[DING! Copy Successful! Acquired: [Calmness] (Purple).]
Trait: [Calmness] (Purple)
Effect: Maintains astonishing mental stability in any crisis. Partially resists illusions and negative mental effects.
Not bad, Ryker thought.
It shared some similarities with Netero's [Absolute Will]. If upgraded to Red, it might evolve into something like [Heart of Steel] or [Enlightenment].
Kurapika had provided one Red trait and one Purple trait.
But Ryker's words—"You already paid"—left Kurapika bewildered. He couldn't understand what price he had supposedly paid.
"He just... let them pass. Just like that?"
Menchi and the other Examiners stared at Ryker, dumbfounded.
They wanted to protest, but the words stuck in their throats.
Chairman Netero had personally authorized Ryker's actions. They couldn't understand it, but they couldn't overrule it.
"The Association's integrity... is going to crumble because of this guy," Menchi grumbled indignantly.
"Shh... keep it down, Menchi. He's terrifyingly strong, and he doesn't listen to reason," Buhara whispered nervously.
Satotz remained silent.
All eyes turned to the remaining two candidates: Hisoka and Hanzo.
The only ones left to be tested.
"Three minutes... if the rules are the same, I have a good chance," Hanzo calculated internally.
As a master of the Cloud Hidden Style, his specialty was Taijutsu and speed. Beating "Kenpachi" head-on was impossible, but running away for three minutes? That was his bread and butter.
"For you two, let me think about the conditions."
Kenpachi Ryker stabbed his zanpakutō into the ground and grinned, his black Shihakushō billowing around his massive frame.
"This guy..." Menchi puffed out her cheeks. She felt he was trampling on the sacred rules of the Hunter Exam.
"Let's keep it simple. See this circle?"
Ryker pointed to the training ground floor, roughly the size of a basketball court.
"If you step out of this circle, you lose. If you stay inside for three minutes without being knocked out, I lose. And you pass."
"So arrogant! This guy!!" Menchi rolled her eyes. "Number 44 and the bald guy are in a different league than the kids. He's going to eat his words."
"Menchi, don't forget. Kenpachi is the Examiner, not the... villain," Buhara reminded her.
"I'll go first!"
Hanzo, the bald ninja with the surprisingly long eyelashes, stepped forward. His expression was deadly serious.
He knew this would be the hardest fight of his life.
"Phew... Examiner Kenpachi. I am a true ninja. Unlike the other candidates, I have trained since birth. For 18 years, I have trained tirelessly, without sleep or rest, to hone my body and technique."
"I will prove... that all my effort was worth it!"
Hanzo spoke with absolute conviction, shedding his usual comedic persona.
Cloud Hidden Style: Taijutsu (Gold)!
"So fast!!"
Hanzo's body blurred into an afterimage.
The sudden acceleration shocked the spectators. He was even faster than Killua.
Concealment (Purple)!
In an instant, Hanzo vanished from sight.
"Where did he go?"
"What?! What's happening?"
"Is this the legendary Cloud Hidden Style?"
"I can't even sense his presence!"
The audience gasped.
Ponzu stood there, completely lost. If she had to fight Hanzo, she would be dead before she blinked. Yet she was a Hunter now?
Examiner Kenpachi really let an entire ocean of water through for me.
Kurapika's face was grim. His pupils constricted, glowing faintly red.
He could barely track Hanzo.
It's too fast! It's almost beyond the limit of dynamic vision.
A sharp blade appeared in Hanzo's hand.
"He's dangerous!!" Menchi evaluated.
Even as a veteran Hunter, she had to admit: in terms of combat ability, Hanzo might be equal to her. Maybe even deadlier.
But strangely, despite having the upper hand in speed, Hanzo didn't attack.
The arena seemed empty, save for Kenpachi standing like a statue in the center.
"Oh, very fast. You could probably stall for three minutes easily with this stamina. Planning to run down the clock?"
Kenpachi Ryker grinned.
[Godspeed] (Gold)!
[Lightning Nen] (Red)!
Technique: Lightning Leg Shave!
ZZZTT!
Electricity flooded Ryker's legs, supercharging his cells.
He couldn't fully utilize the Transmutation yet without the Scarlet Eyes, but he could internally stimulate his muscles with electricity.
Vroom.
To everyone's shock, Ryker also vanished.
The training ground appeared completely empty.
"..."
The crowd was collectively stupefied.
Cold sweat beaded on Menchi's forehead.
She could see something. By focusing her Nen into her eyes (Gyo), she caught faint blurs.
They are both too fast!
CLANG! CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!
The sound of metal colliding rang out in mid-air, yet no one was visible.
Occasionally, a slash would materialize out of nowhere, slicing the concrete floor like tofu.
"Strong! Incredible!! This Examiner... he's definitely beyond a 2-Star Hunter level!!"
Satotz's jaw dropped.
Kurapika had lost track completely. Without Nen, even his Scarlet Eyes couldn't keep up with this supersonic battle.
Hisoka's eyes narrowed, glowing with aura.
The perverted curve of his lips dipped, then curled up again—even more perverted!!
Strong!
So strong!!
This Examiner is a delightful surprise.
Such a ripe fruit waiting to be plucked.
Thinking about fighting him made Hisoka tremble with excitement.
Illumi watched expressionlessly, but his clenched fist betrayed his inner turmoil.
Ten seconds!
Thirty seconds!
Fifty seconds!
"Not bad. But let's wrap this up."
Suddenly, Kenpachi Ryker's voice echoed from the empty air.
[Divine Strength] (Red)!
[Taijutsu] (Gold)!
[Swordsmanship] (Blue)!
Technique: Spinning Slash!
BOOM!
A terrifying slash wave exploded.
A deafening blast shook the room, sending shockwaves in all directions.
A rain of crimson blood sprayed through the air.
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