Li ke sudden move left Gon and Killua, who were watching, stunned.
[Divine Power] Gold!
At the moment Li ke used this ability, his arm emitted a fiery heat.
His skin turned slightly red.
The overwhelming pressure of his terrifying strength made even the two in the corner feel their hearts race, even experiencing some difficulty breathing.
"What... what is going on?"
"Such... such powerful strength! With one punch... this airship will explode!!"
Feeling the terrifying power surging in Li ke's punch, Killua's face went pale for a moment.
Having followed Li ke for so long, he thought he understood him quite well, but when Li ke actually made a move this time, it completely shattered Killua's previous understanding.
Strong!
Very strong!
It had reached an absurd level.
At this moment, Killua felt that the terrifying pressure emanating from Li ke could absolutely rival his older brother, Illumi!
It felt like a massive shadow was rising from behind Li ke, covering the sky and enveloping everything above them.
Netero was even more stunned.
He had lost his mind!!
He could clearly feel that Li ke's punch was so powerful that it far surpassed any data the examiners had provided him.
If this punch landed, the entire airship would definitely be punched through, and they would all fall from the sky.
Of course, as the Chairman, Netero would survive, but the exam candidates would have no hope whatsoever.
Therefore.
At this point, Netero no longer cared about the volleyball.
He even fully unleashed his strength, turning into an afterimage and rushing forward.
He could clearly sense Li ke's true body within the afterimages.
He had to stop this punch!
Boom—
Li ke's blazing fist collided violently with Netero's palm.
Netero, who had no intention of using his Nen ability here, knew that his powers were so great that they would shatter the entire airship if he unleashed them fully.
So, he could only use—
Sonic Fist·Red!
Halfway through, he transformed his fist into a palm, just to absorb the shockwave and prevent it from spreading.
It seemed like he was also worried about hurting Li ke, so he consciously reduced some of his strength.
But the moment they collided, he immediately regretted it.
Li ke's fist was as ferocious as glowing red steel, and even though Netero had prepared, he still took the full brunt of the punch.
The immense force surged through Netero's hand and up his arm.
Even Netero, at his level, couldn't help but stumble back a step.
The floor beneath them cracked because it couldn't fully withstand the impact.
He blocked it!
Whoosh—
This Leorio kid really is a little maniac!!
Netero couldn't help but wipe the sweat from his forehead.
Crap!!
But in the next moment, he realized it was too late.
The volleyball... had fallen into Li ke's hands.
He lost!?
He... actually lost to a little brat... uh...
The act of pretending to be defeated failed!?
[Ding! Congratulations, you have successfully defeated Netero, 10% chance to automatically copy tags... ]
[Ding! Copy successful]
[Ding! Congratulations, you have obtained [Absolute Will] (Red)]
Tag: [Absolute Will] (Red) (Passive)
Effect: You possess the human limits of willpower, allowing you to resist various mental and negative effects, and still burst with full fighting power even when injured or near death.
"Uh... no black tags came out, even though a Master of Nen or Master of Body Techniques would have been good!"
Li ke inwardly sighed.
However, the mere 10% chance to successfully copy a red tag was already incredibly lucky.
Defeating someone of Netero's caliber would have been nearly impossible without him deliberately holding back.
At least with his current strength, it would have been nearly impossible.
But overall.
This was still a red tag.
It was a passive tag, which could immunize him from all mental attacks and negative effects. Additionally, he could still fight at full strength even when severely injured or near death.
It also granted him the human limits of willpower.
Well... it seemed pretty good.
It was like adding a mental buff to himself!
Some people's Nen abilities can affect the mind, so having this tag would make Leorio immune to all mental attacks!
Definitely a big win!
"Ah! So awesome!! So amazing! Li ke, you're amazing!!! You beat the old man!"
After a moment of silence, Gon finally reacted and jumped up excitedly, clapping his hands.
"I see now!!"
Killua also understood.
He now realized that Li ke's attack wasn't actually meant to destroy the airship.
It was just a deliberate move to draw Netero's attention so that Li ke could steal the volleyball.
That was the true... battle intelligence.
Because once Netero unleashed his full strength, the battle would end in an instant.
Or, if that punch hadn't been blocked, everyone would have been done for.
Making this choice required absolute courage and calmness.
Killua believed that if he were in Li ke's position, he wouldn't have been able to make such a quick decision.
Moreover.
The Body Curve!
He had been analyzing this. The technique Li ke used seemed to be learned on the spot.
Li ke had just seen him perform it and then comprehended it in a matter of minutes.
A genius!
Li ke really was a true genius.
At this moment.
Killua felt an unparalleled impact on his heart.
In the past, he had always thought of himself as a martial arts genius.
He had quickly learned all the techniques his family had taught him, and even his grandfather had praised him as a rare genius.
Including the Body Curve, he had mastered it in just three days.
Faster than his father!
But now.
He had personally witnessed Li ke learn the technique just by watching Killua perform it once, and in just a few minutes, Li ke had mastered it.
Killua finally felt... what it was like to be crushed by a genius.
"I... I need to become stronger! I need to get even stronger! Leorio!!"
Taking a deep breath, Killua looked at Li ke with shining eyes.
In this moment.
He found the direction of his life.
No longer was it just about the boredom of the Hunter Exam.
Because right before his eyes was an almost insurmountable mountain.
"Didn't expect it... So that's how it was... Li ke, you really are full of surprises. According to our agreement, I lost this time. Now I'll issue your..."
Netero said helplessly.
It was only then that he realized everything had been designed and controlled by Li ke.
It was unimaginable.
A kid not even in his teens had such meticulous thinking and calm judgment.
The entire process had been incredibly dangerous. If either of them had made a mistake, they would have all been finished!
But Li ke still chose this path, and as a result... he had won.
"Netero, I hope to receive my Hunter's license honorably and justly, under everyone's fair judgment. This represents the honor and fairness of a professional Hunter!"
"This was just a game. If you truly feel bad about it, consider it as me owing you a favor."
Li Ke said, "with righteous dignity."
"Eh!?"
Netero didn't expect Li ke to refuse the license?
But his favor... was far more valuable than the Hunter license.
What a clever little brat.
"Alright! This time, I owe you a favor. If you ever need anything in the future, and as long as it doesn't violate principles, I'll help you out. You're truly an unexpected genius, Li ke! Hahahaha!"
Netero laughed heartily, feeling great.
At least.
He absolutely didn't want to use his position as Chairman to issue the license, otherwise, the people at V5 would have their eyes on him, and they might make a big fuss about it.
This outcome was the best for both parties.