Nen, the mysterious and complex life energy, remains a closely guarded secret among Hunters. It isn't something to be taught freely, especially not without permission from the Hunter Association president. Face of Mr. Beans reflected a mix of uncertainty and embarrassment as he prepared to refuse.
"Teaching Nen is part of the follow-up assessment for the Hunter Exam," came a sudden voice, breaking the silence. The speaker was none other than Netero, the Association's Chairman, striding in with his signature wooden sandals clacking against the floor.
Relief washed over Mr. Beans as he bowed to Netero and slipped away, grateful for the timely intervention.
Netero smiled and stroked his long beard. "When you become Hunters, strictly speaking, you aren't fully certified yet. There's one final, hidden test you must pass to earn the title in its entirety. This stage isn't a challenge for most, but it serves to weed out the unworthy few."
He cast a quick glance at Ronnel, as if silently assessing him.
Hisoka and Illumi, who had been lingering nearby, didn't seem concerned. They already knew about Nen and clearly had no interest in sharing that knowledge with anyone else.
Gon, Kurapika, and the others were more curious, however. They understood that they would need to learn Nen sooner or later, especially after crossing paths with Ronnel. He had opened their eyes to its power in more ways than one.
After Netero's brief explanation, Gon let his arms drop. Hanzo and Pokkle exchanged knowing glances, and the group suppressed their growing curiosity.
Kurapika, however, was restless.
"Chairman Netero, how long will it take us to learn Nen?" His voice was firm, driven by the quiet fury that lingered behind his usually calm demeanor.
For Kurapika, time was everything. His thirst for revenge against the Phantom Troupe weighed heavily on him, and every second felt like a step further behind his goal. Hisoka's cryptic whispers about the Troupe had only deepened that sense of urgency.
"It can take anywhere from three months to half a year," Netero replied. "Nen isn't something you can rush. Building your physical strength beforehand will also help. I've heard the gate to the Zoldyck family's estate is a good place for that kind of training." He smiled as he added that last part.
At the mention of the Zoldycks, Gon's eyes lit up. He glanced at Kurapika and Leorio, and without a word, they all made the same decision. They would find Killua.
Illumi, however, remained unfazed. He didn't care about Netero's suggestion. He knew that if Gon and his friends went to Kukuroo Mountain, they wouldn't even be able to push open the Zoldyck family's gates. They were far too weak.
Netero offered them another passing suggestion before he quietly left, signaling the official end of the Hunter Exam.
Later, in a hotel room...
Ronnel sat across from Menchi, the gourmet Hunter and one of the examiners from the second phase of the Hunter Exam.
"I've brought everything you asked for," Menchi said, her voice laced with playful seriousness. "I had to call in a lot of favors and spent quite a bit of Jenny, so don't disappoint me."
She placed a small bag on the table, its contents glimmering faintly under the room's light.
"These are treasures," she continued. "I even asked a friend with space manipulation abilities to store them securely. No scratches, no bumps."
Ronnel smiled, unfazed by her mock threats. A stack of papers appeared in his hand as if out of thin air.
"These are the recipes I promised. The ingredients should be in the hotel's kitchen. Feel free to test them and see if they meet your standards."
Menchi's eyes sparkled with excitement. She snatched the papers from Ronnel's hand and scanned through them quickly. As a Gourmet Hunter, she could tell instantly that these recipes were authentic. She grinned.
"Thanks! You can check the gems in the bag to make sure everything's in order."
Ronnel trusted her enough not to bother checking. After a bit more small talk, Menchi hurried off, eager to start cooking.
As Ronnel left the hotel room, Kurapika crossed paths with him. Kurapika had just finished an intense conversation with Hisoka in the courtyard and was now heading out.
"Oh, Ronnel,," Hisoka called out from a short distance away, his voice dripping with amusement. He sauntered toward Ronnel and stopped a few paces in front of him.
"I'm not sure what you and Kurapika talked about, but during the exam, his eyes… well, they changed color. Must have something to do with the Phantom Troupe."
Ronnel glanced at Hisoka, uninterested, and made to leave. But Hisoka's next words made him pause.
"I know a few things about the Phantom Troupe that might interest you," Hisoka said with a grin.
Ronnel turned back slightly, intrigued. "What do you mean?"
Meanwhile, Gon, Kurapika, and Leorio had already decided to head for Kukuroo Mountain to find Killua. Gon invited Ronnel to join them, but he declined.
"I've got my Hunter license now," Ronnel said. "I need to go see my master first. There are some things I need to take care of before I continue my training."
With that, Ronnel bid them farewell, walking off into the distance. The trio watched him go, a mix of emotions on their faces, before they waved their goodbyes.
Hisoka, who had been watching from a nearby rooftop, muttered to himself.
"I wonder what your real intentions are, Ronnel. If you help me and Kurapika, the odds of me facing off against Chrollo will rise even higher."
Behind him, Illumi appeared silently, his face as unreadable as ever.
"Did you tell him about the Phantom Troupe?" he asked quietly.
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