Meanwhile, at the Hunter Association's final Hunter Exam venue.
Nine newly minted Hunters walked out of the conference room.
Everyone's face wore varying degrees of joy—they had finally obtained that coveted hunter license, and from now on, they were official Hunters.
Nico and Kastro walked at the front of the crowd.
Both held their brand-new hunter licenses in their hands, looking down at the small cards with eyes full of emotion.
"Finally got it."
Nico said softly, a hint of relief in his tone.
Kastro nodded and carefully tucked the hunter license into his pocket.
"Yeah."
The two looked up and happened to see a familiar figure walking toward them from a distance.
Leo.
Nico and Kastro exchanged a glance and hurried forward to meet him.
"Master Leo!"
Both spoke at the same time, smiles on their faces.
Leo stopped, looked at the two, and nodded slightly.
"Hmm. Did you get your hunter license?"
"We got it!"
Nico excitedly held up the hunter license in his hand, but then realizing something, he quickly put it away.
"Uh... shouldn't I be so flashy about it?"
Kastro also put away his hunter license, his expression returning to a composed state.
Leo smiled.
"It's good that you got it. What are your plans for the future?"
Kastro spoke first.
"I plan to return to Heavens Arena first. Reaching the rank of Floor Master is my goal."
His tone was firm, and Battle Intent flickered in his eyes.
Nico thought for a moment and said seriously.
"I plan to become a Bounty Hunter. Like Master Sophia, I want to capture wanted criminals and accumulate achievements."
Leo nodded.
"Since you both have your own plans, go ahead and do them."
He looked at Kastro.
"Kastro, after you return to Heavens Arena, if you need anything, you can go find Wing. He is my Senior Brother."
Kastro nodded solemnly.
"Understood."
Leo looked at Nico again.
"Nico, go find Sophia and the others. She and Shizuku should still be searching the world for wanted criminals. You'll have to contact her yourself for their specific whereabouts."
Nico nodded vigorously.
"Okay!"
Leo waved his hand.
"Go."
The two bowed slightly to Leo and turned to leave.
Leo stood in place, watching their backs disappear at the end of the corridor, and was just about to turn and leave when a sound of footsteps and conversation came from behind him.
"It's finally over! I'm exhausted!"
"Leorio, you're exaggerating. We were just sitting and listening."
"Sitting and listening is also very tiring, okay! Plus, that Satotz talked for so long, I almost fell asleep!"
"Hehe, Leorio, you really..."
Leo turned around.
Gon, Kurapika, and Leorio were walking toward him.
They had obviously just left the conference room as well, their faces still showing the excitement of obtaining their hunter licenses.
Gon was holding his hunter license, turning it over and over to look at it, while Kurapika carefully tucked his into his pocket, and Leorio was still complaining about Satotz talking for too long.
Seeing Leo, the three stopped simultaneously, expressions of surprise on their faces.
Leo smiled slightly and walked up to them.
"Hello."
The three responded quickly.
Leorio spoke somewhat nervously.
"H-hello! examiner Leo!"
Kurapika also nodded slightly.
"examiner Leo."
Gon was as straightforward as ever; he flashed a bright smile and said loudly.
"Hello, examiner Leo!"
Leo smiled and waved his hand.
"There's no need to call me examiner anymore. The test is over, just call me Leo."
Leorio let out a sigh of relief and smiled awkwardly.
"Ah... you're right, Mr. Leo."
Gon was still smiling brightly.
"Okay, Big Brother Leo! Is there something you need from us?"
Leo's gaze passed over Gon and Leorio and landed on Kurapika.
"I came over because I actually wanted to have a chat with Kurapika."
Kurapika's brow furrowed slightly.
He looked at Leo warily, was silent for a few seconds, and then spoke.
"I don't think I know you. May I ask what you need from me?"
Leo looked at him and said calmly.
"I know your identity. The sole survivor of the Kuruta Clan."
Kurapika's body jolted violently!
His eyes instantly turned bright red—the characteristic feature of the Kuruta Clan when emotional, the "Scarlet Eyes."
Leorio and Gon were both stunned; they looked at Kurapika, then at Leo, unsure of what to say.
Leo raised his hand, signaling him to calm down.
"No need to get worked up."
His tone remained calm.
"The clothes you're wearing are too conspicuous; these are the unique garments of the Kuruta Clan, right? They basically don't exist in the outside world."
He paused and continued.
"As long as one has the intention to investigate, they can figure out your identity. I came over to warn you—if you want to take revenge, don't wear these clothes. Those Scarlet Eyes of yours are very valuable."
Kurapika was stunned.
He lowered his head, looking at the ethnic-style clothing on his body, and remained silent.
The glow in his bright red eyes slowly faded.
Leorio realized what was happening, quickly stepped forward, patted Kurapika on the shoulder, and spoke in a gentle yet firm tone.
"Kurapika, don't worry. Gon and I will always be by your side."
Gon also nodded vigorously, stepped forward, and said earnestly.
"Yeah! Leorio is right! Kurapika, we'll face any difficulties together!"
Kurapika looked up at these two partners he had just met not long ago, a flash of complex emotion in his eyes.
Leo watched this scene, the corners of his mouth curling up slightly.
Then, he spoke.
"Let me tell you some news."
Kurapika looked at him.
"Your enemies—the Genei Ryodan—have been wiped out by me."
As the words fell, Kurapika's body jolted once again.
He widened his eyes, staring fixedly at Leo, his face full of shock, with a hint of bewilderment.
"Genei... Ryodan..."
He muttered, repeating the words, his voice raspy.
"Are... all dead?"
Leo nodded.
"That's right. The Genei Ryodan consists of thirteen members, and I killed them all. Because they provoked me, they are all dead."
He paused, looking into Kurapika's complex eyes, his tone becoming calm and sincere.
"I'm telling you this, not asking for anything in return. I just admire you."
Leo took a business card out of his pocket.
"This is my number. If you need anything, you can come find me."
After handing it to Kurapika, he turned to leave.
He walked two steps, then stopped, and said without turning his head.
"Don't dwell in the past. You still have good friends like Gon and Leorio. Take care of yourself. Goodbye."
After saying this, he walked away.
Kurapika stood in place after taking the business card, unmoving.
His mind was a blank slate.
The Genei Ryodan... dead?
Those enemies who slaughtered his entire clan... those people he swore to kill with his own hands... those trails he had been tracking day and night... all dead?
Before he had even begun his mission, he was told that his enemies were already wiped out.
Then what about all his hatred and obsession over these years, the motivation that had sustained him all these years...
What was the point of it all?
Leorio and Gon stood by his side, looking at him with concern.
"Kurapika..."
Leorio called out softly.
Kurapika did not respond.
He just stood there quietly, his gaze hollowly fixed on the direction where Leo had left.
A gust of wind blew by, ruffling his short blonde hair.