Between Two Worlds: Nen and Haki

'As expected, a mature Nen user keeps their "Ten" active at all times.'

While Gon and his friends were talking, Zane was silently observing.

His gaze swept across Hisoka, Illumi, and the examiner Satotz one by one.

With his aura nodes also open, he could now perceive the Nen aura of others.

Under his observation, it was no surprise to see that all three—Hisoka, Illumi, and Satotz—were enveloped in Nen aura.

In other words, they were maintaining the "Ten" state constantly.

Seeing this, Zane understood immediately.

Although he had only recently opened his aura nodes, he had kept his Nen flowing ever since he quickly learned how to use "Ten."

This wasn't just to practice his mastery of Nen, but also because of the inherent benefits of the technique.

On one hand, maintaining "Ten" provided a basic defense during sudden encounters.

On the other, it nourished the body.

It was different from Armament Haki.

Armament Haki was a manifestation of spirit and will.

Nen, however, originated from life energy.

Although ordinary people's aura nodes are closed, they still involuntarily leak small amounts of life energy.

By using "Ten," one could lock in and prevent this loss of life energy.

Furthermore, the Nen circulating around the body created a positive cycle that nourished the physical form.

It could be said that making "Ten" a permanent state was a fundamental skill every mature Nen user had to possess.

"You've all worked hard on the journey here. Visca Forest Park is the site for the second phase of the test. I shall take my leave now. I hope you all pass the upcoming tests!"

At that moment, Satotz, standing at the manor's entrance, raised his voice to catch the candidates' attention.

The candidates had already finished crossing the Numere Wetlands under Satotz's lead and reached the second exam site.

After announcing the end of the first phase, Satotz didn't linger and strode away.

Rumble...

While the candidates watched Satotz's retreating figure, the manor gates slowly groaned open with a deep rumble.

This caused everyone to quickly turn and look inside the estate.

What greeted them was a spacious courtyard.

Along both sides of the path leading to the villa at the end, several cooking stations were strangely arranged.

In front of the villa, a sofa had been placed.

A woman with her hair tied up in a starfish-like topknot sat on the sofa with her legs crossed.

Behind her, an exceptionally tall and obese man sat on the ground with his legs spread wide.

Like the other candidates, Zane fixed his gaze on the pair.

"Welcome! I am Menchi, the examiner for the second phase!"

"And I'm Buhara!"

Menchi and Buhara looked at the crowd of candidates and introduced themselves with a smile.

The candidates who filed into the manor looked at the two new examiners with curiosity or solemnity.

Growl...

Before they could observe for long, a loud stomach rumble echoed through the courtyard.

The sound came from Buhara.

"Seems like you're starving already?" Menchi turned casually to look at him.

Buhara replied helplessly, "I'm so hungry I'm getting dizzy."

Menchi gave a knowing smile and stood up from the sofa to face the candidates again.

She placed her hands on her hips and said, "As you can see, the second phase of the test is... cooking!"

"Huh?!"

"Cooking?"

"Wait, did you say cooking? We came here to take the Hunter Exam!"

Menchi's words left the candidates in a state of shock, with some openly expressing their dissatisfaction.

Menchi shrugged and said, "That's right. So, the content of the second test is to prepare a dish that satisfies both of us."

"Why is it cooking?" someone demanded.

Menchi glanced at him and replied calmly, "Because we are both Gourmet Hunters."

The candidates were briefly stunned.

The next second...

"Hahaha..."

"That's ridiculous! What the heck is a Gourmet Hunter?"

"Gourmet Hunter? What kind of Hunter is that? Don't make me laugh."

The title of Gourmet Hunter earned no respect from the candidates; instead, it drew laughter from many.

Among them, the laughter of Candidate #225, Todo, was the loudest.

He was a wrestler who looked a bit fat, but it was actually all solid muscle.

He was also one of the people Tonpa had introduced to Gon's group earlier.

Seeing Todo and the others treat the title of Gourmet Hunter with such contempt, Menchi frowned, her gaze turning cold.

Outside the manor.

'Gourmet Hunters Menchi and Buhara... to choose such difficult individuals as examiners. I'm afraid that for this second phase, maybe fifty... no, depending on the task, not even ten people might pass.'

Satotz, who should have left, was hidden in a large tree outside the manor, observing the situation with binoculars.

When he saw that the examiners were Menchi and Buhara, he clearly recognized them and knew what they were capable of. For a moment, he couldn't help but feel pity for the candidates.

Gourmet Hunters were still Hunters.

They could prepare ingredients, but they could also "prepare" enemies.

Satotz knew that Menchi and Buhara were not to be trifled with.

Especially Menchi.

As a newly promoted Single-Star Gourmet Hunter, she was hailed as a genius in her field, but her temper was famously explosive.

Back inside the manor.

Amidst the echoes of contemptuous laughter, a tall figure suddenly appeared behind Todo, the one laughing the loudest.

Swish!

With a quick grab, the hulking Todo was hoisted by his collar like a light toy before he could even react. Zane flung him high over the courtyard wall.

Thud!

"Aaaargh!"

A sharp scream came from beyond the wall as he hit the ground hard.

"Honestly, you talk too much. You're not even a Hunter yet, and you're mocking professional Hunters? I don't know if you're brave or just plain brainless."

Having tossed Todo out like trash, Zane calmly patted his hands and scanned the laughing candidates, sighing as if in disbelief.

The sudden turn of events drew everyone's attention.

When they heard Zane's words, the mocking candidates fell silent instantly.

They looked at Zane with suspicion and uncertainty.

"He's right. Gourmet Hunters are still professional Hunters. That means both examiners have passed the Hunter Exam in the past. I don't understand why anyone would mock them."

"Exactly."

"People should have some self-awareness, or they'll only end up making fools of themselves."

Joining in immediately after Zane finished, Leorio, Gon, Kurapika, and even Killua quickly stepped up to stand behind him.