The Night Before the Battles

The reception room's lighting remained soft, and the sunlight cast warm shadows across the tatami. After the examinees left one by one, the room gradually fell quiet.

Netero remained seated cross-legged in the same spot, his eyelids lowered as wisps of fine steam curled around the rim of his teacup.

He gently moved the chess pieces with his fingertips, recalling their responses.

Before him lay a puzzle made of photographs and connecting lines, an intersection of the answers given by each examinee.

Hisoka and Gittarackur (Illumi) were people most of them were unwilling to face. Gon, Ryan, and Ponzu had all shown a tendency to avoid them. Kurapika had not said so outright, but his wariness was plain to see. Netero knew that the very presence of those two was like that of disruptors, yet they were indispensable.

Between Killua and Gon was the only obvious bond of friendship. Gon had clearly been unwilling to fight Killua, while Killua, though sparing with words, had deliberately skipped Gon's name in his answer. Arranging a battle between them would be meaningless.

Kurapika and Leorio had different goals, yet understood each other to some extent. One was calm and restrained, while the other was direct and emotional, making them complementary types. Netero nudged their chess pieces a little closer together, considering whether to arrange a battle between them to provoke different kinds of reactions.

Pokkle's concern for Gon had exceeded expectations. He was almost the only one who cared about whether the other side won or lost. Netero lifted his chess piece, looking slightly pensive—perhaps this was an opportunity to spur his growth?

Ponzu, meanwhile, made him frown. This girl was difficult to arrange a match for. Her method of attack might kill her opponent, but she might also be killed before she