Despair Island X Targets X Ponzu

"Hehehe, does everyone who passed get to enter a prize draw?" Money-grubbing Leorio's eyes gleamed with greed as his imagination ran wild.

"Even your pig brain should know it's something to do with the exam!" Killua replied lazily.

Leorio gritted his teeth. "Killua, that little brat Kaya has been a bad influence on you."

"He did say during his introduction that he'd be in charge of the next phase too, so Killua's right. It must have something to do with the exam," Kurapika added.

Since Kaya had placed second, a staff member called him up to draw before he could fire back at Leorio.

Then the candidates stepped forward one by one to draw lots, without a single clue what they meant.

As Tonpa drew the last card from the box, Lippo, with his punk hairstyle, raised a hand and pointed behind him.

"There are two phases left in this Hunter Exam. The Fourth Phase will take place on Despair Island, behind me."

"All right, you may now peel the stickers off your cards."

Kaya casually peeled his open. The number 80 was printed beneath it.

Kaya's mind raced. A badge number? What's it for?

"The numbers you just drew have already been recorded in the machine, so you're free to tear up your cards now."

Lippo interrupted Kaya's thoughts.

"I'll now explain the rules of the Fourth Phase."

"This phase will primarily test your hunting skills."

"The number you drew identifies your prey, and what you need to hunt is their number badge! There are no restrictions on methods or means."

Almost everyone instantly covered the badges on their chests, eyeing the other candidates warily.

Only Illumi and Hisoka remained perfectly still and unruffled. With enough strength, you really could do whatever you pleased.

Lippo looked very pleased with their reactions.

"Taking your target's number badge will earn you three points."

"Keeping your own number badge until the end of the exam will also earn you three points."

"Any other number badge you obtain will be worth one point."

"You need six points to advance to the final test."

Lippo's expression suddenly grew animated.

"In other words, you must obtain at least six points on Despair Island to advance."

Viewed from above, Despair Island looked remarkably like a pair of sunglasses (0-0). It was hard to tell whether that was nature's handiwork or someone's deliberate design.

They boarded the ferry.

The cute tour guide held a microphone and introduced their trip in an exceptionally gentle voice.

"Thank you for all your hard work, candidates! This ship will arrive at Despair Island in two hours. In addition, every candidate aboard will receive a complimentary voucher from our company for next year's exam."

"So don't worry if you don't pass. Keep trying next year!"

Dead silence. Not a single person responded. Everyone was trying to remember who their target was, automatically tuning out the guide's unlucky remarks.

In that delicate atmosphere, everyone carefully avoided making eye contact.

Even those who knew who their targets were kept their heads lowered in silence, afraid that a single exchanged glance might cause unnecessary suspicion and trouble.

In truth, the exam had already begun the moment Lippo announced the rules.

"You have two hours to spend as you please. Please enjoy this peaceful, pleasant voyage."

The guide simply couldn't bear the icy atmosphere any longer. She left them with that remark and hurried away.

Unlike the strange atmosphere aboard the ship, the sea was perfectly calm.

In a quiet corner of the deck, Gon sat with his head drooping, pondering life.

It was rare to see him like that. Kaya signaled with his eyes, and everyone gathered around.

Kaya stepped forward, pinched Gon's cheeks, and tugged hard. "What's wrong? You're hardly ever this quiet."

"Nothing." Gon didn't even resist.

"Are you going to tell us or not?" Kaya pulled a little harder.

"That's enough, Kaya. Don't pressure him." Kurapika put a hand on Kaya's shoulder.

"Is it because of the number you drew?" With his hands in his pockets, Killua looked down at Gon. "You've been acting strange ever since you looked at your card."

Gon gave a slight nod, admitting it.

"Who did you draw, then?"

Leorio couldn't imagine whose number could have left Gon so miserable.

"Don't tell me it's me?" Kaya asked.

If that really was the case, Gon would have to steal three one-point badges instead.

Gon shook his head, took the card out of his bag, and held it up for everyone to see.

-Number 44!

"Huh?!" ×4

"You really have rotten luck." Leorio shook his head.

"So were you looking half-dead just now because you were excited or scared?" Killua stared at Gon, as though he could see right through him.

"Both, I guess. If I had to fight him, I definitely couldn't win. But if I only have to steal his badge, I think I have a chance."

"When I think of it that way, I'm not scared anymore. It even seems fun."

Gon looked past the crowd at the badge on Hisoka's chest as he sat on the railing at the bow.

After a brief silence, Kaya suggested, "Why don't we tell each other who our targets are? That way, if we run into someone else's target, we can help each other out."

Everyone agreed. None of the five had intended to hide their targets from one another anyway.

Kurapika's target was number 16.

Leorio considered that excellent luck.

They all knew the man: Tonpa, the rookie crusher. His abilities were so pathetic that Kurapika could beat him without using either his hands or his feet.

Killua's target was number 199.

None of them remembered that person. Even after racking their brains for a while, they couldn't recall who it was.

Leorio's target was number 246.

The others might not know who that was, but Kaya knew perfectly well.

"That's Pokkle's 'girlfriend,' the girl wearing the yellow hat. Her name's Ponzu."

There weren't many women taking this Hunter Exam to begin with, and only two among the remaining twenty-six. With Kaya's description, Leorio immediately remembered her.

"When did that guy get a girlfriend?"

Leorio's focus wasn't on Ponzu's abilities at all. He was annoyed that Pokkle had managed to get close to a girl.

In his mind, Kaya, Gon, and Killua were little kids.

As for Kurapika, his beauty was far too androgynous for Leorio to consider him competition.

He firmly believed that he was the most popular with women.

That was why Pokkle's closeness with Ponzu baffled him.

"I talked to her at the bottom of the tower earlier, so I know a little about her abilities."

Leorio pressed him impatiently. "Then tell me!"

Kaya blinked. "She definitely can't beat you in close combat, but she's an expert at making poisons. She attacks using various plant toxins and chemical poisons."

"Beautiful women really are the most dangerous." Leorio began to feel a little pressure.

"Don't interrupt!" Kaya rolled his eyes and continued, "The most important part is her secret weapon-bees!"

"When she screams, the bees automatically assume she's in danger and swarm out of her hat to attack."

"Those bees have extremely potent venom. Their stings cause severe pain, swelling, and allergic reactions. In serious cases, they can even cause shock or death."

After hearing Kaya's explanation, Leorio was thoroughly puzzled. "Wait, why would she tell you about her secret weapon? That makes no sense!"

"That's the power of words, of course. You'll never learn it, not in your entire life."

Kaya was exceptional at coaxing information out of people. His harmless appearance and his connection with Pokkle had made Ponzu drop her guard completely.

Besides, back then, none of them had known the Fourth Phase would take this form.

"Lucky for you, you've got a genius like me around."

Seeing Leorio's worried expression, Kaya took a few herbs from his backpack and handed them to him.

The toxins Ponzu used were child's play to Kaya.

"If you accidentally inhale poisonous gas, use the yellow herb. If the bees sting you, use the other two."

Kaya's backpack was like a mysterious pocket dimension. Whenever the need arose, he could always pull all sorts of strange herbs out of it.

Of course, those were preparations he had made during his years on Whale Island.

He had carefully considered all the difficulties he might encounter during the Hunter Exam and prepared thoroughly for them.

Still, he felt a little bad for Ponzu. He would have to make it up to her properly if he got the chance.

Leorio accepted the herbs and happily spread his arms to hug Kaya. "What would I do without you, you clever little rascal?"

Kaya reacted instantly, leaping several meters away. "And you want to be a doctor?"

Leorio's arms closed on empty air. He stiffened his neck defiantly. "You don't know a damn thing! I'm studying cutting-edge surgery!"

Killua pulled Kaya over beside him and asked with a mischievous grin, "So who's your target? Don't tell me it's me?"

Kaya had already thrown his card away, so he simply gestured the number.

"Eighty?" Gon asked quietly. "Who's that?"

Everyone shook their heads, indicating that the number meant nothing to them.

Kaya scratched his head, leaving a tuft of hair sticking up. "It's good news that none of us remember them. That means they don't stand out."

"What worries me most right now is Gon's situation. What do you say? Want me to help you deal with Hisoka first?"

Even as Kaya said it, he wasn't confident.

But as Gon had said, they would have no chance in a duel. If they only needed to steal a badge, though, they could work out a plan.

Gon stood up, brimming with energy, and thrust a hand toward the sky. "It's okay! I can do it myself."

Kaya knew his personality better than anyone. He was refusing because he didn't want to drag the others into it.

"Gon." Kaya dropped his playful expression and looked solemn. "Don't get eliminated."

"And don't die," Killua added, equally serious.

"Yeah!"

Gon grinned, flashing his trademark bright, energetic smile.