Leorio watched carefully for the three brothers to slip off the boat. If nothing else, they were three points. Even if his plan was to force them on Tonpa to "help" the man pass. Of course, it appeared that the three would be sticking together for this portion as well. The first not entering the forest until his brothers were off the boat.
They would always be close, meaning a cluster of three in the forest would most likely be them. Safety in numbers, but also meant it was harder to move stealthily. Tracking them would be mere child's play compared to living at the Zoldyck mansion. So blending into the foliage of the island was child's play. Leorio could easily follow the three, taking the strategic high ground in the treetops. He could appreciate the young trees and their springiness compared to the ancient trees of the Zoldyck. Also that the "prey" was far less dangerous to hunt than the living beings on Kukuroo mountain.
He really didn't want to hurt them though. Actually, Lippo had said anything would go, so if he could make it through here causing as little harm as possible could be interesting. If against the right people. He could feel the phantom aura of Hisoka clawing at his very soul. If push came to shove, that was one person he wouldn't hold back against. He had no doubt that Hisoka would never dream of hesitating against him. He wasn't sure what the man was fully capable of but he wasn't going to risk it by playing the Hippocratic Oath card. If the competitor needed medical assistance though... he knew he would stop and help. He had a weakness towards those who were already suffering. Case and point with Illumi when he had helped him so many years ago.
Pushing those thoughts aside, he scaled the trees of the island, feeling the springiness of the younger trees than the ancient trees of Kukuroo mountain, as he began to blend in with nature, slowly stalking the three targets in for the week.
It wouldn't take much time to snatch their badges. He had plenty of time to retrieve them, or worst come to worst, know who would take their badges from them, most likely eliminating the badge Tonpa wouldn't need.
He let one day pass with little fanfare, then a second with the three on edge while he continued to follow them. Not once did they even notice him following them.
It was the third night that he made his move. To their credit, they didn't allow themselves to be asleep at the same time, but it was no matter. The members of the Zoldyck family and staff were far more dangerous and difficult to steal from. The three hardly even noticed him slip in and silently take their hidden badges. He wondered how long it would take them to realize they were missing their badges. But it didn't matter. He had a prize. If nothing else, it would be a pass for himself. Now, he needed to find his target and obtain their badge. After that, he would track down Tonpa and ensure that he passes this round. Easy enough on the island. As long as he avoids other nen users on the island, he was certain that this might be the smoothest challenge.
Certainly more relaxed than the constant running challenge they started with-
Was that Killua? Heading towards the trio?
Oh he was going to run as far away as possible from the disaster he had inadvertently caused. He sincerely hoped Killua didn't need any of their badges. He could only imagine the annoyance on Killua's finicky feline like face. If he needed one of the brother's badges then he was going to be severely disappointed. He could already feel the invasive thought of Killua's surly expression, like every time that he had to deal with his mother. That sour angry cross eyed cat expression that was just dunked in water. Displeasure dripping from his expression that would be living rent free in his brain until the end of time.
He silently prayed that Killua didn't discover he had the badges- if they were the ones he was looking for.
No. Focus, he was going to find his target.
Number 246.
It wasn't the three brothers.
It wasn't Killua. It wasn't Killua's little friend Gon. And it wasn't Kurapika who had severe family issues and seemed to trust Leorio a little too much. It wasn't Tonpa. Although that would be amusing. It wasn't Illumi, and it wasn't Hisoka either. At least nine people- ten if he counted himself- that it wasn't.
Well, at least it removed some potential targets in his hunt. Even if it did leave him with just about everyone else as someone targeting him.
He stopped in one of the older trees of the island's forest. He took in a deep breath and leaned against the tree. Just like before, he pushed nen into the tree. While not a physically offense ability, it was perfect for hunting. Small scale on the human body to search for injuries, large scale using trees with roots that intertwined and connected to one another allowed him to get a fairly good feel of the forest and those who were still alive. He had little doubt that in a free for all where killing was allowed, that there would be corpses.
A large grin came to his face as far closer than expected, was Tonpa near someone else. They didn't seem to be fighting so...
Okay, he could always find the person with his badge or replace one of the three he already had to ensure Tonpa passed.
Because he was a nice guy.
He jumped down from the tree, landing with little noise as he made his way towards Tonpa.
Next time- It's Tonpa time!