Recently, The Ten Dons had reached out to Pride with an interesting proposal. They were conducting secret experiments in human augmentation, selecting the strongest fighters from their ranks and attempting to merge Nen abilities with technological enhancements. Their goal was to push past the natural limits of Nen users, creating a force unlike anything the underworld had ever seen. They called these experiments the "Shadow Beasts."
Pride had been skeptical. He didn't believe fusing technology with aura would result in anything truly groundbreaking. At least, not enough to meet his own ambitions. But The Ten Dons seemed to have hit a bottleneck, and now they were looking to Lust and Sloth for help. With their abilities, they could manipulate and completely control the minds of others—an invaluable asset for perfecting the Shadow Beast project.
Initially, he had refused. Partnering with The Ten Dons was like making a deal with the devil. Trust was never guaranteed, and alliances in the underworld were as fragile as glass. But Wrath and Envy's deaths had changed everything. His hunger for power had never been stronger, and The Ten Dons had dangled an offer too tempting to ignore. If Lust and Lazy could help make their experiments a success, they would arrange for Pride to become one of them.
One of the ten most powerful crime lords in the world. It was an opportunity he couldn't afford to pass up. If he could claim such a position, his name would be everywhere. His status would skyrocket. And with that, his power would follow. The thought of it alone sent a thrill through him. He had been stagnant for too long, stuck at the same level, unable to break past his limits. This was the chance he needed. Even if it meant taking a risk, he was willing to bet on himself.
Unbeknownst to Larry, the deaths of Wrath and Envy had set off a chain reaction. His actions had pushed the Seven Deadly Sins into an alliance with The Ten Dons, accelerating the rise of the Shadow Beasts (inju). Because of him, they would grow even stronger. Another ripple in the grand scheme of things—a butterfly effect in motion.
Pride's voice pulled the room back to the present. "That settles it. Gluttony, Larry is yours. Just remember, I want him alive." Gluttony nodded, a twisted grin forming beneath the shadow of his hood. He could already taste the anticipation. He wondered how the boy would taste—how his flesh would feel between his teeth. And if he was lucky… maybe he could devour more than just his body. Maybe he could take his power too. His pulse quickened at the thought. Hehehe…
Pride, sensing his bloodlust, added, "Don't go overboard. Make sure he can still use his Nen removal ability." Then, his gaze shifted to Greed. "You go with him."
Even though Gluttony was normally quiet, the moment he got a chance to feast, he became completely unhinged. The last thing Pride needed was for him to consume Larry's ability before they could use it. Greed would be his leash. Greed sighed, glancing at Gluttony's ravenous expression before shaking his head. "Yeah, yeah… I got it." His lips curled into a sly smile as he leaned back, his fingers drumming against the table. "Boss, you better hook me up with a few new clients after this. Business has been slow, and I could use some fresh talent."
A wave of powerful yellow Aura suddenly surged from Greed's body, thick and heavy like an overflowing river. The sheer volume of it was staggering—enough to make any ordinary Nen user's knees buckle under the pressure. It was a reminder that every single member of the Seven Deadly Sins was a force to be reckoned with. Wrath and Envy had been the weakest among them. And even they had been considered dangerous.
Outside the Tower of Trickery, the bright sunlight felt almost blinding. Seventy-two hours had passed in what felt like an instant. One by one, the remaining candidates emerged from the stone gate, stepping into the warmth of the outside world. Some blinked against the brightness, their eyes adjusting after days spent inside the tower's suffocating gloom. A few were so overwhelmed that they even shed tears, the relief washing over them like a wave. But there was no time to rest. The fourth phase of the exam was about to begin. Lippo and another examiner stood at the front, a lottery box placed between them. "The next test," Lippo announced, his voice cutting through the chatter, "is called 'Hunting and Being Hunted.'"
The rules were simple. Each candidate would draw a number, which would determine their target. Their goal? Hunt down their assigned target and claim their badge. Of course, at the same time, someone else would be hunting them. It was a test of survival, skill, and strategy.
The battlefield was Sebisu Island, a vast stretch of land visible from where they stood. In the old version of the Hunter Exam, this phase had taken place on Zevil Island, but it seemed that this world was following the newer adaptations. Larry had already noticed hints of it during the second phase—Menchi hadn't included the sushi-making test, which had been a staple in earlier versions. It was small details like these that confirmed it.
One by one, candidates stepped forward in order of their ranking, reaching into the lottery box to pull their target's number. Larry, standing among the crowd, waited for his turn. When it came, he strode forward with an easy, relaxed gait. He reached into the box, his fingers brushing against the small wooden tokens inside. Then, with a smirk, he looked up at Lippo. His expression was playful, almost amused, as he pulled his number. Lippo looked like a mouse caught in a cat's gaze. He couldn't bring himself to meet Larry's eyes, his gaze darting around with clear unease. Anyone watching could tell something was off—his entire body screamed nervous tension.
Leorio, adjusting his small round glasses with a casual flick of his fingers, raised an eyebrow and said seriously, "Does this examiner have Parkinson's or something?"
The bald ninja standing nearby nodded in agreement, as if Leorio's theory was perfectly reasonable. Larry took his lottery card without hesitation and walked away. The moment he left, Lippo let out a deep sigh of relief, his shoulders visibly relaxing. The pressure Larry exuded was suffocating, almost overwhelming. It was only after he was gone that Lippo realized just how tense he had been.
Strangely enough, by the time Hisoka stepped forward to draw his lot, Lippo felt nothing. Compared to the invisible weight Larry had pressed down on him, Hisoka's presence barely registered. With the drawing complete, Lippo instructed the candidates to peel off the protective film on their cards, revealing the numbers underneath.