Hunter x Hunter: War of the Anime Worlds

Examiner Satotz led the examinees back to their starting point.

Not long after they had set out, Satotz received a notice from the Association:

They were to lend assistance to Zaban City, which had just been hit by an emergency.

Word was that the order came from the Chairman himself.

Given that, Satotz had no choice but to comply.

On the way back he told all the candidates that the content of the First Phase had been changed. Their new task was to treat the citizens of Zaban City; the one hundred candidates who helped the most people would advance to Phase Two. Because the crisis had erupted so suddenly, Satotz had not had time to design detailed rules—he could only give a brief outline.

Even so, as the chief examiner his own judgment would be final. Healing civilians was the main metric, but any contribution that helped restore order in Zaban City—and that satisfied him—would count.

"Hmm?"

Running in the lead, Satotz was the first to spot Xiang Nan and Manman still standing where they had been—and the obvious signs of a recent fight.

Xiang Nan himself was injured, as though he had just crossed fists with someone.

A mass of examinees forced their way into the elevator up to the surface. The car was tiny to begin with; anyone who couldn't fit had to wait for the next trip. Others dashed for the side door to the stairwell, each scrambling to be first.

Gon, Kurapika, and Leorio were still unconscious. Players carrying the three protagonists walked up to Xiang Nan and repeated the Association's instructions.

That eased Xiang Nan's mood slightly.

At least the Association wasn't turning a blind eye to the chaos the intruders had caused.

Gurgle, gurgle…

A strange sound came from the side.

Illumi stood there, his lips opening and closing rapidly as though some mechanism had been triggered—muttering something.

Xiang Nan glanced at him and said coolly, "Stay with Killua and don't let him run around. The person behind the commotion outside is dangerous and will very likely target him…"

"Gurgle, gurgle…"

Illumi's mouth kept quivering, as if replying.

Xiang Nan casually freed his speech, and sensed a hint of mockery in Illumi's eyes.

Xiang Nan's own face was injured, battle scars marked the area, and his shoes were gone. From those clues Illumi had no trouble piecing together what had happened—especially since Hisoka was nowhere to be seen.

None of it seemed to surprise Illumi. He knew Hisoka's nature; he was only surprised that Hisoka had failed to kill Xiang Nan. Even in the short time since they had left, Illumi's analysis suggested Hisoka should have had enough of a window to claim his prize.

That, at least, was unexpected…

Examinees jammed into the elevator one group at a time. Satotz, however, did not move.

He had been keeping a close eye on Xiang Nan from the start—not merely because this man understood Zaban City's situation better than anyone, apparently knowing exactly what was happening outside, but also because, even before the Hunter Exam began, Satotz had received a confidential dossier from Association headquarters:

Special information—about Xiang Nan.

The man had once been a high‑ranking officer in the Republic of Padokeac's military and was already an accomplished Nen user. Why he wanted to join the Association by taking the Hunter Exam was unknown.

Management had instructed Satotz to "keep an eye" on him.

As the stream of people headed topside, those remaining grew fewer and fewer.

Xiang Nan gave the players accompanying him strict instructions: once on the surface, stick to the basic test objective—treat the wounded. Do not confront the enemy head‑on; find somewhere hidden and, above all, protect the three protagonists.

Because he was a high‑level player and spoke with great seriousness, the lower‑level players, though unsure of the reasons, dared not treat the warning lightly. The situation was, after all, unusual.

Almost everyone had left when Hisoka finally sauntered in—fashionably late.

The blood that had covered his face was gone, as if all his injuries had vanished in moments. There wasn't a trace of bruising.

It was merely his Nen ability, "Texture Surprise," concealing the wounds; he was still hurt, and his condition far from restored—he had just thrown together a disguise so no one would notice.

The clearest giveaway was that he still wasn't speaking, merely smiling faintly while locking eyes with Xiang Nan.

"Gurgle, gurgle…"

The instant Hisoka appeared, Illumi—who had yet to leave—latched onto him like a wraith, his mouth clicking mechanically.

Unlike his attitude toward Xiang Nan, this time even Xiang Nan could sense Illumi's "mockery" of Hisoka.

Hisoka's disguise fooled no one, least of all Illumi, who could tell Hisoka was injured—and more seriously than Xiang Nan.

Which meant that, in their final exchange, Hisoka had come off the worse.

Hisoka ignored Illumi's taunts and kept silent.

White‑haired Killua was in the last group to leave. Before going, he glanced back at the three most peculiar—and, to his instincts, most dangerous—people among the candidates, eyes showing wariness, cool indifference, and a faint hint of contempt.

Examiner Satotz departed as well.

Illumi slipped into the elevator with Killua and left.

Once again only Hisoka, Xiang Nan—and Manman—were left in the room.

The atmosphere felt eerie.

The First Phase was still under way; even though its content had changed, it had not yet ended, so both Xiang Nan and Hisoka still retained their qualification.

"We'll settle our fight later. Right now there's a more pressing problem—and I need you to handle it."

Xiang Nan stared at Hisoka, voice icy.

Hisoka shook his head: clearly unwilling.

He wanted to continue…

"I told you, I can open a gate to an orchard full of 'fruit.' You really don't want that?"

Hisoka's eyes flickered at the words.

After making sure no one else was nearby, Xiang Nan activated his Nen and walked toward Hisoka. "Much as I hate to, the situation leaves me no choice but to heal your injuries first. Take off whatever you're using to cover your face."

Wearing white gloves, Xiang Nan laid a hand on Hisoka's cheek to assess the damage.

Hisoka made no defensive move.

"Heh… Aren't you afraid I'll use my Nen to kill you on the spot?" Xiang Nan sneered.

Apparently Hisoka wasn't worried at all.

Nen of the Transmutation type flared from Xiang Nan's hand; the white glove turned red—his "surgical mode."

In just a few minutes, using his ability "Hands of Love," Xiang Nan set to work. The injuries were never life‑threatening, and soon Hisoka was as good as new: jaw reattached, broken fingers reset, shattered facial bones mended, stitched wounds leaving scarcely a scar—and, above all, the procedure was painless.

Almost enjoyable.

The dried blood on Hisoka's face, however, was still there.

Even Hisoka could not help but marvel at such Nen. His gaze on Xiang Nan practically glowed green.

Xiang Nan didn't mind revealing some of his ability; for now, thanks to this clash, Hisoka's threat level had become "manageable," and he had gauged Hisoka's strength.

"To experience medical artistry of this caliber… I truly am honored," Hisoka said the moment he could speak again, eyes smiling.

"Time is short. I don't have the luxury to trade barbs with you. I'll explain the situation briefly—then you're coming with me."

Xiang Nan's face was expressionless.

"You need my help?" Hisoka smiled wider. "If it's you asking, I'd be happy to oblige. Call it repayment for the favor."

"Help? Don't flatter yourself," Xiang Nan said flatly. "I just want to give a pervert like you somewhere to vent so you won't disgust me here."

"By the 'orchard gate,' you mean those Nameless Town people of yours, yes?" Hisoka sounded a bit bored. "So far you're the first—and only—'fruit' that's piqued my interest. As for the rest…"

Clearly, he looked down on the player crowd.

"The situation among the Nameless is far more complicated than you think," Xiang Nan said gravely. "The enemies in Zaban City this time are Nameless like me, but their motives—and the threat they pose to this world—are different…"

Because players could not reveal the existence or rules of the System, he had to couch the explanation in a makeshift story.

"Oh?" Hisoka's boredom lessened.

"Come on. I'll let you meet… the other fruit."

"You'll thank me for this."

~~~

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