The Last Ten

The gathering point was not deep in the dense forest, but an open platform between the mountains and the sea. It faced the sea with a mountain at its back. Several red-and-white marker flags stood in the center of the platform, while yellow lines marked the safe zone around the perimeter. The airship had already landed steadily at one side of the platform. The examiners wore headsets and dark blue uniforms as they stood before the boarding ladder, checking each candidate's number plate one by one.

Several candidates had already arrived. Hanzo sat cross-legged on a rock, meditating with a tranquil expression. Gon and Killua leaned against a lone tree, apparently having said something to each other before exchanging a smile. Hisoka crouched in the shadows at the edge of the platform, building an unknown house of cards with extreme concentration. An enigmatic smile hung at the corners of his mouth, while his eyes seemed to pierce through the air as he surveyed the entire scene.

On the other side, a tall, thin man with a gloomy face stood silently in the shadows. He wore a black, tight-fitting robe, his long hair falling over his shoulders, his face expressionless. That was "Gittarackur"—Illumi Zoldyck's disguised identity.

Leorio was the first to walk toward Gon, ready to tell them that he had passed the trial. Ryan and Kurapika followed behind Leorio toward Gon and the others. Ponzu hesitated for a moment, but did not follow. Instead, she turned and slowly walked toward the examiners. Gon turned and called out to Leorio with a smile. Ryan nodded at Killua in greeting, then found a place nearby and sat down. When Leorio got closer, he noticed that Gon's face was badly swollen. He crouched down to examine the injury, unable to hide his concern.