Join Forces for a Game

The 287th Hunter Exam quickly began in full swing.

Long had already arrived at Piska Forest Park, which is not far from the registration point in Zaban City and is adjacent to Swindler's Swamp.

The Association has built a small wooden cabin here for him to rest.

Next, just wait quietly.

However, during this time, he wandered around Zaban City for a while... Just like the Hunter Exam he took back then, a large number of outsiders flooded into the city every day. Judging from their temperament and eyes, they were all outstanding candidates.

Those who make it to the end all have some distinctive characteristics.

Most importantly, there are many familiar faces among them.

Long's daily pleasure was to wait at the registration area, which was on the street outside the restaurant, in front of a juice shop... sitting under a parasol, watching the newcomers who walked into the restaurant with arrogant and smug expressions, while counting the order in which each person arrived and ranking them.

Some candidates came with a tour guide, while others found out the location and came alone... The trial tasks in each region are different.

Long also met his old acquaintance Tonpa.

But Tonpa did not find him.

This guy was cunning; he also hid on the street outside the registration office, pretending to be a passerby, wandering back and forth, secretly observing every competitor who arrived.

For many days in a row, Long saw him running around in the streets, enjoying himself immensely.

The Tonpa's number was 16, indicating that he was among the first to arrive at the venue.

There is plenty of time to prepare and collect information.

On several occasions, Tonpa walked right past the juice shop, only a few meters away from Oboro, yet he didn't even notice Oboro's presence.

Long concealed himself with absolute power.

Is anyone here?

The next day, as usual, Long sat under the parasol, holding a newspaper in her hand, looking at it listlessly, with a straw in her mouth, drinking a beverage, looking like she was on vacation.

Suddenly, a voice came from in front of me.

Long lowered the newspaper in her hand and caught a glimpse of a clown-dressed man standing in front of the table with a sinister expression.

Hisoka.

"Why is it so slow..."

Long rested her chin on her hand and tilted her head slightly.

The two had been in contact before, with Oboro asking Hisoka if he would participate in this year's Hunter Exam... He knew that Gon, Killua, and the others would definitely come, but Hisoka wasn't sure, perhaps there would be some butterfly effect.

After learning that he was the examiner for the second round, Hisoka expressed his desire to participate.

Did you miss me?

Hisoka sat down and said jokingly.

"Yes... the exam hasn't started yet, and I'm a little bored being alone."

Long nodded.

Upon hearing this, Hisoka, unusually, did not show any joy; although he was smiling, his eyes were heavy.

"Wow... you've improved... you're so calm now."

Long raised an eyebrow and teased.

"..."

Hisoka fell silent, his fingertips spinning a playing card.

He and Oboro had known each other for too long... and were too familiar with each other.

From the very beginning, Hisoka sensed a certain wary hostility from Oboro towards him... This feeling persisted, even after Oboro became Ten Dons, and even later when they traveled to East Gorteau together, he remained cautious. This indicated that he was dangerous to Oboro... It was precisely this sense of crisis that propelled him and Oboro to grow together.

But right now... that feeling on Oboro has disappeared.

Long seemed to no longer dislike him... instead, she chatted and laughed with him.

This can only mean one thing... In Oboro's eyes, he is no longer a threat.

Upon seeing him again, Hisoka felt a sense of unease. The scene of Oboro killing the chief of the Botswa Tribe was still vivid in his mind, and that power... made Hisoka quite excited.

He had a premonition that... Oboro would undergo a complete transformation and become stronger at an even faster pace than before, but he never expected her to become this strong.

There was nothing unusual about it... it seemed to blend into the street scene.

Even Oboro's figure, seemingly sitting lazily under the umbrella, completely unguarded, made Hisoka unable to find any opening to attack her... He had just been thinking of creating a 'surprise' for Oboro.

Based on his past personality, Hisoka would normally show excitement and elation this time, but he is quite calm at the moment.

This surprised Oboro slightly.

"120 points! Exceeded expectations of a perfect score..."

After a moment of contemplation, Hisoka suddenly smiled.

He was giving Long a score.

"0 points".

Oboro also mentioned a number.

"Are you 100% certain you can kill me?"

Hisoka narrowed his eyes.

"Do I even need to answer? Your instincts and sixth sense have already given you the answer."

Oboro sipped his juice, his gaze sweeping over Hisoka. "Your physical strength has increased frighteningly... Looks like you've put in a lot of effort these past few years."

The surface was calm and serene.

In truth, it touched my heart.

Hisoka... is not at the level of a national-level Hunter x Hunter! Rather, he is infinitely close to a sub-world-level hunter... to him, he is even above Shenhou Saiyu.

This rate of growth definitely surpasses his appearance at this stage in the original story.

Hisoka must have been secretly doing something these past few years.

"I changed the course of his destiny..."

Long thought to herself, then smiled and asked, "Imitating me?"

"There's no other way. If I want to kill you, I have to make a comprehensive comparison. I can't miss anything."

Hisoka also ordered a juice. "However, compared to you, I seem to be a bit slower... but if we really fight, I don't think I'll lose."

"Because... I am the strongest."

"You think so too, right? You're the strongest yourself..."

Hisoka stared into Oboro's eyes.

"Certainly."

She revealed a row of small white teeth.

"Don't rush, I'll give you time... until you're ready, or we can start 'performing' right now, following the script you've prepared... I'll follow your instructions."

After that, Long continued, "Back then, the troupe leader Moritonio, intended to cultivate you, seemingly grooming you as his successor, which shows... at least in terms of performance, your talent surpasses mine. Therefore, I have no doubt about the brilliance of the performances you planned."

"Hehe..."

Hisoka held a trump card between his fingers, a bloodthirsty red glint flashing in his eyes. He stuck out his tongue and gently licked the edge of the card.

Long was teasing him, and he was starting to lose control.

The next second, Hisoka frowned, as if he had been doused with a bucket of cold water.

Realizing what had happened, she looked resentful and asked, "Did you deliberately make me lose my composure? Are you playing with me?"

"Tsk tsk, I thought you had really improved a lot, but I didn't expect you to expose your true nature so easily after just a little flirting. You're terrible."

Long shook his head, feigning disappointment.

Even if Hisoka really becomes a sub-world-class Nen user... he has no chance of challenging him.

Once Hisoka gets ahead, he'll never catch up, because... there are limits to human potential.

And one's own abilities... have no limits.

"Don't talk about me, you're even worse than me... For the first time, I'm starting to dislike you a little."

The two remained silent, each drinking their own juice.

"I've come to bring you some news."

Suddenly, Hisoka put down his cup and gave a mischievous look. "Chrollo and the others... are already in the Republic of Padokea. I'll have to go there after I get my license."

He's only bringing this up now because he wants to see Oboro's reaction, whether she'll be anxious.

After so long, the Phantom Troupe's revenge against the Fills Family has officially begun! "Oh... if you hadn't mentioned it, I would have almost forgotten about them."

Lonely smacked her lips.

Aren't you worried?

"For the past few years, they've been operating separately, growing as much as possible to avoid the danger you pose. This group hates you intensely, and this time they've gathered everyone specifically for you! Chrollo is determined to kill you!"

Hisoka Cableway.

"When Illumi arrives, let's play a game together..."

Long smiled slightly.

"Game?"