128 PresidentXHunter

"President Netero!" Called Menchi.

President Netero had a ponytail, a thick beard, and stretched earlobes with two piercings in both ears. He is wearing a traditional man's kimono and pair of wooden slippers with one tooth.

"Oh hoh hoh. We have a predicament here. I'm here to solve the problem. Concerning their ability to take on a challenge in a domain they do not know, do you believe the attitude they had in front of this trial justified such severity?" Asked the old geezer.

Menchi bowed and shook ger head. "No, many points troubled me, mainly the lack of respect most of our participanta have and that incident which permitted them to know the recipe of the order. On top of that a recipe from a known poison artist was served in front of me. I failed as a jury and shall retire of my post." She answered resolutely.

"Hoh hoh... you don't have to go that far, you could easily continue with the exam, but as a compensation, you'll have to take the test also. How about it?" Suggested the president. "This way, it'll be easier for the contestants to accept your decision."

"Yes! Certainly! Then president, can you bring us to the split mountain over there?"

"I see. There is no problem then."

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The group then transferred to the split mountain where they were told to pick an egg from tarantula eagles. Menchi showed them how to pick it up and return safely so they could boiled it. Gon, Killua, Leorio, Kurapika and Silver were part of the 42 participants to successfully get their hands on the eggs and boiled them. They were then amazed of the difference in taste between regular egg and the eggs from the wild giving them a new insight and appreciation to the gourmet hunters.

The group is then requested to rode the airship so they could be dropped off on third exam site while those who failed to were sent to the city first.

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Everyone gathered in the main cabin including the examiners. "It might be time for the remaining 42 participants to know who I am. My name is Netero and I'm responsible for the trials and is currently the president of the Hunter Organization. I wasn't supposed to show my face until the final phase of the exam, but I came sonner than expected." Introduced the old president.

"Hello everyone, my name is Beans and I'm the personal secretary of the president. We are expected to arrive at the next trial location by 8am. You are free to do whatever you like until then." The green bean-like man wearing a black business attire said as he introduced himself.

"Hey Gon and Silver! Bow about we go on a tour on the vessel?" Invited Killua.

"Let's go!!!" Affirmed the two other kids.

"I can't believe they still have so much energy after that." Leorio commended tiredly.

"Yeah... I'm going to take a nap. Today has been rather long." Kurapika agreed and commented.

"Me too. I don't think I'll make it another hour. How many exams do you think there are left?" Asked Leorio.

Tompa came in out of nowhere and answered. "It varries from year to year depending on the jury. But it typically last from 5 or 6 exams. So I suggest you stay vigilant all night." Tompa warned them while secretly thinking he succeeded in stressing them out further.

~~~~~~

In a dining area exclusively for the examiners, luxurious food are served in the table. Satots from the first exam, Menchi and Buhara from the second exam are all seen sitting around the table eating the fancy dinner.

"How many do you think will make it this year?" Asked Satots

"It depends on the next trial though." Commented Buhara.

"It may sound weird from me who disqualified them all at one point, but they are a very good batch." Answered Menchi. "What do you think, Satots?"

"Me, I agree. They are a good batch." Satots nodded.

"Isn't it? I noticed #294, the baldy. He is strong and one of the only two who knows sushi."

"What about #406? He did make the sushi too." Curiously asked Satots.

"I hate him." Menchi comically showed an angry face. "But to be honest, apart from the wrong choice he made for the sushi, he is a very good cook. He might have learned cooking under Himiko at one point though."

"Yeah! He cooked a delicious roasted pork as well with proper side and sauce combination. Definitely a gourmet material. I believe he is strong though. I sensed pressure from him when we were trying out his roasted pork the first time, but didn't in the sushi. I wonder why?" Blurted Buhara while placing spoonful of food in his mouth.

"I felt it too. That is why I was on guard while eating thinking he poisoned them, but when I tasted the meat there were none." Added Menchi. "You Satots?"

"I guess it was not only me. When we were running under the tunnel, I felt the same thing. I felt being observed intently but I could not determine the source because of hundreds of participants following behind me. I guess it came from him then. I saw him run from the tail end to the front and back at the tail end again. He might be checking all his competitors then." Satots voiced his thoughts. "Be that as it may, I have high expectations for both #406 and #99. From my observation, they are among the strongest in this group."

"How about you Buhara?" Asked Menchi.

"He is not really a new one, I would go with #44 the magician. I believe you sensed it too, menchi. When #255 lost her temper, there was extreme tension, but the largest mass of energy came from #44."

"I knew it, of course. It was so strong that I had to be on guard always. But you know, it seemed to be like that the moment we showed ourselves." Agreed menchi as she take in a sushi roll. "I felt like he is provoking me."

"I sensed the same thing, it's hard to admit but he's the same as us. I believe he is a Nen user. One who has traversed in darkness."

~~~~~

"Wowww! The city skyline is amazing!" Gon wondered while having his face pushed to the glass window.

"..." Killua.

"Meh, seen it a few time already." Silver stood up and started walking. "I'm gonna get me something to drink. All this running and walking around makes me thirsty. Any of you want any?"

"I'll get a juice." Gon requested.

"A cola for me." Killua added.

"A juice and a cola coming up!" Said Silver while giving an exagerated servants bow.

~~~~~

'Now where is the vending machine here. I think I remember one near the participants cabin.' Silver walked to the cabin with no hurry. 5 minutes later he is now 3rd in line at the vendo.

Two participants walked out of the cabin and started walking to the vendo machine. By the time they reached the line, Silver is already next in line. "Hey kid, you are in our spot. Move it." Says #56.

"Yeah, move it. We are hungry." Chimed #57.

"I'm sorry. I forgot the part where that is my problem." Answered Silver without giving the two a glance.

At this point the one using the vendo, noticing the commotion behind him hurriedly took his food and drinks then left.

"Ah, finally!!!" Celebrated Silver as he moved forward. However before he could move forward a hand grabbed his shoulder.

"We just told you, you are on our spot. If you don't want to be hurt you should listen to your elders." #56 raised his voice.

Silver shrugged the hand away and said. "I do respect my elders, but you two seems to be just children in an elderly body."

"What did you say, punk!? Well, we guess we have to show you what happens to punks who disrespect their elders!" #57 shouted as he did a sweeping kick to Silver's right side.

Silver glanced to his right and caught the kick without much effort. He then held it while #57 tried his best to take it back.

#57 panicked as he can't retrieve his feet back. He then jumped forward to kick Silver on the back with a drop kick with his left. Silver turned hisbody sideways to face #57 while still holding unto the latter's right leg's shin.

#57 did not hit anything with his kick and lost his footing as he drop on the floor with his back and head first.

*bam* "ouchh.. what are you doing! Help me!" #57 urged the stunned #56.

Being called out of his stupor. #56 throw a punch to Silver's face. Silver on the other hand didn't even bothered dodging as he lifted #57 to face the punch. The punch connected to latter's junior.

*ooff* "That gotta hurt." Silver commented. "But that has nothing to do with me." He added as he lifted #57 and hammered him down against #56.

*boom* #57 landed on top of #56 as both of them was knocked out.

Inside the cabin, a certain magician is creating a card pyramid. However a certain vibration knocked the pyramid down while he was placing the last card. He looked down at the pile of cards and sighed. *sigh*

"Pffft. Children shouldn't act high and mighty." Silver spat as he ordered 2 colas a juice and three sandwiches.

He then walked back the way he came and paused just in the entrance of the participants cabin where a certain Tompa is standing. Silver looked at Tompa and neared him. He then placed his hand on Tompas shoulder and whispered. "This is for your second offence." *bang* Silver pulled hard on Tompa's right shoulder and dislocated him.

"Ahhhhhhh" A pained scream came out of Tompa's mouth that woke everybody sleeping in the cabin.

"The third time would be your head facing the other way around." After his threat Silver continued his way back to the duo.

Unbeknowst to Silver, a certain magician was looking at his receeding back with invested interest.

~~~~~

"Now where did those two went?" Asked Silver in no one in particular as he returned to an empty corridor where he left Gon and Killua.