"Having connections makes things easier."
That saying applies in any world.
Thinking about all the examinees over the years who struggled desperately, endured countless hardships, and still failed to obtain a Hunter License—it was hard not to shed a tear of sympathy for them. Especially those perennial repeat failures.
Watching Gon and the others grow excited, Lu Ou remained inwardly calm.
Who was Netero?
That oddly haired old man had reached the peak of physical ability at the age of forty-six. His Nen ability, the Hundred-Type Guanyin Bodhisattva, was an overwhelming weapon. In the end, he had even brought down the Chimera Ant King.
To take the ball from his hands? Honestly speaking, maybe Killua's father, Silva, might have had a slight chance.
What Lu Ou valued more was the opportunity to receive guidance under the pretense of a ball-stealing game. Since he could already use Nen, aside from his "face-saving fruit" ability, the others were still far too inexperienced.
"You may use any method of attack you like. I absolutely will not strike back," Chairman Netero said casually, spinning the ball in his hand as though nothing was out of the ordinary.
"What a stylish way to show off," Lu Ou thought silently.
"Are you serious?" Killua's interest was piqued. Obtaining a Hunter License without going through the rest of the exam was an irresistible temptation.
"Of course, of course," Netero replied cheerfully.
"Killua, you go first and test him out," Lu Ou said.
Seeing Killua's restless eagerness, Lu Ou simply let him step forward to probe Netero's strength.
"Then I'm going in."
Killua nodded at Lu Ou and stepped forward in a single stride. A faint afterimage lingered where he had stood—then he vanished.
"So fast," Leorio murmured.
Even faster than what they had seen from him before.
"As expected of someone from an assassin family," Kurapika added, impressed.
But no matter how fast Killua was, how could he be faster than Netero?
In the final instant before Killua reached him, Netero lifted the ball to the top of his head and slipped aside with a flash of movement, easily dodging Killua's determined strike.
Killua swept low with his leg, aiming at Netero's base to destabilize him. But Netero was one step ahead—he leapt lightly into the air. The ball remained perfectly balanced atop his head, as if it were glued there.
"Is this guy really an old man? He's insanely fast… Then I'll have to interfere with his movement."
Spotting an opportunity while Netero stood on one foot performing tricks with the ball, Killua lashed out with a powerful kick at the supporting leg.
This time, his foot struck true. The impact was loud enough that Gon instinctively winced.
"Ah—ow, ow…!"
But instead of what they expected, Killua ended up hopping around in place, clutching his right leg in pain.
Clearly, he hadn't gained the advantage.
"Can't fight him head-on," Lu Ou analyzed silently. "With Nen protecting him, none of us can break through his defense. We'll need strategy."
"That kick was clean—precise, powerful, and decisive. If it had landed on an ordinary person, their leg bone would've shattered," Netero commented casually, still balancing the ball with ease.
It was infuriatingly relaxed.
Unfortunately—they couldn't beat him.
"This old geezer's leg is as hard as iron," Killua muttered, dragging his slightly numbed leg as he reconsidered his approach.
"What's wrong? Giving up already?" Netero continued to provoke him.
"Just you wait."
Killua's angry expression suddenly faded, replaced with a grin. Slowly, he began circling Netero.
His unusual behavior caught Netero's attention. The Chairman's gaze shifted slightly, no longer ignoring him.
Footsteps echoed faintly across the floor.
At first, they could still hear Killua's steps. Then, in an instant—he disappeared. The sound of his footsteps vanished as well. It was as though he had dissolved into thin air.
"He disappeared…?" Gon blinked, doubting his usually sharp eyesight.
But no matter how he looked, Killua was nowhere to be seen.
"To be able to hold his breath and use darkness and misdirection to vanish instantly at such a young age—that's a fundamental assassination technique," Netero observed, genuinely impressed. Killua's talent was remarkable.
"Lu Ou… is this Killua's true strength?" Gon asked.
"Keep watching. He's strong," Lu Ou replied.
Although Lu Ou could detect faint disturbances in the air through Nen, visually it was extremely difficult to track Killua. It was a highly practical technique—especially for assassination.
"That's incredible," Gon admitted.
"Seriously, I can't even see where he is," Leorio added.
Kurapika nodded in agreement.
Netero seemed to sense something. He stopped balancing the ball on his head and instead held it steadily in his hand, standing motionless—as if waiting.
"Behind me."
Hearing a faint tearing sound in the air, Netero turned toward what appeared to be empty space.
"Take this!"
Killua suddenly materialized, lunging for the ball.
But Netero seemed to have anticipated it. With a smooth backflip, he evaded Killua's fully committed grab.
"Just as I thought—it was him who killed my father," Anita muttered from the side. Seeing Killua's skill only strengthened her conviction. Her body tensed, killing intent rising again, as if she might charge forward.
The pain of losing a loved one had long robbed her of rational judgment. Revenge had become her sole purpose.
"Miss, don't do anything foolish. This is our game—you are not to interfere," Netero warned calmly, sensing her killing intent.
"This game is getting more interesting, old man. I'm starting to take it seriously."
Instead of being discouraged, Killua's fighting spirit had been ignited.
He pulled off his outer sweater, preparing to go all out—to test the limits of his abilities.
His speed and reaction time rose another level.
He repeatedly launched himself toward the ball in Netero's hand.
In a rapid exchange of movements, Killua seized Netero's wrist amid the chaos. With his other hand, he reached for the ball.
Victory seemed within reach.
"He's got it!" Gon shouted.
"Now!"
Killua's free hand shot toward the ball—
Bang!
But Netero was not someone who would sit idly by. Even with his wrist restrained, his strength remained immense. With a swift motion, he tossed the ball straight into Killua's forehead—fast and precise.
"Ow!"
Killua clutched his head and collapsed onto the floor.
Judging from the sound alone, Netero had not held back at all.
Watching this, Lu Ou formulated a plan.
He just needed a little more data.