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Before arriving on the island, everyone was asked to get tickets with their participant numbers. As it later turned out, this was necessary for the next test. Whoever's number fell out was the one to hunt for. Most of the contestants hid their plaques, although some, due to self-confidence in their abilities, did not do so. Risotto was number 191. Some old martial artist. They sailed to the island, the examiner told them to come out in order. Whoever passed the third stage first would go out first. Since Risotto and the others were among the last to arrive, they were among the last to leave.
As soon as Risotto entered the forest, he first made sure that no one was watching him and then used invisibility. Then he went wandering through the forest hoping to find his target.
The forest was amazing. Its nature was markedly different from what Risotto was used to seeing in his home country of Italy. The unusual butterflies that were lured by the smell of blood, the fresh blood that was on the ground, immediately caught his eye.
'Hmm, blood. Looks like someone's already managed to get shot. In fact, there's an arrow fragment lying in the grass over there. So one of the men is armed with a bow. I don't care who's armed with what or what martial arts they know. The main thing is not to run into Hisoka or any other Nen user, otherwise it could be a problem.'
After a few more hours of walking through the forest, he came across the very old man who had been his target. It looked like he was looking for his target as well. Risotto was about to slit his throat, but changed his mind. He decided to take pity on the old man and just knocked him out by sneaking up behind him.
'Alright. I have the die. But what about the remaining six days of this stage? I guess I'll have to find shelter, forage for food, and somehow make it through the rest of the days. The main thing is to keep the plaque and survive, and I'll manage the rest.'
Risotto found a cave in which he decided to wait out the rest of his days on the island. His years as an assassin had given him a good instinct for threats. So if someone tried to attack him while he slept, he would be able to react in time.
Days went by. Risotto successfully survived on the island. He ate various berries and hunted all sorts of animals. At the same time he enjoyed the beauty of the local flora and fauna. Although the nature of his native Italy was more native and beautiful to him, he still appreciated the local exotics.
One day Risotto came across Hisoka talking to another exam participant, whose name seemed to be Gittarakur. Risotto was sitting in a tree and was far enough away from them that he couldn't hear what they were talking about, and it was risky to get closer. At some point, Gittarakur pulled the needles out of his body and he was greatly transformed. The shape of his head and face changed, his hair became black, long and smooth, and his face had absolutely no facial expressions.
'Is there really another Nen user? Damn! Now I'll have to avoid him too.' - Risotto deemed it too risky to conduct further surveillance and left.
The seven days given for the fourth stage were now over.
All the remaining participants successfully arrived at the assembly point, instead of a boat there was the Association's airship. They were invited to climb on the airship, which would fly to the location of the fifth stage. They were not told what would happen on the fifth stage.
Soon the participants began to be called in for some sort of interview. Risotto walked into the office after Gon.
- Hello, - Risotto greeted Nethero.
- Hello. I have a few questions for you.
- Go ahead.
- Who are you following from the contestants?
- I don't really follow anyone. But I do keep an eye on Hisoka 44, Gon 405, Killua 99, and Kurapika 404.
- Who would you like to fight?
- Number 44, but only when I'm stronger. I'm not strong enough for that now.
- Who wouldn't you like to fight?
- No. 405 Gon, No. 403 Leorio, 99 Killua, and No. 404 Kurapika. I don't like to hurt children.
- All right, you can go.
Risotto left and went to his room to rest.
A couple of hours later, the airship landed and all the participants were summoned. They walked to the Hunter's Association Hotel, where they walked a little further into the large hall where the fifth stage would be held, which would most likely be the last.
The last stage would be the tournament. The rules were as follows: No killing. If someone killed their opponent, they would be disqualified and everyone else would become hunted.
If someone won, they passed. If he lost - he fights the next opponent. If no one could win - he did not pass. There could only be one loser, so everyone else would win and pass the exam.
The first was the fight between Gon and Hanzo. Gon was incredibly stubborn. Hanzo beat him up, but he wouldn't give up. Hanzo even broke his arm, but Gon still wouldn't give up. In the end, Hanzo gave up. But he knocked Gon out.
Next was the fight between Kurapiki and Hisoka. The fight was extremely fast, and Kurapika won: Hisoka whispered something to him and surrendered.
Next was Pokkla and Hanzo. Hanzo won by threatening to break Pokkla's arm.
Next was what Risotto was most afraid of. He had to fight Hisoka.
'Oh, shit! What am I supposed to do?! No, it's too risky.'
Risotto immediately gave up. He realised that he couldn't win this fight now.
Next was the fight between Killua and Pokkla. Killua gave up, saying he was not interested in fighting such a weak man.
Next was Risotto and Leorio.
- Listen, - said Risotto, - You realise you have no chance, even though I can't use weapons. So I suggest you surrender. - Risotto looked at Leorio with a slightly threatening look.
- Okay, you win. - Said Leorio and immediately announced that he was surrendering.
Risotto decided to take a quick trip to the bathroom and think it over.
'Great, I have one victory in my pocket. That means I'm practically a hunker already. Okay, I'll just have to finish this up and get back.' - Risotto went for another quick pee and headed back.
When he returned, he saw Gittarakur take the look he had taken back then on the island. He was talking to Killua about something, and the latter in turn was frightened and trembling all over.
'Hmm, should I intervene?'
Gittarakur was about to raise his hand towards Killua as several surgical knives flew near his face. He looked towards Risotto and realised he was the one who had thrown them.
- What do you want? - He asked with a stony expression.
- What are you up to? Are you going to kill him?
- Me? Him? No. I'm just gonna kill his mate, Gon. That ought to put Killua off the idea of becoming a gunther.
- You're bluffing. You may have a stone for a face, but I can still see your intentions.
- Can you? You're right. I am bluffing. So what?
- I bet you've already got Killua pretty rattled and he's ready to give up the idea of being a hunter. So leave him alone.
- Hmm, well, all right, there's something in that. But I'm still taking him home.
- Let him decide for himself if he wants to go with you or not.
They waited for Killua's reply, and he was silent for a short time.
- I'm not going with you, Illumi, - Finally they learnt his real name.
- Huh? We'll see.
The last fight, Leorio against Killua. Since Killua didn't really care about the licence, he just gave up.
- I'll pass next year, he commented.
The hunter's exam was over. Everyone was sent off to rest, showing them to their rooms. Killua wanted to stay and wait for Gon, but Illumi convinced him to go home, which he did.
Soon everyone was called into an auditorium where the rules of the Hunters were explained. Everyone present was eventually given a licence and finally they could go wherever they wanted.
'Unbelievable! I did it. I passed the exam. But what do I do now? I guess for starters, I should probably go into town and get a job.'
Commentary on The End of the Exam
I finally finished the exam arc.