Multiverse Gourmet Hunter

Once Netero made his decision, Beans’s voice soon echoed throughout the airship.

"Attention, all applicants. Chairman Netero will now conduct an individual interview with each of you."

"When your number is called, please proceed to the reception room on the second floor to meet with Chairman Netero."

"We will begin with Applicant Number 44, Hisoka."

As the announcement ended, the remaining applicants reacted in different ways.

One thing was obvious—the interviews had to be connected to the Final Phase.

The atmosphere immediately grew more serious.

Haruto knew a little more than the others. These conversations would determine the matchups for the final tournament.

What he was less certain about was how he should answer Netero’s questions.

After considering it for a while, Haruto decided to be honest.

His presence had already changed events, so the final matchups were bound to differ from the original arrangement anyway.

Before long, Number 103 was called over the intercom.

Haruto entered the reception room and sat opposite Netero.

"First question."

Netero looked at him calmly.

"Why do you want to become a Hunter?"

"To gain access to forbidden unexplored regions and dangerous territories." Haruto answered without hesitation.

He had high expectations for the ingredients hidden within those mysterious places.

"I see."

Netero nodded and wrote a few notes on the paper before him.

"Second question. Of the other nine applicants, who interests you the most?"

Haruto thought seriously for several seconds before giving an answer that clearly surprised Netero.

"Number 53, Pokkle."

The only reason Pokkle occupied his thoughts was because Haruto kept remembering how the man would eventually have his brain opened.

Why couldn’t he have simply stayed eliminated?

He could always try again next year.

Though with Killua taking the exam next year, Pokkle would not have had much chance of passing then either.

Netero raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued by the answer.

During the Fourth Phase, Haruto had defeated Pokkle with remarkable ease.

Still, the Chairman did not press him for an explanation.

"Final question. Of the remaining eight applicants, who would you least like to fight right now?" Haruto answered immediately.

"Number 44, Hisoka, and Number 301, Gittarackur."

"I have absolutely no desire to fight either of them."

One was a deranged fruit farmer, the other a murderous older brother obsessed with controlling Killua.

Both were extremely powerful and unbearably troublesome.

Haruto would much rather spend that time developing a few new recipes.

"I see."

Netero nodded and wrote something else on the page before gesturing toward the door.

"You may go."

Haruto stood at once and left the reception room.

...

Several hours after his interview, the airship slowly descended toward the site of the Final Phase.

The cabin doors opened, and Netero was the first to step outside.

He turned toward the ten applicants following him, a kindly smile on his face.

"Everyone, I hope you managed to rest after your long journey."

"This hotel belongs to the Hunter Association. Until every match has concluded, you are free to use any of its facilities."

Several staff members approached while pushing a large display board covered by a curtain.

Netero stepped forward and pulled the cloth away.

"Now then, let us discuss the contents of the Final Phase!"

"The ten of you will participate in a series of one-on-one elimination matches."

A clear tournament bracket had been drawn across the display board.

However, the competitors listed at the bottom of the bracket remained concealed beneath several strips of paper.

...

Leorio studied the tournament structure, and his face darkened.

"Does this mean only the person who wins every match will qualify as a Hunter?"

Judging by the bracket, only one person would remain at the end.

Did that mean only a single applicant would pass this year’s Hunter Exam?

The thought weighed heavily on Leorio.

There were several people here who were much stronger than him.

He was not the only one who looked concerned. The other applicants had also grown tense.

Netero shook his head and raised one finger.

"No. You only need to win a single match to pass."

This year’s applicants were exceptionally talented.

Any one of these ten could likely have passed without difficulty in an ordinary year.

Allowing only a single person to qualify would be a terrible waste.

That was why Netero had created this unusual loser-advances format. In the end, only one applicant would fail.

"Just... one victory?"

Gon stared at Netero with wide eyes, clearly unable to understand what he meant.

"Then how do the matchups and advancement rules work?" Leorio quickly asked.

He already had a vague suspicion, but he wanted confirmation.

Netero pointed toward the bracket and patiently explained.

"Anyone who wins a match immediately passes the exam."

"The loser advances upward through the bracket and faces another opponent in the next round."

"This continues until only one person remains at the very top."

"That person will be the sole applicant who fails."

"Does everyone understand?"

Once he finished explaining, the applicants visibly relaxed.

"So, basically, only one of us will fail?" Hanzo asked, wanting to make absolutely sure.

"That is correct."

Netero nodded.

"Now, these will be your matchups."

He reached out and removed the strips of paper covering the names at the bottom of the bracket.

...

The moment Haruto saw the arrangement, his expression darkened.

He had expected his presence to alter the original matchups.

Still, he had sincerely hoped to face someone like Bodoro, Leorio, or Pokkle.

Any of those opponents would have allowed him to secure an easy victory and obtain his Hunter License without much trouble.

Netero clearly had no intention of making things that simple.

The first match in the first half of the bracket was—Suzuki Haruto against Gon Freecs.

The loser would face Hanzo.

After that came Killua.

Then Gittarackur.

In the second half, Kurapika would fight Hisoka first.

The loser would face Bodoro, followed by Pokkle, and finally Leorio.

In terms of raw strength, Gon was obviously no match for Haruto.

Unfortunately, Gon was also absurdly stubborn.

Once he decided on something, not even a team of horses could drag him away from it.

Defeating Gon would be easy.

Forcing him to admit defeat was another matter entirely!

If Haruto deliberately lost, he would have to face Hanzo next.

Hanzo was weaker than him, but he had undergone extensive professional training and possessed far more combat experience.

Winning would likely take a considerable amount of time and effort.

Perhaps there was another way to deal with Gon.

After all, the rules never said they actually had to fight.

Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!