Day 3

James

My Aura moved up and down my body in one smooth ball. A misshapen orb of energy followed by a trail of traveled down my right arm, to my chest, to my left arm-

My stomach growled. It crescendoed into a rumbling gurgle that shook me out of my focus...

What?

I blinked. I blinked again. Man, it's fucking bright out...

I stared up into the sky. My mind breaking out of its haze. The sun was blaring down from straight above me, aahhhh! Evil sun!

I rubbed my eyes from stupidly staring directly into the sun. It was noon. Apparently. Shit, I had been practicing the entire time. Without pause. I didn't even know time passed until my stomach started growling. Oh boy.

A roar from my stomach hit me again. It shook my entire body.

God damn...

Ugh… Oh my god, my stomach. It felt like an empty cavern. Foooood. Fooooood...

I froze and groaned.

I grabbed my head in annoyance when I realized I had no food. Did I eat all my food without thinking? God damn it!

I rubbed my chin. Usually I'd just drink a lot of water and some Ramen... I have to hunt or get more fruit-

My stomach rumbled again in protest from thinking so much. I looked down at my traitorous belly, only to find my clothing disheveled.

My sleeves were rolled up, white button-up tucked, and my tie was loose. I looked like a haggard detective that just got off from work. The only thing not changed were the gloves on my hands.

Ah well.

Raising my left hand in front of me, I moved my Aura to the tips of my fingers with ease. It looked like my left hand was bathed in white fire. I lifted my right hand and bathed it in Aura too.

I grabbed Stick and bathed it in Aura. My weapon now an extension of my Aura. Slowly I spread the rest of my Aura to my body and transitioned to Ten...

My body and Stick were surrounded by translucent forefield. I don't know what this was, but I was inspired by Hisoka. Specifically, him making his normal playing cards into razor blades. Ergo, reverse-engineer.

I smiled as I went into Zetsu, my Aura abruptly disappearing. I had some control of Ren now. I wouldn't be flying uncontroably across the battlefield anymore. My Aura control was better, smoother, and quicker. And now I could add it to Stick. Not that it did much other than make Stick hit much harder. I couldn't slice shit in half like Hisoka's cards.

Eh, baby steps.

It felt like I had a million ideas and no time. I remember things that could be applications of Nen: Satotz weird as run-slash-walk, Buhara jumping through the air with the agility of a ballerina. Marking areas with Nen, That last one I wouldn't be doing. There were only three people on this island that could see Nen. I'd rather not have Hisoka waiting here at my camp when I got back. With his rapey murder face on. That's the last nightmare I need.

My stomach growled, monstrously. It vibrated my whole body with reckless abandon. God damn body. Can't you chill?

I picked up my jacket and laid it over my shoulders like a cloak. A quick pull of my knife and I marked the trees. I left scratches that looked like a random animal's territorial marks. Something a bear would make.

It took me some time to dismantle my campfire and bury it. Annoying, but necessary. I didn't want people to know I was here. When that was done I made sure to check and see if any traces of me were around. There was none. I nodded and was off.

Pulling my arms through my coat as I walked forward. I looked around to remember where I made camp. I didn't want to get lost. Especially since I laid several traps around the area and at a stream-

An enormous thud echoed through the forest. The sound bounced and moved through the forest with fury.

Speak of the devil. I couldn't help but smile.

As I walked toward the sound, I heard more of my traps trigger. Someone had tried to drink from the stream. Unfortunately, that stream is now my private property.

I continued to leave marks as I moved closer to the stream. I wanted to whistle a jolly tune...

That was until a cacophony of sounds started ringing through the forest. I heard snare trap go off, a whip trap, then a log trap. It was almost never ending...

My eyes widened as my stomach dropped in cold horror.

No. No. Nonono!

In a heartbeat, the Andy Griffith theme playing in my head became Hello Zepp. This fucker was setting off all my traps! It sounded like a war going off in the distance from the rapid-fire triggering of traps. Whoever was setting off traps was going to bring the whole island to the area.

I crouch ran as fast as I could through the forest. I moved without a sound as I headed towards the clearing that the stream was located at. Slowly I entered a bush for cover. Light filtered through the treetops in front of me as I saw who the applicant was…

Actually, there were two people in the distance. Todo on one side in his black shirt and brown. He was standing in some kind of Karate fused sumo stance, huffing. Dirt and mud covered him from head to toe.

In front of him was a small man with eyes so narrow and squinty he made me look wide-eyed and excited. He wore a simple, yellow short-sleeved shirt or coat thing with black braces on his wrists. Red pants topped off with Chinese looking shoes.

It was number three-six-two, Kenmi the Martial Artist. Bodoro and he were the only 'pure' martial artists on this island. Kenmi specialized in soft-style martial arts, while Bodoro was a master of some hard-style kung fu.

I couldn't tell what they were saying as they paused their fight. They were definitely fighting each other, that's all I knew. Moving and attacking each other across the clearing. Their fight was taking place through the dozen or so traps I laid out throughout the area. Many of which were already set off.

Kenmi bounced through foot snares, whip traps, and shallow pit spikes. Setting them all off. None of them even touching the agile bastard.

Todo seemed to have tanked a log trap to the belly from the dirt on his shirt. The huge log I set up was broken in half and at either side of him. He was far more careful about not triggering any traps since he couldn't dance through them.

Their battle had started at the treeline and had gravitated towards the stream where there were fewer traps. Kenmi dodging and flipping around like an acrobat. Doing his best to hit Todo with pressure points. Todo not giving a fuck and trying to grab Kenmi or slap the fuck out of him like a sumo wrestler.

A smile grew on my face. I leaned back, crossed my arms, and enjoyed myself. I wish I had popcorn, 'cause this should be good. Whoever won, I'd take down and defeat. It'd be simple. So I watched it like it was a UFC fight. I didn't feel anyone around yet, so I should be good for now...

Sitting on my butt, I got myself comfortable. I watched the battle continue.

Kenmi danced through the water as he weaved around a straight, right slap from Todo. Todo's arm was like a pillar, but he stood still like a one too. This allowed Kenmi to close the distance and shoot out a quick, darting stab of his left index finger towards Todo's bicep. His arm moved quickly and accurately. Like a snake.

When Kenmi's attack connected, he grimaced in pain. From what I guess was pure instinct and training, Kenmi immediately ducked low and jumped backward in a straight line. Not even a second later, Todo's massive palm slammed down into the stream with the force of several sledgehammers. It sounded like a bomb went off as an enormous splash of water shot around the area. It was like someone jumped intp the stream from a diving board.

I was getting nervous.

I could beat either of them. But was it worth it? Kenmi was weaker and easier to beat, but he was fast, agile, and skilled. Todo was taller, heavier, tougher, and stronger. He had skill too, but he didn't rely on it. He was tough enough that pressure point attacks were pointless. He took a four-hundred-pound log to the belly and was only winded...

Todo was the real deal. I had gotten lucky when I KO'd him. He'd have taken out the Amori brothers from sheer brute force.

I felt antsy as I shifted uncomfortably onto my heels. I analyzed them some more while debating whether to stay or leave.

Todo was as subtle as the Hulk. His Karate, Sumo, Wrestling style lent him to be as brutal and loud as possible. A wrecking ball on legs. He was open to quick strikes and long-distance attacks...

Kenmi was far more quiet, skilled, and fleet-footed. He dodged every attack from Todo and trap around him. Almost... not even almost. He was doing it on purpose. He was clever, fast, and skilled; but didn't have enough raw power to effectively put down a more physically powerful opponent...

Shit, he knew he couldn't beat Todo. He was causing World War 3 on purpose to try to scare Todo with the attention. And to wear the big bastard down. But Todo doesn't give a fuck: Todo gonna' Todo.

This fight is gonna last too long. Other applicants were coming. Staying until the end to clean up would just get me smoked.

Yeah. This is a bust. I'm outta here. I still got to find Ag-

My stomach growled. Loudly.

I froze like a statue.

It echoed through the forest. My stomach sounding as loud as a reeving engine. It went on for almost ten seconds.

I just stared at nothing. Blankly. Not even disappointed. Not even numb. Just accepting it. Resigned.

Of course...

This is what I get for losing track of time...

My eye widened as my instincts screamed for me to move. All my disappointment and self-loathing disappeared as I felt Killing Intent land on me. I sobered up immediately. My mind and body acted as one.

Following my instincts, I dived forward and to my right. I tumbled through the air and looked behind me. An arrow flew through the spot I had just left. The moment I landed, I rolled into a crouch and turned in the attack's direction.

It was Pokkle. He gave me a small wave and a smile before disappearing into the forest. How did he hide from my Zetsu's sensitivity?!... No! Fuck! I'm not the only one improving on this island. It was a god damn skills arms race...

"Hey," a deep-voiced Todo said from behind me.

I sighed through gritted teeth and turned around. I looked up at Todo and Kenmi slowly approaching me. The two were suddenly copacetic the moment I was here. Todo's face was a brilliant red and had a large, bulging vein on it. Kenmi looked unamused. The smaller man spoke, his tone just as unapproving as his face.

"You were the one who called me an 'unmemorable, monkey-headed asshole.'"

Todo cracked his knuckles and replied to his new best friend.

"Let's call a truce for now. I still have to pay this guy back. Now that you don't have little children protecting you, let's see how tough you are..."

"Agreed. A truce," Kenmi said, somehow narrowing his eyes even further.

I sighed as they walked the handful of meters to me. I felt myself give an impressed scowl and a nod.

Look at me. Unifying people and creating world peace. Through sheer hate.


Killua & Gon

Killua heard it. It was a commotion that echoed through the island. The sound of crashes and thunderous noises bounced through the trees.

He turned to Gon. He was fishing in a river, bare feet in the water. A stack of fish next to him.

"Gon, someone's fighting. Let's go."

Gon nodded.


Garetta

"Tch. I can't believe I lost track of those kids."

It was that white-haired kid. Garetta chided himself. He regretted getting greedy going after that Mafia guy.

The sound of a tree falling to the ground echoed nearby. He smiled.

If I can't get that kid's badges... then I'll just have to grab whoever's fighting.


Siper

She stood on the cliff that overlooked the island. Using her scope, she scanned the island below her for her target...

She heard the forest fall apart below her...


James

I sailed through the air like a barrel.

I stopped when I crashed five meters away into a tree. My right side smashing into a small tree with a thud. It splintered and swayed before bouncing me down to the ground. Even with Ten that hurt, so without Ten that would've fractured my rib cage.

Playing the fool didn't work. Distracting them didn't work. They didn't give me time to set up anything. Kenmi bum-rushed me until Todo managed to pick me up and toss me like he was Donkey Kong. Tricks would not work.

I held myself up on all fours as I tried to get back the wind that was knocked out of me. I turned my head left to see Todo and Kenmi walking towards me. I could see they thought they had me. I coughed, my lungs painful and agreeing with them...

Todo was no joke. He was way more physically stronger than me. He's like the Kingpin from Spiderman. All muscle and only the facade of fat. An ogre in human skin. No wonder he was salty he nearly failed the second phase. I'm surprised I even knocked him out with that sucker punch...

Because now I could see Aura, and there was a thin layer of Ten wrapped around his body. I doubt he even knew about it. He was probably accessing it subconsciously. I have so many questions for Mayer when I get back home.

Fuck. That hit must have rocked me worse than I thought. I was thinking York New City was my home...

I staggered back to my feet with a grunt. My right hand pushing against Stick as I leaned back against the tree. I have eaten nothing for god knows how long. I felt weak and tired. Even with Nen... three on one. I have to escape, regroup, figure out a tatic-

Todo smirked as he grabbed his fist.

"I knew it. You've just been carried this whole way through the exam. You haven't earned anything. Scum like you doesn't deserve to be a Hunter."

I stared at him for a moment, eyes wide. I don't know how he picked the right words, but...

That pissed me off.

My jaws locked into a vicious scowl. I stood up straight, feeling fatigued, mostly disappearing as indignation, anger, and pure disrespect fueled adrenaline through my body. Carried? Haven't earned it? I don't deserve to be a Hunter?!

I felt my body go numb with rage and disbelief. My body shook with fury at the mere existence of that accusation.

My face was a scowl as I pointed Stick at the two. My left hand held the tip up while my right hand clenched the hilt tightly. Left foot forward, right foot behind me. I hated talking during fights without a reason, but I just had to.

"Let me show you how wrong you are," I said with malice.

Todo scowled. Kenmi stayed impassive. They both felt safe at four meters away...

I transitioned to Ren and turned into a blur. Todo's eyes widened in pain as he was suddenly stabbed in the forehead by the tip of my suburito. His head snapped back as he staggered back, his world suddenly disoriented and eyes unfocused. His body went limp from the strike to the head and he fell to one knee. When I pulled back to stab him one last time, Kenmi rushed me from my left.

I pulled my stab back and shifted my grip. I grabbed the bottom of the pommel with my left and slid my right hand up, snapping Stick down. I turned the return of my stab into a downward cut that flew towards the charging Kenmi. But he was faster and more skilled than I thought. He slid to a stop and aborted his attack at the last second, jumping back. The martial artist leaning back to avoid my cut like Muhammad Ali dodging a punch.

His eyes widened as, even with his speed, he barely avoided Stick smashing the top of his head. He was even more shocked when a follow-up cut towards his chest flew up towards him.

But Kenmi's flexibility was impressive. He leaned back even further, Stick barely touching his chest as he turned his lean back into a backwards somersault. His spine and body turning into a backwards 'C'. Even if I missed my original target, my weapon still raked upwards against his chest. The force was enough to knock him off balance.

Kenmi landed on his feet and staggered back, coughing from the glancing blow. I was strong enough where even a touch of my weapon was nothing to scoff at…

I stared at my opponents, my stance now in southpaw. The world around us was slow. The sound dull. Our minds on the battle. Our entire world was the battle. Yet I was calm. I could parse the slowness of time into something useful. My body could and would act on instinct…

I was glad my body and mind were getting used to life or death stillness. Because now I could move in the ticks between second. Instead of standing there like a deer in headlights.

With a lunging right step, I brought down Stick on Kenmi like an executioner's axe. It fell towards his collarbone. My arms bracing themselves to crush his bones...

Killing Intent hit me like electricity. Urgency and terror moved me with such quickness that it surprised even me. My reflexes and instincts took over my arms and guided my sword to my left, away from Kenmi. A turn of my waist, a pivot of my feet, and the dropping of my arms caused me to slam Stick down onto an arrow. The flying piece of wood snapped into pieces as the metal arrowhead flew terrifyingly close to my ribs.

The arrowhead flew harmlessly past me. I sighed in relief...

Then Todo slammed his massive palm into my face.

With all the grace and technique of a gorilla fused with a rhino, he raced towards the tree behind me. His large hands wrapped around my head. Yelling at the top of his lungs, he smashed me right into it. All I felt was pain. It sounded like a bomb went off as he drove me through the small tree and let go. Tree debris flying in every direction as I hit the ground like a comet. The vibration of a tree falling to the ground rumbling around us.

The only thing that saved me from death was my Ten, but holy fuck...

My mind was in a daze of agony. I rolled on the ground and tumbled against rocks and roots. My body and instincts controlled me as I converted my rolling form into a staggering, hopping stop like a drunk. I stabbed Stick into the ground and leaned on it as I begged the world to stop moving. It felt like I was standing on quicksand.

I could feel the warm, wet sensation of blood trickle down my head. My mouth tasted like salt and copper, feeling swollen and misshapen. Bright white floaters, black blobs, and a slowly encroaching black border were my eyes' filters. My left eye was starting to swell up and shut tight from where Todo smashed his palm into my face.

All from one hit…

But I refused to lay down. I refused to lose to this fucker.

This was not how I was supposed to fight, but no one tells me I don't deserve to be a Hunter.

I flared my Ren and shoved my Aura right into Stick. White aura flickered around it like flames. If my opponents could see how brilliant Stick was, they'd have backed off. Instead, I couldn't see shit from my left eye anymore from the swelling.

I stayed in a southpaw stance and pointed Stick at my two opponents. Kenmi tried to sneak into my blind spot while Todo slowly approached me.

I staggered forward and feinted an overhead cut towards Todo. Unlike Kenmi, Todo was too slow to dodge my strikes. So he blocked. I saw his Ten become instinctively stronger around his wrists as he went to block my feint. I snarled.

My sword sped up into a blur as I moved it around his guard and slammed it down toward his right knee. White Aura blazing around Stick as it made contact with Todo's knee.

A sickening snap, crunch, and then a loud pop crackled through the area as his right knee turned floppy and soft. I met almost no resistance as my sword sank into his leg with disturbing ease. My eyes widened in horror at the sight of a three hundred pound man's leg lose all structural rigidity and bend the opposite direction from the sheer strength of my blow. I grimaced as Todo let go of a blood-freezing screamed and fell right onto his maimed leg. In a position that was physically impossible until I destroyed his leg.

I grimaced in horror.

And, for a split second, I dropped my guard.

My left arm suddenly went limp. My left arm no longer having Ten to protect me…

Kenmi was still a seasoned fighter. He didn't even know I wasn't protected by Nen at that moment, he just took advantage of the opening.

He didn't hesitate from Todo's mangling. I was still reeling from crippling a man.

But I shaped up real quick.

In my blind spot, the martial artist might as well have been a ghost. I could still sense him, but not see. He tried to lash out with another strike of his pressure point bullshit. Without even thinking, I whipped my sword to my left, striking blindly at the martial artist. I heard feet lift off the ground as I hit nothing. I rode the momentum of my sword strike and pivoted my body so I could see him with my right eye.

Kenmi landed onto his feet and into a fighting stance. I breathed hard. I was now fighting Pokkle and Kenmi. That wouldn't be too bad, but I was down an arm and eye...

I did my best to ignore Todo's screams.

I gritted my teeth. The combination of Todo's scream and the high-pitched sound ringing from clenching teeth. That was the sound of rage and stupidity...

I stared at the far weaker Kenmi. In this situation, he was suddenly my equal. He was calm, collected. He didn't let his emotions control him and took advantage of the situation to win; no matter what. Kenmi was ready to do whatever it took to win. He didn't let pride or emotion override his higher brain functions.

I frowned. At that moment, I realized I had a lot more to grow. I felt my resolve strengthen.

"Thank you. I learned something from you, Kenmi. I fucked up. But I refuse to lose. Not now." I mumbled to myself through swollen lips.

"Hmm?" Kenmi said.

I gritted my teeth and stood up as much as my bruised form would allow me. I stabbed Stick into the ground and pointed at my opponent with my right hand. I needed time to recover. I needed to think.

Kenmi stared at me with respect. I did the same for him. He saw me as a worthy opponent and I saw him as one too. All animosity between us gone. Only respect for one another's ability.

But I would not fight him fairly. I would fight him my way.

I yelled at the top of my lungs, "I respect you Kenmi, but I will be a Hunter! I'm not gonna lose! You want to g-"

Kenmi's head exploded into blood and gore as something ripped through his head.

My body became cold.

I stared in disbelief. My body moving on its own, still in speech mode. My mind still in planning mode. The thoughts and plans in my head grinding to a halt as the pieces of Kenmi's skull, brain, and viscera landed on me.

Kenmi's body fell limply to the ground just as my right arm did. My mind and body were numb as I stared wide-eyed at the grisly scene. Everything was silent.

The cracking soundwave catching up to the projectile shook me out of my haze.

I ducked, grabbed Stick, and moved away. I took cover behind a large tree. I stared at my surrounding.

It must have been less than a second, but it felt so much longer. That was a gun. The shooter could have shot me. Why? Why Kenmi not me?...

Focus. Remember Claudette's training: What was the trajectory of the bullet? The angle. The sound and how long it took to arrive. Think over everything and consider where the Snip-, Siper. It was Siper!

I gripped my hands in frustration.

God damnit! My mind was a mess... I should have instantly realized that it was Siper. I couldn't think straight. For so many reasons.

I peeked from my cover and saw Pokkle making a dash for Kenmi's corpse. Halfway there, he slid to a stop and jumped back. Almost immediately a bullet ripped through where he was. Pokkle stood where he landed and stared at the direction of the shot. The archer held his hand up as though he were no threat. He yelled to the forest.

"Since you haven't shot me again, I'm guessing this guy is your target? I won't take his badge, but I'll be taking the other guy's. OK?"

The fact he wasn't shot again was answer enough. Pokkle gave a slight nod and walked passed the corpse, towards Todo's writhing form. Pokkle walked to the man and kicked the screaming man on the temple. Todo grunted as he slipped into the unconscious. The world felt... not real as I stared at the Kenmi's corpse.

I grabbed my head and snarled. I allowed my anger to ward off the robot mode. I was disassociating my mind and reality. My thoughts felt disconnected and foggy as my mind tried to cope with what I just saw. This was just as bad as getting too emotional. I needed to be here, not in a haze. I needed to be all here to make my plans.

Relax. Breath. Calm down. Focus. How do I salvage this situation? If I can beat Pokkle then I'll have all the points I need...

As Pokkle reached Todo, I thought quickly. I fought through the pain, nigh-fugue state, hunger, fatigue... I needed a plan...

All that disappeared when a voice rang out. Confident and in charge.

"I suggest you leave his badge where it is. You still have the man in green behind the tree."

I cursed under my breath.

Hanzo the Ninja landed in a crouch from a branch tens of meters above us. He didn't even look hurt or bothered from the fall as he stood up to his full height. Clad in his weird part ninja, part armor outfit, the bald man with a red scarf around his neck stared at Pokkle. Then he moved his head to where I was hiding.

"Tao Long. I must thank you for defeating my opponent for me. You fought bravely, if foolish. Since you saved me the effort of acquiring my badge..." he raised a fist as he closed his eyes in somberness, "...I won't avenge what you did to poor, kind Tonpa."

I froze like a statue.

Wut.

I shook my head. The absurdity of what he said actually helped me regain focus. What the fuck... Fuck Tonpa.

Pokkle scratched his head as he replied, "Uh... There are better reasons to beat that mafia guy then avenging Tonpa. They call Tonpa the 'Rookie Crusher', ya know? Last Exam, if Ponzu didn't warn me, I'd have drunk one of his cans. That guy kinda deserves whatever Mr. Mafia did..."

Hanzo stared at Pokkle, frozen as I had felt moments before. He snapped out of it and started laughing sheepishly, assuring Pokkle he absolutely knew about Tonpa.

I shifted into Zetsu and slowly walked away from this helpful stupidity. I stepped quietly around the Blue Priest on the ground...

Before diving back into the clearing from a swipe of a spear. It cut right through the tree I was next to, sending it crashing into the ground. I heard Pokkle and Hanzo make noises of surprise as I turned to my attacker. Attackers. Goz and Bodoro.

Bodoro, his immaculate grey and white Kung fu outfit not even having a stain on it from being in the forest for three days. He stroked his mustache as he stared at the scene in front of him. Goz stared too, frowning. As angry-looking as I've always seen him. I jumped back towards the stream to gain even more distance. I needed time to think up a plan. Time! I never had time!

I ran my mouth. I needed to buy time.

"Why are you two together?! I thought it was everyone for themselves?!"

Goz looked at me impassively, "I saw how many people were teaming up. The two kids. The blonde and the black-haired one. The three brothers. I even saw that archer team up with the monkey man to harass you."

"You were tracking me?" I said, my eyes narrowing at the implications.

Goz nodded. "Yes, though, I will commend you. It was difficult at first. Your stealth is impeccable. But I finally tracked you down to your first camp. I'd have attacked you at noon if the entire area hadn't been gassed."

Does that mean... my skin crawled as I imagined eyes staring at me. How many people were hiding if people were developing at an exponential rate? Fuck...

This is what happens when you put all these talented people and force them to get better or die trying.

Bodoro chuckled, "I was quite amused when Goz approached me to team up. We are rivals, you see. When he told me all the other competitors were joining forces, we put our rivalry on hold," he lifted a finger and pointed to Pokkle, "you're my target. I recommend you hand over your badge. You will not enjoy what happens if you try to escape."

I backed up until I was right next to Pokkle, the short bastard was barely up to my shoulders. I turned to my left to speak with him, and my eyes widened to see Hanzo was gone. He had disappeared like a ghost. I looked down and glared at shortie.

"Thanks, Mr. Archer. Had to go after me? Really? I blame you for this situation," I said, punctuating my sentence with a spit of blood on the ground.

I refuse to take any responsibility for causing everyone to team up. This is bullshit! How was I supposed to know this would happen?!

"Tch! You have two badges, and Goz is my target! You really think I want to fight him?! He just cut down a tree!"

I raised my eyebrows in agreement.

"I can't argue with that," I said, honestly.

Goz and Bodoro took their time surrounding us. As they did, I assessed my situation.

I was regaining feeling in my left arm, but it wasn't as fast as I needed. Right now it felt numb and weak. I could move it. But it was worthless in a fight.

Pokkle wasn't much of a one-on-one fighter. Not when people like me can smack arrows out of the air. I'm positive Bodoro could catch them.

Bodoro was roughly as dangerous as Leorio, who both were slightly weaker than Pokkle. Pokkle might eventually beat Bodoro if lady luck liked young adults instead of old men.

But Goz. God damn Goz. He was on another level. Goz was the biggest threat by far. Rivals my green-clad ass.

I could beat Goz if I was at one hundred percent. Now... it wouldn't be easy though...

"Pokkle," I said as I stared at our two opponents trying to surround us, "Stay behind me and back me up with your arrows. Shoot them if you see an opening. I'll be the frontline and slow them down. Keep your distance."

Pokkle nodded.

Bodoro chuckled.

"Quite a tactician, ar-"

I pulled out my knife from underneath my jacket with my limp left arm and tossed it at Bodoro. My arm was damn near useless and it was a horrific throw, but he moved back from the threat of my Killing Intent. That was all I needed.

"Now!" I yelled.

Pokkle jumped far behind me as I went after Bodoro. Goz wanted me and wouldn't let me go, so he followed after me.

Bursting into Ren, I moved like a blur. My left arm trailed behind me as I sent Stick rocketing down towards Bodoro's unguarded form. His eyes widened in shock as the sword whistled toward his face.

The loud clatter of wood crashing against wood sounded through the clearing. Goz had made it in time and blocked my strike back, holding back my strength without a problem. I struggled against his spear, sweat stinging my face from the effort. His strength more than I could ever beat with only one arm.

I glared at Goz. He stared back without emotion. The sound and sensation of my teeth creaking in my mouth as I bit down in effort… and in frustration at what I saw.

He had a mini Ren moving around him. He was another person that could subconsciously use his Aura. Were all the people on this island close to unlocking their Nen?!

I circled the spear away from me and jumped back, breaking off our blade lock. Or abnemen, as Mayer called it. An arrow flew past me and towards Goz. His eyes widened as he quickly shifted his spear up, knocking the arrow away. The arrow sputtering harmlessly into the air with a crack of his spear.

Bodoro went for Pokkle again, only for me to close the distance and whip my sword right for his legs. He jumped up, dodging my attack, pulled his legs close to his chest, and twisted his body into a jumping snap kick.

The momentum of my swing spun my left shoulder towards him. Fuck his skill, experience, and kung fu.

I shot forward with my Aura infused leg strength and shoulder checked the bastard as he hung in the air. Bodoro gasped and choked out in pain as he felt the full force of Detroit's love of hockey right to his chest. He sailed away into a tree several meters away and bounced off of it with a yell of pain. Pokkle quickly followed it up by pinning the martial artist to the tree with an arrow to his shoulder.

The old man tried to pull the arrow out for a second before Pokkle's poison kicked in and he froze. His body slackened before becoming limp. The arrow shaft snapping as his body fell to the ground.

One down-

I ducked as a spearhead nearly cut my fucking head off. I saw some of my red hair drift down as I crouched and avoided the sudden swing of his weapon. Rolling to my right, I barely avoided a swing of his spear he brought down on me. He was relentless. The asshole sent another.

My reflexes reacted on their own as I brought Stick to block a swing to my left. I gritted my teeth at the amount of power this man had. My feet slid across the ground as I continued to block his spearhead.

Then he went crazy.

Goz pulled back his spear and began sending swings of his spear at me with frightening speed and power. His body was a blur as he sent stab, swings, and thrusts against me like a whirling tornado of steel. I had to use Ren to keep up. I could only barely see my arm in my peripherals as they moved my sword to defend from the onslaught. My mind and eyes on overdrive trying to keep track of his spear.

I knew we were moving faster than any human had any right to go. I could hear and feel it. Air whistling and dirt kicking around as if a tiny dust storm had surrounded us. The clacking of wood against wood, or the clanging of metal against wood sounded like machine gunfire. My talent as a swordsman barely kept pace with this man's incredible experience and skill. Even with my reach and speed, he kept himself right at the edge of his range.

He was a hurricane of wood and blade.

I had to do something. I was desperate... He parried a weak stab to his chest, knocking my guard down. With a frightening roar, he raised his spear above his head. Like the wraith of God, he brought down his overhead strike down towards my head.

I struck with a speed only brought upon by sheer desperation. Roaring, my weapon flew out, almost invisibly fast. Aura turning my sword and upper body into a white blaze.

Goz's eyes widened in shock as I smashed the end of his spear into pieces. His spearhead flying far away towards the righ-

I was on the floor in a crouch. Head hazy. Head hurts…

My legs weak… head hurts. All I remember was glimpses of ground and violent rolling… My clothes were wet. My head hurts. I couldn't breathe from my nose anymore, so I breathed through my mouth. I touched my nose with the back of my right fist and instantly regretted it. Pain shot through my face and head. My nose was broken.

I looked up from my hand through the unfocused, blurry haze. I saw Goz so far away. Across the stream. Several meters away. The butt of his spear covered in my blood…

He had smashed me across the clearing.

The only reason I was alive was that my upper body had been covered in Aura. The only protection... That's what must have happened. Because I don't remember shit.

Ten had only saved my life, but that hit was too much. I tried to get up, but my legs refused to listen. Goz walked ever closer, whipping his broken spear away from him. Freeing it of blood.

"I am from the Bianu tribe. Wherever there is a fight, you'll find us right in the thick of it. So when I say this, know I'm not lying. You are a formidable warrior... But you are outmatched. Give up, hand over your badge, and I will let you live."

A spit of blood in his direction and a shake of my head. That was my answer.

Since my legs refused to work, I shoved Stick into the ground and pushed myself to my feet. I stood there, hunched over my weapon as I glared at Goz. Helpless to move, but defiant.

Goz slowly walked up and placed his broken spear a few centimeters from my face. He didn't say a word as he raised his newly made staff above my head.

Only for his eyes to flash in shock as he twisted himself to his right and blocked an arrow straight from Pokkle.

Welcome to my world, Goz.

I lifted Stick up and stabbed it into the ground to my left, at an angle against me. Ren wrapped around me I pushed myself toward Goz's waist. I flew forward and wrapped my arms around Goz's waist, grabbing hold of Stick from behind him with all my strength.

He teetered to his side, the length of his weapon and my close distance to him made him resort to punching me in the head. Each punch made me see a little more blackness in my vision. I just had to trust Pokkle...

I felt a painful sting on my hip. I turned down to see an arrow was lodged in Goz's hip. I grinned.

Then all the strength left my body as I twitched and went limp. I slid down Goz's body and onto the floor, while Goz fell straight back and hit the ground like a log.

My good eye was stuck in the dirt, my swollen left eye useless for seeing. All I saw was darkness. I heard Pokkle walk up. I could almost feel his smile on his face, the lightness and bounce in his footsteps sounding like victory... to him.

I heard him reach into Goz's clothing. The soft sound of clothing and straps being moved around and jostled filtered through the air. An 'Aha' came out of his mouth as the sound of something metal being tossed up and down came from the direction of Goz.

The poison was powerful. Insanely so. My lips and vocal cords barely worked as I choked out words.

"A-antidote."

"Sorry, but there's no antidote. I'm immune to the poisons I use, so I don't carry an antidote. There are blue priests around and a stream, so you should be fine," Pokkle said from behind the darkness.

I heard his footsteps go around me as he began searching my body. When he couldn't find the badges on me, he turned my body over. I glared at him with my one good eye and willing him to die from eyesight alone. He gave an apologetic frown.

"Don't take it personally! Eliminating competitors is what we have to do in this phase, right? If anything, take it as a compliment. I'm eliminating you because you're too strong."

I glared at him with all the hate I could muster. The bastard had waited the whole time... I choked out my reply.

"I take things... very personally."

Pokkle froze in fear for a second as he reached out for underneath my suit jacket. He swallowed nervously before chuckling to himself, almost in relief.

"Man. You really are a scary guy, huh?"

That was all I could do as I laid there helplessly. His arm slowly reached down into my jacket. Hand rubbing across my chest as he searched. That's all I could do as I laid there helplessly.

I raged in frustration and impotence while trapped in a frozen body. My consciousness fading.

"I'm even scarier," said a voice that made me want to cry.

Pokkle looked up, his face a grimace as he saw someone I couldn't see. I knew who it was though.

Killua spoke from beyond my vision. I heard another pair of footsteps next to him. Gon.

I could feel Killua's Killing Intent. It was on another level compared to any time I ever felt it. Almost like Ren.

Pokkle's face was white as he stood up slowly and put his hands out in appeasement.

"Ok... Ok. Take it easy... I just need Goz' badge. His badge is still on him. Fair?"

I couldn't see Killua, but from Pokkle's face of relief, I guess Killua accepted. Pokkle backed up until he was out of my view of the world and only footsteps. After a moment, even those disappeared into silence.

Gon and Killua came into my view. They looked at me in pity. Killua looked plainly upset, his normally playful eyes sorrowful.

"T-thanks for not... K-kicking his ass... and for the save. Again..." I said. Something wet came out of my right eye and ran down my face.

Killua reluctantly smirked before speaking, "Idiot. I know you'd want to beat him up yourself."

I closed my eyes and choked out a horse, "Yep."

I went to sleep as relief, sadness, and depression drowned me.


Day 5

James, Killua & Gon

I woke up in Zetsu with a fright. My mouth tasted like shit. Blue priest...

I slowly sat up. I was a log... in the middle of a small camp near a stream. It was noon. Did I?...

My ears picked up shuffling. My body reacted on its own as I kicked off the log to get ready to fight. But I collapsed to one knee the moment my feet touched the ground. Body weak and shaking... I looked up.

It was Gon.

I sighed in relief.

Then my stomach growled like the devil.

We both stared at my evil stomach as it continued whining for a minute. When it mercifully stopped, I looked up and locked eyes with Gon. We grinned at the absurdity and began laughing...

...

Thirty minutes later, I was sitting down with a roasted skewered fish in my hands. Next to a pile of similarly prepared fish. I ate it like I was a monster.

I stared at the person yelling at me.

"You're an idiot, a huge idiot!" Killua said as he jabbed a finger in my face, "You nearly died, ya' know that?! Were you trying to fight every applicant on the island?! Idiot! What were you thinking?!"

He crossed his arms and glared at me. I sighed and lowered my fish, looking at the floor as I felt regret and guilt in my stomach.

I glanced to my left to see Gon frowning. I could tell he was agreeing with everything Killua was saying. I looked down again, speaking as I stared at the ground.

"I'm not going to talk down to you two: you're right. I'm sorry for leaving everyone out of my plan. I should have spoken to you guys before I went off on my own. I realized that was wrong. Because of that, I nearly died. That's... not fair to you guys either."

Kurapika was right. I overestimated my abilities. I got big-headed. And seeing how concerned they were... had I died they be... well, at least I got my question answered about being remembered...

I'm an idiot.

Killua looked at me for a moment, then looked at Gon. Gon looked at me for a long time. Staring at me with those big brown eyes of his. Studying my face. It was like he was looking through me.

When he spoke it was like glass breaking.

"You've been through a lot, haven't you? It's all right. I know you did it to keep us safe. But next time tell us everything, OK? We don't care how dangerous it is being around you. You're still our friend."

It hit me like a truck. My stomach and heart lurched as he said the truth. I turned away as my eyes became wet.

It wasn't just an acknowledgment of everything that I've gone through at my time on this planet. But my entire life. I guess I still have issues to work through...

I looked down as I fought back my emotions...

But I was too emotionally and physically drained to put up much of a fight against the tidal wave of twenty-nine years of impotency. My mouth and teeth scrunched up.

"Yep... I'm tired of losing people. I have the strength to protect people now," I rubbed my eyes and looked down. I hated crying, "I-I... haa, god damnit. I'm going to make sure I'll never lose another person I care for," I said through a frown. My teeth and fists clenched tightly.

Unlike me, they don't get a second chance. Whatever future fate has provided for me, it's not worth a dime if I continued to let the people around me die. I'll be damned...

And I'll do it without sacrificing myself.

"You're an idiot."

I turned around to see Killua standing next to Gon. Staring at me. His eyes serious, but upset.

I closed my eyes and sighed. The sick, depressed, helpless, empty feeling of knowing I lost in the pit of stomach and chest. Saved a second time.

"Yup," I rubbed my eyes and stood up. My body hurt like hell. My mind...

Kyu and Kenmi. Corpses on the ground. Rubbing my face, I sighed and sat down. I looked at the ground and began bouncing my right leg up and down. Restlessly.

"Sorry if I'm out of it," I said.

Gon and Killua looked at each other, unsure of what to say. Killua sighed and walked up.

"I'm still pissed at you, but you already got your ass kicked. No reason to pour salt on an open wound. As long as you learned your lesson."

I chuckled at that. I did.

Gon walked forward to where Killua was, which was right in front of me. He frowned.

"James... Hisoka's my target. And I only have two days to take his badge."

Gon looked down at the ground, serious. His fists balled up, body shaking from how hard he was gripping. His voice was shaky and angry.

"If someone like you with Nen is in this kind of shape... and even Killua can't beat Hisoka... I won't be able to pass by myself..."

I stared hard at Gon. It was everything in his power to ask for help. A sad frown on my lips as I watched the boy fight his own fears, insecurities, and frustrations. Killua found it hard to stare at Gon.

The mood changed like an explosion when Gon whipped his head back up at us. His brow furrowed and eyes burning with determination.

"But that doesn't mean I'll give up! If you can unlock our Nen, we might have a shot!" Gon said, overwhelming resolve and passion flowing over me.

My eyebrows shot up, my eyes wide with surprise. Killua smirked.

I sighed, but I couldn't help but smile with Killua. I closed my eyes and spoke.

"It'd be more irresponsible for me to not help you guys when Hisoka's your target," I said, ending with a frown.

I stood up and put my hands on my hips as I move my jaw. They stared up at me. A pit of misery in my stomach as I stared down at them. What I had to say next didn't help my mood.

"I'm going to tell you this straight up. I don't know what I'm doing. You might die even if I do everything correctly."

They sobered up and locked eyes on me. They both nodded. Determined.

I sighed.

"Alright. Hold hands."

Killua looked at me strangely.

"Uhh, this is getting weird."

"Just do it, Cottonball. The sooner the faster," I said, a weak chuckle escaping me.

Killua growled, "Shut up, beethead!... Fine!"

They grabbed each other's hands like they were marrying each other or something. Killua was pure embarrassment while Gon completely didn't care. That made me chuckle some more and feel a bit better.

Gon tilted his head at me, "What's this supposed to do, James?"

I activated Ten and grabbed both their shoulders with each of my arms. I focused and let my Aura flow around them, becoming part of my Ten.

Instantly their eyes opened wide as they felt Aura overflow them and cover their body. I growled as I fought to push my Aura to the rest of their body. Sweat dripped down my face as I used the technique I created to cover Stick, but over a far larger surface area. Fuck, this was difficult. It felt like trying to push back the ocean.

Gon and Killua looked around them in surprise as Ten gradually engulfed them from head to two. They were bathed in my Aura. The energy flowing through them and around their body in a flickering, translucent force field. It was easier now that my Ten fully surrounded them.

"Whoa," Gon said in awe.

"Yeah... This what you've been seeing, James?" Killua said as he let go of Gon's hand for a second to touch the Aura surrounding him.

Instantly it became a thousand times more difficult. Ten slowly retreating back to me... Arggh... Killua gasped in surprise, then grabbed Gon's hand again. My ten slowly un-retreated itself...

"Thanks, Killua," I growled, "Not making things easier."

"Heh, sorry?" he said with a guilty smile.

"Is that why you wanted us to hold hands?" Gon said with wide eyes.

His eyes moved as he looks at the Aura covering my body. I saw that my Ten fully covered both of them again.

"Yes... It's easier for Aura to flow when it's connected. Like an electrical circuit. I'm gonna add Ren now. It's do or die time," I said with a grimace.

They gave me determined nods.

I let out a deep breath and then a growl, before combining my Ten with Ren. Last time I did this I couldn't do this for long. It used up a lot of Aura, but that's exactly what I had to do. Pump them full of Aura.

They instantly felt it. A cry came out of both of them as the Ten around them became spikey and sharp; the amount of Aura flowing through them was, frankly, stupid. I'm pretty sure all they felt was electricity.

I gritted my teeth as I pushed as hard as I could. Ignoring their temporary suffering.

But I couldn't even last a minute. I dropped to the ground from pure exhaustion as my Aura cut out. I sucked in air as my body ordered me to breathe and recuperate.

I felt it. Aura.

I looked up to see Gon and Killua staring at their bodies in shock. Aura flowed out of their bodies like fiery steam. They had as much as I did when Hisoka unlocked me. They stared in awe at the energy flowing from them.

I shifted into a seating position and waved a hand at them.

"Tada," I said weakly.

Gon looked at his hands and spoke, "It almost looks like... steam rising off the spout of a teakettle. It's so crazy..."

Killua nodded, mimicking Gon as he replied, "It's rushing out from every part of my body! And it doesn't look like it's stopping! No way... this can't be good!"

I stood up and rested on my knees like a worn-out grandpa.

"Jesus Christ, that technique is exhausting..." I said with a gasp. I continued, "Yeah. Aura won't stop leaving your body..."

They both gasped.

I stood up straight as I looked at them seriously. They looked nervous and scared...

Then my face cracked into a grin.

"Pfft... bahaha! You shoulda' seen your faces. 'Gasp!', that was your faces. Hehehe..."

I held my hands against the sides of my face in surprise as I mocked them.

What? I might die if my Aura is activated? Activates Aura and proceeds to die. Pikachu face.

Heh, not that they would die. They were fine. It worked.

They glared at me as I laughed.

Killua squinted his eyes pointed a finger at me, "You're an asshole!"

Gon nodded his head, his face a childish pout, "Yeah, that was mean."

I waved my right hand to settle Killua down, "Alright, alright. Don't worry. You guys are ok," I nodded and gave them a smirk.

We got some work to do.


Day 6

Evening

They learned just as fast as I did. It was surprising. They took to Nen like fish in the water. They learn Zetsu, Ten, and Ren just as fast as me with just a little bit of instructions. They could use it as intuitively as me as well, and I noticed each of us had our own strengths and weaknesses.

Unfortunately, we didn't have a lot of time to practice. I improved my Nen by approximately zero percent since I was forced to recover. I alternated between going into Zetsu and putting just enough Aura in my eyes to see the boys use Nen…

But that was all of yesterday and most of this morning. Now, we were staring at one man.

Hisoka.

We had come back to our camp from hunting, and he was just sitting on the log in the middle of our camp. Smiling.

We were frozen in surprise.

He just stared at us.

We stared at him.

I shrugged off the deer we hunted. Before it even hit the ground all three of us went into Ren and split off into three directions. We had worked out a plan on how to take Hisoka's badge. Now we had to do it.

I sprinted straight towards Hisoka. The world around me a blur. I could see the smile on his face. Stick was right next to him...

My right arm reached into my jacket and slid out my remaining knife. I skidded to a stop and feinted a knife swipe down towards his leg. At the last second, I turned into a stab up towards his face.

Hisoka didn't even move from his sitting position as he moved his arms with finesse, agility, and ease. With open palms and delicate movements, he pushed my right hand up into the air with his right. He followed that up with an open-palmed uppercut to my chin with the other arm.

My teeth rattled and my vision shook as the strength of the impact sent vibrations through my skull and down to my feet. My knife flew away from my hands, spinning and disappearing behind me. I slowly fell backward as Hisoka's uppercut pushed my head up.

I growled and grimaced as I forced my head to halt. My neck and upper body muscles protested against the strike as I pushed down with all my might. With a roar, I muscled through his uppercut with a combination of stubbornness, toughness, and my Ten and Ren combo. All my willpower forcing me forward as I grabbed ahold of Hisoka's wrists.

Hisoka stared at me with surprise and delight. From the corner of my right eye I saw a blur that was Killua flying toward Hisoka…

Then the entire world became just as blurry as Killua. Hisoka, with ungodly strength, spun his upper body towards Killua. With me along for the ride.

My body smashed into Killua, causing me to let go of Hisoka's wrists from the force of the impact. Both of us yelled in pain as we pinballed against the grown and rolled away. I slid to a stop on my belly, my everything hurting. Glaring up, I saw Killua had landed on his feet and slid to a dignified stop.

Past Killua I saw Hisoka looking down at his chest. His badge was missing. I smiled in victory. Our plan went right. Now to high-tail it out of there.

To our shock, Hisoka turned to where Gon had struck with his rod and began walking in that direction. A smile on his face. I turned to Killua in fear, him doing the same. Gon was in Zetsu! How the hell did Hisoka find him?!

Killua disappeared and reappeared above Hisoka. Dagger-like nails baring down towards the clown's neck. Hisoka moved his head back, Killua's arm flying harmlessly in front Hisoka. The magician somehow lifted his leg up and kicked Killua with some kind of rising ballerina kick. The attack caught Killua straight in the solar plexus.

Even though it looked awkward and strange, it hit hard. The sound it made echoed through the forest with a boom. Killua half grunted, half gagged in pain from the kick and from getting all the air from his lungs knocked out of him.

Killua arched overhead of me and landed a few meters behind me. While Kill was flying, I sprinted the distance to Stick and grabbed it. Being only a few meters away, I turned around and rounded on Hisoka. I activated my Sword Aura and sent a swing down toward Hisoka's back.

My eyes widened in surprise and fear as he disappeared completely from sight. My attack hit nothing. I felt a familiar steel like a hand grab my neck from behind me and lift me up. The veins on either side of my neck painfully tightened and restricted. I struggled like a caught fish, but to no avail.

I couldn't see the fucking clown as I was forced to stare at the forest in front of me. I felt something sharp against my back as I clenched my teeth in pain. My eyes squeeze shut in agony as he slid something ever so slowly into my back, forcing a yell through my shut jaw. My suit and Ten doing nothing to stop it. He was so fucking strong...

I cracked my eyes open to see Killua frozen in fear. I knew why. Hisoka's Ren screamed death, even through my Ten.

"Well? Are you going to stand there and watch your friend die? Hmm?" Hisoka said.

I yelled as I felt fingers being drilled right into my flesh. I kicked and waved my sword behind me, going mad with desperation. Vainly trying to hit him. Nothing worked. I couldn't do anything.

Killua stood there, sweating and growling. His face a grimace as I could see him fight against the instincts telling him to run. His eyes welled with tears.

I waved my left arm at Killua as I felt fingers dig even deeper into the left-center of my back. The pain was like five knives all being forced into one spot.

"Run! Get Gon and run!" I roared.

I heard a chuckle behind me.

"Oh well. A pity. I do love those eyes... once I'm done with him I'll go after your other friend..." Hisoka said.

I felt his fingers pull out of my flesh. I couldn't see what was happening behind me, but I saw Killua scream as he dug his right hand into his skull.

Killua disappeared. Hisoka chuckled.

I felt something hit my back. Pain rippled through me...

I flew tens of meters forward and crashed into the ground. I rolled against the floor like a ball, bouncing off several rocks and logs, before sliding to a painful stop.

I groaned and realized I couldn't move my arms and body. But I was alive.

Something was on top of me. It took me a moment to realize it was Killua. I realized Hisoka had somehow got Killua to collide into me. He was stuck to my back and neither of us could move. I couldn't move my hands and chin from the floor. Killua couldn't get off me because he was stuck to me.

Even if we wanted to move, we were in shit shape. I was in shit shape. I felt like a crash test dummy and have stab wound...

"My," Hisoka's extremely pleased voice echoed out from the distance, "you three have grown so much in such a short time. But, I can't let you take my badge. And I'll be taking these two badges you dropped. Don't worry I won't hurt your friend. I doubt you three even noticed the person stalking you..."

I groaned in pain and frustration. My two badges must have fallen out of my suit jacket. At least my badge was in my right sock, pinned on the inside.

I gently laid my forehead on the ground in defeat...

At least Gon was safe...


Gon laid on the floor, a poison dart in his neck. His body paralyzed.

Hisoka walked up behind Geretta...

Some things were always Fated...

Gon stood up, body shaking, holding up two badges to Hisoka, "I don't owe you anything. Here, take it back."

Some things could not be changed.

Hisoka walked away after punching Gon. The boy laid on the floor, unmoving.

"I will take it back, but only when you can punch me in the face like that. In the meantime, you just hold on to it for me..."

Hisoka's laugh echoed through Gon's mind. Endlessly.

But some things weren't Fated.

In the distance. Attached to the mafia's back by Bungee Gum... Killua clutched a tiny needle in his fists.

Small tears running from his eyes.

He finally felt free. He felt alive. He felt himself.

For the first time in a long time.