Gon watched in silence as Pokkle, the momentary victor, was suddenly defeated by Ryusei. Having a deep understanding of the strengths of many candidates, Gon realized it would be unrealistic for him to take the number plate from Hisoka head-on with his current abilities.
Therefore, Gon developed an idea. He intended to use the agility and precision of his fishing rod to snag the number plate from Hisoka's person without engaging in a direct fight. However, this required significant practice. So, Gon began looking for a suitable place to train his extraordinary technique.
Meanwhile, Ryusei had already returned to the shore where the ship was moored. He didn't get too close to the vessel, choosing instead to wait out the remaining days near the starting point but hidden from view. He planned to remain there for the next few days.
As for the competition among the candidates on the island, Ryusei naturally had no intention of participating further. After all, he might accidentally run into Hisoka—a confrontation that, to his mind, would mean having no choice but to leave this world prematurely. Now that he had successfully completed the fourth exam requirements, Ryusei was determined not to miss out on his Hunter's license.
A week passed quickly. On the final morning, Tour Guide Khara's voice was broadcast throughout the entire Zevil Island.
"Attention all candidates. The fourth Hunter Exam has now officially ended," the voice echoed across the dense forest. "All candidates are kindly requested to return to the starting point as soon as possible to register. The first hour from now is a buffer period. Please return to the starting point as soon as possible. If we cannot verify your return within this hour, all such candidates will be considered disqualified. Please take note."
She continued, her voice gaining a sharp, final tone. "Also, after returning to the starting point, any exchange of number plates is invalid. Once such behavior is detected, the individual will be immediately eliminated. Please pay close attention."
The announcement galvanized the remaining qualified candidates, who began heading towards the starting point. This included Ryusei, who emerged from his hiding spot, calm and composed, his six points secured.
It was almost time when Khara appeared before everyone with paper and pen in hand. "Now let's start by checking the number plates of those who have already returned."
The number plates of the six people present were quickly confirmed to be correct. Hisoka, Ryusei, Illumi (under the alias Gittarackur), Killua, Hanzo, and Bodoro all received a passing score of six points. Of course, it wasn't just those six people; at the very last moment, Gon, Kurapika, and Leorio arrived, scrambling onto the beach just in time.
It was confirmed that they also possessed the necessary six points. This prompted Ryusei to complain internally, There's no need to arrive at the last minute every time!
The group returned to the area where the Tower of Deception was located by boat. From the Tower of Deception, they then boarded the Hunter Association's enormous airship, marking the end of the fourth phase.
Inside the airship, the examiners of this Hunter Exam were having a meal together.
"Hahaha..." Netero couldn't help but laugh robustly. "Seven out of the nine are newbies! What a bumper harvest!"
Netero was exceptionally pleased; this kind of situation was very rare. Buhara looked at Netero and couldn't help but ask, having never encountered so many novices reaching the final exam before. "Has anything similar happened before?"
"Let me think for a moment," Netero said. "Yes. It usually serves as a warning sign. Typically, for about ten consecutive years, no newcomer is able to pass the test. Then, they spring up like mushrooms after rain. Suddenly, numerous promising young people emerge. This is the fourth time such a surge has occurred since I became President."
Netero wore a very bright smile on his face. In the previous three attempts, those cohorts of candidates all achieved very good results. Some had even gone on to become world-renowned Hunters.
"So, what exactly will the final exam test?" Satotz looked at Netero and asked. The examiners should have been informed of all exam details so they could cooperate with each other, yet Netero had never provided any explanation regarding the final exam.
"Yes, we don't know anything about that yet," Buhara followed up, also curious about what kind of exam content Netero would set.
"Regarding this..." Netero paused, a mysterious smile appearing on his face. "I want them to have a special duel."
Of course, this decision was actually made by Netero on the spur of the moment. After all, so many promising young people had emerged this time. He certainly couldn't just select one or two qualified individuals, as was the usual practice!
"What kind of special duel is it?" Satotz looked at Netero with a puzzled expression and asked.
Netero did not directly answer Satotz's question. "First of all, I'd like to speak with each of the nine of them individually."
With Netero making the arrangements, the voice of the Bean Man rang out inside the airship.
"Attention all candidates. Next, the President will personally meet with everyone. The candidates whose numbers have been called, please proceed to the reception room on the second floor for a meeting with Chairman Netero. Then let's begin the interview with Mr. Hisoka, candidate number 44."
Hearing the voice on the radio, many candidates looked puzzled, but it was pretty much a given that the interview was related to the last exam. This made many test-takers look serious.
Ryusei knew that this inquiry was indeed related to the final exam. However, he hesitated briefly about how to answer the questions. In the end, Ryusei decided to tell the truth, believing honesty would be the most efficient approach.
Ryusei was called out very quickly. Upon entering the reception room, Ryusei walked directly to the table and sat down in front of Netero.
"First of all, why do you want to become a Hunter?" Netero looked at Ryusei and asked calmly.
"Because you can learn Nen," Ryusei answered very frankly. He knew he wouldn't stay in the Hunter x Hunter world forever, and if it weren't for the chance to learn Nen, he probably would have given up on the exam after obtaining the Spider Eagle's egg.
"I see." Netero nodded, not appearing surprised. It was unclear why Ryusei knew that becoming a Hunter would grant him access to learning Nen. However, the reason of studying was still very reasonable. Almost every ordinary person who knows about Nen desperately wants to master this ability.
"Out of the other eight candidates besides yourself, which candidate do you care about the most?" Netero asked again.
"Killua (number 99) and Gon (number 405)," Ryusei answered very readily. There was no reason other than the fact that the two were the main characters of the story. Although he hadn't planned to befriend Killua and Gon, they were the ones he cared about the most in terms of future relevance and plot.
Netero was somewhat curious about Ryusei's answer. Judging from the previous four exams, Ryusei hadn't had much interaction with Killua and Gon. However, Netero didn't dwell on it and continued to ask.
"Then one last question. Among the other eight candidates, which candidate would you least like to face right now?"
Ryusei pondered for a moment before answering. "Number 44 Hisoka and Number 301 Illumi (Gittarackur). The two are too strong; we simply can't beat them. Therefore, I have absolutely no desire to fight either of them."
The reason Ryusei did not answer immediately was mainly because he also didn't want to fight Gon, who, though weaker, was dangerously unpredictable. However, after careful consideration, Ryusei felt that the people he least wanted to fight were indeed Hisoka and Illumi.
"I see! You can go back now." Netero nodded and then began to take notes. Ryusei didn't say anything more and simply got up and left, the interview having gone exactly as he had planned.