"The theme of the Second Phase will be cooking! We are both fine Gourmet Hunters! Thus, your mission will be to satisfy our appetites by cooking us a meal!" A woman confidently started the introduction; her arms relaxing against the couch that the fat man was sitting behind. The fat man grinned,

"You'll start by cooking the plates I ask you for…"

"...Then, those who qualified will have to satisfy me!" The woman ended with a smile, "You will qualify for the third round if you hear 'it's good'. The test will be over when we're no longer hungry."

Leorio grimaced, "They can't be serious. I've never cooked before!"

Naruto drawled lazily, "Not even an egg?"

"Nope."

"Rice?"

"Once."

"Then, you cooked before. Stop exaggerating."

Kurapika for once didn't laugh or tease Leorio; him sighing, "I never thought that there'd be such an exam…"

Naruto shook his head as he eyed the others who never cooked before; a surprisingly large number. All of them were spoiled compared to him who had to live off the streets. He was taken out of his thoughts when Buhara began,

"Then, let the Second Phase begin! For me, it will be… roast pork! I don't care what kind of pork it is as long as you chase it in Biska Woods! Begin!"

A gong sounded as Menchi pounded the golden thing with a hammer. The blond didn't even bother moving until after the crowd stampeded out. The exam was too easy for a forest boy like him. It took only ten minutes to locate pig tracks and scent, kill one, roast it, and feed it to Buhara. Menchi observing,

"Fast kid! But the taste-"

"Delicious!" Buhara cried as he gobbled it all.

Menchi eyeing Buhara… before ripping a tiny piece off to chew. She contemplated, "Not bad, brat. Just need a tad bit higher degree of fire and seasoning. Good enough for pure pork. Name?"

"Naruto."

"Got it. My name's Menchi. This guy's Buhara. Seeing how the others don't seem to be coming back anytime soon, I'll give you a hint in advance. Fish."

The blond arched a brow before shrugging and leaving to check out the rivers in the forest, "Got it, Menchi-san."

"Uncute brat." She crossed her arms.

…

An hour later, Menchi hit the gong, sounding the end of the first dish applicants. Naruto like many others staring up at the pile of pig bones… larger than his own body. 70 full roasted pigs… Even Naruto couldn't do that with ramen.

"Those Hunters are incredible people!" Gon shouted. Killua sweat-dropping,

"It doesn't make me want to be like him…"

"It's alright I guess…" Naruto absently said, still staring up. Menchi and Butara chatted for a moment before Menchi announced with flair,

"Second Phase, Round Two… Here's my order… I want sushi!"

Naruto deadpanned at the mass confusion of people who never eaten sushi before. He loudly commented,

"And they call this the technological age. Don't tell me that none of you brought a cellphone or laptop to search the recipe up or do any other research that 'hunting' might require… did you?"

All of them froze in their tracks - many of them shouting curses that they forgot everything but their weapons at home. Those wanting to be Blacklist or Information Hunters or the like too howled at their stupidity at forgetting that Hunters needed such things for information - computers, contacts, and etc to get what they want. It should have been obvious! They groaned… Tonpa and the three brothers were especially depressed that they didn't steal the laptop from the fat man who dropped out of the First Phase of the Hunter Exam first. Menchi howled with laughter at them, making the silence even more awkward and shameful. Killua beamed though as he remembered,

"Hey, Naruto, can I-"

"Yeah. Go ahead. I already know the dish." Naruto tossed his cellphone to the assassin, who caught it easily with an opportunistic grin. "Remember to not give any hints as to what sushi is."

"Of course! Let them all suffer~" Killua cackled evilly as he hid the screen from everyone who tried crowding around him. His fingers quickly typing across the keyboard. He did let Leorio, Gon, and Kurapika see it though - them being acquaintances. However, he and Kurapika also made good effort to cover Leorio's and Gon's mouths; both of them prone to loud, impulsive shouts. Naruto left quickly, making extra effort to make sure that no one was following him.

Which was impossible with Hisoka around. The magician humming, "So… you know what sushi is?"

Naruto sighed, "I'll let you use my cellphone later. I guess you can first catch the fish you will need."

Hisoka hummed louder as they both dashed to the river and caught the fish with cards and kunais. Each going back to their stations at separate times so that Naruto could first retrieve his cellphone from a grateful Killua and then sneak it over to Hisoka discreetly. The blond did notice the man with needles in his face looking over Hisoka's shoulder though…

"Friends?"

He wondered for a moment before beginning his dish…

"Oi! That guy who saw the cellphone brought fish!"

He, Kurapika, and Killua automatically palmed their faces at Leorio's completely indiscreet walk towards his kitchen counter. At least Gon erased his presence before entering!

Leorio sheepishly scratched his cheek with the hand not holding the fish, "Whoops?"

"Leorio…" Kurapika began before giving up on the guy and starting his own dish next to Naruto. Killua shook his head as well as he occupied the other side of the blond boy,

"Whatever. We got the head start. All the idiots still don't know how to prepare it."

Naruto nodded, "Very well. Oi, Leorio-san! Gon! Stand over here - I'll block their views!"

Seeing how everyone was watching their every action carefully, Leorio nodded with a grin, "Okay!"

Gon however frowned, but ran over anyways, "Why can't we tell everyone how to make it?"

"Baka." Killua poked his forehead, "We're getting rid of competition here. The Exam will end more quickly if they all fail now."

"Ehhh~" Gon turned to Naruto, "Jya, how are you going to block their views?"

Killua frowned, "Good point. There's no screen here or - wah!"

He dodged backwards as a large paw appeared out of the blond's hoodie's pouch and then another one… and then a head of a large black fox. The beast pulled itself out of the pocket many times smaller than it and then paced around, growling at all the other contestants before curling up around their mini kitchens and lying down. A whole circular wall of fur.

All of them gaped and stared at the majestic being with awe, fear, and shock. One stated it best by shouting,

"How the hell did that thing fit in there?! What the hell - hammer space?!"

Hanzo wondered as well as he murmured, "Doraemon?" Because even he the ninja sure as hell couldn't hide something that big.

Killua's eyes gleamed like a cat's, "So that's what Gon meant by fox!"

Gon shook his head just as amazed, "The ones I saw were a lot smaller. Ne, ne, what's his name?"

"This one's Zorro."

Leorio shouted, "Wait wait wait! That's impossible! How the hell did you-"

"Secret~" Naruto smiled before continuing his cuts on the fish, "Anyways, raw fish gets worse as it loses its freshness. We should start working."

"Ah!" realized the other four who didn't know anything about sushi before as they hurriedly began as well.

…

Menchi and Buhara, on the other side of the room, gaped at the large fox. Menchi whispering to Buhara,

"And here I thought that only one of them knew Nen."

Buhara nodded dumbly, "And it's so detailed too - I was almost fooled to think that a fox that could change its size existed."

"What a brat." Menchi shook her head, "Well, good thing he did that though. This trial's supposed to be about observation and all that crap. Can't have everyone knowing how to make sushi without thinking and coming to the answer themselves."

She smirked as she watched the fox growl and snap at those who tried climbing over to see what the four sushi-makers were doing. Even the martial artists failing at their climb. Even the little orange monkey that one of them brought…

"Wait… did the kid really just lend his cellphone to Number 44?"

Buhara too stared as the magician hand the orange cellphone that was definitely Naruto's to a little black Nen fox. The fox taking it and disappearing into the thick wall of fox fur unnoticed. He nodded dumbly,

"Not very surprising actually. He must have been threatened."

Menchi blink before nodding, "Ah, right. Probably, huh. I think any of us would feel wary around that one."

"After all, he did already near-killed a Hunter last year."

…

Gon sighed, "Ahuah, I forgot what to do next! Can I borrow your cellphone again, Naruto?"

"Hmm? Ah, sure."

Leorio sheepishly grinned, "Me too. This is harder than it looks."

Naruto shook his head at the two, "Remember to wash your hands first." And then, he carried his platter, "I'll go first. She seems to be a hard grader."

Kurapika nodded, "I agree. Good luck, Naruto."

"Thanks. If you want to leave, then just tap Zorro's leg thrice."

"Wakatta." They all nodded, watching as Naruto leave and the fox place his head paw back down after the blond left. Naruto discreetly scanned the crowds who were gathered around the fox and attempting to scale him as well as the three others who were working with no one noticing them. The three just so happen to be the three he was wary of in the beginning of the Exam: Number 294, Number 301, and Number 44. Each of them managing to work without any screens to block the views of other with his giant distraction of a fox.

How sad though that they couldn't be creative and use the information and tools they had now to guess what sushi was.

He shook his head and walked towards Menchi; the examiner grinning excitedly,

"You're first? Alright, let's see what you got, kid!"

The blond lifted the lid to reveal the sushi and sauce he made. Menchi scrutinizing it with careful examination,

"Alright, it passes visually. Now, let's see for the taste."

She dipped the nigiri sushi into the sauce and chewed it thoughtfully, "The fish doesn't have much flavour so you tried covering it up with the sauce. The cuts were nice though - precise enough that you got the best meat out of it. The sauce is a bit salty and might need another spice, but I'd like to see you try to improve the sushi as it is alone. Try again."

Naruto stared blankly before sighing and asking Buhara, "How many chefs in the world has she approved of?"

"Less than the number of fingers that she could count on her hand." Buhara admitted. Menchi shouting,

"Buhara! Who gave you the right to tell anyone about me?! And that doesn't mean anything!"

"...How many years does it take a normal chef to master sushi?"

"10 years, but that doesn't mean anything either!"

"Sushi is normally made from real wasabi and saltwater fish - served with authentic soy sauce by its side, right?"

"Be creative about the forest then! Now go! I want my nigiri sushi!"

"...right…" The blond deadpanned, taking his empty platter and walking away. Menchi muttered about complaining brats. Buhara and everyone who heard their question-and-answer conversation though deadpanned as they understood the point the blond was heading towards.

It was going to be a near impossible test.

Naruto re-entered the room that Zorro made and shook his head, "Picky bitch."

"Ehehehe…" The more nicer ones nervously laughed. Killua however stared at his own sushi… taking one of the blond's extras and chewing it,

"It's good!" His eyes widened with amazement; it being his first time eating sushi, "...damn. I don't think she'll even want to taste mine."

Kurapika nodded as he chewed on an extra as well. Gon grinning as he ate another sushi and Leorio eating the last with his own exclamation.

"Well. I'm going to get more fish then."

…

Menchi impatiently tapped her feet, having rejected another fail attempt of a person improvising what they thought was sushi. If it was going to be like this, then she might as well just tell them the recipe. Seriously, who the hell thought that sushi was an entire fish - uncut and still alive - stuck in a ball of rice was sushi?! Was even edible?! Apparently a lot of the Exam applicants did!

And those who did succeed in making the sushi's appearance disappointed her with the sushi's taste. Everything after the blond boy's tasting below average; the blond being average.

Finally, Naruto came and handed her another dish… or rather three different kinds. Menchi sighed after she ate them,

"Still messing up, brat. This one was creative. I never thought that someone would use the eggs of a Strawberry Tortoise. It's definitely a risk by giving a sweet taste - the opposite of normal sushi. Problem was that you need to cook it at a lower temperature and keep all the strawberry fragrance from leaving. And change the rice accompanying it. Now as for this one, the fish is too stiff, giving a bad texture. Finally, the taste is lacking for this one. You've improved, but still fail."

The blond shook his head, "Hai, hai, Menchi-san."

"Don't use that tone against me!" She called out as the blond walked away again for the third time. Buhara happily chewed the similar sushi on the plate that Naruto had so thoughtfully left him; each of the sushi on there being the same kinds that he gave Menchi, only in greater quantities for his size. It was rather dull watching Menchi be the only one to eat, after all. He hummed,

"It's delicious~ Why don't you just accept it already and give the kid a break?" Menchi attempted to snatch one, but Buhara held it out of her reach to continue eating as he eyed her, "Mine. You still have your test-takers to mind…"

"Hmph." Menchi pouted as she readied herself to bite into another horrible sushi. Damn brat. She swore he gave Buhara that dish to spite her.

Naruto never did come back even after the rush of people beginning to make more authentic-looking sushi with the bald ninja's very loud slip up.

…

"You're not trying again?"

Kurapika asked as he experimented again. The blond lying on a large fox that acted as a sofa - the fox being about one-fourth the size of Zorro but still huge like a horse. The Kurata really wondered how many foxes hid within his hoodie as Killua and Gon sat on a nearby fox-sofa, researching for more ways to improve their sushi on the cellphone. They all sat in the open; there being no reason to hide their sushi-making methods anymore after the bald shinobi shouted out the basic recipe. Zorro already left to go back inside the pouch… somehow. Naruto scoffed as he shifted through his I-Pod,

"Nope. Nadda. Never again. It's too annoying. I give up."

"Oh. Sou ka. I can't really give up here though."

"I know. I accidentally heard you and Leorio-san talk."

"...I see. What did you think?"

"Just don't let your revenge consume you. Revenge breeds revenge, hate breeds hate, violence breeds violence - creating a whole never-ending cycle of madness. Also, don't let your revenge be your only purpose of life. You'll soon harm and kill everyone you care about if you make it your top priority. And then when you finally kill them, you'll be alone and with no more purpose. You'll forget everything that means something to you. Lastly, just remember that everything happens with reason and everything is interconnected. Everyone has someone - family, friends, teachers, students, acquaintances… And everyone does things for a reason… but that doesn't change what something fundamentally is. Killing is killing. A death is sad. Blood stains are hard to wash off - out of both clothes and the soul."

"...I see." Kurapika finally replied after soaking in the words filled with a solemn wisdom. The blond just nonchalantly kept scrolling down the list of songs as if what he just said couldn't impact another. As if what he just said was common sense. Then again…

It probably was.

Leorio eyed Kurapika, having heard the sound advice, before asking curiously, "What are you doing here anyways, Naruto? Any goal?"

"...Nah." The blond replied after a long while, "A Hunter just mentioned this test to me. I felt obligated to take it after all he did for me… and what I did."

"Eh? A Hunter?" Leorio asked curiously, though not daring to ask what the blond did to the Hunter that he seemed to deeply regret.

"Mm. A Hunter. His name was Wing. He taught me what it meant to live, trust, and protect again. You see, before I met him, things led to things and I found myself angry at the world. I wanted to stop hurting and just die. I fought against many people, emotionlessly crushing them. I wanted this darkness within me to just be released with a punch. None of them were strong enough for that though - all of them equivalent to a common street thug.

I wallowed in despair until he came and taught me those three important things. But I did something bad afterwards and left, unable to face him again. I wandered around for a bit and remembered that he mention this Exam and the honorable position of being a Hunter. So I came. I really had nothing to do anyways." And he wasn't sure if he ever wanted to go back home where he was unwanted, alone, and hated enough that people plotted murder daily.

"Naruto…"

"It's really no big reason like you two's. Mine's more whimsical if anything."

Kurapika shook his head as he smiled and repeated, "Everyone does something for a reason… but that doesn't change what something fundamentally is. A good reason is a good reason, Naruto."

"...thanks." He acknowledged with a small smile. "Thanks… Kurapika-san." He blinked as he realized that he knew everyone's reason except for Gon's. He must have thought that out loud as Leorio grinned,

"Ah, Gon? He wants to find his father, Ging Freecss."

Naruto blinked, "Ah. The Archaeologist Hunter? Satotsu-san just met him-"

"EH?! Really?!" Gon suddenly appeared, shouting loudly in Naruto's ear. The blond jerking up in surprise at the boy's use of what seemed to be teleportation,

"Ow…"

"Satotsu-san as in the first examiner? He knows where Ging is-"

"Wait, hold up, Gon. I meant to say that he just met him a few months ago. Satotsu-san is an Archaeologist Hunter, you see, and Ging-san inspired him to - ah, it's better to hear the story from him. I can't mimic his emotions to his own personal story."

Killua arched a brow, "And you know his personal story, how?"

"We chatted a bit, waiting for you slowpokes to finish."

Killua sulked, "I'm not slow…"

Naruto rolled his eyes, "I waited a full ten minutes for you to show up. By the way, you two still owe me a meal."

"Ehehehe~" Both of them sheepishly laughed, "I'll cook it right now-"

A loud gong resounded as a certain woman's sheepish voice rang over the mash of sounds,

"Sorry! I'm not hungry anymore!"

Hunter Exam Phase Two: Zero applicants qualified.

…

Naruto shook his head at the depressed trio and the ex-assassin who was miffed but neutral about it. Killua shaking his head,

"It was bound to happen."

"I agree." Naruto replied before moving up to the kitchen and taking an ingredient from the pile that the foxes discreetly gathered. He began chopping and cooking, making Killua wonder,

"What are you doing? The Exam's over."

"I know. I'm making lunch for my grievances to the depressed."

Killua sweat-dropping as he looked back at the sight of the lifeless Kurapika, Gon, and Leorio lying against each other. It would be good to revitalize those three, huh…

"Hey, wait! Make some for me too!"

"Of course. I'm making enough for six."

"...Six?" Killua arched a brow. Them being a group of five. "Ah, the foxes? Sure. I'm going to go play more games on the phone."

"Go ahead." Naruto bade him away… before smirking evilly. The mischievous prankster side of him never really left even after everything that had happened.

…

Buhara beamed as a fox held out a tray of mouthwatering, heavenly aromatic dishes for him. Watching Menchi eat had definitely made him hungry again. The fox bowed before leaving the tray on his palm and Buhara moaned at the amazing taste of freshly cooked, delicious dishes of the forest.

"Ahhh~ I really love Number 66."

A hand jabbed his side and he looked down to see an interested Menchi. But he merely held the tray higher, feeling his possessive habits kicking in.

"Mine."

"Just a little."

"You just ended the Exam stating that you weren't hungry anymore."

"That's why just a-"

"Yadda." Buhara firmly stated as he chewed on the pork steak with condiments. "If you want to eat something, then accept more attempts."

"No." Menchi frowned, not wanting to try any more bad food. Buhara nodded,

"See? You're not hungry. This is mine. It's been hours since I last ate."

"You ate 70 pieces of pork just three hours ago, Buhara!"

"I'm a big boy."

…

Killua snickered as his sharp ears heard the one-sided argument between examiners and he joined the others in eating lunch.

"Damn, you're evil."

"I know." Naruto smirked before finishing the table with a bowl of forest fruit he found. The smell waking the three up and they began eating hungrily. Leorio sighed in happiness,

"I almost forgot how hungry I was after that marathon and this. Heck, I think the last time I ate a full meal was on the ship from Whale Island."

"Me too!" Gon shouted as he chowed down; Naruto stealing leftover rice from all stations. Kurapika smiled,

"I as well. Thanks, Naruto."

"No problem. We should keep our energy up for the next Phase."

"The Exam's over." Killua repeated. Naruto nodded,

"For now. But then two possible events could happen that will cause it to continue: 1. Hisoka-san will kill someone and then go on a mass-murdering spree. 2. Netero-san will make an appearance due to the unfairness of this trial."

"Netero-san?" The four questioned until they heard a phone ring and Menchi begin shouting and arguing and refusing to redo the trial. Naruto glanced at Hisoka, who noticed and smiled with a wave of his hand, and then looked back at his group,

"Yup. I think Number 2 is more likely. In fact, it's starting right now. Just watch the show, I guess." Naruto relaxed, laying against a Nen fox. The others exchanged glances before following his lead and beginning to chat about random things. After a while, Naruto introducing them to the various random Japanese food. Killua especially loving the sweets as he excitedly asked,

"What's this one?"

"Dango. They come in many flavors… but we're sort of limited on that here."

Killua pouted, "Dang…" He perked up, "Do they come in chocolate?"

"Yup~! Too bad I can't make chocolate right now though."

"You know how to make chocolate?!"

"Yeah?"

"Marry me please!"

Naruto wondered if he should worry about being used to being thought of as a girl now that he was proposed to for the seventh time in barely a half-hour's time.

Crash! Thud.

"Hm?"

Naruto and the others looked to the side to see a broken window with blood splattered all over the walls. The spiky-haired blond commented,

"Did an idiot just try attacking the examiners?"

Killua who was watching nodded, "People just don't learn." Them all watching Menchi informing them all about the Hunter's skill in fighting regardless of what type. Surprisingly, a blimp with a black bullet head appeared with an old man falling down and landing firmly on the ground. Naruto shivered at the strength exuded by the unassuming old man; his mind automatically connecting the strength to the one who was behind the Hunter Organization…

"Netero-san, President of the Committee. The man responsible for the trials." Menchi introduced to the mass; her position slacking a bit as she backed away. Her face visibly changed from stern and arrogant to more childish like a child about to be scolded by a father.

"Responsible, yes, but I am only an executor." The old man replied to his introduction, "And I'm here to solve this kind of problem. Menchi."

"Yes!"

"Concerning their ability to take on a challenge in a domain they do not know… do you believe the attitude they had in front of this trial justified such severity?"

Though Menchi herself didn't notice or probably any of the others due to the severity of the situation, Naruto couldn't help but sweat-drop as the old man was obviously looking at her chest with subtly perverted eyes. Then again, Naruto could just be trained to such observations having known and met many perverts back at home.

Menchi looked down with a small frown, "...No. Many facts troubled me. Mainly the lack of respect the participants had for cooking - all of them except one underestimating and failing miserably in the art and even that one who did pretty well giving up at the end…"

Killua whispered to the blond looking away, "I think she's talking about you."

"Shh!"

Menchi continued, ignorant of the kid's whispering, "Added to the incident which permitted them to know the recipe of the order… It got my blood boiling and I lost my temper."

Many stared pointedly at Hanzo, who too looked away. In this round, it was probably safe to say that both ninjas screwed up fairly badly. Netero asked,

"Do you understand why you failed the mission which was ordered to you?"

"Yes…" Menchi closed her eyes, reluctantly apologizing, "I'm sorry! When it's a question about cooking, I tend to forget my role. I failed as a jury member, didn't I? I resign. I'm asking you to declare this test to never have happened."

"Hmmm… You could easily continue, but… the menu you chose was rather difficult." Netero thought for a moment before grinning, "Alright! I know! You're going to continue, but as compensation, you'll have to take the test also! How about it?"

"!" Menchi widened her eyes before nodding, "Very well! A boiled egg! President, could you give us a ride to that mountain?"

She asked pointing to a rock very very far away. Netero smiled, "I see… No problem!"

And everyone boarded the blimp. Leorio murmuring, "Are you psychic?"

"Of course not. This is only logic, Leorio-san. Just like with the Man-Faced Apes."

Killua and Kurapika both shook their heads, "Your logic escapes me" before they both smiled, "A boiling egg… sounds more reasonable." Gon grinned,

"Mm! Even I know how to boil an egg!"

"Yes, yes, we believe you." Leorio teased while Kurapika chuckled,

"And we don't believe you, Leorio."

"Oi!"

They all laughed.

…

A few minutes later, Menchi pointed down at the crack between the two walls of the mountain.

"Here it is!"

A strong wind blew, sending those unaware a few inches into the air as it left. Those brave or courageous stood on the edge and looked down - the rock cliff stretching vastly off to nothing. A participant asked fearfully,

"What's down there?"

Menchi began taking off her shoes and socks, grinning, "Don't worry! There's a very deep river. The current is very strong so you'd better not fall in unless you want to be washed ashore a dozen miles from here. Alright! Here I go!"

And she jumped off to the shock of others.

"HUH?!"

She ignored them, concentrating on below. Netero explained as she soared with the wind currents,

"It's here on Mount Mafutatsu where the Tarantula-Eagles live. She went to get one of their eggs. Tarantula-Eagles tighten strong lines between both rock faces and suspend their eggs to protect them from attacks of land creatures."

The woman explained the process from below as she grabbed a line, flipped to take an egg and then carefully moved to the rock face to climb back up,

"And then all you have to do is boil the egg." She smiled.

Killua grinned, "Ah, cool!"

"Yeah! I was expecting something more like that!" Gon followed. Naruto smiled, admiring the winds that envelop him with their strong gales,

"This might be my favorite Phase. A free fall among the winds~"

Leorio laughed as he readied for a jump, "This is more like it! It's easier to take action than to do some traditional cooking!"

Kurapika initiated it by jumping, "Let's go for it!"

Naruto laughed cheerfully as he felt his body rush through the updrafts before he grabbed the thick spider thread and swung his body around to use his legs to hold the thread. With his now free hands, he grabbed an egg and then another after a pause. Now, done with that, he placed the eggs in his pockets and carefully swung himself again to walk on the threads like a tightrope walker.

He laughed again at the sight of Leorio awkwardly dangling on the thread and Gon looking all the like a monkey as he easily got to the rock face. He smirked when his foot touched the rock face and he began to walk vertically up with chakra.

"How the hell is that little boy doing that?! That should be impossible!"

He heard someone shout incredulously, Naruto merely smirked in amusement as he looked for the other ninja - chuckling at the sight of Hanzo gaping as well. He gave a wink before continuing his way up with ease. His hands extended to full length above him in victory for being the first one.

Menchi smiled, "The pot of hot water's over there. We're all going to be boiling them together."

"Got it."

Once everyone finally got back up, they placed the eggs gently into the water. It was a few minutes of anticipation and patience until Menchi held both kinds of eggs out, one brown and one white,

"Here's an egg like the ones you can buy and here's a Tarantula-Eagle's egg. See the difference!"

All did and shouted in awe and amazement and praises of its delicacy. Menchi grinned proudly, "Maybe I made you better understand the joy of discovering new exquisite food? We risk our lives for it everyday!"

Naruto smiled as he gave the fat man the extra egg he got so Gon could eat all of his. The man bit into it before looking away,

"I failed completely this year, but I'll come back again next."

Menchi grinned before reporting to the applicants,

"Second Phase, Round Two. 42 Qualified. Good work!"

A/N: Someone asked for a description of Naruto again. Sorry, too lazy to draw so... Black headphones (which he doesn't take off). Autumn orange hoodie. Black baggy pants. Ponytail (if you need visuals, imagine Rurouni Kenshin). As for reason why he has long hair... just look at A/N of Chapter 1.

Oh. Right. Since someone suggested Naruto/Menchi, I will consider it if at least 30% of the reviewers want it. No poll, just write in review.