Zebira Island, the badge hunting game

The Air Bus passed through thick clouds and slowly landed at Zebira Island's airport. The island was an undeveloped tropical wilderness, covered in dense primeval rainforest. Its terrain was complex, dotted with swamps, cliffs, and caves-a natural hunting ground. The moment they stepped off the aircraft, hot, humid sea wind struck their faces, carrying the rainforest's distinctive scent of vegetation and decaying humus, along with a faint hint of danger. All fifteen candidates who had passed the third phase stood on the airport apron, their faces tense and wary. After the brutal screening of the first three phases, none of those who remained were ordinary. Each had something exceptional about them. Examiner Lippo stood before them with a sealed box in his hands and announced the rules of the fourth phase without expression. "Congratulations on passing the first three phases. Next comes the fourth phase of the Hunter Exam, and your second-to-last test." "This phase will take place here on Zebira Island. Your task is a hunting game." He gestured to the staff behind him, who immediately raised a huge board clearly displaying all the rules: 1. Each candidate will randomly draw a numbered badge. Each badge corresponds to a candidate, and the number on the badge identifies your hunting target. 2. Scoring: your own badge is worth 3 points; your target's badge is worth 3 points; badges belonging to candidates other than yourself and your target are worth 1 point each. 3. The time limit is 6 hours. Candidates who have accumulated 6 or more points when time expires will pass this phase and advance to the fifth and final phase. 4. The only prohibited action in this phase is deliberately killing another candidate. Anyone who kills will be immediately disqualified and permanently banned from taking the Hunter Exam. There are no other restrictions. 5. Candidates who fail to reach the rendezvous point at the far end of the island before time expires will fail this phase. Once the rules had been announced, the entire apron fell silent. Every candidate's gaze turned wary, and they instinctively moved away from the people beside them. The cruelest part of this hunting game was that everyone was both hunter and prey. While you watched your own target, you had no idea who might be lurking in the shadows, eyeing your badge. "Now, step forward one at a time and draw your numbered badges and corresponding identification cards," Examiner Lippo told the candidates as he opened the sealed box. "After you draw, only you may know who your hunting target is. Revealing it to anyone is prohibited and will result in disqualification." The candidates stepped forward in turn to draw their badges. Each quickly glanced at the target information before immediately putting it away, keeping their expression blank. No one wanted anyone else to figure out their target. Lin Ye was the last to step forward. He took a sealed envelope from the box and opened it. Inside was a badge bearing the number 12 and an identification card listing his hunting target: candidate No. 17, Tonpa. A faint smile curled Lin Ye's lips when he saw the name. Tonpa, the "Rookie Crusher" who had taken the Hunter Exam thirty-five times, had been plotting against the newcomers since the exam began. During the second phase, he had tried to slip laxatives into their drinks, only for Lin Ye to expose him on the spot. To think he had now become Lin Ye's hunting target. Practically free points delivered right to my door. He put away the badge and returned to his companions. Gon, Kurapika, Leorio, and Killua gathered around him. They exchanged looks, finding a shared understanding in one another's eyes. "Let's find somewhere we can talk privately," Kurapika said quietly. They nodded at once and hurried to a corner of the airport, out of the other candidates' sight. "All right, there's no one else here." Leorio glanced around and lowered his voice. "Who are your targets? Mine is candidate No. 19, that doctor named Bodoro." "My target is Hisoka," Gon said seriously, his eyes holding no fear, only determination. The others froze for a moment before giving helpless smiles. Gon's target was actually Hisoka, the most dangerous of all the candidates. "Seriously, Gon, do you have any idea what you're getting into?" Leorio looked utterly overwhelmed. "You actually want to take that lunatic Hisoka's badge? How is that any different from getting yourself killed?" "I can do it," Gon said earnestly, clenching his fists. "I'm going to get his badge and pass this phase." Killua raised an eyebrow and patted Gon's shoulder. "Don't worry. I'll help you. My target is candidate No. 22, some nobody without much skill. He'll be easy to handle." "My target is candidate No. 10, Chahhu, the prisoner from Trick Tower," Kurapika said, his gaze turning cold. "He got away last time. This is the perfect chance to settle both old and new scores." Everyone turned to Lin Ye. He smiled and said casually, "My target is Tonpa, candidate No. 17." "Tonpa? That old bastard?" Leorio immediately laughed. "That's way too easy! All he knows how to do is sabotage rookies. He has no real ability. For you, taking him down will be a piece of cake." "This isn't the time to relax." Lin Ye's smile faded as he spoke seriously. "In this phase, we don't just need to get the points from our targets. We also have to watch out for people trying to steal our badges. Our five badges add up to fifteen points. We're bound to be a prime target." Kurapika nodded and said gravely, "Lin Ye's right. The other candidates have probably already started forming teams. If all five of us move together, we'll draw too much attention and could easily get surrounded." "So we split up?" Leorio frowned. "But if we do, what happens if someone gangs up on us?" "We don't need to split up completely." Lin Ye shook his head and laid out his plan. "We'll form two groups. Gon and Killua will track Hisoka and get his badge. Kurapika, Leorio, and I will deal with our own targets first and secure the six points we need. Then we'll meet up with Gon and Killua and cover them to make sure nothing goes wrong." "That's a good plan!" Leorio nodded immediately. "It's still too dangerous for Gon and Killua to take on Hisoka alone. Once we've dealt with our targets, we can help them. That'll be much safer." Gon and Killua exchanged a look and nodded too. They knew how terrifying Hisoka's strength was. With Lin Ye and the others helping, their chances of success would be much higher. "All right, it's settled," Kurapika said earnestly as he looked at them. "Everyone, stay safe. If you run into danger, contact us on your Communicators immediately. Don't try to tough it out." "Got it!" they answered in unison. Just then, Examiner Lippo's voice rang across the airport through a loudspeaker. "Candidates, the exam begins in ten minutes. In ten minutes, the airport gates will open, and you may enter Zebira Island's rainforest. Make your final preparations now." They immediately checked their equipment, confirming their water, food, first-aid kits, and weapons one by one. Ten minutes passed quickly. The airport's iron gates slowly opened, revealing the dense primeval rainforest beyond. "The fourth phase officially begins now! Start the clock!" Before Lippo had finished speaking, all the candidates sprang into motion, shooting into the rainforest like arrows from a bow and disappearing among the dense trees in an instant. Lin Ye and his four companions rushed in as well. Once inside, they split into two groups according to their plan. "Gon, Killua, stay safe and keep in touch," Lin Ye told them. "If you run into danger, notify us immediately. We'll come right over." "Don't worry, Lin Ye!" Gon waved at him, his face brimming with excitement. "We'll definitely get Hisoka's badge!" Killua waved to the others as well, then ran deeper into the rainforest with Gon. They soon vanished into the shadows of the trees. Using Gon's animal instincts, they had already pinpointed the direction of Hisoka's presence. "Let's get moving too," Lin Ye told Kurapika and Leorio. "First, we find Tonpa and deal with my target. Then we find Chahhu and deal with Kurapika's. Finally, we go after Leorio's target, Bodoro. Let's make it quick." "Right!" The three set off at once. Lin Ye took the lead, spreading his Observation Haki at full strength across a radius of over ten kilometers. Every candidate's location and every trace of their presence in the rainforest appeared clearly in his mind. He had already pinpointed Tonpa. The old fox had not dared venture deep into the rainforest at all. He was hiding in the bushes near the airport, waiting to ambush lone candidates who had just entered. "Tonpa's hiding in the bushes three hundred meters ahead. He hasn't moved," Lin Ye told them quietly. "We'll circle around and cut him off from both sides. Don't let him escape." Kurapika and Leorio nodded at once. The three split into two groups and silently closed in on the bushes. Tonpa was hiding behind a tree in the undergrowth, holding a blowpipe prepared with anesthetic and staring intently toward the airport as he waited for lone candidates. A vicious smile covered his face. He had already worked out his plan: ambush a few isolated rookies, take their badges, then find a way to deal with his own target. While he was concentrating on the airport, a calm voice suddenly sounded behind him. "Mr. Tonpa, what are you looking for?" Tonpa's body instantly stiffened. He spun around and found himself staring straight into Lin Ye's eyes. When he saw Kurapika and Leorio behind him, his face went deathly pale, and terror filled his eyes. He had never imagined that he could be found in such a well-concealed hiding place, much less cornered by these rookies, who were among the last people he wanted to provoke. "L-Lin Ye... what do you want?" Tonpa instinctively retreated a few steps, aiming his blowpipe at Lin Ye, his voice trembling. "Nothing much," Lin Ye said evenly. "You're my hunting target. Hand over your badge. I don't want to use force. Give it to us yourself, and we won't hurt you." Tonpa's face shifted between pale and livid. He knew he was no match for the three of them. Never mind all three-he could not even beat Lin Ye alone. Yet he could not bear to surrender his badge just like that. His eyes darted, and he suddenly raised his blowpipe and fired an Anesthetic Needle at Leorio. At the same time, he turned and ran, hoping to use the opening to escape deeper into the rainforest. But to Lin Ye, his movements were as slow as a snail's. Lin Ye moved instantly, activating Shave. Before the Anesthetic Needle could hit Leorio, he caught it, then flashed forward to block Tonpa's path. Tonpa had barely taken two steps when Lin Ye suddenly appeared before him. Scared out of his wits, he turned without thinking and ran in another direction. But Kurapika had already circled behind him. With a swing of his Nunchucks, he caught Tonpa's ankle and gave a light tug. Tonpa fell flat on his face and lay unable to move. Leorio rushed over and pinned him down, searching his pockets and pulling out the No. 17 badge along with the target badge Tonpa himself had drawn. "Still trying to run, you old bastard?" Leorio glared at him furiously. "First you tried to drug us, and now you try to ambush me? You must have a death wish!" Tonpa lay on the ground, his face ashen, all his earlier arrogance gone. Lin Ye took the No. 17 badge Leorio handed him and slipped it into his pocket. Three points for his own badge and three for his target's made exactly six. He had already met the requirements to pass. "Let's go," Lin Ye told the others without even looking at Tonpa on the ground. "Next, we find Chahhu and deal with Kurapika's target." The three turned and left, disappearing into the depths of the rainforest and leaving Tonpa sprawled on the ground, too miserable even to cry. With Lin Ye's Observation Haki, they moved unhindered through the rainforest, easily avoiding every trap and every other team of candidates. In less than half an hour, they found Kurapika's target, Chahhu. Chahhu was hiding in a cave with two other candidates, discussing how to ambush candidates who were alone. The three charged straight into the cave. In less than five minutes, Kurapika easily defeated Chahhu, took his badge, and secured his own six points. Without stopping, they then found Leorio's target, Bodoro. Bodoro was a doctor with little fighting ability. When he saw the three approaching, he promptly surrendered his badge, allowing Leorio to reach six points as well. Less than two hours had passed since the exam began, and all three had already met the passing requirements. Their efficiency was astonishing. "Great! All three of us are done!" Leorio said excitedly. "Now let's hurry and find Gon and Killua so we can help them get Hisoka's badge!" Lin Ye nodded. His Observation Haki had already pinpointed Gon and Killua's locations, as well as Hisoka's presence. The two were hiding in a tree, watching Hisoka from a distance. Hisoka was strolling through the rainforest, seemingly unconcerned with his surroundings. "They're five kilometers ahead. Let's go," Lin Ye said. The three immediately set off, hurrying toward Gon and Killua. They covered the five kilometers in just over ten minutes, silently climbed the large tree where Gon and Killua were hiding, and landed beside them. "Lin Ye! You're here!" Gon whispered, his face lighting up with a delighted smile at the sight of them. "How's it going? Has Hisoka done anything?" Kurapika asked quietly. "He's been standing in that clearing ahead for almost an hour. We don't know what he's doing," Killua said softly, pointing toward the clearing. "We've been waiting for a chance, but he's too alert. There hasn't been an opening." Lin Ye followed Killua's finger and saw Hisoka standing in the center of the clearing with his back to them, toying with playing cards as though waiting for someone. A sweep of his Observation Haki made everything clear. Four candidates who had formed a team were hiding around the clearing, preparing to ambush Hisoka and steal his badge. "Don't rush. Your chance is coming," Lin Ye whispered to Gon. "Four candidates are about to ambush Hisoka. When they attack, they'll distract him. That'll be your best chance." Gon's eyes immediately lit up. He clenched his fists and nodded, fixing his gaze on Hisoka as he prepared to act. Sure enough, a few minutes later, the four candidates hiding in the shadows rushed out together and lunged at Hisoka, their Nen-infused weapons striking toward his vital points. But Hisoka seemed to have known all along. With a slight turn of his body, he dodged every attack. A light flick of the playing cards in his hand sent all four candidates crashing unconscious to the ground, unable to fight. The entire exchange lasted less than two seconds. The instant Hisoka drew back his hand, while his attention was still on the candidates lying on the ground, Gon moved. Like an agile monkey, he leaped down from the tree, rushed behind Hisoka, and reached for the badge at his waist. Hisoka faltered, clearly not expecting anyone else to dare ambush him at that moment. He instinctively turned to counterattack, but Gon's hand had already closed around the badge at his waist. With a hard yank, Gon took it, then leaped backward to put distance between them. The entire sequence was fluid and incredibly fast. Hisoka stared at the badge in Gon's hand for a few seconds, then suddenly burst into wild laughter, his eyes filled with excitement and approval. "Wonderful, Gon! You keep surprising me!" Rather than try to reclaim the badge, he smiled at Gon. "Consider that badge a gift from me. You've earned my approval, Gon." Gon held the badge with a brilliant smile and bowed to Hisoka. "Thank you, Hisoka!" Then he turned and ran, returning to the tree to rejoin the others. "I got it! I got it!" Gon exclaimed excitedly, holding up the badge. They all smiled and patted his shoulder. "Nice work, Gon!" Leorio said, his face full of excitement. Now all five of them had secured six points and successfully passed this phase. "Let's head to the rendezvous point and wait for the exam to end," Lin Ye said with a smile. The others immediately nodded and set off together toward the rendezvous point at the far end of the island. Along the way, they encountered quite a few candidates still fighting desperately over badges, but they did not stop. They continued unhindered and reached the rendezvous point early. Several candidates had already arrived. Seeing the five approach together, they looked surprised. They had not expected all five youths to collect enough points and reach the rendezvous point so quickly. The five found a corner and sat down, resting as they waited for the exam to end. Four hours later, the six-hour time limit finally expired. Examiner Lippo appeared at the rendezvous point with a loudspeaker and announced loudly, "The fourth phase is officially over! We will now tally your scores!" After the scores were counted, only nine of the fifteen candidates had obtained six or more points, successfully passing the fourth phase and advancing to the fifth and final phase. Aside from Lin Ye's group of five, the remaining four were Hisoka, Hanzo, Bodoro, and an expressionless man in a black suit. Lin Ye's gaze sharpened slightly when he saw that man. He recognized him. Killua's eldest brother, the eldest son of the Zoldyck Family, Illumi Zoldyck. So he came after all. Lin Ye turned his gaze toward Killua beside him. The moment Killua saw Illumi, his body froze. The smile instantly vanished from his face, an unmistakable trace of fear appeared in his eyes, and he began trembling slightly. Gon immediately noticed something was wrong. He gripped Killua's hand and looked at him with concern. Lin Ye patted Killua's shoulder and shook his head, signaling with his eyes that he did not need to be afraid. Killua raised his head and met Lin Ye's steady gaze. His trembling finally eased a little, and he nodded firmly. Examiner Lippo looked at the nine successful candidates and said loudly, "Congratulations on passing the fourth phase. Early tomorrow morning, we will head to the Hunter Association headquarters for the fifth and final phase. Please rest well tonight and be ready." With that, he turned and left with the staff. The candidates at the rendezvous point gradually dispersed as well, heading toward the rest area arranged by the Hunter Association. As Lin Ye and his companions walked back, the atmosphere was heavy. Killua kept his head lowered and said nothing, clearly shaken by Illumi's appearance. "Killua, who was that man?" Gon asked, looking at him with concern. "He's my oldest brother, Illumi," Killua said quietly, a barely perceptible tremor in his voice. "He's here to take me home." The others fell silent. They all knew Killua had run away from the Zoldyck Family. This Assassin Family would never let him go easily. "Don't worry, Killua," Lin Ye told him earnestly. "This is the Hunter Exam venue. He can't do anything to you here. Besides, we'll all be with you. No matter what happens, we're your friends." "That's right!" Gon nodded at once and tightened his grip on Killua's hand. "We won't let him take you away!" Kurapika and Leorio nodded as well, looking at Killua with determination in their eyes. As Killua looked at the friends around him, the fear in his eyes gradually faded, replaced by warmth and resolve. He nodded firmly, and a smile finally returned to his lips. "Thank you, everyone." Looking at him, Lin Ye felt a little relieved. He knew that Illumi would be the biggest uncertainty in the fifth and final phase. This final confrontation would not simply be a contest for a Hunter License. It would be the crucial battle in which Killua broke free of his family's shackles and chose his own life. And Lin Ye would stand beside his friend and face it with him.