A X Deadly X Interest
Chapter 12
AN/: Hi all, and welcome back! Update is a coupla hours later than usual today cause I had a special seminar on internships for my Master's next year (which btw, yay I got admitted!). Still Wednesday over here though so I count it a win. That said let's get things started on this here Final Phase, aye? Enjoy!
Now that we were all lined up and tensions had waned Chairman Netero at long last began his explanation of the Final Phase, "This hotel is owned by the Hunter Exam Selection Committee. The place is all yours until the battles have concluded."
As soon as he mentioned battles I could feel a new type of tension crackle through the air. Around me the other applicants tensed and started sizing each other up, after all who could we possibly be battling in this hotel but each other?
The Chairman smiled, no doubt noticing and enjoying the effect his words had had, and took a moment to let that sink in.
I grimaced. I had expected as much after my interview with Netero yesterday, he had been way too interested in my fighting preferences otherwise, but I'd still hoped for something a little easier. It also hadn't slipped my notice that the only relevant question which had been a part of his set list was about who I would least like to fight. That meant chances were big I would be up against either Gon or Hisoka, neither of which were prospects I enjoyed. Gon I could probably take, though it would be unpleasant, but if my chances of becoming a Hunter were dependent on beating Hisoka I was well and truly fucked.
"For the Final Phase we will be holding a one-on-one tournament," Netero continued and as he spoke he pulled off the tarp covering the whiteboard.
A ripple of shock went through the gathered applicants. The whiteboard depicted a tournament set up but it looked nothing like what we had expected. For one thing the brackets were uneven, but more importantly was the fact that only one person would come out on top. The match-ups themselves were still hidden behind a piece of tape.
"So only the last person standing passes?" A man in a suit murmured in disbelief.
A nervous murmur went through the crowd at that idea but the Chairman quickly put that idea to rest. "No. One win is all you need to pass."
"One win?" Gon chimed in, curious.
"Then in this tournament…" Suit-man said.
"The people who win are removed from the competition, while the losers continue up the bracket," the Chairman confirmed. "In other words, the person who finishes at the top will not pass. Does everyone understand now?"
"So you're saying only one person will fail," Hanzo clarified, looking more serious than I had seen him so far.
"Exactly."
Netero took a moment to let everyone process that and I felt relief course through me. Even if I had to face Hisoka first I was sure there were others here that I could easily beat. My passing was almost guaranteed!
Feeling a lot better I relaxed and set in to listen to the rest of the explanation with renewed confidence.
When it became obvious no more questions were forthcoming Netero continued, "and here is the bracket." He pulled away the tape covering the match-ups with a flourish.
Immediately I sought out my picture. With only ten people left it was not hard to find. I was in the left bracket, third from the left to be precise and as such my opponent would not be determined until after the first match was concluded. When I saw who my possible opponents were, however, a wry smile took over my face.
'So I face either the one I want to fight the most or the one I want to fight the least, huh?' I glanced over at the Chairman who was watching the applicants with a sneaky smile on his lips. 'Crafty old man.'
My eyes returned to the whiteboard and specifically to the bottom left corner where Gon's and Hanzo's pictures stared back at me. 'Still, this should be interesting,' I mused. 'And Gon has surprised me before.' I smiled as I recalled the stubborn boy snagging Hisoka's tag in the previous Phase. I was definitely rooting for him to win now if it meant I'd get to knock some sense into Hanzo.
Briefly, I took in the rest of the match-ups. Fourth from the left was the boy with the pink hat, followed by Killua and then the weird Pinhead man made up the final applicant in the left hand bracket. The right hand bracket started with the old man and he would fight the loser of Hisoka vs. the blonde boy who hung out with Gon. Last was the loud man in the suit.
"Impressive, right?" Netero said, sounding proud. "After all, everyone has at least two chances to win."
"But some people, like number 294 and number 405 get five chances," Pink hat pointed out, referring to Gon and Hanzo.
This also hadn't escaped my notice. Being where I was on the whiteboard I had almost double the opportunities some of the other applicants had so I didn't really mind, but that didn't mean I wasn't curious about the odd set-up.
"Why didn't you use a balanced bracket?" the old man grumbled. I couldn't blame him, he was one of the people who only had two chances after all.
"A question that must be on everyone's mind," Netero agreed, sounding quite serious for once. "This bracket was assembled based on your performances throughout the entire exam. Those who performed better received more chances."
I couldn't help but preen a little at that. It was always fun to hear someone say you did well.
"That doesn't sound right," Killua interjected. "Can you explain how you scored our performances?"
I couldn't help but be surprised to hear that he sounded quite pissed off. He had a respectable three chances after all. 'Maybe he's jealous?' I watched the intense way he regarded Netero and decided I was probably right. This boy had something to prove.
The Chairman collected himself and sucked in a deep breath. I watched, curious what his reply would be.
Netero leaned forward.
"NOOOOO!"
My hands clapped over my ears protectively as the Chairman bellowed right into Killua's face. It felt like my eardrums were going to burst!
"Why not?!" the boy yelled back, startled, and I almost slapped him for subjecting my poor ears to yet more noise.
Netero chuckled heartily and resumed his previously collected manner and position. "Your scores are classified information. So I can't tell you everything. But I can explain our methods."
I listened with half an ear as Netero explained what things they took into consideration during the scoring process. The moment he'd said scores were classified I knew he would probably not reveal that much actual information. His explanation now was likely meant more to pacify those contestants who had performed badly than to give an actual insight into the scoring process.
When I heard him mention the third factor; overall impression I knew I'd been right. The part about incorporating the impressions of peers was interesting though. I hadn't expected that to play any role but it did explain why Netero had been so interested in my thoughts on the competition during his interview.
When I heard the Chairman mention battle rules I tuned back in.
"The battle rules are simple. Weapons are allowed. No cheating. If your opponent admits defeat you win. However! If you kill your opponent, you will be immediately disqualified. All remaining applicants will pass, and the exam will end. Are we clear?"
I nodded. The rules sounded pretty self-explanatory. Still, something seemed a little of about the win condition; admitting defeat was not the same as physically beating someone. What would happen when someone fell unconscious? I guess I would find out in the first match.
Speaking of which, Netero wasted no more time in announcing the beginning of the Final Phase.
At the Chairman's orders I cleared the floor with the other applicants and moved to stand against the wall so I could watch the fight. I tensed up when Hisoka came and leaned against the wall next to me but he didn't do anything, instead watching the field with an intense focus.
Figuring he probably wouldn't do anything this close to the end of the exams, especially after Netero's earlier interference, I returned my attention to the proceedings as well.
An official looking man in a suit and wearing black sunglasses stepped forwards. "The first match is Hanzo versus Gon. Please step forward," he intoned in a studied manner.
The two mentioned did so and took their positions on opposite sides of the man.
"I will serve as the referee. My name is Masta. Best of luck."
Clearly the ref was a man of few words.
Instead of just getting on with the match though, Hanzo found it necessary to call out and thank the referee for following him during the Third Phase. The referee was clearly uncomfortable with the attention and said little in response, although he did seem surprised that he had been caught.
Meanwhile I was too busy rolling my eyes to pay any attention as Hanzo continued on with some blathering diatribe about his own greatness. Clearly his success in the Exam so far had gone to his bald head. He hadn't been nearly as obtuse during the early Phases, or had he? I knew I had some trouble processing things like normal people did but I couldn't possibly be this bad a judge of character.
Luckily, Hanzo soon remembered where he was and returned to more important topics; "Moving on, I have a question for you." He indicated the referee. "We only win if our opponent surrenders, correct? It doesn't count if we knock them unconscious. No TKOs allowed either."
I perked up. I had been wondering the same thing after all.
"Yes, that is correct," the referee responded promptly. He seemed glad to have things back on track again as well.
His answer made me smile. I glanced back at the two competitors and reevaluated the situation. 'Hanzo won't know what hit him,' I thought, catching sight of the determined look in Gon's eyes. 'If that boy has the balls to stand up to Hisoka he should be able to handle this baldy just fine.'
I looked at Hanzo and saw a hint of trepidation had entered his eyes as well. 'And he might just be aware of it too. This'll be fun.'
"Now then, it's time to begin," the referee intoned and I returned my attention to the soon-to-be battlefield.
Gon and Hanzo stepped back and got into their respective ready stances.
The referee looked back at the two applicants one more time to check whether they were both ready and raised his arms.
"Begin!"
As soon as the ref lowered his arms Gon jumped into action. He sped away from Hanzo, probably in an attempt to create some distance.
It was a good idea and I would have likely tried something similar, were it not for the fact that I could see both of their stats floating above their heads. And inspecting those stats one thing became apparent immediately; Gon was good, but Hanzo was superior in every way, barring potential that is.
Thus when shortly afterwards Hanzo appeared in front of the startled Gon and hit him with a harsh chop to the back of his neck I was not surprised. Perhaps a little at the force with which he'd hit the little boy, but not at him managing the feat.
'He must want to finish this quickly,' I deduced, regarding the unusual force Hanzo had used.
"You did well for a kid," Hanzo commented, standing over Gon's prone form. He sounded sincere and I knew he probably meant it, but Gon did not look conscious enough to appreciate it.
Hanzo waited a moment to see if Gon would recover but he did not. In fact he did not react at all and with a sigh the ninja picked up the unconscious boy. "Well, this would probably already be over if it were a normal fight…" He angled Gon so that he was sitting up and the boy's back was pressed uncomfortably against his knee. "Here, wake up." He pulled back on Gon's shoulders so that his knee pressed even harder against the boy's spine.
Gon woke up with a gasp and tried to move but Hanzo's hold on him was unbreakable. Hanzo, noticing the boy's resistance, started talking again, trying to get Gon to surrender whilst citing his clear superiority over the boy.
The response he got was not what he had expected though. "No way!" Gon refused stubbornly, even as his eyes appeared unfocussed and he swayed in place against Hanzo's knee.
Hanzo startled noticeably, but quickly recovered and Gon was rewarded for his efforts with a harsh slap.
"Think about it," Hanzo tried to reason with the boy. "If you surrender now, you'll still be in decent shape for your next fight. There's no reason to be stubborn. Just surrender."
Gon was silent for a moment, clearly struggling to form a reply. For a moment I was worried the boy would give up after all. The fight had only just started but already the little boy was injured pretty badly. Hanzo was right that if he quit now he would probably recover alright, but who knew what would happen if he kept going? I definitely wasn't planning to let him win, but at the same time I would hate to have to inflict the kind of torture that would no doubt be required to break his will. Then again, if he broke now it would mean I had greatly overestimated him. Still, I couldn't help but selfishly want him to continue on.
Finally Gon got the strength together to reply, "Never gonna happen!" he screamed defiantly.
Shocked, Hanzo let go of him and we all watched as Gon curled into a ball on the floor. It was clear he was in no condition to continue fighting, yet he struggled to his feet anyways in an astounding display of endurance.
Just as he regained his footing though, Hanzo reached out and punched him hard in the stomach. The blow was too much for Gon to take and he fell back to the floor.
Next to me I could hear Suit-man call out for Gon and soon afterwards an argument broke out about whether or not Gon should continue. Clearly Hanzo was not making any friends amongst the other applicants with his actions.
My attention was not on the other applicants, however, but on Chairman Netero. The old man was watching the proceedings with a steely glint in his eyes, but otherwise seemed not at all bothered. It was almost like he had expected something like this to happen, or rather, like he had intended for something like this to happen.
At that realization a shiver went down my spine and I quickly returned my attention to the ongoing battle. Although looking at the way Hanzo was kicking Gon around perhaps 'assault' would be a more fitting descriptor than 'battle'.
By now, only 30 minutes into the fight, Gon had started coughing up blood and it didn't look like Hanzo would let up any time soon. He was still kicking Gon around, waiting for him to regain consciousness and then kicking him some more when Gon refused to surrender.
After another hour had passed without success he changed strategies and started using painful holds to try and force the boy to give up.
Gon bore it all with gritted teeth and fiery determination in his eyes – whenever he could keep them open at least.
Again and again Hanzo asked him to give up and again and again he refused.
It was painful to watch.
2 hours in even I was beginning to feel uncomfortable. I didn't particularly care that much for Gon, but he had potential and what was unfolding was unnecessarily brutal.
Hanzo should have figured out by now that what he was doing wouldn't work to break Gon's spirit and either switched strategies or just surrendered himself. It was cruel to keep up this repetitive torture when it was clear it would not serve its purpose.
Not that I believed Hanzo was getting any joy out of what was happening. There was no menace, nor any other emotion discernable behind his movements. Just a clear, methodical precision. Every move was calculated to hurt and aimed at pressure points that would cause the most pain while not causing any permanent harm. At least all that talk about being a trained ninja was not just for show apparently.
Some of the other applicants, particularly Gon's friends had long since reached their limit, and were now torn between watching the bloody spectacle to keep an eye on their friend and tearing their eyes away so they wouldn't have to watch.
Even Hisoka, who had been so excited to watch the fighting had turned his head away, although I suspected that was more out of boredom than revulsion.
3 hours in and Gon still gave no sign of surrendering.
He was lying face down on the blood and vomit covered floor. He'd been lying there for about ten minutes now without any attempt to get up- the longest he'd been down so far.
Really whatever else you could say about the foolish little boy there was no doubting his endurance.
Hanzo was standing over Gon's twitching form looking lost, but determined still. "Get up," he grunted out and made to kick the boy in the side.
He was interrupted, however, when Gon's friend in the suit called out to him. "Enough, already! I'm gonna kill you! I'll fight you in his place!" he declared and made to run onto the floor.
At that Hanzo looked up. "If you can't take it, leave. It's only going to get worse from here," he said, that same cold, methodical assurance coloring his voice.
The suit-clad man let out an angry roar and charged at Hanzo but he was stopped by a number of Hunter Association's employees who restrained him.
The referee explained that interfering would not be allowed and would cause Gon to be disqualified. That caused Suit-man to hesitate. Clearly he did not want to be the reason Gon was disqualified after all the torture he had suffered through so far, but he didn't want to continue watching as his friend got more and more hurt either.
It was at that moment that Gon spoke up. "Leorio," he gritted out and I deduced that that must be Suit-man's name. I realized it sounded familiar and that I'd probably heard it before but I was terrible with the names of people I didn't care for.
Gon struggled to his feet. "This is nothing. I can..." he coughed up some blood. "still fight."
From the way he was swaying on his feet it was more than clear the he could not, in fact, still fight, but when he lifted his eyes they still shone fiercely with that same determination he'd had at the beginning of the fight and apparently that was enough for Leorio to back down.
I watched the scene unfold with fascination. These people who couldn't have known each other for more than a few weeks already showed such concern for another, and they seemed entirely sincere too! It baffled me. If it were me I most certainly wouldn't have interfered, nor would I have struggled to my feet just to assure some other person that I was okay. This couldn't be normal could it?
I didn't have much time to consider this, however, as Gon's outburst seemed to have triggered something in Hanzo. The ninja kicked Gon to the floor once more but this time the movement was just a little less perfect, the action just a little more harried. Seems like the prolonged fight was finally starting to affect Hanzo as well.
When Hanzo maneuvered Gon to his back, crouched on top of him and grabbed his arm it became apparent that he had reached his breaking point.
"I'm going to break your arm," he warned. "I'm not joking around, so give up."
Around me people gasped but I watched dispassionately and prepared for the hideous cracking noise I knew would soon follow. To me it seemed clear what Gon's response would be.
"Never!" he croaked out and with a frustrated countenance Hanzo pushed down and snapped his arm.
The sound was as unpleasant as I had expected and I winced.
I expected another beating to follow, or perhaps for Hanzo to break another limb, but it seemed he had realized such things would not serve to break Gon's resolve. Instead, he tried the psychological route again and expanded on the differences in their abilities and how Gon would never beat him. It felt a bit too much like he was showing off when he went into a handstand and rose on one finger, but it was still less like bragging than previously. In its place there was a truth behind his words as he explained his skills and training, one that was reaffirmed by the numbers I could see floating over his head. There was a lot he still needed to learn though, that much was clear as well.
A point which Gon proved perfectly when he kicked the ninja clear across the room mid monologue.
'That's what he gets for taking such a weird pose,' I thought and a chuckle escaped me before I could stop it. The other applicants were a lot less subtle with their amusement and they cheered loudly.
For once it was Hanzo laying on the floor and I watched with renewed excitement as Gon sat up from where he'd fallen again after his heroic kick.
"My head's cleared a bit, after all the pain and that long explanation!" the boy chirped out and this time I could no longer help it; I laughed for real.
Next to me I could feel Hisoka staring at me questioningly, although when I met his eyes I could see a similar amused twinkle dancing there.
"Besides, this isn't just a battle to see who is stronger. This is battle to see who surrenders first!" Gon continued on, effortlessly disregarding Hanzo's scare tactics.
At this point I was almost doubled over with laughter. The way Gon just ignored everything Hanzo had said and his naivety combined with the expression on the ninja's face were priceless.
When I finally regained some of my calm and refocused on the field I was surprised to catch Hanzo looking at me with what looked like betrayal in his eyes. Before I could make sure though he turned away.
I stared at the tense lines of his back silently, my humor forgotten, and wondered what had just happened.
Whatever it was though had clearly only served to piss off Hanzo further.
He pulled a blade out of the wrappings on his arm and returned his full attention to Gon. "You misunderstand me," he said. "This is no warning. This is an ultimatum. I will cut off your legs. A permanent injury should help you wake up."
I frowned, I wanted Gon to win but I didn't want him to get his legs cut off either.
Besides me Hisoka tensed, a displeased growl slipping from him his lips.
"One last chance," Hanzo intoned. "Surrender."
"I won't accept that!" Gon retorted, stubbornly gazing into Hanzo's eyes. "I don't want my legs cut off but I don't want to surrender. So let's find a different way to fight!"
Hanzo near face planted at those words and for the first time since the fight had started he completely lost his cool, "Do you understand what is going on here? You don't get to make demands! I'll cut off your legs you hear me!"
The sight was comical and once more I lost myself to laughter. This time though everyone joined in. I even saw the referee hide a smile behind his hand and when I looked at the Chairman he likewise had a smile, although he made no effort to hide it.
"Well, I'm still not going to surrender!" Gon declared proudly and that only served to increase everyone's merriment.
The heavy atmosphere that had lingered for the past couple of hours broke and suddenly everyone was excited and hopeful once more. Where once Gon's situation looked bleak now seemed convinced that he would win.
'But to do so with such childish naivety,' I shook my head. 'Somehow I doubt anyone but Gon could manage that.'
Soon after the battle finally came to a long awaited end.
Hanzo, realizing that there would be no convincing the boy to give up after hearing his impassioned speech about becoming a Hunter to find his father and his continued refusal even under threat of death, surrendered to the happy cheers of the crowd.
When Gon then tried to refuse his surrender in a show of childish and, frankly quite selfish, entitlement Hanzo was quick to refute him and when Gon at last fell unconscious and could no longer protest he was easily declared the victor.
As the small boy was carried away from the room by some Association personnel who had been on hand for specifically that purpose I took a moment to let it all sink in. The long battle, the unexpected way it had ended- if not with an expected result, and then finally what this meant for me. I would get to fight the one I had wanted to fight. I would get to battle and beat Hanzo and show him I was not just some little girl that needed to be protected.
I looked forward to the fight and yet… watching as Hanzo crouched in a corner alone I couldn't help but feel sorry for him.
Killua had quizzed him on his reasoning for giving up and Hanzo's explanation made me feel even more sure that while he may not regret his actions he certainly had not enjoyed them either. It also made me all the more curious about Gon.
The other applicants did not see things my way when it came to Hanzo, however. At least the ones who cared. Hisoka and pinhead seemed not at all bothered by what had happened but the remaining applicants all looked at him Hanzo with distrust and revulsion in their eyes. The ninja sure hadn't made any friends with his actions, even if he had only done what he believed he had needed to do to win. Gon might be unconscious now but he hadn't been harmed permanently. It could have been much worse.
Unlikely as it might have looked to the others Hanzo had shown incredible restraint. Perhaps I would go a little easy on him in our match after all.
Where Gon and Hanzo's match had been long, Hisoka and Kurapika's match was short. It was, however, no less surprising. Personally I'd expected Hisoka would completely slaughter the young blonde, especially after witnessing all the violence earlier. I'd have thought his control would be stretched to its very limits and yet all it took was a short conversation before he surrendered without a fight.
A ripple of surprise went through the crowd at the unexpected ending but the referee quickly regained everyone's attention when he announced the next match as soon as the two had cleared the floor.
"The third match shall be Hanzo versus Sachi," he intoned in that same professionally blank tone he had been using so far. "Fighters please step forward."
Hearing the referee finally call out my name I stretched and made my way to his side with a happy smile. My anger might have cooled a little but I was still looking forward to this opportunity to prove myself and claim my Hunter's License.
Opposite me I could see Hanzo do the same. He still looked a little downcast but as I watched that same cold, detached determination took over his features.
"Well then if both applicants are ready," the referee declared and raised his arms in preparation to start the match.
I made eye contact with Hanzo, prepared to move at the slightest provocation, and nodded to the referee to indicate I was ready.
"Wait!" Hanzo called and I regarded him with surprise and a little impatience as he jogged over to me. I was eager to get started and set him straight once and for all.
Hanzo came to a halt in front of me and looked at me with a pleading expression. "Sachi, please, wouldn't you consider giving up? You saw what I can do just now. You're a nice girl. I'd really rather not have to hurt you as well."
It took everything I had not to gape at him. The nerve of this guy! And just when I'd been considering going easy on him too! Well he could forget about that now. Did he truly think that after all this effort I would just step aside like a scared little damsel? Did me making it this far mean nothing?
Hanzo took my silence for hesitation and he quickly pressed his presumed advantage, "Sachi, please, I don't want to have to do that again."
"Oh, you won't have to," I assured him, carefully keeping my tone neutral.
"Really? So you'll give up then?" He asked, his face lighting up with relief. "Ah, I'm so glad. I'd hate to have to hurt a girl."
"I won't give up," I corrected him sharply.
Hanzo frowned. "But you said-"
"I said you wouldn't have to go through that again, not that I'd give up without a fight." I smiled a disparaging smile. "I could hardly give up on my dream this easily after all." Hanzo looked a little uneasy and I was quick to soothe him, "but if it makes you feel any better I won't let this drag out like with Gon. If you can pin me like you did him I'll give up without a fight."
'Not that you'll be able to of course,' I thought, while doing my damndest to supress the smirk that was threatening to curl my lips upwards.
Hanzo didn't look happy at my compromise but as he thought it over his countenance did lighten a little. "I guess that's okay then," he finally allowed and stepped back before sliding into a ready stance. "I'll make this quick," he promised, smiling in a way he no doubt intended to be comforting.
'Oh it'll be quick, alright,' I thought with vicious satisfaction. I couldn't believe I would finally get to set this guy straight. Just hearing him promise to go easy on me pissed me off something big. Still, I made sure not to let my feelings show on my face. Hanzo was no pushover after all and I could use the element of surprise.
Seeing that there would be no more interruptions I stepped back as well and raised my arms, my hands balled into fists. I wouldn't be using my daggers for this fight. The message would be more powerful if I didn't. Besides, excluding sharp objects from the match-up would significantly lower the chance of accidental deaths as well. I would not be going home without a License just because one of my daggers had slipped a milimeter too far.
"Referee, we are ready to start," I called out to the man who had been on standby while we talked things over.
"Very well then," the ref said and once more raised his arms. "Third match, Hanzo versus Sachi, start!"
AN/: So I thought I would be able to include the full Sachi-Hanzo battle in here but things got away from me again. I hope y'all didn't mind the large part of this chapter dedicated to canon but skipping over the fight when Sachi has an interest in both Hanzo and Gon felt wrong to me. I still much prefer writing more original content though, At least next chapter will be full of original ass-kicking!
Also I just wanted to take another moment to thank everyone who's reading, following, faving and reviewing. You guys rock! I can't believe this story is getting such a large response. So yeah, thanks and hope you enjoyed :)
Let me know what you think!
xXxMai1564