Finally here

As Gojo soared through the night sky, carried by the Kirikos, the wind whipping past his face, he felt a rare sense of liberation. For once for some time now, he wasn't following anyone else's rules—he was in control, charting his own course. It felt good, really good, to take charge of his fate.

'Finally,' he thought. "This is happiness, the relationship of me with my own existence and it's essential possibility in the world."

Then his mind quickly shifted gears, replaying the recent encounters he'd had. He focused on the Nen techniques he'd witnessed from the Dojo and Fenwick, dissecting them in his mind. Every move, every nuance of their abilities, became clearer as he analyzed them over and over. The intricacies of their Nen usage fascinated him—he could almost feel the mechanisms clicking into place in his head.

'So, that's how they did it…' But even as the pieces fell into place, something crucial eluded him. 'Damn, still missing something.' The mechanics behind Infinity and Limitless, the core of his power, remained just out of reach when trying to conceptualize them in terms of Nen. It was like trying to the solve world's most complex puzzle with more than a few pieces missing.

'No use getting frustrated now. There are other ways to get stronger.' His thoughts shifted, moving away from the elusive mysteries of Infinity and Limitless. 'Start with the basics, build from there. New Shadow Style, it's simpler to replicate… or maybe something older.'

He recalled old records he'd read, stories of a jujutsu sorcerer named Kashimo who had lived long ago. Kashimo had replicated the properties of electricity using cursed energy—a feat that had always intrigued Gojo. 'If Kashimo could do it with cursed energy, there's no reason I can't do something similar with Nen.'

He considered the possibilities, his mind racing with ideas. 'Even if I can't replicate Infinity just yet, I can still get stronger. Start small, and build up. There's always a way to improve.'

The thought brought a smirk to his lips. He was on the brink of something new, a different kind of power. He would figure it out, one way or another. After all, the future was full of endless possibilities, and Gojo was ready to seize them all.

'This is just the beginning,' he thought, feeling the exhilaration build inside him as the Kirikos flew them closer to their destination. 'I'll figure out Infinity, and more. But for now, I'll take every step forward I can.'

After the group was safely flown to the park by the Kirikos, they found themselves under a sky that was just beginning to lighten with the approach of dawn. The park was quiet, the city around them still asleep. The Kirikos, in their human forms, exchange brief words before most of them depart, leaving only one behind.

The remaining Kiriko, a man in simple attire, said, "I'll guide you to the exam site at sunrise. It won't be long now." He settled down on a nearby bench, seemingly content to wait in silence.

The group, though, wasn't quite ready to rest. Gon, always brimming with curiosity, turned to Gojo with a bright smile. "Gojo, how did you get so strong? You remind me of a Hunter I met, Kite. He used regularly visit whale island was the one who told me about my father."

Leorio asked with a chuckle, "Like that hunter back in port town?"

Gon school his head. "No, that mister wss a fake, wasn't he? Kite is actually super strong."

Kurapika, sitting cross-legged on the ground, nods thoughtfully. "I've noticed it too. Every moment we've spent together, it feels like you're growing stronger. How is that possible?"

Leorio, leaning against a tree, folds his arms with a curious expression. "Yeah, seriously, what's your secret? You've got this… aura about you."

Gojo, usually nonchalant about such things, considers their questions. With a small smile, he begins to explain, "It's my control over Nen. The more I understand it, the stronger I get."

Gon, Kurapika, and Leorio exchange confused glances, clearly not knowing what Nen is. Sensing their confusion, Gojo continues, "Nen is the ability to use the life energy—"

Before he could continue, the Kiriko stepped forward, his expression serious. "You can't just go around telling people about Nen, Gojo," he warned. "You'll understand why if you pass the exam. If you tell them about Nen now, I'll have to disqualify them."

Gojo's eyes narrowed slightly, his annoyance flickering at the edges of his calm demeanour. "I don't like being threatened," he replied, his tone measured.

"It's not a threat," the Kiriko responded evenly. "It's more of a request... Consider it as a form of request from the Association itself. Trust me, you'll understand in time."

Gojo remained silent, his gaze locked with the Kiriko's, the tension between them palpable. But after a moment, he relented, leaning back against the bench with a faint sigh. "Fine, I'll entertain you for now," he muttered. "But I'm not promising anything if this keeps up."

'Just like the Jujutsu Society, they are trying to keep knowledge of Nen a secret here.'

As dawn's first light touched the city, the group stirred from their brief rest in the park. Stretching and shaking off the stiffness from a night on the ground, they followed the Kiriko through the awakening streets. The air was cool and invigorating, a welcome contrast to the tension they felt.

Eventually, they reached 66th Street. To their surprise, the Kiriko led them into a modest restaurant. The group exchanged puzzled glances; this didn't seem like the start of an intense trial. The restaurant was quiet, with only a few patrons scattered around.

"This place?" Leorio asked, looking around in confusion. "Are we supposed to be getting food?"

Kurapika shrugged. "It could be part of the test. We should stay alert."

The Kiriko approached the counter and ordered steaks, specifically requesting no asparagus. The request seemed odd given the early hour, but the waitress merely nodded and gestured for them to follow.

"Guess we're not eating yet," Gon said with a grin, trying to lighten the mood.

As they followed the waitress to a back room, Gojo frowned slightly. "This is either a strange detour or a part of the exam."

The room they entered was dimly lit and sparsely furnished. The Kiriko turned to face them, his expression serious.

"Millions apply for the Hunter Exam every year," he said, his voice carrying a weight that made the group's anticipation spike. "But only one in every 10,000 makes it. Consider this your first real test. But if you don't pass, you can always try next time if you make it out alive."

"Seriously?" Leorio exclaimed, his frustration evident. "What does that even mean? Where's the exam?"

Before anyone could react, the waitress tossed four badges to each. Each badge had a number etched onto it. She then gave them a curt nod before exiting, leaving the group in stunned silence.

Gon picked up his badge, studying the number. "What's this for?"

Kurapika examined his badge closely. "It seems to be some sort of identifier. We'll need to see what happens next."

Leorio frowned as he picked up his badge. "So, they just leave us here with these and expect us to figure it out?"

As the group examined their badges, each person took a moment to inspect the number on their badge. The numbers were a curious detail, hinting at something more significant.

Gon picked up his badge first, noting the number. "I've got 405. What about the rest of you?"

Kurapika examined his badge and saw the number 404. "Mine is 404."

Leorio, not to be left out, checked his badge. "Looks like I've got 403."

Gojo, finally checking his badge, saw the number 407. He frowned slightly but otherwise remained calm. "And I'm 407."

Kurapika looked at the badges thoughtfully. "These numbers might indicate our starting positions or perhaps a sequence we need to follow."

Leorio scratched his head, clearly puzzled. "What's the significance of the numbers?"

As the group gathered their badges and prepared to leave the room, Gojo's eyes wandered around the space. The room, dimly lit with minimal furnishings, seemed oddly out of place compared to the bustling restaurant outside.

Gojo's gaze lingered on the walls and the ceiling. "You know, this room doesn't quite fit with the rest of the place," he remarked, his tone thoughtful.

Kurapika, still examining his badge, looked up. "What do you mean?"

Gojo continued a hint of excitement in his voice. "Think about it. The design of the room, the way it's constructed… it's not just a regular room. It's too enclosed and it doesn't match the restaurant's decor."

Leorio raised an eyebrow. "So, what are you getting at?"

Gojo moved closer to the walls, tapping them lightly and listening to the sound. "Listen. The acoustics here are different from the rest of the restaurant. It's almost like the walls are thicker, and the whole space feels… well, isolated."

He stepped back and gestured towards the door. "This isn't just a room. It's an elevator, disguised as a normal room."

Kurapika's eyes widened slightly. "An elevator? But how can you be so sure?"

Gojo explained, "When you look at the door, you'll notice there are no handles or visible mechanisms to open it from this side. It's a classic sign of an elevator door. Plus, the minimalistic design and lack of windows suggest it's meant to move people without them noticing."

Gon, now intrigued, asked, "So, where do you think it's taking us?"

Gojo shrugged. "That's hard to say, but considering the situation, it's probably moving us to a different part of the building or even below ground. It's designed to transport us discreetly, so whatever comes next is likely hidden from plain view."

Leorio frowned, a bit unsettled. "So, we're just going to wait here?"

Gojo nodded. "It's the best we can do for now. If we're in an elevator, we'll either get off at the next level or wherever they want us to be. Just be ready for anything."

As the room began to slowly descend, Gon's eyes widened in excitement. "This is so cool!" he exclaimed, looking around with childlike wonder. The walls, the floor—everything remained steady, but there was an undeniable sensation of movement.

Kurapika, however, wasn't so easily impressed. He crossed his arms, a subtle furrow in his brow. "I don't like this," he admitted, the anxiety in his voice clear. "We're completely at the mercy of whoever is controlling this."

Leorio nodded in agreement, shifting nervously as if trying to keep his balance. "Yeah, and we don't even know where we're headed."

Gojo, on the other hand, was only mildly amused by the situation. He leaned back slightly, allowing himself to be carried by the slow descent. "Relax. We'll find out soon enough. Whoever planned this has a flair for the dramatic."

Kurapika glanced at Gojo, then back at the others. "Did you know that only one out of every ten thousand applicants passes the Hunter Exam? And even then, the average applicant who does pass usually only does so once in three years."

Gon turned to Kurapika, curiosity piqued. "Why do people try so hard to pass the exam?"

Leorio and Kurapika exchanged surprised looks before bursting out simultaneously, "How did you make it this far and still not know why being a Hunter is so attractive?"

Kurapika took the lead, explaining to Gon, and indirectly to Gojo, the incredible benefits that came with being a licensed Hunter. "First, 95% of all public facilities can be used at no cost. And when I say facilities, I mean top-of-the-line services—everything with first-class benefits."

Leorio chimed in, his tone more focused on the financial perks. "You also get unrivalled freedom to travel around the world. We're talking access to about 90% of countries that normally restrict entry and 75% of areas where the general public isn't allowed. That's huge."

Kurapika continued, "Hunters also have almost no legal responsibility for the murder in most cases, which sounds terrifying, but it's a reality of the job's dangers. They're entrusted with so much because of the critical nature of their work."

Leorio's eyes lit up as he added, "And get this: the Hunter License itself is insanely valuable. You can sell it as a collector's item for enough money to support you and your family for at least seven generations in luxury. Plus, if you need cash, it can be used as collateral for a zero-interest loan of 100 million Jenny at any bank."

Kurapika gave Leorio a sharp look. "But the real value isn't in the money. Hunters gain access to the secret Hunters-only website. It's a treasure trove of intelligence and secrets that can't be found anywhere else. That's the kind of access that can make a real difference in the world."

Leorio scoffed. "Oh, come on, Kurapika. You're acting like Hunters are noble saints or something. The real benefit is the economic freedom it brings. It's a smart way to make money and live comfortably."

Kurapika's expression hardened. "Hunters aren't just money-grubbers, Leorio. It's about preserving nature, protecting the weak, and seeking knowledge. It's a noble profession."

Leorio crossed his arms, a bit defensive. "And I suppose there's no harm in making a little money along the way, right? At least I'm being honest about it."

Kurapika retorted, "There's a difference between earning a living and being obsessed with wealth, Leorio. Hunters are entrusted with power and responsibility. Reducing it to just a job for money is shallow."

Gon, who had been listening carefully, finally nodded as if something clicked. "I get it now," he said with a smile. "But I don't think you need to argue about it. Being a Hunter can mean different things to different people, right?"

Gojo, watching the exchange with amusement, chuckled. "It doesn't matter, everyone's got their reasons. Some do it for the adventure, some for the money, and some for something else entirely. But what is common is all do it for themselves."

As the room continued its slow descent, the air thickened with a mix of curiosity and anticipation. Kurapika, Leorio, and Gon exchanged glances before turning their attention to Gojo, who seemed to be lost in thought.

"So, Gojo," Kurapika began, his voice cutting through the quiet hum of the elevator. "What kind of Hunter do you want to be?"

Gojo blinked, coming out of his reverie. He paused for a moment, considering the question. "I haven't really decided yet," he admitted, his tone casual. "But if I had to say, I'm probably a 'do whatever I want' kind of Hunter."

Leorio raised an eyebrow, a hint of scepticism in his voice. "So, no grand ambitions? No specific goals?"

Gojo shrugged, a faint smile playing on his lips. "The will to life is an irrational thing. I've always found that having too rigid a plan can be...limiting. I'll figure it out as I go."

Gon nodded in understanding, but before anyone could respond further, the room finally came to a halt. There was a faint hiss, followed by the soft click of mechanisms unlocking. The door slid open, revealing a vast, bustling room beyond.

The group stepped out onto a large floor filled with hundreds of people, all kinds of faces and outfits from all over the world. Each of them wore badges similar to the ones they had received, confirming that these were indeed fellow applicants for the Hunter Exam.

The sheer size of the crowd was overwhelming, but Gojo's focus was drawn to something—or rather, someone—in the distance. He reached up, pulling off his eye mask, his intense blue eyes scanning the room with a sharpness that bordered on predatory.

Then, his gaze locked onto a pair of equally piercing blue eyes. Across the room, a boy with stark white hair, who looked to be around the same age as Gon, met Gojo's stare. The boy's expression was calm, almost too calm, with an underlying coldness that spoke of danger.

Gojo's intuition, honed through countless battles and experiences, flared up instantly. There was something about this boy—something lethal. "An assassin," Gojo thought to himself, his instincts screaming the truth even as the boy maintained an air of innocence.

The boy, sensing Gojo's recognition, tilted his head slightly, a small, almost imperceptible smirk forming on his lips. It was a silent acknowledgement, one predator recognizing another.

Gon, oblivious to the silent exchange, nudged Gojo. "Do you see something interesting?"

Gojo's eyes remained locked on the boy for a moment longer before he finally broke the gaze and turned to Gon. "Yeah," he replied, his voice laced with intrigue. "Looks like things are about to get a lot more interesting."

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