Fate's arrangement allowed for no disruption by others.
The characteristic [Wind] spread out, and as Sean's gaze flickered, he had already captured a buzzing sound.
"Honestly, there isn't a single decent one."
"I declare that for the Second Phase, everyone fails!"
Just like in the original story, Menchi failed everyone.
Having tasted so much sushi, she was about to vomit. She could not be bothered to deal with these culinary rookies anymore, so she simply dialed the Examination Committee's number and reported the result.
Buhara stood behind her, looking at her helplessly. He knew it would come to this.
He opened his mouth to persuade her, but was shut down by Menchi telling him to shut up and cut the crap, effectively sealing his lips.
It was at this very moment, when everyone was facing this unacceptable result, that a laugh—aged yet full of vitality—came from far away.
"Hohoho."
"Even so..."
"Menchi, isn't judging that there are no qualifiers a bit too strict?"
'Hmm. Who is that?'
Hearing this voice suddenly, everyone was startled and subconsciously looked up at the sky.
An airship bearing the Hunter Association logo broke into everyone's view, flying above the warehouse.
"That's the Hunter Exam Selection Committee's ship!"
Someone with sharp eyes recognized the origin of the airship and cried out, causing an uproar.
"Oh ho ho ho. The real examiner? No... could it be who I think it is... that person?"
Hisoka turned his head and glanced at the sky. On his face, pale as a clown, a rare flush of excitement appeared.
Satotz's gaze narrowed. He shook his head and put down his phone. It seemed there really was no need for him to call in advance.
The gentleman turned his head to look at Sean.
Listening to the wailing sound of the air being shredded by the propellers.
The young man curled his lips. "He really made us wait long enough."
He glanced casually at the sky.
Buzz buzz buzz.
The airship hovered directly above the warehouse, and the hatch was pulled open from the inside.
Under the shocked gazes of Gon, Killua, Kurapika, Illumi, Leorio, Tonpa, Hanzo, and the other candidates—
A small black dot suddenly leaped down from the airship, which was a full hundred meters above the ground.
Whoosh. The air seemed unable to withstand the force of the falling black dot, emitting an ear-piercing shriek.
Then came a loud boom. The ground trembled, and dust rose everywhere, only to be swept clean by a wave of a sleeve.
The crowd finally saw clearly that the "black dot" was an old man wearing a martial arts gi and wooden geta sandals, with his hair tied in a topknot.
He had long eyebrows and a beard, and his drooping eyes seemed indifferent to everything. His long earlobes were pierced with two stylish earrings each. With a casual sweep of his eyes, he exuded such majesty that no one dared to meet his gaze.
"Ch... Chairman!" Menchi's eyes went wide as she recognized Netero.
Her words caused a commotion.
"Wow. This grandpa is amazing!" Gon exclaimed.
Jumping down from such a height and being fine—it was simply incredible.
"Yeah. Does this old man have spring legs installed or something?" Killua stared intently at Netero's legs.
The man walked slowly in his wooden clogs. Every step seemed measured, not a millimeter more or less. It did not look like he had spring legs.
"Hiss. But doesn't it hurt?" Leorio couldn't help but click his tongue. "Who is this old man?"
'Looking so damn imposing.'
'Idiot, did you not hear the word Chairman?'
Kurapika rolled his eyes at Leorio and looked at Netero with a grave expression. His eyes flickered. 'Presumably, this is the real examiner Ben An mentioned.' He just hadn't expected the newcomer to be such a big shot.
In other words, Ben An had predicted correctly again.
The wind blew the blond teenager's bangs, leaving him a bit dazed.
At this moment, seeing Netero approach, Menchi and Buhara hurriedly cupped their fists and bowed to Netero. "It has been a long time since we paid our respects."
"Chairman Netero."
'Uh. Ne... te... ro? Why does that sound familiar?'
The candidates chewed over Menchi's words. The more they thought about it, the more familiar it sounded. Fortunately, they didn't have to rack their brains for long.
Seeing Netero arrive, Satotz nodded to Sean, then turned back to walk toward the crowd, explaining as he went, "He is the Chairman of the Selection Committee, the highest-ranking person responsible for the Hunter Exam."
"Eh?" Hearing this, Gon's eyes widened, and he clicked his tongue. "Is he that great?"
Beside him, Killua, who had appeared next to him at some point, sighed. "Is that so? No wonder."
'Hmm. No wonder what? Aren't you the uncle's brother?'
"Tch. You've got the wrong person."
The two brats suddenly looked at each other, said "Hmm" at the same time, and fell into an awkward silence.
They decided to look away and turned their attention back to Netero.
"Although I am the person in charge, I am really just an old man working behind the scenes."
At this moment, Netero held his hands behind his back and nodded calmly to Satotz. Then, he gave Menchi a pointed look and said meaningfully, "I only come out to handle things when disputes arise."
"So, Sean. Seeing that this old man has arrived, shouldn't you show your face?"
"Tsk. You even specially prepared a festive 'dragon' to welcome me. Oh ho ho ho. I am truly flattered."
"Hah. Ptui. What are you laughing at? Stop being so shameless. Is my grandson someone you can call by name?"
In the Chairman's office, Maha, who had been snoring while facing the TV, suddenly woke up. He glared, nearly scaring Beans to death.
'Oh god. So you were faking sleep?'
Beans shrank into the corner. He was supposed to go with Netero, but Netero suddenly remembered no one was watching the house and kicked him off the airship. Feeling wronged, he kept shrinking into the corner, muttering, 'You can't see me, you can't see me.'
In the end, he was still caught by the neck by Maha, dragged over, and forced to massage Maha's legs.
"Tsk. Look, this is your Chairman."
"Jumping straight down from the sky. He really knows how to show off."
"That is why I just can't bring myself to like him. He's pretentious and fake. Just like that... what was it again?"
Maha thought hard, then slapped his belly as he remembered. "Right! Just like those girls in the entertainment district. In the words of you young people, what is it called? Being a bitch, right?"
Beans: "..."
'Please don't look at me.'
'I didn't offend you.'
Beans was about to cry. 'Chairman, you damn... just come back already.' But since he was already here, there was no reason to leave so easily.
The scene shifted.
Netero, looking like a transcendent master, smiled and directly called out Sean's name. Instantly, the scene went silent.
'Sean? Who is that? Is there anyone named Sean among us?'
The candidates looked at each other, confused.
Then, a scream suddenly exploded, breaking the silence.
"Eh? What did you say? Sean is the uncle's real name?"
Gon looked at Killua in surprise. The white-haired brat curled his lips. "What, is that so strange?"
"Although I really don't want to admit it, my brother is indeed named Sean. He is also your Teacher Ben An!"
'Huh? Teacher Ben An? Holy crap! Speaking of which, where is he? Don't tell me he's still by the creek and didn't come for the sushi exam.'
A commotion broke out in the crowd. Hanzo, Bourbon, Cherry, Geretta, Tonpa, and others looked over.
Not far away, by the stream in the jungle, a three-meter-tall young man stretched lazily. With his back to the crowd, he slowly stood up.
"That's right, Chairman Netero. If you like this dragon... how about I 'give' it to you?"