Capítulo 26: Chapter 26: Coercion

Point of view switch to Reader:

Feeling the pain in his head and the bruising of his brain, Hanzo wakes up from unconsciousness, and opening his eyes slowly, he emerges from the darkness to see a blurry and restless world. After a few seconds, Hanzo's vision clears, and right in front of him he sees Kai standing above him with his body bandaged all over, his arms crossed and a smug smile.

"Wow, you finally woke up. You've been out of action for about 20 minutes. Don't worry about your head, I made sure to bandage it." Kai says.

Hanzo quickly try to get away, but is unable to move. Looking down at his body he notices that he is tied up shibari style, with his arms across his back and his legs spread wide. But that is not the only thing he notices...

"WHY THE HELL I'M NAKED!!!" Hanzo screams at seeing himself wearing only a loincloth and the ropes that bind him.

"Yeah, sorry about that. You being naked was a necessary part of getting you to forfeit. I had to make sure you weren't carrying any more concealed weapons, and for the actions that I am about to perform, it's best if you are naked." Kai starts to explain.

"I didn't like having to strip you either, especially with everyone present looking at me judgementally, so don't think you're the only one suffering." Kai adds, pointing at the spectators who are looking at him with a face and atmosphere of disgust.

Having tried to justify himself, Kai crouches down to speak to Hanzo at the same height. "Well, now that I've bested you in combat and left you in a defenseless state, are you willing to swallow your pride and forfeit?"

Hanzo looks at Kai with a strong and unwavering gaze before answering. "As I already told you, I have to become a Hunter to achieve my goal. Shinobi like me undergo intensive training that doesn't simply exhaust our bodies, but breaks down our muscles and joints in order to perfect the art of ninjutsu. From a young age, I've been enduring a routine and treatment that would make any normal adult run away."

"So no matter what kind of torture you plan to subject me to, I won't give up because of something as simple as pain. It's best that you give the victory to me and save yourself from wasting your time."

At Hanzo's confident and slightly arrogant words, Kai stands up to walk over to his bag on the floor and grab a black marker, much to Hanzo's confusion. "I think you have misunderstood me. I have no intention of causing you any physical harm. What I intend to hurt is your pride." Kai says with a creepy smile to a nervous Hanzo.

The next moments Kai begins to draw on the face of a struggling Hanzo, and when he finally stops, he grabs a mirror to show his work to the victim: A circle surrounds his mouth and right eye, a zig-zag line runs across his forehead, a drawing of poop is under his left eye, and lines ending in spirals are on both sides of his head.

"BUT WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO ME, MISERABLE!!!?" Hanzo screams, losing his cool from a few seconds ago.

"It turned out well, didn't it? Okay, now let's move on to the next thing." Kai comments smiling as he grabs a feather from his bag.

The next thing he does is start tickling Hanzo all over with the feather: his feet, his armpits, his nose, etc. At this action, Hanzo can't stop laughing through his tears while he continues to scream at Kai to stop.

Kai continues his mischievous punishments for several minutes, and most viewers, including Nicholas, can't help but feel disgust and pity at having to see someone of Hanzo's caliber endure such humiliation. However, this is not the case for those with a more sadistic streak, who find it amusing—Hisoka, Killua, Netero and even Gittarackur. Yes, even the normally stoic costumed killer can't help but chuckle at Kai's creative torture methods.

'Wow, so this is why he asked at the beginning if any object could be used. He certainly is a most interesting boy.' Netero thinks while trying to contain his laughter.

After about an hour and a half, Hanzo finds himself panting, his body drenched in sweat from the ordeal, but still not having given up, his strong will and mentality allowing him to withstand all this humiliation.

"Gee, it seems you're more stubborn than I initially thought. I don't consider that a bad thing though. Anyway, I guess I'll have to level up." Kai says picking up the marker again.

"What? You're going to paint more weird stuff on my body? I already told you it won't work." Hanzo manages to say between gasps.

However, this time Kai doesn't draw, but writes. Holding his body tightly, Kai writes a particular phrase on the front and back of Hanzo's body, and the content is enough to make the ninja let out a scream of terror that can be heard throughout the room— On the front it says "Eager to get inside you," and on the back it says "Looking for affectionate man here," both phrases with an arrow pointing downwards.

"BUT WHAT IS YOUR GREAT IDEA IN DOING THIS!!!?" Hanzo angrily asks Kai, who he notices taking pictures of him with the camera he had brought.

After taking several shots from various angles, Kai lowers the camera to look directly at Hanzo. "Okay, I'll tell you what I'm going to do now. I'm going to use my buddy Nicholas's computer to put these pictures of you on the web."

"Dating sites, job profiles, search entries, contacts with high profile people... I'm going to go on all these websites to create profiles for you that show you as a pervert that people can't even look at. Even if people don't end up believing it entirely, the impression they'll get from watching you in this light is something they won't be able to just get out of their minds."

"And even if you become a Hunter, this shame is something you won't be able to shake off, because what's posted on the Internet is almost impossible to completely erase, and eventually anyone can get access to it. You'll be known worldwide as the "Ninja of Eroticism"."

"So unless you want me to destroy your reputation as a Hunter before it even begins, just give up already!" Kai shouts with a look full of determination and madness at Hanzo.

The ninja gaze trembles full of fear and worry while cold sweat runs down his head and his ability to think is disrupted by pressure and panic. that he is feeling in the face of Kai's threats. After a few seconds, his mind settles again, and looking down he gives his answer: "I... I forfeit. You win."

Hearing this, Kai turns to look at Masta on the side. "You heard him. Please announce the result of the fight." Kai tells him, causing Masta to snap out of his stupor Masta and raise his hand to signal the end of the match.

"Winner: Kai!" Masta shouts.

At Kai victory announcement, Leorio erupts in cheers, expressing his satisfaction at seeing Hanzo being abused and humiliated after what he did to Gon and breaking the tension in the arena. Following him, Nicholas and some other spectators also erupted in cheers at the show hosted by Kai. While Kai smiles pleased at the people's encouragement, Hanzo shows a dead fish face, feeling that he has lost something valuable in this fight.

Point of view switch to Kai:

After my victory is announced, I cut the ropes tying Hanzo up, and after waiting a couple of minutes for him to get dressed, I hand him the camera with the embarrassing photos.

"Here you go. Sorry for having to go to such extremes, but I had to get you to give in no matter what. I hope you don't hold a grudge against me." I say with a friendly smile handling him the camera.

However, Hanzo answers me with a frown and a frown, as if he were one of those petty thugs you sometimes see in anime. "Of course I'm going to hold a grudge against you, asshole! I assure you that I'll pay you back one day for this humiliation!" He exclaims, obviously irked, as he starts to walk away.

However, he stops short before he gets too far away. "Still, you kept everything you promised. I gave it my all fighting you, and yet you still beat me." Saying this, he turns his head slightly to give me a side-eye. "You really are someone worthy of trust, and your determination is unmatched. I would really like to be your friend. When I have earned my license, come see me so we can exchange contact information." Hanzo says with a genuinely friendly smile as he waves me off.

Satisfied by the confirmation of my new ally, I completely ignore his earlier threat and show a toothy grin to show my joy. After this I return to Nicholas' side, who greets me excitedly for my success in the fight, and almost instantly Leorio and Kurapika join us at our side as well. They both congratulate me for passing the final phase and are grateful for teaching Hanzo a good lesson.

Between Leorio's loud and cheerful voice and Kurapika's calm and reassuring attitude, my gaze wanders to a few meters away, where Killua is standing impassively awaiting his fight. 'I've officially become a Hunter, but the final phase of the Hunter Exam is far from over for me. I'll have to act quickly when the time comes.'

With this thought at the back of my head, the final phase of the Hunter Exam resumes with the remaining candidates preparing for their own matches. Each one is determined to prove their worth and earn their Hunter license.

Fifth Match:

Kurapika vs Hisoka

Kurapika's fight with Hisoka plays out just like in canon—The two fight for a bit and Hisoka whispers to Kurapika. He then forfeits while walking away and Kurapika stands there stunned for a moment before returning with the rest of the examinees.

During the course of the battle, Ponzu returned to the test room, wearing some band-aids on her body as she approached me filled with satisfaction and joy. 'So cute!' I thought as she reached me and Nicholas.

Sixth Match:

Pokkle vs Killua

Knowing how this event would play out, I simply ignore the two and start a conversation with Ponzu as the next fight is prepared, telling her that both Nicholas and I have passed the test and are recognized Hunters. She in response congratulates us, and as previously agreed, gives me her phone number.

"Fine. I'll contact you as soon as I get a cell phone. Are you planning to stay and watch the rest of the tournament?" I ask, keeping a piece of paper with her number on it.

"Yes. I want to observe more of how the other candidates fight. Let's see if I can learn something from it." She responds with a smile, contrasting with the dejected air that surrounds her.

'It's normal. First she was a helpless target for Hisoka in the fourth phase, and then Kurapika bested her in combat and awarded her the victory because of my contributions. Anyone would lose confidence after going through that. Well, it's not such a bad thing if it encourages her to become stronger in the end.' I think, looking straight into Ponzu's face.

"It's a shame I couldn't witness your fight with Hanzo. Was it difficult for you to win?" Ponzu asks with curiosity.

"Oh, you should have seen it! It was an incredible fight! Hanzo showed admirable skill and resolve, but the boss was not intimidated and managed to overcome him with his secret skills!" Nicholas exclaims with his usual excitement and idealization towards me.

"Yes? And how did you manage to make him give up?" Ponzu asks, causing both Nicholas and my expression to change to one of downcastness as we avert our gaze. "What happens?" Ponzu asks slightly worried.

As for the fight: Killua gave the victory to Pokkle, as expected.

Seventh Match:

Hanzo vs Leorio

While we're talking, the ninja and the protagonist with less screen time of the canon approach the center of the arena to stand opposite to each other. Despite staying present in the conversation, I look sideways how this fight develops. Despite knowing that Hanzo will outclass him, I might get the chance to see how Leorio fights.

"Alright, it's finally my time to shine! I hope you're ready, baldy, because I'm not going to show you any mercy!" Leorio boastfully yells at Hanzo, who remains with a dark look.

The referee Masta raises his hand, preparing to signal the start of the match. "BEGIN!"

Leorio, never one to back down from a fight, charges at Hanzo with a fierce battle and his right fist clenched, ready to deliver a powerful blow. However, as Leorio punch tries to connect, Hanzo disappeares in a blur of motion, and before Leorio can even register what has happened, Hanzo reappears behind him, delivering a swift chop to the back of his neck.

Leorio stumbles forward, the force of the blow disorienting him, and taking advantage of his vulnerability, Hanzo slaps him to the ground, grabbing and stretching his left arm behind his back.

"Ahg! Hey asshole, what the hell are you doing!? Let me go right—AAAHHH!!!" Leorio complains starting to scream in pain as Hanzo starts to twist his arm.

Hanzo's voice then cuts through the air, composed but threatening. "Leorio, you lack the speed and skill to match me. This fight is over."

What follows are 27 minutes of torture inflicted by Hanzo on a bruised and helpless Leorio. Unlike his battle with Gon, Hanzo puts on a rather more aggressive show, lacking the subtlety and care he had shown Gon, and replacing it with gratuitous brutality.

Despite the loud screams of pain produced by Hanzo's blows and body twists, Leorio did not give up until the moment when Hanzo threatened to break his fingers irreversibly. 'Well, it can't be helped. A doctor needs hands in good condition to work.' I think with a sympathetic sigh.

"Winner: Hanzo!" Masta shouts.

Leorio returns to our side, looking completely dejected for not being able to retaliate for his friend Gon's mistreatment. On the other hand, Hanzo is refreshed and with a radiant smile, as if he had just received the luxury treatments of a top spa.

'I guess he must have been feeling pretty frustrated by the humiliation I had subjected him to and he took it out on the bigmouthed Leorio.' I think with some grieve for what I put him through.

Eighth Match:

Bodoro vs Hisoka

Even though Bodoro puts in a good performance, it was mostly a one-sided bout in favor of Hisoka, and the most surprising thing is that he didn't even use any Nen. Just like in canon, Bodoro gave up when Hisoka whispered something to him while he was lying on the ground.

Ninth Match:

Gittarackur vs Killua

Finally comes the fight that will have the biggest impact on this phase. More than Gon's, more than Nicholas's, and more than mine. The interaction between these two characters will have enormous consequences not only in this final phase, but in the events after the Hunter Exam.

When the two are in the center of the arena, Killua begins to slowly and cautiously reach towards Gittarackur, until he decided to speak. "Been awhile, Kil."

Killua stops in surprise at the way his opponent calls him, and his eyes widens in shock and terror when he begins to pull out the needles, causing his hair and skin color to change, and his face to warp and reshape into the appearance of someone he knows all too well.

"Brother" Killua says as his body tenses for this revelation.