章 21: Chapter 21: So Appetizing

A while later, Cherry and Shishito find themselves tied to the tree with a sign (just like I had done with Jack), and Ponzu and I find ourselves walking away eating a strange egg-like fruit with purple and green stripes at a 90-degree angle, which I have collected in great quantity from the tree in the clearing..

'It's juicy and sweet like a tropical fruit, but with its own distinctive flavor. Perhaps I could spend my free time looking for new foods in this world like a Gourmet Hunter.' I think as I take another bite of the exotic fruit.

Ponzu follows behind me, also tasting the fruit but with a restless look on her face. At one point she stops walking, which makes me stop and turn around to look at her in response.

"What's up? Are you tired or feeling sick? Do you need me to carry you?" I ask trying to clarify the situation.

A heavy silence falls over the place until Ponzu raises her gaze to face me. "What do you really plan to achieve with all this? You go out of your way to make others pass the exam, without asking for any reward just because you like them. I'm sorry to say, but that excuse doesn't sound credible at all, and I can't feel safe working with someone who I know is hiding things from me. So tell me, what do you plan to do with me after you find the others?" She asks with complete seriousness in her eyes.

I guess it's only natural that she's still skeptical. Unlike Gon, I'm an adult, and it's not convincing to face people's doubts or curiosity about me by saying that I'm doing it out of the goodness of my heart.

"It's like I told you, I'm helping you and the others because I like you." I say starting to walk, stopping in front of Ponzu. "And because I like you, I want to build a good relationships with you for when we become Hunters."

"The world of Hunters is a very hard and dark one. Danger, stress, lack of skills, blindness to problems... Every Hunter encounters one of these problems at some point, no matter how smart, strong, rich or talented they are. And in order to overcome these difficulties properly, one needs people to lean on, and in the same way, you should be able to support them when the time comes."

"Helping each other overcome adversity and improve. That's a lesson my parents taught me, and it's one I try to follow whenever I meet someone worth connecting with, like you."

Ponzu still looks at me, still unconvinced. "And how do you know that I'm worth having a relationship with? As I've already told you, you don't know me at all. Why are you so sure that a relationship with me will benefit you?" She asks trying to clarify things further.

"I guess it's just an instinct thing. You know, knowing when someone is dangerous, when someone is important, when something is wrong. In the same way that people can sense those things, I feel that you are someone worth associating with." I say crossing my hands behind my head.

"I guess in the end my reasoning is pretty simple: I like you and I want you to be my friends. Nothing more than that." I finish saying with a cheerful smile.

Ponzu stares at me in shock for a moment before letting out a snort and continuing to walk. "And here I was so worried about what you were up to. Looks like you're just an idiot after all." She says stepping forward.

"Yes, maybe I am." I say while still smiling and walking behind her.

Despite her disdainful words, I can see a hint of blush on her ears from behind, and that's what keeps me smiling in good spirits. After our little conversation, we continue with our search.

Date: January 15th, 2011

Since yesterday, we have been walking through the forests of Zevil Island searching for Leorio and Kurapika, in spite of Ponzu's protests to forget about them and going to the hideout.

After a couple of hours of walking and sightseeing, Ponzu spot their location from above. Before we head there, I ask Ponzu to lend me her 246 badge. At first she firmly refuses, adamantly claiming that she needs it to pass the phase. After much insistence, I manage to convince her to lend me her badge, and then we set off to their location.

Once we get a glimpse of Leorio and Kurapika, I tell Ponzu to stay hidden again. She complains at first, but with a menacing look from me she quickly calms down, staying put as I run to reach the duo.

When they notice something moving in the bushes, the two of them become on guard with their arms prepared. However, they relax when they see me appear with my hands up without showing any hostility. The reason for this is that the two of them recognize me as a friend of Gon's, and therefore, someone they can trust.

Just like with Gon and Killua, talking face to face with Leorio and Kurapika brings me a feeling of nostalgia and joy. In our friendly conversation, I claim that I was looking for them to help them clear the island stage since I already have the necessary 6 points, asking them what their targets are.

True to my canon knowledge, Kurapika already has his target badge, number 16, and was helping Leorio get his, number 246. Hearing this, I reach into my pocket to pull out Ponzu's badge, surprising them both.

Although they ask me where I got it, I tell them that it is confidential information, and that if they want I can give them the badge and guide them to a hideout on the island. Leorio seems very excited and happy with my offer, but Kurapika remains serious and suspicious of me, and says that they can't go with me because they want to meet up with Gon first.

I understand that what he says is not a lie, but that is not the main reason. Among the 4 main characters in canon, Kurapila is the most intelligent but also the most careful, so it was obvious from the beginning that he would not agree to go with a stranger offering gifts, just as a child shouldn't go with an adult who offers him sweets.

'At least I had to try. At least it's a gesture of good faith that he uses Gon as a motive instead of openly telling me that he doesn't trust me. You should learn a little from him, Leorio.' I think as I watch Leorio explode into one of his usual tantrums with Kurapica, letting out a giggle at this very familiar scene.

In the end I simply hand badge 246 to Leorio, he thanks me by patting me on the back while talking to me as if we were old friends, and I finally say goodbye with a smile, taking a different path than them. After a walk uphill, I meet Ponzu who is curled up on the ground.

"How did it go?" She asks looking me up.

"Everything went smoothly. It seems that you were Leorio's target, so I preferred to give him your badge so that you could keep these three." I tell him handing him Cherry, Shishito and Jack's badges.

However, she stares at me with dull eyes without grabbing them. "What's wrong?" I ask, a little worried by her intensity.

"You already knew they needed my badge, right?" Ponzu asks me causing me jump a bit.

"No, no. There's no way I could have known that. I did consider it a possibility, but it was equally possible that his targets were any of these three." I respond, visibly a little nervous.

"And then what would you have done if both of them wouldn't have gotten their targets?" She asks again, trying to corner me.

"I would have asked them if any of the badges I've gotten were their targets, and if they weren't, then I would have met up with you so we could join them and find more applicants to take the points from. Since my goal from the beginning was for us all to pass, I had it all planned out beforehand." I reply with a nervous smile, trying to convince Ponzu.

She stares at me for a while until she shrugs and takes the three badges. "Fine. Since everything went well, I'll decide to believe you for now. Well, shall we go now to the hideout you told me about?" Ponzu asks me getting up from the ground with a smile.

I nod, sighing inwardly in relief, and beginning to lead the way back to the cave. After a couple of hours, the sun begins to set, so I decide that we will rest tonight and reach the cave tomorrow. With Ponzu's approval, she sets about setting up the tent, while I hunt for dinner.

This time I bring a bag full of birds, and after plucking and boning them, putting a pot on the fire and preparing all the necessary ingredients, I begin to prepare a bird meat stew. Once it's ready, under the fading light, the two of us begin to dig into the stew.

After a while of eating, Ponzu raises her gaze from the bowl of stew to look at me. "Hey Kai, what do you plan to do when you become a Hunter?"

His question takes me a little by surprise, making me stop eating. "Why do you want to know?"

"Well, you said you want to have a good relationship with me when we become Hunters, so I'm just trying to help you. If you don't want to, you don't have to answer." She responds with a touch of shyness.

"Don't worry, I have no problem answering. After I get my license, I'm going to dedicate myself to training." I answer.

"Training? But you are already incredibly strong." Ponzu adds confused.

"From a normal person's point of view maybe, but as far as a Hunter's standards are concerned, I'm incredibly weak." I state, causing Ponzu to give me a look of disbelief. "Anyway, after I've gotten stronger, I have a lot of plans for the future, and my first step to achieve them will be to earn a good reputation. And you? What do you plan to do when you get your license?"

"Well, I haven't really decided yet. On the one hand, I'd like to be a Botanical Hunter and look for new plant species to develop new kinds of chemicals. However, I am also very interested in animal care and preservation, so being a Poacher Hunter is also of interest to me. I am a bit torn between the two options." Ponzu answers smiling.

"So why don't you do both?" I respond, causing Ponzu to make a questioning expression.

"No, that is not possible. Hunters have to devote all their time and effort to perfecting their fields of expertise. You cannot choose to do two things at once." Ponzu responds by trying to dismiss the idea.

"And who says that?" I ask, pointing my spoon at her. "Hunters are supposed to be the most free people in the world, so if you want to do more than one specialty, there are no rules against it in the association. Don't bother choosing and just go for it. At least that's what I plan to do."

As I take another spoonful of the stew, Ponzu lets out the cutest laugh I've seen in this new world until now. "I see, I think you're right. So you also plan to dedicate yourself to more than one thing?"

"Well, in my case I..." I stop speaking as I notice the danger. "Look out!" I scream pushing her to the ground, moving us both out of the path of the unknown projectiles.

"Oh my! You truly impress me." Suddenly, a light laugh sound from the depths of the forest.

Recognizing the voice, I turn my head in terror towards where it comes from. "Even though I tried so hard to hide my presence, you were able to sense the danger and dodge my surprise attack. Your survival instinct is something else indeed."

Activating Gyo, I observe a strong aura entangling the silhouette of a man swaying his waist and slowly walking out from the shadows. The red haired man eyes looks up and down at us like a predator watching its prey while playing with a Joker card in his hand pinched between his fingertips.

"It's great to have encountered such appetizing meal." Hisoka says as the tip of his tongue gently lick across his lips.

In the presence of this cunning and bloodthirsty psychopath, my body begins to tremble, my fists clench tightly, and cold sweat begins to run down my back.

'I hadn't planned this. Hisoka has Geretta's badge on his chest, so he already has 6 points. There's no logical reason for him attacking us now, so there's only one explanation: he's looking for fun.' I think trying to analyze the current situation.

"It's not possible. I didn't even realize he was following us." Ponzu says also shocked.

'It's obvious. No matter how good your perception is, Hisoka is a master of sneak attacks. Even an expert Nen user can't notice his presence. If it weren't for him letting out his bloodlust earlier, we wouldn't have avoided his cards.' I think as I look around for any hidden Nen traps Hisoka may have set up.

"Ponzu, when I charge forward, I want you to run as fast as you can and not look back." I whisper to Ponzu behind me.

"Are you crazy? He's going to kill you." Ponzu whispers back, visibly worried and hesitant.

"Don't you remember what our alliance was based on? You came with me and helped me, and I did everything I could to keep you safe." I whisper as I get up from the ground and stand on guard with the most serious expression of my life. "Run as fast as you can and hide somewhere. Don't worry about me. No matter what happens, I will survive and pass the exam."

Point of View Switch: Reader

Tension and anticipation hang heavy in the air as Kai tries to think of a way to handle the situation while Hisoka watches them unblinkingly. Kai knows that Hisoka isthe smartest and most powerful applicant in this Hunter Exam, and that in a fight to the death, he has no chance against the magician. Even with all this, Kai thinks that it probably won't happen now.

Kai knows that Hisoka likes to raise talents to fight, so he understands that Hisoka does not initially intend to kill him. However, he also knows that he is a capricious and volatile killer, so acting on assumptions is not the best strategy.

Also, although he knows that Hisoka sees him as a potential future rival, he cannot say the same about Ponzu, who is a stranger to Hisoka. That is why he has to use all his cunningness to ensure that he and Ponzu emerge unscathed from this situation.

"You came here to get badges, right? I'm going to suggest that you take what you need so you can leave." Kai says, trying to appear ignorant that Hisoka already has 6 points.

"Wow, that's a generous offer. Shouldn't you want to defend your points to pass the exam?" Hisoka asks inquisitively as he fiddles with his card.

"I don't know what image you have of us, but we are not suicidal. It is obvious that we are vastly inferior to you, and it's not like giving up one or two points is going to make any difference. If it means we don't have to fight you, that's a pretty low price to pay in my opinion. Don't you agree?" I ask moving my eyes at Ponzu direction.

"Y-Yes, that's right!" Ponzu adds nodding.

Her instinct tells her that the man in front of them isn't someone they can handle, so rather than losing her life here for her pride, it would be better to relent and look for more badges after.

"I really appreciate your offer. However, I am not in need of more points." Hisoka replies.

'So my information was not wrong.' Kai thinks with a frown. "So what is your reason for showing up here now?"

"Well, I was passing the time until the end of the fourth phase, and suddenly a very eye-catching fragrance caught my attention, so I decided to follow the smell like a torch in the darkness." Hisoka explains pointing at the stew pot. "That's how I arrived here."

'So in the end it's all down to a huge coincidence. My luck had lasted a long time until now.' Kai thinks with a drop of sweat for this revelation.

"If you're hungry, then you can sit down and help yourself to a plate. I don't mind inviting one more." Kai says, trying to steer the situation in a peaceful direction.

Hisoka lets out a small chuckle, closing his eyes. "That's a very generous offer on your part. But the dish I'm in the mood for isn't stew." Hisoka says opening his eyes and licking his lips twistedly. "I was going to be patient and wait a little while for you to mature, but finding you here, with that firm gaze, and that unwavering spirit... It's so overbearing, that I can't contain myself."

Kai's firm expression turns to nervousness as he sees Hisoka's repulsive, excited face and feels his ominous aura leaking from his body. 'It looks like we are in a more dire situation that I thought.' He thinks, trembling with worry.

"You've grown so much in just a few days, I can't resist. Agh, you're so good. I can't imagine the pleasure I'll feel when I finally break you." Hisoka says while entangling the cards in his hand with his Nen, making it look as if it he can even tear apart the surrounding air with them.

"Well, I guess it can't be helped." As soon as Kai says this, he instantly activates his Ren to propel himself forward and try to cut Hisoka with his sword, who, although surprised by the quick action, blocks the blow with one of his cards without any difficulty. "Now, run!" Kai yells at Ponzu, who is still on the ground, his expression changing instantly.

She looks like she wants to leave but is reluctant to do so, momentarily paralyzed by fear, tension and worry about her current situation.

"What the hell are you waiting for?! Run and get out of here now!" Kai yells again at Ponzu with while struggling with Hisoka, who is surprised by Kai's concern for the girl he had barely registered there.

Without saying anything, Ponzu immediately rushes out, evacuating into the forest as Kai holds Hisoka in place. At the same time, Hisoka uses his other hand to try to cut Kai with other card, scarcely skimming Kai shirt and slitting it as he jumps back to dodge it.

"My, you really surprise me. Despite your efforts to try and avoid confronting me, now you've jumped right into danger so that girl could escape. That's piqued my interest. I think after I finish you off, I'll go find her too." Hisoka says with a sadistic smile as he makes more cards appear in his right hand, like a magic trick.

"As if I'm going to let you do that. I may be weak at the moment, but I have studied several martial arts and I have enough skill to at least keep you busy." Kai bluffs holding his short sword with one hand as he takes a stance for fighting.

Kai has made a decisive choice attacking Hisoka, but he doesn't look hesitant at all because he is sure enough it was the right choice.

'Although I have just started to grasp Nen, alternating appropriately between Ten and Ren should allow me to have enough strength and speed to take him on for a few minutes without being hurt too much while Ponzu flees. No matter what it takes, I'll make sure she's safe.' Kai thinks as he ready his stance and aura for the impending fight that is about to start.