Number 1

A few days had passed since their test, the applicants who had failed the captain's test had already been kicked off the ship. Many of them gave hate filled glares to Mary and the rest, while one had even tried to kill Mary in his rage.

——————

One day prior

"You're telling me a little girl like her is stronger than me?!" Swinging his sword down he was met with a strong resistance from Mary's reinforced steel wire.

"You failed the exam, now leave." She said with a threatening voice.

"Hey is it me or is something different about Mary? She seems, stronger." Whispered Leorio to Kurapika.

"I guess so, ever since she's started to wear that eyepatch over her right eye she's changed quite a bit. Though maybe it's for the best, if the failures act like this it's a warning for what's to come."

"Hey Mary! When did you change your hair color?" Asked Gon with clear curiosity in his voice."

Seeming to regain her senses she turned away from Gon and the rest. "I-I've been thinking of changing my hairstyle!" Answered Mary as the blonde color receded into just highlighting the tips of her hair.

———————

The large ship had just pulled into Dolle Harbor, the beginning of their new adventure, the hunter exam. Or so they thought. As the group left the ship the captain had pulled Gon aside for an unknown reason as Mary, Leorio, and Kurapika stood idly by the city map.

"Zaban city is over here to the east, and the bus leads directly to it, I'd say getting to the exam is going to be a cinch." Said Leorio.

"W-well there is no way it's that simple right? It's the hunter exam, it can't be that easy to get to the venue considering how the Captain tested us." Said Mary.

"Yes, but looking at it this way, the examiners will probably know our train of thought, they could be using our own reasoning against us." Said Kurapika.

"B-but with that same logic, couldn't you also reason that they could just be misleading us into thinking that they are misleading us."

"Yes, when you look at it that way it doesn't end."

"Hey guys! The captain told me a shortcut to the exam site! He said to make our way over to the big cedar tree at the top of that hill over there." Said Gon with excitement in his voice.

"That's strange, according to the notice I was given we need to go here." Leorio said while pointing to the map. "That cedar tree is in the opposite direction."

"Perhaps you misheard him?" Asked Kurapika.

"No, he told me to head toward that cedar tree." Answered Gon.

"I see."

"And this notice isn't any help!" Said Leorio angrily. "Where exactly In Zaban City are we meant to go?"

"W-well Leorio If we're going to become hunters wouldn't we need to be able to find places with very little information? Now, with the information Gon has given us its very likely that the bus is just a red herring. P-plus considering how amiable the captain was towards Gon, it's unlikely that he'd lead him astray. Even more so considering how he only pulled Gon aside."

"Anyway I'll go have a look. The captain must have had a reason to suggest that." Said Gon While beginning to walk away.

"W-Wait for me Gon!" Said Mary while running.

"Hey are you guys serious? The bus to Zaban City is about to leave! We should just take it! Hey!"

All the while the two were continuing to walk away.

"Man... those two have got to learn that you can't trust everyone." Whispered Leorio to Kurapika. Unfortunately for Leorio Kurapika also began to walk away. "Hey! Kurapika!"

"Considering What Mary said its more reasonable to go with them, that and Gon's behavior interests me more than the captain's advice. I'd also like to know how Mary's hair keeps changing colors without the presence of any sort of dyes. So I'm going with them."

"Oh, is that so? See ya. Wasn't very long, but nice knowing you."

Moments later as Mary and the rest continued their way to the cedar tree they heard a voice from behind.

"Guys wait for me!"

———————

The group had walked for quite awhile and before them was what looked like a ghost town. With filthy roads, boarded up homes, and a crow with its incessant cawing. On the way over Mary and Gon were having fun talking while Kurapika mentally prepared himself for what's to come. Leorio however, was constantly saying why he decided to join them after he left them. Saying things like "you know I just thought you guys would get lonely without me." Despite everyone, except for maybe Gon, knowing he was just trying to hide his embarrassment.

"What a creepy place... I don't see a single soul around."said Leorio.

"No, there are lots of people around." Responded Gon.

"What?" Asked Leorio.

As if on cue the rusty doors to what looked to be a workshop slid open. What looked to be a large wooden bench with a wall rolled out. On it were seven people. An old woman with a lilac robe like garment sat in the middle, while three individuals with white robes and masks with black hollow eyes stood to her left and right. What made this an interesting sight was the instruments the white robed individuals had, excluding the one with a black bird to the old woman's left.

The four stood in shock at the almost comical display before them, and before they could regain their thoughts the old woman began to speak.

"Exciting..." she began.

"E-exciting?" Stuttered Leorio.

"Exciting..." she began once more.

Swallowing his unease Leorio Asked once more, "Exciting?"

"Time for the exciting two choice quiz!" She Shouted as the individuals began to play some fanfare.

The four were so surprised their expressions turned as blank as a newly bought canvas.

"You all are headed for that lone cedar tree on the hill, correct?" Asked the old lady. "To reach that tree. You must pass through this town. I will ask a single question."

"H-hold on!" Leorio objected. "What's going on here?"

"It's another test before we reach the exam." Said Mary before turning to the old woman. "Right?"

Ignoring the two the old woman continued, "you'll have five seconds to answer. Answer incorrectly and you'll be disqualified. You'll have to give up on taking this year's Hunter Exam."

"I see... so Mary was right." Reasoned Kurapika.

"I see how it is. I happen to be a quiz expert." Said Leorio smugly. "Wait! Only one question?!"

"You're answer will be either one or two. Any other answer will be considered incorrect."

"Hold on! All four of us share one question?" Asked Leorio worriedly, "So if one of them answers incorrectly. I'm disqualified too?"

"Unlikely, it's more likely that you will make a mistake." Said Kurapika.

"What was that?" Asked Leorio with irritation clear in his voice.

"But you know... this way is easier, since only one of us needs to know the answer. I'm not good at quizzes. Plus we have Mary with us! She was able to figure out that the captain was screening us in just the short time we had met him." Cheerfully said Gon.

"T-thank you for believing in me, Gon!" Mary said with a smile on her face, with all the blonde hair that had remained disappearing.

"I suppose..." said Kurapika.

"Fair point." Said Leorio.

From behind them a voice sounded, "Hey, there. Hurry it up. Or else I'll answer the question first."

"Who are you?" Asked Leorio.

In sync both Mary and Gon said respectively, "H-he/he followed us here from the port."

"Huh? Seriously?" Asked Leorio.

"Sorry kid, I just happened to overhear your conversation." He said with his nasally voice.

"What will you do?" Asked the old woman.

"He seems eager to take it." Leorio said while pointing to the man." We should let him take it. That way we'll know what kind of question to expect."

"I don't mind."

"I have no objections"

"S-sure!"

"Then I'll get to it." He said while walking to a newly placed wooden stand with a button on top.

Mary whispered over to Gon, "Hey Gon you can see that he has traps too right? If he ends up getting the question right he may jeopardize our chances of getting to the cedar first."

Before Gon could respond the old woman asked her question, "Here is your question. Rogues have captured your mother and your lover. You may only rescue one. Answer one for your mother or two for your lover. Who will you save?"

The four were shocked.

"How is this even a quiz?!" Asked Leorio.

The man who was answering the question didn't even a second before he answered. "The answer is one."

"Oh? Why do you say that?"

"Because you can't replace your mother. But you can find another lover."

"What?" Asked Leorio.

The bird on the individual to the woman's left cawed before she told the man, "You may pass."

"What!" Yelled Leorio.