Capítulo 26: Chapter 26 : The only person who passed the 286th Hunter Exam!!!
The old man wore a flowing martial arts robe, his head mostly shaved except for a long braid trailing down his back. His beard and hair were completely white, lending him an air of wisdom and authority.
With a gentle smile, he approached the bold Germain and the sly Hisoka, his hands clasped behind his back.
Trailing behind him was a bean-faced man, visibly nervous. He wore white gloves, constantly twisting his fingers as if solving an invisible Rubik's Cube.
"I heard from Izunavi and Ian that there are two 'interesting and dangerous newcomers' this year, so I thought I'd come by and see for myself. Sure enough, Togari and more than 20 other candidates were taken down. The rest ran off in fear. This is your 'handiwork', isn't it?"
Hisoka nonchalantly grabbed a shirt from one of the badly injured candidates at his feet and threw it over his shoulders. With a curious grin, he asked, "And who might you be?"
Although he seemed at ease, his instincts for danger told him to stay alert. He had his suspicions about this old man.
The old man replied, "I am Issac Netero, the current Chairman of the Hunter Association."
Both Germain and Hisoka recognized the name immediately—Issac Netero.
"Stopping the fight was a wise choice," Netero said, glancing at both Hisoka and Germain, "but I can't ignore the trouble you two caused."
Germain was quick to distance himself. "I'm not taking the blame for this," he said. "The chaos was Hisoka's doing. Don't lump me in with him."
Hisoka's grin widened. "Your words wound me. I thought we were 'partners'..."
Netero clarified, "I said you caused a commotion. I never said it was your fault," he nodded toward Hisoka, "but because you attacked Togari and injured so many candidates, you're disqualified from this year's exam."
Hisoka had anticipated this scenario, remarking, "It's no big deal. One of my goals has been achieved anyway. As for the Hunter License, I can just return next year to claim it."
For Hisoka, getting a Hunter License was a simple task—so easy, in fact, that he had to create his own entertainment to stave off boredom. Otherwise, he'd go insane from sheer monotony.
The Hunter Association wouldn't bar Hisoka from taking the exam again next year.
Germain understood Hisoka's sentiment. During the Hunter Exam, they were like seasoned pros competing against rookies in a novice village; there was simply no contest.
"It seems you've accepted this arrangement," Netero said with a smile, his gaze fixed on Hisoka.
"Of course," Hisoka replied, lowering his voice and letting his intensity wane. "I'm not interested in fighting you right now. It's too soon, way too soon."
Hisoka's words didn't convey humility, but rather arrogance. What he truly meant was that given more time, he would surpass the old man standing before him.
Hisoka always believed that he was the strongest.
"Confidence is good for the young," Netero chuckled.
Hisoka smiled and decided to leave without causing any more trouble.
He headed towards the dense forest in the mountains, but as he passed Germain, he left him with a gentle warning.
"Chrollo is still my primary target, but you're also hard to forget. You're fascinating—you've grown so much in just over a month since we last met. I'm looking forward to seeing you again." Hisoka gave Germain a wink and continued on his way.
Neither Netero, Beans, nor the nearby Hunters made any move to stop him; they simply let him leave.
"Maamen." Netero stroked his white beard and instructed, "Call everyone over. We need to get Togari and the seriously injured candidates to the hospital, and then track down those who fled during the chaos."
With Hisoka gone, Maamen felt a little more at ease.
He responded quickly, wiping the sweat from his forehead with the back of his hand, then hurriedly walked away on his short legs to deliver the Chairman's orders.
"He's still so jumpy..." Netero remarked, waiting for the bean-faced man to leave before chuckling to himself, as if he found it amusing. "But his reactions always make me laugh."
Germain didn't quite understand what was so funny. To him, it was just silence.
"Little Bisky is right about you; you're quite the stoic one..." Netero's sharp eyes narrowed slightly, showing a youthful energy that belied his age. "Yet your actions are always so unpredictable, contrasting with your cold demeanor."
Netero was the founder of the Shingen-ryu school of martial arts and Bisky's mentor. At over 110 years old, it was fair for him to call Bisky, who's in her fifties, "Little Bisky."
Bisky had asked her disciple Wing to send someone to take the Hunter Exam, and naturally, Netero, being the inquisitive Chairman of the Hunter Association, had asked some questions to learn more about Germain.
"Anything else you want to say to me?" Germain wasn't particularly interested in the Chairman of the Hunter Association or the founder of Shingen-ryu. He had one goal in mind. "If you're done, let's get on with the next test."
Netero laughed for a bit, stroking his beard before replying, "For you, the Hunter Exam must be pretty easy... but you don't need to take the next test."
"Why not?" Germain looked up, slightly surprised. "I didn't break any rules, did I?"
"Not at all," Netero responded calmly. "I mean, this year's Hunter Exam is over. The test is done."
"Look around," Netero said, with a subtle smile. "Out of the remaining fifty-two candidates, one was expelled for attacking an examiner, over twenty were seriously injured, and more than twenty fled in panic. You're the only one left."
"I believe the only qualified candidate for the 286th Hunter Exam has been found. I don't think anyone will challenge my decision," Chairman Netero declared with a smile.
Germain seemed a bit surprised by the sudden proclamation but quickly shrugged it off. He wasn't particularly interested in the details and extended his hand toward Netero.
"Alright, then hand over my Hunter license," he said with a hint of impatience.
Netero chuckled. "Hold on, young man. It takes some time to issue a Hunter license. First, let's bandage that wound on your left arm, and then you'll take the airship to the nearest Hunter Association branch to rest up."
Just then, Beans, the bean-faced man, arrived with a team of hunters. They efficiently moved the seriously injured candidates onto stretchers, ready to take them to the hospital.
Two female hunters stepped forward to help Germain with his bandage, wrapping it carefully around his arm. As they finished, the area in front of Trap Mansion was clear, just in time for the airship to land.
A quarter of an hour later, Germain boarded a special airship with Netero and Beans. The aircraft, emblazoned with the Hunter Association's insignia, lifted off with a gentle hum, quickly climbing into the sky.
"Mr. Germain, this will be your room," Beans said, handing over the key while sizing up the only candidate to pass the exam.
"Thanks," Germain replied, taking the key.
Beans seemed a bit taken aback by the courtesy but quickly smiled. "Oh, no problem, no problem. Enjoy your stay!"
Germain entered his room, locked the door, and then walked into the bathroom. He looked into the mirror, pondering. "Do I really come off as someone who doesn't know how to say thank you?" he mused, shaking his head in disbelief.
********
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