Leorio in turn asks Kurapika why he desires to become a Hunter. Kurapika recounts how his entire clan (the Kurta) were massacred by an organization of thieves known as the Phantom Troupe. Kurapika wishes to track down the Troupe and confront them to avenge his brethren; but he lacks ties to the criminal network known as the underworld in order to pursue them. He seeks to obtain a Hunter License in order to gain clearance into Mafia operations to become an inside man. Leorio remarks to take such a path may force Kurapika to become the very darkness that he detests, but Kurapika agrees that while that may be the case, he will do what it takes to carry out his mission, and he only worries that his resolve may falter when the time comes.
Meanwhile, the top of the stairs is in sight! Gon and Killua race to see who will be the first to meet Satotz outside. When they reach the finish line, Satotz states that they both crossed over simultaneously. Most of the other applicants make it to the crest of the hill, at which point Satotz addresses all those who have come so far. Satotz announces that he will continue to lead the group through the rest of the phase, but warns that the next part is extra dangerous, as they will be passing through the Numere Wetlands (a.k.a. Swindler's Swamp), a zone renown for endemic magical beasts who prey on humans. The entire party consents to go on.
As they attempt to follow Satotz, a thick fog envelops the participants. A number of examinees are consumed by the various species of magical beasts. Additionally, some of the applicants who appear to resent Hisoka band together and endeavor to murder him. Hisoka kills every single member of the belligerent faction gracefully and in an instant. This brief battle triggers Hisoka's bloodlust, causing him to declare that he will serve as an examiner to see who is worthy to carry on in the exam. Leorio and Gon, though afraid, confront Hisoka, and while they are easily defeated by Hisoka's superior combat skills, the latter proclaims that they have passed his judgment (and would be a waste to kill, as they have potential). Leorio is unconscious, so Hisoka carries him to the next phase, while Gon meets up with Kurapika.
The second phase of the exam takes place in the Visca Forest Reserve, where the examinees meet Gourmet Hunters (and proctors) Menchi and Buhara. Buhara's test is to find the world's most dangerous pig and bring it back to him so he can eat it. Gon and his friends complete the task easily along with 70 other applicants. However, Menchi, the second examiner, baffles the examinees when she tells them to make sushi, a traditional dish from Jappon, as none of them knows what sushi is. Menchi overreacts because of an examinee making them all fail as a result, no one passes, which requires the Chairman Netero to intervene. The test is taken to Split Mountain where examinees hunt for Spider Eagle eggs. At the end of this stage, there are 42 applicants left.
The 42 remaining applicants board the Selection Committee's airship, where it is revealed that their next phase of the exam will begin at 8:00 a.m. the next day. As everyone rests up for tomorrow, Gon and Killua encounter Netero who challenges them to a game; if they win, he'd issue their licenses on the spot. All they have to do is take away a ball from Netero. Killua eagerly goes first but fails. Gon then takes his turn to take the ball but he also fails. Time passes and when it seems Gon and Killua have tried every possible tactic, Netero suggests they attack together. Though they come seemingly close to it at one point, Netero rockets in between them at lightning speed and takes the ball. Killua calls it quits and ends up killing two applicants in his frustration; Gon, however, decides to play until he forces Netero to use his right hand. When he succeeds in doing so, Gon collapses in exhaustion where he is.
In the morning, the airship arrives at the top of Trick Tower. The 40 applicants are informed that the objective of stage 3 is to get down from the tower alive within 72 hours. The group is forced to team up with Tonpa. The first serious test is to win 3 out of 5 matches against tower prisoners. Tonpa takes the first match with a hardened-looking criminal, and promptly gives up.
Gon faces the next prisoner, a serial bomber by the name of Sedokan, in a match to see who's candle can burn the longest. Kurapika engages in a death match with the next opponent, Majtani, but refuses to kill him after seeing red (literally) and knocking the criminal unconscious. Majtani feigns unconsciousness in an attempt to run out the clock. Leorio and the leader of the prisoners bet on whether he's faking. Leorio holds the man above a long drop, and Majtani wakes up. He concedes the match to Kurapika, but the group loses a large chunk of their time because of the bet. Leorio goes next. His opponent is Leroute, an attractive woman. He loses ten hours in a bet. He then loses the rest of their betting hours to her.
Killua then faces Johness the Dissector, a man responsible for the murder of at least 146 people with his bare hands. Killua rips out his heart, explaining afterwards that Johness is an amateur and he is a pro. The last test to get out of the tower has two paths: one is too long and the other will only allow three of the five to enter. Leorio and Tonpa start fighting to see who will stay, when Gon thinks outside the box. They choose the longer path, destroy the wall between the paths with axes provided so they could fight, and all five make it out.
The fourth phase is a manhunt on Zevil Island, wherein the 25 remaining competitors being required to target and acquire their prey's plate. Gon draws Hisoka, and spends much of his time strategizing. He manages to get Hisoka's plate, but is attacked in the process by Geretta and paralyzed with a neurotoxin. Hisoka then kills Geretta, but gives Gon back his plate and then his own. Gon recovers in three days and comes across Leorio and Kurapika; he eventually helps Leorio to acquire his target's badge.
The final phase was a tournament with each of the participants. After being selected by the judges as being the most exceptional applicants, Hanzo and Gon face off first. Gon is outmatched when it comes to combat, but his unwillingness to submit causes Hanzo to forfeit the battle—making Gon the first applicant to pass the 287th Hunter Exam. Hanzo knocks Gon out and he doesn't awake until the exam has ended. Satotz fills in the details and explains to Gon that only two people didn't pass the exam—Bodoro and Killua. It is revealed that Gittarackur is actually an alias for Killua's older brother, Illumi. Killua was manipulated into murdering another contestant and subsequently failed the exam. Gon, enraged, confronts Illumi and gets Killua's address. Gon, Kurapika, and Leorio all then depart to Killua's home on Kukuroo Mountain.
Rating: 8/10
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