Kurapika took out his weapons—two wooden sticks.
Even though they were wooden, they were extremely sturdy.
A middle-aged examiner stepped forward as referee and announced the start of the match. However, because of the special rules set by Netero, a referee didn't really have much to do.
No matter how many hits or knockdowns, there were no points. The only way to win was to make the opponent admit defeat on their own.
Kurapika gripped a stick in each hand and charged at Ron, but not head-on—he approached from the side. Kurapika knew that facing Ron directly gave him virtually no chance at all. Coming in from an angle might leave a small opening.
Ron stood casually in place without moving.
"This is it! This is my chance!"
Kurapika spotted what he thought was an opening. With a quick sidestep, he got close to Ron and swung both sticks at two different spots on Ron's body.
But in Ron's view, Kurapika's current speed and reactions were far too slow. Ron shifted his feet slightly, easily evading Kurapika's attack. Then he raised his hand—a single knifehand strike.
With a crisp sound, Kurapika hit the ground, staring in disbelief.
He had already known Ron was far stronger, that there was an enormous gap between them. In a life-or-death battle, Kurapika couldn't even match Killua, let alone Ron. But he never expected the difference to be so great that he'd be beaten in a single move.
Pokkle's pupils contracted slightly.
"So Ron is really this strong?"
Hanzo also focused his gaze on Ron.
Killua's eyes flickered.
"That speed and reaction... So Ron wasn't even going all out when he sparred with me before?"
Kurapika got up and acknowledged his defeat.
They both returned to their original places, which meant Ron had officially passed the Hunter Exam and obtained his license.
Accordingly, Kurapika would have to fight again.
The middle-aged examiner looked at two more candidates.
"Second match: Gon versus Hanzo."
They stepped forward.
Killua was still irritated by the talk about potential, but he couldn't help warning Gon as he approached.
"Be careful, Hanzo is really strong."
Compared to Hanzo's calm demeanour, Gon looked much more serious.
"Killua, do you think Gon has any chance of winning?" Leorio asked, looking at Killua.
Killua had fought Hanzo before, so Leorio assumed he would have some idea of Hanzo's strength, and Killua also knew Gon's abilities.
"None." Killua shook his head.
At the examiner's signal, Gon suddenly darted forward, then started circling Hanzo at high speed, planning to keep him off-balance. Gon knew Hanzo was physically stronger, but he was confident in his own endurance and agility. He was counting on those strengths for any chance to win.
What Gon didn't expect was that Hanzo wasn't just stronger—his speed and stamina were also superior. Even though Hanzo moved later, he still caught Gon in an instant.
A single punch struck the back of Gon's neck. Gon's body slammed into the ground, bounced up, then fell again.
Kurapika and Leorio wore astonished expressions.
"The gap... is this big?"
Hanzo scratched his head.
"Then I have no choice. I hope you can endure this. The sooner you concede, the better for you."
Hanzo, trained as a ninja, began torturing Gon. Ninjas study many disciplines: assassination, combat, and interrogation techniques. Now Hanzo was using interrogation skills to inflict extreme pain without ending Gon's life.
No matter how much pain Hanzo inflicted, nor how many times he asked, Gon's answer remained the same.
Leorio and Kurapika were already furious. In a friend's eyes, Hanzo looked arrogant, while Gon looked pitiful. If the rules allowed, they might have rushed over—either to defeat Hanzo or make Gon surrender—anything to end Hanzo's torment.
Ron didn't look at Gon but rather turned to Netero. It was Netero's rules that made Gon's approach possible.
Killing the opponent would lead to disqualification, and winning required making the other side admit defeat. If they refused, the match would continue indefinitely.
Most people, after a certain threshold of pain, would give up. But not everyone. Adults often weigh pros and cons. Children might act on instinct alone, ignoring gain, reason, or even right and wrong.
"Right now, Gon's behavior is more like a wild beast than a human."
A harsh crack sounded.
Gon's arm was broken by Hanzo, bent with brutal force. Anyone could imagine how painful that was. Yet Gon still refused to give up.
"Ron, can't you do anything? You're the strongest among us," Leorio pleaded.
"Gon can't go on ; he'll die!"
"He joined the Hunter Exam, so he has to follow its rules. This is Gon's own choice."