"Wow, so beautiful! This is in the sky!"
"Yeah, this is the first time I've seen such a beautiful night sky, Keke! Look! Look over there, those are stars!"
On the side, Killua and Gon were shouting nonstop.
Because he had promised Aunt Mite and the residents of Whale Island that he would take care of Gon, most of the time, Li ke would look after him.
These two little guys had just sneaked into the kitchen and stole some chicken legs, each taking one, and were now watching the night sky together.
Killua and Gon got along very well.
Whoosh—
A gust of wind blew past.
Li ke slightly squinted his eyes.
He saw with his own eyes... the treasure hunter walked past him from behind.
So fast!
It was like teleportation.
It was the Chairman of the Association, Netero!
Sure enough.
Once you boarded the airship, there was a chance to encounter this NPC, the world's strongest Hunter.
This is awesome!
Gon didn't react much, even being momentarily stunned.
Killua's expression, however, changed slightly, his eyes sharpening instantly.
Clack, clack, clack~~
The sound of wooden sandals came from the other end of the corridor.
The three of them looked towards the sound.
And saw...
Old pervert Netero walking back again.
This guy had just made a round.
At this speed, even the so-called world's fastest Robert from the past wouldn't be able to keep up.
"Mr. Netero, did you see anyone come from that direction just now?"
Gon, with a naive and confused expression, pointed to the other side, asking in surprise.
"No."
Netero smiled, but his gaze skipped over Gon and Killua, landing on Li ke.
After noticing that Li ke wasn't confused at all, his heart enlightened.
This kid...
Indeed, his perception is very strong!
And he actually felt a faint aura of Nen from him.
That means...
He awakened Nen on his own?
That's strange, when I encountered him yesterday, I didn't sense any of this.
But to awaken the Nen without any guidance...
This is a true genius!!
Netero couldn't help but admire in his heart, his gaze towards Li ke now carried a few hints of fervor.
"Chairman, at your age, your agility is impressive."
Killua glanced at him disdainfully and bluntly exposed him.
"Cough, cough, cough. Just now? I was only taking a walk. I was bored and wanted to find someone to play with. How about you three? What do you think of your first challenge in the Hunter Exam?"
Netero smiled and asked.
"Yeah, it's fun! And it's different from what I imagined, no written tests requiring brainpower."
Gon exclaimed excitedly.
"I find it kind of boring. I always thought there would be some difficult challenges. Will the next tests be more interesting?"
Killua said disinterestedly.
"How about you, Leorio?"
Netero smiled and turned his gaze to Leorio.
"Pretty good. Every test has been very rewarding."
Li ke smiled calmly.
His answer left Netero slightly stunned. At least in his view, these few tests should have been very easy for Li ke, with no difficulty at all, maybe even boring.
Yet, when he heard Li ke speak, he could clearly sense that he wasn't lying.
Interesting!
It seems I can't quite read this kid.
Netero smiled inwardly.
"Would you three like to play a game with me? If you win, I'll give you the Hunter's license directly."
Netero suddenly spoke with a smile.
...
Airship Training Room.
The game was very simple.
It was still about stealing the volleyball from Netero!
No restrictions on how to attack.
Netero wouldn't make a move.
As long as you get the volleyball, you win!
Gon was excited, while Killua stared at Netero warily, clearly already in a combat stance.
The two of them acted first.
Netero, like he was playing with children, indeed was playing with children.
Gon was being led in circles, while Killua, who considered himself fairly strong, was sweating profusely.
The two of them couldn't even get close to Netero.
Let alone take the volleyball.
Although the two of them had a moment of tacit cooperation, they almost got it, but the old pervert Netero instantly stole it back using his true speed.
"I'm not playing anymore! I give up!"
Killua said in frustration.
"We were so close, why give up so quickly?"
Gon seemed still unaware.
"Don't you realize that this old man hasn't used his right hand and left foot in this? Even if we had a year, we still wouldn't get it. Leorio... this old man is too strong..."
Killua said helplessly.
He understood that Netero was deliberately messing with them; there was no way they could take a shortcut.
"Hehe, Li ke would you like to... try it as well?"
Netero smiled and looked at Leorio.
His real target was this kid.
Although he thought highly of Gon and Killua, he wasn't yet impressed.
But Li ke was different.
It had been many years, and for the first time, he was eager to test the skills of a younger generation.
He could sense it.
Li ke was on an entirely different level compared to Gon and Killua.
Li ke, however, seemed to be waiting for something, as if he wasn't in the mood?
[Beep! You and Netero have entered combat mode. 10% chance to copy Netero's ability if you defeat him.]
A heavenly-like voice sounded.
Tch!
Defeat him?
This... seems too difficult.
Li ke had an impulse to complain.
[Beep! According to the current agreement, as long as you take the volleyball from Netero, you will be considered to have defeated him.]
The system reminded him again.
This is better.
"Of course, I'm interested, Chairman Netero."
Leorio smiled.
"Li ke, this old man is actually very fast, you have to be careful."
Killua warned.
"Go for it, Leorio! You must grab the volleyball!!"
Gon also cheered up.
The two little kids obediently sat on a bench in the corner, their eyes fixed on the two of them.
Li Ke slowly stepped forward and stood in the center of the arena, facing Netero.
"Ah! Such an impressive aura. It's completely different from the two kids, it almost feels like I'm facing a truly evenly matched opponent."
"However, according to our agreement, I won't make a move. As long as you can get..."
Netero smiled, but his expression was relaxed, though internally, he was being much more cautious than when dealing with Gon and Killua.
Unfortunately.
Before he finished speaking, Li ke had already moved.
[Speed] (Gold)!
[Natural Assassin] (Gold) (Passive)!
[Super Copy] (Gold)!
Li ke had just seen Netero's movements and directly copied his unique steps.
He also copied Killua's twisted assassination steps!
Li ke's ability was in his tags, but using it directly would have been too obvious, so... he used Super Copy!
In an instant.
Dozens of Li ke surrounded Netero and charged toward him.
Seeing this, Killua was stunned, his heart shocked.
This... isn't this an advanced assassination technique, the twisted steps?!
"Ah? Too surprising, you actually... learned such an advanced technique just by watching. This is unbelievable. In some ways, Li ke, you're already a true martial arts genius."
"But if you want to get the ball from me, you're still a bit short."
Netero paused, then chuckled lightly.
He wasn't planning on using just a fraction of his strength as he did with Gon and Killua. Against Li ke, he would use stronger power.
After all... it was all about creating an exciting challenge.
"Is that so?"
But then, dozens of Li ke suddenly smiled.
They all raised their fists, aiming at the airship's floor, and didn't attack Netero.
[Divine Power] (Red)!
"Damn!"
Netero's face immediately changed drastically, even swearing out loud.