At this moment, in the hall where the commotion was occurring, a girl with twin pigtails, wearing a badge labeled 111 on her chest, was relentlessly attacking Killua with a sharp blade.
She not only overturned tables but also stabbed through several sofas in succession.
Nearby, Leorio, Kurapika, and others were bewildered by the sudden situation.
"These are all assets of the Hunter Association. If you destroy them recklessly, it will cost a significant amount of funding," someone remarked.
Just as the girl was about to launch another attack on Killua, a powerful hand grabbed the blade, and with a slight force, snatched it away from her.
Kastro casually tossed the knife aside. "You're a candidate who was eliminated in the last round, right? I remember you."
"By rights, you should have been arranged to leave here and not board the ship again. If you snuck in, the review committee will impose severe punishment."
"It doesn't matter!!" Candidate 111, Anita, glared at Killua with gritted teeth. "Becoming a Hunter is irrelevant!! All I want is to avenge my father!! To take revenge on this executioner whose hands are stained with blood!!"
Hands stained with blood... Kastro glanced at Killua, his eyes lingering on the iconic silver hair. "He's from the Zoldyck family, isn't he?" Kastro asked.
"That's right!! They're executioners who take lives for money!!" Anita accused Killua with indignation. The accused, Killua, remained calm, seemingly indifferent to such matters.
Hearing this, Kastro understood the situation. Someone had hired the Zoldyck family to take the girl's father's life, and she joined the Hunter Exam to seek revenge on them.
"Honestly, I don't understand your thoughts and actions," Kastro said calmly to Anita. "While the Zoldyck family are killers, they usually act on commission, so technically, they're only accomplices. If you want revenge, shouldn't you go after the main culprit first?"
"Moreover," he continued, "even if you want to trouble the Zoldyck family, the Hunter Exam isn't the place for it. The Kukuroo Mountain in the Republic of Padokia is their stronghold. If you can participate in the Hunter Exam, you must have some skills. You should know where their base is."
"Instead of going there, you came here... Do you think our Hunter Association is easier to bully than the Zoldyck family?" Kastro's tone gradually turned cold.
"That's not it!!" Anita retorted without thinking, her anger perhaps revealing a truth she didn't want to admit. "People like you can't understand the feeling of losing a loved one to a Zoldyck assassination!!!"
"No, I can understand," Kastro interrupted calmly. "Because I too have survived an assassination attempt by the Zoldyck family. But unlike you, I was lucky enough to survive."
Kastro looked at Killua, who had his hands in his pockets. Killua had maintained a calm demeanor, but when Kastro looked over, his hair stood on end.
"How are Zeno and Silva doing?" Kastro asked, looking directly into Killua's eyes.
When Kastro had pursued the Kudo Bandit Group, he was confronted by both Silva and Zeno, nearly losing his life. Now, seeing a member of the Zoldyck family in front of him, he couldn't help but inquire.
"You know my father and grandfather?!" Killua stared intently at Kastro. Although the latter showed no special aura, Killua could sense the terrifying power hidden within him. His gaze and every move exuded an oppressive and intimidating presence, even more so than his brother's.
"What do you want?" In a corner of the hall, Hisoka grabbed Gittarackur, also known as Illumi, by the shoulder. "If you step in now, won't it reveal you're also from the Zoldyck family?"
---
Hisoka chuckled softly, "It might also make your little brother recognize you."
"The Hunter Association won't act against candidates unless they're provoked... hmm," Hisoka recalled an incident from last year with someone who didn't know better, realizing things aren't always so absolute.
"Of course, if there's a brainless fool, then forget what I said. But clearly, that person is a big shot in the Hunter Association and wouldn't make such a rookie mistake~"
As Hisoka reassured, he noticed Gittarackur's body tremble a few times before he sat back down. However, his gaze remained fixed on Kastro's movements.
In the main area of the hall:
"Thanks to your father and grandfather, I barely survived their hands," Kastro recounted calmly. "Back when I was pursuing the Kudo Bandit Group, the leader hired your father and grandfather to deal with me. I almost didn't make it out alive."
Killua thought, "Why does every place have enemies of the Zoldyck family?! You should be looking for my grandpa and dad, not me!"
Killua felt like he wasn't getting any enjoyment out of the Hunter Exam. The first round was boring, the second round involved coercion, and now he was facing family enemies... The outside world was truly dangerous!
Filled with resentment, Killua asked with a twitching eye, "What do you want?"
"Nothing much," Kastro replied with a smile, seeing Killua's expression. "I told your father and grandfather that once I've honed my skills, I'll visit them personally. That day is getting closer."
His words slightly eased Killua's tense posture. Kastro's intention was clear: he would seek out Killua's father and grandfather, not bully a younger generation member.
This realization brought Killua some relief, though he still felt a bit aggrieved. Why did everyone seem to want to scare him?
"Hey, you're all here?" At this moment, Netero and Morin arrived. Another person to intimidate him?!
"In that case, the punishment will be to remove you from the ship and face a lifetime ban from participating in the Hunter Exam," Netero stated according to the rules.
Naturally, with his boundless compassion, Gon pleaded for leniency. Sharing a similar vendetta, Kurapika also appealed to Netero out of empathy for Anita.
This resulted in Netero coming up with a new idea. "How about this: if you play a game with me and win, I might reconsider."
He was curious to see the level of Ging's son and the Zoldyck family descendant. "If you can beat me, I'll give each of you a Hunter License."
With that, he turned and left, leaving behind a light statement that resonated powerfully with everyone.
Gon: "..."
Kurapika: "..."
Leorio: "..."
Killua: "..."
Kastro: "..."
Once again, they experienced Netero's capriciousness firsthand. However, the chance to obtain a Hunter License?!! Such capriciousness was something they eagerly welcomed!
The group exchanged glances, seeing the hint of excitement in each other's eyes. Even Killua's eyes showed interest.
"This gives us another reason to win this match no matter what!!" Leorio exclaimed passionately, with Gon and Kurapika nodding in agreement. The three, along with Killua, followed Netero.
Their excitement made Kastro shake his head slightly. Playing games with Chairman Netero and expecting to win? Even the Zodiac Twelve never won against him. They were celebrating too soon.
Chairman Netero was being excessive, offering a promise that was nearly impossible to fulfill.
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