Chapter 25: PonzuxFourth

I step toward a rock on the ground releasing malicious Ren at the snakes stunning them with fear, the sight of the snakes slithering from Bourbon's cloak and the cave walls sends a wave of disgust through me so slimy and ew. My eyes dart around, locking on the glowing lantern hanging in front of him. I grab the rock and flick it, aiming straight for the center. The impact shatters the glass, plunging us into pitch-black darkness. The sudden switch to darkness makes Ponzu scream, a sharp sound of panic in the silence.

As she screams, I waste no time. A shadow forms around Ponzu, creating a protective barrier keeping her bees from attacking in the chaos. Another tendril shoots out, wrapping around Bourbon's badge and stealing it before, crushing his body in shadows along with the wall behind him. Then, I focus on the other walls. I press down with a lot of strength, shattering the cave, and driving the snakes into the rock until they are all dead with no place to hide just a smooth cave.

When it's over, I release the shadows. The cave trembles violently, rocks and pebbles raining down from above. I can feel the collapse coming, and just as a rock almost hits Leorio in the head a shadow dome surrounds us, and I start reinforcing it with Shu as the tremors escalate. When the shaking finally stops, I let the dome drop, light flooding back into the space, blinding us all for a moment.

I blink rapidly, adjusting, and survey the scene. The silence feels thick, the air heavy with disbelief. Then, Leorio's voice rips through it, full of confusion and awe.

"WHAT THE HELL JUST HAPPENED?!" His eyes dart around, taking in the wreckage. "We were just in a cave, and now we're... out here?! What did you do? What just happened?!"

Gon's buzzing with excitement, his voice wide-eyed. "That was amazing! You made the whole cave collapse on itself! And then BAM! We're outside and the cave is gone!"

I try not to grin at Gon's enthusiasm, but it's hard to keep my face neutral. "It didn't just disappear Gon." I saw in what I hope is a deadpan tone looking around at the mess I caused rubble all over the ground from the cave's collapse.

Kurapika steps forward, eyes sharp, his gaze cutting through the tension. "You didn't just make it fall apart. You controlled it. We weren't hit by anything, even though we were all in there. How?" he observes, his tone calm but probing.

I take a breath, the weight of it settling in. "I'll explain after the Hunter Exam," I say, though a flicker of uncertainty nags at me. "Also, Ponzu, here's your trade."

Ponzu's voice is quieter than usual, still shaken. "I... I was so scared. One minute, I'm surrounded by snakes, and everything's dark. The next... everything's gone. It's like you controlled the whole cave." Her eyes are wide, still struggling to process. "But... how?"

I glance at her, shaking my head slightly. "I'll explain later."

Killua, who's been quiet until now, turns to me, his eyes intense, almost challenging. His gaze locks on mine, and my heart picks up pace. "That whole time, I felt an aura... like the one around my older brother. What was that?"

I meet his eyes, sensing the undercurrent of anger and confusion beneath his calm exterior. "You'll know when the time's right," I say, my voice unwavering.

Leorio mutters, still in disbelief. "Yeah, but that was... crazy. One minute we're in a cave, the next... we're outside, and it's all around us. I can't even begin to figure out how you did that."

Hanzo's calm voice slices through the disarray. "It was... efficient. But dangerous," he comments, his tone steady, though there's a glint of something excitement. He leans closer, lowering his voice. "I tried using the concept of that En technique when everything went dark... and I think I felt your aura. Did you make a Nen barrier around us?"

I meet his gaze, nodding. "Something like that. I'll show you later."

Ponzu, still trying to make sense of everything, looks at me, her expression softer now, tinged with gratitude. "Thank you... for protecting me and my bees," she says, her voice quiet but sincere. "I wasn't sure what was happening, but I'm glad you got us out without anyone getting hurt."

I nod in acknowledgment, but it feels heavy. I can tell they're looking at me differently now. It's not just awe in their eyes anymore. It's something else respect, maybe. They see me as someone capable of things they don't fully understand, and maybe that's a good thing. Ponzu definitely sees me differently now, and while the others aren't as visibly shaken some from seeing me control shadows already and one form knowing of Nen, I know they're processing this in their own way.

The air is thick with unspoken thoughts, but we've made it out. The snakes are dead, the cave is a heap of rubble, and we're safe.

"Let's go," I say, breaking the silence. "The danger's passed, but we can't stay here. The commotion may wake a sleeping beast."

They nod, and I can feel their eyes on me. They don't need to ask questions. They get it. We've survived the trap, and now they know when I'm around there's almost nothing to fear.

As we start walking, I feel their gazes following me each of them, watching closely.

It's been a day, and we've finally reached the starting point. While we wait, we hunt and talk. We spot Shishito, applicant number 89, trying to ambush anyone who approaches to collect points. He doesn't stand a chance, and Ponzu takes him down easily with her Neurotoxin bees, adding another badge to Ponzu's tally. Everyone has six points now.

The boat finally arrives, and Khara checks our badges, making sure each of us has six points ending off the fourth exam with 12 examenees. We board the boat and wait for what is bound to be in store for the 5th and hopefully final exam.