Awesome — here we go! I'll make sure Killua's entrance feels natural and Noah fits in perfectly, without changing t
The endless underground tunnel finally began to slope upwards, and a fresh breeze of cold air washed over the exhausted applicants.
Satotz, still jogging calmly ahead, finally spoke:
"The exit is close. Hold on."
Gon, Kurapika, Leorio, and Noah stayed together, weaving around collapsed bodies.
Everyone was drenched in sweat, but Gon still had a wild grin on his face.
Leorio gasped, "Is... is this guy even human...?"
Noah simply wiped a bit of sweat from his forehead, breathing calmly.
His chakra flow had kept his body from collapsing — one of the many advantages he had carefully hidden.
---
A New Challenger Appears
Suddenly — a blur of white shot past the group.
A boy about Gon's age, riding a skateboard, weaving through the tired applicants like it was nothing.
He had messy white hair, sharp blue eyes, and a mischievous smile.
Killua Zoldyck.
He spun around lazily on his board and matched their pace, riding backward effortlessly.
"Yo," Killua said casually. "You guys holding up?"
Gon lit up immediately.
"Whoa, that's so cool!" Gon shouted. "You're riding a skateboard while running?!"
Killua laughed. "Beats killing my legs for hours."
Kurapika raised an eyebrow.
Leorio growled, "Show-off..."
Noah, on the other hand, narrowed his eyes slightly.
His balance is perfect. His reflexes are beyond normal. No ordinary kid.
He didn't say anything, but Killua's sharp glance flicked toward Noah for just a second — as if he sensed the difference too.
Two predators recognizing each other quietly.
---
First Bond
Gon ran up closer to Killua, matching his speed.
"What's your name?"
"Killua. You?"
"Gon!"
Gon beamed at him with innocent excitement.
Noah watched the exchange quietly, smirking slightly at Gon's pure, easy trust.
Killua looked at Gon for a moment... then smiled, real and rare.
"Nice to meet ya, Gon."
The two kids immediately started racing each other, laughing through the tunnel, forgetting for a moment the deadly seriousness of the Exam.
Kurapika smiled faintly at the sight.
Leorio muttered, "Kids have too much energy..."
Noah jogged silently behind them, but his mind was sharp.
Killua... Zoldyck. I recognize that name.
The Zoldyck family — assassins feared across the world.
Noah kept a mental note.
He's a wildcard. Dangerous. But... interesting.
Maybe even someone who could survive the chaos to come.
---
The Exit
Finally — a blinding light appeared ahead.
The applicants burst out of the tunnel into a misty swamp.
Towering trees, muddy paths, and the sounds of strange beasts filled the air.
Everyone slowed down, breathing heavily, looking around in confusion.
Satotz finally came to a stop at the swamp's edge.
His calm voice cut through the fog:
> "You've made it this far.
But be warned — the true danger begins now."
He turned slightly, scanning the crowd.
> "This is the Numere Wetlands.
It's filled with dangerous creatures...
Some of which can mimic humans perfectly."
A shudder ran through the applicants.
Satotz continued:
> "You may see me.
You may see your friends.
But if you trust your eyes alone — you'll die."
Gon gulped.
Leorio clenched his fists nervously.
Killua's expression stayed relaxed, but Noah noticed his sharp glance, analyzing everything.
Noah himself remained calm, his chakra gently expanding,
feeling for subtle disturbances hidden in the mist.
Satotz gave one final order:
> "Trust your instincts. Not your eyes."
And without waiting another second —
he sprinted straight into the dense mist, disappearing almost instantly.
The applicants stared after him, hesitation and fear growing by the second.
From deep inside the swamp, faint footsteps echoed...
but it was impossible to tell if they were human or not.
Noah's eyes narrowed slightly, the Sharingan flickering into life for just a second.
The real challenge had just begun.