He didn't use the sword. Just a fist.
Turning the fist into a palm.
Ryker caught Gon's berserk punch dead in its tracks.
"Nice punch. But... losing your mind isn't a good outcome. Maybe you should try controlling your temper."
Kenpachi Ryker smiled, his grip tightening.
"AHHHH—"
Gon's scream echoed through the hall.
[Divine Strength] (Red)!
It completely suppressed [Monster Strength] (Gold)!
Added to Ryker's far superior base stats, even in a contest of pure strength, he was absolute.
"Go to sleep."
Ryker released his grip. As Gon prepared a follow-up attack, Ryker brushed past him.
Flick.
Ryker's finger snapped against Gon's forehead.
Gon stumbled twice, eyes rolling back, and face-planted.
"..."
The entire arena was silent as a grave.
From start to finish, no one had seen the true depth of this new Examiner's power.
Even geniuses like Killua or wild cards like Gon couldn't force him to get serious.
[DING! You defeated Gon.]
[Rolling for Copy (10%)...]
[Copy Failed.]
Tch.
"Well, luck is a fickle mistress."
Ryker shrugged indifferently and walked slowly toward Kurapika.
He cracked his neck. Crack. Crack.
Kenpachi's massive, beast-like frame cast a long shadow over the last standing Kurta.
"...He's too strong!"
"Gon's punch was incredible, but he stopped it like it was nothing..."
"He held back. Otherwise, they'd end up like Bodoro."
"Kenpachi... He's going to be a rising star in the Association."
Menchi, Satotz, and the other Examiners whispered in awe.
"I must get the Hunter License!"
Kurapika gritted his teeth, staring death at Kenpachi. He could hear his own heartbeat.
Deep in his eyes, a scarlet hue began to spread.
His emotions were spiraling out of control.
He had sacrificed everything for this. The license was the first step to revenge. He could not stop here.
Even if he had to face a demon king.
"Of course. Everyone here wants the license, don't they?"
Ryker chuckled.
Kurapika had already provided the ultimate trump card: The Scarlet Eyes.
That thing... it's basically a Super Saiyan transformation.
"Say, why don't we sit down for a bit? How about it, Candidate 404?"
Ryker suddenly suggested.
"Huh?!"
The sudden shift stunned Kurapika. The red in his eyes faltered. Did he hear that right?
He wasn't the only one.
The Examiners on the sidelines were flabbergasted.
"What?! Did... did Examiner Kenpachi just say 'sit down'?"
"Is that a metaphor?"
"Is... is he throwing the match?"
"Does Chairman Netero allow this?"
Menchi and the others were dumbfounded.
Examiners had duties. Fairness. Impartiality.
But now?
Examiner Kenpachi wasn't just going easy.
He was committing blatant corruption!
"You... what did you just say?"
Kurapika stammered, thinking his ears were playing tricks on him.
Ryker didn't answer.
He just smiled and slowly sat down on the floor, crossing his legs.
"..."
The situation was spiraling out of control.
Hisoka: "..."
Hanzo: "..."
Illumi: "..."
"Chairman Netero... I... I must report the current situation in the exam venue. This Examiner Kenpachi... he is openly violating the principles of the exam! He is showing favoritism! He is corrupt!"
Menchi gritted her teeth. Out of duty, she chose to 'snitch'.
Buhara looked nervous.
Kenpachi was too strong. If he got mad at the snitch, who could stop him? Even Buhara felt he would lose instantly against him.
Satotz looked worried too. Kenpachi was clearly eccentric and volatile.
"Oh... eh... I'm a bit busy here! Menchi, wait a sec..." Netero's voice crackled over the phone.
"There is no 'wait'! Chairman, if you don't intervene, this guy is going to turn the exam into a farce!"
"Alright, alright. Menchi, as the Chairman, I order you: Sit down, watch quietly. Everything... is going according to plan."
"HAAH?!"
Beep. Beep. Beep.
Menchi stared at the phone, listening to the dial tone.
She thought she heard wrong.
Chairman Netero... explicitly allowed Examiner Kenpachi to be corrupt?
Is he senile?!
Chairman's Office.
From here, one could overlook the venue.
"Chairman... won't this disappoint Menchi and the others? And the V5 might..."
Beans looked worried.
He had served Netero for years, but he had never seen the strict Chairman turn a blind eye to such blatant cheating.
"Don't worry. Choosing Kenpachi is the most correct decision we've made. It makes up for all errors."
Netero stroked his beard, his eyes twinkling.
"Besides... that brat is the successor I've had my eye on!"
Netero couldn't help but admire.
The strength Ryker showed was a pleasant surprise.
A true genius!
Now, he was curious.
How will young Ryker handle the dangerous ones?
Hisoka. Hanzo.
Maybe those two can force the boy to get serious.
"Oh, time's almost up!"
"Heads up!"
Ryker suddenly drew his sword.
BOOM!
A terrifying slash wave erupted.
The pressure of a collapsing mountain descended on Kurapika.
Kurapika's face went white. He tried to run, but the slash covered everything.
I lost?
He was toying with me! He waited until the last second to finish me off?!
Kurapika's pupils constricted. Red surged.
But in the next instant.
The terrifying pressure vanished. The jagged blade stopped inches above his forehead.
RIIIIIIING!!
The alarm clock went off.
"Alright! Time's up! That's three minutes. As agreed... since one of you is still standing, you all win."
"I, Hunter Examiner Kenpachi, hereby declare that you, including Bodoro, have passed the Hunter Exam!!"
"HAHAHAHAHA!!!"
Kenpachi Ryker stood up, sheathing his sword. He put his hands on his hips and laughed like a wild beast.
His massive frame radiated overwhelming charisma.
Kurapika: "..."
His brain had short-circuited.
"Wait!! Examiner Kenpachi!"
"Hmm?" Ryker looked down.
"Thank you... I will repay this debt one day!!" Kurapika bowed deeply.
"Oh, don't worry. You already paid!"
Kenpachi Ryker grinned.
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