Hanzo walked off, number plate in hand.
Killua stood in silence.
No one knew what was going through his head—but it was clear to everyone that his mood had taken a nosedive.
Up until now, the Hunter Exam had gone pretty smoothly for Killua. He'd faced no serious setbacks.
That's exactly why Kaizen had wanted to challenge him.
"Killua… you still need to build up more mental toughness."
Still, after this fight, Kaizen believed Killua's performance in the final exam—especially when facing someone like Illumi—would surpass how he did in the original timeline.
...
In a shaded part of the forest, three figures crept closer to Killua.
It was the Amori brothers.
They had watched Killua's match with Hanzo and were just about to leave. But seeing how evenly matched the two had been—and that Killua ultimately lost—they began to reconsider.
Before, they hadn't stood a chance. Killua and Hanzo were on a completely different level. If they failed now, they'd just have to try again next year.
But after seeing Killua fall unconscious...
"Sure, he's strong," Umori muttered, "but he's still a kid. He's gotta be running on empty."
"Exactly. He lost to Hanzo. He's probably spent."
"This is the best shot we'll ever get," said Umori. "We take him out, we take his plate. He won't even see it coming."
Umori hesitated.
But Umori was still bitter about how Killua had treated him earlier in the exam.
"If I let this chance slip by, I'll regret it forever."
He darted forward, closing the distance fast.
"Die, brat!"
But he didn't notice it—Killua's aura had changed.
It was terrifying now. Cold, controlled, lethal.
In an instant, Killua vanished.
"Wha—?"
Umori barely had time to react before sharp pain tore through him. He looked down—his chest was bleeding.
"Thud."
Umori collapsed.
"Umori!" Amori shouted.
"You little monster! You'll pay for this!"
"Imori, let's take him together!"
Amori charged, eyes wild.
But Imori didn't move. The moment Amori attacked, he turned on his heels and ran, abandoning his brother without a second thought.
Killua's eyes darkened.
A flicker of fear crossed Amori's face.
Too late.
A blur of motion. A sharp flash.
Amori and Killua passed each other.
Amori clutched his throat. Blood trickled between his fingers.
"Thud."
He dropped.
Killua didn't glance back. He walked alone into the forest, disappearing into the trees.
"Kaizen, I'm heading out first."
"Got it," Kaizen replied calmly.
...
Illumi's figure flickered and vanished.
Watching from a distance, Bourbon's eyes widened.
"What the hell?"
"My snakes didn't react at all… How fast was that guy?"
"How strong is he…?"
Bourbon felt his chest tighten.
He had been sure he had Kaizen and Illumi surrounded—his snakes could serve as both weapons and hostages.
But now, he wasn't so confident.
"Gittarackur, where the hell did you go?"
"My snakes can't catch him... What happens if he attacks me?"
"I can't defend myself..."
"If Gittarackur's that strong… what about Kaizen?"
"Can I even keep using them as hostages?"
"What if both of them come after me?"
Illumi's sudden disappearance had shaken Bourbon badly—and that hesitation opened a crack in his defense.
Ponzu didn't miss it.
Thwick!
A bee darted behind Bourbon and buried its stinger into his neck.
Venom surged into his bloodstream.
Bourbon's face twisted in pain.
Before he could recover, another bee stung his cheek.
The chain attacks made it hard for him to focus, and several of his snakes stopped obeying him altogether.
Some lashed out blindly. Others froze, waiting for new commands.
The chaos spread.
Bourbon was losing control.
"Damn it!"
He glared in Ponzu's direction but didn't hesitate. He turned sharply and ran down the mountain.
There was no point in staying.
Ponzu watched him flee, but didn't pursue.
She could've chased him down and taken his number plate—but Bourbon's plate was only one point. Not enough. She still needed two more to pass this phase of the exam.
It wasn't worth the risk.
Bourbon's face darkened as he retreated into the distance.
"Ponzu… isn't that strong. I can take him—if he's alone."
"But what about Kaizen and Gittarackur?"
He glanced back, eyes narrowed.
Kaizen had been watching quietly.
He'd noticed something familiar in Bourbon's and Ponzu's abilities. Their use of creatures was reminiscent of manipulator-type Nen abilities—like his own style, Beast Form.
But Bourbon had clearly lost control when he was attacked.
"Not autonomous," Kaizen murmured. "They need constant input."
He considered his options.
Meanwhile, Bourbon was already planning another encounter.
"If I meet Ponzu again… how do I beat her?"
"Gather the snakes first. Keep them close."
But then he paused.
"Why didn't Ponzu chase me?"
"It was the perfect chance. Unless…"
"Unless they're injured… or hiding something."
The thought lingered in Bourbon's mind.
Should he go back?
He was still debating—when suddenly, a figure crashed toward him from the shadows.
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