Chapter Summaries

Kaya, Gon, Leorio, and Kurapika reached Bucktooth Grandma’s town and faced her two-choice quiz, which tested whether applicants would answer an impossible question. They passed by refusing to choose and entered the real path toward the Great Tree, while Gon remained troubled by the dilemma.

• Gon led Kaya, Leorio, and Kurapika through the mountain’s safe route to Bucktooth Grandma, who explained that the town was the only way to reach the Great Tree.
• A man in white answered the first mother-or-lover question and was allowed to proceed, though Kurapika suspected the path he took was a dead end.
• Bucktooth Grandma asked whether they would save a son or daughter, and Kaya stopped Leorio from attacking her as the countdown ended without an answer.
• Kaya and Kurapika explained that the group passed because they had not answered incorrectly, and Bucktooth Grandma confirmed their reasoning and opened the real route.
• Bucktooth Grandma told them the path led to the summit and its guides, and Kaya, Gon, Leorio, and Kurapika set off toward the Hunter Exam site.
• Gon asked Kaya whom he would save if Gon or Aunt Mito were in danger, and Kaya and Kurapika urged him to focus on becoming strong enough to face such dangers.

Gon, Kaya, Leorio, and Kurapika crossed a dark forest during the Hunter Exam, where Gon and Kaya played tag while the others followed. Their chase led them to an enormous Great Tree and a dark wooden cabin on a hill.

• Gon reassured his companions that he was thinking about getting stronger, and they encouraged him as they left the tunnel.
• Gon invited Kaya to play tag in the forest, while Kurapika and Leorio warned the boys not to wander too far.
• Kaya won rock, paper, scissors, so Gon became it and chased him through the treetops as Leorio and Kurapika followed.
• Gon and Kaya tumbled onto the grass when Kaya suddenly stopped, then Kaya pointed out the Great Tree ahead.
• The group arrived at the hilltop and saw an enormous cedar beside an unlit wooden cabin.

Gon, Leorio, Kurapika, and Kaya reached the guides’ cabin and fought the Kitsunori family, who revealed that the attack was a test. After passing, the group flew with the guides toward Saba City for the Hunter Exam.

• Kurapika assigned Gon to enter the cabin first while he and Leorio watched the doorway and Kaya guarded the steps.
• Gon discovered a Kitsunori holding a woman captive, and Leorio rushed inside to protect him as the creature fled through a window.
• Kaya restrained the Kitsunori with his whip, and Gon and Kurapika helped subdue her and rescue the woman.
• A second Kitsunori revealed that the family were the guides and that the apparent attack had been a test.
• The Kitsunori family judged Gon, Leorio, Kurapika, and Kaya to have passed, then flew with them toward Saba City.

The four applicants reached the Hunter Exam’s secret entrance in Saba City and learned to return to the restaurant before ten the next morning. At the inn, Kurapika recognized Kaya’s blood-red crystal and began to suspect he might be Oruto, but resolved to confirm it before drawing conclusions.

• The Kitsunori guide led Gon, Leorio, Kurapika, and Kaya through the crowded market to a restaurant whose private room served as an elevator to the exam site.
• The guide explained that the exam began the next day and that applicants had to assemble between six and ten in the morning; Kurapika kept the meal card the chef gave them.
• The four searched for lodging and, after finding no vacancies elsewhere, paid for a cramped room at an expensive inn.
• Kurapika noticed Kaya’s blood-red necklace and, remembering the matching crystal he wore as an earring, suspected Kaya might be Oruto.
• Kurapika considered whether Kaya was connected to the Phantom Troupe or had survived the Kurta massacre, and decided he needed to check whether Kaya had Scarlet Eyes.

Kaya and Kurapika explored Harar Market, where Kurapika noticed that Kaya’s pendant resembled his earring. Kaya later entered the market arena to challenge champion Yuri for a chance at prize money, and the match began with the crowd expecting an easy victory for Yuri.

• Kaya and Kurapika compared Kaya’s pendant with Kurapika’s red earring, but Kurapika decided they might only be a coincidence.
• Kaya left Kurapika reading at a bookstall and found the weekly arena competition at Harar Market.
• After learning that defeating champion Yuri could earn him prize money, Kaya entered the competition and wagered his last fifty thousand Jenny on the entry fee.
• Kaya signed a liability waiver and listened as the referee explained the rules, while spectators bet against him.
• The referee started Kaya’s match against Yuri, and the crowd cheered as the old man prepared to call an ambulance.

Kaya won a ring fight, encountered Hisoka, and joined Gon, Leorio, and Kurapika at the Hunter Exam venue. As the exam applicants gathered, Tonpa introduced himself and warned them about Hisoka, while secretly plotting against Kaya.

• Kaya defeated reigning champion Yuri in the ring, collected his winnings, and refused the organizers’ offer to remain champion.
• Hisoka stopped Kaya in an alley, asked whether he was taking the Hunter Exam, and became excited by Kaya’s potential.
• Kaya reunited with Gon, Leorio, and Kurapika, then arrived late at the exam venue and received badge number 406.
• Tonpa introduced himself as a thirty-five-time exam veteran, and Kaya recognized him as the man Pokkle had mentioned.
• Hisoka attacked a cloaked applicant, and Tonpa warned Kaya and his companions that Hisoka was dangerous.
• Tonpa smiled through Kaya’s teasing but privately vowed to make Kaya suffer during the exam.

Satotz began the Hunter Exam’s first phase, leading the candidates through a tunnel as their pace gradually increased. As Gon and Kaya befriended Killua during the run, Killua made a pinky-swear promise with Gon, touched by their new bond.

• Tonpa offered Killua more juice, and Killua revealed he was immune to poison.
• Satotz announced the start of the Hunter Exam and explained that candidates had to follow him to the second phase.
• As Satotz increased the pace, Kaya, Gon, Kurapika, and Leorio struggled to keep moving together while Tonpa waited for a chance to undermine them.
• Killua skated alongside Kaya and Gon, and Leorio objected before Gon pointed out that skating did not break the rules.
• Gon and Kaya introduced themselves to Killua, who agreed to exchange his skateboard for Gon's fishing rod.
• Gon explained a pinky swear and took Killua's hand, and Killua smiled as he made the promise.

Kaya and his companions finished the first phase of the Hunter Exam and reunited with Pokkle before entering the Numere Wetlands. When a wounded man claimed Satotz was an impostor, Kaya and Kurapika saw through the deception and warned the others.

• Kaya encouraged the exhausted Leorio, and the group caught up with Gon and Killua as they approached the tunnel exit.
• Kaya reunited with Pokkle, who said he had met Tonpa, the candidate Kaya had warned him about.
• Satotz explained that the candidates had to cross the Numere Wetlands to reach the next exam site.
• A bloodied man claimed to be the real examiner and presented a Man-Faced Ape that resembled Satotz.
• Kaya pointed out that a licensed Hunter would not be helpless against the creature, and Kurapika noticed the ape was still alive; they concluded the man and ape were working together.
• Kaya introduced Pokkle to the others, while Killua greeted him coldly.

Kaya helped Satotz expose and deal with the fake examiner, then captured the Man-Faced Ape and forced it to guide his group through the Wetlands. As the applicants followed Satotz toward the second exam site, Kaya's companions joked and shared snacks along the way.

• Hisoka attacked Satotz and the fake examiner with playing cards, and Satotz caught the cards while the fake examiner died.
• Kaya intercepted Hisoka's next card with his whip and captured the fleeing Man-Faced Ape.
• Kaya threatened the Man-Faced Ape into leading his group safely through the Wetlands, and Kurapika explained his plan to the others.
• Satotz led the applicants into the Wetlands, while Hisoka glanced back at Kaya before disappearing into the forest.
• Kaya handed the Man-Faced Ape's leash to Gon, shared chocolate balls with Killua, and joked with his companions as they ran.

As the mist in the Wetlands separated the candidates, Hisoka slaughtered a group and pursued Kaya, Kurapika, and Leorio. Kaya fled with the others, but his excitement at facing Hisoka overcame his fear, and he turned back to attack.

• Killua sensed Hisoka's bloodlust, so Kaya split the group and sent Pokkle ahead with Gon and Killua while he stayed with Kurapika and Leorio.
• Kaya's group lost their way in the thick mist and came upon Hisoka blocking a group of candidates.
• Hisoka killed more than a dozen candidates with a single card and then advanced on Kaya, Kurapika, and Leorio.
• Kurapika signaled for the three of them to flee in separate directions, and Hisoka gave them ten seconds to run.
• Kaya turned back toward Hisoka and whipped at him as Hisoka counted down.

Kaya fought Hisoka but was decisively defeated, and Leorio and Gon intervened to protect him. Hisoka tested Gon and Kaya, declared that both had passed, and left carrying the unconscious Leorio, who had passed as well.

• Hisoka outmaneuvered Kaya and knocked him unconscious with a heavy punch.
• Leorio arrived to rescue Kaya, challenged Hisoka, and was quickly choked and captured.
• Gon struck Hisoka with his fishing rod, drawing his attention and fighting to protect Leorio.
• Kaya joined Gon, and the two attacked Hisoka together, but he caught them by the throat and lifted them off the ground.
• Hisoka released Kaya and Gon, told them they had passed, and said Leorio had passed too.
• Hisoka carried the unconscious Leorio away, leaving Kaya and Gon to find the exam site.

Kaya, Gon, and Kurapika regrouped after Hisoka took Leorio, and they followed Gon’s nose to reach the exam’s finish before time ran out. The first round ended with 149 candidates passing, and Kaya told Killua and Pokkle about surviving Hisoka’s attack.

• Kurapika found Kaya and Gon, learned that Hisoka had taken Leorio, and followed Gon’s scent through the mist.
• Killua and Pokkle reached the destination and released the Man-Faced Ape; Killua later saw Kaya, Gon, and Kurapika arrive in time.
• Gon and the others found Leorio unconscious beneath a tree, woke him, and Kaya gave him medicine for his swollen cheek.
• Mr. Satotz announced that 149 candidates had passed the first round and that the second round would begin.
• Gon explained that a sudden feeling had led him to search for Kaya, and Kaya recounted his fight with Hisoka to Killua and Pokkle.

Kaya and the other examinees began the second phase of the Hunter Exam, a cooking test set by Gourmet Hunters Menchi and Buhara. While his friends hunted a Great Stamp pig, Kaya searched for seasonings and discovered a bright chamber beyond a cave wall.

• Menchi and Buhara announced that examinees had to cook dishes they requested and earn both examiners’ approval before they were full.
• Buhara set the first task as preparing a whole roast pig, and the examinees rushed into Biscane Forest to hunt Great Stamps.
• Kaya asked his companions to get a pig while he searched for plants to use as seasonings, and they agreed to help him.
• Kaya explored the forest’s boundary with the Wetlands, fell into a cave opening, and followed the sound of flowing water.
• Kaya punched through an earthen wall blocking the cave and revealed a brightly lit space beyond it.

Kaya explored a cave, found and collected sweet blue berries, then returned to the Hunter Exam and watched applicants pass Buhara’s roast-pig test. Menchi began the sushi test, and Kaya secretly told Gon how to make it before the others tried to stop them.

• Kaya explored a glowing underground cave, recorded Silverglow Green Moss, and gathered blue fruits after sharing some with a timid guinea pig.
• Kaya returned to find Gon roasting pigs, while applicants fed whole roasted pigs to Buhara until Menchi announced that seventy had passed.
• Menchi introduced sushi as the next test and gave the applicants cooked rice, utensils, and hints about hand-shaped nigiri.
• Kaya whispered sushi-making advice to Gon, then tried to leave with him as Leorio, Pokkle, and Killua gave chase.

Kaya explained how to make sushi and helped his group prepare, while Menchi rejected the applicants’ dishes with increasingly strict standards. After Hanzo revealed the basic sushi method, Menchi raised the bar and continued sending applicants back to try again.

• Leorio revealed that the applicants needed to catch fish, prompting them to rush toward the rivers, and Kaya scolded Gon and the others before punching Leorio for trying to sneak away.
• Buhara questioned Menchi’s choice of freshwater fish for sushi, but she said she wanted applicants to experiment with new combinations.
• Kaya taught Gon, Killua, Leorio, and Kurapika how to prepare sushi and shared blue fruits he thought could mask the fish’s smell.
• Menchi rejected the first applicants’ sushi, then sent Hanzo back after tasting his dish and disliking it.
• Hanzo angrily explained the basics of sushi, prompting other applicants to resume cooking, while Menchi rejected Leorio’s dish without tasting it.
• Buhara urged Menchi to be less strict, but she insisted on her own standards, which had risen after Hanzo revealed the sushi method.

Kaya used a persuasive speech and inventive jam nigiri to win Menchi’s approval during the sushi test. After he explained why the rare fruit grew only for one season, Menchi passed him and resolved to watch over his growth as a Botanical Hunter.

• Menchi rejected Gon’s sushi and continued sending examinees back to start over, while Kaya prepared to present his own dish.
• Kaya argued that the examinees were not professional chefs, then revealed he still expected Menchi to judge everyone else strictly.
• Menchi tasted Kaya’s jam nigiri sushi, enjoyed it, and asked how he had found the fruit.
• Menchi tested Kaya’s knowledge of the fruit’s seasonal growth, and Kaya explained that hybrid plants could inherit strong traits while losing much of their ability to reproduce.
• Menchi passed Kaya after hearing his explanation and considered helping him develop as a Botanical Hunter.

Menchi’s refusal to accept the candidates’ sushi brought the second phase to a standstill until Chairman Netero arrived and arranged a retest. The candidates boarded his airship for a hard-boiled egg task, while Kaya and Gon eagerly explored the ship.

• Toby lost his temper when Menchi rejected his sushi, and Buhara knocked him out after he tried to attack her.
• Satotz tried to reason with Menchi, but she insisted the candidates had not shown enough adaptability.
• Netero arrived by airship and suggested replacing the stalled task with a contest suitable for everyone.
• Menchi chose hard-boiled eggs and arranged to take the candidates to a mountain; Netero said Kaya had to join the retest for fairness.
• The candidates boarded Netero’s airship, where Kaya and Gon excitedly explored the passenger areas.

The examinees retrieved Grape Spider Vulture Eggs from a cliff and boiled them for Menchi’s practical exam. After helping Gon save Toby and quietly giving Toby an egg, Kaya passed the cooking test with his friends, then slipped away before they boarded the airship.

• Menchi led the examinees to a cliff, explained how to retrieve the eggs, and demonstrated the descent while Netero described the danger.
• Kaya, Gon, Killua, Kurapika, Leorio, Pokkle, and the other examinees jumped into the ravine to collect eggs.
• When Toby lost his grip and fell, Gon caught him, and Kaya used his whip to swing them to safety; Kaya later gave Toby an egg in secret.
• The examinees boiled the eggs and, with Buhara’s hint, scooped them out at the right moment before Menchi approved their results.
• Kaya and the others ate the eggs and passed the exam, but Kaya disappeared before returning to the airship and refused to tell Gon where he had gone.

Netero accompanied the Hunter Exam candidates aboard the airship, where Kaya saw through Tonpa’s attempt to keep them awake and later arranged to send rare eggs and a letter to his family. After sharing his detailed plant journal with the examiners, Kaya learned rumors of a mysterious Botanical Hunter who may have rivaled Netero, then annoyed Menchi by demanding payment for a copy.

• Netero introduced himself to the forty-three candidates who passed the Second Phase and announced their arrival time for the next destination.
• Kaya exposed Tonpa’s claim that a surprise airship test might occur, and Killua reassured the others that he would wake them if necessary.
• Kaya visited Menchi in the Examiner Lounge and asked her to mail two Grape Spider Vulture Eggs and a letter to his family.
• Kaya showed Menchi and Satotz his five years of detailed plant records, and Satotz described rumors of a mysterious Botanical Hunter who had been close to Netero in age and strength.
• Menchi praised Kaya’s journal and asked to copy it, but she slapped him flying when he joked that she would have to pay.

After talking with Gon and Kaya about his assassin family, Killua grew closer to them because they accepted him without judgment. Netero approached the three on the airship and proposed a game, leaving them curious about what he had in mind.

• Toby thanked Kaya for helping him, and Kaya discouraged him from making a scene that might get him disqualified.
• Kaya found Pokkle chatting happily with a girl in the dining room and avoided joining them.
• Kaya, Gon, and Killua admired the night view and discussed Killua’s assassin family, his escape from home, and his plans to become a Hunter.
• Gon and Kaya accepted Killua’s past without fear or prejudice, making Killua more willing to grow close to them.
• Netero appeared beside the three boys on the airship and invited them to play a game to pass the time.