Chapter 243

At that moment, the outcome was decisively determined. This was completely contrary to the kind of serious duel Hisoka wanted. As a result, he found himself in a rare dilemma.

"I want to face Morin, but I really dislike his tools. But if he doesn't use his tools, it wouldn't be a true test of strength, which would be even less interesting."

"Oh my, this is indeed a troublesome dilemma..."

While Hisoka was there, troubled and pensive, it was Gon, who was directly facing Morin, whose head felt like it was about to explode.

"Can I... not choose?" Gon said with a forced laugh, looking at Morin's smiling face.

"Sorry, your whims don't work here," Morin replied with a smile, stepping forward.

Gon instinctively took a step back in response. Step by step, Morin closed in.

"If you won't choose yourself, then I'll choose for you."

As soon as Morin finished speaking, his figure vanished instantly.

"No way!!" Gon exclaimed, frightened and trying to dodge immediately. But before he could leap forward, his arm was grabbed, and a badge was slapped on the back of his neck.

"Obey, Gon." Morin issued the command directly, "Stand still."

Once the [Rank Badge] was affixed, its effect was immediate. Gon's body stood motionless, beyond his control.

"Say the words of surrender."

Morin didn't want to waste any more time and commanded directly.

"I..." Gon tried to bite his lip to prevent himself from speaking, but?

"I surrender..." Controlled by the [Rank Badge], he couldn't even control the muscles of his mouth and throat. He could only grit his teeth and force out those words under Morin's command. At the same time, tears began to well up in his eyes.

"Referee?" Morin looked at Master.

"Contestant 405, Gon, voluntarily concedes, advancing contestant 406, Morin, who wins and earns his Hunter license!!" Master announced, decisively declaring the final winner of the match.

The moment the verdict was given, Morin removed the [Rank Badge] from the back of Gon's neck.

"I object!!" Gon immediately shouted these words and tried to struggle in vain.

However.

"Bang!" Morin swiftly and cleanly delivered a chop to the back of Gon's neck, calming him from his agitated state.

"What if he wakes up and continues to bother me, refusing to accept the result?" Morin asked Netero.

"Then it would disrupt the normal proceedings of the test, violating the referee's decision and the rules of the Hunter Exam. In severe cases, it could result in disqualification from the final test," Netero said, stroking his beard. Clearly, he had anticipated Gon's potential antics and had already blocked that path from the start.

If Gon woke up and continued to cause trouble with Morin, it would be up to the Hunter Association to deal with it.

"Gon..." Kurapika and Leorio carried Gon off the field. They didn't know what to say, but in any case, this seemed to be one of the best possible outcomes for now. At worst, they could try harder in the next round.

Following Gon's match with Morin, the battle between Kurapika and Hisoka unfolded. There wasn't much to say here; after whispering a few words into Kurapika's ear, Hisoka voluntarily forfeited.

Kurapika, though victorious, couldn't calm his heart. Hisoka's words kept echoing in his ears: "Let me tell you about the spiders..."

Just as the original story described, the two were destined to cross paths again.

The competition continued on the other side.

The matches on both sides alternated, conveniently allowing the losers from the previous round some time for effective rest. Gon faced off against Hanzo. 

After Hisoka and Kurapika's match concluded, Gon woke up just in time. Initially, he wanted to say something, but after learning the final outcome from Leorio, he hugged his knees, covering half of his face, 

with eyes half determined, half resentful, as he shrank into a corner. He was blaming himself for his uselessness and lack of effort.

It wasn't until Netero announced the start of the match between Gon and Hanzo that Gon reluctantly stepped forward. Facing Hanzo, his gaze was no longer pure but rather frightening and dark.

"This kid is angry, huh?" Ging chuckled silently in front of the screen. "He's frustrated with himself, angry at his own inadequacy."

"Getting mad at himself, what a fool!!" He laughed, slapping his leg, while Ickshonpe silently pulled out a card:

"He's just like you."

"Huh?! I would never do that!!" Ging protested vehemently, but Ickshonpe just stared at him.

Even with a doodle face devoid of any expression, one could always sense the look in Ickshonpe's eyes.

Hanzo came from a secret ninja organization, an upbringing no less rigorous than that of the Zoldyck family. From birth, he underwent various strict training regimens. For nearly eighteen years, he trained tirelessly, never stopping. 

It's important to note that his name, Hanzo, was inherited from the most legendary figure in their organization, Hattori Hanzo, indicating his extraordinary talent and exceptional strength. 

The organization held high hopes for him, and to complete his mission of finding the legendary scroll, the "Book of Hermits," he participated in the Hunter Exam to obtain a Hunter license. 

Throughout his past, he had tormented countless opponents but had never felt as frustrated as he did today. Gon was no match for him, whether in terms of physical development or training.

Gon, unable to match Hanzo, was quickly subdued. Hanzo employed every torment technique he had learned over the past eighteen years on Gon. Yet, no matter what he did, even breaking Gon's right hand, Gon only had one thing to say.

"I will never surrender!!" Gon declared resolutely.

Hanzo's teeth ground together audibly, and after a long moment, as if understanding something, he exhaled deeply, took a step forward, and punched Gon in the face. 

This time, he struck with all his might, fueled by frustration. Gon was sent flying by the punch, hitting his chin just right, and when he landed, he passed out cold.

"I forfeit, let's start the next match," Hanzo said to the referee. Realizing he couldn't make Gon surrender, Hanzo vented his anger with an unrestrained punch, then quickly adjusted his mindset, eager to win the next round. As for whether Gon would accept this method of passing once he woke up... who cares!!

The referee nodded, and another official carried the unconscious Gon to the medical room, then the second match on the right side commenced. 

Hisoka faced Botobai. For a fruit that had already over-ripened, Hisoka had no reason to hold back. Botobai was no match for Hisoka. 

Despite the one-sided situation, Botobai refused to give up. But after Hisoka knocked him down and whispered a few words in his ear, Botobai immediately conceded.

The battle then returned to the left side of the bracket.

"Another kid, and he's with that group of kids..." Hanzo muttered, feeling a headache as Killua walked into the arena. He twitched at the corners of his eyes, worried that Killua might be as troublesome as Gon. However...

He observed Killua's expressionless face, and his demeanor gradually turned serious. This silver-haired kid was completely different from the one before.

"Bang!"

Hanzo and Killua crossed paths. Killua had already taken a punch from Hanzo, leaving his face red and swollen.

"I must admit, you're much stronger than that last kid," Hanzo said, flexing his wrist slightly. "But you're also not as troublesome as he was."