We arrived at the training room. Netero was already standing in the center, casually tossing a volleyball in his hand.
Netero:"Now, I'll explain the rules. If you can take this ball from me before the airship reaches its destination, you win. I believe we're scheduled to arrive around 8 AM? That gives you about nine hours. You're free to attack me however you'd like. I won't lay a finger on you."
Gon:"Huh? That's too easy! You can't call that a game."
Max:"Don't underestimate him, Gon. Not even for a second."
Gon turned to look at Max, surprised by how serious his expression was.
Gon (thought):Is Chairman Netero really that scary... and that strong?
Max (thought):Honestly... I bet I could provoke him into attacking me, but risking my life for this challenge? Nah, bad idea.
Netero:"Why not give it a try first?"
Killua:"So, we just have to take the ball?"
Netero:"Exactly."
Killua:"Then I'll go first."
Killua started walking in circles around Netero.
Killua (thought):He's looking down on me.
Max (thought):Of course he is. If he actually attacked, a single finger would be enough to put you down.
Killua continued circling, picking up speed until multiple afterimages of him appeared, causing Gon to gasp in amazement.
Gon:"I see lots of Killuas!"
Netero (thought):An assassination technique—Rhythm Echo. Using a timed rhythm to create afterimages. Impressive for someone so young.
Max (thought):Nice technique. I'll be borrowing that, thanks.
Killua made his move, darting forward to grab the ball, but Netero casually dodged him without breaking a sweat.
Killua (thought):Damn, he keeps slipping away... Is he really an old man?
Netero:"What? That all you've got?"
Frustrated, Killua pivoted and kicked at Netero's leg.
Gon:"Ouch... Right on his pivot leg!"
Max (thought):Good effort, but even without nen, it'll only do minor damage.
Killua recoiled instantly, grabbing his foot.
Killua:"Owwww!!"
Netero (thought):If I were a normal old man, that would've shattered my leg.
Killua (thought):His legs are like iron... no, more like diamond!
Gon:"Killua! Tag out! It's my turn!"
Killua grunted and slapped Gon's hand for the tag.
Netero (thought):Let's see what this honest boy can do.
Gon immediately dashed forward with surprising speed.
Netero (thought):Quick first step, but still ten years too early to face me head-on.
Suddenly, Gon leaped high into the air.
Netero (thought):Oh? From above?
Max (thought):Is he genuinely letting his guard down... or just pretending?
Unfortunately, the airship ceiling wasn't high enough—Gon smacked his head hard.
Gon:"Ow!"
Killua:"Idiot! Control your strength! You gave him an opening!"
Netero (thought):Still, not bad... he thinks fast.
Gon:"I messed up."
Netero (thought):At least they'll keep me entertained until morning.
Max (thought):Maybe I actually have a tiny shot... if he's limiting himself this much. Very tiny. An unpredictable move might work.
Time passed, with Gon repeatedly trying—and failing—to grab the ball.
Finally, Max spoke up:
Max:"Gon, my turn."
Gon:"Sure. I couldn't even touch it. You think you can?"
Max:"Maybe."
Gon:"You really need more confidence."
Max:"Whatever."
After a quick high-five to tag, Max took his position.
Netero (thought):Now, let's see what this young man can do.
Max:"Alright... here we go."
Max immediately activated Rhythm Echo, creating dozens of afterimages around Netero.
Gon and Killua stared, amazed.
Gon:"Whoa! There's so many Max too!"
Killua (thought):He really wasn't bluffing... He can actually copy techniques!
Netero (thought):He's using it too? No—he copied it just now. What incredible talent.
Max charged forward head-on, just like Gon did earlier.
Netero (thought):Predictable... will he jump too?
But at the last second—
Max:"Gon! Killua! NOW!!!"
Netero (thought):Huh?
Netero instinctively flicked his gaze toward Gon and Killua, who stood there confused.
It was only a split second—but enough.
Netero (thought):Clever! Where is he—above? No... below?!
Max had dropped low, doing a split, and aimed a punch straight toward—
Max:"HIYAAAAAAAAAAAH!!"
WHAM!
Max's fist connected with Netero's crotch.
Gon:"Ouch... That's gotta hurt."
Killua:"Way worse than my kick..."
Netero's face twitched. For the first time, he reacted—just slightly, flinching for a fraction of a second.
Max immediately reached up with his other hand, trying to grab the ball—but Netero casually hopped back with an easy grace, leaving Max grabbing at thin air.
Max (thought):Tch... missed! Are his balls made of steel too?
Netero:"Hohoho... Very creative, young man. I almost dropped it there."
Gon:"You almost had it!"
Killua:"Seriously, that was insane... and kinda messed up."
Meanwhile, Netero was thinking:I can't believe that kid pulled that off... I've never seen a technique like that before. Did he make it himself?(Tip: No, he didn't. Max was inspired by Mortal Kombat's Johnny Cage.)
Max:"I give up."
Gon & Killua:"Huh?"
Netero:"That's it? Giving up already?"
Max:"At least I tried. I'm just gonna watch now. Good luck, Gon and Killua."
Gon and Killua stayed silent but accepted it. They kept trying again and again... but still failed.
Netero:"You boys aren't getting anywhere. Why don't you try attacking simultaneously?"
Hearing that, Max immediately said:
Max:"Wait, we can do that?!"
Netero:"Yes."
Max:"Why didn't you tell us sooner?!"
Netero:"You didn't ask. Besides, I never said it had to be one-on-one."
Max (thought):Now that I think about it... he's right. He never said it.
Killua:"Why, you..."
Gon:"Okay! I'll get you this time!"
They both started attacking together—but still failed miserably.
Max, deep in thought, stared at Netero... and then suddenly got an idea.
Max:"Can I still join back in?"
Netero:"Sure. I never said you couldn't after giving up."
Max:"Gon, Killua! Come here. I have a plan!"
They immediately stopped and ran over to Max.
Killua:"So you decided to come back, huh?"
Gon:"I knew you wouldn't give up!"
Max:"Yeah, yeah. Listen, the plan's simple..."
Max explained it quietly so Netero couldn't hear.
Gon:"That's a good plan!"
Killua:"Simple but effective."
Max:"Alright, let's do this."
Netero watched them approach.
Netero (thought):Interesting.
Gon dashed at Netero.
Gon (thought):Netero-san hasn't even broken a sweat... Amazing. But this time... we can do it!
Netero:"Your attacks are getting boring."
Gon prepared to kick Netero's chin. Netero easily dodged—but Gon's shoe suddenly flew off, extending his range!
Netero:He kicked off his shoe to increase his reach?!
Then, from behind, Killua kicked the back of Netero's head, making him loosen his grip on the ball. Max moved in to hug him, trying to immobilize him.
Killua:"A chance!"
Netero:"I think not."
Before Max could grab him properly, Netero shoved him back with one hand. He then kicked the ball into the air.
As Netero prepared to catch it, Gon's second shoe flew at the ball, knocking it even farther away.
Netero:"You and your little tricks!"
Killua and Gon dashed for the ball.
Killua & Gon:"It's mine!"
Netero got ready to dash after it—but—
Max:"NOPE!"
Max grabbed Netero's leg from the front before he could even move.
Netero tried using his other leg, but Max grabbed that too. If Netero forced himself forward now, he would essentially be attacking Max, which was against the rules.
Netero (thought):This kid's physical strength... it's abnormal. Even without Nen, he's already top-tier.
Flashback:
Max: "The plan is simple. I'll pin the Chairman down while you two grab the ball.Only one of us needs to succeed for us to win. Let's do this."
Present:
Max:"Thanks for the handicap!"
Gon and Killua finally caught the ball.
Gon & Killua:"WE DID IT!"
Netero (thought):This is not how I planned it... I even had to use both arms and legs to push this kid off! Oh well... What a pain.
Netero:"I commend your efforts. Don't worry I will keep my promise."
Gon:"No need, Chairman Netero."
Max and Netero:"Huh?"
Killua: "You were really pissing me off, giving us that hand and leg handicap too without explanation... but you know what? It still feels kinda unfair—even for you. Fighting all three of us at once, and Max is the strongest out of all of us, so it's not exactly a fair match."
Max:"You guys are seriously just gonna give it up? It was fair! He's the strongest of the strong! He's even way stronger than me!"
Gon:"Wait, he didn't used both his hands and legs i didn't notice that?"
Killua:"Well, technically he did—but only because Max tried to immobilize him. First, when Max tried to hug him, Netero pushed him off with his other hand. Then, when he tried to dash at us, Max grabbed his leg when netero tried to dash with other leg he grab already grab it before he manage to do that. So yeah, technically, a lot of the credit goes to Max. Thanks to him, we managed to catch the ball."
Max:"Well, without you guys, all I could've done was immobilize him. No one would've been able to grab the ball. Thank god it was a team match."
Gon:"And that's exactly why we think it was unfair."
Max (thought):You guys... whatever.
Netero:"Are you sure? I'm not taking back my word. This is your last chance. If you refuse, you'll have to continue the exam normally."
Gon:"I accept. I want to pass together with Leorio and Kurapika anyway. It just wouldn't feel right otherwise. I'd also feel bad for the other participants if we passed like this."
Killua:"Yeah. I still want to see what the next stages are like."
Netero:"So it's only you left?"
Max:"Gaaah... fine. You guys are right. Even if he was holding back, it's still kinda cheap."
Netero:"Hohoho, No regrets, then?"
Everyone nodded.
Netero:"Very well. I didn't expect you kids to actually win. As a reward, is there anything else you'd like?"
Max (thought):Really? Then I'll—
Netero:"But nothing greater than a Hunter license, alright?"
Max (thought):"Dang it. I was gonna ask to become his disciple! Money? Nah, I can earn that myself... Information? I can't even think of anything to ask..."
Gon:"Could you just slow down the airship? We want to rest after all that."
Netero:"Is that all? You don't want to know about the next test?"
Killua:"Nah. Figuring it out is part of the adventure."
Netero:"And you?"
Max:"Same. Whatever."
Netero:"Alright, then. I'll call the pilot to slow down."
Gon: "Thanks. We're gonna take a shower and have a rest."
Netero:"Have a good time."
As Max, Gon, and Killua left the training room, Netero watched them with a smile.
Netero (thought):Thank God these kids aren't greedy. But not that one... I bet he wanted to ask to become my disciple or something. Too bad he ran out of ideas. Oh well. Time to call the pilot.
Netero picked up the phone.
Netero:"Hello, helmsman? It's me. Is the flight going smoothly? Good. Sorry to ruin it, but could you slow it down a bit?"
Meanwhile, as they were preparing to shower, Max suddenly asked:
Max:"Hey, Gon. Why didn't you just ask the Chairman about your father's location? Your dad's a Hunter too, and Netero's way above him — he probably knows where he is."
Gon:"Oh, I forgot. But even if I remembered, I wouldn't ask."
Killua:"Why?"
Gon:"I want to find him, without any direct hint. I think... that's what my dad would want."
Max:"How would you know? You haven't even met him or talked to him yet."
Gon:"Just a hunch?"
Max:"...Whatever."
They all showered, changed, and went to their rooms to rest. Except for Max, who sat down and meditated, thinking:
Max (thought): Man, I could've gotten the Hunter license easily... sigh. Too bad. Oh well. Let's just meditate.
Feeling the airship slow down, Max smiled faintly and sank deeper into meditation, as their journey continued.