"It really did fall from the sky..."
"Jumping down from such a height, wouldn't your legs break?!"
Gradually, the unusual awe in the examinees' eyes towards professional candidates like Buhara and Menchi began to fade. Clearly, Netero's appearance had once again instilled in them a reverence for Hunters and the Hunter Association.
Seeing this scene, Netero nodded slightly.
"Chairman!!" Buhara, as large as a mountain, strode over. "The situation is..."
"No need to explain," Netero interrupted Buhara. "When Satotz called earlier, he already explained the situation."
"Hello, Chairman." Satotz, who had appeared beside them, bowed slightly and greeted respectfully.
"Who is that old man?" Leorio asked, feeling an inexplicable pressure as the old man approached them step by step.
"Just now, Examiner Satotz called him Chairman, so he should be..." Kurapika analyzed.
"The Chairman of the Hunter Association, the world's strongest," Tonpa, who had followed them, swallowed hard and said. He hadn't expected such a big figure to be alarmed.
"Jumping from such a high place without getting hurt, that's amazing," Gon marveled.
Killua crossed his arms, seriously observing Netero. He seemed to have heard some stories about Chairman Netero at home before. Although they were just some trivial old tales from his grandfather, they still left an impression on Killua about Netero.
Soon, the examinees also guessed Netero's identity and began to buzz with excitement.
"Ahem," Netero cleared his throat lightly, instantly calming the scene.
"Although I'm the Chairman of the Hunter Association, most of the time I'm behind the scenes. I only come out occasionally to handle disputes like this," Netero said, directly looking at the main person involved in the incident.
"Long time no see, Morin." Netero stroked his beard and smiled brightly.
"Long time no see," Morin also responded with a smile. "Chairman Netero, you are as spirited as ever."
"Not at all, I'm old now, not like you young people."
"You must be joking, you're still full of energy, able to leap from the sky."
"Haha, but that's nothing compared to the stir you've caused here."
Seeing the two chatting like old friends who hadn't met in a long time, the examinees' eyes nearly popped out of their sockets.
So this mysterious and powerful candidate was so familiar with Chairman Netero of the Hunter Association?!
In that case... why not just ask Netero for a Hunter License directly?! Why bother competing with them, this poor, weak, and helpless group of examinees, for a spot in the Hunter Exam?!
It's not like the Hunter Association doesn't have a provision for "bribing examiners" to get a license! They all wished they could slap this provision in Morin's face.
Having realized Morin's strength, the examinees felt even more aggrieved.
And just as Morin and Netero were happily chatting away...
"Whoosh!"
Another faint sound was heard as a figure descended from the sky. This time, however, it didn't cause as much of a commotion as Netero's arrival.
"Master," Kastro landed and respectfully greeted Morin with a Heart Source Stream disciple's salute.
"Hmm, it seems you've improved quite a bit during this time," Morin said, looking him up and down with slight satisfaction.
As Kastro took on more responsibilities within the Twelve Zodiac, he was slowly developing a refined demeanor. Coupled with his exquisite features and perfect physique, he looked every bit like a noble young gentleman from the upper class.
"Master?! That new arrival actually called Morin 'Master'?!" Leorio was dumbfounded. "Did I hear that right?"
"And... if I didn't see it wrong, their appearances should be about the same, right?!"
"Morin, how could he possibly be... the other's... master?"
Saying this, Leorio slowly recalled what Morin had said to them in the steakhouse box earlier:
"My real age is already... fifty years old?"
---
Could he really be a monster with a youthful appearance but the heart of an old man?! Leorio thought, slightly confused.
"So Morin was telling the truth," Gon said, his eyes sparkling as he looked at Kastro, who stood bowing in front of Morin. "He really has a bounty hunter apprentice!"
"And a one-star bounty hunter at that!" Suddenly, a voice full of shock came from beside Gon.
Following the voice, they saw the purple-clad, burly Totor, whose pupils were trembling violently. "Kastro, for his achievements in eliminating the Kude Bandit Group, was promoted to a one-star hunter and, as a representative bounty hunter, became one of the Hunter Association's Twelve Zodiac, the Monkey."
Totor, whose ambition was to become a bounty hunter, was well-versed in such matters. "This is one of the top figures and powerhouses within the Hunter Association. How could he be just a mere candidate's apprentice?!"
He looked utterly devastated.
Over the past few years, Kastro had gained fame for his outstanding achievements, his incredible strength displayed at the Heaven's Arena,
and his role as the Monkey of the Twelve Zodiac, representing bounty hunters within the Hunter Association's upper echelons.
Coupled with his attractive appearance and demeanor, he was practically the face of bounty hunters.
He had received considerable respect and admiration from bounty hunters, aspiring bounty hunters, and other groups. Totor had set Kastro as his goal and was constantly striving towards becoming a bounty hunter.
He had always longed to meet his idol and revered figure up close.
But...
He had met his idol, but he hadn't expected that the person he revered would be so respectful and courteous, like a schoolboy, in front of a mere candidate. And that candidate was his master!
This revelation was quite a blow to him.
"Well, this is actually quite normal..." Tonpa said in a low voice beside him. "After all, it's that person. He can toy with the examiners and chat casually with the Chairman of the Hunter Association. It's obvious they knew each other before."
"Only people of the same level can have such conversations."
No matter what strange or bizarre situation arose around Morin, Tonpa no longer felt surprised. Everything seemed so natural, even numbing.
"In short, Morin is just really amazing!" Gon gave a very brief but highly accurate assessment.
At this moment, in the arena.
"Alright, let's end the pleasantries here," Netero said after Kastro finished greeting Morin, moving on to the main issue.
"Menchi did make some mistakes. I'll have her apologize to all the candidates present and arrange a new round of testing," Netero said.
"Menchi's appointment as an examiner was issued by the Hunter Association's Review Committee, so there's also responsibility on their part."
"It was our oversight and improper arrangement that led to the current situation."
Netero's words gave Morin a lot of face. He directly attributed the incident to Menchi and the Hunter Association's Review Committee's responsibility.
The way they handled the aftermath, having Menchi apologize and restart the test, showed sincerity.
This was far better than some companies or schools that, after making mistakes, refuse to admit them and keep shifting blame. All the public wants is an apology.
"Since Chairman Netero has said so, I can't refuse to give you face," Morin said with a smile.
"But..." he continued, drawing out his words slightly.
"I'm not satisfied yet. The fun isn't over. Ending it like this feels a bit unfulfilling."
"Is that so?" Netero looked at Morin steadily. "Then how about I accompany you for a little play?"
"Chairman Netero, you're going to personally step in?" Morin's smile widened. "That would be wonderful."
"But I also understand that as the Chairman of the Hunter Association, you're very busy, so..."
Morin slowly extended a finger. "One move."
"How about we just play one move?"
Morin still regarded this as play.
"I've just grasped a new technique, so I'd appreciate it if you could help me test it, Chairman."
"A new technique?" Netero chuckled twice, his eyes gradually becoming serious.
"Alright!"