Chapter Summaries

Baishi chose not to use Advent Emulation on Buhara and discreetly arranged to meet Killua away from the Hunter Exam crowd. He revealed that the needle-covered examinee Gittarackur was Illumi, leaving Killua intent on killing his brother.

• Baishi considered using Advent Emulation on Buhara to analyze Metabolism Paradise but decided to save his one use for Menchi or another opportunity.
• Baishi noticed Illumi disguised as Gittarackur and signaled Killua to follow him to a secluded spot near the warehouse.
• Killua met Baishi in the trees, where they could watch the examinees without being seen.
• Baishi pointed out the gold needles on Gittarackur, and Killua realized the examinee was Illumi.
• Killua recognized Illumi as the one who had forced him to flee from danger and vowed to kill him.

Baishi demonstrated Ten to Killua and explained how Nen could protect against attacks, then began showing him how Illumi’s Manipulation ability worked. Killua realized that Illumi used needles as the medium for his control, giving him a possible way to resist his brother.

• Baishi warned Killua not to challenge Illumi until he was stronger and demonstrated that Nen users could sense someone looking at them.
• Baishi covered his arm with Nen Aura and invited Killua to attack it with Snake Awakens.
• Killua’s rapid knife-hand strikes failed to penetrate Baishi’s flowing defense, and Baishi’s Dynamic Simulation analyzed the assassination technique.
• Baishi explained that Illumi’s Manipulation ability required a medium to carry commands, and Killua realized that Illumi used needles.

Baishi explained that Illumi had likely implanted a Nen Needle in the back of Killua’s head to make him flee from danger, and advised him to wait until he awakened Nen before removing it. Killua agreed that he should build resistance to the command, while Baishi asked him to pay for the information.

• Baishi prompted Killua to deduce that a Nen Needle in the back of his head amplified his fear and compelled him to flee danger.
• Baishi explained that he could not safely remove the needle because Illumi’s Manipulation had priority and might be reinforced if Illumi sensed its removal.
• Killua said he would rather die than remain controlled, and Baishi advised him to wait until he was strong enough to deal with the needle himself.
• Baishi warned Killua not to tell Gon, then suggested that breaking the command with his own will could help him resist it in the future.
• Killua understood that he should remove the needle after awakening Nen, and Baishi asked him to pay for the information, but Killua said he had no money.

After helping Killua with his problem, Baishi received two Advent Emulation attempts instead of the gold-level attempt he wanted. He traded his advice for Killua’s hair and information about the Zoldyck family, then headed off to use his new opportunity.

• Baishi realized he could not safely remove the Nen Needle in Killua’s head and was disappointed that the task awarded no gold-level Advent Emulation attempt.
• Killua asked Baishi to return before the test ended, and Baishi said he preferred Nen items over Jenny as payment.
• Baishi asked Killua to collect hair from strong or talented people, and Killua gave him several strands.
• Baishi told Killua that his family members knew Nen and explained that he wanted their hair to help develop his Nen Ability.
• Baishi asked Killua to keep the request secret, sent him ahead, and went to find a secluded spot.

Baishi used Kurapika’s hair to create and equip the green Extensive Knowledge and Strong Memory Talisman, which sharpened his memory and thinking. After realizing Scarlet Eyes itself did not consume lifespan, he began forming a purple Scarlet Eyes Talisman, which demanded a large amount of Nen Aura.

• Baishi chose Kurapika’s Extensive Knowledge and Strong Memory talent over Leorio’s Robust Physique and used Advent Emulation to form its Talisman.
• Baishi socketed the green Talisman and activated it, gaining markedly stronger memory and information-processing abilities.
• Baishi reviewed the Scarlet Eyes information and realized that the lifespan cost belonged to Kurapika’s future Index Finger Steal Chain, not Scarlet Eyes itself.
• Baishi used Advent Emulation on Scarlet Eyes, and the Talisman began drawing Nen Aura at high speed to solidify.

Baishi completed the purple Advent Emulation and tested the Scarlet Eyes Talisman, discovering that it let him control his emotions with absolute rationality. He found that his Spirit and Aura had increased, though the cause of the changes remained unclear.

• Baishi endured the purple Advent Emulation's draining strain until the translucent Talisman solidified, then rested in Zetsu while the warehouse examination continued.
• Baishi recovered enough Aura to summon the Talisman Wheel and discovered that he could now control individual Aura Nodes instinctively.
• Baishi activated the Scarlet Eyes Talisman and found that he could suppress or intensify his emotions while entering a state of absolute rationality.
• Baishi removed Scarlet Eyes and reinstalled Dynamic Simulation, wary of how emotionless the Talisman's rational state made him.
• Baishi checked the analysis panel and noticed that his Spirit and Aura had increased, then reviewed messages about his Aura channels and Talisman Wheel evolution.

Baishi reviewed the Talisman Wheel’s new evolution restrictions, then recovered his Nen while the first Hunter Exam test continued. After the roast-pig test ended, sixty-six applicants passed, and Menchi prepared to begin the second half.

• Baishi saw that evolving the Talisman Wheel required using Advent Emulation on an Enhancement Nen Ability Talisman, mastering three Advent Emulation Talismans, and collecting ten kilograms of copper-based metal.
• Baishi put away the wheel, closed his Aura Nodes, and rested to recover his Nen before the test ended.
• Menchi rang the gong to announce the end of the first test, and the applicants gaped at the mountain of pig bones beside Buhara.
• Baishi quietly rejoined Gon, Killua, Kurapika, and Leorio, who questioned him and sought to learn about his Nen Ability.
• Buhara announced that sixty-six applicants had passed the roast whole pig test, while the eliminated applicants left and the survivors waited for Menchi’s second test.
• Satotz watched from the treetops, considered Menchi’s reputation, and decided to notify the Examining Committee in case she eliminated too many applicants.

Menchi set hand-pressed sushi as the second half of the Hunter Exam cooking test, and Baishi led Gon, Killua, Kurapika, and Leorio out to find fish. The group reached the forest on the way to a river as Baishi explained the challenges of preparing sushi, but a temporary task interrupted him.

• Menchi announced that examinees had to make hand-pressed sushi using the prepared rice and ingredients, with the test ending when she was full.
• Baishi led his companions out of the warehouse to discuss the challenge, prompting most of the other examinees, including Hanzo, to follow them.
• Buhara and Menchi discussed whether the examinees could find suitable sushi ingredients and satisfy Menchi's strict standards.
• Baishi led the group toward a river he had spotted while hunting, and Kurapika recalled that sushi used fresh fish with seasoned vinegar rice.
• Leorio asked Baishi to teach the group how to make sushi after they caught fish, just as a temporary weight task was triggered.

Baishi’s conversation with Leorio triggered a temporary task to teach him sushi-making, drawing the examinees toward a river to catch fish. There, Hisoka confronted Baishi, recognized his newly awakened Nen, and promised to test him in a later exam; Baishi analyzed Hisoka and found he had one purple Advent Emulation use available.

• Baishi agreed to demonstrate sushi preparation for Leorio, who promised to make a delicious dish for Menchi.
• The other examinees overheard the conversation and rushed to the river to catch fish, with Leorio chasing after them.
• Baishi arrived at the river and found examinees fishing or gathering materials to make fishing gear.
• Hisoka appeared beside Baishi, sensed his recently awakened Nen, and pressured him with killing intent.
• Baishi told Hisoka to let him grow before judging him, and Hisoka promised to make a gentle attack on him during a later test.
• Baishi analyzed Hisoka and discovered his Nen abilities, talents, and one purple Advent Emulation use.

Baishi escaped Hisoka and used his final Advent Emulation to obtain Bungee Gum, then practiced combining it with his other Talismans. He checked his own status and discovered that his Aura had increased, but wondered whether his aptitude was poor; when he reached the river, Hisoka was gone.

• Baishi fled into the jungle after Hisoka's threatening attention and began solidifying the Bungee Gum Talisman, enduring a heavy drain of Nen Aura.
• Baishi recovered some Nen Aura, then equipped Bungee Gum alongside Dynamic Simulation and Extensive Knowledge and Strong Memory.
• Baishi practiced swinging through the forest with Bungee Gum and attached the Talisman Wheel to the back of his hand.
• Baishi checked his status panel and saw that his Aura had risen from 150 to 200–300, then wondered if Hisoka considered his aptitude weak.
• Baishi returned to the river and found that Hisoka was no longer there.

Baishi caught fish with Bungee Gum and tested his Nen with Water Divination, discovering that his natural type was Transmutation while his conjured wheel changed it to Conjuration and Scarlet Eyes added a temporary Specialization effect. He considered how to develop his abilities and prepared to continue the Hunter Exam, thinking his eventual contest with Hisoka remained uncertain.

• Baishi used Bungee Gum and Needle-Person Control to catch more than a dozen fish from the river.
• Baishi performed Water Divination with the wheel active and saw crystals form, confirming Conjuration.
• Baishi put the wheel away and found that the water stayed clear but tasted sweet, revealing his natural Transmutation type.
• Baishi activated Scarlet Eyes and repeated the test; crystals formed, the leaf and water turned red, and the water’s taste changed, indicating a temporary Specialization effect.
• Baishi considered whether to develop an ability tied to the wheel or an independent one, then removed Scarlet Eyes and restored his suppressed emotions.
• Baishi thought that the longer the Hunter Exam continued, the less certain it was who would prevail between him and Hisoka, and attached Nen Aura to the scattered fish.

Baishi returned to the warehouse and demonstrated how to prepare hand-pressed sushi, using his Nen abilities to analyze and reproduce cooking techniques. After Leorio presented his sushi for judgment, Baishi completed his temporary weighting task and gained one blue and one green Advent Emulation attempt.

• Baishi returned to his station with strange fish and offered to demonstrate sushi preparation to Leorio and the others.
• Baishi noticed Hisoka watching him with malice, ignored him, and began cleaning and preparing the fish.
• Baishi used his talismans to analyze sushi techniques, sliced the fish, seasoned the rice, and shaped the sushi while the others watched and learned.
• Leorio and the others prepared sushi of their own, and Leorio took his plate to the queue to test it with the examiner.
• Baishi completed the temporary weighting task and received one blue and one green Advent Emulation attempt.

Baishi discovered that Advent Emulation had two uses, then ate his sushi and realized the ingredients were excellent but the preparation details mattered. Menchi rejected Hanzo’s sushi and confronted his claim that simple food could not taste bad, leaving the exam site tense as she summoned a threatening aura.

• Baishi was surprised to learn Advent Emulation had two uses and judged its quality below purple.
• Baishi tasted his sushi, found it exceptionally delicious, and concluded Menchi’s criticism focused on preparation rather than ingredients.
• Baishi ate his remaining sushi and rice, then joined the back of the line while Leorio and the others continued presenting their dishes.
• Menchi criticized Leorio’s sushi for poor texture, but Leorio and the others took her feedback as proof they were on the right track.
• Hanzo presented a large rice ball topped with fish, and Menchi rejected it after tasting it.
• Hanzo angrily insisted the simple sushi could not taste bad, and Menchi’s terrifying aura made him freeze as the atmosphere fell silent.

During the second half of the cooking test, Menchi ended the exam with no successful examinees, but Baishi presented his sushi and provoked her into tasting it. While Menchi savored the dish, Baishi analyzed her Nen and talents.

• Menchi warned Hanzo about criticizing the sushi test, and they argued until Baishi suggested they fight.
• Menchi declared the cooking test over and announced that nobody had passed.
• Buhara called the Examining Committee to report the results and explain what had happened.
• Baishi placed his sushi before Menchi and began eating it himself, prompting her to grab his arm and taste a piece.
• Menchi was impressed by the sushi's texture and flavor as Baishi's analysis panel revealed her Nen types, abilities, and cooking talents.

Menchi argued with the committee over her failed cooking test, then demonstrated the danger of being a Hunter when Todo attacked her. As an airship arrived, Menchi reconsidered the test results, leaving the applicants waiting to learn their fate.

• Menchi refused the committee's request to change the test assignment, insisting that the results were final because Baishi had revealed how to make the dish.
• The applicants looked toward Baishi and Hanzo after overhearing the committee call, while Baishi met their gazes without backing down.
• Todo smashed a cooking station and charged at Menchi, but Buhara struck him through the warehouse wall before he could grab her.
• Menchi released a malicious Nen aura to intimidate the applicants and warned them that Hunters needed strength to face danger.
• Menchi reconsidered her original test after noticing Baishi's sushi, then hurried outside with Buhara when an airship arrived.

Netero intervened after Menchi failed every examinee, invalidating the cooking test and letting her set a new challenge. The group boarded an airship for Mount Mihara, while Baishi gathered equipment and caught Netero’s interest.

• Netero arrived, and Menchi admitted that she had lost her temper and judged the examinees unfairly.
• Netero invalidated the first test and allowed Menchi to remain an examiner if her next challenge was something she could attempt as an examinee.
• Menchi chose a boiled-egg challenge at Mount Mihara, and Netero called for the Hunter Association’s airship.
• Baishi collected the gong, fish bones, and boning knives from the warehouse before boarding the airship.
• Satotz, Buhara, and Menchi praised Baishi’s potential, boldness, and cooking talent, prompting Netero to take an interest in him.
• The airship took off for Mount Mihara.

Baishi prepared fish-bone weapons and knives, then used the Talisman Wheel’s newly revealed Analysis function to identify the gong as resonant bronze. As the airship reached Mount Mihara, Menchi demonstrated the gorge’s updrafts by leaping off the cliff.

• Baishi sharpened and shaped fish bones, wrapped the boning knives, and concealed them in his clothes.
• Baishi discovered a hidden restriction that let the Talisman Wheel analyze materials by spending Nen Aura and an Advent Emulation use.
• Baishi analyzed the gong, learned it was resonant bronze, and kept it as a backup because its sound was not useful to him.
• The airship approached Mount Mihara, and Baishi recalled that applicants would collect Grape Spider eggs in the gorge.
• Menchi warned the applicants about the gorge’s height and currents, then jumped over the cliff to demonstrate.

Baishi raced to collect Grape Spider eggs in Menchi’s canyon test, using his Nen Aura to outpace the other applicants. He escaped the canyon on an updraft while Hisoka failed to follow, but Hisoka’s delighted fixation on Baishi made clear that the danger between them remained.

• Netero explained that Menchi’s test was to retrieve a Grape Spider egg from the canyon and prepare it as a boiled egg, triggering Baishi’s temporary weighting task.
• Baishi jumped from the cliff as soon as Menchi began the test, and Gon, Killua, and the other applicants followed while some stayed behind out of fear.
• Baishi used his Nen Aura and a boning knife to cut down and collect a pile of eggs as other applicants fell or came under attack from Spider Eagles.
• Baishi watched Hisoka and Gittarackur, held back from using a familiar Nen Ability, and waited for the canyon’s updraft.
• Baishi rode the updraft out of the canyon with the eggs, while Hisoka missed the current, struck the cliff, and vowed to enjoy Baishi later.

Baishi completed the second half of the Hunter Exam’s second test and received a purple Advent Emulation reward. After Menchi declared the results, he weighed which abilities to emulate next and decided to wait for a chance to analyze Netero before using the reward.

• Baishi rode the canyon’s updraft out of the ravine, landed safely, and added the grape spider eggs he had collected to Menchi’s pot.
• Kurapika and the others emerged from the canyon, followed by Hisoka, whose eager attention made Baishi anticipate their eventual fight.
• Menchi ended the test after forty-four examinees passed and invited everyone to eat the cooked grape spider eggs.
• Baishi’s temporary weighting task completed and awarded him a purple Advent Emulation, prompting him to consider analyzing Netero and choosing among several abilities.
• Baishi took a grape spider egg from the pot, tasted it, and was astonished by how delicious it was.

After the first exam, the surviving applicants boarded an airship with Netero and learned they would reach the next site the following morning. Baishi grew suspicious of Tonpa’s warning about a surprise test and stopped him from leaving, intending to analyze him.

• Menchi welcomed the applicants who passed her cooking test aboard the airship while the eliminated applicants stayed behind.
• Netero introduced himself to the forty-four applicants and said he would accompany them to the next exam site.
• Beans explained the airship’s schedule and facilities before the applicants dispersed for the night.
• Kurapika asked Baishi about the remaining tests, and Tonpa warned the group that a surprise test might occur aboard the airship.
• Baishi pressed a hand onto Tonpa’s shoulder and said the experienced applicant should stay awake and keep watch with them.