Gon and Kurapika exchanged a glance, then dashed away at top speed after the Kiriko.
"You're injured; you need treatment!"
Upon seeing the wounded man, Leorio immediately slipped into doctor mode. Technically, he was still in training to become a doctor, but he already had a strong sense of medical ethics.
Nothing was more important than helping an injured person.
"Uh-oh, I didn't bring enough medicine. I'll check the area for any useful herbs. Ron, could you keep an eye on him? Don't let him move around too much or he'll lose more blood."
With that, Leorio ran toward the nearby woods.
The moment Leorio disappeared, the middle-aged man's expression suddenly turned calm. He looked at Ron with marked respect.
Ron raised an eyebrow.
He said, "Our Kiriko clan has served the Zoldyck family for many years. Right now, half of us work as butlers in the Zoldyck estate.
We're part of the outer branch.
Because of that, we have to stay informed about you and the others.
I've seen photos of you.
We took a commission from the Hunter Association to be examiners for this preliminary test.
Would you like me to take you to the official exam site right now?"
Before long, Leorio returned with some herbs and treated the man's wounds.
Meanwhile, Gon and Kurapika were still chasing the Kiriko.
Around that same time, several other examinees arrived at the main test site:
- Tonpa, a seasoned participant who enjoys toying with newcomers.
- The Amori Brothers, solid mid-to-upper-level examinees.
- Bourbon, the old man who handles snakes.
- Ponzu, who controls bees.
- Stick, a sharpshooter.
- Pokkle, dubbed "ant feed." (t/N damn....)
- Illumi, disguised as Gittarackur.
When Leorio finished treating the man—
He canceled his disguise, revealing his true form as a sturdy Kiriko.
"Congratulations. You've passed this test."
The Kiriko bared its teeth in what was supposed to be a friendly grin, but in its real form, the smile looked rather fierce.
Leorio instinctively took a step back.
"All this was just an act, a performance. I'm one of the examiners. Your actions meet the passing standard."
"It's because I gathered herbs and treated your injuries?"
"Ron… saw right through me from the very beginning."
The Kiriko almost called him "Sir Ron" aloud but caught itself.
Leorio still wasn't entirely convinced and looked to Ron, who gave a small nod.
Since the Kiriko clan was affiliated with the Zoldycks, Ron had no reason to expose them. The Kiriko's story also helped gloss things over. Indeed, Ron had recognized them as Kiriko right away, even if they didn't know it.
At Ron's confirmation, Leorio finally believed and let out a relieved sigh.
"I see. Great. So what now?"
He turned to the Kiriko.
"We'll wait to see what happens over there. Once that's done, we'll bring everyone who's passed to the official Hunter Exam site. Those who failed must go back."
A sharp cry rang out in the distance.
The Kiriko looked that way and let out a call of its own.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Leorio asked.
"It means your two companions have passed as well."
Overhead, a large Kiriko appeared, flapping its arms and wing membranes. The Kiriko on the ground stepped over to Ron and lowered its voice.
"Ron, I'll take you all there now. Hold on to me."
With that, it rose into the air.
Ron gave a slight hop and grabbed hold of one of the Kiriko's legs.
Leorio, seeing this, hesitated only briefly before leaping up.
The airborne Kiriko caught him by the shoulders.
Some distance away, Gon and Kurapika had also reached the sky.
With vigorous wing beats, the Kiriko steadily lifted the group higher. A strong wind buffeted them.
Gon's face glowed with excitement.
Kurapika was thrilled, too—though for a different reason. Gon was simply enjoying the ride, while Kurapika felt they were one step closer to becoming Hunters.
Leorio looked worried, afraid a single slip might send him plummeting to certain death.
Ron, however, was already used to such heights. Back in Fiore, he had battled alongside Wendy, and Chii could also lift him at low altitude, so heights were no longer an issue.
Wind whipped around them, and Leorio began shivering from the cold.
Finally, a city came into view.
The Kiriko landed with the four on board.
Three of them returned the way they came, while one shapeshifted into a middle-aged man once more.
He led them into the city, through a restaurant, then down a hallway until they reached a hidden room with an elevator.
"Take this elevator, and you'll arrive at the official Hunter Exam venue.
Time is tight, so I won't be going down with you.
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