DISCLAIMER: I do not own Hunter X Hunter

Chapter 16: Final Exam

They all boarded the hunter committee's airship instead of the old battleship.

"I have an announcement for all applicants," Beans said over the intercom. "The chairman wishes to interview the remaining candidates. Soon, the president will have a conversation with you. When you're called, please proceed to the first reception room on the first floor. Candidate #44, please make your way to the reception room."

"Interview?" Leorio asked.

"Is it because it's the final phase?" Morgan said to Leorio, with whom she was spending time. He'd been looking after her wound and making sure her fever was gone.

Morgan winced slightly as Leorio carefully changed the bandage. "Sorry," he said, glancing up at her with concern. "The wound looks better now, but try to avoid moving your shoulder too much. Keeping it still will help it heal faster. And make sure to drink lots of water to help with the fever. "

Morgan nodded, grateful for his help. "Thanks, Leorio."

"Don't mention it," Leorio said with a grin. "Just focus on getting better."

They were in the cafeteria, where Morgan sipped her soda thoughtfully. "Do you think the final phase is about testing our communication skills?"

"Could be," Leorio said. "But I doubt it. It might be related to it. More like preparation for it."

"Yeah, maybe," Morgan agreed.

Candidates were called by their numbers, and it wasn't long before Morgan's turn came. "Candidate #397!"

Morgan left the cafeteria and made her way to the reception room. She got a bit lost but found it after about five minutes. She poked her head through the door and grinned sheepishly. "Sorry, Mr. Chairman, I got a little lost." Then she stepped inside and closed the door.

"You're not the first," Chairman Netero said with a smile. "It's finally nice to meet the only girl among the candidates."

"Oh," Morgan replied.

"Please, have a seat," the Chairman said. "I just want to ask you a few questions, that's all."

"Okay, sir," Morgan nodded, sitting on the mat on the floor.

"So, why do you want to become a hunter?" he asked immediately.

She had anticipated this question, as Menchi had asked it before. But this time, she decided to give a different answer.

"I need the license to save someone," Morgan said honestly. "I came here with the intention of giving my license afterward..."

They might be upset or disappointed by her response, but she really wanted to be honest this time. It felt unfair to the other candidates who had worked so hard for the exam, while she was planning to give the license.

"Alright," Netero said.

Morgan looked puzzled.

Before he could continue, Morgan cut in.

"That's it? Just 'alright'?"

"Why? Do you want me to disqualify you because that's your intention for the exam?" Chairman Netero asked.

Morgan shook her head. "I want to keep going... I have to. I just thought you'd disqualify me because I never intended to become a hunter."

Suddenly, she reached into her bag and pulled out the necklace she had obtained during the bonus stage.

"Is this meant to be a bribe?"

Her eyes widened. "What? No! I want to return it," she said. "I took it from the hotel manager's room. I was also thinking of selling it after the exam in case I didn't pass, but my conscience can't handle stealing."

Netero made a thoughtful sound. "I can't take that either... because technically, it's yours, isn't it?"

"But I used it as payment to them."

He laughed. "That was all part of the exam, my dear. Besides, they left the treasures behind, didn't they?"

"Well, yes," she nodded.

"Then it's yours. You can decide what to do with it."

"Yes, sir," she said, putting the jewelry back in her bag.

"Alright, let's move on. Among the nine other candidates, who do you find most noteworthy?"

Morgan rubbed her chin, pondering. "In a negative way, it would be Hisoka, #44, and Pin Man, #301; they're incredibly strong and intimidating. I've seen it firsthand. Both positively and negatively, it would be #99, Killua. He's a trained assassin at a young age. I'm scared of him, but at the same time, he just seems like an annoying little brat with no manners."

"Second-to-last question," Netero said. "Who would you least want to fight?"

"Oh, there are quite a few," Morgan replied. "There's Killua, Gon, Kurapika, Leorio, and Hanzo. I'd also prefer to avoid any confrontation with Hisoka and Pin Man."

"Alright, last question," Netero said. "Who would you most want to fight?"

"Oh, I'm not sure," Morgan said. "Maybe Pokkle or Bodoro?" She scratched her head. "Throughout the exam, Netero-san, I've learned to be more humble. I'm not confident in fighting."

"Thank you," Netero said. "You can go now, and enjoy your rest."

Morgan gave a slight bow and left the room. 'I don't know why, but that interview made me so nervous.'

Morgan walked through the hallway of the airship, her mind racing as she made her way back to where the other candidates were waiting.

The one-on-one interview made the final phase of the Hunter Exam feel imminent, and uncertainty gnawed at her. Would it be another deadly challenge? Would they have to fight each other?

The thought of facing Hisoka, Gittarackur, and Killua, the three most dangerous candidates left in the exam, filled her with anxiety. She wasn't sure about Hanzo, but he looked strong too. Their intimidating presence was hard to ignore. Even though she had said she didn't want to fight them or the three boys she befriended during the exam, the thought was unsettling.

However, alongside her fear, there was a spark of admiration. Morgan recalled her encounters with these formidable individuals and realized how valuable (somewhat) such experiences could be for future reference; you never know when this knowledge might be useful.

'How do they manage to be so intimidating?' she wondered.

Despite the fear they inspired, Morgan found herself drawn to their aura and wanted to learn how to emulate it. She wished to add it to her skill set, to instill fear in her opponents during combat, but without crossing the line into killing.

As she contemplated these thoughts, she noticed Killua casually leaning against a wall, seemingly lost in his own thoughts.

Morgan had never seriously considered asking Killua this before, but why not give it a try?

Summoning her courage, Morgan approached him and cleared her throat to get his attention. Killua looked up, his expression shifting to one of mild curiosity tinged with boredom. "What do you want?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.

Morgan hesitated, then blurted out, "I wanted to ask you about your killing intent... as an assassin. How do you manage it?"

Killua blinked, surprised by her question. "Why? Are you planning to kill someone?" He added a joking tone.

"No, I'm just curious," Morgan admitted. "You, Hisoka, and that strange Pin Man have this... presence. You're all so intimidating. I want to learn how to project that kind of fear into my enemies without actually harming them."

Killua was about to decline, but something in Morgan's earnest expression made him reconsider. "It's not something you can master quickly," he said. "I've been trained since birth. You're not an assassin."

Morgan nodded, having anticipated this but hoping for more guidance. "But can you at least suggest where I should start?"

With a sigh, Killua gave in, realizing she was persistent. "Alright. Killing intent is a state of extreme hostility. It's about focusing all your energy on the person you're aiming to hurt. It's challenging to master right away because it's inherently dangerous. If you can't control it, you risk losing control of yourself. It's easier if you have someone you despise or if you've experienced something traumatic; those memories make it easier to access killing intent."

Morgan listened closely, taking in his words. "Aim to hurt, despise, and control," she repeated quietly, as if trying to memorize them. "It sounds challenging... Can you at least give me a basic overview? A crash course, maybe?"

"Are you kidding? You think this is like Algebra?" Killua smirked. "Sorry, but I'm not interested in teaching you. You're just wasting your time."

Morgan frowned. "Why not?"

Killua shrugged. "It's not something you can learn quickly. Besides, I have better things to do."

She persisted. "What if I insist?"

Killua's eyes glinted with amusement. "If you're serious, then you can pay me a fee. How about... 3,000,000 Jennys?"

Morgan's jaw dropped. "3,000,000 Jennys? That's ridiculously expensive!"

Killua laughed. "I'm an assassin from a renowned family of assassins. That price is already a bargain."

Morgan sighed, realizing she wasn't getting anywhere. "I don't have that kind of money."

"Then you'll have to figure out another way to be intimidating," Killua said with a shrug, turning to leave.

'How stingy!'

Morgan watched him walk away, frustrated but not ready to give up entirely. She knew she needed to find her own path to strength, even if it wasn't what she initially envisioned.

.

.

.

Morgan wandered through the bustling corridors of the airship, her mind restless. As she rounded a corner, she spotted Kurapika and Gon deep in conversation. Gon looked up first, his eyes red and puffy, clear signs of recent tears. Morgan guessed he must have been discussing the last exam with Kurapika.

"Hey, Morgan!" Gon greeted her with a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes.

"Hey, Gon," Morgan replied, choosing not to press about his evident distress, as she already knew the reason. Kurapika gave her a nod.

"What brings you here?" Gon asked, trying to divert attention from himself.

"Just bored," Morgan shrugged, but her gaze quickly shifted to Kurapika. There was something about him that intrigued her, presenting a perfect opportunity for her current obsession.

As she continued to stare into Kurapika's eyes, a silence fell over the group, turning into an impromptu staring contest. Kurapika raised an eyebrow, sensing her scrutiny.

"What kind of prank are you up to now, Morgan?" he asked, breaking the silence.

Morgan smirked. "No prank, just an experiment. I ran into Killua earlier, and it got me thinking about killing intent."

Gon tilted his head, curious. "Why are you interested in that?"

"I want to practice projecting killing intent, and who better to practice on than Kurapika?" she replied with a teasing smile.

Kurapika sighed, a hint of exasperation in his voice. "Why me?"

"Because we've been at each other's throats since day one," Morgan replied matter-of-factly.

Gon looked concerned. "Oh, are you still mad at each other?"

Morgan hurried to reassure him. "Oh, we're fine. It's just that thinking about what happened at the pier still gets under my skin a bit. But really, we're good, Gon. Don't worry."

"Meaning, you're still a bit resentful," Kurapika stated flatly.

Morgan rolled her eyes.

"Are you planning to harm someone?" Kurapika asked, pressing the issue.

Morgan shook her head. "No, I just want to add a bit of intimidation to my skill set."

Gon, ever the mediator, shared his own experience. "I hope this helps: when I faced Hisoka, the killing intent was overwhelming. It felt like a physical force pressing down on me. I was genuinely frightened."

Morgan already knew that, but it was useful to hear others' experiences.

Kurapika nodded, offering his perspective. "It's not something to take lightly, Morgan. It involves thinking about actually harming someone. It's not just a tool; it's a mindset."

Morgan considered asking about Kurapika's own preparation for revenge against the Phantom Troupe but thought better of it, not wanting to provoke him.

Instead, she listened attentively, absorbing their advice. Despite her relaxed appearance, she took their insights seriously. The complexity of mastering killing intent intrigued her even more.

"Thanks for the tips," she said finally.

.

.

The next day arrived quickly, and Morgan felt a flutter of nerves in her stomach as she prepared for the Final Phase of the exam. This was the final test, the one that would determine if they could become Hunters.

The airship landed, and the candidates began to disembark, marveling at the vastness of their surroundings. The place was impressive, with large buildings featuring rounded yellow roofs, while the rest of the structures were a stony gray. It was a complex filled with an array of different buildings, all adding to the anticipation.

The candidates followed the examiners and Chairman Netero into one of the largest buildings. At the front of the group, Chairman Netero stood with ten men in black suits to his left and the examiners to his right.

"Welcome, gentlemen and lady. I hope you all got plenty of rest," Chairman Netero said, addressing the candidates. "This hotel is owned by the Hunter Exam Selection Committee. The place is all yours until the results have concluded." He observed them closely as he spoke.

One of the men in black suits rolled out an object covered by a white sheet.

"For the Final Phase, we will be holding a one-on-one tournament," Chairman Netero announced. He gripped the sheet and pulled it off to reveal a board.

The board displayed a tree diagram, indicating the tournament matchups and progression.

"So only the last person standing passes?" Leorio asked Chairman Netero quietly, trying to make sense of the announcement.

"No," the Chairman replied. "One win is all you need to pass," he explained.

Morgan shuffled slightly and fiddled with the sleeve of her shirt. If they only needed one win, then her chances were better than she thought!

"One win?" Gon echoed, sounding confused and slightly surprised by the Chairman's words.

"Then, in this tournament..." Leorio said, trailing off as if he were trying to piece together the details.

"The winners are removed from competition, while the losers continue up the bracket. In other words, the person who finishes at the top will not pass. Does everyone understand now?" Chairman Netero asked, tapping the top of the diagram.

With just one win, they could become a Hunter.

"And here is the bracket," Chairman Netero announced, removing the plastic cover to reveal the board with their pictures and tag numbers.

The lines connected them to different opponents. Morgan looked at Kurapika, who was going to face Hisoka. She felt bad for him; she wouldn't want to go against the Magician.

Taking a deep breath, she scanned the board again and realized she would be up against whoever lost the fight between Gon and Hanzo.

"Impressive, right? After all, everyone has at least two chances to win," Chairman Netero said, sounding proud of his plan.

"But some people, like numbers 294 and 405, get five chances," Pokkle pointed out.

Morgan followed the bracket lines, noting that her line extended quite high, giving her at least four more opportunities to win.

"Why didn't you use a balanced bracket?" asked the oldest candidate among them.

Chairman Netero closed his eyes as he responded, "A question that must be on everyone's mind. This bracket was assembled based on your performance throughout the entire exam. Those who performed better received more chances."

Morgan thought to herself, 'That means I performed well to receive four chances.'

"That doesn't sound right. Can you explain how you scored our performance?" Killua asked, sounding displeased with the results.

"No!" Netero shouted, shaking his head and letting his eyes roll dramatically, making both Killua and Morgan jump. Standing next to Killua made the sudden outburst even more startling.

"Why not?" Killua demanded.

Netero smiled at Killua. "Your scores are classified, but I'll explain our methods. We assess physical strength, mental strength, and overall impression. Physical strength covers agility, flexibility, endurance, and perception. Mental strength includes resilience, adaptability, judgment, and creativity. But these are just reference points; what truly matters is your overall impression—intangibles we didn't mention," he said with a chuckle.

"Think of it as evaluating your potential as a Hunter, with input from your peers. That's our process."

He then laid out the rules: "Weapons are allowed, no cheating, and if your opponent admits defeat, you win. Kill your opponent, and you're disqualified, ending the exam with all others passing. Clear?"

Silence filled the room. Netero concluded, "Then, let's begin the Final Phase."

Everyone cleared the area, standing off to the side. A man in a black suit and sunglasses stepped to the center.

"The first match is Hanzo versus Gon. Please step forward," he announced. Gon and Hanzo moved to the front, locking eyes. "BEGIN!" Gon dashed to the left, but Hanzo matched his speed instantly.

"Confident in your speed, huh?" Hanzo muttered before delivering a swift karate chop to Gon's neck. "Not bad for a kid."

Gon lay on the floor, gasping in pain, unable to move. Hanzo looked down at him with a condescending smile. "In a classic match, this would be enough to win. Hey! Wake up!" He pulled Gon into a sitting position, trying to make him admit defeat.

Hanzo continued to relentlessly attack Gon, attempting to force him to give up. Despite the severe injuries and Hanzo's threats, Gon remained defiant. He was motivated by his desire to meet his father, a hunter, and refused to surrender. To Gon, conceding would mean abandoning his dream of finding his father.

Even as his friends watched with concern and urged him to quit for his own safety, Gon remained steadfast. His determination only frustrated Hanzo further, who continued to pressure him to surrender. But no matter how hard Hanzo pushed, Gon refused to back down, his resolve unwavering.

The tension between Gon and Hanzo hung in the air as they faced each other. Hanzo, with a resigned expression, sheathed his blade and announced, "I've lost. I admit I've lost. I can't kill him, and I can't make him say he's lost. I will wait until the next match."

Gon frowned, unwilling to accept this outcome. "No, that's not possible, let's find a way to continue this fight!"

Hanzo's frustration boiled over as he yelled, "ARE YOU STUPID OR WHAT?! WHATEVER THE MANNER OF FIGHTING, I WON'T GET YOU TO SAY THAT YOU'VE LOST!"

Gon, just as stubborn, shouted back, "Maybe this way isn't good enough!"

"HOW DO YOU WANT IT?!" Hanzo demanded.

"Let's find a way together!" Gon insisted.

Hanzo paused, then spoke more quietly, trying to wrap his head around Gon's way of thinking. "Let me see if I understand. I've resigned myself to lose, but you're saying you intend to beat me seriously once more. You want us to find a way for you to win in a fight. Is that it?!"

"Yeah!" Gon replied with a smile.

"IDIOT!" Hanzo yelled again, delivering an uppercut that sent Gon flying. Calming down, he addressed the judges, "Hey, judges! I lost. I'll fight again in the next match. I think the committee should know that this kind of stubbornness won't lead us nowhere. When he wakes up, you can be sure he'll refuse the title. You won't change it, right?"

"Yes, no matter what Gon says, he's the winner," Chairman Netero declared.

"Anyway, time for the next match!" the jurors interrupted.

As Hanzo rejoined the group, a couple of men in suits brought out a stretcher. They carefully placed Gon on it and began wheeling him away, likely to a medical room for treatment. Morgan watched silently, knowing just how much Gon had endured during the fight.

"Second Match: Kurapika versus Hisoka!" the juror announced.

Kurapika and Hisoka stepped into the arena. Kurapika appeared tense and focused, while Hisoka wore an expression of boredom mixed with anticipation. "BEGIN!" the juror shouted.

Kurapika immediately drew his weapons. Hisoka, true to his magician persona, flicked a card into his hand with a smirk.

Kurapika tightened his grip on his weapons as the two began their battle. Despite the danger, Kurapika managed to hold his ground against Hisoka. The match, however, ended abruptly.

Without warning, they ceased their combat, and Hisoka leaned in to whisper something into Kurapika's ear. Though no one else heard the words, whatever Hisoka said made Kurapika flinched.

Then, to everyone's surprise, Hisoka admitted defeat.

Morgan was left stunned, her mind racing. What had just happened? What did Hisoka say to Kurapika? The fact that Hisoka had lost the fight was utterly astonishing.

"We will move on to the third fight. Hanzo versus Morgan. Please step forward," the juror announced, stepping into the center of the arena.

Taking a deep breath, Morgan placed down her bag. She lost her sword back at Zevil Island. Two daggers were attached to her belt. Knowing that Hanzo has a weapon in his sleeves, this is pretty much she can prepare for the fight.

"Be careful. I do not want you ending up like Gon. If Hanzo starts getting too much, then surrender." Leorio whispered, making the girl look up at him through the corner of her eyes.

"I'll find ways… But thanks for the advice." She said. Leorio must be furious seeing Gon beaten like that.

"Well, just try your best and don't let him get to you." He said as she gave him a slight smile.

Morgan walked to the middle of the arena standing in front of Hanzo. He looked calm... yet intimidating.

"Don't think I'll do the same if you act stubborn like Gon." Hanzo started, his eyes looking down at the girl.

'Yeah, obviously,' Morgan forced a smirk and shrugged. "Damn, I was hoping you would."

Hanzo smirked back, flicking his hand in a 'Come on' gesture, signaling that the fight was on.

Morgan charged at Hanzo, but he deftly sidestepped her punch. Their fists barely connected with a muted thud as Hanzo blocked her strike with his arm.

Morgan grimaced, the pain from her wound flaring with every movement. Undeterred, she quickly aimed an uppercut at Hanzo, targeting from the base of his neck to his sternum.

Hanzo narrowly evaded Morgan's punch, stepping to the right so her fist missed his face by a hair's breadth.

Before Morgan could react, Hanzo swiftly struck her solar plexus, knocking the wind out of her and momentarily stunning her.

'No way.'

Hanzo wasn't finished. Seizing the opportunity, he delivered a precise sidekick to Morgan's stomach, doubling her over. He followed with a quick, rising uppercut.

The crowd winced collectively at the teenager's struggle.

Hanzo swung to the right, circling around Morgan. As he positioned himself directly behind her, he curled his legs around her body, angling her downward and redirecting her fall. With the force of his jump, he executed a powerful throw.

Morgan was violently yanked off her feet and thrown across the floor, skidding and tumbling uncontrollably until she finally came to a stop at the far end of the room. She let out a groan as the pain from the attack began to set in.

The agony was intense—pain radiated from her wound and every spot Hanzo had struck.

Clutching her wound with one hand, Morgan felt blood seeping through her clothes and onto her hands. She was honestly tempted to give up.

"Morgan!" Leorio shouted in concern.

"Damn… I've never been hurt like this before," she muttered, overwhelmed by the pain.

"So you really do have a wound," Hanzo remarked, noting her pained expression.

Morgan glanced up. "Yes, and you've just made my doctor even angrier."

Hanzo moved closer, his tone firm. "Surrender."

"Uh, no," Morgan replied defiantly.

Hanzo chuckled. "I thought I told you that being stubborn won't help you, just like with Gon."

Morgan smirked. "What can I say? We're all kinds of stubborn."

"You really think you can take me on?" Hanzo said, suddenly leaping at Morgan and tackling her to the ground.

Morgan's head slammed against the floor as she was caught off guard by the unexpected tackle. Hanzo quickly pinned her right arm above her head, his body looming over hers. With her body positioned between his knees, he leaned forward and pressed down hard on her wound.

Morgan screamed in agony, her remaining free hand desperately tried to push him away.

"This is a lot easier than I expected," Hanzo remarked with a smirk, noticing Morgan's growing light-headedness. "I thought you'd put up more of a fight."

'It hurts. It hurts!' Morgan thought, knowing that while Hanzo wouldn't kill her due to the rules, everything he did hurt like hell.

She could barely make out Hanzo's smirk. 'Damn this baldy.'

Summoning her remaining strength, Morgan lifted her right leg and drove her knee into Hanzo's groin. And did it the second time. The impact made him release her immediately.

He jumped away, his hands flying to his groin as he dropped to his knees, his forehead pressing against the ground while he screamed in pain.

Morgan rolled over and pushed herself up, coughing and gasping for air. "Didn't... didn't you know it's rude to ride on top of a lady without her permission? You perverted baldy."

"That... w-was... DIRTY," Hanzo gasped, his voice rising in pitch.

Morgan touched her wound, feeling the warmth spreading. Shakily, she stood and stumbled away from Hanzo, her breathing still ragged. "Oh, right, because jumping someone and planning torture isn't dirty!" she yelled.

Hanzo didn't respond, staying on the ground.

"A-are you still okay to fight?" the juror asked, approaching Hanzo.

"Does it look like I'm in any condition to fight? It HURTS!" Hanzo screamed. "I need ICE!"

Morgan blinked in surprise.

"Hanzo surrendered. Morgan won!"

"Heh?"

WHAT?!

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