As the Phantom Troupe made their plans for the Fells family, the Hunter's Trial drew to a close. After more than ten days of rigorous testing, nine exceptional candidates had made it to the final venue. Despite various adjustments to the exam's format, these nine stood head and shoulders above their peers. Unless the rules changed dramatically or someone deliberately sabotaged them, their success was all but assured.
The final candidates included the four protagonists as well as Illumi, Hisoka, Hanzo, Boudreau and Bakuro. Oboro was not surprised by Tonpa's elimination. The matches for the final round were as expected - Hisoka vs. Kurapika would be the first match, followed by Hanzo vs. Gon. Due to the structure of the tournament, Killua would inevitably face Illumi, though the white-haired boy was unaware that his opponent - the man with the spikes sticking out of his head - was his own brother.
Perhaps it was fate. In the original timeline, Killua had returned home after Illumi's "training," only to have Gon and the others come looking for him - an event that had strengthened their friendship. Oboro could have changed the course of events, but he saw no reason to interfere. The matter was of no importance for his own goals. Besides, he knew that the conflict between Killua and Illumi would only intensify after Killua left the Zoldyck family, especially regarding Alluka. This confrontation would only widen the existing rift between them.
Chairman Netero himself attended the final, having been summoned by an earlier phone call. Oboro and the other examiners stood on the sidelines as the referee explained the rules, then the fights began.
The first match between Hisoka and Kurapika ended predictably - with Hisoka winning. Unlike the original timeline, however, Hisoka did not whisper anything in Kurapika's ear after the defeat. Thanks to Oboro's earlier "enlightenment," there was no need.
The second match - Hanzo vs. Gon - began with explosive energy. Both fighters moved as soon as the referee called "Start". Gon took a deep breath and his aura shifted dramatically. His movements became fluid and precise as he dodged Hanzo's attacks with surprising flexibility. Even while dodging, he managed to swing his fishing rod with deadly accuracy, hitting several of Hanzo's vital points.
The boy's speed and reactions defied his age and caught Netero's attention. The chairman chuckled and looked at Oboro. "My, this looks familiar. Your handiwork, I presume?"
"I merely taught him the basics," Oboro replied quietly.
The improvement of Gon's physical abilities was extensive. Even with only the basic breathing techniques, his combat awareness had increased significantly. Hanzo's style remained crisp and economical, focusing on simple but devastating attacks. The sheer force behind his strikes sent ripples of air pressure beyond the boundaries of the arena.
But Gon's eyes never stopped moving, his ears twitching slightly. His heightened senses, sharpened by proper breathing technique, seemed to anticipate Hanzo's movements. For several minutes, they fought to a stalemate.
In the original timeline, Hanzo had dominated Gon almost immediately. While the disparity in their abilities remained obvious, the match now played out differently. However, the fundamental difference in their raw power eventually became apparent.
After several more minutes, exhaustion began to show on Gon's face. His movements slowed and became increasingly sluggish. After another series of desperate dodges, his limbs suddenly went numb. Without Hanzo even landing a blow, Gon collapsed, coughing violently as he struggled to breathe.
Hanzo showed no mercy and rammed his foot into Gon's stomach. The boy spat saliva, his pupils dilating as he collapsed. Then the ninja rammed his heel into Gon's palm. "Give up. You are impressive, but you are not on my level. The state you were in put too much strain on your body. Someone with your experience can't sustain it. I was just waiting for you to burn out."
Oboro raised an eyebrow. Hanzo's insight proved why he was considered an elite, having trained with his ninja clan since childhood.
Although Oboro had anticipated what would follow, it was still interesting to watch it unfold. Gon refused to surrender, displaying his characteristic stubbornness and indomitable will. This display only reinforced everyone's growing impression of the young hunter-to-be, especially Killua, who had only recently befriended him.
In the end, Gon claimed victory through unconsciousness, though his injuries required immediate medical attention. As Hanzo left the arena, he exchanged a few words with Killua.
Then came the main event: Illumi versus Killua.
Seeing Killua's cocky expression as he entered the arena, Oboro couldn't help but smile. "Kil!"
"What?" Killua shot back, his caution barely hiding his irritation.
"This opponent is beyond you. You might lose."
"Huh?" Killua rolled his eyes. "Don't underestimate me. I'm not the same as I was years ago, and I don't need your friendly warnings. We'll settle our accounts eventually - just wait!"
"There's a surprise," Oboro replied meaningfully.
"Stop treating me like a child," Killua pouted.
Both fighters took their positions - Illumi using his alias "Gitturaku" - as the referee prepared to start. Illumi had clearly heard Oboro's warning.
"Killua versus Gitturaku, begin!"
Killua fixed his opponent with a cold stare and prepared to strike. But before he could move, the deformed man spoke: "Killua." The voice froze Killua in his tracks - a voice he knew all too well.
"You never noticed, did you?" As he spoke, Gitturaku began to remove the needles from his face, one by one. His skin wrinkled and shifted, long black hair sprouting as his true features emerged.
The transformation caused a stir among the crowd and the examiners alike.
"Brother," Killua's voice cracked, his face pale as if plunged into ice water.
"Oboro warned you about my identity," Illumi said flatly, raising his hand in greeting. "But you're still so oblivious." His tone remained as casual as their conversations at home.
Killua turned stiffly to Oboro, who only shrugged. The meaning was clear: "I tried to warn you, but you didn't listen.
"I heard you stabbed Mother and Milluki before you ran away."
"Yes."
Everyone could see the change in Killua's demeanor - the primal fear of a mouse cornered by a cat.
"I've been away on missions, so I haven't been home much lately. I don't know everything that's happened," Illumi continued. "Mother cried for quite a while."
As the brothers had their public reunion, Leorio interjected, "Of course she did! What mother wouldn't be devastated when her own child hurts her? I knew there was something wrong with that child's figures!"
"Mother was so moved she cried," Illumi clarified. "She said you've become independent. She's very proud."
A heavy silence fell over the arena.
What kind of twisted family dynamic is this?!
Under Illumi's psychological pressure, Killua surrendered voluntarily, unable to muster the courage to face his brother. The young assassin's composure completely crumbled, his body shaking uncontrollably as sweat poured down his face.
After Illumi's master class in manipulation, Killua's entire demeanor changed to something darker and more oppressive. He grew deaf to Leorio and Kurapika's words of concern.
In a sudden burst of rage, Killua killed Bodoro, resulting in his immediate disqualification. He left the arena alone, a turn of events that shocked everyone present.
Oboro remained calm throughout. He had come to observe the growth in both Gon and Killua during these finals, especially hoping to see if Killua had developed his mental strength after the Alluka incident.
It seemed that Gon had indeed changed, but Killua remained trapped in the same patterns of the original timeline. Illumi's psychological control proved to be truly frightening.
"I'll take my leave," Oboro announced casually, ignoring the stares as he shoved his hands into his pockets and headed for the exit. He caught Kurapika's eye and signaled for the Kurta to find him after he received his hunter's license.
Not only the black-haired boy and the white-haired boy had changed, the yellow-haired boy had changed as well.