Gon shouted.
I looked at him in the eye before nodding and clicking O.
O 6 X 0
He grabbed an ax off the wall before starting to destroy the wall leading to the short and easy pathway. The others followed his lead, but I had a different idea.
"Everyone back away from the wall, I have an idea," I said while walking to the wall.
They looked at me and noticed how serious I was about this. They slowly back away.
I got quiet as I stood before the wall and focused all of my energy into my hand.
"Kou what are you-" Leorio started to say, but he was cut off by me punching the wall with my bare fist.
The wall crumbled as my fist went through it. I looked back at their astonished faces before saying, "Come on, there isn't much time left."
I took off running with the rest of them following me until we arrived at a slide.
"Seriously?" I asked before being pushed down.
I shrieked as I slide down. I heard Killua and Gon laughing behind me. I was the bottom of the slide soon enough and got out of the way as I didn't want to be dogpiled on. I walked to the exit.
"Applicant # 406, Sakurako, os the twentieth to pass."
"Applicant #404, Kurapika, is the twenty-first to pass."
"Applicant #99, Killua, is the twenty-second to pass."
"Applicant #405, Gon, is the twenty-third to pass."
"Total time, seventy-one hours and fifty-nine minutes."
I went and sat on the wall next to the door we exited from.
"My butt hurts..." Killua stated, "I didn't expect a slide for the short and easy path."
"That was really close," Gon said.
"Thirty seconds remain."
"Applicant #403, Leorio, is the twenty-fourth to pass."
"Applicant #16, Tonpa, is the twenty-fifth to pass."
"Total time, seventy-one hours, and fifty-nine minutes."
"It's thanks to Kou ad Gon that we got here so fast," Leorio stated before ruffling Gon's hair.
"Kou, is your hand alright?" Kurapika asked me.
"Hai, I am stronger than you think," I replied.
A bell went off before the announcer said, "The Third Phase of the exam is over. Twenty-six applicants have passed. One has died."
A door revealing the outside world to us in the enclosed space opened up. I stood up and went to stand by Killua.
'Only a few phases left...'