Ponzu's mood was complicated.
Most examinees fought tooth and nail to pass the Hunter Exam, some even losing their lives in the process.
But Kaizen and Illumi? They didn't seem to care about the exam at all.
If the other candidates knew this, what kind of expressions would they make?
The difference between people really was staggering.
"Still, with the Captain and Gittarackur—no, with Illumi around, passing the Hunter Exam is child's play."
"No one here can compete with them."
...
The battle between Killua and Hanzo was still ongoing.
Killua couldn't figure out why Hanzo was coming at him so aggressively, but with no time to question it, all he could do was counterattack.
Hanzo's strength was on a different level than the Amori brothers'.
Even Killua was finding it tricky.
There was no time to hesitate. The two clashed again and again, constantly shifting positions.
Trees were uprooted, stones shattered, the ground torn apart—
It felt like a massive beast had rampaged through the battlefield.
...
Kaizen's gaze drifted to the crystal ball in front of him.
Ever since Killua and Hanzo had started fighting, he'd noticed the ball absorbing traits faster than before—or rather, the surrounding traits were appearing more rapidly.
"Killua and Hanzo are both among the most talented participants in this Hunter Exam."
"It's already up to fifty-three percent."
He continued observing the fight closely. On the surface, their abilities seemed evenly matched.
But Kaizen saw something else.
Killua was holding back.
Hanzo wasn't.
"Is it because of Illumi's needle?"
Kaizen recalled a detail from the original story—To make Killua follow the Zoldyck family's code, Illumi had planted a needle in his forehead.
It was meant to restrict his decisions—forcing him to avoid battles he wasn't guaranteed to win.
In a twisted way, it was meant to protect him.
But it also shackled him.
Just like now.
If Killua were fighting freely, he and Hanzo would be evenly matched.
But he was hesitant. Restraint colored his every move, and he even looked like he wanted to turn and run.
If not for Hanzo's relentless pursuit, Killua might've already retreated.
Of course, only Kaizen and Illumi could see this subtle shift.
Ponzu and Amori had no clue.
They were just stunned by the level of power both boys displayed.
"So strong!"
"I can't even follow their movements."
"That kid—what is he, twelve, thirteen? How is he this powerful?"
"Where'd he come from?"
"This defies logic…"
"That bald guy calls himself a ninja, but he's insanely strong!"
...
Kaizen turned his head slightly.
"Ponzu, look out."
Ponzu snapped back to attention.
Fwoosh!
A black blur zipped toward her at lightning speed.
A snake lunged with its fangs bared.
Ponzu jumped back instinctively.
A figure dropped down from a tree nearby.
"Bourbon…"
Ponzu's eyes narrowed.
"You're after me?"
Bourbon's eyes swept across the trio.
"Ponzu. Kaizen. Gittarackur. I didn't expect to see all three of you together. If time weren't so tight, I wouldn't have revealed myself yet."
"But… it doesn't matter."
"You're already surrounded."
At his words, the ground rustled.
Dozens of venomous snakes slithered out from every direction—across the ground, coiled on stones, twisted around branches.
They formed a complete encirclement.
Ponzu's face grew tense.
Kaizen didn't react at all.
As for Illumi, his gaze remained fixed on the Killua–Hanzo fight, as if nothing else existed.
"Ponzu, want me to handle this?" Kaizen asked casually.
"No need, Captain. I'll take care of it."
Ponzu stepped forward, eyes locked on Bourbon.
"Can we take this somewhere else? You're only after me, right? Defeat me, and I'll give you my number badge."
Bourbon gave a cold, thin smile.
"No can do. I spent too much effort setting this up."
"And now I've got two hostages. Why would I give that up?"
"I still don't know what your ability is. That's my biggest advantage."
"If I lose, I can always threaten them and force you to hand over your badge, can't I?"
...
Kaizen raised an eyebrow.
Taking him and Illumi hostage?
Was this guy trying to die faster?
With nothing but some snakes?
...
"Captain, I'll handle him here."
Kaizen waved him off. "Go ahead."
Ponzu removed her hat calmly.
She had no intention of passing the exam. That had never been the point.
She wasn't here for a Hunter License.
She was after the King of Power.
Following Kaizen—that was Ponzu's real goal.
But that didn't mean she'd hand over heer badge without a fight.
She touched the brim of her hat.
In an instant, silver-colored bees began swarming out.
Some were already nearby, drawn by his ability.
Half came from her own aura, the rest were native to the island.
Dozens, then hundreds, gathered with a rhythmic hum of wings.
They split into two swarms—indistinguishable in appearance.
But structurally, they were different.
Wild bees had a single-use venomous sting—one hit, and they died, organs torn from their bodies.
Ponzu's bees were different.
They could sting again and again, like hornets.
...
The battle was about to erupt.
The snakes lunged.
Ponzu countered with a wave of her staff, striking away the first few attackers.
At the same time, her bees shot forward in waves.
Some formed a defensive perimeter.
The rest targeted Bourbon directly—obstructing his vision, disrupting his focus, forcing him to divide his attention and weakening his control over the snakes.
Their abilities were similar.
Both commanded swarms of creatures to fight for them.
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