Maybe Bisky also knew that Ronnel was from the streets of Meteor City.
"Really? Then those strange hometown delicacies you brought can't be from Meteor City, right?"
One's cultural background can sometimes be revealed through food. To some extent, the cuisine reflects a region's identity.
The dishes Ronnel presented certainly didn't seem like something that could have come from Meteor City.
Seeing Ronnel fall silent, Netero smiled knowingly.
As the sky gradually darkened, Netero turned and headed toward the airship.
"Care for a chat, young one? I have some excellent tea~~"
"If I told you I just appeared out of nowhere on the streets of Meteor City, would you believe it?"
In one of the airship's rooms, Ronnel accepted the tea Netero offered and replied,
"I guess it's not that hard to believe. After all, there are many Nen abilities capable of strange feats like that."
Netero responded calmly, "In my hundred and ten years, I've encountered all sorts of Nen users. Time manipulation and teleportation? I've seen a thing or two."
"If the past you spent on the streets of Meteor City is something you don't wish to discuss, there's no need to bring it up. What matters is the present. No matter what happened before, it's already set in stone."
Netero took a sip of tea, his expression as carefree as ever. Then, he turned his attention back to Ronnel with a spark of curiosity.
"How about a little game? Consider it a way for an old man like me to stave off boredom."
"I'd be honored," Ronnel replied, a fierce fighting spirit flickering in his eyes. He couldn't resist the chance to face the world's strongest Nen user, Netero.
When Netero grabbed a ball and led Ronnel to an empty room on the airship, they passed through the hall where a scene caught their attention.
A girl with twin ponytails and a number plate reading '111' pinned to her chest was relentlessly attacking Killua with a sharp blade. Tables were overturned, and several couches had been slashed open. Netero scratched his head.
"Ah, these are all Hunter Association property… If they're damaged, I'll need to allocate funds to replace them~"
Murmuring his complaints, Netero stepped forward and, in an instant, lightly caught the blade between two fingers, stopping the girl in her tracks.
"That's enough."
With Netero's intervention, the situation quickly de-escalated.
According to the rules, this candidate—Anita—was to face the harshest punishment. She might never be allowed to take the Hunter exam again.
But Gon, full of compassion as always, pleaded for leniency on her behalf.
Even Kurapika, carrying the weight of his clan's revenge, joined in, perhaps moved by their shared sense of suffering.
Ronnel noticed that this only seemed to amuse Netero even more.
"Well, if you can beat me in a game, I'll consider it."
And just like that, Netero left, throwing out one last statement over his shoulder, almost as an afterthought.
"If you beat me, I'll give each of you a Hunter License."
Gon, Leorio, Kurapika, and Killua: Hunter License?!
So casual?! They were thrilled at the prospect!
"We've got to win this game, no matter what!" Leorio shouted, rushing to follow Netero.
Gon and Killua exchanged glances, then followed suit with Kurapika right behind them.
"So, who's going first? It's fine if you all come at me together. This old man can handle it."
Netero, now dressed in sportswear, stood with a ball in hand, eyeing the five gathered in the room. His gaze lingered on Ronnel for a moment longer than the others.
While the others readied themselves, Ronnel casually leaned back against the wall, crossing his arms.
"You guys go first. I'll swap in after an hour~"
He exchanged a look with Netero, who caught the silent message.
"A warm-up, huh?"
Netero chuckled softly. He turned to face Gon, who was stretching in preparation, and casually twirled the ball in his hand.
"I'm not that old yet!"
An hour passed in the blink of an eye.
As expected, Leorio was on the ground, drenched in sweat, utterly exhausted. Kurapika was similarly winded, his face glistening with sweat. Meanwhile, Gon and Killua were still stubbornly attacking Netero, trying to force him to use his right hand or left foot.
"It's been an hour, and you still haven't succeeded," Netero teased, bouncing the ball lightly.
"Swish!"
Gon puffed out his cheeks in frustration, and both he and Killua finally stepped back in defeat.
Ronnel stood up slowly, his voice calm yet charged with energy. "If I touch the ball, can I get a Hunter License too?"
As he spoke, Ronnel's aura intensified, rising to its peak as he entered the field.
"Oh? Spent the last half hour gathering your aura?" Netero's eyes twinkled with excitement.
"You're different from the others. If you want a Hunter License, you'll have to beat me fair and square."
"Is that so? Not happening yet."
"Yet? You mean you will in the future?"
"Isn't it just a matter of time?"
"Hoh-hoh-hoh-hohooo~"
Netero launched the ball, now coated in Nen, with incredible speed towards Ronnel.
But at the same moment, Ronnel moved.
Boom!
With a powerful hand also brimming with Nen, Ronnel caught the ball and slammed it back towards Netero's face.
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