"I can be sure that guy's strength is far beyond what he has shown. From start to finish, he was only testing his own abilities."
"Or rather, he was playing."
Menchi said this as she fell into deep thought. "You all should know my personality and how obsessed I am with cooking. Once I set a menu, I will never change it. Even if the other party is the king of a country, it's impossible."
Hearing Menchi's words, Buhara, who was also a Gourmet Hunter, wiped a drop of sweat from his forehead. He had witnessed firsthand how stubborn Menchi could be when she became fixated on something.
She showed no mercy.
Suddenly, something occurred to him. "Wait… don't tell me—"
"Yes! That guy actually wanted to change the menu I had set three days in advance!!!"
At this point, even though some time had passed, Menchi was still furious.
When she entered her obsessive chef mode, it was terrifying. She wouldn't listen to anyone—no matter how rich they were or even if they were her employer. Unless…
"Yes, he was able to snap me out of my rage."
Menchi said indignantly.
"You mean he subdued you?" Buhara asked in shock.
Hearing her companion say this, Menchi's gaze shifted awkwardly. She hesitated before responding, "Uh… yeah."
Calling it "subduing" was already putting it nicely. To be precise, she had no power to resist at all.
"Do you know what type of Nen user he is?"
Satsu asked curiously. Menchi's description had piqued his interest.
"This is exactly my second point."
Menchi took a deep breath. "I am absolutely certain about one thing—he didn't use Nen! According to him—"
"He doesn't know Nen."
"He doesn't know Nen?!!"
Satsu and Buhara exclaimed in unison.
Menchi nodded seriously.
If she hadn't seen it with her own eyes, she wouldn't have believed that someone could be this strong without using Nen. Yet he had completely overpowered her, even while she had her Nen activated.
—
"Young Gon, young Killua. You were so close to taking the ball from me just now. Keep going!"
Inside a spacious room at the top of the airship, Gon and Killua were working together, trying to snatch the ball from Netero. Yamcha stood to the side, acting as the referee, occasionally cheering them on.
"If you'd like, you can join them," Netero said as he dodged Killua's sneak attack. He then turned to Yamcha and added, "If you can take the ball from me, I'll give you a Hunter License on the spot."
"Not interested." Yamcha rejected the offer without hesitation.
His ultimate goal wasn't a Hunter License. If Netero offered to personally teach him Nen instead, then he might have considered it.
Without going all out, it was impossible to get the ball. But if he went all out, he'd expose his strength.
Revealing his full power in the Hunter world?
Way too reckless.
That would be unstable.
"Oh ho ho… what a shame," Netero chuckled. Seeing that Yamcha wasn't interested, he shrugged and continued playing with Gon and Killua.
"Hey, Killua, use 'Rhythm Echo' again! Maybe this time you'll snatch the ball from old man Netero."
"Gon, find an opening and sneak attack—it'll increase the chances of success!"
The game of keep-away continued, with Yamcha occasionally interjecting with strategic suggestions.
"We were so close just now! Just a little bit more… What a pity."
"This time, let Gon take the lead while you use 'Rhythm Echo' to find an opening. We'll definitely get the ball this time!"
'Rhythm Echo' was one of the assassination techniques of the Zoldyck family. It used variations in footwork speed to create afterimages and confuse the enemy.
It was somewhat similar to the Afterimage Technique from Dragon Ball, but it produced more illusions. However, in terms of practicality, the Afterimage Technique was superior.
This guy… He's been secretly learning all along.
Killua glared at Yamcha in annoyance but still followed his suggestion and used 'Rhythm Echo.' If nothing else, Yamcha's advice was actually helpful.
Hmm… After watching 'Rhythm Echo' a few more times, I think I've got the gist of it.
Silent Steps, Serpent Step, and now Rhythm Echo—this trip was worth it. I've learned quite a few useful techniques.
Of course, all these moves were stolen from Killua. They were all part of the Zoldyck family's assassination techniques.
"Kid… even if you fully master these techniques, don't go using them in front of others carelessly. Otherwise, you might bring unnecessary trouble upon yourself."
Seeing that Yamcha was copying Killua's assassination techniques, Netero kindly warned him.
After all, these moves belonged to the Zoldyck family—the world's most notorious assassins. While there were no copyrights on fighting techniques, their reputation wasn't just for show. Who knew if they'd come after him?
"Don't worry, Chairman Netero. I know what I'm doing."
Yamcha smiled, eyes narrowing in amusement. He seemed to be in a good mood.
Like I care about some assassin family. Unless they can cross dimensions to find me…
Then, and only then, would I acknowledge them as the strongest.
"I'm done! I quit! That old man hasn't even moved his left hand or right leg—he's just playing with us!"
Drenched in sweat after another failed attempt, Killua gave up in frustration.
"Oh? Already giving up? What a pity."
Yamcha sighed in disappointment. "You lack endurance, Killua. A man must endure!"
"Hey! You're just trying to steal my techniques!" Killua snapped at him, annoyed. "And besides, I'm only 12 years old!"
Unlike the innocent Gon, the more mature Killua had already watched late-night TV and instantly understood what Yamcha meant by "endurance."
"12 years old? Well, I'm only 13." Yamcha grinned.
"Yeah, right!"
Yamcha simply shrugged, not bothering to argue.
Even though he was nearly two heads taller than Killua and looked like an 18-year-old, his actual body age was indeed only a year older than Killua.
Just look at Leorio—his face looked like he was in his 30s, but he was actually only 18. So Yamcha's case wasn't impossible either.
After Killua left, only Gon remained to face Netero alone. At the same time, Yamcha casually found an excuse to leave.
There was nothing to steal from Gon, and as for Netero, he was purely relying on raw physical ability to dominate. There was no reason to stay.
Besides, if Killua couldn't get the ball from Netero, Gon definitely wouldn't be able to either.
In the end, Gon never managed to touch the ball.
The match concluded with Netero's overwhelming victory.
However, Gon did succeed in forcing Netero to use his right hand—so in a way, it was a small victory.
The next morning at 10 AM, they finally arrived at the third exam site.
It was an enormous, towering cylindrical structure that seemed to pierce the sky.
The Trick Tower—also known as the Trap Tower.
This was a prison located on a small southern island.
(End of Chapter)