After running for a while, we arrived at a place with a large building. Other examinees are also here. Did we make it in time?
"Good, looks like we made it."
"Seems that way."
"Alright. This Visca Forest Preserve will be the venue for the Second Phase. My exam ends here, but I'll watch for a while. I'm curious to see how far the guys who passed my exam can go."
Tonpa-san seems to be watching the exam even after the First Phase. Is he a surprisingly caring person?
"Ugh, it hurts, huh? Why am I like this...?"
Ah, Leorio-san woke up! Good, I was wondering what would happen if the Second Phase started like this.
"Are you okay, Leorio-san?"
"Huh? Wait, who are you... Why am I being carried by a chick!? Ouch, ouch, my face hurts!?"
Ah... For now, let's put Leorio-san down and explain the situation.
---
"I see. So that's how I got this injury."
"I'm sorry..."
"Ah~, don't worry about it. You were trying to help me too, right?"
"Well, yes, but..."
"In the end, you helped me. You carried me all the way here. Plus, I owe you from before, so I should be the one thanking you. Thanks."
...He's worried about me, even though I injured him... Leorio-san is really a good person... Sniff. I really want someone like him to become a Hunter.
"M-My name is Aisha. Um, Leorio-san! Let's definitely pass the Hunter Exam!"
"O-Okay. Aisha, huh? Let's do our best."
"Yes!"
Wow, I met a good person. Maybe he'll be my first friend since being reincarnated. Gon is a good kid too. Killua is a bit cheeky, though. Kurapika-san is a nice guy who cares about his friends too. The Hunter Exam might be a place to meet people. I'm glad I took the Hunter Exam.
Now then, I've been hearing sounds like the growls of wild beasts coming from that building. What is that sound? The Second Phase seems to be starting at noon today... it's almost time.
Ah, the door opened... There was a huge man as big as a mountain and a exhibitionist with a weird hairstyle... Could that sound be from that man's stomach? No way.
The Second Phase is a cooking exam? I've been living alone for a long time, so I can cook a little. But complicated dishes are impossible. I don't know anything about dishes served in high-class restaurants.
The most I can make is very common home cooking.
"The dish is a whole roasted pig!! My favorite."
...Not complicated, maybe? No, but roasting a whole pig, while simple to make, isn't it difficult to make it delicious?
"Any kind of pig living in this forest park is fine. Okay, Second Phase, start!!"
Oh well. For now, I'll catch a pig and then think about it.
Piggy~. Where are you~? Ah, there's a pig... It's a pig, right? It looks like it's over 3 meters tall though...
Oh well, it must be a pig. I dodged just before the charging pig hit me. One hit to the side of the pig as it passed, and the pig collapsed. Easily captured. It's just a pig after all. If it's so upset, it should learn to fly and try again.
Now I just need to roast it... I don't know how to roast a pig deliciously, so oh well. I guess the other examinees don't know either. I'll just roast it normally.
"Ah~ I ate so much. I'm so full!"
...He ate 70 whole roasted pigs? Good. I guess I haven't reached the level of being called a glutton... That's what a real glutton is...! Gourmet Hunters are terrifying!
Well, maybe it's Nen ability. An ability to increase the capacity of the stomach to eat a lot of food. Haha, that might not be wrong. Nen ability isn't always created for the purpose of fighting.
"The Second Phase, the second half. My menu is... sushi!!"
Sushi, huh? It's a dish originating from Japon. As a former Japanese person, I'm familiar with the dish, but in this world, Japon is treated as a remote island country, so sushi isn't widespread globally at all. ...Even though it's delicious.
"Heh heh. You're all having a lot of trouble. Well, it's no wonder you don't know it. It's a folk dish from a small island country, after all."
Are you subtly making fun of Japon? It's my second home and the land where my beloved master, Ryuzen, sleeps. If you're picking a fight, I'll take it.
"I'll only accept nigiri sushi!! Okay, start!! The exam ends when I'm full!! You can make as many as you want in that time!!"
Isn't this a huge advantage for people who know about sushi? What kind of exam is this? What should I do? Will I pass if I just make it? Or will I fail if it's not delicious?
...Oh well. I'll just do it, pass or fail. I'll leave it to fate. Ah, that's right. I'll teach Leorio-san and the others about sushi. It doesn't say I can't teach others.
"(Leorio-san, Kurapika-san, please come here.)"
"Huh? Isn't that Aisha? What's wrong?"
"(Please be quiet. I know what sushi is.)"
"Wha!? Really!?"
"(Shut up, you idiot! What if the other examinees notice!?)
"(S-Sorry... W-Who are you calling an idiot!?)"
"(You two are skilled. Arguing in a whisper. Anyway, I'll teach you about sushi, so wait outside. I'll go get Gon and Killua.)"
"(Okay)"
Let's take Gon and the others and get out of here quickly. I feel like I'll be exposed to Hisoka's bloodlust if I stay here.
"There's no one here."
"Is it true you know about sushi?"
"It's not 'you', it's Aisha. I won't teach you if you're rude."
Killua is really cheeky. I want to slap him a bit.
"Alright, sushi is..."
--Girl explaining--
"That's what it is. Do you understand?"
"I see. I read about it in a book, but it was exactly as Aisha described."
"Alright! With this, we'll pass the second phase!"
It's more likely that things won't go that well, though.
"It's probably impossible for amateurs to make delicious sushi. I've eaten it many times, but it's my first time actually making it. Just knowing about it doesn't guarantee you'll pass, you know?"
"Even so, it makes a big difference knowing about sushi or not. Thanks, Aisha, for teaching us!"
Oh, what a dazzling smile. It's nothing. That smile is reward enough.
"Well, I'll thank you anyway."
This brat really needs to be taught a lesson.
---
Now then, I've got the ingredients, so let's try making it right away. Hmm? It's kind of noisy.
"It's an easy dish where you just mold the rice into bite-sized rectangles, put wasabi on top, and then slices of fish!! There's not much difference in taste no matter who makes it, is there!?"
...Thank you, Ninja, for explaining it out loud for all the other examinees to hear. Thanks to you, all my efforts to be secretive went to waste... Ah, everyone went outside to catch fish.
"Don't joke around, it's said that it takes 10 years of training to be able to properly make sushi!! No matter how much you amateurs imitate the shape, the taste will be as different as heaven and earth, you idiot!!"
---
"Alright, who's the next challenger!!"
"I'm next!"
"Oh, you made it look decent too. Ugh, that bald guy let the cat out of the bag about how to make it!! Now I have no choice but to judge by taste."
I'm surprised you weren't planning to do that from the beginning. Leorio-san, good luck!
"No good. The vinegar is too strong! It's inedible!"
"Wait!"
It's impossible after all... There's no way a beginner can satisfy someone who knows top-class tastes...
"This is no good either! The shaping is bad! Delicious sushi can't be made with warm toppings. Do it again!"
"What's that supposed to mean!? How am I supposed to know that!?"
I just learned that too, Killua. Don't glare at me. It's not my fault.
"The shape of the rice is bad! Mold it into a 'chigami' shape or at least a 'funazoko' shape!!"
I'm defeated too. What's a "chigami" shape? Is it tasty?
"The cut is... the shape is... the topping is..."
"That's it!! I'm full."
The Second Phase, second half, no one passed Menchi-san's dish!!
No way, that's impossible. It's not a level to ask of amateurs.
Whoa! Hisoka's bloodlust has swelled up even more. It feels like he's about to attack Menchi-san right now... Menchi-san has noticed the bloodlust too, and she's on edge. It's a touch-and-go situation.
Ah, a bounty hunter wannabe attacked Menchi-san. Is he suicidal, provoking Menchi-san right now? I thought about stopping him, but Buhara-san stepped in, so I held back. He seems to have gotten quite injured, but if that's all it was, then it's a blessing.
"Bounty hunter? You make me laugh!! Getting knocked out by a single blow from a mere gourmet hunter."
Well, even before the difference between a Nen user and non-Nen user, that aspiring Bounty Hunter was physically inferior. If he wants to become a Blacklist Hunter, I think he should take this as a good lesson and seriously commit to training.
"You can pick up martial arts whether you like it or not if you're a Hunter. What I want to know is the spirit to challenge the unknown!!"
The judging changed to taste-based in the middle. Well, it might be the ninja guy's fault, though.
"Even so, isn't 0 passing a little too harsh?"
T-That voice is...!!
There's an airship with the Hunter Association mark in the sky. An old man jumped out of that airship! The people around him are shocked at how he's okay after jumping from such a height, but I'm surprised for a different reason.
Oh! Netero, isn't that Netero! My former archenemy!!
I'm glad you're doing well. Looking at the flow of his aura, it's calmer and smoother than the last time I saw him... It seems like he took the last words I told him, "Never neglect training," to heart... I'm so happy.
I want to put this joy into words and tell Netero right now. I want to tell him, but he wouldn't believe me if I said, "I'm Ryusho"...
---
While I was conflicted, the second phase seemed to change to a different exam.
We're taking an airship to a mountain. Apparently, the task is to make a boiled egg. The difficulty suddenly dropped. Is this thanks to Netero? As expected of Netero!
We arrived at the mountain. There's a deep valley in front of us, Split Mountain... A mountain divided into two, just like its name suggests. If we take the eggs of the Spider Eagles that live on this mountain and make boiled eggs, we'll pass the exam.
"Oh, good."
"I've been waiting for something like this."
"It's much faster and easier to understand than running or ethnic food."
"That's right. We'll probably pass with this."
They should have done this from the beginning... Ah, but then I wouldn't have been able to meet Netero. Good job, Menchi-san!
We passed the Second Phase! The Spider Eagle eggs were very delicious.
The Second Phase, second half, 43 people passed Menchi's menu.
---
After the second phase of the exam, I boarded an airship again. It seemed the next destination was reachable by this airship.
Beans told me we were scheduled to arrive around 8 AM tomorrow. Until then, it was apparently free time. What should I do? Gon and Killua seemed to be exploring the airship.
I wasn't particularly tired, so maybe I'd explore the airship too. This was my third time on an airship, but the second time was just for the trip to Split Mountain, and the first time, I was just a baby, dropped off in Meteor City.
This was truly my first time riding it properly. I should look around. And... it would also get me away from Hisoka.
"Well, I'm free, so I think I'll go explore the airship too."
"You too, huh? Gon and Killua, they're certainly energetic ones..."
"Indeed... I'd rather just rest. It's been an awfully long day..."
"Yeah, I just wanna get some serious sleep... Besides, you're not exactly at the age for exploring, are ya...?"
"...I'm thirteen years old."
"Eh?"
"...I figured that's the kind of reaction I'd get."
I matured quickly, so ever since I left Meteor City, no one has ever believed my age. Well, I guess it's better than maturing slowly?
---
Oh, wow, the night view is beautiful. What a magnificent sight. You don't get to see a view like this very often. Airships only brought back bad memories for me, but this is turning into a good one. How about getting my own airship someday and traveling the world?
That might be really nice. How much does an airship cost? Do I have enough saved up?
Hmm? Is that... Gon, Killua, and Netero? Where are they going, the three of them? I have a feeling something interesting is about to happen. I should follow them!
"Gon, Killua, Netero... Chairman."
I almost called Netero by his first name. As of now, I have no acquaintance with Netero... It's sad, but true.
"Oh, Aisha. What's up?"
"It's you. What do you want? I'm busy right now."
"Hmm... (Her chest is huge.)"
I feel like Netero gaze is focused on my chest...
"Oh, nothing. I just saw the three of you walking, and it seemed interesting... what going on?"
"Hohoho. Oh, we're about to play a game. Would you like to join, young lady? If you can beat me, I'll grant you a Hunter license."
What?! A Hunter license if I beat Netero?!
Combat would be difficult, but if it's a game, depending on the rules, I might have a good chance of winning... If I win this, I won't have to take the Hunter Exam anymore. Which means I can get away from that pervert faster!
"I'll do it!"
"Very well. Then the three of you, come this way."
We arrived in a moderately sized hall. Netero had a ball that he seemed to have conjured from somewhere. Would we be using that ball for the game?
"The game is simple: snatch this ball from me before this airship reaches its next destination. You are free to use any attack! I, wont lay a hand on you."
Just take the ball? Good, that's easy. My past life's techniques have become quite familiar to this body, I might still struggle against Netero in a direct fight. But just taking the ball should be fine.
Right. Since I'm at it, I'll try with just physical ability at first, without using any techniques. Netero doesn't seem to be going all out, and this is a good chance to see how far my current physical abilities can get me.
"So I just need to take it? Alright, I'll go first."
"Suit yourself."
Ugh. Killua looks annoyed. Of course, the conditions sound like he's underestimating us.
Hmm? Killua's footwork! Is that, the Kazama-ryu Secret Technique: Yanagiha Yurashi (Willow Leaf Sway)? No, it's different. It's slightly different from Yanagiha Yurashi. But even so, for him to master such movements at that age?!
Even if it's due to immense talent and effort, to be this skilled at his age is terrifying... In my past life, I only learned Yanagiha Yurashi after I turned sixty. Thats incredible...
Still, it's not working on Netero. He hasn't completely erased his intent in the moment he transitions from footwork to attack. He has talent, but he lacks experience. If it were this easy, I wouldn't have struggled so much back then.
But Killua might one day reach heights even beyond Netero. If he continues to hone such talent, someday...
Killua switched out with Gon for a moment. Now, how will Gon try to take the ball?
"Here I come!!"
He charged straight on... that's a bit too... Oh, he jumped... and hit his head on the ceiling...
"Ow, ow, ow!!"
"We get that your jumping power is amazing, so try to jump with some control, Gon!"
"Exactly. The Chairman was completely off guard."
Netero was completely off guard just now. He might have actually gotten the ball... And Netero, that jerk. He's totally underestimating us. To fall for such a simple feint, even for a moment. And he's not even using his right hand or left foot.
"It's my turn now. Chairman, please be gentle."
"Hohoho. Whenever you're ready, little lady."
Alright. How far will my physical abilities get me against Netero?
"Hmph!"
Full sprint! Just move straight for the ball! Even if he dodges, just relentlessly pursue the ball! No feints, just a direct frontal assault!
However...
"Hmm. You're quite something, young lady. But such monotonous movements won't do."
As expected, it's not working on Netero. My pure physical abilities are still inferior to his. Damn it, should I use my aura?
Ultimately, even with all three of us attacking, we couldn't snatch the ball. At this point, I have no choice but to use techniques...
Oh, Gon's strike connected with Netero's chin! To extend his kicking range with his shoe, what a move! Nice! And then Killua's follow-up attack explodes. Now's our chance!
"Chance!!"
"Not a chance."
Killua tries to grab the ball, but Netero prevents it by kicking the ball away. But our attack isn't over!
"Take this!"
"Whoa!"
I deliver another kick to Netero, who's lost his balance. With that, Netero is separated from the ball!
"Now!"
"I got itttttt!!"
Yes! I got it!
"Hmph."
Hey! Aura on Netero's foot!
Netero accelerates in an instant, leaving Gon and Killua behind and snatching the ball back... Don't use aura, you big baby.
"An effort award, I suppose."
He's always been a sore loser, this guy. Using Nen in a game against normal people, are you serious?
Killua gave up. He seemed to have noticed that Netero was barely using his right hand and left foot.
"Let's go, Gon."
"Oh, I'm gonna keep trying for a bit."
"I'll keep going too."
...He didn't tell me to go... I'm not lonely!
After Killua left, the ball-snatching game resumed. Although, Gon's objective seemed to have shifted from getting the ball to making Netero use his right hand. ...Despite that, he still tried to snatch the ball when Netero was off guard.
"Young lady, are you not going to try to take the ball?"
"I'm taking a short break. Besides, Gon's objective has changed, so I'll watch him try to achieve his goal while I rest. Go for it, Gon!"
"Yeah!"
Good, good, you're energetic. This big sister is going to rest a bit. I'm a little tired. ...Ugh, I'm drenched in sweat. So gross. Should I go take a shower?
"Excuse me, Chairman."
"Hmm? What is it?"
"Oh, nothing, I just worked up a bit of a sweat, and I'd like to take a shower and change. Is that alright?"
"Hmph!"
"Opening!"
Ah, Netero had an opening for a split second. Gon didn't miss it and tried to snatch the ball, but unfortunately, he was one step short. But why did Netero have an opening? Was it because I suddenly spoke to him?
"Careful, careful. Honestly, did you plan that, young lady?"
"Pardon?"
"(Is she naturally naive? What a lovely cleavage.) It's fine, but come back soon, alright?"
"Thank you!"
Oh, good. I might get sweaty again, but I didn't want to stay like this. It was a good idea to bring a change of clothes. Of course, I'll put up with it during the exam, but when I have the chance, it's different.
Phew, that was refreshing. Now, is Gon doing his best?
"Sorry to keep you waiting. Gon, how are you doing?"
"..."
...No reply. Such intense focus. He didn't even notice I spoke to him. He's only tracking Netero. This child also possesses incredible talent. While Killua might be more outstanding right now, in terms of raw talent, he's not inferior to Killua. As they grow, they'll surely reach a realm far beyond even my past self. Both of them possess that much talent.
...I'm a little envious.
Three hours after I returned, Gon finally managed to make Netero use his right hand. Although his initial objective had changed, Gon was satisfied with achieving his new goal and promptly fell asleep. Congratulations, Gon. Get some good rest.
"Now, young lady, will you continue to challenge me?"
"Of course. This is where the real fun begins."
"Hohoho. I look forward to it."
Well, then. I suppose I'll go for the win.
I walked casually up to Netero. As expected, Netero did nothing until I made my move.
Heh, overconfidence is a dangerous thing. Here I go, Netero! Kazama-ryu Secret Technique: Yanagiha Yurashi!
"!?"
Netero was surprised by the sudden Yanagiha Yurashi and created an opening. I immediately circled to his blind spot, behind him! Netero reacted quickly, but it was too late! You haven't neglected your training, Netero, but your overconfidence is too great!
I grab Netero's arm as he tries to turn around and use Juu (Softness)! Netero spins halfway in the air! I then deliver a Penetrating Palm to his exposed flank! Don't worry, Netero, I'll keep it to just three days in bed! (Forgetting her objective)
Take this!!
...I must have been out of my mind at that moment. Perhaps the old fighting blood in me stirred at the prospect of a battle with Netero after so long. I inadvertently unleashed a massive amount of fighting spirit on Netero. Thanks to that...
---
"Now, young lady, will you continue to challenge me?"
"Of course. This is where the real fun begins."
"Hohoho. I look forward to it."
Hmm. This young lady still won't give up. From her movements so far, she has good potential, but she's still lacking in experience.
She might truly blossom with more training. This year's batch of rookies is truly a bumper crop.
Hmm. She just walked casually up to me. Does she have some sort of plan? Until now, she hasn't used any feints or anything. What could she be thinking?
"!?"
Wh-what is this! Is this Shikyoku (Limb Bending)? No, it's different! This is the Kazama-ryu's Yanagiha Yurashi!!
The secret technique of footwork that my old friend Ryuushou was so fond of! This young lady is using it?! A secret technique that even Ryuushou said he only mastered after turning sixty!
N-no! She's gotten behind me! The ball... Whoa! She used Juu! Well, if she can use Yanagiha Yurashi, it's only natural she can use Kazama-ryu techniques. But with this, the ball will be taken. What should I do? I never thought it would actually be taken... Wait a minute!
Why is she trying to attack me?! What about the ball?! And this attack, isn't this Penetrating Palm?, one of Ryuushou's favorite techniques?!
A technique aimed at internal destruction, not external! The last time I took a hit from this, I couldn't eat for three days! Is she trying to take my life?!
Grr! She's not emitting aura, but I can feel it! The fighting spirit overflowing from this young lady!! This is exactly like Ryuushou's...!
[Hyakushiki Kannon]!!!
I've done it! I inadvertently used Hyakushiki Kannon!!
N-no, but that fighting spirit, it reminded me of my battles with Ryuushou... and I just... The young lady slammed into the airship wall... not a twitch... Did I overdo it?
...
prrrrr... prrrrr...
! A-a phone call...
"Y-yes. It's me... N-no, that impact, well, there was a slight mishap here. ...Yes, it's fine. There's no problem with the flight, correct? ...I see. I have a small request, could you fly very slowly? ...Yes, it's fine if we arrive late. Then I'll leave it to you."
Phew, at least that's settled for now.
...Now, what should I do?
"Are you trying to kill meeeeee!!"
"Guh-oahhhh!?"
G-gah!? A sudden impact on my back! What was that!?
"H-how could you do such a thing to a poor, innocent exam candidate!? I thought I was going to die for a second!!"
"Y-you're alive!?"
Oh, she's alive! Come to think of it, the aura flowing from her body hadn't vanished. I was so flustered that I overlooked it.
Well, good, good... Wait, why is this young lady alive?
After taking that blow, I can't imagine a normal person being unharmed, no matter how much they've trained. Even a mediocre Nen user shouldn't be able to withstand that attack.
"How did you defend against that, young lady?"
"How did I? Well, that's a... trade secret, of course."
What company is that from?!
...
No doubt about it. This young lady is a Nen user. The aura flowing from her body is completely unclouded. That's impossible for a non-Nen user.
Even if one can't use Nen, the flow of aura will unconsciously change slightly. She doesn't have that. Which can only mean she's controlling her aura!
So, this young lady must have defended against that attack using some form of Nen...
"Young lady, you can use it, can't you?"
"Hmm, what are you referring to?"
Is she trying to play dumb?
"No, that excuse simply won't..."
"Ow, ow, ow! Ugh, my whole body is aching... I won't be able to handle the next phase of the exam like this, so I'm going to rest! See you!"
Gah! She ran away!
Even if I wanted to chase her, I was the one who injured her. After being told that, I can't really chase after her and interrogate her...
However, that level of Kazama-ryu martial arts... and Nen abilities strong enough to defend against Hyakushiki Kannon...
She's like Ryuushou reincarnated. And that technique, Penetrating Palm, is one of the dangerous techniques of Kazama-ryu, so Ryuushou should have only taught it to his top disciple, Riina...
Did Riina teach her? I'll have to confirm with Riina later.
...Hmm, reincarnation? Where have I heard that before?
...Oh, right. I ended up using my hands, so I'm disqualified from the game...
Well, it wasn't my hands, it was my Nen, and she didn't seem to notice, so I'll just keep quiet about it.
---
I ended up fleeing from Netero. Did he figure out I'm a Nen user?
But, my consciousness flickered for a second... If my instantaneous defense hadn't made it in time, I might have died... Netero, that jerk! Would a normal person use Hyakushiki Kannon?!
...Well, I did almost use Penetrating Palm myself, but... that, well, that's the folly of youth, I suppose, yeah.
Ugh. It hurts, but there don't seem to be any broken bones or anything... If my defense using Ken and shock absorption by relaxing my body hadn't kicked in, it wouldn't have just been this.
Damn you, Netero! Someday, I'll pay you back double for this pain!