"President Netero, did anyone just pass by here?"
Gon glanced down the hallway, then turned back to the old man. There didn't seem to be anything out of the ordinary, but something still felt…off.
"No," Netero replied with a light smile, his hands tucked neatly behind his back, posture relaxed, as if he'd been standing still the whole time.
"Killua, you noticed it too, right?" Lan Fei turned to the silver-haired boy beside him.
Killua nodded slowly, his eyes narrowing. "That old man… he just vanished and reappeared here. Even I barely caught a glimpse of his movement."
Coming from the Zoldyck family, Killua's senses were honed to detect even the subtlest shifts. If something seemed unnatural, it probably was.
"Lan Fei, you caught that too?"
"Barely," Lan Fei responded, his gaze sharp. "For someone of his age, that speed was unnatural. But then again, he is Isaac Netero."
"He's not just fast," Killua said. "He's one of the strongest Nen users alive. My father mentioned him once. Even in his old age, Netero's strength is said to be godlike."
"Ah, so you three noticed," Netero chuckled, clapping his hands softly. "Impressive. Most wouldn't even register my presence."
His tone was lighthearted, but the weight of his words lingered.
"You little devils are sharper than I expected. No wonder you've made it this far into the exam."
"President Netero, was that movement just now… a test?" Lan Fei asked calmly. Despite the old man's jovial tone, the pressure he exuded was quietly overwhelming.
"Oh, don't be so stiff!" Netero laughed, waving his hand. "I'm just bored. It's not every year we get such promising candidates."
He stroked his long white beard, his eyes twinkling with interest. "Tell me, what are your thoughts on the exam so far?"
Killua raised an eyebrow. "You mean, how we feel about it?"
"Exactly," Netero said, smiling expectantly.
"It's more fun than I expected," Gon answered cheerfully, his honest grin untouched by any wariness.
"I'm actually disappointed," Killua replied bluntly. "Most of it felt like a warm-up."
"I'm enjoying myself," Lan Fei shrugged. "But I'm not letting my guard down."
"Hm… confidence. I like that," Netero nodded in approval. "Well then, since we have time before the next phase, how about a little game?"
"Game?" Gon blinked.
"Let's not," Killua said immediately, turning away. "There's no way we'd win against him."
"Killua, this might be different," Lan Fei said with a grin forming. He had a feeling where this was going.
"I'll give you an incentive," Netero continued with a mischievous glint. "If the three of you can win, I'll grant you provisional Hunter licenses on the spot. No need to continue the exam."
"What!?" Gon's eyes lit up like fireworks.
"This guy…" Killua muttered, stunned by the offer. "He's got to be serious."
Killua hadn't come for the license—he came for the challenge. But this game? It sounded like a true test. That excited him.
"Alright. I'm in," Killua said.
"Me too," Lan Fei cracked his neck, loosening his shoulders. "Been a while since I had a proper workout."
"Then follow me," Netero turned, leisurely walking deeper into the airship, toward the indoor training arena.
As they trailed him, Lan Fei leaned in to whisper, "Gon, Killua, don't let your guard down. This old man's stronger than he looks."
"I know," Killua said calmly. "Our odds are close to zero."
"But that just makes it more fun!" Gon said cheerfully.
——
Ten minutes later – Indoor Training Ground
Netero stepped barefoot onto the polished wooden floor. His loose martial arts gi fluttered as he bounced a basketball effortlessly on one finger.
"…Is this guy serious?" Killua muttered.
"He's very serious," Gon laughed. "I think we're playing basketball?"
"No. It's not about playing with the ball…" Lan Fei's eyes narrowed, his lips curled into a knowing smile. "We have to take the ball from him."
Bang, bang, bang… The basketball echoed across the room as Netero dribbled with almost playful rhythm.
"Let me explain the rules," Netero said, voice calm. "Before the airship arrives at the next exam location, if you can snatch this ball from me—just once—you win. There are nine hours."
Lan Fei's mind flashed back to canon. This scenario was nearly identical to the one in the manga—except now, he was part of it. It's just like I expected…
"At my full speed, I might snatch it before he can react," Lan Fei thought. But let's see how the others do first.
"Just grab the ball?" Gon asked, stretching.
"That's it," Netero smiled.
"Sounds simple, but it won't be," Killua muttered. "That old man is a monster."
"Let's see if you're all talk, Chairman," Lan Fei said confidently. "But don't go holding back."
"Then who's first?" Netero asked, raising an eyebrow.
"I'll go," Killua stepped forward, taking a deep breath.
He began to circle Netero slowly, calculating each step. His movements were precise and poised. Lan Fei watched, knowing exactly what Killua was doing.
"He's preparing to use the Zoldyck techniques… 'Rhythm Step,' and 'Godspeed Movement.' Not bad."
Killua's aura shifted subtly. He bent his knees, eyes locked on the ball. In an instant, he lunged with lightning-fast agility—his hand slicing through the air toward the ball like a blade.
But Netero's body barely shifted. The ball was gone from Killua's reach before he even got close.
Thump. The ball bounced again, back on Netero's finger.
"Not bad," Netero said casually, "but far from enough."
Killua skidded to a halt, eyes wide. "He didn't even move his legs."
Lan Fei chuckled, stepping up. "Let me try."
"Don't go easy," Killua warned.
"Don't worry. I won't."
Lan Fei exhaled. His Nen surged around him, barely visible to the others. If Netero was going to toy with them, he'd respond in kind—with a taste of his [Bamen Dunjia – Third Gate].
In a flicker, Lan Fei vanished, appearing behind Netero in a burst of speed.
But the moment his fingers closed in—the ball disappeared again.
"Fast," Netero commented, still smiling. "You're interesting."
Lan Fei landed, sliding backward. "Tch. He predicted my movement before I launched it."
This was going to be fun.
Gon stepped forward next, smiling as he crouched. "Okay! My turn!"
Netero grinned wider. "Come on, young ones. Let's dance."
The real test had only just begun.