Leaves crunched under Kurapika's boots. His brows furrowed, carving a deep crease across his forehead. His scarlet eyes scanned the horizon through dark trunks, as if hunting for something—or someone.
Beside him, Killua slouched, hands shoved in his shorts pockets, gaze drifting lazily over the trees. A cool breeze tousled his white hair, and he tilted his head, glancing at Kurapika.
"Hey, what's up with you?" he asked, voice drawling but laced with sharp curiosity. "You look like you've seen a ghost."
Kurapika didn't answer right away. His lips stayed sealed, but his mind churned with restless thoughts.
'At this pace, he'll get there before me. Unless…' His eyes narrowed. 'Unless I push harder.'
He finally turned to Killua. "Killua," he said, voice low and firm, "what's your top speed right now?"
Killua blinked, caught off guard. He pulled a hand from his pocket, scratching the back of his head. "Huh? My speed?" He raised an eyebrow, a smirk tugging at his lips. "You serious? Why do you care?"
"Just answer," Kurapika pressed, his tone leaving no room for banter.
Killua huffed, smirk fading. "Fine, whatever. I'd say… about 120 kilometers an hour. Maybe a bit more if I go all out." He tilted his head, gaze piercing. "So, what's the deal?"
Kurapika didn't reply immediately. His eyes drifted, thoughts swirling. '120 kilometers an hour… It's fast, but is it enough?' He pictured the distance, trees blurring past. 'No, at that speed, he'll get there first. And then…' A fleeting image flashed in his mind: a cruel smile, cold eyes. His fists clenched.
He looked up, locking eyes with Killua. "All you need to do is keep up with me, got it?"
Killua frowned. "What? What're you talking about?"
But Kurapika didn't answer. His muscles tensed, legs bending slightly, and then he shot forward.
Killua froze for a split second, eyes wide. "Hey! Wait!" he shouted, but Kurapika was already far ahead. He growled, a mix of annoyance and thrill, and tore after him.
In his mind, Kurapika was elsewhere. 'I'll kill him. Or maybe not? He could be useful. Too unpredictable. What do I do?'
Killua, trailing behind, struggled to keep pace. His lungs burned, but a wild grin spread across his face.
'This guy's completely insane!' he thought, eyes gleaming with excitement.
He cranked his speed to the max. "Kurapika!" he yelled, voice swallowed by the wind. "You gonna tell me what's going on or what?"
Kurapika didn't look back. His eyes stayed locked ahead, fixed on a shadow only he could see.
'I can't underestimate him. Either way, we save Gon first.'
Killua, gasping, slowed slightly. He slapped a hand against a tree to steady himself, eyes tracking Kurapika's fading figure. "Damn it," he muttered, wiping sweat from his brow. "You're not human, man." He shook his head, frustration and admiration in his gaze. Then he pushed off, refusing to quit. 'If he thinks he can lose me like that, he's got another thing coming!'
---
Gon crouched beside the man sprawled in the dirt, still catching his breath. His fingers searched the man's clothes, sliding over rough fabric until they found a metal badge pinned inside. He unclipped it, holding it between his fingers.
Gon squinted, wiping sweat from his brow with his forearm, then held his watch to the badge. A beep sounded, followed by a flashing digital display: 700 points.
He exhaled, shoulders easing slightly. "700…" he murmured, lips curling into a tired but satisfied smile. His eyes sparkled. 'Just 300 more points. I'm almost there.' He slipped the badge into his pocket. 'Kurapika was right. Focusing on candidates is the key.'
A rustle in the bushes made him jump. A tall, lean figure emerged from the shadows, flaming red hair stark against the dull green trees. Gon's eyes narrowed, heart racing. 'This guy…'
---
Hisoka sprinted through the undergrowth.
'I'm gonna have fun, I'm gonna have fun…❤️' He vaulted over a root, landing with feline grace. His fingers toyed with a card—a jack of spades—spinning it between his knuckles. 'The kid's close. I can almost taste his energy. So raw. So delicious.❤️'
Suddenly, he stopped dead. His eyes narrowed, smile faltering. Ahead, sitting on a mossy rock, Kurapika watched, blond hair stirred by the breeze. His scarlet eyes gleamed with a cold, almost cutting edge.
Hisoka tilted his head, smile returning, wider, sharper. "Well, well…♦️" he murmured, voice purring.
Kurapika crossed his arms. "Where are you rushing off to, Hisoka?"
Hisoka chuckled, raising his hands in mock innocence. "Oh, don't give me that look.♣️" He took a step, gait casual, eyes twinkling with amusement. "You're here to protect your little protégé, aren't you? How… cute.♦️" He tilted his head, a red strand falling over his face. 'I figured he'd step in somehow, but not this soon.'
Kurapika stood slowly. "I warned you, Hisoka." His voice sliced like a blade.
Hisoka raised an eyebrow, lips stretching wider. "Oh, chill out.♣️" He waved a hand, a card appearing between his fingers. "I'm not gonna kill him. He's just caught my interest.♣️" He stepped closer, eyes locking onto Kurapika's. "I just want to… play a bit. This test is boring, you get me, right?♦️" 'I can't figure out his Hatsu, but he seems to know mine. If we clash here, then…'
Kurapika stepped forward, eyes blazing, but stopped abruptly. He inhaled deeply, shoulders relaxing slightly. "You're right," he murmured, barely audible. 'Coddling Gon won't help him grow. He needs to face this world. Its dangers. Its monsters.'
Hisoka blinked, smile flickering for a split second. "Oh?♦️" He tilted his head, intrigued. "What's this? You're letting me through? Without even a little spar?♦️" He spun the card, turning it into a joker with a flick. 'He's underestimating me, huh…'
"Do what you planned. Kill him, if that's what you want."
Hisoka's eyes widened slightly. Then a deep laugh burst out, echoing through the brush. "Oh, you're full of surprises!♠️" He ran a hand through his hair, smile turning feral. "You're giving me permission? Really? You think I need it?♠️"
Kurapika didn't answer immediately. He closed his eyes briefly, then opened them, calm. "Think what you want. But if he survives, I'll train him." His voice was cold, measured. "I'll make him someone who can stand up to you, maybe even crush you. With the same edge we have."
Hisoka's eyebrows shot up, smile widening. "Oh? You want to carve him into a precious diamond?♦️" He chuckled, slipping the card into his pocket. "I like that idea. A lot.❤️" He brushed past Kurapika, their shoulders nearly touching. He paused, glancing back. "By the way, you're still my most tempting prey. You've even knocked the top name off my kill list.♠️"
Kurapika stood still, eyes fixed on nothing. "Like I said, I'm ready whenever you are, Hisoka." His voice was a whisper, heavy with resolve.
Hisoka laughed softly, a sound that hung like a veiled threat. "Fine. I'll see what your little protégé's made of.♣️" He walked off, his figure melting into the brush, laughter fading in the breeze.
Kurapika stood alone, eyes tracing where Hisoka had vanished. 'Gon, prove you're one of this world's protagonists.'
---
In the clearing, Gon stepped back, eyes locked on the approaching figure. Hisoka's red hair gleamed in the sunlight, his smile sending a chill down Gon's spine.
'This guy… he's dangerous.' His fists clenched.
Hisoka stopped a few meters away, eyes glinting like a predator's. "Well, well…♦️" His voice was soft, almost sing-song. "Look at you, all out of breath but ready to pounce.♣️" He tilted his head, a red strand falling over his face. "You're a fascinating little beast.❤️"
Gon narrowed his eyes. "You're a candidate. I see you."
'He's strong, I can feel it.' He swallowed, not breaking eye contact. 'But I'm not backing down.'
Hisoka chuckled, taking a slow, deliberate step. He pulled out a card—an ace of hearts—and spun it between his fingers. "Let's play a little.♣️" His eyes lit up, smile widening. "Show me what you've got, kid.♠️"
Gon squared his shoulders, a bold grin returning. "Alright." His voice was clear. "But don't cry when you lose."
Hisoka's laugh rang across the clearing. "Oh, I love your guts!❤️" He took another step, the card vanishing in his hand. "Let's see how far you can go.♠️"
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