Leorio felt no worries traveling through the so-called Swindler's Swamp. He could feel Satotz's nen easily and held no fear of losing "sight" of him. He didn't share the trick, though, instead favoring remaining next to Kurapika, who he was sure would at least survive to the second phase. Or at least, he wanted him to. If Gon lost one of his friends so early to the exam, he might not bond with Killua enough to make an excellent emotional attachment.

Though the Zoldyck family may disagree, he did believe in the benefits of positive emotional relationships. He would do what he could to allow the friendship to thrive.

"Hey Kurapika!" a young voice called out, no doubt it was Gon, "Do you think Hisoka smells?"

Leorio held back a snort at the casual comment about the dangerous man. He didn't feel a spike in Hisoka's nen at the rather juvenile comment. He could tell that Killua was slightly annoyed at Gon's rather playfully relaxed attitude. Just the same natural and unsettling energy he carried as his bloodlust. In hindsight, it was a rather foolish thing to say. He knew that the comment hadn't been brought up by whatever the kid was thinking.

No doubt, Killua said something along the line of Hisoka smelling dangerous, and Gon took it literally. Leorio thought it was kind of funny. There was a small back and forth between Gon and Kurapika before he could feel the Killua pull forward with his friend in tow.

Leorio felt Kurapika slightly veer off the direction of Satotz from the way the people in front of them were running. With a silent sigh, he used his nen to send out pulses to look for any imminent danger. It would be rather pathetic if he died so early in The Hunter's Exam considering how he was trained on Kukuroo Mountain.

He prepared for a giant beast that he sensed up ahead. A small amount of danger now to keep his tricks close to his chest would be worth it.

He felt a jolt of excitement, sensing a large and lumbering creature up ahead. He wasn't sure what it was, but he could tell it was large and lumbering with a tail and a long neck. His steps grew softer, near entirely silent as he and Kurapika approached the creature. They soon saw what the beast looked like, as Leorio somewhat recognized the creature. Well, the berries on its' back rather than the creature itself. He had cooked with those berries on rare occasions—usually, someone's birthday. The berries appeared similar to strawberries and had a high content of sugar and a tough exterior. Excellent for braising meat. And not bad for holding onto for a while.

"Well, it looks like we found something valuable," Leorio commented. He had already picked up on that the others who had approached the beast unknowingly had already perished. There was nothing he could do for them now.

Instead, he focused on not letting anyone else die. Well, that and getting a berry or two. Their value was rather impressive. He now fully understood why.

"Stay light on your feet Kurapika," Leorio added.

"Doc what are you-?"

Leorio charged forward. His intent from his nen flaring forward and away from Kurapika. The creature faced him with primal interest. Leorio kept its' attention, making a show of narrowly avoiding its' mighty maw. He darted on the marsh ground and up onto its' back. With a flick of his wrist, his trusted knife appeared in his fingertips. A flourish of his arm swiftly had one berry removed from the beast's back. The beast roared and turned its' head back to Leorio. Leorio gave a roguish grin to the beast and lept off the back, berry in tow.

"Now's a good time to run Kurapika!" Leorio called out, purposefully running in the direction he could feel familiar nen. He had his nen pulse to try and figure out where they needed to go. He could sense a group surrounding foul nen that was no doubt Hisoka, and a fainter but larger group of nen steadily moving through the Wetland. He was sure that the second group was with Satotz. He ran away from where Hisoka was, bringing Kurapika and the fruit with him.

"That was incredibly reckless, Doc. You could have been killed."

"You can also die from drinking a glass of water. We're trying to be hunters. Chances to die a violent death are part of the deal."

"Still, this is only the first phase of the exam."

"Oh, relax, Kurapika. We're fine. Besides, you have a bit of risk with what you want to do after getting your license, right?"

"That doesn't mean be reckless so early on."

"Okay, Kurapika. You're the boss," he said as they both continued running. It was only a few minutes before they ran into the endpoint, just as Satotz arrived with those who kept pace with him. Leorio could feel Kurapika's eyes focus on him. He didn't acknowledge his questioning gaze. Instead, he looked over the remaining group of individuals. A slight frown came to his face as he noticed he didn't see Killua. He didn't sense him either. It was troubling. Killua was irritating at times sure but he didn't want harm to come to him.

"Well, talk to you later Kurapika," Leorio dismissively said. He walked away from the curious blond, swerving between the other applicants. His nen gradually made him unnoticeable to the common applicant. He noted Illumi glancing in his direction, fully able to know what he was doing. Leorio didn't say anything. He leaned against a tree, focusing almost entirely on his nen pulsing outward through the tree and into the ground. A simple enough trick he had mastered with his nen in Kukuroo Mountain. With the roots of the trees entwined and entangled, they were wonderful for mapping out the area where the ground was less reliable.

Not too far off, he could sense two pairs of small feet rapidly approaching along with a light-footed but larger individual. Leorio was certain that the three were Killua, Gon, and the clown Hisoka.

He kept his presence concealed as Killua and Gon ran right past him, unaware that he was even there. He couldn't help the smile that came to his face seeing Killua so carefree, and Gon appeared to be equally energetic.

"If I were a betting man," Leorio muttered.

"Oh? And what would you bet on?"

Leorio did not jump, but he was unnerved with the silent and surprise appearance of Hisoka. Clearly the clown had more training in nen than he did.

"The future," Leorio stated neutrally.

"Is that right?"

"Yes. Just looking over who will make it to the end of the exam."

His eyes wandered over to Tonpa.

"And who might be better never coming to the exam again."

He knew that what the rotund man gave Killua did nothing. But he would rather give a consequence to the man for doing so.

Hisoka picked up who Leorio had focused on and gave a sadistic chuckle.

"Ah, the first year crusher," Hisoka commented. Leorio raised a brow. "You certainly have an odd pick."

"Yeah? This isn't your first year. Anything you'd be willing to tell me?"

"Curious aren't you? I'll fight you for the information."

"No thanks. I'm guessing he hates anyone who comes in their first year thinking they'll pass. So he tries to break them. Right?"

"How astute."

"I wonder how long he'd last if he actually made it to Hunter," Leorio commented. If he was focused on the first time applicants, then that would mean that he might have no desire to become a hunter. From what he had heard from rumors, once you passed the test, you could never retake the exam. Meaning if the man who seemed fixated on rookies was unable to take them out in the exam, just what would he do?

The creepiest laugh came from Hisoka at the comment.

"Going to try and make someone pass? It sounds amusing. I look forward to seeing you try."

Leorio didn't respond and Hisoka walked away. It was certainly an idea. And if Tonpa was poisoning people where they couldn't receive medical assistance, well...

He had a duty to perform as a doctor to keep people healthy and safe. So Tonpa the poisoner wouldn't be taking The Hunter's Exam again.

Leorio and Tonpa who he has only seen from afar. This is going to be something.