The Otonari's Last (Hunter X Hunter Fanfic) [Indefinite Hiatus]

IX - the Final Phase

After Netero finishes his interviews with everyone, Beans notifies us that we still have a few hours before we arrive at our destination for the Final Phase. The boys and I decide to get something to eat before finding a place to sleep.

We join a few other applicants in the dining hall for dinner, seating ourselves at a table a good distance away from everyone else. While we eat, I ask Leorio, Gon, and Killua about why they decided to take the Hunter Exam. I chuckle at Killua's simple answer and hug Gon after he tells me about his dad, but only offer Leorio a smile when he says that he's in it for the money. I can tell there's more to the story than that, but I don't push.

"What about you, Ara?" Gon inquires curiously. I hesitate, but smile softly down at my food. I glance at Kurapika next to me, and he offers me a small nod to let me know that he already told them about his clan.

"I'm in the same boat as Kurapika," I say after a moment. "My clan was killed by the Phantom Troupe. Now I'm looking for a way to stop it from happening to anyone else."

"Ara..." Leorio mutters, pity in his eyes. I sigh, looking away from the four of them for a moment.

"It's fine, it happened years ago," I maintain, giving them a fake smile.

***

All ten remaining applicants stand gathered around Netero in a large room. The examiners from the past phases - Satotz, Menchi, Buhara, and Lippo - are off to our left with Beans, while eight men in black suits are to our right.

"Well, lady and gentlemen," Netero pronounces. "I hope you got plenty of rest. This hotel is owned by the Hunter Exam Selection Committee. The place is all yours until the battles have concluded." One of the men in black suits rolls a covered board next to Netero. "For the Final Phase, we will be holding a one-on-one tournament." The Chairman pulls the drape off the board, revealing a bracket set up of our battles - but not our names.

"So only the last one standing passes?" Leorio asks.

I want to pass the exam, but... I glance beside me at the four friends I've made through this exam. I'd rather forfeit than fight them.

"No," Netero responds. "One win is all you need to pass."

"One win?" Gon repeats, surprised.

"Then, in this tournament..." Leorio trails off.

"The winners are removed from competition, while the losers continue up the bracket," Netero explains. "In other words, the person who finishes at the top will not pass. Does everyone understand now?"

"So you're saying that only one person will fail," Hanzo concludes.

"Exactly," Netero agrees. "And here is the bracket." He pulls the seal off the bottom of the bracket, revealing our pictures. My eyes scan along the line before finding myself.

Hm... Oh, there I am. I stare at the bracket for a moment before my eyes widen considerably. Wait, I'm fighting Hisoka! And I can't lose that match or I'll have to fight Kurapika...! I glance over at the creepy clown, shivering at the look in his eyes. At least if I purposely fail both of those rounds, I'll have three more chances.

"Impressive, right?" Netero boasts. "After all, everyone has at least two chances to win."

"But some people, like 294 and 405, get five chances," Pokkle points out.

"Why didn't you use a balanced bracket?" Bodoro questions.

"A question that must be on everyone's mind," Netero hums. "This bracket was assembled based on your performances throughout the entire exam. Those who performed better received more chances." My eyebrows furrow at this.