Aftermath

The large airship of the Hunter Association descended slowly, casting its shadow over the ruined exam site. The wreckage from the clash still smouldered, and the ground was torn apart from the overwhelming power that had just been unleashed. The airship doors slid open, and a team of medics in white uniforms hurried out, making their way to the broken body of Buhara. They carefully lifted him onto a stretcher, his frail, withered form barely recognizable as the hulking figure he had once been. Menchi, her face pale with worry and exhaustion, followed close behind, still shaken by the battle.

As the medics moved Buhara and Menchi into the airship, a small figure appeared on the platform. He was a dwarf-sized hunter with a green, skin-tight mask covering his entire head. His name was Beans, an administrator for the Hunter Association. He stepped forward with a clipboard in hand, his voice cutting through the tense silence of the remaining participants.

"Attention, everyone," Beans announced, his tone formal yet firm. "With the conditions of the fight accepted by both examiners, I am pleased to inform you that all 194 applicants have successfully passed the second phase of the Hunter Exam. You may now proceed to board the airship for the next phase."

A wave of relief washed over the group, but it was quickly drowned out by the unease still hanging in the air. The true impact of what had just occurred between Gojo and Buhara was far from forgotten. Every eye in the crowd turned to Gojo, who stood calmly in the centre of the destruction, completely untouched by the chaos he had created.

Gojo chuckled to himself, turning slightly to glance at the others. "Isn't this just great?" he said, his voice light and amused. But his laughter didn't ease the tension—it only made the others feel more unsettled.

The mood among the participants had shifted. The raw, overwhelming power Gojo had displayed had shaken everyone, even the secret Nen users hidden among them. Many of them realized at that moment that they would stand no chance against someone like him, not even in their wildest dreams.

Hisoka, standing off to the side, licked his lips in excitement, but even he couldn't deny the change in his own perception. He had called Gojo an "unripe fruit" earlier in the day, but now? Now he wasn't so sure. Hisoka's smile remained, but there was something darker beneath it—a realization that this man was far beyond his initial expectations.

Nearby, Gon, Kurapika, Leorio, Anita, and Killua stood in stunned silence. Anita was the first to break the quiet, her voice filled with confusion. "Who is this guy, really?" she asked, her eyes wide as she looked at Kurapika.

Kurapika shook his head slowly. "I have no idea. We just travelled here together, but..." He trailed off, still unable to believe the monstrous power Gojo had displayed.

Killua, slightly more composed than the others, crossed his arms and smirked. "He's strong. Stronger than a lot of people in my family," he said, though his tone held a note of caution.

Gon, as always, was full of wonder. "Do you think he's stronger than Kite?" he asked, his voice filled with awe.

Killua glanced at Gon, his eyes narrowing slightly. "I don't know who Kite is, Gon. But that's what makes it exciting."

Leorio, still catching his breath after everything he'd seen, muttered under his breath. "Exciting? This guy's on a whole other level…"

As the participants began to board the airship, the unease among them only grew. Gojo's display of power had left an indelible mark on them, and many couldn't shake the feeling that something fundamental had changed. Even though they had passed the second phase, it didn't feel like a victory. It felt like they had just witnessed something far beyond their understanding—a glimpse of power they couldn't hope to match.

As the participants boarded the airship, a thick tension filled the atmosphere. Everyone had seen what Gojo was capable of, and none of them wanted to be too close to him, but the narrow confines of the boarding ramp and the crowded interior made it impossible to maintain much distance. Those nearest to Gojo shuffled uncomfortably, trying not to draw his attention as he casually walked among them, completely unbothered by the space—or lack thereof.

Once inside, Beans stood on a raised platform near the entrance, holding his clipboard as he addressed the group. "Now that you're all on board," he began, his voice clear and formal, "you should know that it will take us about two days to reach the next phase destination of the Hunter Exam."

He paused for a moment to let the information sink in. "Until then, you'll need to accommodate yourselves on the airship. If anyone feels like this is too much for them, or they want to call it quits..." Beans gestured towards the door behind him. "You're free to jump off at any time. Of course, I wouldn't recommend it."

A few uneasy chuckles rippled through the crowd, but most remained silent, focused on Beans.

"For those of you staying," Beans continued, "you don't need to worry. The ship is equipped with vending meal machines, toilets, and enough space to rest. But it's up to you to find your own accommodations. We aren't exactly a luxury cruise, so don't expect too much." He adjusted his mask slightly, then nodded. "That's all. Feel free to explore the ship. Good luck."

The participants began to disperse, their conversations filled with exhaustion and whispers of what they'd just witnessed. Everyone seemed to make a collective effort to avoid Gojo, even in the crowded space, though it was nearly impossible given how tight the corridors were. People glanced at him out of the corners of their eyes, some too scared to look directly at him.

Gon, Kurapika, Leorio, and the others kept their distance as well. Kurapika, ever cautious, guided the group to the side as they made their way further into the ship, hoping to stay out of Gojo's line of sight.

Gojo, however, was entirely uninterested in the discomfort he caused. His Six Eyes activated, scanning the architecture and design of the ship with precision. He could see the entire layout in his mind, predicting where the best spaces for rest and privacy would be. Every corridor, every room, every inch of the airship was mapped out clearly in his head.

With a calm and deliberate stride, Gojo moved away from the crowd, weaving through the ship's narrow hallways with ease. He didn't need to search; he already knew where he was going. While the others bumbled about, trying to find a place to sit or stretch out on the floor, Gojo headed straight to one of the guest rooms deeper within the ship. It was modest, but it had a bed and an attached bathroom—far more comfortable than what the rest of the applicants would be dealing with.

As he reached the door, Gojo glanced back down the hallway, where the others were still milling about. A slight smirk played on his lips. "It pays to be prepared," he muttered to himself.

He opened the door to the room, stepped inside, and closed it behind him. The quiet inside the room was a stark contrast to the chaos outside, and Gojo appreciated the silence. He stretched lazily before settling onto the bed, his eyes glowing faintly as he stared at the ceiling.

"I guess I'll relax until we get to the next phase," Gojo mused, folding his arms behind his head.

Outside the room, the rest of the participants struggled to find their spots in the cramped, uncomfortable space of the airship's main hall. They might've passed the second phase, but it was clear that the road ahead wasn't going to get any easier—especially with someone like Gojo sharing the same space.

Kurapika, Leorio, and Anita found a room that was less cramped than the others, a small space with bare walls and dim lighting. Despite the uncomfortable conditions, it was a welcome break from the crowded chaos of the airship's main hall. Exhausted from the trials of the previous phase, they quickly settled into rest.

Leorio stretched out against the wall, his voice heavy with fatigue. "I don't care what happens next. I'm sleeping. Wake me up when we land."

Kurapika leaned back as well, his usual alertness dulled by exhaustion. Anita, too tired to worry about finding her own spot, rested her head on his shoulder without a second thought. Kurapika allowed it, his eyes closing as he sighed, his arms crossed over his chest. Sleep was a luxury they couldn't afford to pass up.

Just as the room began to quiet down, Tonpa appeared at the doorway, his usual smug grin plastered on his face. He took a few steps inside, glancing at the trio with interest. His gaze lingered on Anita and Kurapika, a sneaky look crossing his face.

"You guys shouldn't be sleeping right now," Tonpa said in a sing-song voice, his hands behind his back. "Who knows? There could be a surprise phase or some kind of test on this airship. You don't want to be caught off guard, right?"

Leorio groaned, not bothering to open his eyes. "I don't care if there's a surprise. I'm sleeping."

Tonpa's grin faltered slightly as he looked at Kurapika and Anita, both already asleep, Anita's head resting peacefully on Kurapika's shoulder. The sight irritated him. He had hoped to keep them on edge, maybe even too tired to function properly for the next phase. His frustration grew as he watched them ignore him.

He considered trying something—maybe shaking them awake or making noise to keep them up—but just as he moved to step closer, a low voice cut through the air.

"Hey, you."

Tonpa froze, turning toward the source of the voice. A veteran examinee, resting against the wall nearby, had his eyes fixed on Tonpa. His weathered face looked unimpressed, and there was an unmistakable edge to his tone.

"If you even think about messing with them, you're going to regret it," the veteran said, his voice as cold as ice.

Tonpa blinked, taken aback. "W-what? I'm not doing anything!"

The veteran, his arms crossed and his demeanour far from friendly, slowly stood up. "I know you and your type. Always looking for a cheap way to mess with other's performance. But if you pull any of your stunts in this room…" He gestured to the open airship door behind him. "You'll be flying off this ship faster than you can say 'Hunter Exam.'"

Tonpa swallowed hard, the colour draining from his face. The veteran's size and the cold certainty in his voice left no room for argument. "Alright, alright," Tonpa muttered, backing away slowly. "I was just giving them a heads-up. No need to get hostile."

The veteran took a step closer, looming over Tonpa. "Leave. Now."

Tonpa didn't need to be told twice. With a nervous glance at the sleeping trio, he scurried out of the room, muttering curses under his breath as he disappeared down the hallway.

The veteran shook his head, muttering to himself as he returned to his spot. "Sleazy bastard…"

With the tension finally gone, the room returned to its quiet state, the hum of the airship barely audible as it glided through the clouds. Leorio yawned and shifted to get more comfortable, pulling his coat over himself like a blanket.

Kurapika and Anita remained asleep, leaning against each other, while Leorio's soft snores soon filled the room. The veteran kept watch from his corner, ensuring no more interruptions as the group rested. The airship sailed steadily through the night, carrying them ever closer to the next phase of the exam.

Not far away, Gon and Killua dashed through the hallways of the airship, their footsteps light as they explored every nook and cranny. Gon, always full of energy, led the way, his wide eyes taking in everything around him with wonder. As they passed a large window, he stopped abruptly, his attention drawn outside.

"Whoa!" Gon exclaimed, pressing his face against the glass. "Look at the clouds! They're so close!" His eyes sparkled with awe as he gazed out at the dark clouds illuminated by the ship's lights. "I've never seen them like this before… and I've never been on an airship either!"

Killua stood beside him, hands casually in his pockets, looking at the clouds with far less enthusiasm. "It's nothing special. My family has a bunch of private planes. We fly all the time."

Gon turned to him, his eyes bright. "Really? That's so cool! What does your family even do?"

Killua hesitated for a second, then shrugged. "We're assassins."

Gon's expression didn't falter. Instead, he smiled wider. "That's cool, too!"

Killua blinked, surprised. "Wait, what? You think that's cool?"

Gon laughed and scratched the back of his head. "Yeah, why not? Everything's natural, right? People do what they do."

Killua stared at him, bewildered. "You're a weird guy, you know that?"

Gon just grinned and nodded. "Maybe! But you're strange, too, so we'll get along."

A small smile tugged at the corner of Killua's mouth. He liked Gon's straightforwardness. "Yeah, I guess you're right."

Gon shifted his gaze back outside, watching the lights flicker against the clouds. "Hey, Killua, since you know more about this kind of stuff than I do… what do you think about Gojo's power? I've never seen anything like it before."

Killua leaned back against the window frame, thinking for a moment. "It's definitely something. My family… well, we've got people with powers like that, too. They call it 'Nen.'"

He was about to explain further when something strange happened. A sharp shock ran through his head, a sudden and inexplicable blankness. He frowned, rubbing his temple as the words seemed to vanish from his mind.

"What was I talking about…?" Killua muttered, confused. It felt like something important had slipped away, but he couldn't grasp it.

Gon tilted his head. "Nen? What's that?"

Killua blinked, then shook his head as if shaking off the strange sensation. "I don't know… never mind that. It's not important right now."

Gon, noticing Killua's sudden shift, didn't push further. "Okay. We can talk about it later."

Killua forced a smile, trying to brush off the odd feeling. "Yeah, let's focus on the airship for now. Maybe we'll find something interesting."

In another part of the ship, Hisoka leaned against the door, a crooked smile on his face as he carefully stacked cards, one atop another, forming a delicate house. The ship swayed slightly, and with it, the tower of cards collapsed into a scattered heap at his feet.

For a moment, he stood still, eyes flickering down to the mess. Then, a low, soft laugh began to bubble from his throat, growing louder until it echoed throughout the corridor. Hisoka's amusement at the chaos was palpable.

Two men walking by the caught sight of him heard the unsettling laughter, and quickly reversed direction, fear evident in their eyes. Hisoka, unbothered, continued to lean against the door, picking up a single card and twirling it between his fingers, savouring the moment.

From the other side of the door, a cold, soft voice whispered through, barely audible but carrying a weight of icy authority.

"Hisoka... your little playtime is becoming a distraction. Don't forget why we're here."

Hisoka's smile deepened, his eyes half-lidded in amusement. "Playtime?" he mused, his voice dripping with playful mockery. "Aren't we all here for a bit of personal fun? Don't tell me you're just here for the mission."

A silence followed the tension thickening in the air. Then the voice responded, soft as a breath yet cold enough to freeze the spine. "True... But I know when to keep my distractions in check. You, however, seem to forget what happens when personal interests interfere."

Hisoka's eyes gleamed with excitement, his smile becoming more twisted. He let the card fall from his fingers, fluttering to the floor. "Oh? You'd take action against me? Now that's something I'd like to see..."

The voice lingered for a moment longer, the chill of it hanging in the air like a warning. "I would be terminating your toys if need be. Don't make me."

And then, it was gone. Hisoka's laughter returned, softer this time, as he bent down to gather the fallen cards, utterly unfazed by the threat.

"Such fun," he whispered to himself, his grin never fading.