Screening X Passed

As the boat drifted away, Veld turned around and moved his gaze around the ship. Tough and vicious-looking men and women were sitting around, brooding and scowling. 'Are they trying to act tough? Hahaha, they won't last long at all. It should be only Kurapika and Leorio that pass this screening.'

I found an open space to sit down as all of the crates were taken by others. I felt many gazes, obviously the other applicants sizing me up. I didn't care; they wouldn't even make it to the port, let alone the exam site. These guys are all cliche-like, smirking and smug, holding their weapons out like typical thugs. 'The hell? Do they really think they're intimidating?' "Hahahaha," I couldn't help but laugh out loud at the absurdity of the situation.

"Hey, punk, what're you laughing at, huh?!"

'Wow, really trying to be as cliche as possible, huh. Rather, I'd say it's more accurate that it's cliche to me. It might be normal in Hunter x Hunter. Eh, why waste time with these hooligans.' "Hmm? Nothing, just thought of something funny."

"Heheh, looks like we scared him."

For a moment, I was tempted to show them not to mess with me, but I decided against it. Being riled up by cannon-fodder is a sign of low control, which is something I look down on. I had already judged the strength of the weaklings, and they're just that. Weaklings.

As I walked around, I came across a railing and looked down, seeing Katsuo being bullied by two sailors. 'Hmm. I can use this to make a good impression on the captain, increasing the chances of passing the screening. I've no wish to participate in a further test. I believe in the anime the captain mentioned that he had another test, but the way the original trio handled the crises made him decide to simply pass them.'

"At this rate, you'll never make a decent sailor," one of them said as he kicked Katsuo in the back, causing him to flip over the crate and face-plant onto the deck.

The other sailor said, "Why are you flipped over?" causing those who saw the scene to laugh, except Veld and the captain, who slammed the door open.

"Hey losers! Don't slack off!"

"Y-yes, sir!"

Katsuo picked the apples up but unfortunately missed one. "Didn't you hear me? Get to it!" the captain said. Katsuo was about to scamper off with the crate of apples, but Veld said, "Wait a second, you missed one!" Veld threw the apple into the crate.

"Thank you!"

'Eh, since I'm half-way done, might as well finish copying what Gon said, thus increasing the favorability of the captain. After all, this method has already been walked, and it works. Why should I try something riskier?'

I looked up, sniffing. "A storm is coming."

The captain reacted, a little surprised, "How do you know?"

"That's what the seagulls are saying. Plus..." Veld breathed in for several seconds and said, "I can smell it." Now, the second part isn't inaccurate, he could smell it. In fact, right before the rain, there's always more moisture in the air, which can be detected, especially when smelling the air. Veld, like Gon, had spent a great deal of time in nature. In fact, Veld actually lived inside a cave, away from civilization for 8 years... it would be quite accurate to say that Veld is more attuned to nature than Gon was.

'This boy... it seems he might just be hunter material!' thought the captain.

...

A storm was raging on, and tumultuous waves crashed against the ship. Unlike Veld's small sailboat, this ship was much more sturdy. Not to mention, it had a qualified captain.

*Boom* *Crack* *Flash*

Lightning struck every few seconds, allowing those on board to see out into the ocean. The waves were so large that they rocked the boat back and forth, causing those of weak strength to be tossed about, dizzying them.

The captain muttered to himself, "Heheheh. The fun's about to begin." Not too far away, a wall of water could be seen... it was a tsunami. Somehow, the captain made the ship climb the waterfall, exclaiming, "Let's fly!"

'Perfect opportunity!' I thought. I quickly activated Zetsu and opened the cabin in which Kurapika was in. He was currently in the air, falling back against the wall. Pieces of wood were flying here and there. 'Thankfully, I had already prepared [senbon 0]'s activation conditions and orders':

|=> "Uncle Sam Says"

[Senbon 0]

Activation conditions:

- Kurapika hears the phrase "Execute Order 66" and

- Kurapika has killed Uvogin

Orders:

- Devise a plan to "help" Hisoka fight Chrollo and convince Hisoka to comply with it, such that the next two orders may occur

- Instigate Hisoka to help attack Shalnark and kill him

- Allow Kurapika and Hisoka to be captured in a way that does not arouse suspicion <=|

I threw [senbon 0] and applied In on it in order to reduce the chances that Kurapika would detect my attack. I had tested throwing my [senbon 1] at Gon, and he detected it and even reacted, albeit not in time. Regardless, I had wanted to test and determine if those with great potential would be able to sense my Nen attack without In. Of course, I did so under the knowledge that I would be able to succeed even if my first attempt had been unsuccessful. After all, our strengths were a world a part. This time, however, I wanted to have the highest chance of success; I even applied the rest of the neurotoxin I had, which was twice the amount I had used on the [Parasitic Senbon] that pierced Gon.

Right behind [senbon 0] was a splinter of wood aimed at the same spot on his neck. After the [senbon] drew blood, the neurotoxin activated, preventing Kurapika from sensing that, after the initial prick, something wriggled its way up his neck as well as a piece of wood piercing the same spot that the [senbon] had entered.

Kurapika's hand quickly touched the area on his neck in which he had been wounded, realizing that there was a splinter in his neck. However, he also noticed that, while his had could feel his neck, his neck couldn't feel his hand. "Poison?! Who!" Kurapika searched fruitlessly for an enemy that had already disappeared from the cabin.

...

The storm had somewhat calmed down, although turbulent waves still splashed against the boat. "Those waves weren't much. Sailor, take the helm," said the captain who was leaving the cabin to check on the Hunter Exam applicants.

"Lousy crew," he muttered. He approached the cabin in which the Hunter Exam applicants were staying. "Heh, none of them can stand. Pathetic. Oi, come mark these failures down!"

"'scuse me!" Veld said, squeezing past the captain. He made his way over to an empty spot and lay down to rest.

"Phew, this is one sour apple!"

'Oh?' The captain scanned the room, finding two more individuals who were unaffected. 'It seems that there are a few decent brats.'

...

In the captain's cabin, a sailor was at the helm, and the captain and Katsuo, who had a clipboard, stood nearby. They faced three juveniles, coincidentally standing in order based on height. Leorio, then Kurapika, then Veld. Leorio was closest to the door.

"What are your names?"

"My name is Veld!"

"Kurapika."

"I'm Leorio."

The captain asked, "Why do you want to become hunters?" to which Leorio responded, "Hey, if you're not the examiner, you can't force us to tell you!"

"Just answer the question!" the captain replied.

Veld answered, "A hunter's license will make things more convenient for me to do all kinds of things. I'm not really interested in anything specific," as he knew that the captain had the right to decide whether or not he would attend the 287th Hunter Exam.

"Hey, kid! Why'd you answer his question?"

"Why not?"

"Not a team player, eh? I just don't want to say why I'm here!"

"I agree with Leorio," Kurapika added.

"Hey! Aren't you younger than I am? Show some respect! It's Le-"

"It's quite simple to avoid answering questions by giving a plausible lie."

"Hey! Aren't you listening to me?"

"However, it's rather shameful to use deceit, and I do not wish to reveal my deepest secrets. Therefore, I shall not answer your question."

"Hey, don't ignore me!"

The captain said, "So, you two refuse to answer my question. Katsuo."

"Yes, captain?"

"Inform the examination board that we have two more dropouts."

"Eh?" Leorio and Kurapika said together, stunned. Leorio proceeded to say, "What do you mean?"

"The Hunter Exam has already begun."

"What?!"

"Do you think that the examiners have the time to assess all of the hunter applicants? There are millions every year, so no, they don't. They hire people like me to screen out the undesirables. Basically, it's my call as to whether or not you may proceed to the main exam."

After a short pause, Kurapika relented. "I am the last member of the Kurta clan. Four years ago, it was obliterated by the Phantom Troupe. I wish to become a hunter to hunt them down for vengeance!"

"So you want to become a bounty hunter? They're an A-class bounty, and not even the most experienced hunters can touch them."

"I do not fear death. I only fear that my rage will diminish."

Leorio, still pissed off by Kurapika, said smugly, "So, you're looking for revenge. Do you really need to become a hunter for that?"

"That may be the most stupid question I have heard in quite a while, Leorio."

"It's Leorio-SAN!"

"Places accessible only to hunters, information otherwise unobtainable, and actions otherwise impossible are only a few reasons for me to become a hunter, though I'm sure your brain is incapable of comprehending it."

While Leorio was fuming, Veld said, "Leorio-san, why do you want to become a hunter?"

"Me? I'll make it short! MONEY! Money can get you everything! A mansion, an expensive car, good liquor!"

"Except class," Kurapika retorted.

"That's the third time," Leorio spat, his face darkening. He began walking outside, adding, "Follow me outside. I'll end the filthy Kurta bloodline here and now."

"Take that back! Leorio!"

"That's Leorio-san to you."

Kurapika followed him out, causing the captain to say, "Hey, I'm not done yet! Get back here!"

"Just let them go. Sometimes, problems can only be resolved after a fight."

Just as the captain fell into thought, the storm picked up, a cyclone forming. "Captain! L-look! A cyclone! If the ship gets hit by that, we'll be goners!"

"Raise the sails, now!"

"I'll help!" Veld responded, clear as to the events that will occur.

...

As Veld and the sailors were furling the sails, Kurapika and Leorio were dialoguing, a large wave bringing water onto the ship.

"Take back what you said, and I'll forgive you, Leorio!"

"How many times must I repeat myself?! It's Leorio-SAN!" Leorio whipped out a butterfly knife and said, "I won't back down!"

"Then I have no choice." Kurapika also took out his own weapons, which were made of wood.

Just as they were about to charge at each other, Katsuo was swept up by the cyclone, flying off the ship. Veld chased after him immediately, prepared. 'Although I could reach him in time, I'd rather the events closely follow cannon... not for them to work it out, but to improve the captain's impression of me and the other two, thus making him decide to drop us off at the nearest port to the exam site.'

Kurapika and Leorio reacted quickly, attempting to grab on to Katsuo. However, they missed by just a few inches. "Dammit!" They cursed, only to be shocked at the sight of Veld leaping over the railing of the ship to catch Katsuo. Seeing a chance to save them both, they each took one of Veld's legs and hauled them up.

...

After the storm had ended.

"Idiot, you could've died!"

"Kurapika's right, if we didn't catch you, you would've been shark bait!"

Veld responded, "Considering the fact that the both of you have already shown tenacity and quick response time, added to the fact that you were within arm's reach of me, I had calculated that you would have been able to catch us. Lastly, I am quite confident in my ability to survive such a storm... I had already done so just two weeks ago."

"Still..."

"Veld!" Katsuo yelled, running up to me, "Thank you for saving my life!"

I smiled and responded, "No problem, Katsuo-san. However, I wouldn't have been able to do so without Kurapika and Leorio-san's help!"

Katsuo looked at the other two, bowed, and said, "Thank you very much!"

"No, you don't need to thank me."

"Well... I'm glad you're okay," Leorio said with a slightly embarrassed face. Kurapika, who saw this, decided to apologize, renewing his impression of him.

"I apologize for my rude behavior. Sorry, Leorio-san."

"Urk... I'm also sorry. I take back everything I said... Just call me Leorio. You don't need to add -san."

"No, its okay," Kurapika said.

'If not because I have already decided to kill him, I would choose befriend these two. Although one is high-strung and arrogant, and the other is basic and lacking in tact, they are good friends to have. Shame.'

"Hahahaha. I like you guys! Okay, I'll be sending you three to the port nearest to the exam site!"

Veld asked, "What about your test?" pretending to be confused.

"Like I said, it's my decision to make, and I've decided that you guys pass!"