The First Phase Begins

"Mhh..." Raiyo voices as he looks between the two Kirikos that were sitting down next to each other, in front of Gon, Kurapika, Leorio, and him.

"It's been ages since someone's been able to tell us apart..." One of the Kiriko says.

"It makes me so happy." The other smiles.

They are both talking to Gon, who has a hand behind his head, smiling.

Raiyo looks at Leorio and Kurapika, who all agree they can't tell them apart.

"You see, the one Raiyo and I beat up is the husband." Gon points.

"Now allow us to introduce ourselves. We are the navigators. Our family provides support for the hunter exam." The husband Kiriko says.

"I'm their daughter."

"I'm their son." 

The two, human-like Kiriko, had acted like husband and wife.

"In this region, these tattoos mean that an ancient Sumi tribe woman swears to God to be his wife and to stay single for all her life. Only those with extensive knowledge of ancient history would know. Kurapika, you showed that you are knowledgeable by using the most vague of hints to determine that the two of us weren't a married couple." The daughter says as she shows off her tattoos.

"And Raiyo, you're knowledge of knowing Magical Beasts goes beyond anyone I've ever seen; nobody was just able to know. We weren't human, even with their knowledge of Magical beasts, and your superhuman physical ability is very amazing." The wife Kiriko says.

"And finally, for Gon, your perception makes you more than worthy to take the hunter exam."

"All of you pass. Alright, we will now take you three to the exam site." 

Raiyo and his new friends enjoy a brief journey through the sky by the Kirikos.

However, they still haven't reached the starting line.

__

Zaban City

"Let's see Tsubashi street 2-5-10..." The husband Kiriko says as he guides the four with a note in his hand, walking down the street disguised as a regular man.

"That's the building." He tells them.

"So here it is," Leorio says.

"Wow." Gon smiles.

Raiyo looks while yawning. 

A huge brown building, almost a skyscraper, it looks old, but also looks like it's been recently fixed up.

"This is what draws... hunter applicants from across the world," Leorio says.

Raiyo puts his hands above his head as he takes in the scene.

"Hey guys. It's over here," the disguised Kiriko says.

Making all four of them look to their right in the other direction to see a ramen shop.

"..." 

"Uhh... this is just a restaurant," Kurpika says.

Leorio clenches his fists. "Wait, is this a joke? You're not saying all hunter exam applicants are meant to assemble there?" 

"That's exactly it. No one would ever expect the Hunter Exam, with millions of candidates to be located here, right?" Kiriko smiles.

As the five enter the ramen shop, the owner welcomes them, asking what they will have.

"The steak combo." Kiriko smiles.

The owner's face turns serious for a little while. "How do you want them?"

"Grilled over a low flame, until done."

"Got it."

A young lady guides the five to a separate room. "Please seat yourselves in the back." She smiles.

The five enter the back to see meat cooking on the grill, it looks just like a regular private room in a restaurant.

"One in every thousand.. That's the number of applicants who have made it this far. You've done extremely well for first-timers. Well, good luck. I would be happy to be your navigator next year, as well." He says as he exits the room, leaving only the four applicants.

"Well, that was rude. He makes it seem like we'll fail this year." Leorio says as he digs into the food that is out.

"Once every three years." Kurapika begins.

"hm?"

"The frequency with which a rookie passes the exam. So they say."

Many rookies drop out midway because the hunter exams are so harsh.

And they take such a physical beating they can never take it again.

"So... I guess candidates are willing to risk everything... just to become hunters," Gon says, making Kurapika and Leorio look at him dumbfounded.

"Did you come to the exams without knowing why?!"

"Yeah, Gon, even I know this," Raiyo says as he lays his head on the table.

Leorio hits Raiyo.

"Hey?! What was that for?" 

"Don't go to sleep."

"Anyway... Look, becoming a hunter is..."

"The most noble..."

"Well paying..."

"Occupation!"

Kurapika and Leorio say at the same time, making them look at each other in disagreement.

"You goody-goody." Leorio grits his teeth.

"Money, grubber." Kurapika retorts.

"Listen gon, only official hunters are issued hunter licenses! If you have one, you're permitted to go anywhere you want! And you can use most public facilities free of charge!! Every year, over 60 hunters make the list of the world's richest people!! If you become a treasure hunter of lost antiques or a contract hunter for a rich patron, you can make a fortune!! You can go on and live a great life; that's why people become hunters!" Leorio exclaims.

"The image of bagging animals and scrounging for treasure belongs to second-rate Hunters; a Hunter's real job is to secure order in both society and nature!! Pro hunters seek to preserve and protect precious cultural artifacts as well as rare flora and fauna!! Equally important is tracking down wanted criminals and poachers!! It's a tough career!! Profound knowledge, sound, mind, and body, and strong conviction!! Those are the qualities on which hunters pride themselves!" Kurapika retorts.

"Raiyo!! Gon!! What do you think?!!" Leorio yells.

"Which kind of hunter do you strive to be?" Kurapika asks.

Pressuring both Raiyo and Gon for an answer.

"Mmm... I like both, but I don't care as long as I become the strongest Hunter." Raiyo shrugs.

Gon takes a bite of his food. "Well, when you put it that way..."

Before he can answer the question, the door behind him opens up.

The four had been in an elevator this whole time, and they arrived on floor B100.

"I think we're here..." Kurapika says.

"We'll continue this later!" 

The four walk up to the door. As it fully opens, Raiyo looks through.

Hundreds of people were standing, waiting for the exam to start.

Their eyes catch the four, for a split second before going back to what they were doing before.

"There's a lot of tension here..." Raiyo whistles, smiling.

Gon nods. "This place is pretty dark, looks like a subway tunnel. I wonder how many people there are?"

"That makes you guys 406." Raiyo hears a voice from above to see a middle-aged man sitting on top of a pipe.

"Hey, there's someone older than you, Leorio." Raiyo laughs.

"Wha?!!"

"I'm Tompa." He says, landing on the floor. "Nice to meet ya." He shakes Gon's hand.

Raiyo looks to his right to see a short baldie with big eyes handing out badge numbers. Giving one to Leorio.

He then extends his hand, saying hi to Raiyo as he gives a badge number to him.

Raiyo says thank you and grabs it to see his number, 406.

He then returns to the conversation with Tompa and his friends.

"There are many more than this... But they have taken the test the most times." Raiyo hears Tompa say before a scream comes from the distance, making Raiyo look towards the noise.

"Oh, how peculiar... His arms seem to have disappeared." A strange-looking man with pink hair and a clown-looking outfit says, smiling.

"My... My... My arms!" 

"Do be careful. When you bump into someone, you should apologize." The Pink hair says.

"Man... That awful guy's back again." Tompa whispers to the group.

"Who's he?" Raiyo asks.

"Number 44. Hisoka the Magicion. Last year, he was a virtual lock to pass the test until he almost killed an examiner he didn't approve of."

"...!! And they're still allowing him to retake the exam this year?" Leorio's eyes widen.

"Of course. That's just how the hunter exam works. The Examiners decide the contest of the exam. Even if the Examiners say "pass," even the devil can pass the exam. Not only that, but I heard he took out over 20 applicants. Anyway, no one likes him, so steer clear of him." Tompa advises. 

"There are still plenty of other dangerous guys here. But I'll make sure to let you know!" 

"Ok!" Gon responds, smiling.

Raiyo hears small chuckles from examinees, taking note of it. He looks back at Tompa.

"Oh, right." He says, pulling out some drinks.

"How about a toast? To our friendship and luck." 

Raiyo looks at the drink that Tompa tries to give him.

He then looks up at Tompa, at the drink, and then at Tompa again.

"I don't know you like that, no thanks," he says as he crosses his arms, with no intention of taking the bottle.

"Raiyo!! That's rude!" Leorio exclaims. But Raiyo doesn't budge.

Tompa's facial expression shifts only slightly before turning back into a smile.

Gone takes the first sip of his drink.

"Bleg..." He voices.

"Hey Tompa, this juice must have one bad; it tastes funny!"

"What?! Isn't that strange..." Tompa says as he begins to sweat and nervously smiles.

He's a bad liar.

Leorio and Kurapika quickly empty the cans juice on the floor.