"Candidates, you've all worked hard."
In the hall, Chairman Netero stood with his hands behind his back before the candidates who had passed the fourth test.
He smiled as he congratulated the ten "lucky ones" who had passed the trial.
But the test was not over yet.
"Congratulations! You've already made it through so many trials!" The old man beamed, even clapping his hands to encourage them.
After a brief moment of thought, Chairman Netero continued, "In previous years, it was already fortunate if we got even one successful candidate in three years. I never expected ten to appear this year, and seven of them are first-time Hunter Exam applicants!"
"This year has produced so many young candidates with the potential to pass. You could call it a bumper harvest!"
Hearing the chairman's words, Leorio and Kurapika exchanged a glance.
They each saw the eagerness and anticipation in the other's eyes.
Leorio said excitedly, "The chairman said we're candidates with potential!"
"Yeah!" Kurapika nodded, though he still asked with some concern, "But if that's how he puts it, there'll still be another test afterward, right?"
After all, they had "potential," not certainty.
The bald man beside them—the ninja Hanzo—laughed and turned his head to reassure them. "If the chairman says that, it means there can be at most one more test. In other words, as long as we make it through the next round, we'll become real Hunters!"
As he spoke, he provocatively asked the chairman, "I'm right, aren't I, Chairman?"
Having been interrupted, Chairman Netero was a little displeased and muttered under his breath, "That ninja sure talks a lot."
Then, regardless of everyone's reactions, the chairman announced the time for the next round. "The fifth test will begin in three days. You'll be tested at a hotel rented