HunterxHunter: Reborn With Crazy Potential

My legs pump steadily as I follow the crowd chasing after Satotz. Two hours in, and the weak ones are already dropping like flies. Can't say I feel bad for them if you can't handle a little running, you've got no business being a Hunter.

Up ahead, I spot Nicolas slowing down, and those three siblings are circling him like vultures. I can't have that I've got plans for him and his genius is just what I need.

"Hey, Nicolas!" I call out, jogging closer. "Got a proposition for you. I'll get you through this phase if you're interested."

He eyes me suspiciously, chest heaving. "And what's the catch?" A bead of sweat rolls down his temple.

"Simple. You handle my operations and do some research. But here's the deal" I lean in closer, dropping my voice. "I'll place an ability on you, and if you decline... well, let's just say this tunnel is a great place to hide bodies."

Fear flashes across his face before resignation sets in. Smart boy, he knows when he's cornered. The String of Fate binds easily, and I throw in a little surprise by opening his aura nodes with Gehou. The look on his face when he first feels the aura flowing through him? Priceless.

"What was that?" he gasps.

"Consider it a signing bonus," I say with a smirk, crafting a shadow motorcycle beneath him. "Here's your ride. I always keep my promises."

Poor Leorio is struggling too, fumbling with his briefcase, so I conjure another bike for him. "Hop on, old man," I call out. "Can't have you dying on us yet." He shouts out enraged "What old man? I'm only 18 cant you tell!"

Up front, Gon and Killua are neck-and-neck, racing toward the finish line like the kids they are.

"I won! You owe me lunch!" Gon shouts.

"No way!" Killua protests. "You owe me lunch!"

Satotz clears his throat, commanding attention. "The next part will test more than your endurance," he warns, his mustache twitching. "The Milsy Wetlands show no mercy to the foolish. One wrong step, and you won't just fail you'll die."

Just as he says this a man with a monkey that looks like Satotz comes from behind the tunnel and says the he's the real examiner and Satotz is trying to trick us into believing we need to go into the forest.

Hisoka throws cards at both "Examiners" killing the fake while the real Satotz catches the cards and warns Hisoka that if he attacks an examiner again he will be kicked out of the exams.

As he takes off running again, I turn to my companions. "Gon! Killua! Kurapika! Leorio! Get on these," I say, creating four more shadow bikes. With my Nen control and En, tracking Satotz is child's play. His aura stands out like a beacon compared to the small aura traces or the giant cold signatures of Hisoka and Illumi.

"What about the wetland creatures?" Kurapika asks, settling onto his bike.

I snort. "Frogs-In-Waiting? Hypnosis Butterflies? Let them play their games. We're taking the express route." My En stretches out, locked onto Satotz as we weave through the mist.

While we wait for the stragglers at the next checkpoint, I decide to get a head start on what's coming. The forest has seven Great Stamps massive pink boars that would terrify anyone else. But their weak spot? Embarrassingly obvious if you're fast enough. One quick strike to the forehead, and they're down even if it's a weak hit.

By the time I return from hiding my future dinner, the second phase is about to begin. Only 157 applicants remain, and we're greeted by quite the odd pair. A young woman with tan skin and cyan hair tied in five topknots stands before massive gates. She's got this confident smirk that screams 'I'm about to ruin someone's day.' Behind her lounges a mountain of a man, his belly hanging out of a too-small yellow shirt.

"Welcome, applicants!" The woman's voice carries across the clearing. "I'm Menchi, and this is Buhara. We're your second-phase examiners, and we're Gourmet Hunters."

I can't help but smile. This should be interesting especially with those pigs I've got stashed away.