Chapter 241

"Perhaps you've already thought of five or six ways to handle this situation."

"Not that many," Ging defended himself.

Hmm, 'Not that many' still implies he thought of some methods, just not five or six, Ickshonpe mused silently.

Considering how cautious Ging is, knowing that Morin, who knows about his affairs, is also taking the Hunter Exam, potentially exposing him, how could he not have prepared countermeasures in advance? 

He might have even made a lot of preparations already. His intelligence is not something to be underestimated.

"Now, it's up to what choice Gon will make," Ging said as he lay sprawled on the ground, his eyes fixed on the screen displaying Gon's image. "Will he ask for my whereabouts, or will he persist in becoming a Hunter as always???~"

Ging waited for Gon's decision.

Meanwhile, at the final test venue...

"Morin, you know Ging?!"

Gon murmured, repeating the question.

"Yes, that guy is someone on my level and one of the Twelve Zodiacs in the Hunter Association, alongside my apprentice Kastro, codenamed Boar," Morin said, sitting cross-legged. "That guy is the famous rogue among the Twelve Zodiacs."

"If you want to know more about him, I could talk for three days and nights and still not finish."

"Is that so?!"

Gon's gaze gradually became distant, his thoughts slowly extending.

"So the father this kid is looking for is Ging Freecss?!"

The examiners were also suddenly enlightened.

"No wonder I found his eyes and face so familiar before, but just couldn't recall who he was!" Menchi patted her head as she finally realized.

"Ging's son, huh?" Satotz's gaze towards Gon started to change subtly. Although Satotz had never met Ging, Ging was his idol. Meeting Ging was one of his dreams.

Lippo's gaze towards Gon also turned slightly peculiar. So, this is a Hunter's offspring, huh?

Other candidates also noticed some unusualness. Although they didn't know who Gon's father, Ging, was, judging by the examiners' expressions, he was clearly someone remarkable. For a moment, the candidates looked at Gon with different eyes.

"Morin, you must know Ging quite well, right?" Gon withdrew his thoughts, looking brightly at Morin.

"Pretty much," Morin replied with a smile. "In some ways, he's quite simple. You can easily get close to him and understand him."

"Haha?"

In the virtual network space, Ging glared with deadpan eyes. Beside him, Ickshonpe seemed to agree. He thought Morin's words made a lot of sense. 

Ging, in terms of being a jerk, was really simple to the point of making people want to strangle him.

At this moment, Kurapika suddenly interrupted from the sidelines.

"Let me interrupt for a moment. Morin, do you really know Ging Freecss?"

"Are you suspecting that I'm using this information to trick Gon into surrendering?" Morin glanced at him. "I wouldn't resort to such dirty tactics, would I?"

Kurapika fell silent. He didn't believe that with Morin's strength and the tools at his disposal, he would resort to deceitful actions against Gon. 

However, necessary confirmation and reminders were still warranted. He was always overly cautious.

"If you really don't believe me, you can ask Chairman Netero or Beans. They both know about this matter," Morin said casually.

"Indeed," Beans nodded first. "When the Hunter Association established the Twelve Zodiacs, Ging and Morin came to the venue together."

"And Mr. Morin was also personally involved when Mr. Ging became one of the Twelve Zodiacs of the Hunter Association."

And after that, they both became part of the world's top five Nen users. Beans silently recited this part in his mind, choosing not to say it out loud.

"So, Morin, you have a good relationship with Ging, right?!"

Gon's eyes sparkled brighter and brighter, his body leaning forward eagerly.

"What kind of person is he?!"

He asked with a face full of anticipation.

"I've already told you, this is just a transaction," Morin glanced at him, a playful smile on his lips.

"Using this as a bargaining chip..."

Leorio felt it was a bit much. "Gon has always been so focused on finding his father."

"I know, that's why I'm offering him a choice," Morin said without turning his head.

"To either continue striving to become a Hunter and embark on the journey to find his father, or to concede here and now, and I will clearly tell you your father's information and whereabouts."

He nodded towards Netero. "Don't worry about me breaking my promise. With Chairman Netero here, if you want assurance, we can have him as a witness and judge."

"If you still don't trust me, I can even tell you about Ging first."

"Because I believe, Gon, that you would never break your promise."

"So, what do you decide, Gon?" Morin extended his hand towards Gon.

"I..."

Gon furrowed his brows, once again plunging into deep thought.

Leorio and Kurapika opened their mouths but didn't say anything. Honestly, from their perspective, they hoped Gon would become a Hunter. They've invested so much time, energy, and effort. To give up at this final step would be... too regrettable.

But if Gon decided to give up, they could understand. After all, the fundamental reason Gon wanted to become a Hunter was to find his father. 

If Morin could help Gon find his dad, then his initial goal of becoming a Hunter would be achieved. In that case, becoming a Hunter wouldn't be necessary for Gon anymore.

"You could also look at it this way," Killua suggested, hands in his pockets, "Gon has so many opportunities to take the exam. If he concedes this time, he can give his all in the next one, right?"

"This way, he can get information about his father from Morin and also pass the exam to become a Hunter."

"Right!!!"

Leorio's eyes lit up, feeling like a veil had been lifted from his mind, revealing a clear path.

"Yes! Let Gon concede to Morin this time, and then fight seriously in the next round!"

Leorio punched the air, pleased to have found a perfect solution.

"Rationally speaking, this indeed seems like the best approach, but...?"

Kurapika, ever the calm one, offered a different opinion, "For Gon, if he concedes just because of Morin's deal, then the entire Hunter Exam would be a 'failure.'"

"I don't think Gon would accept that outcome."

"'Failure'..."

Leorio's initial joy faded as he understood Gon's nature. Indeed, conceding here would mean truly giving up. All the previous efforts and hardships would be meaningless. The upcoming Hunter Exam would indeed be a 'failure' for Gon.

For rational types like Killua and Kurapika, who focus on results, and carefree types like Leorio, who just want to achieve the goal, this seemed like the best solution. 

But for someone like Gon, who, much like Ging, has shown a stubborn streak and a strong adherence to his own beliefs since childhood, this deal holds significant weight.

Others can't help much in this regard. So, it all comes down to Gon's true choice.

Finally~

After a long silence, Gon's furrowed brows relaxed.

"I've decided."

He lifted his head, meeting Morin's eyes with a burning gaze:

"I want to become a Hunter!!"

He declared each word with iron-clad conviction, his voice firm and resolute.

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