In the misty fog, faintly, there was the sound of metal clashing.

As an exam site for the Hunter Exam, this island was quite large with dense forests and complex terrain.

Killua followed Chitose to find Gon. Along the way, he fully witnessed the wonders of Chitose's alchemy. To be honest it was really interesting, and Killua also understood that with Chitose's speed of drawing transmutation circles during battle, it would definitely become a powerful weapon. However, annoyingly, Chitose hadn't made a move at all these past few days.

The more he wanted to know about Chitose's hidden abilities, the more that guy hid himself tightly. Whenever they encountered enemies, he would just stand by and watch Killua.

Killua walked with his hands in his pockets, nimbly dodging the joint attack of the three brothers they had just met. His large cat-like eyes couldn't help but slide over to glance at the black-haired boy sitting on a tree branch gazing into the distance.

He didn't know what that guy was thinking. But that didn't stop him from vaguely sensing that Chitose was worried about someone.

Recalling the cold yet spirited eyes of that boy reflecting someone else, Killua suddenly lost interest in teasing his prey. He halted in his tracks, standing straight up right there. Abruptly unleashing his killing aura, his light blue eyes turned icy as he satisfyingly saw that not only were the three weaklings before him completely petrified, even the boy on the tree was startled awake and looked over at him.

Without even glancing at the three who had left their number plates behind as they fled, Chitose leapt down from the tree. "I saw Gon. We'd better hurry." He looked at Killua who had taken the number plate, confused. In the depths of his black eyes surged an overwhelming battle lust. "The one who killed my target has appeared."

As he dashed through the woods following Chitose, Killua paid close attention to observing the figure running ahead of him to the right.

That little boy in black with the uchiwa fan symbol on his back sped through the woods with such speed. The ground was covered in leaves and dead branches, yet bizarrely he didn't make a sound. His steps were nimble, an extraordinary sense of vigilance and explosive power evident from his taut body and the glint in his extremely bright eyes. Killua stared steadily for quite a while. The light in his own eyes gradually lit up, but the corners of his mouth silently hooked up a smile.

For an instant, the light of killing intent was thick on the white-haired boy's face.

He would find the person Chitose was so worried about, then... kill her or him.

Successfully locating Gon, Killua's eyes bulged out as he watched the foolhardily casting his fishing rod to hook back Hisoka's number plate. If it were him, he would have casually found three others long ago instead of daring to recklessly clash head-on with that lunatic. In the depths of his heart, facing an opponent so much stronger than himself was absolutely the worst choice.

He would rather flee than directly battle. Suddenly, he thought of something and turned to Chitose in shock.

That earlier wording... Hisoka was the one who killed his target? His target's number plate was in Hisoka's hands?

Hey hey, don't joke around. Are you planning to snatch Hisoka's plate like Gon? Feeling Killua's shock and unease, Chitose suddenly glanced over at him. The faint confusion in his eyes turned to realization after seeing Killua's eyes full of horror. He subtly shook his head to indicate Killua needn't worry. Killua assumed he wouldn't try to take Hisoka's, and was relieved.

However, soon after Gon was poisoned and paralyzed by a dark-skinned man who took his number plate. He seemed to have been tailing Gon for quite some time. Killua sighed inwardly, then saw Hisoka actually kill that man and return Gon's number plate to him.

So Hisoka's target was that dark-skinned man. But Gon probably wouldn't accept this outcome. Killua frowned at the thought. Seeing Hisoka had no intention of harming Gon, he breathed a sigh of relief. He planned to regroup with Gon after Hisoka left, and together they would help Chitose find three more people.

Although Hisoka had obtained his target's number plate, he had given his own to Gon. Add that to the one target plate of Chitose's he had on hand, they were still lacking two points. Wanting the points, Hisoka would surely still go after two more. Hopefully they wouldn't run into him...

While Killua was lost in thought, Chitose had been silently watching Hisoka's actions the entire time. Finally, upon seeing Hisoka turn to leave, he attacked without the slightest hesitation.

Hisoka still hadn't recovered from Gon's growth when he saw the little fruit he had discovered earlier with decent potential rushing at him. He had felt it was still too early to pluck this fruit, it wasn't ripe enough yet. But after seeing the look in the child's eyes, he halted in his tracks. Amused, he raised a brow, then extended his red tongue to lick the corner of his mouth.

In the blink of an eye, Chitose was already before him. He held a kunai knife in each hand reversed grip for optimal reaction. With a single thought, his eyes turned into a gorgeous red. The three black tomoe of the Sharingan slowly spun within. His eyes were sharp and overbearing, yet in their movements between offense and defense, their beauty was enough to steal one's soul.

Hisoka was surprised to see the change in his eyes, but his actions didn't falter. He calmly received the boy's fierce attack. Chitose's taijutsu was honed in that place. Later as the only successful experiment subject, he underwent training comparable to hell. Although only four years, relying on his intelligence and talent he had reached a level unattainable by ordinary people.

The Konoha elders only knew his ability was on par with a jounin. But then what about after Chitose activated his Sharingan?

Chitose concentrated fully on attacking, every move and style was lethal and aimed to kill. Although still young with a body not fully grown, he was proportionately built and slender yet powerful. His long legs viciously kicked towards Hisoka's chin. Dodged, he pressed forward instead of retreating. Whirling the knife in his right hand he stabbed straight for Hisoka's heart!

He was immersed in the battle. Suddenly a solid boulder of unknown origin smashed fiercely into the right side of his face. The tremendous force sent him flying in the opposite direction. He fell crashing to the ground, rolled over and flipped back up. Disregarding the grime all over him and the scrapes on his face, his eyes swiftly looked back towards the direction the boulder came from and Hisoka who hadn't moved. Doubt flashed through them. However he didn't hesitate one bit, as if uncaring for his life he charged Hisoka again. This time, seeing the excitement and madness in the boy's beautiful eyes, Hisoka only felt his own blood start to boil after a long time. The golden eyes darkened several shades.

Ah, this was truly a delightful thing... To think this cute little fruit concealed such power!

His hands already held his own weapons - an ordinary yet lethally sharp like knives deck of playing cards when in his hands. A wicked smile on his face. With a casual flick, a flash of silver. Chitose didn't even blink but a long, deep cut opened on his cheek. Blood instantly flowed out, yet he showed no sign of feeling it at all. His speed shifted up a notch; his eyes glowed red, brighter and brighter!

It had been so long since he had an intense, thrilling battle! This was the first time he used the eyes bloodline granted by the Uchiha in battle. He wanted to comprehend even greater power between life and death!

Not enough...

His right hand kunai was dragged away by something invisible. His stomach suffered a fierce punch from Hisoka that threw his internal organs into turmoil, the intense pain making him involuntarily bend over. But he used the chance to launch a deceptive uppercut towards Hisoka's jaw.

Still not enough... not enough...

He took a fierce right hook to the cheek from Hisoka's reaction, stumbling several steps back. His head buzzed noisily, earth and sky, the woods swirling together around him. Thousands of bees roared by his ears. But one thought was exceptionally clear in his mind. Relying on instinct he dodged Hisoka's follow up knee aimed at his stomach. Shifting the kunai to his right hand, he leapt up and spun kicked the back of Hisoka's head who hadn't managed to turn around, then the kunai stabbed viciously down!

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It still wasn't enough! His power!

Killua watched Chitose who seemed to have lost his rationality and sense of pain, only knowing to fight like a wild beast relying on instinct. Chitose was clearly at a disadvantage. If Hisoka unleashed his killing intent...

He trembled slightly, retreating half a step with his right foot.

"Fufufu......Too wonderful! What a delightful power! Cute little fruit... Really, ah~ I can't stand it anymore! I really want to, right now–"

Hisoka murmured lowly, as if having already fallen into some frenzied state. He suddenly broke free from his entanglement with Chitose, grabbing the boy's arm with one hand. With a squeeze, the nauseating sound of bones snapping rang out. He brought his mouth next to the child's ear, his manner intimate yet the words uttered were enough to send chills right to one's heart.

"–kill you!"

Time seemed to freeze in that moment. The two didn't speak, even the wind stopped whispering.

The world was silent.

Hisoka suddenly moved. He looked at his right hand starting from his fingertips already turned purplish-black, then freezing over at a visible rate with interest as he raised a brow. It was the hand that had snapped Chitose's right arm. He simply ignored the small transmutation circle that had appeared out of nowhere, as if completely unaffected by the pain. Not letting go, he flung the boy ruthlessly to the ground instead. Pinning him facedown with a knee, he grabbed a fistful of hair and smashed the small head viciously down again. Then he released his hair only to seize his arm once more, easily snapping Chitose's entire right arm with a "crack"!!

Just as Chitose was seeing stars with the world spinning around him, his pupils abruptly contracted. And after feeling Hisoka twist his other arm behind his back, the bizarre, kaleidoscopic pattern flashed fleetingly in his blood-red eyes. Something was brewing, on the verge of erupting! !

"Stop!!!!!" Right as Chitose's other arm was also about to be broken, an anguished yell resounded from not far away. At the same time, a fishing lineswift as lightning lashed towards Hisoka's undefended back!

"Peng!"

A clear snap. Gon watched as his fishing hook bounced off the solid ice, eyes that were previously brimming with fury even watering now dazed.

Just earlier before his very eyes... Hisoka had turned into an icy sculpture.

Immediately after, Killua beside him started violently trembling! Gon naturally also sensed the astonishing power that erupted from Chitose's body in that instant he made his move, but he didn't think much of it. Seeing Chitose shiver from the intense pain, he stumbled over despite the paralytic slowing him. Grabbing Chitose's hand, his face paled even more than the other as he worriedly asked, “Chi-Chitose! Are you alright?”

The boy who had just suffered cruel torment still emitted some unknown power, but after a few breaths he had grasped the trick and wound the invisible energy around himself. After doing so he slowly pushed himself up with his left arm from the ground. His right arm hung unnaturally, twisted at an odd angle. His face was ghastly pale, clearly the pain was unbearable. But he proceeded to prop up Gon next whose complexion looked even worse as he worriedly watched Chitose. When both had gotten to their feet, he gave Gon a slight smile. “I'm fine.”

Gon examined Chitose's ashen complexion and the cold sweat on his forehead, eyes filled with sincere concern.

Killua finally regained his senses, jogging over and hesitantly supporting Gon. He felt Chitose had the same atmosphere around him as his oldest brother, the one he feared and detested the most. Not looking at Chitose's face, he let his gaze wander until landing on Hisoka who had turned into an icy statue. The devil still wore that vague, mocking smile, golden eyes seeming to laugh at him silently, as if conveying disdain for his present self.

Killua clenched his teeth.

Before they could take a step, Killua heard a "crack" come from the ice statue. He felt his entire body freeze over, eyes wide as he whirled back around. Hisoka had long since shattered his way out from within the ice and was sitting on the ground watching them.

To be accurate, he was watching Chitose.

Chitose's black eyes were tranquil like still water as he quietly returned Hisoka's gaze full of killing intent, yet more so great interest.

No one knew how much time passed until Hisoka, under the pressure of that aura mixed with what Killua sensed from his brother that made his whole body rigidify, and Gon clutching Chitose's hand tighter and tighter, finally seemed to make some decision. He withdrew his killing lust, casually getting to his feet.

"Hmm~ To actually spontaneously awaken aura and even learn Zetsu on your own..." As he said this, Hisoka gave Chitose a meaningful look.

He greatly anticipated just what delicious fruit this little one would ultimately grow into. Thinking about how this child might soon become a big fruit like the head of the Spiders, he couldn't restrain the surging urge to kill.

Ah, really, it was unbearable... But he still couldn't kill him yet, not until that moment arrives. He couldn't...

While he stood there with a bizarre, twisted smile, his entire body quivering from suppressing himself, extremely sinister, Chitose spoke.

"Hisoka, I will come find you again." He fiddled with the target's number plate he had obtained during the fight, giving the even more excited Hisoka a deep look before softly saying, "Let's go."

Gon stared fixedly at Hisoka, slowly nodding along. "When I can punch Hisoka like you, I'll come return his plate."

Meeting his determined gaze, Chitose's lips curled up slightly. "Mm, do your best."

"I will."

Killua silently kept his mouth shut. Watching Chitose who hadn't even glanced his way, only exchanging a look with Gon before falling silent, he secretly clenched his fists.

He thought to himself, next time danger comes I will unhesitatingly rescue Chitose first, beating Gon to it.

However, coincidences in life are just so mystifying. Sometimes one chance flits by, and there is never a next time.

***

The surroundings were a blurred, dense fog where one couldn't see five fingers when stretching out a hand.

The black-haired, black-eyed boy looked around in slight confusion. As his eyes gradually cleared, he suddenly focused on a certain spot. Faintly, a sound that seemed to stir his heartstrings floated over from there.

What was that? He silently stood there, inclining his ear to listen to that voice. He felt an indescribable sensation, as if someone was calling to him.

Who? Who are you? He thought to himself yet didn't speak the questions aloud.

He knew whoever was calling him would definitely hear.

Yes, he could hear! Amidst the silence, Chitose suddenly made out that response. But the voice was too soft for him to hear clearly. Impatience rose uncontrollably within him and he unconsciously strode towards that direction as he loudly shouted in his heart:

Who are you? Where are you?

"...Tose! Chitose!"

Who's calling me?

The young boy halted, frowning as he raised his head searching for the voice's origin. But he abruptly realized the heavy fog surrounding him had already lightened significantly. He hurriedly lowered his head again to look towards where that summoning voice had come from, but his vision only grew more blurred the thinner the fog became. He called out again:

"Who are you?"

In the mist, faintly, there was the sound of metal clashing. Chitose struggled to open his eyes, realizing it was only a dream. He abruptly sat up, then automatically raised his left hand to catch the furry little creature that had fallen from his head.

Kakashi landed in the boy's palm. He rolled his eyes before sitting up, allowing Chitose to return him to the bed. Only then did he look up at the other, the concern concealed within his lazy eyes. "What's wrong? After a nap even your master is someone you don't recognize?"

Chitose startled, then reacted this was probably because he had unintentionally shouted out loud just now at the end. He casually replied, "It was just a dream."

He disregarded Kakashi's thoughtful expression, getting up and walking to the window. "Still not the last exam site yet?"

Outside the window was a beautiful aerial landscape. They were still aboard the airship.

Kakashi raised a brow, not answering. As he looked at Chitose's right hand still wrapped in bandages, he couldn't help but remark, "I didn't expect you would actually choose Hisoka to help increase your strength."

"I don't have time left, Master Kakashi." The young boy suddenly responded. His tone was indifferent yet successfully made Kakashi shut his just opened mouth.

Chitose had already decided to rapidly elevate his strength through battling Hisoka. From this fight, he successfully provoked Hisoka's tremendous interest towards himself.

After his first interaction with Hisoka, he had already singled him out to be the teacher, or perhaps helper, to swiftly develop his Nen abilities.

Only Hisoka could push him to continuously tread on the brink of danger and death. As for what Hisoka thought...he didn't care at all.

Taking a deep breath to suppress the urge to gain power that churned up once more. He still didn't wish to reveal everything before Kakashi. What he least wanted those in Konoha to see was this side of himself.

After staring at Chitose for quite a while, Kakashi just gave a snort. "Fine then, unlovable brat. Jin came by earlier saying he found something that can restore me to normal."

"Where is it?!" Chitose cried out in surprise, whipping around.

Kakashi lazily looked at him, even letting out a yawn before slowly answering under Chitose's furrowed brows. "Maa, before that... Chitose, after getting your Hunter certificate you'll return to Konoha right?"

Despite his lazy appearance, his black eyes like polished agates watched the beautiful boy closely, not missing any subtle change in expression.

Then he saw Chitose's face remain the same as he matter-of-factly said, "Of course."

The two held each other's gaze for a long moment before Kakashi finally moved his eyes away.

"....that's good then."

Author's note:

Hmm hmm, guess who's calling for Chitose in the fog? Also, Killua's storyline gets ruthlessly axed just like that by me. The post-needle Killua might overcome his fear towards strong enemies, but for now...he was doomed to be unable to obtain my son's true affections~ (Killua currently glaring at you with the eyes of a dead man lol)

And I feel like Gon is truly such a good kid! I'm so jealous Chitose has a friend like him! (slaps self awake)

Ahem, anyway, congratulations to Boruto for losing one love rival! Oh, come to think of it, Boruto seems to have disappeared for several chapters now?

Well well, it's almost time to go back after one more exam... it's about time to reveal the truth of that year. Sasuke, are you ready? (Sasuke: ...)